Bikerswin.com

This is for members of Bikerswin.com you can join for free click here

 


Kids Like to Ride Motorcycles Too


Roaring up on a motorcycle has a strong draw for all of us who have adopted the biker lifestyle. This draw often hits our children too. I know that for me my kids love to ride and probably want to do it as much as I do. I love taking them for rides and sharing the experience with them. But there are some additional considerations that have to be taken into account when loading them on the back of your motorcycle.

Protective Clothing
Just like for us, kids have to have protective clothing on. It's really great that several of the leathers companies have started producing good quality leathers for kids. I always make sure that they are properly dressed. This means that they have long pants (denim or chaps), long sleeves (denim and leather jackets work best), full finger gloves, good sturdy shoes, and a properly fitted D.O.T. helmet. All of these items can be obtained through a multitude of sources on the internet, local bike and leather shops, and at swap meets.

One other piece of protective clothing is a good pair of sunglasses. Recent studies have shown that the earlier children start wearing eye protection while outdoors the better their chances of avoiding major eye health problems later in life.

Damage to the eyes is cumulative, increasing from year to year. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be very harmful to unprotected eyes and almost half of a person's total lifetime UV radiation exposure occurs before age 18. Young eyes let more UV rays inside and normally get more exposure because they spend more time outdoors, usually without eye protection. Exposure to sunlight at an early age appears to be a critical factor in the development of eye cancer. The good news is that high quality children's sunglasses (kids aged 3-12) are easier to find than ever. Modeled after adult versions, they feature high impact-resistant lenses with sturdy, durable frames and lots of great colors.

Look for polycarbonate plastic lenses since this is the most shatter-resistant. Always make sure to buy sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB.

Passenger Comfort
Often the passenger pegs or floorboards are set for a normal height passenger. They are definitely not set for riding around kids. Make sure that you have a good solid support for them to put their feet on. My son uses the highway bars on the back as his foot rests, since they fit just about right. My daughter has now started using the regular floorboards since she's gotten tall enough to reach them. I've talked to people who have gone as far as rigging up adjustable floorboards on their bike to adjust to the height needed by their passenger.

Passenger Rules
Make sure that your kids understand the rules about being a passenger. Make sure they know where they need to be holding on to. Make sure that they understand not to make any sudden movements. Make sure that they know to keep their bottom flat on the seat at all times. These really are the same rules that would apply anytime you carry a passenger, but with kids you have to make sure that you explain them in a way they would understand.

Rider Responsibilities
When you have a kid on the back of your motorcycle you have to be more aware of what they are doing. They may have a tendancy to move more than an adult passenger. They may play games by sticking their hands out in the wind (like we don't ever do that do we?). I find with my kids that they generally want to talk more than an adult passenger and they get more excited over things they see from the back of the motorcycle.

Be aware that the steady rumble of your motor can have a tendancy to lull passengers to sleep. There's been more than once that I've had passengers fall asleep when riding with me (must be my stellar personality). With adults this usually doesn't present much of a problem since it'd be harder for them to fall off. With children it's a completely different situation. Since there is generally more room for them between the rider and the sissy bar, if they do fall asleep, there is a greater chance for them to flop over to one side or another. When they do this they increase their chances of falling of to the side. When you have a kid as a passenger stay alert of this and be prepared to hold them up and stop, if this situation occurs.

Riding with kids can be a very enjoyable experience. But please be aware that with that comes some additional responsibilities.

----- Be Safe ... Enjoy the Ride

Tools

Jeff Sinason aka "Tools" is a long time motorcycle enthusiats. Being a motorcycle nut, he has run into all kinds of conditions and ridden through them unscathed. He is the owner of http://www.bikerwares.com which is a site dedicated to Enjoying the Ride.


MORE RESOURCES:

Wired News

MotoCzysz Puts the Sizzle in Electric Motorcycles
Wired News
We are in the midst of an electric motorcycle revolution, and nowhere is that more obvious than on the racetrack. ...



Motorcycle.com

New, Yet Old: Royal Enfield Launches 2010 Model Lineup
RoadracingWorld.com
Faribault, Minn – Classic Motorworks, the official importer and distributor of Royal Enfield motorcycles in the United States, today announced the arrival ...
Royal Enfield launches demo tourMotorcycle.com

all 3 news articles »


Central Florida News 13

2010 Daytona Bike Week Day 4 Report
MotorcycleUSA.com
The traveling display only includes 2010 Big Dog Motorcycles. It didn't, however, include the new 2010 Big Dog Chopper. Even though Bike Week would have ...
Daytona Bike Week 2010 in pictures--The Custom BikesExaminer.com
Motor Medics Provide Quick Help At Bike WeekWESH Orlando
2010 Daytona Bike Week Day 3 ReportMotorcycleUSA.com
Examiner.com
all 32 news articles »


Hawaii Lawmakers Propose Banning Everything from Leafblowers, Car Alarms, Loud ...
Watchdog
By admin on March 10, 2010 By Frances Nuar Bans, prohibitions—call them what you will, the Hawaii State Legislature has been busy hearing a number of bills ...



Google Maps now gets bike directions
TechWhack (blog)
This new feature would come handy for users who travel around on cycles or motorcycles/scooters using a mobile device.

and more »


Motorcycle.com

Zero Motorcycles Get New 2010 Looks, Options
Future Cars News
... now and has responded to the growing electric motorcycle market competition with some new options and improvements for their line of e-motorcycles. ...
2010 Zero Motorcycles lineup announcedMotorcycle.com
Written by Dan EvonAllAboutBikes

all 4 news articles »


Basem's Motorcycles Blog
About - News & Issues (blog)
My recent test of the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 produced a pretty major revelation: though the Multi's go ...



Orlando Sentinel (blog)

Ewan McGregor talks Ghost Writer, motorcycles
Orlando Sentinel (blog)
Ewan McGregor thinks of his professional life as a checklist, with career choices reflecting “boxes that I can check off on my list. ...

and more »


BBC News

Queen Elizabeth's silversmith robbery
Monsters and Critics.com
A police spokesman told the BBC: "A number of suspects on motorcycles approached the shop and smashed windows before stealing items. ...
robbers raid Queen's silversmithBBC News
Smash-and-grab raid at Queen's silversmithThe Press Association
Daylight robbery: Motorbike gang strike in central London jewellery heistThis is London
The Sun
all 27 news articles »


Contraband fags to go up in smoke
Ceylon Daily News
The officials have assembled these motorcycles and found that high powered motorcycles were included in this stock. According to Assistant Customs Director ...
'Gold sticks' worth rupees 31.5 million up in smokeDaily Mirror

all 2 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006