Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I agree with everyone else's response.

The biggest safety net anyone can get is roadsmart. You can't learn this skill without some experience of actually being on the road. You can be the best motorcyclist in the world, but if you don't know the idiotic tendencies of other motorists, you're going to pay for it dearly on a motorcycle.

Good motorcycling skills + road knowledge = reflex ability to get out of danger.

Things just happen too fast for you to "think" your way out of trouble. It has to be muscle reflex triggered by experience.

Thanks everyone, the responses seem knowledgable and well thought out.

My dad puts things in a very simplistic manner that makes it seem like hes just making things up or being irrational. However, I guess when I get a so to speak "translation" from the older more experienced riders on here, it makes much more sense. I will try and get a job, even though there are none near me. I dont have any form of transportation to work due to my dad work 2 seperate parts in the day (he owns a business). I just like the motorcycle idea, because once I take the MSP, I can get my lisense right away and get to work during any hours I want without the supervision of my dad in the passenger seat of a car for about 6 months.

However, I guess I must take a 6 month to 1 year wait time, maybe get a stable job at the end of my 6 month permit period with my car, and be able to travel freely to my new found job. During that 2nd 6 month period I will save all the money I can and be able to afford a cheap 250 or 500cc bike.

Anyways, thanks for the responses, and I enjoy talking on this forum so I'll more than likley stick around for a while.

I couldn't imagine starting out riding a bike before driving a car. Learning to ride scared the crap out of me (still does from time to time) and I had at least been driving powered vehicles for 8 years before that.

Though I'm 24, and the "invincible" thing disappears when you go to college and do your first really stupid thing while under the influence, I think. Then you realize you're not invincible and can really "fudge" yourself up.

FWIW, look at it as part of the journey and as part of the training to getting what you want. That way it doesn't seem like you have stalled and are just waiting, you have begun your voyage so try to enjoy all parts of it, time always goes by faster when you're having fun ...

Sorry, but you're not going to like my advice either. Get the car license first. Every other post gives valid reason's why so I won't get into it. I just got my class M license and my first bike. I'm 40. I have to say that the years of driving a car and then years of driving a truck (Big Rig) has made me safer on a bike. I had an instance this past weekend on my bike where if it weren't for those years of driving a car and truck I wouldn't be typing this response now. I'm not saying wait till your 40, but get some eperience on the road , in traffic first in a car. It's a whole different world on a bike (you vets correct me if I'm wrong) Also don't be too hard on your father, he's just trying to keep you safe as long as he can. He has his reasons. Believe me.

So, might want to check on how old the thread is before you post next time.

drrhythm39 wrote:Sorry, but you're not going to like my advice either. Get the car license first. Every other post gives valid reason's why so I won't get into it. I just got my class M license and my first bike. I'm 40. I have to say that the years of driving a car and then years of driving a truck (Big Rig) has made me safer on a bike. I had an instance this past weekend on my bike where if it weren't for those years of driving a car and truck I wouldn't be typing this response now. I'm not saying wait till your 40, but get some eperience on the road , in traffic first in a car. It's a whole different world on a bike (you vets correct me if I'm wrong) Also don't be too hard on your father, he's just trying to keep you safe as long as he can. He has his reasons. Believe me.

Not sure if I agree, I was riding bikes on and off the road long before I had a drivers license of any type. I must admit I was in the country at the time, but youth and recks get along better then age and recks. I would say now that I am riding again I am a better car driver then I used to be in the way of helping motorcycle's. I look for us/them more. I hate driving my car now that I am back in the saddle.

Patrick

Long live old Threads..

As a father myself all I can say is "Because I said so" trumps everything. Not sure how it is in PA but I had a Moped licence at the age of 14 or 15 in Michigan. It limited me to 50 ccs but feed my 2 wheel craving for a while and helped me convince my folks to let me buy a real motorcycle at 17.(never got it going but that's a different story all together).
If he sees you avoiding traffic and driving safe on 50 ccs he can't use the "you will get run over" excuse about a motorcycle and then your half way there