How do I explain a street bike to friends and loved ones?

[benny66]

Ok. I’m 17 years old and have spent most of my life racing motocross and riding dirt bikes, as ive grown up I have found no time to ride, train or race. I have excepted that and understand its all part of growing up, even if I could ride I cant take the chance of getting hurt coming up on college in august.

I need something to substitute the excitement of motocross, any one here who has raced can agree with me that that is a feeling that is almost impossible to replicate. Without it I have no way to release all of my frustrations and stresses related to life. So long story shortened a bit, I want a road bike, at this point I plan on buying a FZ6 at the end of the upcoming winter.

My girlfriend of 3 years and her family has voiced a strong opposition to me getting a bike. Her father is a automotive painter who has painted the bikes of many people who have died riding and had many friends who have died riding. Her mother is a caring person who is a tad bit over protective and my girlfriend herself has never done anything close to racing and doesn’t understand the rush that I no longer get.





i just reolized i probly posted this in the wrong section so any moderaters that want to move this feel free.

Now that I have explained my situation I finish with my question. What is the best way to explain to people who done understand me getting a bike, that I will be safe and that this is something I need? Thank you for taking the time to read this and any suggestions will help.


my father is ok with me getting a bike. his brother was injured in a bad motorcycle accident but my father has excepted the accident was my uncles fault not the drivers that hit him.

[poorwboy]

Wow, I wish I had a answer for you. Sounds like her dad will not change his mind from what he has experienced. I ride and my mom, wife, inlaws are all against it. I just tell them people die taking a shower, or walking out the front door everyday. Yes motorcycles are more dangerous than cars. But I do believe you can make a motorcycle safer by riding within your parameters, not the bikes. The bike is always more capable then you will be. We all ride over our heads sometimes, some live to tell and some dont. If you do get a bike take the msf course AND PLEASE WEAR GEAR. And always remember that bike can put you in a wad in no time. Respect the bike.

[wrightme43]

I dont know. Some people I just smile and nod at. Others I dont worry about. If I were in your shoes, I would explain to your lady friend this is something I feel like I have to do. You might explain that life is very short. To short to not do what you have a passion for. The fact is that you or I may die everytime we get in a car, climb a ladder, walk up a flight of stairs, take a shower, blow dry your hair, work under a car, ski, boat, or swim. Life is very fleeting and must be savored and enjoyed. Anything less is akin to eating plain oatmeal everyday so your regular and dont have a heart attack.

This is only me, it may not be you. I am sure there are 17 year olds that are more mature than I am at 35. I was not ready to ride a street bike at 17. I drank to much, and I had to show off to much. You have racing experince and I am sure you have crashed enough to know not to act like a fool on the steet. That being said I would step back and make sure you can keep your ego in check on the street. I (at 35) let mine be a contributing factor in a crash that if there had been a oncoming car I would not be here to discuss this with you. I rode over my head, tired, dehydrated, hungry, and I made a error in line selection, speed, and turn in.
I am not knocking on you because of your age, please do not take anything I have said that way. I am only telling you about me, and what I think, and what I was like.

If you feel you have to ride, ride. Dont miss it on account of others feelings. Then again for me there is this as well. This is in reference to my crash. I have custody of my niece. She depends on me. My ego put her future at risk as well as my own. It still bothers me. I am insured, but she needs me, not cash. It has really slowed me down on the street.

[BH17]

I'm only 18, and i was very lucky that my father rides a yamaha crusier, which helped my family understand me getting a motorcycle. Yet, its more of a sport bike, and they are scared just like everyone else. It did alot of help when i took the safety class and also when i got all of my gear to wear. 600cc, is the middle size for a sport bike, so its powerful, but then again there are faster ones. Also, you have alot of riding experience from your dirtbikes, so mention that, and how know the feel of riding one, and with people around you because you raced. I would say take every safety caution, and show them how safe you want to be. That would be you best bet! Good luck! - Brian

[koolfz6]

Things are going to happen when they happen. I believe things happen for a reason. The fact that you have riden a dirt bike and motorcross would, I think, help with them understand. I have riden a dirt bike once, and nothing after that. I took the Motorcycle Safety Course and was impressed with the wealth of information they spoke of there. In fact our instructor was a motorcycle cop. When he took the course, required to be an instructor, he learned alot more than he ever new through out the 22 years of riding, he was self taught.

Basically what i am saying is enjoy what you want to do. OF course bikes are more dangerous than cars, however you must do the things you enjoy. Hopefully they will understand, you have a past of 2 wheeled ridin which should be taken in account.

Good luck, Ride safe, Enjoy!

[minimad]

When people have a go at me for riding a bike saying its dangerous and all that, i give them one fact that soon shuts them up.

"Statistically you have more chance of getting killed walking down the street than you do riding a motorbike."

Just say to them, if you give up walking, ill give up riding my bike.

This usually shuts them up.

[Doorag]

I'm not really sure what to say other than I wouldn't be too worried about my girlfriend's dad's opinion unless I really respected him. If she can't support your decision then this will be a problem for a long time. You have to decide if you want to fight that battle forever. Get the bike and be careful.

[reiobard]

as far as i can tell, they may not like it but after you have them bike they will get used to it, my parents hated that i got a bike when i did, but now it seems strange to them to see me driving a car, if it is sunny out and i am in the car for some reason, they assume that there is something wrong with my bike.

At your age people will have to understand that you are beginning to live your own life and that they really have no say over it anymore. Live it like you want to, you only get one!!!

[schumy]

i'll chip in here with a bit of insight.
First of all, you didn't mention anything about what YOUR parents say about getting a motorcycle. Your parents know you better than anyone else around you, and they can usually tell you how good or bad an idea it is. (When i got my first bike, my dad was pissed off, but as soon as he saw me riding, he was happy just because I WAS HAPPY) and he realized that i'm not doing crazy stunts (even though i blew past him at 100mph).

Second, the reason your girlfriend's parenst are against you getting a bike is not because they fear for YOUR life, it's because they fear for their daugther's life. To them a boyfriend with a motorcycle spells a lot of trouble. The parents of my previous girlfriend went crazy when they heard that i'm getting a motorcycle. They started freaking out, saying that their daughter is gonna die, that she can't get on the motorcycle with me, etc.

All I can say is this, the only people you need to explain why you're getting a motorcycle are your parents. You have nothing to report to ANYONE else. PERIOD.

As soon as you take your girlfriend on the bike (which should only be after you first year of riding) then you will have to explain yourself to her parents. But for now, do what you want.

Ride safe !!!

[CanadianFZ6]

A. You're 17 have more sex to release that frustration..

B. They have no issues with a nice safe sport like motorcross (sarcasm), but are against street bikes.... Hmmmm... little ironic don't you think?...

C. You're a man now... time to do what's right for you.... What does your gut tell you?