November 16, 2025

Today was the day my son, Tristan, had long waited for, hist first “real” ride on a motorcycle.  Tristan’s ride today was really a test ride, confined to our neighborhood with a maximum speed of 30mph but mostly around 20mph.  We also tested mounting and dismounting Bruce with Tristan getting onboard first, then myself seemed to work the best.

So, it was a short ride today. We spent about 20 minutes riding back and forth within our neighborhood, he was thrilled. 

Before I would allow Tristan to ride, I wanted a few getting familiar with Bruce rides myself, and I wanted to configure Bruce to be more passenger friendly by installing the top case with a passenger back rest and the side paniers which I finished installing yesterday, November 15^th, 2025.

Tristan’s full motorcycle ride is pending on all his motorcycle riding gear coming in, we are waiting on his riding pants and jacket to be delivered.  We have his helmet, gloves, and boots.

Been a Long Time Coming

Ever since he was old enough to walk or even before he could talk in 2018, he was interested in getting on the motorcycle , Dexter a 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, and wanting to ride.

Here is Tristan one years old back in 2019 on Dexter, in our garage in Lake Elsinore, California.

Dad’s Rule to Ride

Dad’s rule has always been “When you can sit in the passenger seat and have your feet flat on the passenger foot pegs (or floorboards on Dexter), you will be big enough to ride.”  So, every so often, Tristan would check to see if he had grown enough to ride, at least 3 to 4 times per year and often more than that.  I remember him testing again in mid September 2025 an he was nearly flatfooted on Dexter’s passenger floorboards while seated in the passenger seat.  Then, on October 17^th 2025, Bruce (2025 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special) replaced Dexter (traded in).  Tristan quickly climbed up on Bruce to see if he was big enough to ride, which he was.

Gearing up to Ride

Motorcycle Helmet

For Tristan’s birthday (in November), he received his first motorcycle helmet, a BILT Techno 3.0 Bluetooth Helmet.  This helmet has the integrated Sena DWO-6 Bluetooth v4.1 system which allows Tristan and I to talk to one another while on the motorcycle.  My current primary helmet, Shoe GT-AIR II, is equipped with the Sena 10U communication system.  Also for his birthday, Tristan received his first pair of motorcycle gloves.

I felt it was important for us to be able to communicate while on the motorcycle.  This enables me to provide Tristan with instructions, prepare him for upcoming events to minimize surprises, and gives him an opportunity to express how he feels or indicate if he needs a break.   

The Rest of Tristan’s MC Gear

Today, we also picked up Tristan’s motorcycle boots from Cycle Gear, O’Neal Youth Element Boots.

Tristan’s riding pants, Duchinni Imola Youth Pants CE level 2 AA, and riding jacket, DUCHINNI Jago Youth Motorcycle Jacket have both been ordered but have not been delivered yet.

Once we have all of Tristan’s riding gear, he will be ready for his first actual motorcycle ride. 😊