Help me keep my son off a motorcycle

motorcycles are dumb. I support you and would be pissed if I was in your position.

My mom scared me away from them by bringing me to her friend's brother's funeral who died on one.

Its dangerous so stop... Really?

get him a Royal Enfield. Not fast and a british/indian bike it will be in a shop a lot...

Seriously, I've lost acquaintances in 50 years... 2 on bicycles, several to alcohol... couple to drugs.. 1 skiing.. 1 on a motorcycle, several in cars..

Life is dangerous,,, nobody gets out alive..

Dave.

I have to try to stop him, but at the point I can't, I'll make sure he takes a motorcycle safety course at the least. I know he won't wear full gear when riding in California...can't imagine many that do just around town.

Right now, though, thinking about safety is my secondary concern to my first one...keeping him off for as long as I can...no offense riders.

Nothing will happen until the Summer, though he goes back to school Monday...I don't think he'll give up on this easily but neither will I.

I don't know what you can do to convince him. Usually when someone wants a bike, there's no convincing them otherwise. However, if it helps him put it in perspective I have my own experience to offer:

My cousin (who I was very close to) was killed a couple years ago. He was on a straight road, slowed down as there were some ducks on the road. Driver behind him wasn't paying attention and bumped him from behind, sending him and his bike onto the other side of the road into oncoming traffic, killing him instantly. If he had been in a car, it would have been a simple fender bender with next to no damage. Witnessing the impact on his parents, his brother and his wife of 2 months was enough for me to decide that bikes weren't for me. His brother still rides, but he takes his bikes to the track and doesn't ride them on the roads due to far too many idiots out there.

Maybe you could convince your son to take it to the track, help support him with that. Get him a car/trailer and encourage that. Might be an expensive outlay, but at least he gets his bike and you can rest knowing that he is in a controlled environment. Good luck, I know that it's a difficult issue.

Originally Posted by NJ///M

What gear did you have on?

Helmet, jeans, backpack and t shirt. Was supposed to be a quick ride to get a pivot bushing for my transmission.

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Originally Posted by morningisbad

Having a motorcycle has made me a better driver. Having to be on the defensive all the time on a motorcycle bled over into my car driving :-)

Never even had a close call on the bike...but definitely scared the **** out off myself a few times, haha

+1, except for the close call lol. But riding a bike definitely made me a better driver.

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Originally Posted by HellFish

motorcycles are dumb. I support you and would be pissed if I was in your position.

people are dumb. motorcycles are not living things and therfore can't be dumb.

this may help

http://www.charonboat.com/item/110

tell him to take up skydiving instead. I loved riding my bike, but was always worried about all the other drivers. owning a motorcylce is awesome, but like anything it has its dangers... but skydiving is on a whole other level if its a rush he's looking for. you really can't compare anything to jumping out of a plane imo.

why does he want a bike? to go fast? drag knees? putt around on a harley? pick up bitches??
all of the above, minus the harley?

maybe he's just looking to live a little? bored of the square life wrapped in bubble wrap. no one wants that, waste of time on this earth if thats the way your going to go about it... let him live, if anyting the day he moves out he is going to do it anyway or just do it behind his back. kids always do what they are told not to do.

I just re-read the original post... you're son is 18??? wtf. hahaha.... LET HIM LIVE MAN! LET HIM GO! boy's gotta grow up, move out. experince the real world.

I bought a house and moved out at 19.

if he's old enough to drink, buy porn and vote, he should be allowed to make his own decisions.... I guess the age limits are different. 18/19 is the drinking/voting age here.

Has your son ridden a motorcycle before? Some find that riding isn't for them after attending a safety course.

As far as going to an ER to see the impact of a cycle accident, some years ago a family friend took his son and was allowed to peek inside after visiting with a doc.

I rode since 2005, when I bought my first streetbike. (I grew up riding dirtbikes). I commuted 50miles a day and put over 76, 6++ miles on it..until June 27 of last year. I was hit by a 19yr old girl while I was almost stopped-(overheard a cop say she was going 45-55mph). I'm very lucky to be alive. Would I ride again? YES!! First I have two daughter's I want to see grow up and move out, then I will want another. Will it be to commute on?? Hell NO!! F'N idiots out there paying more attention to their phones.. It will be for enjoyment. All you can do is make sure, and I mean SURE, that he wears gear all the time...no exceptions! Gear is what saved my life (and crumple zones of newer cars..2009 camry-trashed the front end). It was this wreck that is the reason I am on this forum.. I had to have a convertible, and the Bmw fit the bill. I'm still needing surgery on a tendon in my right ankle, but I'm here....it could have been very different.

Dirty, I'm sure it's very fun riding...glad you're alive to tell the story...and be safe for your daughters. You have any idea how fn pissed they'd be at you if you were killed on a bike? They have to live with that, even though you might not. Sorry...just saying. (Knock on wood)

All I'm saying there is always the off road track only option.
You don't have to ride on the street. But at his age, I'm pretty sure a streetable bike is a must.

I will say this tho. Most people that knock it, have never tried it.

show him this

I understand how you feel towards motorcycles, it is different for me, as my father, brother, brother in law, sister and my niece ride. Not all commute daily though, just my niece. The best thing you can do is make sure he wears his gear..I cannot say that enough. I was planning on getting another as soon as I healed completely-my wife and children were all supportive of this, however I found out that I went over the extended cab truck in front of me and grazed the hood coming down--this I don't remember. .. I hope, for his sake that he realizes the dangers out there..you cannot let your guard down..but, accidents will happen. I have had a lot of experience being cut off and being invisible..you are invisible. As stated above, it has made me a better driver-I watch cars and drivers actions. I do not use my phone while driving, it takes too much attention away from driving...and this is the problem of today. The second best for me was a convertible, as me and my wife had one before this (wife was in an accident and it was totalled) and I wanted another... try, to talk him into one if you can...it is the next best for me.

This situation is ****ed.