Don't laugh!

[fernando]

I have everything I need in place for buying my first bike - money, garage space, time etc. The problem is that, even at 31, given my fondness for going sideways in the car, both the girlfriend and my family have promised to stop speaking to me permanently if I buy so much as a moped and they're serious. Any hints/tips on persuasion?
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It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. If you concentrate on the finger, you will miss all that heavenly glory....

[Bendy]

Just do it.

Bet they can't keep up the silence for more than a week.

[topi]

Use the 'if you loved me, you would want me to be happy' speech.

[Mr.Everready]

What a great way to stop the wife nagging !
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[lap_time]

They've promised to stop speaking to you? Bonus! Sounds like you can't lose!

[kaillum]

drag the girlfriend around as many bikes shops as it takes to make her find a bike SHE loves.. worked with me..
took about 4 weeks til she saw the 54 RS125 she fell in love it!

went from 'Your not having a bike!!!' to 'hmmmm.. I could be riding one of those!!' and I got the bike I wanted to boot!!

well that and she went from the RS125 to a VFR800 in about 6 months as well.. but hey.. cant win em all

mother.. meh.. she'll come round eventually.. they all do

[fernando]

Thanks, but girlfriend has congenital defect which means that she can't even get to grips with driving a car after 70+ lessons, and unfortunately my mum works with an older rider who gave her the "You're an egg in a world full of sledgehammers" routine.

Bastard.
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It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. If you concentrate on the finger, you will miss all that heavenly glory....

[topi]

If its about the danger aspect, tell them not too bother waking up in the morning. You could trip over a curb whilst walking, hit your head on the wall and die.

[ian_s]

It's one of those things that you will never pursuede them on. At least you have tried to discuss it. Just do it, they will be pissed for a few days but will come round.

Show them you are being being cautious by buying all the gear etc.

[Bendy]

Just do it, are you a man or a munchkin?!

[epz]

one of the reasons i ride bikes apart from my ability to fail a car test in ever more interesting ways is i respect and fear bikes, cars are just big metal boxes that you can fanny about as much as you wish in and nothing that bad can happen to you.

on a bike you are forced to take it a lot more seriously or get squished, just dont get a faired on or youll end up going to fast, a nice scary supermoto would be perfect.

[TheShaggyDA]

[map]

Do the accountant thing. Put the spin on a cost based analysis and you'll save xx amounts on car depreciation, fuel, parts, etc.
It's also your emergency transport backup.



best of luck

p.s. let's hear it for us munchkins
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[krebsy]

I was in exactly the same boat when I discussed bikes in the past, then my wife needed the only car we have to commute.

She suggested I get a 125, even after previously stating "you can't even ride your mountain bike safely.." (Broken elbow a few years back, a major smash at 40mph a few years prior to that.)

A 125 is not suitable for the dual carriageways around here, so after searching around (cost of bikes and insurance etc...) I found an xj600n for a grand, 174 quid insurance and it works out cheaper and more sensible to buy an entry level mid-range bike than to struggle on a "sewing machine" through the morning commute.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[RooRoo]

My girlfriend and mum didn't want me to join the army, that didn't stop me! Just do it, you'll feel bitter if you don't...

[shellshock]

Agree with the rest !

Just do it, only a certain amount of time that they can ignore you for !

And at the end of the day, a bike is just as 'unsafe' as a car, bicycle, walking, living, breathing, blah di blah !

[TOM M]

me mum didnt want me to buy me rs125, the only time she knew i had one was when it was being unloaded out the van

i had the "im so dissapointed" routine but after a day or so everyone was fine n dandy
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[JodieWodie]

Well fernando, that is very sad.

I passed my CBT the week before my 31st birthday, and upon the very day I was 31 I took delivery of my brand new CG. (which I am selling in a few weeks for a very reasonable price !!)

You are at the age where you need something extra...a hobby..a life style.. something to motivate you and keep you going in your old age

Tell them you are having a mid-life crisis and it is either a bike or a mistress. Let them decide.

Seriously... I cannot understand partners trying to stop their other half doing things they really want. It is mean and cruel.
Go out, buy the bike, bring it home, and say are you REALLY going to leave me/disown because of this lump of metal ? If the answer is yes then they are daft.
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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"

[Mark_petty]

I can totally understand how u feel and what your going through. I have managed to convince my gf that it is fine for me to ride a motorbike and if i'm sensible I will be fine.

My parents on the other hand are totally against it. I had a bad accident when I was younger on a moped which have put bad thoughts in there heads.

My parents aren't going to stop me as its my life and I don't live at home anymore. So i'm getting a bike very soon

[RooRoo]

It's kinda funny, they speak from their arses, they care enough to tell you not to get a bike, yet care so little if you do something they don't like they won't speak to you ever again...lol

[The Old Geeza]

[jamie192]

bore them to death with motorbikes it worked with my mum, when i passed my cbt i said to my mum, im getting a bigger bike at 17, now she realised i am getting a biggetr bike at 17 weather she likes it or not, shes gone with it and is now encouraging me by saying she will lend me up to 8000 pound if i need it.
im hopefully getting a bike from the midlands and shes like yeah we will pay him to being it down and everything, they will come round eventually. and when ever she sees me riding i ride like an idiot, she must hate it but she knows what ever she trys isnt going to change, she offered me her car even lol, i think that was the decider.
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Ride Fast, Brake hard, don't fall off!

[jimster]

[Slickfish]

I was lucky enought not to have any of that!

Mate If i was you I'd get the bike!!!, they will come around, if the only reason is they dont like bikes get one dont let that stop you, if there are other issues like running cost etc. then well its your call. My advice buy it, love it, let them get over it!!!

[GreyHam]

im not allowed a bike

guess what? im 18 in 2 days, im starting work full time, and i cant see any reason why i cant have one

i think people eithe rlove or hate bikes. theyll come round...
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Coming off a bike will surely effect my guitar playing....