potential rider with a problem

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BuddhaBob · #1 Unread post by **BuddhaBob** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:32 pm

First of all, I'd like to say this is a great forum with tons of useful info. Well, I'm 20 yrs old and I passed the MSF course last December and now found a 04 Suzuki GS500F with 8k miles for around $3500. The problem is that my parents (dad, in particular) strongly disapproves of me getting a bike. Have any of you had this problem with your parents when you first started riding? And if you did, I'd really appreciate any advice you could throw my way so I could try to convice them to let me get a bike. Thanks.

Aggroton · #2 Unread post by **Aggroton** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:35 pm

you have a couple of options(as far as i see)...depending on how much respect you have for your parents...

1. "fudge" your parents and get it.
2. get it...hide it at your buddies...and ride when you can...(this is what i would recomend.)
3. respect thier wishes and get one when you move out.

Chris8187 · #3 Unread post by **Chris8187** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:55 pm

Well, my parents don't approve of me getting one, I'm 18 btw. They aren't stopping me from getting one, but I have to pay for everything, which seems fair to me. What would your dad do if you got one?

nike_soccer · Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:08 pm

Haha, parents. I'm 18, my dad just laughed and said "Cool, but don't crash." My mom looked and me as said "Ok, but road rash is a b_____."

BuddhaBob · #5 Unread post by **BuddhaBob** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:15 pm

I have no idea what my dad would do if I got one. It might strain our relationship though. Nice nike, you have some laidback parents. Mine are the typical strict asian parents.

Pin_Cushion · Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:20 pm

I'm 25, and I don't live with my parents. I never talked with my mother about buying a motorcycle, and my father has passed away so he's moot for this issue. I just bought a bike one day, and when Mom came over a couple of weeks later she asked who's it was. I said mine, and she said "Wow, I didn't know you knew how to ride a motorcycle." I said, "I do now."

That was pretty much it. I only would have asked my parents if I knew they had driven a motorcycle in the past. Since my Mom had never done so, there was no reason to ask her for an informed opinion. I did ask a friend's dad, who builds/fixes motorcycles as a hobby, his opinion on what to buy. The decision to buy a bike, however, was all mine. It's probably one of the best decisions I've ever made.

If, however, you live with your parents then you might run into the age old My house = My rules conflict. There usually isn't a solution to this one other than moving, which is more expensive than a motorcycle. I don't know how cool your parents are so there's little I can say about that. I would not hide my bike at a friend's house. You have no control over what happens to it there. It could get banged up or stolen and you'd have no idea how it happened. Also, this puts your friend in an uncomfortable position if something does happen to it.

#7 Unread post by **Sev** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:43 pm

The best thing you can do is show your parents how responsible you are. Take the MSF, put your research into the gear and buy it. Then show them that you're going to be geting a reasonable bike to start.

You don't want a super sport, you want a UJM, it's a small bike, you're going to practise int eh parking lot and really there aren't that many deaths due to motorcycles each year.

That's basically what I did, and my parents didn't have any real reservations over me getting one.

Shiv · #8 Unread post by **Shiv** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:45 pm

My parents don't know I ride either and they won't find out either until I've bought the cycle cause I know they'd disapprove.

But since I'm paying for everything related to it (even the medical bills if such a situation comes up) then I don't see a problem.

flynrider · #9 Unread post by **flynrider** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:50 pm

I had this same problem when I was 18. Wanted a bike, but Dad was a doctor (I've heard all of the ER stories) and had convinced Mom that motorcycles were certain death. The rule at my house was, "If you get caught riding motorcycles, you'd better hope you're already dead".

I lived in their house and respected their rules, so I decided I was going to have to move out on my own if I wanted to ride. Brought the bike home and was told, "you can't have that thing and live here". I agreed wholeheartedly and let them know when I'd be moving.

They thought it was a passing thing, but I think they knew it wasn't when a few years later I rode 400 miles through a snow/sleet storm to come home for Thanksgiving. My mom called me hardcore

If you're not financially dependent on your parents, I can't see why you would have to convince them to "let you" get a bike. If you are financially dependent on them, then they pretty much get to make the rules and you have to respect that. I've never heard an argument that would convince strongly disapproving parents to change their minds about motorcycles.

Good Luck!

Dragonhawk · Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:53 pm

Buy full leathers. Jacket. Pants. Helmet. Gloves. Boots. Show them how concerned you are about being safe.

If they still aren't supportive, well, you have 2 options:
1. Wait until you move out.
2. Defy them and buy it anyway.

Option #1 may be a long and frustrating wait.

Option #2 is rude and disrespectful and may cause you more trouble than it's worth.

Just be cool and persistant. Hopefully they'll come around.