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Well for better or worse, I'm going to teach my daughter to ride....

She is old enough to get her temps and she has been bugging me about getting her motorcycle licence for awhile.

I have taught several people to ride on the street, and they all turned out O.K. I gave them the basics then passed them on to the Ohio riders safety course (not the official name of course) that is offered through the BMV. I plan on the same with her.

I've been riding on the street for nearly 30 years, so I think I'm a fairly safe and aware rider.

I can't deny my daughter (the only one of four daughters who has an interest in riding) the joy I have come to know from riding on the street.

I'm scared to death for her-being fruit of my loins and all, but I can't just keep saying "NO" and hope her interest passes.
I was allowed/taught by my Dad, and now It's my turn to pass on the torch so to speak.

She's starting off on my (modified) Vino scooter, and she's limited to the secondary roads for the first summer, at least, and maybe 'til she's 18!

Soooo.... pray for us/her, and soon there will be one more of us turned loose on the street!

Thanks for listening to this concerned Dad,
Bikeguy Joe

Neither of my three offspring have shown the slightest interest in learning to ride. I sometimes think this is odd since, for the most part, I've always had a bike in the garage since they were born. I guess they got the "non-riding" genetics from their mother. Even so, I find myself having mixed feelings about the possibility of one or more of them taking up riding, Joe, as I'm sure you do. I'd no doubt be concerned that I had somehow neglected to teach them that one critical piece of information that experienced riders often do automatically, without thinking about it. But it would be great to be able to share the experiences of riding with them.
I suppose the only advice I can give is to keep it fun. I know you'll teach her as well as you can.

Best of Luck to You

My son started riding at age 17 and I had no qualms about it. His mother did though. I had always wanted to ride myself when he started riding. That must have been about 1971 give or take a bit.

Hooked him up with a friend from work who had a CB160 for sale. He went on to a late 70's GS750 followed by a 82 GS1100E. He is one of the best riders I have ever ridden with, fast and smooth on anything. If they want to ride Joe, I think it's best to start them young.

I started riding in '84 myself at age 52 and have passed my son in total miles, but had barely caught up with him in skills before I started to slow a bit in the past year or so.

I went through the same thing with my wife and both step-daughters ( much to the dismay of their dad). In the interest of family harmony I have one suggestion. Have her go through the class first and then you start adding to what they have taught her. Much less family friction that way. Good luck.

My daughter rides and it is the coolest thing!!!!! She now owns a zx6r and we have a blast sporting around the province. her skills are getting better everytime we ride. She is now 20 years old. She started off on a Ninja 250. Hard to tell her she can't own a sport bike when her Dad has one. She even has more common sense than I do. I sometimes do wild things on my bike and I giggle in my helmet thinking what my daughter must be thinking....

we pulled over once becasue she needed to use the washroom and I kept going straight for a bit. I turned around and catwalked by her.. I turned around and stopped beside her and said "who's the coolest dad!!!!" thumbs up and everthing..... She was probably thinking "You mean Freaker Dad" instead.... It was fun for me but I know I am setting a terrible example. I promised her this year her Dad would be more responsible and ride my bike like a cruiser.

I don't ride my bike irresponsibly around town or any homes. Just when I am on a road I know well and know I can't hurt anyone else but myself.

This year I am looking forward to travelling and seeing the sights.

Well, here's the update: She took her test for the temporary license today, missied it by 5 points. She was in quiet tears, so i told her we'd go and re-test on Saturday.
You have to take the riders course before you can get your full license here and that's a good thing.

I took the Vino out for a ride tonight and nearly froze my face and other assorted bits....stay tuned.

Teaching family to ride? you're a very brave man!

Good luck to you!

And good luck to your daughter for the re-test, too!

(will let you know how it goes when I start to teach my girlfriend!!)

Im 17, and have been riding for around 8 months or so, and Ive had a license for just over a year now, it took darn near 5 months for me and my dad to talk my mom into it.

My dad being a retired motor cop of 27 years, you would think he would be dead set against me riding, being the things he's seen and dealt with that I cant even begin to imagine. He has a philosophy that I think all parents should listen too that are worried about there kids riding.

Wether you like it or not, if your kids have eve, 1/8 of the intrest in bikes that I do, they will get a bike, and ride one day wether you like it or not. My dad let me get mine now, cause as long as Im living at home, he can control WHAT I ride, and WHEN I ride it, and he can teach me how to ride the right way. As opposed to saying no, and me moving out someday, hardly any street riding experience, buying a crotch rocket, and very likely hurting myself.

As of now I can only ride if he is riding too. And I dont complain about it at all, because he let me have one, and he laid out the rules early on. SO in my opinion, the best thing you can do is teach your kid how to do it the right way early on.

I've got a 13 yr old girl I'm gonna start on dirt bikes this summer. Thats how I learned.

Well said Pyropig!