My plans

[eaglecatcher]

Alright, well right now I'm a junior in HS. I've been looking at colleges, and I'm going to go to Montreal if I get in there, and then my next choices will either been Vancouver, Northwest, or Boston, not entirely sure yet.

Anyways, I know its a ways off, but I've got to start figuring it out now. I'm planning to go to Montreal, as I've already stated, and where I would most likely live, is about a 20 minute train ride from campus (on the metro). it would either be there, or some apartments a few blocks a way. Both are accessible via public transportation/walking, but from what I've heard, it can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes to get from the res hall to campus by the train, which is far too unreliable to get to classes, IMO. This is where I'm leaning towards personal transportation, either a car or a bike. now, the reason I'm leaning towards a bike, is because there are not many parking spaces for cars, but the motorcycles often just squeeze in between, or in a corner or something, which is totally allowed there. It would be my only form of transportation, and I know motorcycles aren't usually recommended as the sole form, but still, it will probably either be a bike, or my feet, so in the rain, I'm going to get wet either way, etc.

The issue is that my parents are totally against motorcycles, and said that I am not allowed to get one until I am totally independent. Now, I understand wherethey're coming from, but still, I will be 18, and capable of living by myself over a thousand miles away from home, and I should be able to decide whether or not I am capable of riding a motorcycle. The driver's in Montreal were very considerate compared to those here in Dallas and definitely what I saw in Boston, and there were quite a few people riding bikes up there.

I would only ride it from start of term until like novemberish, or whenever snow really starts to become a possibility, and then pull it back out again in march. Now, this may sound ridiculous, why have a vehicle for only part of the time. Well, I'm certainly not going to drive my car in the snow and ice and salt, because I'm either getting a motorcycle or a 300ZX, and I refuse to drive a Z in the snow and ice, they're too valuable to rust up another one, or get slid into, you know the drill,and I don't know if I'd be up to riding a bike through snow and ice. So either way, from Nov-Feb, my vehicle would just stay at home, car or bike. From looking at bikes, and reading on here, I'd probably start off wth a ninja 500. Looks nice, isn't super powerful like the R6/ZX7 that I want, and if I drop it, whoopdie doo. My question is, are there any smaller ninjas that look like the 91 era ZX7's, that have the dual circle headlights, but obviously aren't highpowered supersports? I love the look, but I couldn't handle that as a first bike. I'm thinking about that as a second bike, after I've ridden for a while on my starter bike, maybe buy it summer after my 1st year, whatever.

Also, I'm wondering what you guys think about me going against my parents wishes. I know that they still will have some say in my life, because they will be helping fund my college and whatnot, but I mean, I will be 18 and living on my own. What is the purpose of being of legal age to make my own decisions, drink, get a credit card, those types of things, if my parents are just going to undermine me? I mean, I may as well just stay at home and go to a community college if they're going to threaten to pull funding if I get a bike. The only thing my dad can ever say bad about motorcycles is "cars don't see you". Well, do you think that if they were truly that hazardous, that the govt would allow them? Yes, they are dangerous. Hurtling along a highway at 80mph with other 2 ton chunks of metal inches away is dangerous, but thats where the mental part of riding comes in. You have to be prepared, and ride smart, wear all the gear, etc. Heck, I'm going to get a Lime green Kawi, with a lime green jacket and helmet, just to improve visilbity (looks great too, but black bikes are hard to see).

Anyways, I'm just having an issue with the fact that my parents are going to blackmail me into not getting a motorcycle. I mean, for me, the benefits greatly outweigh the disadvantages. I mean, before long, gas is gonna be outrageous. I've got to get rid of my 16mpg mustang, and a 60mpg motorcycle will more than make up for the cost of insurance (I'm already paying out the nose, just for a car with just liability). Parking is a lot easier and free pretty much. From what I saw, parking on the street is free, so if you get a street spot, you're lucky, and if you have to park in the lot, you pay for it. Bikes can just park at the end of the block, and only need a couple feet for a parking spot.

So what do you guys think?

[Lion_Lady]

You need to consider if it is worth risking losing the funding for school because you have no patience.

Your parents don't have to pay for it. If you don't follow their rules, then you get to suffer the consequences.

It won't kill you or hamper anything to wait a couple years to follow your plan. Living in Canada, means you won't be ABLE to ride for much of the year, motorcycling is NOT safe or practical when there is snow and ice on the ground. What is your big rush?

P

[flynrider]

Also, I'm wondering what you guys think about me going against my parents wishes. I know that they still will have some say in my life, because they will be helping fund my college and whatnot, but I mean, I will be 18 and living on my own. What is the purpose of being of legal age to make my own decisions, drink, get a credit card, those types of things, if my parents are just going to undermine me?

You will be 18, but you won't be indepedent if your parents are still footing the bill. Their money, their rules.

I also had parents that were dead set against motorcycles. When I bought my first bike at 18, I was told to either get rid of it, or pay my own way in life. I kept the bike.