Family Views

[Ride-local]

So i guess most or a lot of bikers have a problem with family members not wanting to them to ride.

The problem i face is that for one my mums dad died in a motorbike accident. He was in his 20s.

Now being an adult of 25 there is no one to stop me getting a bike and doing what i want. Its something that i've wanted to do for over 10 years now. However with the above and other family members in bike accidents (i think most from 40-50 years ago)

I'm not 100% sure on my dads side, but i know motorbikes are also a big issue there.

Now this hasn't put me off biking, just nice to have other peoples views on things.

(I haven't got a bike or license but am looking into it soon)

[bEN_]

Please tell me, 1 person who doesn't know 'someone thats been hurt or died riding a motorcycle'

everyone always seems to know someone



ignore, go for it.
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2010 Ducati 848 Dark

Lamp Post Enthusiast

[fra-zzr]

my mum was mixed, her brother had bikes when young. My dad was dead against sayin it was too dangerous, imagine how gutted i was after 2 years getting knocked off and breaking my pelvis
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04' Hyosung Comet Gt125
96' zzr600

[Ride-local]

[Chriss]

Could get hit by a bus walking to the shops. Life's for living, not for arriving safely to death.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[davthegreat]

people die in cars too, on a bike you have nothing to get trapped into in a crash, but my parents have the same views as yours

[Ride-local]

[Poseidon]

Aside from the usual "be careful on the roads, there's some idiots out there!" from some family members, everyone has been really intrigued by my venture into biking. Reminding them I spend over 50hours a week on the roads and that I'm an "Advanced Safe Driver" usually makes them realise I have more of an idea of who's on the roads than they do!

My wife wasn't a problem... She got me my CBT as a wedding present. Once she realised I had got her a white gold, diamind & sapphire necklace for her as a wedding present, she bumped it up to DAS!
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1977 Honda CG125
2002 Ducati Monster S4 (currently restoring)

[Skudd]

I always find it odd that others are against bikes, as my parents encouraged me to get a bike, it is what I wanted anyway. The only thing they did say was that I had proper training from the word go and that when I was on the bike they knew where I was going. Oh and at 16yrs of age ig I was on the bike I had to be in for 10.30pm. They paid for the training and there was not much to do after 1030pm on a little 50cc bike.

I still now usually tell people in what direction I'm going, even if it is just to say heading North, South, Wales, Lakes, Pennines etc, just to keep people calm.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[TheFoxyDuke]

I had a 'slight medical problem' in 2007 which necessitated 3 weeks in hospital and carried a 50% mortality rate over 6 months .

It was then that I decided to finally do my test - after years of wanting to but always putting it off for one reason or another. The wife was fairly pleased that I lived (er..I think ) so said OK as long as I got some decent gear and didn't ride like a tool.

No parents to worry about and my kids love the idea of bikes. My son will quite happily sit on it (he's 3 1/2) but covers his ears in terror if I start it up.

And she had an uncle who dies in his teens many years back. She can't even drive a car

FoxyD
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[ttr]

I think I'm lucky in that I have no family members with particularly bad experiences of motorbikes. My father's uncle had a beasty crash years ago, but still rides. My dad used to ride Bantams and stuff when he was a kid. My mother hates my bike but has stopped whinging, and now complains more when it's not on the road ('cos I'm a cheeky bugger and blag lifts when I can to avoid bus fares!)...

When I started out she was pretty against it. My dad never really expresses permission or otherwise for anything, only his opinion and relevant experience.

My nan was really supportive, which swayed my mother I think.


So aye, I got lucky. It was a bit of a battle at the start - I would have been on a 50 probably were it not for my mother's resistance. She sort of gave in when I got to being nearly 17, and here we are!
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GS125-> NT400->VFR400->CRM250->Z750 + GS125->NTV650 rat + VMX1200->GSF600 + GPz550

[Carl Howell]

Even my mom encouraged me to get a bike saying its better than a car lol
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Owned: 2002 Gilera DNA 50, Yamaha DT125R

Own: Yamaha FZX250 Zeal (FZR250 engine as a similar shape to a Hornet)

[Paulington]

My Dad has lost about 80% of his high school friends through motorbike deaths.

Yet he still actively encourages me to bike it up and so does my Mum.

I'd consider a lot of my hobbies quite dangerous and like someone has said, live every day like your last.

In other words, get out and enjoy the free feeling that biking gives.
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Flip]

I usually do what I want anyway is my view on things. Dad didn't want me to get a bike but he seems to like it now.

[cazmal]

My son(18) came to us last December saying he'd like to learn to ride a motorbike. After some discussion including "you must learn to ride properly" and "you must wear proper protective clothing" we agreed. He has not looked back - he's a natural. Failed his first test (didn't cancel the indicators), but passed the second no problem. Got him his first bigger bike (SV650s) at end of April and don't worry unduly when he's out.

On the other hand, when I was 17 (many, many years ago), my parents flatly refused to let me have a motorbike even though I was desperate to have one. I learnt to drive a car and that was that......until my son encouraged me to do my CBT. One thing led to another, and the day after he passed his test, I passed mine (A2).
I now have a CF600 and we go on rides together - except that where he has the invincibility of a 19 yr old and I have the reserve of a xxyr old, he leaves me standing (but he usually waits for me further on!!)

[KLR600]

Both my parents rode bikes when I was kid and I always used to go pillion with them so there was no stopping me really! They paid for my first year of motorcycling + lessons and test as a 17th birthday present but after that I was on my own. I've not looked back and haven't regretted the decision of bikes over cars at all in the last 5 years.
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Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
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[The Tot]

Once you're out of your parent's sights, you're pretty much open to what you want to do. Fair enough, they'll still see you as "their little boy" even at 25, but you're responsible enough to make and take your own actions.

Uni, combined with my parents emigrating out of the UK pretty much gave me free reign. They were supportive about me passing my test and pottering about on a 125, but the notion that I was in control of a bike that was capable of 100mph+ (on the 250 and subsequent bikes), they seemed a bit reluctant. Now, after 5 years on bikes and 70k miles, they have no qualms at all; they see it as a sense of identity for me. Just don't tell them about any accidents you've had or may eventually have and you'll be fine. (Dad used to ride <250's)
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[ajb]

I think everyone faces similar issues with family worrying.

You can do things like BikeSafe etc to make them more at ease, could be enough to sway opinions.

On the other hand, the same people telling you it's dangerous (as previously mentioned) will be oblivious to dangers involved in other 'extreme' sports. The same people will tell you that it's dangerous to ride a bike, and then jump in their car, again, completely oblivious to the risks of driving.

I'm satisfied taking the risk of riding a bike because I always do everything I reasonably can to remain safe, better than than jump in a car and whizz off without a thought.
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CBR125R '05 > CB500 '00 > CBR600F '99

[Louise]

Parents worry but its my decision to be honest.
My new partner was in a head on crash 2 years ago doing around 70ish and come away intact - no broken bones/nothing.
Now as I pick her up on the bike her mum and dad really worry but I assure them that im sensible.
Ride carefully and I found I got the respect that I wanted

[kawakid]

My cousin lost his leg in a biking accident in Ireland. (lorry driver's fault).

My dad had bikes, but only because he couldn't afford a car. He had crashed and broken bones and subsequently was dead against motorbikes.[/quote]
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I've a twin and a 4.

[chrisjacks]

personally my mum and both sets of grandparents are against it and my mum doesnt let me store the bike at hers when i stay then and makes me come in the car, my dad doesnt mind so when i go to his aslong as i use my gear etc.

though before i got a licence my mum didnt want to me learn and was dead agaisnt it so i got my full licence from cbt and then told her afterwards, better to ask forgiveness then eprmission

[iooi]

[Biker101]

My mum was against it from day 1 and still is.

My dad on the other hand likes it and i think it's because he never got one when young but used to be really into bike racing.

My grandparents dont like the idea, it wasn't until about a year after starting riding i told them, then when i got a car and sold the 125 they were really happy.

Since getting back into biking last year, a year after selling the 125, i still haven't got the guts to tell them again. And everytime they mention bikes or say things like 'i bet your glad to be in a nice dry car rather than that horrible dangerous bike' i change the subject.

I do what i want though, i'm old enough to decide for myself, and the bike gives me the thrill i cant get anywhere else
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Past: 06 Runner SP50 >>> 01 Varadero XL125 >>> 08 Kwak ER-6f >>> 05 CBR600rr
Present: 99 FZS600 Fazer

[Ride-local]

Fair point.

I will be looking into it over the next few months when i have a little extra cash (need some work doing to my place)

its more the guilt trip they try and lay on you.

[nowhere.elysium]

Much as your folks are worried about you, they can't live your life for you.
My folks said to me that it was OK for me to ride a motorbike, but only as long as I'd learned to drive a car first, to get a handle on how the roads are treated by drivers. So, I drove for 3 years, got a 125, loved it, did my DAS, and now I have a Bandit 6 and my thoroughly silly Chinese 125 still. Just managed to get my Mrs into bikes too: we're rebuilding a 1983 CB125TDC together now, and it's going to be her ride once it's roadworthy
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project