Total Motorcycle Community Forums

99.999% of moms freak out when you get your first bike. 99.99% get over it eventually, but like other posters have said, don't expect her to ever stop worrying. When the inevitable "you're going to kill yourself" conversation came up with my mom, I pointed out that I had been riding bicycles in crowded metro areas for years, and asked her if I would be safer on a bicycle or motorcycle. Motorbike was her answer, with a sigh... I also explained to her that I was a gear party, which helped a lot since she lives in a state with no helmet law and sees a lot of squids on the road.

The best thing other than the MSF class to show you're responsible is to take a good chunk of your budget and buy quality safety gear. Maybe your mom will even be like mine, and admit that you "look sooo handsome in your leathers"

My mother, when I said I was looking at bikes, started emailing me lists of used bikes from the local classifieds. ...but... The first time she knew I was going to ride to work she wanted me to email her when I got to the office, saying, "It's not a comment on your abilities but it is unfamiliar."

Of course I'm 30 or 31 IIRC... I think I had burned out most of her maternal overprotectiveness circuits by the time I hit 15.