Parents

[Mag7C]

First show them you're capable of handling a car safely.

Your first experience with a motorcycle requires way more concentration than your first car does. I think they don't want you to be splitting your attention between learning to be a safe driver and learning to ride a bike. Once driving becomes second nature you will be able to give attention to the bike without getting killed.

I got my bike just before I turned 17. I had followed all the license restrictions with the car (no passengers for 1st 6 months etc) and had no traffic violations. My clean record and the fact that I never came home drunk from parties helped show that I was a responsible driver, so my parents were okay with the idea when I told them I wanted to get a bike.

So my advice is set aside some money, prove you're a responsible driver, and keep letting them know you're serious about riding!

[canuckerjay]

I tend to be pretty liberal with most areas of child-rearing; but I just remember the challenges of becoming a good driver for the first few years after I got my driver's license. After a few years, you're more able to avoid mishaps due to experience. I can't imagine being alive past 20 if I had gotten my motorcycle license when I was that young.

I'm a high school teacher; and again, count myself as being quite liberal with kids that age. But when they mention getting a bike, I tend to recommend that they get a car and drive for at least a couple of years, maybe get into dirt bikes for a while as well; then go after the street bike when they're 18.

[The549]

Let me tell you a funny story on how not to go about it -

Earlier this year (I have no clue when or what spawned it), I became interested in motorcycles. I had been looking at them casually for fun all summer. I had a friend who had ridden a 750 before, and he was leaving for his mission in a week.
So I found a bike on craigslist for $500, 3 hours away. He said that I should get it.
Two days later, my mom, who was thinking that it was a normal morning with me getting ready to go to my work for some college money, goes out in the garage to get some food....and she sees a motorcycle. She hadn't heard one word about motorcycles from me before, as she is a doctor, and I knew there was zero possibilities of me getting anything other than maybe a 250 dirt bike with her permission.

I don't like dirt bikes.

Anyways, the short of it is....I'm not going to college, I'm not living with her, and she's giving me about zero dollars in support right now. I'm loving it. Yesterday I had $2.86 in my main checking account, but luckily my rent was paid and I had a 30lb bag of rice in the pantry.
My mom is completely over it, and I moved out mainly just to complete my goal of being completely independent, and my only issue right now is money.

I just remember my neighbor bobby coming over - he was a vietnam vet - and saying, "So, is that the thing that's causing so much commotion in this house?"
"Yeah."
"What is it anyway?"
"Nighthawk 450," etc etc
"You know, your mom's real upset about it..."
"yeah -"
"Good job!" (as he gives me a high five) "I did the same thing when I was your age! - they always get over it."



My advice: Be reasonable, and be responsible. If you drive a car like a nut, your parents will know, trust me. Being a good car driver, being responsible, and being mature will mean that your parents WILL get over it...eventually.

[CentralOzzy]

One angle you might have some luck with....is what about joining an OFF ROAD riding club where you can gain valuable motorcycling skills off road in the dirt first away from the 'Killer' traffic.

Then once you have developed good riding skills from there & perhaps some ROAD sence gained from you car driving then, they may give you a Green light for the road????

I'm lucky, my parents let me start when I was 7 & so by the time I hit the road, so to speak....I was skilled up....however I did find I needed to develop 'Road Sence' & you can only get that by getting out there amongst the traffic.

That was a steep learning curve!! - All the cars on the road where out to GET ME! But with my off road experience I managed to avoid them all....still doing it to a point, but I live in a place where traffic is light.

But you still have to be 'On Guard' all the time to avoid a trip to the Hospital!

[jmillheiser]

For anyone in the 15-16 range I would recommend stating with a car. Learn the ins and outs of traffic and make your rookie mistakes in the car which is infinitely more forgiving than ANY motorcycle. Get good at driving the car then take the MSF course and learn to tide.

Im only now learning to ride at 26. In hindsight im glad I didn't try learning to ride at 15 or 16.

If your already living on your own (which means your probably over 18) there is pretty much zero your parents can do at that point.

Even at 26 I've gotten some objection from family. Oddly enough both my mother and step-mother have been supportive. My mom has tried to learn in the past but her back problems kept her from being able to go more than a very short distance. My step-mother used to ride but she messed up her knee about 25 years ago when she went down on her bike and has had long term problems with the knee keeping her from being able to ride.

[Snake]

My dad took me out on a country road one night on his new bike, pulled over, parked and told me to "Duck walk" from here to there and back. I was then instructed to use the clutch, and then ride slowly. After that I was hooked. That was three years ago, since then I've dropped it, nearly hit a deer and almost got hit by an idiot on the wrond side of the road. All within 1/2 a mile of my house, which is in the middle of appalachian country, and almost no traffic. I've proved (Apearently) my responsiblity on a bike, and in the process, learned how to use a clutch and how to keep the same speed in a cage, all from a motorcycle.

This December I get my permit (YES!!!!!), and now I've got my 81' CB650C to work on.

I was lucky, but all you can do is convince them that your responsible, just don't aggrovate them, that will not make things faster.

~snake

[bennettoid]

I don't think I'll let my kids have street bikes at that age. I barely survived my teen years on 4 wheels.

[Ninja Geoff]

if they won't let your buy one, there's not alot you can do, lease-wise. I believe if you buy it in cash, they can't stop you form OWNING the bike. But you can't get your license untill your 18 without their permission. I think, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes they can, he's under 18. His parent can take anything (including assets) from him that they want.

Driving (and what you drive) is a lot like growing up. First, you start out playing in a playpen or cage (like driving a car) Then after a few years, you get to play in the sand pit or dirt (hey, dirt bike!) then you get to play with the bigboys on the pavement that play basketball, etc (riding on the street).

Get your class D first, ride the dirt for a while, then get the Class M.

Oh yeah, about the 16 - 18 year old fatality rate, i bet if you couldn't get you permit til 18, it'd be the 18 - 20 year old fatality rate. EXPERIANCE is the best thing for you. Period.

[Kal]

I feel for you guys.

My parents pulled every emotional blackmail trick in the book and even after I moved out I gave in.

Then I kind of woke up one day, blame the company I was keeping , decided that it was my life and got myself licenced for a small bike.

I was assertive but not argumentative when I told my parents. 5 years on they still arent happy about it and need fairly constant reassurance that I ride safely but at 32 years old they finally accept that it is my life!

Parents worry, its what they do. Pretty much all you can do is 'prove' you are acting maturely, sensibly and as safely as you can do.

I just hope that I can be chilled out when my son reaches an age where he wants to risk his fool neck doing very silly things

[Smashed Pumpkin]

I'm 18, 19 in just over a month and my decision to get a Bike came as a bit of a shock to my parents. My mum refused out right and kind of denied the fact that I can choose what I do at my age. My dad wasn't too keen on the idea but he had a bike for around 9 years when he was younger and never came off it once so I suppose he knows they are safe if ridden safely.

The main reason my parents used against me was that it would be far more convenient and safe to get a car instead. Although I have tried driving both and i don't think I'm made for driving a car, well not yet anyway.