Total Motorcycle Community Forums

So as some of ya'll may know I haven't informed the family that I want to ride a motorcycle yet. I was planning to just show up on one one day while coming home from college but I've been talked out of that since.

So I told my sister first off to get advice.

Her fiance was on the other end (we were talking by phone) and the first thing he said was 'Dont' get a busa!' which kind of surprised me because you always hear about people who don't ride saying the exact opposite.


Anyways my sister wasn't too happy about it but she said it's my money and I can do what I want. She also proceeded to lecture me about how she knows people who died on motorcycles (didn't see that one coming ) to which I quickly responded "And you know people who've died in cars, too" which was followed by a long period of silence and a grudging 'yah..'

She then proceeded to inform me that I should wear a helmet and full gear, all the time. To which I said that I plan to and she then informed me that if she ever hears of me riding without full gear, she will personally drive the six hours down to kick my "O Ring".

She was very surprised to learn that I had actually taken the MSF (it's normally not my style to actually prepare for something) and annoyed that I've been licensed for a year and haven't told her until just a while ago.


So 1 down, 2 to go. Wish me luck.

And any pointers? I've read most of them from other topics but I may as well ask.

Well, way to get your sis on board. Stay on her good side, it may be your only allie


I have no advice to offer you. I'm sorta in the same boat. My family knows about me and DH, my sis just got a bike of her own, so my family is cool with it. Heck, some of our family raced MotoX and sportbikes in a circuit.

DHs family on the other hand, didn't take the news perfectly, but they're dealing. Besides, we already like to play with guns, and they though those were pretty evil too. Only thing is so far we've only told him he rides. They're going to be insufferable if/when we tell them I ride

Do what I did Just show up with the thing, I was told I would be kicked out of the house if I got a bike............



I still live in the basement

If you're self supporting, your family doesn't really have a say so on the issue. If you still get funds from the family it's probably a good idea to get them on board. Slowly is good, just showing up with one may be a little abrupt.

Aside from that, let them know you've done your research and are aware of the dangers. Don't minimize the dangers. Just my opinion...

my dad rode when he was younger, and crashed a few times, so my mom wasnt too big on the idea.

So when i was 19 or so I just got a bike on my own, and showed up on it one day.

I did something similiar when i got a tattoo, although when my mom saw that she cried. The bike wasnt as bad, and these days she fully supports me on it, and in fact would love to see my dad start riding again.

Andrew wrote:Don't minimize the dangers. Just my opinion...

Was that a typo, or did you mean it?

Nibblet99 wrote:

Andrew wrote:Don't minimize the dangers. Just my opinion...

Was that a typo, or did you mean it?

I think he meant it, but in the "don't play down the dangers" aspect. In other words, don't deny they exist, but acknowledge them to his family and explain all the steps he's taking to mitigate them.

jonnythan wrote:

Nibblet99 wrote:

Andrew wrote:Don't minimize the dangers. Just my opinion...

Was that a typo, or did you mean it?

I think he meant it, but in the "don't play down the dangers" aspect. In other words, don't deny they exist, but acknowledge them to his family and explain all the steps he's taking to mitigate them.

That makes much more sense

Yeah, let me clarify.

I didn't have to justify it to my family, but whenever I encounter somebody who starts rambling about how dangerous riding a motorcycle is, I don't try to convince that person that motorycles aren't dangerous. That's simply not true and it makes you look like you're in denial about what you're actually doing.

I will try to make sure they understand why and how motorcycles are dangerous. I emphasize the problem with cagers and how their ignorance is a large part of the problem.

With somebody you care about and who cares about you, the last thing you want to do is seem like you aren't taking the dangers seriously because then they'll just worry more. You can't compare motorcycle accidents to car accidents because the fact is, you are more likely to be hurt on your bike than in a car.

Yesterday my neighbor asked me if I'm actually willing to ride on the highway on my motorcycle. When I replied that the highway is probably one of the safest places for me to ride she was shocked. After explaining why, she took away a new understanding of motorcycles and maybe will treat riders a little differently in the past.

Shiv you are sooo right,,, i didnt know they had more to this website either