2 part motorcycle question for those with kids...

[Alien]

My wife and I are currently trying to start a family. (Practice makes perfect! )   Both of our fathers rode when we were little, her father is still riding, mine stopped after going deer hunting and bagging a buck with his CB750. (This was over 30 years ago, he's ok just a lot more scars and a few steel plates to remind him of the experience.)

1. Did/do you continue to ride while your kids are/were very young or did you hang it up for a while?  If you did take a hiatus, how long? I consider myself a pretty safe and experienced rider (20 years of nearly daily riding) but sh*t happens and I've been down before.  My wife is ok with whatever decision I make.  Thoughts?

2. How do you feel about your children riding themselves?  Honestly, my first instinct is to prevent them from going near a motorcycle at all costs out of concern for their safety.  This makes me feel like a hypocrite.  Yesterday my wife asked me how I'd feel about my teenage daughter dating a kid with a bike.  Without even thinking I said "I'd break his legs."

I really don't want to give up riding...but I want to be a responsible parent too.   

[Jess Tolbirt]

i rode mine,, kids got to ride sitting in front of me,, we stayed close to home,, when they got old enough to reach the peg on the back, we then took longer rides..

[da prez]

I started riding at 16 (leagley) and have not stopped. My children have been on motorcycles and mini bikes from about 6 years old. With proper gear, I took them when I could. I tried to instill safety in them. If they went on another bike, they knew they could call if they felt unsafe. The driver also knew me and that if there was an incedent, they would have to answer to me. My daughters are in their 49's and both ride. My son also rides.  You can only do so much as a parent. LOVE them , teach them respect, and manners. GOD willing all will be well!
                                                                                 da prez

[Popeye]

I have pretty much always had a bike while raising my 3 sons.  Use to take them ot football or baseball practice on the bike.  Took all 3 of them on a roadtrip once they got out of 8th grade, their
trip, they picked the destination.  Went to Cedar Point with the oldest son, Rocky Mountain NP with
middle son, and the Grand Canyon with the youngest.  

They have also seen the effects of an accident I had 2 years ago, spent 8 months at PT and missed
5 months of work.

Will they ride? I think at least the middle and youngest will.   Will I try and stop them, not sure but
I have always let them make their own decisions.  My life has been enriched because of motorcycles and the people who ride them.

I guess you have to do what you feel is best for you.

[steve 3054]

You cannot stop living just because you are going to have a child...the bike makes me who I am so w/o it I am not me...as far as little ones...common since goes along way

[The Anvil]

I used to take Monica sitting in front of me on the DRZ. Now she rides onj the back of the Valk (she's 10). You can bet your ass that I'm EXTRA careful with her on there though.

[Jabba]

I always say... I am unwilling to NOT live, because I am too afraid to die.

I ride.  I have a 5 year old.  But I have to admit... the older he gets, and the closer we get... the more I think about hanging it up for a while.

But I also know, that I am A LOT better Dad when I get to ride once in a while.  It's VERY theraputic for me.  I know it is for others on here too.

38.8 fatalities per 100M miles on Motorcycles.  Most of those have been riding less than 6 months, and are either young and stupid, or old and feeble. (no offense intended to the old and feeble on this board)  

work that backwards...

If you ride... say 250,000 miles on motorcycles in your life.  And that's a fair bit.

You're RAW statistical chances of dying on a motorcycle are... 9.7%.

Did I do the math right?

Jabba

[Karen]

OK, Jabba, that's it, I'm offended NOT. For the other side of the coin, after I had been riding for 10 years, I saw a bad motorcycle accident happen right behind me. After that I was terrified, and could not enjoy the ride ( I tried several times), afraid of all those huge metal things around me that were obviously out to get me. So I said "I've had 10 good years, time to do other things", sold my R26, and did those other things. In the late 80's, one of my co-workers was selling a 74 CB750K4 for $300; I had a Ford Fairmont that burned more oil than gas, and I was going up to New Hampshire to bicycle a lot. Figured that if I was still afraid I could get my money back. I was fine when not on the highways, think that being on the bicycle helped, but it took a good couple of years before I was comfortable on the interstates. Near misses no longer frighten me, they just make me vow to be a better rider. Like many things in life, confidence plays a huge part. If you think you can, you probably will, but confidence also has to be based on a realistic assessment of your own abilities and experiences. And there are always those things that you cant predict. At this point I am willing to accept the risks.

[Serk]

I was riding when my now 9 year old daughter was born, and I kept riding while the now 9 month old triplets were born and in the hospital, and have no intention of quitting. But the real question is, are YOU comfortable riding while you have small kids? If you're not confident, IMHO, your lack of confidence itself could be dangerous.

If you're worried, take out a life insurance policy large enough that they'd be taken care of if something happened to you. Also take out AD&D insurance if something happens to you but not the BIG something.

As far as them riding, yeah, I'll be terrified when they're old enough to ride their own if they want to, but when my parents gave me a hard time about it when I was a kid, I vowed then to not be a hypocrite and support their decision, be a part of it and try to use my influence to make them the safest riders I can make them.

My older daughter started riding with me around age 5-6, btw... But IMHO age is just a number, you have to judge the physical AND mental age of the child as individuals to determine when they're old enough to be a passenger.

[larswlvs]

I rode while my kids grew up. My daughter use to ride the tank,then the pillion when she got older.During her preteen years she learned how to handle a dirt bike (Honda Elsinore 250) in the hills of southern Ohio. On long rides she would fall asleep sitting on the back of my bike, you would not even know she was there till you went around a sharp curve and  her head would fall from side to side.My sons and daughter have there own bikes now.Life is what it is ..you have to do the things you enjoy "even if your old and feeble"  

[RainMaker]

I did not stop riding when the kids were born.  Took them on rides when they were little, sometimes took them to school when they were older on the motorcycle.  Oldest son got a motorcycle when he was 16, a Valkyrie when he graduated with his Bachelors Degree.  Youngest son doesn't want to ride - no problem.

I did give up flying single engine aircraft, though.  Took my last flight one week after my first was born, never looked back. Figured one dangerous hobby was enough.

It's not what anyone else does but what feels right to you. Whatever decision you make will be the right one.  You may hang it up for a few years or forever or keep riding.  Whatever you decide, it was the right call.

[f6gal]

I always say... I am unwilling to NOT live, because I am too afraid to die.

I ride.  I have a 5 year old.  But I have to admit... the older he gets, and the closer we get... the more I think about hanging it up for a while.

But I also know, that I am A LOT better Dad when I get to ride once in a while.  It's VERY theraputic for me.  I know it is for others on here too.

38.8 fatalities per 100M miles on Motorcycles.  Most of those have been riding less than 6 months, and are either young and stupid, or old and feeble. (no offense intended to the old and feeble on this board)  

work that backwards...

If you ride... say 250,000 miles on motorcycles in your life.  And that's a fair bit.

You're RAW statistical chances of dying on a motorcycle are... 9.7%.

Did I do the math right?

Jabba

Statistically speaking, your chances of dying in a motorcycle crash are MUCH, MUCH lower if you wear a helmet every time you ride.

Most motorcycle fatalities involve an unprotected skull coming in contact with a non-giving surface (generally, asphalt or concrete).
Of course, there are exceptions... but typically, if you wear a helmet and crash, you may get broken and bruised, but you will live.

[KSDragonRider]

I have 2 kids, a 5 year old and a 3 year old.  They have been riding the 4 wheeler since they could sit up straight.  Both kids now ride their little 50cc atv through the yard with supervision.  I have put on over 6k on a motorcycle in the last 12 months.  

My wife and I use the valk as a "get away from the kids and bs"  leave the kids with the sitter and go for 300 miles and then pick them up...

I am also looking at putting a pad and some different pegs on my interstate pillon so that my 5 year old can start taking short rides with me as reward for doing well in school and stuff like that, when my 3 year old gets to be 5, i will do the same with her.  

My 5 year old has ridden her 4 wheeler up side down a number of times already... and every time she learns more and listens better after that.  We dont raise no little girls here that will be scared! hahaha

I say you two are going to need something to get your mind away, and some "you" time... and your kids will grow up with a life time of fun memories riding and having fun.  I started when i was 7 or 8, and miss those times looking back for sure.


my 3 year old taking notes on how this is done.  I dont get to drive anymore, just ride behind her for a bit longer.

look close, there are 3 left legs sticking out, me and the girls riding around the yard on my old suzi


my sister, her kids, and my kids at moms farm. this was a slow ride, but everyone loved it.

.
sisters riding together.  notice me in the shadows, im holding a kill switch line, go faster than a 2 mph walk, i pull the cord, the bike dies!


And yes, before anyone says anything, long pants, boots and helmets are now part of our norm.  This was a last years pics.  We are more serious this year, and taking things to the next level of saftey (read my 5 year old climbed the barn with the yellow one last sept, and scared the crap out of me one last time)

[Valker]

I raised 5 kids. Before my wife and I got married, I told her that I will ALWAYS own a motorcycle. If she wasn't OK with that, I said we'd better stop the relationship. I did take out a lot of insurance when the kids were at home. Enough to replace my income until they were grown and gone. I had disability insurance also.
My kids rode with me nearly from the time they were born (had a sidecar rig). The three sons ONLY had motorcycle for transportation for a long time (one now also has a pickup). All five took the MSF classes, and only one does not ride on a consistent basis. The oldest and boldest one had a crash about 7 years ago and is missing his left foot, but he still rides daily. Of the four bikes currently owned by me and/or family members, we have 280,000 miles on them combined. One that rides daily has 3 kids of his own.
So, all that to say, "We still ride some".
BTW-youngest is 20 now.

[R J]

I was a Motor Officer when my 1st 3 kids were born and growing up.

So I couldn't stop riding without  giving up my Motor certification and go back to a Cruiser.    NO way Jose, I like to ride too much.

Kids riding, out of 5 kids, 2 have been in all of the lower 48 on bikes with me, and 1 has been in all 50.    We got the 50th state when mom &  I went to Hawaii with them in 2000.    That was how she got the 50 states.

They started riding with me at about 6 or 7 years old.   They learned to hang onto my belt.    Youngest daughter went on a 22 state run when she was 12.   We pulled a camping trailer and camped every night except when we got into Michigan and motorcycles were not allowed in the park.   We rode all night to get up to the big bridge with the grate bottom, and went on around the lake to Minnesota.   My last grand kids, last daughters girls will start riding in about a year or 2.  oldest one will turn 9 on her next birthday.   These 2 already ride with me on the Chevy Trike.

[Toledo Mark]

I rode as a teen and then not until our youngest was about 10.  I have never taken my wife for a ride, Or my kids.  I purchased additional life insurance also.  I just do not want to leave them straped or kill them also.

[BradValk48237]

When I was 7 years old, I got my first long trip on my Dad's 1969 CB 750... I still remember it and probly why I started to ride as soon as I could.... was only from Lansing to Mason MI to see a Steam Tractor event.....  Only about 40 miles round trip but it seemed like it went by in a minite..... had my own kiddy "crash" helmet..... plastic and looked like what you might see someone riding a horse today wear... but it was bought at a motorcycle shop.... this was '72.......

I had been around the block several times before, but that was one of the things my Dad and I still talk about...

best part was, the kids on the block were out and Dad revved it up and lifted the front wheel a bit in front of em..... For the rest of the summer I was the kid that got to ride motorcycles...

I say ride, take yer kids if you feel okay with it... get em real helmets and jackets...but don't stop ridin just because you think you "might' get killed......you might slip in the tub and have the same result.

My Dad never did and rides to this day...... and raised 2 kids......

Brad

[f6gal]

I raised 5 kids. Before my wife and I got married, I told her that I will ALWAYS own a motorcycle. If she wasn't OK with that, I said we'd better stop the relationship. I did take out a lot of insurance when the kids were at home. Enough to replace my income until they were grown and gone. I had disability insurance also.
My kids rode with me nearly from the time they were born (had a sidecar rig). The three sons ONLY had motorcycle for transportation for a long time (one now also has a pickup). All five took the MSF classes, and only one does not ride on a consistent basis. The oldest and boldest one had a crash about 7 years ago and is missing his left foot, but he still rides daily. Of the four bikes currently owned by me and/or family members, we have 280,000 miles on them combined. One that rides daily has 3 kids of his own.
So, all that to say, "We still ride some".
BTW-youngest is 20 now.

Glad to hear Micah is doing well and still riding; he's such a great kid! (Ok, adult!)
Hard to believe that was 7 years ago!  And your youngest is 20 now?  Wow!

[JimC]

I started riding at 18 (1971) and I continued to ride until I had 4 kids. I was out riding one night and the thought hit me that my wife would not have a very good life with 4 kids without my income, so I sold the bike.

i never did get it out of my system, (do you ever?) so after my youngest graduated from high school, I bought a used goldwing, then another, then another, and now the Valkyrie.

Jim

[alph]

i was 30 when i bought my first cycle, why so old? because my mother was such a chicken over cycles.  when i was thirty i walked in to the DMV and took the written test, without studing, and passed with only two wrong.  went home told my wife that i was going to buy a cycle, so i did.  we had two girls when i bought my cycle, haven't stopped riding yet!  i've put on about 50k miles in 15 years, not alot for those many years, but keep in mind that's only really 7 1/2 years in wisconsin!!

i take my 11 year old son with me when ever possible, my 15 year old daughter LOVES her scooter, my 18 year old daughter could careless about the whole thing, but will ride when she's wanting to go.  my wife, forget it!!  she'll drive in the van and talk to me on the CB!!  that's the closes she'll get to "riding" with me.

[fudgie]

Lotta good responses. 

I've seen way to many of my friends give up bikes for kids/wives. They are misrable. Always talk of getting another but yrs go by..... I think maybe that is why I dont want any (right now?) but I'm not getting younger.  Maybe its selfish but I really enjoy the road together way to much to give it up.

[gregc]

 I have owned a motorcycle since I got married, seven years later when our first son was born, I rode by myself.  Wife stayed home with the baby, three years later the second son came along and I was still by myself, on the cycle.  Couple years later I sold the cycle, and put in an above ground pool, so we could all spend time together on nice days.  One day a few years later while floating around the pool on a raft,my wife said to me "This would be a great day for a motorcycle ride". Within a few weeks I had a motorcycle again, and my wife was on the back.  Once the boys were old enough to be left without a baby sitter, everything returned to normal.  The oldest loved to ride with me, his little brother would ride on the back of my friends Harley, then they would switch places for the ride home.  They are 22 and 25 now, don't ride with me anymore, but they both talk about getting a bike.  I guess I can only hope they learned from me and all will be fine.

[Serk]

One other observation...

My father in law gave up riding when my wife was born... Said he'd get back up on 2 wheels later...

Later came... And he physically can't handle a bike anymore...

IMHO, do what you love now, "later" isn't guaranteed to get here for any of us.

[fnsmoak]

I've been riding since before legal, and very few times had less than two bikes in the yard.  I gave up hunting.  That was expensive.  Riding the bike saved more than it cost.  I rarely let any children ride w/ me until I got the Valk.  Due to color scheme, it seems like most folks don't try to play tag anymore like they did when I drove the Black & chrome bikes.  The Valk simply feels safer, stable, etc.

These were the best times ....  We talk of them often.

[Jeff K]

My Granddaughter. She LOVES to ride



And My Daughter Kelli, I think she was 2?

[jrb]

I gave up riding when my kids were small, mostly I didn't like the idea of me out playing while my wife was home watching our three girls. However, now they are all grown up and now my wife and I ride alot. Going to Yellowstone and Glacier this summer.

[YoungPUP]

Had this talk when my sons were born, will both be 2 in July. The only changes that were made was to up my life ins from 250K to 500K. The wife isn't a rider so thats not a problem there, and unfortunately due to some of my jobs in the past we've always made sure plans were in place in case something happened to me. As for them riding, the agreement is that they have to be atleast five.

[Thulsa Doom]

Rode dirt bikes when I was a kid of course but didn't get another bike (Honda XR650) until my son was about 10. Rode the daylights out of that for 5 years but stopped riding dirt due to back problems so I got the Valk. Wife wants no part of riding. Son wants to ride with me but pretty busy with sports and will start driving soon enough.
I don't worry about crashing and not coming home. I've had major internal surgery and been incapacitated and can no longer stand to put things off and not enjoy myself. I have to enjoy things now before the next thing happens and I can't. Don't want any regrets.

[flcjr]

I starting riding and racing dirt bikes when I was 10 I bought my first street bike at age 15 when I could get a license to drive it. Mom hated it Dad bought me a new helmet. I have given up the dirt bikes for atvs and my daughter will be six in a few weeks. She has ridding with me on the atv since she was born and loves it. I can't wait to show her the atv I got for her on her birthday thats hiding out in the shop. I have ridden street bikes the whole time. The last three years on my valk. I do find myself being a little more carefull sometimes and the helmet joins me more times then not since she was born. Maybe it's responsible or maybe just my good senses as I age??

[hotglue #43]

I've had a bike since I was 9 years old...Always a road bikes...  dirt bikes scared me......  60 now... and our kids are the PERFECT ages... 43 and 38.... living on their own and supporting themselves.... we LIKE them now!!!!!!  We ALWAYS LOVED them..... but now we Like them again....

[fordmano]

I did stop riding around the time my wife was pregnant with our first son,, but I started riding agin 2 weeks before he was born and rode for 3-4 years and financial issues kept me of of 2 wheels for a while but by the time my wife was pregnant with our second son I was back at it again, and have not stopped riding since that time. I have been down sort of a few times luckily nothing at speed only tip overs on the street and 1 bad wreck on the dirt last year and still have shoulder problems from that one.

Kids started riding dirt when my youngest was only 8y/o and the Older son was almost 11y/o, they both had driven gas powered go-carts by the time they were 4y/o.

Here is my youngest and his cousin on 2001 YZ125's at age 11, this was there first day out on the 2smokers. gave $2,500 for the on on the left and then a couple years after I gave $600 for the one on the right.


My youngst on his first new bike, china knock off 125cc 4stroke, at age 8.5y/o he loved that little junker and he rode it till it wore out. Gave $450 for this one

This is both my boys  age 8.5 and almost 13 this was thier first NEW bikes that Christmas.

They both moved up after about 2 years. Gave $2,300 for that DRZ125

Now the whole family rides or have been riders. I wouldn't ever have thought anything about a guy stopping while starting a family but then again I wouldn't want to stop due to the family other than direct financial reasons.


All the kids started on 50cc hondas at around 5-6 y/o
 Sorry I got carried away and way off topic.. sitting at work wishing I was riding with my sons.

[F6CTrider]

I guess I may be in the minority here.  I did stop riding for nearly 15 years when my kids were little.
There were several mitigating factors.
1. We were living in downtown Denver, nasty traffic everywhere.
2. My old Suzuki GS1000GX was getting tired.
3. We were plowing our $$ into real estate.
4. Two careers, three kids, 10 rentals....too damn tired all the time!

Got back into it when the youngest was in high school and we live well out of the traffic mess.  I still do not enjoy riding into town, probably never will.

[Michvalk]

It never crossed my mind to stop riding when my daughter was born. I did sell my bike when I had a job that kept me off a bike and it sat in the garage all the time. ( MY ex-brother-in-law was dying to get his hands on my 78 Wing) As soon as I was clear of that job, I bought a bike and use it for my main transport. Been through a number of bikes through the years. Only took ANYONE with me unless they asked to go. My daughter only rode with me a few times. My step daughters can take it or leave it. My youngest granddaughter can't get enough time in the saddle with grandpa. I let them decide if they want to ride.

[Alien]

Wow.  Lots to think about.  I appreciate all the replies.  It's not that I don't feel comfortable on the bike.  I live in Los Angeles, so I'd describe my riding style as either "fearless paranoia" or "reckless defensiveness", but if you're not comfortable and confident here...it could end badly. 

I have long ago accepted the risks that go with riding as has my wife, but if I have a tiny human being who is totally dependent on me, I start to wonder if that's a choice that I have the right to make.

At any rate, we're not pregnant yet, just in the "trying" stage (no complaints here).  I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  No matter what, I'll never sell my bike, probably I would just pickle it for a while.  We've gone too many miles together to part ways.

[alph]

I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  No matter what, I'll never sell my bike, probably I would just pickle it for a while.  We've gone too many miles together to part ways.

that's what life's about, "thinking" about the bridge we've got to cross, and NOT worring about it. you'll get over it quite quickly only to find a toll booth or something else!! until then, ride safe.

al.

[Sergeant D]

I rode before I joined the military and gave it up the whole time I served (22 years).  I raised 4 kids during that time.  I waited until they were all 18 and "suppose" to care for themselves.  First thing I bought after retirement was another motorcycle.  I missed riding during that time, but do not regret my decision.  I was taken out by a semi changing lanes a year ago, and now do not let the grand kids ride with me.  I could never forgive myself if one of them was with me when I went down.  Doesn't matter who's fault, the biker always pays the greater price in an accident.  Just my 2 cents.  I do not think parents who ride with their kids are bad parents, that is a decision THEY have made, not my place to judge.  I understand fully why they choose to do so, life is too short to criticize one way or another. 

[Rocketman]

Well, I never considered stopping, however, kids have cut into my riding time quite a bit.  I stepped up to the Valkyrie in June of '05, and discovered that she was pregnant just weeks later (Valkyrie celebration?).  Therefore, the wife hasn't ridden with me as much as we thought, just due to time, babysitters, etc.  I still ride pretty much every day to work.  I just don't go out on the weekends like I thought I would when I bought the Valkyrie.

As for riding with kids:  This is the result of that pregnancy in '05:


She loves it, and will ride with me whenever she gets the chance. 

Mark

[Dave Ritsema]

Started riding when I was 10 back in 1970. There used to be a company called Heathkit that made various products that you assembled yourself. My Dad and I built the mini-bike. Good memories of my dad there. (damn gnats)

Kept riding thru high school and early marriage until a few years after my daughter was born. Owned a V65 Magna, V65 Sabre, Hurricane, and a Wing. Part of the reason I quit was financial, the other that the two of us didn't feel comfortable riding in case something happened to both of us. I guess I figured (and still do) that it was more important to be around as a parent then it was to indulge myself with a bike.

After my daughter hit 16 I felt like it was good time to get back into things and bought a new 98 Standard, after that a 2000  Interstate a few years later. Follow your gut, and do what you think you need to do. I think it's a highly individual decision for everyone.

[G-Man]

I rode as a teen and then not until our youngest was about 10.  I have never taken my wife for a ride, Or my kids.  I purchased additional life insurance also.  I just do not want to leave them straped or kill them also.

That's just sad. 

Rode as a kid, then stopped for a while cause I no longer had a place to keep an m/c.  Apartments in NYC are just too small.  Bought the house in February and had a new m/c in the garage in April.  Daughter was 6 and son was just born.

First ride with the Carribean Queen was for ice cream on the most perfect of spring evenings when the kids were busy elsewhere.  I rode nice and slow and made the ride perfect.  She was hooked.  Now she has no reservations about straddling the ride and holding me close.

Used to put my son in front of me and go up and down the block.  Some of the other parents let me take their kids for rides as well at one of my son's b'day parties.  I AM the cool dad on the block!  Now that my son is taller and he he reaches the passenger pegs comfortabley, I have a new riding buddy for the weekends when my wife works.  My riding time preety much has doubled (except for last year when I hardly rode at all for way too many reasons to list).  Took the kid on the Blue/Gray ride 2 years ago.  We had a great time!