What do your families think?

[White Noise]

Today has been my first day of proper riding, i got my bike last night. I got up early and left the house at 7 to get a ride in before work. It felt good getting used to the bike on the empty roads and it was beautiful morning, got to work at 8:30 with a big grin on my face. after work i to a slightly non direct way home and have just got back.
Feeling really good about the riding and can't wait till tomorrow morning ride.
Then it happens. answer my phone and it my mam, she knows that i have passed my full bike test. so i tell her i have got my bike then she gets pissed off! she says i thought you where going to save for a year and stuff like she is always reading about bike crashes in the papers. It really brings me down after a god day! Then i have just watched "trauma" and it had a biker who crashed on it. not feeling too good at the moment

anyway sorry about the long message, but really need to vent, so my question is, What do your families think about you riding? need to feel that there are some supportive parents out there!

cheers
WN
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Buy my wife: 96' Yam XJ600s (Diversion)
Wing Commander White Noise - SE Clique
Riding Tip #86: See God, then back off a bit: Problem is i haven't seen god yet, just a close up of tarmac on revett straight

[Will87]

My mum was against it but since i have been riding and past my test she is fine with it, my dad is extremely supportive due to him beign riding since the age of 16 and having a fair few bikes himself.

Don't worry she will get used to it. Atleast your not in the position of my friend, he w ants a bike but his mum or dad won't let him even do his cbt, his mum used to ride and came off some years ago, now she ahs bought herself a lil 125 thing and she rides that on and off. The worst bit is even though she still rides a bit she will not allow him to do his test, with the family's money they could easily afford all the best protection for him to make it slightly more risk free! I feel sorry for him :/.

[Sadie]

Mine have never once commented on it at all.

Either they don't care , or they've decided that it will only lead to a row.
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With experience comes age.

[dotti]

I'm from a real biking family. Even my 12 year old sister has a bike. I've been riding since I was 11 years old, so it was no surprise to anybody when I told my parents that I was thinking about getting a bike licence. What was surprising was that my parents offered to fork out the cash for the bike

Quite a few times in the past we've gone out as a family on the bikes, my mum & dad on the SR500 or the Norton, my brother & I on our bikes, and my sister as a pillion, usually on my bike. We live quite far away from each other these days, but looking back the family bike trips are some of my best memories of family days out that I can think of.
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Dangerous traffic offences spotted on 50-minute trip: Lost count after 100. Number of traffic cops spotted: One, sitting by a speed-trap camera

[mchaggis]

Mum - rides a F650. Held licence since 1974, BaB.
Dad - used to ride 125s and things for the cheapness of it.
Eldest brother - commutes on a Symjet 100.
Eldest sister - is starting riding this summer.
Elder brother - Rode a TW125 until he got pulled out on last July. His thigh was rent open from knee to groin, and the bike's only just been written off. He'll be getting his full licence this summer.
Me - I ride a little Chinese machine and have developed the necessary twisted sense of humour to be able to laugh at their shocking electrics.
Younger brother - will be riding once he's 16/ 17, to college.
Yougest sister - will be riding once she's old enough if I have anything to do with it.


All of them supportive except my Dad, but I expect he's happy enough to just let us get on with it. Oh, there are eight children in the family and neither have shown much interest.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[JodieWodie]

Don't dwell on the bad stuff...just focus on the fun of the actual riding !! ..(as the vicar said to the choir boy)

I mean...
shit can happen...and does... but if you dig into those feelings,.you may as well give up now !

Remind your parents/family that accidents happen in all walks of life, to anyone ...car drivers....walking on the pavement for God's sake...


My Fiance passed his full test a couple of weeks before me...so thoroughly understands bike riding, and how safe they can be... usually....
my 8 year old Daughter rides pillion with Fiance and me....


My Mum and Dad are both deceased now...
but when Mum was alive my brother had numerous bikes.
Mum hated them.
Called them death traps,..
begged him to get rid of them.
Understandably, he said no.

He came off his Kawasaki when he was early 20's (he was pillion on it).
His helmet fractured and stuck into the back of his skull.

Not nice.
Mum was beside herself.
'Told him so'...etc....
Luckily he survived.
But bikes weren't the same to him after that. It was a shock.

He sold his bikes, and became a car person.
I don't blame him in some respects. I haven't been in that situation, so...

But, as I am now...I feel safe enough to ride my bike. I trust ME...I will not go pillion....but that is only me.

Have faith in yourself. Prove yourself right over time.

Jo xxx
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Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[Robchester]

When i was 16 and 17 i wanted firstly a Scooter then a DT. Both times i was told no and my parents bought me a Car. Always wanted a bike but it wasnt until i was 21 when my Dad asked my if i fancied doing my DAS as he wanted to do it as well. Both of us booked lessons and tests and the rest is history.

My Mam is still against it - she's not interested in the slightest. "Bikes kill" in her eyes. However touchwood, we've both been ok since we started riding and i think she might be accepting the fact that what ever she says or does, its not gonna change anything.

[fastyan]

well have to say i wanted one at 16 but me mum wouldn't let me
but as soon as i had moved out, finished uni and got some money i went and got one...
1 year after that and both parents decided to get back into biking
dad - pan european
mum vfr800... (and she doesn't hang about much either... - bit scary really...)

[Fire_Eyes]

My parents were totally against the idea at first. Specially my dad! But after a year of buying bike magazines, watching motors tv 24/7, hanging all sorts of pictures on the room of my walls, they had to give up. However, now that I got the bike they seem to support it alot. My mom is gonna get me a gixxer as a birthday gift and she keeps talking about how nice she thinks she is. Dad always asks about the bike and if everything is good with it. He wanted to get me the gixxer also but I really don't care who gets it for me . Your family loves you and ofcourse they worry about you but with time I think it will pass.
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Kawasaki ZZR 400 | K5 GSX-R 600

[jcbiker]

my mum is fine with me getting a ped at 16. my uncle used to have a 04 blade, that i went pillion on once and loved it. she wants me to get a 50cc at 16, then wait till i'm 18 and get a 600 rather than a 125 at 17. i might stick with the 600 or get the cbr 600 of that year, but then i might go for the blade of that year. mum says, when i'm 21 i can get what ever i want , which is good seeing as i wont really care what she thinks by then. lol

what would you say is a good starter? i liked the aprilia 50cc race replica, but a the guy at my local bike dealer said i'm better with a twist and go ped at 16. what do you think?
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i'm only 14, but need to learn before i get on bike!!!

[dodsi]

I think you need to wait a couple of years young man.

And isnt it passed your bedtime?

anyways.

I dont give a shit what my parents think allthough my dad supports me having a bike and mum hates it but has accepted it.

When I got my big boys bike she was very scared but I have proved sensible on it. (if not more sensible than I was in my 125 days)

My dad has a fazer 600 but he only got it because he was having a mid-life crisis and barely ever uses the thing.

[jcbiker]

lol. no its not past my bedtime. i haven't got one, that went out the window ages ago. i'm guna hate being on a 50, but i need transport. cant wait till i'm 21 then i can get some proper power between my legs.
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i'm only 14, but need to learn before i get on bike!!!

[natv4]

I was lucky I guess. I started life as a car person (my first word I'm told). Didn't see what the fuss was about. My brothers got bikes, fell off them. Got hurt. Survived.

Finally at the tender age of 21 I got one. My mum worries about all of us, even now. She lost her brother in a car accident, so knows that it doesn't matter what transport you choose, there is always danger.

They will come round in time. This can be a dangerous hobby, you choose just how dangerous you make it. Try telling her how you feel about it. Maybe it would help her to see how you feel about it.

Good Luck! She will come round, eventually.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[instigator]

Well, I'll do what I like but always respect others feelings and don't go out to directly hurt them/upset them. Although I made it known that under no uncertain terms, I would be getting a bike at 17, I worked on my mum, trying to convince her.

Eventually, she gave in and said okay, get out of my hair will you....just buy one.

I wanted her approval basically. Pops was all for the idea to begin with then he showed me a picture of a rs125, I got INTO bike from then on and my maw gave him a bollocking.

Been against bikes ever since, but always hints at wanting to do his DAS.

[White Noise]

Cheers guys,
made me feel better! i think my whole family worry but my dad and bro just say "be careful", but my mam worries more. put her thought a lot! parachuting and having to have surgery while i was traveling round china.
Think she will worry but hope she is able to respect it has been a dream of mine since i was 16, if only i had a spare helmet and jacket i would really want to take her as a pillon!!!
anyway just want to keep positive thoughts in my head whilst not getting cock for my ride tomorrow!
WN
____________________
Buy my wife: 96' Yam XJ600s (Diversion)
Wing Commander White Noise - SE Clique
Riding Tip #86: See God, then back off a bit: Problem is i haven't seen god yet, just a close up of tarmac on revett straight

[Azmodeus]

Sorry if this has already said because I only read the first post.

The problem with reading things in the paper/online etc. is that they only publish the bad things that happen. Addmittedly, the headline "Biker has nice day out without any mishaps" wouldn't make me buy the paper, but because they only publish things when someone dies or something big happens (bike his truck and truck explodes etc. etc.), you end up with a very blinkered view of biking.

I think that you parent's worry is only generated because they do not have all the facts. Try and get some statistics on crashes (fatal vs non fatal would be a good one), and have a sit down and explain them. Might also be a good idea to swot up on the safety gear too, so you can explain how well protected you are.

One word of caution however - Be careful when explaining the protective qualities of helmets. I told my parents they will need to be replaced if dropped, but failed to mention from how high. Next day mine rolled off the car bonnet while I was fiddling with my bike and I had to endure half an hour of "that cost £120" and "your not riding with a damaged helmet"

Other than that small mishap I have had nothing but support and encouragment from my parents. My dad bought me everything (although I expect he paid out for the helmet and jacket because he was worried I would skimp on them and buy something that may not protect me properly) and helped me through all the problems I had with it.

[jaffa]

My wife doesn't like it, she worries when I'm out on the bike and thinks I spend too much time with it in the garage. Jealously.
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jaffa - all juice and no pips

[yambabe]

My mum just shrugs, at my age she can't do a lot else! She has finally admitted that she feels better now I ride my own bike, as she has been a bit concerned about me being a pillion for the last 20 years! She keeps dropping hints about how she's not been on a bike since she was courting my dad, but I'm still not confident about taking pillions so I've not taken her up on it - yet!

I wish my dad was still alive. He used to ride in the 60s, and his dream since about 1975 was to get another Bantam one day, and do a proper classic restoration job on it then get out there and ride it. Sadly he passed away in 1996 and his dream was never realised. He would have been thrilled to bits to finally see me riding.

Re my own family, my son rides a Sym100 (but only in the summer ). He's not really into bikes, but at 19 and a student its cheap transport for him til he can afford a car. My stepson is currently banned as he has been caught riding 'peds on the road with no license, insurance etc. and as he is a bit of a chav ( ) I'm sure he really wants a Nova or something, but I daresay he too will be on a 'ped or a 125 this summer when his ban is up, as he's now 17. God knows how he's going to afford insurance though. I'm not paying it for him!

My other half, as I'm sure I've mentioned, has been riding bikes for over 30 years without a break, when we first got together nearly 12 years ago now his bikes were the only transport we had between us (yes you can get a weeks shopping and two people on an XS500 comfortably!) so I'm sure you can imagine his views on the subject!
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[bish777]

My dear mother cried when i passed my CBT, and came riding home on my old KH100. Is convinced to this day bikes will kill me. a few years back i came off my XBR500 in a right hander and skidded down the road. Guess who i was going to visit? My mother! You should have seen her face as i limped through the front door, she exclaimed "My god your hurt, i knew that bike was lethal", to which i replied " shut up woman, where are the plasters." Her face when i turned up on the FZR 1000! She had kittens on the spot.

My father is a car enthusiast and home mechanic and is quite interested in the mechanics of my bike at least. Best quote from him is "Jesus christ! 148 horsepower? Thats more than my car!"
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GSXR1100J

[Fortuna]

My dad used to race and my mum used to watch him.

[paulodd]

My mum and my grandmar both hate me being on a bike. i constantly get the lectures on how biking is dangerous and they cut out snippets of the paper of bike crash's, to try and get me to change my mind and get a car. The other day my mum started going on about making me get fully comp insurance. Fook that i'm not paying an extra £1500 for a bike thats only worth £620.

My dad doesn't care, he likes bikes and likes the fact that i have my own independence with the bike.

In the end i always know when the lectures are coming so i just switch off and stare out the window. I know about all the crashes and that i could be one of these poor sods in a crash, but to ride safely you need to be aware of that and look out for everything.

Don't worry about them having ago, after awhile you'll get used to it.


Paul
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Paul
1999 Yamaha R6
www.coventrybikers.co.uk / www.norfolkriders.co.uk

[Gazdaman]

My parents fookin took my bike out the other day to hit the twisties!!.

They think just because it's not legal for me to ride it yet they can just take the 600 out willy nilly.

Gaz

[TomC]

Parents hate the fact I have a bike even though it is only a 50cc. Partly down to them loosing two very good friends in the past through seperate bike accidents. Having said that once they knew I was definately getting one they help out for items such as safety gear, CBT and parts.

[steveh]

My Dad is really supportive and helps me alot, he does worry, but hey hes a dad.

My Mum, doesnt say much, she moans abit when i rev the bollocks off it in the morning tho.

Sister, not arsed

Girlfriend, Usual " its a deathtrap" but shes keen to go on the back

Grandma, abit nuts so she wants a go on the back, not a chance in hell.


nephew, 4 years old, hates the sound of it and runs off crying when i start it up


Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

[dotti]