- This topic has 12 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 3 months ago by Munch.
Want to start riding
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AuthorPosts
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November 21, 2008 at 1:36 am #2365AndrewLisacParticipant
Hey guys. I’m Andrew, from Portland, OR
I’m 17 and really want to get myself a bike. I’ve wanted one as long as I can remember. I’m looking for an older ninja 250/500 or gs500, a basic beginner bike.
But the problem is my parents… they won’t let me get a bike.
I’ve read them a handful of statistics, said I’d take the MSF class, and done everything else I can think of.
My mom hates motorcycles (my dad likes them and has his license endorsement thing but doesn’t ride and is backing my mom up). One of my dads cousins died on a bike, my mom knows a guy who broke his back, and has another friend who was in a serious accident. I know they are dangerous but it’s safer with the right equipment and proper training. I’m an A/B student (jr in high school) and had a job all of last year. I’m the one who will buy the bike and equipment, and have offered to pay for insurance and msf.
At this point “they’re too dangerous” and I can get one when I’m “financially independent” (out of college). Any advice on what else I can do or say to change their minds?
ThanksNovember 21, 2008 at 2:17 am #14945megaspazParticipantWell, as long as you live under your parent’s roof, it’s their rules. You can try to break ’em and see what happens… it’s up to you. Talking to your parents is the only thing you can really do. Bring it up every now and then. Don’t know what else to tell ya. G’luck.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…November 21, 2008 at 4:30 pm #14953JimParticipantYou got lots of time, wait until you are 18 or 19 and out on your own, not that far away.
November 30, 2008 at 12:21 am #15074AndrewLisacParticipantsneaking a motorcycle around would be pretty hard. store it at a friends house? lol. may have to try that at 18 once i can get endorsed and not need cosigned on my insurance.
wait till college and just keep it at school?At thanksgiving at my grandmas we got to talking. My uncle (moms brother) has been in two serious CAR accidents, both landing him in the hospital, breaking his back in one of them (which he fully recovered from after 6+ months in the hospital). turns out he currently owns and rides a harley. and i found out another one of her brothers rode motorcycles when he was younger. I brought all of this up later and within two sentences she was ready to lose it and i knew id better shut my mouth. I haven’t been able to say a word about motorcycles since. It’s hard because I keep going on craigslist and seeing bikes I’d like. Theres a 2004 ninja 250r for $1200! 7k miles, clean title, etc.
Do you know any shocking statistics that may persuade them to let me get one? like the comparison with horseback riding, and jetskis. that kind of stuff…
Thanks again.November 30, 2008 at 5:15 am #15076eonParticipantHate to break it to ya but I don’t think there is anything you can say that will make a difference. Even at 40 years old i did not want to tell my mother Riding bikes is a risky business. Telling her that sky diving is more dangerous will not likely help. At this point it seems like you will just have to wait, which is not necessarily a bid thing. I know that myself and some of the others on this forum have the opinion that if we had started riding when young then we probably would not be here today. Learning the rules of the road behind a steel cage does have its advantages. There will come a time when your mother will just have to live with your choices but at 17, that might not be just yet.
Have you considered getting into off road riding? That looks like a lot of fun and it would certainly build your riding skills. Come the day when you hit the streets (which is the dangerous part) you can concentrate on the road and not the bike.
December 1, 2008 at 7:44 pm #15101jadd14ParticipantYeah, I’m in pretty much the same spot- 17 years old, started getting really interested in getting a bike about a year ago. Recently my interest peaked with the gas prices, but I’ve got NO traction in this argument with my parents. But I’m not too upset- I remind myself what insurance would be and decide to wait until I’m older and moved out.
December 1, 2008 at 8:23 pm #15102SantaCruzRiderParticipantTruth is that unless your parents currently allow/encourage such activities as: base jumping, car surfing or hunting while intoxicated – it’s unlikely that you will be able to find anything more statistically dangerous than a 17-year-old street riding. Perhaps competetive cheerleeding has a higher incidence of neck injury, but you’d need to research that.
I know that when I was your age, my parents were accepting of my having a muscle car (which I paid for), rock climbing 200-foot cliffs without adult supervision and surfing alone. But they forbid motorcycling. Part of the problem is that you rarely hear about or see people injured in these other supposedly dangerous activities, but we have all seen accidents involving motorcycle riders — so it hits home.
I’d be willing to bet that if someday you told your parents that you and some friends were going to ride your motorcycles to Seattle and base jump off the Space Needle, the response would be: “Please ride safe, wear your helmet and watch for crazy drivers… and call us when you get there.”
December 4, 2008 at 4:25 pm #15135BikerBoyParticipantHay I’m Ty young and 15 from Alabama
Yah i hear you my parents didnt lke it to much ether but i begged ,so finally i bought it myself (my baby …..500R ninja)
The only thing you can do is buy it yourself or beg them till you drop.December 4, 2008 at 6:07 pm #15141DaggerParticipantYeah.. At 39 I still get calls from my mother every time she hears there’s a motorcycle accident somewhere.. The one time I dropped my bike in a parking lot I didn’t want to tell her cuz I knew she’d freak.. Of course my 10yo son ran right up to her and blabbed.. Oh well.. I got an earful that day… All I can say is once you’re 18 and out from under their roof there’s not a lot they can do about it… But until then.. Always respect your parents wishes…
Dagger
I just want to make it out of this life alive…
December 4, 2008 at 7:40 pm #15146megaspazParticipantI didn’t tell my mum that I crashed a month ago. Still haven’t told her…
AndrewParticipantMy Mother was ok with me getting a bike this year since her brothers rode them when she was young. I’m 35 now but if I had wanted a bike at 17 it would never have happened.
December 15, 2008 at 8:47 pm #15281SpartanG6ParticipantRight now i am 14 and it will be about a year and a half or more until i am eligible to get a rider’s permit. I haven’t really told them yet but I am worried that they will not allow it as well.
When I look at this, there are so many more pros than cons, especially in this economy.
+amazing gas mileage
+cheap to buy and own, compared to cars
This one is kinda chintzy, but… your parents don’t have to worry about you talking on your cellular phone, unless you wanted to kill yourself. : )December 15, 2008 at 11:33 pm #15285MunchParticipantAll these posts makes me glad I have the family I have. That and I am over 30. LOL…. I never had to worry with Mom’s approval or permission. All I would get is… “As long as you know what your getting into and understand the consequences then its your decision….oh and don’t think of asking for help until your in dire need cause I aint coming!” ROFL…good ol mom…always letting me decide my fate all the while pressuring me to take responsibility. I knew she’d come running regardless but I also knew better then to get my butt in a sling.
Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h
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