Am I a terrible father?

[massacremasses]

I bought my son a 50cc dirt bike for his fourth birthday coming up and since he will now have MX gear I plan on taking him to daycare and around on my bike when it warms up a little bit. Ive mentioned this to my wife, and she is isnt that stoked about it either... lol He is about 38 lbs. so riding two up with him is pretty easy.

However I have gotten pretty harsh remarks from others about how unsafe it is and what am I thinking and such. Almost as if I am a terrible father? I love my little guy more than anything. And he loves going for rides with me. Has anyone else rode around with their kid? Any suggestions? do they make anything for him to hold onto me or something easier? or some type of clip on system? lol Im being totally serious.

[Alex]

It's not really about age or size (as long as they can reach the pegs and sit firmly on the seat). I think only you know your kid, and whether they have the understanding of the consequences if they do let go, and either unintentionally or even intentionally fall off the bike at speed. Some kids might be ready at a very young age, some might never be ready.

[Live2ride]

I bet you could rig up a little connection to hold you both together. Something like a material belt that he can wear that can snap into one around your waste. Honestly, if I were in your position I'd allow my child to ride the bike if I had some form of safety mechanism. Just ride as safely as you can, goodluck.

[choneofakind]

I don't think you're a bad dad. I understand where people are coming from with him as a passenger on your bike, but like Alex said, as long as he knows the dangers of letting go, you should be fine.

I do think that the 50cc mx bike is being an awesome dad though. It will teach him the safety and skill to understand what you're doing on the bike and give him a better idea of what he's taking part in when he rides with you. Just might want to hide your ninjette keys once he's big enough to reach the pegs and bars on the bigger bike

[greenaero]

Justin, in my opinion its a bad idea. A child that small would be extremely vulnerable in even a minor accident. If anything bad were to happen you would never forgive yourself. Its one thing for an adult to take on the risks associated with motorcycling but quite another to expose a small child. Its your job to protect him, please don't do this.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Alex

It's not really about age or size (as long as they can reach the pegs and sit firmly on the seat). I think only you know your kid, and whether they have the understanding of the consequences if they do let go, and either unintentionally or even intentionally fall off the bike at speed. Some kids might be ready at a very young age, some might never be ready.

ahhh that may be a problem then as he cannot reach the foot pegs. when I let him ride up and down the street with me I have him sit in the back of my seat... He fits pretty good there. Good point though. I may have to wait until he can reach or fab up some special pegs for him. I do work at a metal fabrication shop



thanks for the kind words guys. and Yeah the 50cc will be cool once he gets it. I cant wait to give it to him. He will be so excited, he LOVES motorcycles. My wifes dad has one so hes grown up around them.

[Jono]

YOU ARE A TERRIBLE FATHER!!!! How dare you make a child ride on the back of your sport bike while you speed around town. JK

You sound like a pretty badass dad! Just ride safe.

[Jiggles]

This made me lol so I took a pic

[Socal5646]

Was thinking about Getting one of these:

http://www.riderzragz.com/index.php?...76384b06dd7e5a

To cruIse around the neighborhood with my daughter...but figured I would never be able to forgive myself if she had ever gotten hurt while riding...

The 50cc bike is a great idea....might get one of those....

[CynicalC]

You... made a baby? God save us.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

This made me lol so I took a pic

It made two of you lol apparently.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

This made me lol so I took a pic

What I like best about this picture is the creepy old man in that black sedan with that big smile on his face.

[silverdub]

pics of the 50cc or it didnt happen lols, i would cruise around with my kid but not use the harness, i think consequences could be worse...

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

You... made a baby? God save us.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

You... made a baby? God save us.

hahaha hes mine legally only. (actually not even yet still need to adopt him) but I am the only father hes known so I consider him mine.

Originally Posted by Socal5646

Was thinking about Getting one of these:

http://www.riderzragz.com/index.php?...76384b06dd7e5a

To cruIse around the neighborhood with my daughter...but figured I would never be able to forgive myself if she had ever gotten hurt while riding...

The 50cc bike is a great idea....might get one of those....

which was the whole reason my wife is not so sure, she said she could never forgive herself if something happened... When he would be riding with me it would actually be a pretty safe time of the day as its 5:30AM and almost no one is on the road around here...

Originally Posted by silverdub

pics of the 50cc or it didnt happen lols, i would cruise around with my kid but not use the harness, i think consequences could be worse...

ha ive got it posted around here but here it is again

[choneofakind]

awwwwwh!

[oblivion007]

I don't think that would make you a bad father, I personally am not a parent but my motorcycle senesi tells me of when he used to take his daughter to school on the 'Beast' which is a really rigid and I suppose 'heavily' modded KZ1000.

[massacremasses]

i know im such a sweetheart. lol

["A"]

It's your kid, raise it however you want, it will just come back to you later.

[Slono]

I don't think falling off the bike is a big threat, but if for whatever reason a jackass crashed into while riding, your son could be obliterated. That's something I don't think I'd be able to live with if it was my child. I have a child on the way and I've already spent some time thinking about it HAHA!

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

This made me lol so I took a pic

sure, daddy gets a nice rf1100 but JR is stuck with an oversized bilt POS? anyone who buys a bilt helmet regardless of if they have kids or not is a horrible parent.

[kyrider]

I think you will make the right call and you know your youngin better than we do.

Let me tell you a story about my son when he just turned four. I took him and his sister to the playground and there is a huge slide there. I watched them go up and down with me behind them as they climbed every time. Well, my daughter wanted me to catch her as she came off and just for a second I walked away while my son climbed the ladder on the slide and he fell. He fell and luckily the bottom was sand. It knocked the breath out of him and scared the hell out of me. He finally began to cry and I picked him up and ran him to my car and off we went in the direction of the nearest hospital until my son said he would rather go to McDonalds. He was fine but that day still haunts me. I can still see his little face and I felt I had let him down.

I don't think I could haul a child on my bike but don't blame those who do.

[massacremasses]

Right. Someone hitting me is more what I am worried about... I will probably post up a video of the time and the exact route I would be taking him to daycare to show how there isnt really anyone out yet. And for the most part I have the road to myself...

[Whiskey]

50cc dirtbike = brilliant,

pillion at 4 probably a bad idea, at least until he gets used to the 50cc machine.

All depends on the kid tho, if you trust him 100% to hold on and not let go then go for it, most 4 year olds wouldn't have the sense or concentration to keep holding on, and it just takes one slip to end badly.

possibly sitting further back with the kid in front of you so that your arms are in the way should he let go may be an idea, at least until you fully trust him, but I think another couple of years before going pillion would be the best idea

[SlowBoyRacing]

You can't hold the kid back if he wants to do it. Never forget to enjoy life to its fullest. If you didn't give him all the gear and gave him a bike, then you'd be irresponsible, but seems like you gave him all the gear, so let the kid have some fun.

[headshrink]

As a father, I think it's a bad idea. As a son, I wish you were my dad.

[akima]

Lots of really great comments on this thread.

@massacremasses: ultimately it's down to you if you take him on the street or not: I guess you've got to weight up the risk vs reward. No one can live without taking some risks... that's not a life, but is the current risk:reward ratio stacked in his favour right now? Just the fact you started this thread to get people's views/advice/opinions on the matter shows signs of a good father!

Totally love the dirtbike idea! He's going to be "stoked" as you guys say

[etiainen]

Stick to the power wheels for a four year old. I'd wait a few years for the dirt bike.

On second thought, SIDECAR

[Francis]

My co-workers husband bungee jumped his daughter when she was younger. She's 17 now, so it must have been like 10 years ago?

Anyways, you're not a bad father. You know the dangers, but like everything, you can't let it prevent you from doing things. Like skydiving, there ARE dangers, but people do it.

With that said, 5 seems a little too young. You may trust his understanding of letting go, but I couldn't trust his 'strength'. What if he slips?

I wouldn't do it. Also, the fact that you're concerned about this makes you a great father.

[massacremasses]

Yeah he will have the gear when he gets the dirtbike, so Id be waiting till he is four anyways. (may) He will be getting helmet, goggles, gloves, chest protector, knee pads, elbow pads, and boots. lol however he would not be in quite all of that with me.

I am concerned for his safety, but will and would do everything to limit the risk of him getting hurt. Reading all the responses though I may wait until he is a little taller, and stronger. Those are good points I didnt really think through. While I want be doing any knee dragging I want him to be able to hold on easily. Shoot I havent gone very fast with him on so I dont even know how hed react. He is a little speed demon though so I doubt he would mind

[CC Cowboy]

You're a terrible father, but in good company.







This is what happens when you start them out like that:

[Socal5646]

Quick question....are those 50cc dirt bikes automatic?

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

I am concerned for his safety, but will and would do everything to limit the risk of him getting hurt. Reading all the responses though I may wait until he is a little taller, and stronger.

You are not a terrible father.
People has called me so, just for being irresponsible enough to expose myself to the dangers of riding a motorcycle.
I started riding behind my father when I was five years old, although he never went too fast while carrying me.
I never though of letting go, and I remember more than a shower that caught us in the middle of the road.

[RaZeDaHeLL]

I think you're a pretty cool father. I wish my dad took me around on a bike when I was little.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Socal5646

Quick question....are those 50cc dirt bikes automatic?

no but they are auto clutch. So no clutch just upshift. but its pretty sticky. I think he will have a hard time with it, but ill proly just throw it in 2nd and let him cruise around like that...


thanks for the kind comments guys. I am thinking I may wait until after his birthday. We will see though. I might get him a street helmet as well. As soon as I get my bike put back together I wanna see how close he is to touching the passenger pegs.

[00NissanNinja]

I would see how he acts on the dirtbike first. Just to see how he treats the bike and whether he shows some respect for the sport. You can judge his character better than any of us, although I would wait a bit longer. And, no you aren't a terrible father; mine's is and he is worthless

[akima]

Originally Posted by 00NissanNinja

And, no you aren't a terrible father; mine's is and he is worthless

Plenty terrible fathers out there A child's up-bringing seems to have such a huge effect on them too.

[00NissanNinja]

Originally Posted by akima

Plenty terrible fathers out there A child's up-bringing seems to have such a huge effect on them too.

Lol, mine left the house when I was 3, then thanks to his mom (my grandmother) tricked us into meeting each other again when I was 18.

[headshrink]

Being excited to share something you love with your son doesn't make one a terrible father. The real question may be how mature, responsible, realistic, etc. you are. However, I realize you were being a little facetious though about being "terrible."

Heck, I've bought plenty of toys for my kids that were a little too old for them, because I couldn't wait to play it with them..... As dad's we have to be honest with ourselves about whose needs it is for, ours or theirs. Only you can say if you believe your son is ready for the 50cc. I've taken my youngins around the block a couple times, but wouldn't personally go beyond that at their age. But I would love to get them on 50ccs

[massacremasses]

He is ready for the 50cc. Not sure about being on the back. I will probably see how he does on his bike when he gets it and go from there.

We almost have him riding a bicycle with no training wheels.