My 6 year old daughter Alyson wanted to go ride with me. I decided to call her bluff, and we took her over to a school parking lot so I could ride with her there - no cars etc. I took my helmet off so I could hear everythign she said - I didn't want her to be scared and me not know it.
SHe hopped on, and her smile was a mile wide. We ended up doing laps in the parking lot for about 15 minutes, then she wanted to tour the neighborhood, so off we went - VERY SLOWLY.
SHe put her hands in the pockets of my jacket for grip, and I rode with my left arm tucking her arm in tight, and my hand on hers just to make sure she was hanging on.
DOn't bash me about the gear she's missing - we left the parking lot and went home and put on some elbow and knee pads. I will now gladly be looking for some proper gear for her including some type of buddy system that straps her body to mine in case her hands let go. Now that I know she wants to ride, and actually enjoyed it - I'm all over getting her the right stuff.
Really cool, Ken. I'm sure that she'll have the memory forever. I figure that you'll do right by her for equipment and all, but she really looks tiny behind you.
I've used that with all my kids. It doesn't strap them to you...but gived them handles to hold onto, and a little bit of separation between the two of you.
We used to use straps from luggage to strap my kids right up to me...then we found out that their view is blocked...that snuggling dad at 60 mpg is good...and that kids will fall asleep while you are riding.
Switched to buddy belt...kids felt secure and they stayed awake.
HJC makes some great kids sized helmets...as for the rest of the gear...my kids look like lil motorcrossers.
CementHead, Aug 27 2006, 09:18 PM Really cool, Ken. I'm sure that she'll have the memory forever. I figure that you'll do right by her for equipment and all, but she really looks tiny behind you.
You are correct about her size, she's a half pint compared to me - but so are most people!! smile.gif Not sure if she's ready to do a 500 mile day with me yet, maybe she'll sprout a bit over the winter and have a little more mass to make her feel even more confident with on the bike.
Hobie1dog, Aug 27 2006, 09:22 PM Nothing beats quality time with just the two of you. Glad to hear her introduction to bikes was so gentle and enjoyable. GOOD DAD biggrin.gif
I'm reliving and savouring EVERY second of the time we had - it was awesome. I think my wife is also reliving every second, and hating me for it..... tongue.gif
VFRVeryFunRide, Aug 27 2006, 09:26 PM Looks to me like ole dad enjoyed that ride as much as the young 'un. biggrin.gif Been there done that. What a memory.
I've used that with all my kids. It doesn't strap them to you...but gived them handles to hold onto, and a little bit of separation between the two of you.
just my .02
Will have to give that a closer look - thanks for including the link - I appreciate it!
Flailer, Aug 27 2006, 09:51 PM fing02.gif You're a very rich man! fing02.gif edit: server being weird
I sure felt like it today. I am a very fortunate person.
matt_c, Aug 27 2006, 09:58 PM You know riding without your helmet is setting a ........just kidding ya. Looks like you guys had a great time with your daughter. Im thrilled for ya, cant wait for my twin boys to do the same.
-Matt
Nice one....... almost got me on the helmet comment. tongue.gif My helmet went back on as we toured the neighborhood. SHe got pretty good at flippping her visor up and tapping me when she wanted to tell me something.
SWEET!! I was at Motodtrano the other day in redwood city, CA, and they had some 1 piece leather suits in kids sizes. dont remember the brand but they carry hundreds of alpinestars suits as well as other stuff. you might call them up and ask.
oh yes, i remember my first ride with my daughter. She is hooked now....I cant go anywhere without her. The only pics i have are with visors up. For security reasons i am not posting that picture...but we had fun.
After riding for a couple of years she wants me to do wheel.gif but i dont have a buddybelt. Besides i would have to run like a 3.gif cause the wife would hunt me like one..... goofy.gif
Kanadian Ken, Aug 27 2006, 07:11 PM TOday was a great day.
My 6 year old daughter Alyson wanted to go ride with me. I decided to call her bluff, and we took her over to a school parking lot so I could ride with her there - no cars etc. I took my helmet off so I could hear everythign she said - I didn't want her to be scared and me not know it.
WHat a day!!! fing02.gif
Good for you and good for her.
Kids absolutely thrive when their people pay attention to them. Have fun.
Nothing beats the family/sport togetherness.....used to ride my oldest daughter a lot when she was small. She's 35 now but you'll never loose the memories...keep it up!!! fing02.gif
How cool! Ken, can you post what you find for kids (or send me a PM?) My 6 year old daughter is about to come unglued waiting for me to give her a ride, but I want to get her geared up first... and don't need the wife making me sleep in the garage with the bike smile.gif Thanks
Man that is awesome! I have a 3 yr old and have wondered how old she should be before I attampted to throw on the back with me. I was thinking about 6 to 9 yrs would be about right, so now I am looking at about 3 yrs and I can't wait!
That's fantastic, Ken. My daughter, who is 17, just came to live with me for her final year of high school. I took her to school on the VFR on the first day, last Wednesday. Now everybody thinks the new girl is cool! Or at least her dad is. tongue.gif
7K Rush, Aug 28 2006, 05:52 AM That's fantastic, Ken. My daughter, who is 17, just came to live with me for her final year of high school. I took her to school on the VFR on the first day, last Wednesday. Now everybody thinks the new girl is cool! Or at least her dad is. tongue.gif
Yeah my daughter LOVES it when i drop her off or am waiting off to the side tp pick her up where all the kids walk by and drool and say thats not fair and your lucky....she loves it. fing02.gif
ULEWZ, Aug 28 2006, 12:00 PM I like the fact that he is wearing a Parachute. laugh.gif
For a quick second there....it looked like you had him bungee cord'd down to the seat too laugh.gif
Alleycatdad, Aug 28 2006, 06:43 AM This is how we go to school.. If you look closely, you can see the nylon belt with handles we made for him to hold onto. $2.49 at Ace.
Steve
[image: IPB Image] How we go to school Yeah, I know...he wears a full face but MOM wanted the picture!
Thats awesome Ken. Her smile is so big it's jumping out of the helmet. I can remember my dad riding me around when I was four years old. My very first memories are riding a motorcycle. The love affair with bikes continues to this day. You are screwed, look what you started. Dad can I have a 50. beer.gif
soichiro, Aug 28 2006, 03:17 PM Thats awesome Ken. Her smile is so big it's jumping out of the helmet. I can remember my dad riding me around when I was four years old. My very first memories are riding a motorcycle. The love affair with bikes continues to this day. You are screwed, look what you started. Dad can I have a 50. beer.gif
I don't want to be a hypocrite - my first bike was a Honda Z50, and my goal is to buy one over the winter. I don't think my daughter wants to dirt bike, but my 5 year old son sure does. He wouldn't be able to touch the ground on a CRF50, but I think once he starts - he won't stop......
It is hard to see - but she is definately smiling large in that helmet!! beer.gif (sorry if I'm boring anyone, but this is primo "Proud Daddy" stuff that I have to share!)
Ken awesome pics and story. Glad she loves it so much, glad the wife lets it happen. It is perfectly fine to be a proud daddy and post pictures of your kiddies, you even had the bike in it so you are legal. I have concerns of the riding belts that attach the child to you, if you were to go down, you run the risk of landing on top of your kid. I would suggest a backrest and the love handle belt that has loops on it to grip to seen here: Love Handle Belt [image: IPB Image]
Kanadian Ken, Aug 28 2006, 07:35 PM 5 year old son sure does. He wouldn't be able to touch the ground on a CRF50, but I think once he starts - he won't stop......
chris2992, Aug 28 2006, 04:11 PM Ken awesome pics and story. Glad she loves it so much, glad the wife lets it happen. It is perfectly fine to be a proud daddy and post pictures of your kiddies, you even had the bike in it so you are legal. I have concerns of the riding belts that attach the child to you, if you were to go down, you run the risk of landing on top of your kid. I would suggest a backrest and the love handle belt that has loops on it to grip to seen here: Love Handle Belt [image: IPB Image]
Good point about landing on her if using the attached strap device.... I guess a combination of the Love Handles, with a Topbox mounted out back might be a good setup. The topbox stops her from flying straight off the back, and the Love Handles strap allows her a good grip location.
I have the winter that is fast approaching to mentally debate this one......
Kanadian Ken, Aug 27 2006, 09:11 PM TOday was a great day.
My 6 year old daughter Alyson wanted to go ride with me. I decided to call her bluff, and we took her over to a school parking lot so I could ride with her there - no cars etc. I took my helmet off so I could hear everythign she said - I didn't want her to be scared and me not know it.
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