a question for fellow fathers

[jserio]

at what age or point in your children's life would you consider taking them for a ride with you on the bike?

[jake42]

at some point after my wife divorces me or dies.
That's the one rule she has, no boy on bike.

I can remember my first time on the back of my brother's bmw, I was 5. He stuck a helmet on and told me that no matter what to not let go of him.

Jake

[blue05twin]

Plan on getting my son a Yamaha ttr-50 ( I think thats what it was ).  This year for x-mas.  Push start, 3 speed auto.  I was 8 or 10 when my dad used to take me for rides. 

Already let the ex know and she's all for it  .  As long as I get all the safty gear also, which I would have even if she didn't say anything abotu it.

[bubba zanetti]

I'd say when he knows what to do when on the back of the bike would be the time, also when he has all the right gear.

I often let my boys ride on my bike, down the the drive. It's amazing, you can get 3 boys on a GS.

[ben2go]

I rode my four year old around the yard.Going on the streets,when they are old enough to drive themselves legally.I generally make it a point not to carry passengers on my bike.

[frankieG]

my personal opinion on this is if they are in a car seat then they should not be on a motorcycle seat

[ben2go]

my personal opinion on this is if they are in a car seat then they should not be on a motorcycle seat

That actually makes sense.

[boosdad]

My daughter was 7 when she started riding with me.  She was so excited to be able to finally ride.  I let her pick out her gear (with my help of course).  It was rough at first, getting her to lean with me and she wiggled around alot.  After a few rides she caught on.  My wife was a little hesitant at first,  but now she likes the time to herself when we go riding.  Something about, she gets so much done around the house when we are gone.   

[yamahonkawazuki]

Hmm how old is your child, when i had both my gs and my sportie, i took my gf's sons for rides, and her daughter as well, teh eldest son at the time was 9, he was no prob the daughter was a year younger, again no prob, but the youngest one was 5, and teh comprehension of a drunken man, he only rode once. that aside sit thee child on the bike behind you ( dont go anywhere) and go over with him/her how they are to sit  with NO EXCEPTIONS. and lean the bike over again not moving, and see. then do it with it running, ( again not moving) and see. only ride them when youre VERY comfortable with tehm on your vehicle. because at that point youve got 2 lives to be responsible for ( not counting those in your vicinity while riding

[Cal Price]

That's a real tough question. So many variables.

When my kids were small I did not have a bike, financial priority was keeping a roof overhead and the family fed. I have grandsons now and their mother, my daughter, does not seem to have a problem with it but since they have never been particularly interested that's easy to say.

When I was five, six and older I travelled regularly in the pillion of my mother's BSA bantam or Dad's 350 AJS, that was in the early fifties and the world was a different place. Looking back i still have vivid and very good memories of some of those days out to the coast or wherever and I am so glad they did it. It worked for me.