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Kids on bikes
Quote from Guest on September 28, 2012, 10:40 pmHas anyone taken their young child(ren) on the back of a bike and or sidecar w/ you? I have a 3 and 6 yr old. I would like to have the 3 yr old sit in the sidecar while my 6yr old rides w/ me on the back of my Electra Glide. The bike has saddle bags and she would not be able to reach the foot pads. I welcome anyone's thoughts on this, I've gotten mixed reviews from my family (not that I'm basing much of my final outcome one them)
Has anyone taken their young child(ren) on the back of a bike and or sidecar w/ you? I have a 3 and 6 yr old. I would like to have the 3 yr old sit in the sidecar while my 6yr old rides w/ me on the back of my Electra Glide. The bike has saddle bags and she would not be able to reach the foot pads. I welcome anyone's thoughts on this, I've gotten mixed reviews from my family (not that I'm basing much of my final outcome one them)
Quote from Guest on September 29, 2012, 8:08 amHello Tommyqunnlz1. Here in Michigan what you want to do is not legal. Anyone on the back of the bike must be able to reach the stock footboards/pegs without any alterations. The 3 year old in the sidecar would be fine.
Now if you want my opinion, if you moved the footboards so your 6 year old can use them, it would be fine. I believe the passenger needs the stability of their feet on the footboards. If you had a panic stop your passenger would slam into your back if they could not use their legs to hold themselves in place. With a sidecar your passenger would slide left and right as you turned because you don’t lean. A friend of mine has a ’08 Electra Glide Classic (no sidecar) and he mounted highway pegs to the crash bars around the saddlebags. He takes his grandkids for rides all the time and they love it. I’m not sure on their age but they can’t reach the stock pegs. I have seen others make a plate that allowed the footboard to be raised, this gives more of a stock appearance. Again this is just my opinion.
Hello Tommyqunnlz1. Here in Michigan what you want to do is not legal. Anyone on the back of the bike must be able to reach the stock footboards/pegs without any alterations. The 3 year old in the sidecar would be fine.
Now if you want my opinion, if you moved the footboards so your 6 year old can use them, it would be fine. I believe the passenger needs the stability of their feet on the footboards. If you had a panic stop your passenger would slam into your back if they could not use their legs to hold themselves in place. With a sidecar your passenger would slide left and right as you turned because you don’t lean. A friend of mine has a ’08 Electra Glide Classic (no sidecar) and he mounted highway pegs to the crash bars around the saddlebags. He takes his grandkids for rides all the time and they love it. I’m not sure on their age but they can’t reach the stock pegs. I have seen others make a plate that allowed the footboard to be raised, this gives more of a stock appearance. Again this is just my opinion.
Quote from Hack__n on September 29, 2012, 11:45 amKids fall aspeep soon in an auto from the motion. Smaller ones almost as soon as you started the engine, then would waken as soon as you turned it off.
They fall asleep quicker on a bike. Back when my bride and I used to ride two up I would reach around every once in a while, pat her and ask: Are you still there? Sometimes I woke her up.A neighbor uses a wide strap with velcro and wraps both he and his three year old with it when he takes him for a short putt. The lad loves riding with Dad.
Lonnie
Kids fall aspeep soon in an auto from the motion. Smaller ones almost as soon as you started the engine, then would waken as soon as you turned it off.
They fall asleep quicker on a bike. Back when my bride and I used to ride two up I would reach around every once in a while, pat her and ask: Are you still there? Sometimes I woke her up.
A neighbor uses a wide strap with velcro and wraps both he and his three year old with it when he takes him for a short putt. The lad loves riding with Dad.
Lonnie
Quote from Guest on September 29, 2012, 3:13 pmWow thank you very much I never thought, nor did I ever think about either moving or adding the foot pegs higher. Someone had suggested possibly straping the rider on the bike w/ a velcro strap or a bucklable belt. What are your feelings on this? I haven't yet gotten the sidecar and it's still going to be awhile (maybe a yr) till I get it and wanted to do serious research on this before riding w/ them. It goes w/ out saying of course that I want them and myself to have the safest ride and experience as they can get. I've taken them on my brothers bike around his block a couple times sitting on the gas tank and they were nothing short of all smiles. Now I want to do it legally and safe(r) This whole sidecar business is totally new to me, I've never had a sidecar and I'm figuring the whole dynanics of it all is MUCH different. I appreciate all your time and advice you've given me.
Wow thank you very much I never thought, nor did I ever think about either moving or adding the foot pegs higher. Someone had suggested possibly straping the rider on the bike w/ a velcro strap or a bucklable belt. What are your feelings on this? I haven't yet gotten the sidecar and it's still going to be awhile (maybe a yr) till I get it and wanted to do serious research on this before riding w/ them. It goes w/ out saying of course that I want them and myself to have the safest ride and experience as they can get. I've taken them on my brothers bike around his block a couple times sitting on the gas tank and they were nothing short of all smiles. Now I want to do it legally and safe(r) This whole sidecar business is totally new to me, I've never had a sidecar and I'm figuring the whole dynanics of it all is MUCH different. I appreciate all your time and advice you've given me.
Quote from Guest on September 29, 2012, 8:10 pmTom, I have four grandkids (boys 12 and 9, girls 6 and 4). The boys have been riding with me together for three years now. The 12 year old on the back (he could reach the pegs at 9 and is level headed enough I could trust him to hang on) and the 9 year old in the sidecar. He is special needs and part of the deal is he is off the charts for size to age so he could brace himself in the sidecar, hand bar and floor cleat at age 6, worked great. I don't think he will ever be able to ride behind me. The six year old has to use the seat belt to keep her in place and has been going for 2 summers now. This was the first summer for the 4 year old. We had to let the little peanut grow into the XS helmet. Bottom line is they are all different and need different things and the safty of the passenger(s) is up to the operator. Seatbelt is a must if they aren't strong enough or big enough to brace themselves even if not required by law. As a loving Dad just take it slow to start to find how your kids will act and react to the ride. It is a way cool thing to be seen by their friends, pride and excitement can cause them to act??????????? That being said, they will love you forever for your involment with them.
As for falling asleep,it happened to me. When my daughter was 9 we took a trip around Lake Huron, only rule was to stay as close to the lake as possible. Last day out I could feel her dipping so I pulled off at an ouerlook and let her nap on a blanket. (full dressed GolgWing/ no sidecar at that time). You have a great plan doing your research now, best luck and be safe.
Note 1: A owner installed seatbelt hasn't been tested as a safty device and should be viewed only as a position holding aid.
Note 2: Strapping them on the back, be careful with little feet, strong shoe laces, loose clothing and any rope, velcro or anything that can come in contact with moving parts should it come loose. Be better to fab some type of arm rest/child retainer that you could take on and off.
Tom, I have four grandkids (boys 12 and 9, girls 6 and 4). The boys have been riding with me together for three years now. The 12 year old on the back (he could reach the pegs at 9 and is level headed enough I could trust him to hang on) and the 9 year old in the sidecar. He is special needs and part of the deal is he is off the charts for size to age so he could brace himself in the sidecar, hand bar and floor cleat at age 6, worked great. I don't think he will ever be able to ride behind me. The six year old has to use the seat belt to keep her in place and has been going for 2 summers now. This was the first summer for the 4 year old. We had to let the little peanut grow into the XS helmet. Bottom line is they are all different and need different things and the safty of the passenger(s) is up to the operator. Seatbelt is a must if they aren't strong enough or big enough to brace themselves even if not required by law. As a loving Dad just take it slow to start to find how your kids will act and react to the ride. It is a way cool thing to be seen by their friends, pride and excitement can cause them to act??????????? That being said, they will love you forever for your involment with them.
As for falling asleep,it happened to me. When my daughter was 9 we took a trip around Lake Huron, only rule was to stay as close to the lake as possible. Last day out I could feel her dipping so I pulled off at an ouerlook and let her nap on a blanket. (full dressed GolgWing/ no sidecar at that time). You have a great plan doing your research now, best luck and be safe.
Note 1: A owner installed seatbelt hasn't been tested as a safty device and should be viewed only as a position holding aid.
Note 2: Strapping them on the back, be careful with little feet, strong shoe laces, loose clothing and any rope, velcro or anything that can come in contact with moving parts should it come loose. Be better to fab some type of arm rest/child retainer that you could take on and off.
Quote from SidecarMike on September 29, 2012, 10:18 pm
My grandchildren. The boy to the rear is now a U.S. Marine, the one in the middle just turned 17, and the young lady is 15. They literally grew up in my sidecars. On here I believe they were 6, 8, and 10?
My grandchildren. The boy to the rear is now a U.S. Marine, the one in the middle just turned 17, and the young lady is 15. They literally grew up in my sidecars. On here I believe they were 6, 8, and 10?
Quote from Lloyd on September 29, 2012, 11:54 pmIf you haven't got a sidecar yet, you might try to find one big enough for both kids to fit in, I think that they are still a little young to safely ride on the back of a bike. I remember our two rode with my wife and I when they were about 10-12, and still often fell asleep. They always enjoyed riding, and my 41 year old son has had several bikes, and my daughter has always wanted one. They both grew up loving motorcycles, and my son always tells his friends that he has been around bikes all of his life, and wanted his own since he was 2!!
Good luck with it, and be safe.
If you haven't got a sidecar yet, you might try to find one big enough for both kids to fit in, I think that they are still a little young to safely ride on the back of a bike. I remember our two rode with my wife and I when they were about 10-12, and still often fell asleep. They always enjoyed riding, and my 41 year old son has had several bikes, and my daughter has always wanted one. They both grew up loving motorcycles, and my son always tells his friends that he has been around bikes all of his life, and wanted his own since he was 2!!
Good luck with it, and be safe.
Quote from VLAD on September 29, 2012, 11:57 pmUp to about 8 to 8.5 years old two of my kids(twins) use to ride in velorex. After it one of them ride on the back of Goldwing. Box on the back, rear of driver back rest and arm rest on the side - give us good support in case of snoosing. We use some extra restrains for safety. For footpegs I use plates to rase them to good level.
Up to about 8 to 8.5 years old two of my kids(twins) use to ride in velorex. After it one of them ride on the back of Goldwing. Box on the back, rear of driver back rest and arm rest on the side - give us good support in case of snoosing. We use some extra restrains for safety. For footpegs I use plates to rase them to good level.
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 7:43 amMy wife has the same problem as most kids, she can’t stay awake. Rather than strapping her in I added arm rest that flip up instead of swing out. When she is in her seat and I am in front of her, she cannot fall out. I chose not to have a driver’s backrest, because in the event of a bad accident she would then be locked in and possible get hurt worse. Strapping people to 2-wheeled motorcycles always concerned me because you would get hurt far worse in a crash. I haven’t thought about a 3-wheeled bike though. A person was broadsided yesterday on a trike and the bike rolled 5 times. I would not have wanted to be strapped to that bike.
My wife has the same problem as most kids, she can’t stay awake. Rather than strapping her in I added arm rest that flip up instead of swing out. When she is in her seat and I am in front of her, she cannot fall out. I chose not to have a driver’s backrest, because in the event of a bad accident she would then be locked in and possible get hurt worse. Strapping people to 2-wheeled motorcycles always concerned me because you would get hurt far worse in a crash. I haven’t thought about a 3-wheeled bike though. A person was broadsided yesterday on a trike and the bike rolled 5 times. I would not have wanted to be strapped to that bike.
Quote from wvsporty on September 30, 2012, 7:53 amMy 3yo loves the sidecar, has over 5000 miles in just over a year. We just did a 7 day 1350 roadtrip. They make a harness for the older one to keep them ffrom falling off. I seen ne in use on a poker run last year. But I also like the idea of a larger sidecar fr both to set in. If I find the harness I will post a link
My 3yo loves the sidecar, has over 5000 miles in just over a year. We just did a 7 day 1350 roadtrip. They make a harness for the older one to keep them ffrom falling off. I seen ne in use on a poker run last year. But I also like the idea of a larger sidecar fr both to set in. If I find the harness I will post a link
Quote from wvsporty on September 30, 2012, 8:00 amSearch "childrens recreational vehicle ridng" on Ebay. There is also one called "The Back Rider". For the 6yo
Search "childrens recreational vehicle ridng" on Ebay. There is also one called "The Back Rider". For the 6yo
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 11:18 amThank you for your reply Barry, much appreciated. I'm liking that back rest set up that you have there, where did you get it? What I can see from the photo the arm rests and trunk assembly it appears to be one solid piece or am I not seeing it right? I will agree w/ you on the fact of not having anyone strapped in/on to a bike just for that reason of an accident. I've been in a couple of doosies and non of which would want to be strapped into at the time.
Thank you for your reply Barry, much appreciated. I'm liking that back rest set up that you have there, where did you get it? What I can see from the photo the arm rests and trunk assembly it appears to be one solid piece or am I not seeing it right? I will agree w/ you on the fact of not having anyone strapped in/on to a bike just for that reason of an accident. I've been in a couple of doosies and non of which would want to be strapped into at the time.
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 11:26 amWow I can't believe you got all 3 kids in that sidecar that's awesome. You rode w/ them in the car just like that? What did you fasten to or lay on the floor for your granddaughter? I was concerned that there wouldn't e enough room for my 2 daughters now 6 and 3yrs old. But after seeing this, throws a wrench into my knowledge of sidecar room. Love the photo thank you very much for showing me.
Wow I can't believe you got all 3 kids in that sidecar that's awesome. You rode w/ them in the car just like that? What did you fasten to or lay on the floor for your granddaughter? I was concerned that there wouldn't e enough room for my 2 daughters now 6 and 3yrs old. But after seeing this, throws a wrench into my knowledge of sidecar room. Love the photo thank you very much for showing me.
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 11:33 amThank you for your reply Trudy, can you describe the floor cleat or possibly take a picture of it. Is it something you came up w/ or you had someone put in for you? As I told another person that replied to my issue, I was concerned about there being enough room in the sidecare for my 2 daughters that are now 6 and 3yrs old. But you've been riding w/ children older than mine and there seems to be enough room for them. Now did you add the seat belts yourself or did you have someone do it for you?
Thank you for your reply Trudy, can you describe the floor cleat or possibly take a picture of it. Is it something you came up w/ or you had someone put in for you? As I told another person that replied to my issue, I was concerned about there being enough room in the sidecare for my 2 daughters that are now 6 and 3yrs old. But you've been riding w/ children older than mine and there seems to be enough room for them. Now did you add the seat belts yourself or did you have someone do it for you?
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 11:45 amThank you for the post wvsporty, I looked up "the back rider" on Ebay and will keep it in mind.
Thank you for the post wvsporty, I looked up "the back rider" on Ebay and will keep it in mind.
Quote from SidecarMike on September 30, 2012, 11:48 amThey live about 250 miles from me. I rode down one Friday, unannounced and picked them up from school. They made me circle the block three times before they were convinced all friends and teachers saw them. Next, they ran me all over town past the homes of ill classmates in case one might be looking out a window. Out of town, the oldest boy would ride on the back of the bike, but in town he liked to keep the youngest on his lap.
There were no seatbelts, first because I don't like the idea of strapping someone onto a bike, and second because in many states if it is installed, it must be used, even if not OEM.
They live about 250 miles from me. I rode down one Friday, unannounced and picked them up from school. They made me circle the block three times before they were convinced all friends and teachers saw them. Next, they ran me all over town past the homes of ill classmates in case one might be looking out a window. Out of town, the oldest boy would ride on the back of the bike, but in town he liked to keep the youngest on his lap.
There were no seatbelts, first because I don't like the idea of strapping someone onto a bike, and second because in many states if it is installed, it must be used, even if not OEM.
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 1:42 pmHi Tom, Cleat might not be an accurate term, it's a half round hump that runs side to side about a foot in front of the seat cusion for frame clearance and will provide a brace point for some. Legs would have to be long enough to bend a little so heals could be planted. There is a heal cleat/brace almost to the front of the tub that is factory installed. I would belt them in if they can't reach the factory position cleat.
As for the seat belt, the tub is steel so the belt is just bolted through the bottom with thick large diameter washers to spread the load. If I remember right it was in kit form from Crawford(seat belt, bolts and washers in a bag). As I said in the post it's not a tested safty devise but a darn good tool to keep a small kid in place. I have though about the accident and being tied to the bike thing, but blieve the benefits of keeping the kid from sliding around out weigh the risk.
Hi Tom, Cleat might not be an accurate term, it's a half round hump that runs side to side about a foot in front of the seat cusion for frame clearance and will provide a brace point for some. Legs would have to be long enough to bend a little so heals could be planted. There is a heal cleat/brace almost to the front of the tub that is factory installed. I would belt them in if they can't reach the factory position cleat.
As for the seat belt, the tub is steel so the belt is just bolted through the bottom with thick large diameter washers to spread the load. If I remember right it was in kit form from Crawford(seat belt, bolts and washers in a bag). As I said in the post it's not a tested safty devise but a darn good tool to keep a small kid in place. I have though about the accident and being tied to the bike thing, but blieve the benefits of keeping the kid from sliding around out weigh the risk.
Quote from SwampFox on September 30, 2012, 3:06 pmTrans-Moto Sidecars up in Canada has a nifty two-seater option for children:
( pic from http://www.trans-moto.com/504-a.htm ):
Trans-Moto Sidecars up in Canada has a nifty two-seater option for children:
( pic from http://www.trans-moto.com/504-a.htm ):
Quote from 46u on September 30, 2012, 7:11 pmI have been riding my oldest grandson on the back of my motorcycle since he was 5. Now that I have a hack I plain on taking him on longer trips as I do not have to worry about when he falls a sleep.
I have been riding my oldest grandson on the back of my motorcycle since he was 5. Now that I have a hack I plain on taking him on longer trips as I do not have to worry about when he falls a sleep.
Quote from Guest on September 30, 2012, 7:23 pmThis is a better picture of our arm rest. Don't worry, we don't ride with him back there he just likes sittiing in mommy's spot. The arm rest are homemade. There are plenty of options for the Harley machines if you go this route.
This is a better picture of our arm rest. Don't worry, we don't ride with him back there he just likes sittiing in mommy's spot. The arm rest are homemade. There are plenty of options for the Harley machines if you go this route.