How to persuade your parents?

[Magnum]

At 17, i am still living in my parents house and will be for a few more years.
I have not yet told them that i want to get a bike in January next year, and i know they are against me getting a bike.
They have always said to me when i was younger 'we will help you get a car, but not a bike'.

I already have a few points i could make but i could do with a few more.
For those of you that have had the same problem, what are some good ways to persuade your parents on letting you get a bike?

Thanks for any help.

(ps. this is simply asking for permission to keep the bike at my home, and to own it - not for them to put any money towards it. I work part time and i am saving.)

[killa]

Buy it, and then show them your bike, fully legal.
They'll calm down after a day or two.
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Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[Wil]

Move out. I persuaded my dad to let me keep the bike in "his" garage, but he was always funny about it. Even though it was a Honda City Express, so didn't take up much room. I suppose he did pay for it though... all £50

Besides, living with your parents when you're old enough to get a room in a bedsit or something is lame.

Unless they do your washing and cooking, and you don't pay rent. In which case, stay there as long as possible
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'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

[Endless Nameless]

Hmm, my parents wouldn't let me have a bike either, or at least they weren't keen. I went to uni and accidentally bought one then, came back for Easter and told my parents I was going to do a CBT so I could ride a friend's bike... Couple of months later told them I'd bought my own bike.

Did my full test this summer without telling them, they noticed the lack of L plates "yeah, decided to do my test before they brought the new one in, means I can use motorways".

Went to visit a friend for the weekend, went up on the train, came back on the 550

Mother dearest wasn't amused, but as I'd already got it- nowt she could do. Calmed down after a day or so anyway, so that's the way to do it...
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A2 passed 22/07/08; restriction up 22/07/10 (just so I don't forget)
'79 Suzuki GS550E. Yes, that's a GS550, not a GS500.
Supersports "In a video editing competition I'd kick your sorry ass"

[neil.]

Demonstrate to them that you take it seriously, so get all the proper gear, high-vis top, white helmet and riding books like the DSA stuff to show you want to take a responsible and safe attitude towards it.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Wil]

[s44678]

I always find its easier to just do something then apologise for it after, rather than ask permission in the first place.

But this kind of depends on your circumstances. If your paying naff all to live there and they're doing all your cooking, cleaning and washing, then going ahead and buying it would be taking the piss slightly. They might get really pissed and kick you out, then you'd be fucked.

Mind you at least then you'd have a bike so you could just give em the bird and ride it over to your nans and live there.

[map]

[.Chris.]

Just get one, they'll learn to live with it. Maybe get something slow and sensible initially (CG125 or similar) so they can get used to it slowly, rather than turning up with some fire-breathing beast.

They'd have to be properly odd to chuck you out for having a bike.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[yambabe]

Jeeesus don't you lot communicate with you parents at all?

I'd be devastated if any of our lads felt they couldn't talk to me beforehand about something as important in their lives as this. OK, having a bike wouldn't be a problem in our household but he principle remains.

Just sit down and talk to them ffs, they are your parents and they (hopefully) love you, so find out what their fears are about you having a bike and try to show them that you are mature enough to have thought things through and whatever it is that they are dreading you do not intend to become a statistic.

Listen to Map, he talks good sense here.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Pete.]

Why not tell them you are going to get a bike and ask if they could put money towards some training for you? If they care so much they will help pay for your training rather than let you struggle just doing the minimum to get on the road.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Magnum]

Thanks for the advice, especially map. I hadn't even though of some of those things.


I cannot simply go out and get a bike. For a start, i would need my dad to help me pick it up in the van, and i would not be allowed to keep it in the garden if they hadnt said yes to it first.

Im going to wait untill a good time when they are in extremely good moods, and when ive got enough points to explain to them. I shouldnt be in a hurry to get their permission if i cant even afford a bike untill january.

[pa_broon74]

I would say on top of whats already been mentioned, as long as you don't get complacent with it, its no more or less dangerous than driving a car.

Sure, you read in the papers about yet another person dying horribly on a bike. But think of the countless thousands of miles travelled with out mishap...

Even reading on here could put a person off, but it would be a dull forum if everyone posted along the lines of; 'commuted to work, it was fine.'


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Didn't catch anything.

[stinkwheel]

What about passing your test first then coming to them with a "complete package"?

What did it for me was being 16 and getting a holiday job on a dairy farm that started at 4.30 in the morning. Moped came really quickly after that.

If you present them with something totally non-threatning looking as a request, this can help. Parents don't like them to look like motorbikes. If you went for something like a Honda Innova initially, you'd probably get further. Steer clear of fat tyres, loud exhausts and "all plastic bits on the front." until they are used to the concept of a powered two wheeler.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[bikerchick82]

Can you not also introduce your parents to a few non chavvy bike mates?

Let your parents ask them questions about biking in general?

They might feel better with information coming from another source because then it's not just you telling them things because you want a bike

Apart from that I can't help....My Dad bought my first bike for me as a surprise

[Mr Hammers]

I commuted to work today. It was fine.







(apart from all the crashes)
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A Guide To Powerbands

[duhawkz]

WTF?

just tell them you want a bike and if they say no just tell them you are old enough to make you own choices in life and they should respect that.

if they give you "my house my rules" tell them you'll move out and then get a bike

[kawakid]

I'm a parent of 3 boys.

They all love my bikes.

But there's no way they are getting one as their first vehicle.

I want them to gain road experience in a car first. At least for a couple of years.

I've no problems with them having an off road bike or a track bike prior to that though.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[Tarmacsurfer]

[map]

[Biker101]

My dad said he would get me a scooter if i got a job to pay for fuel, i got a job and then got a scooter.

Mother wasnt happy but my uncle helped persuade her.

Then i used the whole more speed is safer theory (which is true) to convince them i should upgrade to a 125 when i was 17.

After a few months (summer 07) my dad started liking the idea of his son having a bike for some reason but my mum was happy when i got a car. My dad wanted to pay for my bike test but autumn fastly approached and i got into having a warm car.

Then this spring i got my dad to pay for the test and training and my mum to be my guarantor on a bike, used the argument that a new bike is safer than an old bike to persuade my mum to let me do it.
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Past: 06 Runner SP50 >>> 01 Varadero XL125 >>> 08 Kwak ER-6f >>> 05 CBR600rr
Present: 99 FZS600 Fazer

[yankeedoodle]

I agree with the majority of the suggestions here.

I definitely support the idea of showing them how mature you can be about it. And showing them that you are old enough to make your own choices and take responsibility.

When it comes to getting a bigger bike, the "well accelerating out of a problem is just as important as being able to brake out of a problem" reason always works
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Bandit 600

[Fnatic]

Say:

"Do you want a nice home when you are older?

Yes?

Then let me have a nice bike!"

[Ariel Badger]

It will be no worse than when you told them you were gay.
Tears from your mom and a hurt look on your dad's face but give it time and you will all some how come through it stronger.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Pete.]