Advice for a daddy and his girl.

[Easy Rider]

pretty sure I would not be able to live with myself if she got seriously injured. Chloe gives life meaning for me.

Gotta say this:
Given all that you have told us about the situation, I think you might be "pushing the envelope" already.

I know that you have convinced yourself that she would enjoy longer trips more but seriously consider that might NOT be the case at all.

The perceived benefits might not justify the very real risks.

 

[BSage]

I tend to agree with the poster who suggested a Slingshot. The used market is weak, and I am told there a lot of them out there with very low mileage. She will be strapped in right next to you, and it will be much closer to the experience you have with her in your ATV. They can get hot, so they are better suited to days with more moderate temperatures (which also means they are comfortable when it may be too cold for a Spyder).

Let's face it, you get a lot of joy from sharing in her excitement, and I imagine she gets as much joy from spending time with her dad. If there ever was an instance when side-by-side trumped having a more motorcycle-like experience, I think this is it. You'll be less stressed and have more fun with the added safety of the car-like configuration of a Slingshot.

Likely the slingshot is the way to go. And you are correct about how much I enjoy my time with her. There is not the slightest doubt in my mind "Ride Spyder!" would instantly become a top of the line favored activity. That said, the bottom of the used slingshot market appears to be 13k. Too far for my budget to stretch.

Gotta say this:
Given all that you have told us about the situation, I think you might be "pushing the envelope" already.

I know that you have convinced yourself that she would enjoy longer trips more but seriously consider that might NOT be the case at all.

The perceived benefits might not justify the very real risks.

In my mind, the benefits are less "perceived", more based on "past experience". It's very hard to articulate this intelligently. I deliberately evaluate risk in what I think is a meaningful way. Risk vs Value, Identify the components risks decide if they can be mitigated, determine the level of risk remaining. Although I have some professional training doing this. I believe most people to the same thing, probably less formally than I do.

In order for someone to understand the risk of Chloe's input. You would have to spend a significant amount of time with her. You All are the experts (why I'm here) when it comes to the input of risk the spyder brings to the calculation. I do not think Chloe will move in a way that would take her off the seat. Chloe has in the past ridden horses, tubes behind a boat, carnival rides ect . . . It's not that I do not think she will hold the handholds, it's if she will hold them vigorously. It's not that I believe Chloe will jump around in back of me. It's that I am unsure she would cognitively understand how passenger lean effects a two-wheeled vehicle.

YES I do see the risk. But let's all be honest. Every day, all day, we are all doing things that involve risk. Life would be a pretty boring event if we did not. This is not bragging, I hate bragging and it seems every time I have ever done that it bites me in the a$$. Chloe and my son 17yrs old have never seen the inside of an emergency room. No broken bones, no stitches. We do a number of things involving risk from target shooting with my boy, to off-roading, boating and swimming in the mighty Mississippi River with my daughter. I have no illusion that I have 100% harm proofed our life. I do think I take a meaningful amount of time to deliberately participate in these activities in a thoughtful way.

 

[Easy Rider]

In my mind, the benefits are less "perceived", more based on "past experience".

OK, let's phrase this a bit differently:
The video you posted showed a rather "spirited" ride over hilly and irregular terrain.
Do you think that her enjoyment of the ride would really be THAT much less with a little more sedate......and a bit less dangerous.......route for the ride ??

I doubt that she fully understands any potential danger in this.......or maybe the danger in anything.......so YOU are deciding how much risk SHE is willing to take. If I were in that situation, it would worry me.......a LOT probably.

I think the fact that you are discussing this is really good.
I doubt that you will be able to get a Spyder in really good condition for much less than 10K......so budget might decide for you.

 

[BSage]

OK, let's phrase this a bit differently:
The video you posted showed a rather "spirited" ride over hilly and irregular terrain.
Do you think that her enjoyment of the ride would really be THAT much less with a little more sedate......and a bit less dangerous.......route for the ride ??

She seems equally happy to be in a golf cart or just about anything outside of a cage (car) that moves. I am guilty of trying to combine something I enjoy with something she also has a passion for. Also Keokuk has a pop of 10k, surrounding towns are significantly smaller. Small town country rides is all that we will do. I at some point may take it for longer rides into cities. But that would be solo only.

I doubt that she fully understands any potential danger in this.

That is absolutely Correct!. Chloe is fearless and has absolutely no regard for her safety unless it involves wasp's and bee's (I know). She is also extremely durable and has freakishly good balance. Much Much tougher than me and almost never trips up.

I think the fact that you are discussing this is really good.

It's a large part of why I am here

I doubt that you will be able to get a Spyder in really good condition for much less than 10K......so budget might decide for you.

To be fair. I only saw one sling at 10k and that was an opening bid. I figure if I get something within or close to the budget it will have to have high mileage and an earlier year model. The slingshots have just not been around long enough.

Please understand. This post,,, This site, is the beginning of my research. I am not going to run out and get one tomorrow. I only buy after I have done significant research, and have been patient enough for a deal that looks criminal. It's pretty likely I will visit dealers and where spyders gather looking and collecting thoughts. I really do appreciate being called out on my assumptions. I would rather learn here, the easy way, than the hard way.

Thanks again.

 

[Easy Rider]

I would rather learn here, the easy way, than the hard way.

Thanks again.

Hope it ends up being helpful in some small way.

A really LOT of people don't understand the good intentions behind "negative" comments.

 

[3 Wheel Rider]

my $.02 worth

Have you considered getting a small/low profie convertible, something like a Mazda Miata? It's small enough to feel sporty, low profiled enough to feel/experience the wind therapy, and it has seatbelts for safety. You shpuld be able to find one a few years older that's in good condition and that fits your budget. I know it's not a motorcycle but it could prove to be a reasonable option.

 

[BSage]

Have you considered getting a small/low profile convertible, something like a Mazda Miata?

Yes, I have. While it's not completely off the table, for some reason unknown to me, she does not care for rides in the convertible. My father's girlfriend has a convertible Camaro. We can drive it anytime we want, not her daily driver. I would have expected Chloe to really enjoy that. Given a choice, she would choose any other vehicle in the drive over the convertible. I am clueless why.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Yes, I have. While it's not completely off the table, for some reason unknown to me, she does not care for rides in the convertible. My father's girlfriend has a convertible Camaro. We can drive it anytime we want, not her daily driver. I would have expected Chloe to really enjoy that. Given a choice, she would choose any other vehicle in the drive over the convertible. I am clueless why.

Check on prices for an old used Jeep in good mechanical working order. With the canvas off, it would be similar to the ATV ride.

 

[MRH]

Yes, I have. While it's not completely off the table, for some reason unknown to me, she does not care for rides in the convertible. My father's girlfriend has a convertible Camaro. We can drive it anytime we want, not her daily driver. I would have expected Chloe to really enjoy that. Given a choice, she would choose any other vehicle in the drive over the convertible. I am clueless why.

I completely get it - she makes perfect sense to me. The convertible is a CAR. Cars are ordinary, and she is in them every day. The ATV is special, more exciting, and she does it with DAD.

My wife has a convertible as well, and it doesn't do anything for me. It's just a car where the sun gets in my eyes and the A/C doesn't work.

My gut is that the Slingshot will register as a variation on the ATV, and not a convertible. Why not take her on a test drive and see what she thinks?

 

[MRH]

BSage, what did you do or decide to do?

 

[MisterP]

Hearing protection can be provided by an aviation helmet.

 

[Chasinsparks]

My thoughts exactly
!

You might look at a Polaris SlingShot,

 

[canamjhb]

I salute you, whatever you do. You have a beautiful young daughter and she has a great dad. Best wishes......

 

[MR. H1956]

Sounds like you have it all together as to what is best for you and your daughter. Now all is needed is to shop around and find the best deal and the ride that works for your needs. I tend to go for an RT with arm rest and seat belt as an option. But that's just me. Shop around and take a few test rides and see how it goes. So good luck happy trails

 

[Don'tPanic]

Ural with a sidecar?

Bryan, I join others for commending you for doing everything in your power make your little girl happy.
While all the options proposed are solid, I feel that your daughter will not enjoy rides two-up, because her view will be obstructed by your back and she'll need to lean quite far to see what's ahead.

Slingshot is a good option, but they're expensive and I haven't seen too many positive reviews.

If I were you I'd consider a motorcycle with a sidecar. Ural makes good ones, and while expensive brand new, you can pick up a used one for a reasonable price.
Here are the benefits:

1. You'd be able to fit the sidecar with belt and other accommodations your girl needs.
2. she'll have an unobstructed view of what's ahead and around.
3. you'll be able to see her all the time
4. you can take Ural off-road - they were made for that.
5. you can fit the sidecar with a windshield, or even a complete cover with windows, like on picture below (I know it's not Ural, just one of the options).

I hope that helps

 

[BSage]

Been eyeballing those Ural's. would like to test ride one sometime.

This is what has happened. Life happened. My boy got into some trouble (charges dismissed), wrong place at the wrong time. Because the charges were significant, a lawyer was needed $$$. A meaningful part of the money I had saved for this endeavour, gone. While there may be an opportunity to recover my expenses. It most likely would be very time-consuming. And I imagine the "Burden of proof" would change from not likely he did the crime to, not possible he could have done the crime. I have been to court enough to know, it's kind of a gamble even when you feel like you are on solid ground.

Unless something changes in my current finances. Most likely I will be pushing this back a year. Again my history is; Huge debt, then dug our way out and now; No debt. I am determined not to allow history to repeat itself.


The silver lining is more time to research and find something which fits my wants better.

 

[MRH]

Been eyeballing those Ural's. would like to test ride one sometime.

This is what has happened. Life happened.

Sorry you are dealing with all of this, but I very much respect your unwillingness to do into debt. A sidecar never occurred to me, but I think it sounds like the perfect idea. Others here may know about the practicalities of riding with one, but it checks your boxes in terms of experience and protection against your daughter falling out or off.