Motorcycling With Children
Taking your child on a motorcycle ride is a thrilling experience. Share your love of riding and make memories together that will last a lifetime! It's an exciting adventure for parents.
But it's also an activity that comes with inherent risks. There are the obvious safety risks, of course. There are also the risks of the outing going wrong and putting your child off the motorcycle lifestyle, which is the opposite of what you want.
That's why we created the following guide to motorcycling with children. The below tips will help you set your child up for a safe and successful motorcycle ride. If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, chat with the experts at Big St. Charles Motorsports. Our dealership is based in St. Charles, Missouri, and we also serve those in St. Louis and St. Peters.
Get The Safety Gear Ready
The first step is gathering up the necessary riding apparel for your child. While it's tempting to hand them whatever extra motorcycle gear you've got lying around, this is usually not a viable option. Adult motorcycle gear rarely fits kids. The poor fit drastically compromises the gear's ability to keep your child safe. A motorcycle helmet that's too big and wobbles around, for example, won't offer good protection in the event of a crash.
It's important to purchase youth safety gear that properly fits your child. A motorcycle helmet shouldn't be too heavy for their neck, for example. Some youth motorcycle helmet models "grow" with your kid, allowing you to switch out the cheek pads and use it for longer.
Besides a youth motorcycle helmet, you will need outerwear, boots, gloves, hearing protection, and eye protection. Many parents find what they need by shopping for youth motocross products. These items are designed with sturdiness and durability in mind. If they can withstand the rigors of dirt bike racing, they can handle highway riding.
Get The Motorcycle Ready
Next, make sure your motorcycle is ready for your child. The passenger foot pegs need to be reachable by your kid. You may want to look into aftermarket foot pegs that are more comfortable or more accessible than the current one.
It's also helpful to invest in a passenger backrest. These are not standard on all motorcycles, so you'll want to purchase one if your model lacks it. A passenger backrest adds extra security and one with armrests is ideal. This will add barriers on all sides of your child, offering extra security.
A passenger handle strap is also a helpful motorcycle upgrade. It provides something for your child to more comfortably hold onto, improving their riding endurance and making the ride more fun.
Finally, always do a pre-trip inspection before going motorcycling with your children. Your motorcycle should be in tip top shape before you bring your child along.
Get Your Child Ready
The last preparation step for safely motorcycling with children is getting your child ready. Start by going over the rules of safe motorcycle riding. They need to be careful of the hot exhaust pipes, keep their foot on the pegs, hold on tightly, and so on. Repetition is key, so review the rules before the first several motorcycle rides.
Next, come up with a communication system. That way, it's easy for your child to let you know that they need a bathroom break, they want to rest, they need a snack, and so on. Either use hand signals or, if you have them, Bluetooth®-connected helmets.
Finally, take the time to build up their riding endurance. Don't start off with a massive road trip! Go for a few blocks around the neighborhood and see how they feel. Slowly build up the ride's length. Before you know it, you'll be a pair of riders that dominate the open road!
We hope you found this guide to motorcycling with children helpful. For more advice or to shop motorcycles for sale, reach out to the friendly staff at Big St. Charles Motorsports. We can answer questions, give advice, and assist with whatever you need. Find our dealership in St. Charles, Missouri. We also proudly serve those in St. Louis and St. Peters, Missouri.