[Clay Dowling]

Establish financial independence. Once you’re living under your own roof and paying your own way, your parents don’t have any say in whether or not you buy a bike.

In addition to the dangers of riding, motorcycles are expensive. You’ll have to buy the bike itself. You should invest $600-$1000 in riding gear. You’ll also find that the routine maintenance on a bike is more expensive. It takes just as much oil as a car and requires a better grade of oil (although Shell Rotella is so common that it isn’t much more expensive, and you can buy it anywhere), and goes through expensive tires much faster than a car. And you can’t skimp on any of this stuff, because unlike a car, it’s a very serious safety issue with a bike.

So get the financial side of things in order first. Once you have that taken care of, your mother won’t be a real worry.

[Jay T]

I always tell guys that they should start out by telling their sig other (or your Mom in this case) that you will be taking the course. I have one friend that has promised her Mom that she would always wear a helmet and has always followed through with that. Bring up the gas prices (they will be over $4 again this year), easier to keep on campus, lower insurance rates… fill in the blanks. I did hear something earlier in this thread, your Dad will be a great ally. You may have to show them both some responsibility. That is a big deal between parents and 20 somethings. This will sound really lame, make sure your grades are up. Start saving the dough to purchase your first motorcycle CA$H. So you may have to work the job that will give you the money to live at school next year AND some extra toward your motorcycle. Keep some pics around of the motorcycle you will likely buy and your dream motorcycle. That will get her used to the idea that you will be getting a motorcycle. You may want to grab some MSF info and fliers and have them laying around, too. There are my suggestions.

Jay T.
http://www.ridesafe.today.com

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