So my 18 year old wants to get a motorcycle license..

[NTexas_V-Star]

I think its actually required now.

It is.

[Armedtrigger01]

Exactly. That's why we don't recover a large number of stolen motorcycles.

We can't chase them, and we can't read a plate, so it just stays stolen.

They will never learn that what helps them stay anonymous also helps the thieves keep stolen bikes.

So does that mean I can shoot someone trying to steal mine since they have a low recovery rate j/k it's easier just to leave my plate where it is and not speed then I don't have to run.

[mikec]

As a parent, if you tell a kid they can't do something, they will do it just to spite you.

Valid. I'm hoping that I will be able to present it in such a manner that they will respect my wishes.

why?

Currently they are nine and 14. No real worries out of the 14 year old, the nine year old, different story. By the time he is of age I can't really project the numbers of vehicles clogging our roads, nor can I predict how much further this school system will have brought down the collective IQ of the inhabitants of those vehicles. I honestly don't have faith that people will be able to pilot the damned things, much less watch out for those on only two wheels.

In a nutshell, people are idiots, they will be far worse by then, and I love my boys and want to lessen any odds of losing them in any way that I can...

[zemog]

Both of my boys have bikes now and they still aren't going to have street bikes. Daddy has spoken!

why?

[03trubluGT]

As a parent, if you tell a kid they can't do something, they will do it just to spite you.

[ARIX]

Thats a tough call. I have been riding since I was 8. When I was 19 I got my first ninja. I then wrecked it. Fortunately I walked away. I now have an r6(I'm 34) and still feel like its the luck of the draw how your day will turn out no matter how safe I am.

[03trubluGT]

It doesn't help that they all know you can't chase them and with the license plate tucked up behind the tire what are the odds you got a plate number.

Exactly. That's why we don't recover a large number of stolen motorcycles.

We can't chase them, and we can't read a plate, so it just stays stolen.

They will never learn that what helps them stay anonymous also helps the thieves keep stolen bikes.

[Armedtrigger01]

So is a license and insurance but that doesn't stop anyone.

Hell, most people run because they don't have a license or endorsement.

It doesn't help that they all know you can't chase them and with the license plate tucked up behind the tire what are the odds you got a plate number.

[03trubluGT]

I think its actually required now.

So is a license and insurance but that doesn't stop anyone.

Hell, most people run because they don't have a license or endorsement.

[mikec]

my son grew up riding motocross from the age of 10, i bought him an r6 for his graduation present and he rides almost daily (weather permitting), but because of his back ground i had no problem with it.

Both of my boys have bikes now and they still aren't going to have street bikes. Daddy has spoken!

[zemog]

along with a crotch rocket and I'm thinking "no way in hell!!" But in reality, I don't think I'll be able to keep that from happening for too much longer

I've always wanted a bike too but I'm familiar with the saying "It's not a matter of if, but when a rider lays it down". With today's traffic, this scares me shitless.

Any of you have a young rider? It makes me nervous just thinking about it.

my son grew up riding motocross from the age of 10, i bought him an r6 for his graduation present and he rides almost daily (weather permitting), but because of his back ground i had no problem with it.

[Armedtrigger01]

I guess how does she drive is she one of those drivers that react to an input from the driver in front of her, or is she reacting to what she sees is about to go down. If she is aware of impending problems and adjusts so she is not in the thick of it then she will probably do well. I hate drivers who only look at what is directly in front if them in their lane those are the ones who kill people.

[TeeShock]

Not worth it! last Friday on Arapaho Road in Richardson, next to the Plano Road intersection there was a PD responding to an accident scene as I was driving by. On the ground between two cars I saw late model Ninja 250 and what appeared to be a 19 year old girl on the ground on her back. Just laying there, nice flat stomach, belly button ring, looked good from the helmet down... anyways the helmet shield was in opposite lane. She was alive and not covered in blood or anything. You can't prevent other asshats from causing her accidents.

[hotrod66stang]

I started riding dirtbikes when I was ~6. I agree, it helps tremendously.

In your case, there isn't a really clear-cut answer of who to watch out for since we don't know anything about her maturity. The biggest problem I see isn't her, if she is the type of kid to not listen to her parents and do whatever to get what she wants. Worst case scenario is that she ends up on the back of a bike with some douchebag guy trying to show off for a girl. That's a pretty scary thought, isn't it? It might be better to try and teach her the right way to ride and make sure she has good gear, and educate her about, and keep her away from the people that meet up weekly and go ride like morons on the highway. Show her pics of motorcycle accidents and what can happen in the REAL WORLD if she doesn't respect a bike. Maybe sign her up for a track day where she can learn from Pros. It's pretty cheap insurance.

Go see Patrick at A&R. You can't beat the deals he gives us.

[GeorgeG.]

I'm not worried about her maturaty level or her riding recklessly. It's the other drivers on the road and the amount of head-up-assery that they possess. I've never rode a bike on the street and I see it all the time... I can't count the number of times I've had to make an evasive manouver and lay on the horn or slam the brakes.

If she comes up with the money to take the course, I'll probably take it with her and then let her realize the cost of car/bike insurance, gear, the bike payments, etc...


Thanks Osiris...it's stories like this that have kept me from getting a bike since about 2007.