| Author | Message | ||
     Ulendo |
Big question for all the BDWD - where to buy REAL motorcycling street gear for kids? my oldest is just getting up to the age where I'm willing to have her on the back sometimes. Started looking around a couple of weeks ago to see whats available for gear...NADA. Not that I plan on doing anything nuts, or even having them on the the back with any volume of traffic around, but I dont ride without full gear, and neither will they. so - for those of you who'd posted as BDWD, and did the BDWD weekend camping run - where do you find gear? Helmets are ok: both of them have gargatuan melons for kids, and fit properly into adult XS / S sized helmets. unfortunately, they're not tall enough to use 'smallest' ladies sizes in gear. suggestions? thanks (Message edited by ulendo on June 16, 2006) | ||
| Fubar |
Try www.bikersden.com | ||
| Ulendo |
fubar - thanks for the link. the only kids stuff I could see looks more cruiser oriented, ( lots of zips, suds, and chaps) and while offering 'weather' protection, doesn't look like its even able to accept CE soft armor (might be wrong, but I couldn't find any info about that in the product writeup ?) what I'm hoping for is something for the kids thats more like the Buell Vanson jackets, with at least the option of adding some armor. not that I'm looking for trouble, but the definition of an accident is that its an unplanned event! I love the bike, love riding, and love the idea of having the kids come along - just not at the expense of their safety! FWIW, if I sound 'paranoid', well, I've dumped 3 bikes in almost 20 years of street riding. 2 slow events, with nothing worse than a cracked brake reservoir, and one spectacular 90mph ( yes, MPH - ~140 kph) event when I had a chain slip loose downshifting in a corner - I have a vivid memory of sliding headfirst ( on my back) watching my bike take 60' high bounces across the median, far ditch, and into a field. I walked away without a scratch because I was in real riding gear, and since that day, will not ever ride unless suitably attired - my kids know the story, and my habits, and accept it as the example I'd like them to follow...and I wouldn't want it any other way | ||
| Smcnamara |
I've been looking at the same thing, although my daughter still has a little ways to go before she can ride with me. It looks to me like perhaps the best option is some of the Cordura/Denier jackets with waterproof/breathable liner and reflective piping. The problem is I haven't found a youth jacket like that with armor. The good news is it's pretty easy to get armored under-jackets in youth sizes. Something like this: http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/thor-youth-phase-motorcycle-jacket.aspx?affid=4 Plus this: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=15714&department=238&divisi on=2 | ||
| Ulywife |
Ulendo - how old are the children riding with you? My oldest is now 11 and it's much easier to find gear for her now. However, at age 8 when she started riding it was a nightmare. I purchased a pair of leather chaps from HD. They were way to long, but we (nascar country here!) used duct tape to get the most wear out of the chaps. In just 2 years we went from 6-8" worth of "hem" to full out. Not as good as textile or mesh with armour, but better than jeans alone. I also purchased her a leather jacket from Wilson's Leather Outlet (about $65). While it wasn't armoured, it provided more protection than her jean jacket. Last summer I purchased a Joe Rocket Women's XS mesh jacket. I purchased a First Gear Women's XS for my niece. The main difference I see in these two jacket is that the First Gear is not nearly as bulky as the Joe Rocket. My niece is very tiny and just looked lost in the Joe Rocket. I bought each one at the end of the season for 1/2 off. This year, I bought my daughter her first pair of Joe Rocket textile overpants. They are a little long, but with her boots, she'll get 2 more years out of them I hope. We purchased rain gear from Wal-mart since she's taking longer trips with Dad on the Uly. As for boots, I always check out the Shoe Carvinal/Shoe Show, Rack Room and look for boots on clearance that come up over her ankle. I buy cheap since they outgrown them so fast. Again, I think it's better than sneakers. As for gloves, we bought her the draw string ladies HD gloves ($65). Before that we purchased some children's gloves in the motocross section of the Honda Shop in town. We're on our second helmet. She wears a full-faced HJC, DOT and Snell rated. It's certainly a challenge. Unfortunately most of the children's gear is for the motocross sport, not outter wear like we're looking for. Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but this has been our experience. We have 2 more coming up, so if you find something good, please post it! Kristi | ||
| Maximum |
I found this doing a Google search. Scroll to the bottom of the page. http://www.roadbikegear.co.uk/24.html | ||
| Maximum |
Could not find anyone in the US selling this line of clothing. (Message edited by maximum on June 17, 2006) | ||
| Ulendo |
Maximum - thanks for that. UK purchasing isn't a problem for me: all of my extended family is still over there, and getting the goods to here is as easy as me buying it to one of their UK address', then having them send it on as presents. Kristi - my girls are 7, and 9. While I'm primarily looking at gear for the older one, they're actually just about of a size. therein is the issue - I'm only 5'4", and I doubt either of them will hit 5' when full grown. 9 Yr old is fit, strong, and has her head on straight ( ie: doesn't panic)....but is VERY petite, even compared to her younger sister. Tips on Joe rocket, and 1st gear greatly appreciated - I'll look into them and see just how oversized they'd be on her. | ||
| Jlnance |
Ulendo - There is a lot of motorcross gear made for kids. Take a look around a Suzuiki dealearship and see if you can find what you're looking for. | ||
| Gamdh |
I had also found this site, but have not tried them as my oldest is now 12 and fits into most smaller womens sizes. http://www.familymotorcycling.com/index.htm I think this site offers some sort of program for trade-ins etc... HTH | ||
| Gamdh |
Oh.. and there is also this site (haven't tried it either) http://www.babybiker.com/ | ||
| Ulendo |
JInance - I'd considered the motoX gear, but when I went and looked at it, there are a few problems. 1) its not meant for road speed, and offers little protection from wind ( and in the places where there isnt armor, no protection from bug / stone strikes, either) 2) its not meant to be worn 'static' fashion - that is, for long term, comfortably, in a sitting position. Gamdh - those sites are promising. I've written to the family site, asking for some additional info. ( the babybiker site is cross linked to it, BTW) thanks for all the suggestions folks: one more of those things that I'm learning to love about the Buell community. ( oh, and a big thanks from daughters, too - being girls, they, of course, get the last word on what they'll wear...?!?!  ) | ||
| Ulywife |
being girls, they, of course, get the last word on what they'll wear...?!?!) That only gets better as they get older! Of course my 4 1/2 year old has her own opinions about clothing already. Luckily enough my last one is a boy - jeans, t-shirt, sneakers - we're done! | ||
| Ulendo |
Luckily enough my last one is a boy - jeans, t-shirt, sneakers - we're done I'm 'kind of' lucky that way. Although tiny, my eldest is a real tomboy: whatever falls out of the closet is good, and by her own choice, she had enough of long hair, and went to a short ( combless) hairdo. only thing I'm dreading there is a phone call from the school that she's punched some boy's lights out for pulling her hair or something  . the younger one is a budding barfly: she's the one with the picky attitude, and a 'bat the eyelashes' routine thats going to give me lots of sleepless nights. my friends boys have been known to run away and hide when the girls come over  | ||
| Ulywife |
my friends boys have been known to run away and hide when the girls come over that's not such a bad thing! At least you know that they will be able to stand their ground when you're not there with them. It's always a fine line to teach children right from wrong without breaking their spirit, but yet teaching them that it's alright to stand up for yourself. Just repeat: I love my children, I love my children, I love my children! There's nothing in this world that I would trade for my 3 children even when they are driving me crazy. Good luck on the gear. I'm interested in what you come up with. My middle child is tiny and won't be in adult clothing anytime soon but wants to ride anytime the bike is out. | ||
| Gamdh |
I'd be interested to know how you make out also... my 4 1/2 and 3 year old will need something in the near future. Oh... and I love my children too... really | ||
| Gamdh |
Oh.. one more thing under consideration for those younger riders. http://www.childridingbelt.com/enghowto.htm | ||
| Ulywife |
The child riding belt -- anyone have experience with them? I'm kinda on the fence about them. Yes, they keep the child with the rider, but my concern is the child being further injured because of being harnessed to the rider should they go down........ Is is 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of another? The only thing I really push for is that when our children ride, they ride with a backrest. Maybe it's a false sense of security, but I do feel better knowing that at least they won't go off the back. | ||
| Gamdh |
I'm torn on the belt too, but a friend of mine took one of his grandkids for a ride and she feel asleep. It was all he could do to keep her on with one hand and get the bike stopped with the other..... That's pushed me a little more toward belt, but I haven't run into anyone who has actually used it in person... | ||
| Ulywife |
Carlos only had that scare once. Turns out Carlee wasn't falling asleep, she was dancing to the tune in her head! They were on the M2 without a backrest (I was out of town!) He had to ride about 15 minutes to find a safe stopping place. I had concerns about Carlee on her first "big" ride. In May, some of C3 took their children on a C3 Jr. Ride. Carlos & Carlee logged 300 miles that day. I had concerns about Carlee falling asleep, but she did great. When she was first starting to ride, it would be short rides and frequent stops. Maybe this is why I havn't done a long ride yet! | ||
| Ulendo |
}short rides and frequent stops I think thats part of the trick to introducing the kids responsibly. their muscle structure isnt developed enough for 'endurance' riding, so short trips, LOTS of stops, and good rider-passenger communications are the order of the day. re: child belt, consider what would happen if you were to ever be in an accident. the last thing I'd ever want to do is use one of my kids as a landing pad!! oh - one thing I didnt mention thats on my list - a neck brace. That leads to a bunch of kids gear I just discovered - Junior carting / junior dragster classes offer superb safety gear for kids, right down to small sizes. the cart racing suits are even suitable for removeable armor  | ||
| Ulywife |
re: child belt, consider what would happen if you were to ever be in an accident. the last thing I'd ever want to do is use one of my kids as a landing pad!! that was exactly my thought about the child belt. Part of the responsibility of riding with children, is not solely based on size and age, but their maturity level. Some of my daughter's friends want a ride on the bike, but I don't feel that they pay enough attention on the ground, much less on the back of a bike. When Carlos starting riding with Carlee, it was usually with a small group keeping them in the middle. This way, Carlos didn't have to navigate the ride and there was someone behind him keeping an eye on Carlee. I found that it was not in my best interest to follow them in the car to our destination. I focused completely on her and that wasn't good since I was driving a Suburban. Like with everything else in life, you live, learn and adjust. I didn't know about the neck brace. I'll check them out. We have several parents that ride with their older children, but have younger ones coming into the picture. | ||
| Gamdh |
I agree with the short rides and frequent stops... thats what I've been doing with my older daughter. She is good up to about 1.5 hours before we 'have' to stop. She actually does very well. I like the neck brace idea for my younger ones.. and I did have the same concerns for the belt ... thats one of the reasons I threw that idea out there.. wanted to see what others thought. I'm really more concerned with my younger ones and have been looking around (hence the web links). If you find something that works well please report in and I'll do the same (although it might be a year or so away at least). | ||
| Ulendo |
I'm going to ask the young guy I know who raced the junior dragsters ( I'm talking the 5hp briggs & stratton 'kids' draggers, BTW)he raced starting when he was 8, or 9 years old. I've seen his gear, and its designed for kids doing speeds up to 60MPH at racing events, windproof, nonporous, NON combustable, and abrasion resistant. I figure if it does all that, and fits, I can handle tracking down the armor for it. I'll post more info after I talk to him ( might take a coupe of days, as I no longer work with him..) | ||
| Ulywife |
I was wrong on the sizes of the First Gear and Joe Rocket jackets my "girls" have. They are both womens small. I have the advantage of having both girls here with both jackets. I can take pictures of both girls with both jackets for comparison sake if you are interested. Samantha is 13, but is only about 4'9", wears a size 12 in childrens and weighs about 66 lbs. Carlee is 11, about 5', wears a size 3 in juniors and weighs about 100 lbs. | ||
| Ulendo |
thanks for the offer, but yours are quite a bit bigger than my 2 - Lyssa is 9, but still wears girls (kids) size 7, weighs ~55lbs, and is 4' even. like I said, I'll be surprised if she hits 5' full grown. Paige is 2 years behind, but about the same size & weight already - shouldn't be a problem in sizes by the time she's the same age, but her attitude, and muscle tone have a ways to go. funny how the younger siblings seem to size out a bit more though...wonder if thats a common trend? FWIW ( and to give some perspective) I'm 5'4", and their mom is 5'. I mass out quite a bit ( 145+ ) but even for me, finding gear wasn't particularly easy, as the armor tends to sit in the wrong places. Their mom was a ladies size 0/1 before the kids... go figure I knew finding gear for the rugrats would be an issue! | ||
| Ulywife |
We are also a short family. My husband is 5'8" but has only a 29" inseam. I'm only 5'2" (on a good day!!). We found that First Gear carries "short" in their textile and mesh pants. Like you, ordering the "average" length nothing fell in the right place. They may be an option for yourself if you need gear. They have our business for this reason. As for siblings sizing, it's the same with our youngest two. Baylee is 4 1/2 and Luke is 2. He is only 1/2 head shorter and 10 lbs. lighter. I love the fact that she calls him "the baby". | ||
| Ulendo |
thanks for the tips. perhaps a bit odd, but I don't have a typical 'short' build of long body / short arms & legs.(girls are the same) 28" inseam, 40" chest puts me well into normal sizes. only thing that usually gives me grief is the 28" waist. I splurged, and bought Vanson gear sized to fit when I got the CityX...I'd just rather not go that route ($$$$$$$) for clothes for the girls that will only be good for a couple of years! | ||
| Ulywife |
It's a fine line for good gear and not going broke in the process, especially for children. We need to start a used child's gear exchange here on BadWeb! | ||
| Chadhargis |
Great thread. My daughter has a LONG way to go before she suits up for a ride, but I want to make sure I'm informed when the day comes that she can ride. Even at 20 months, she walks up to my bike, touches it, and says, "Da-deeee".  |
