Embarassed to say - worried about a bike because of my folks
Discussion
Maybe I'm the only one who has been in this position, but I suspect not, so I'm going to stick my neck out and ask!
I've always admired bikes - for what they are, performance through light weight taken to the extreme. I've always imagined, that one day, I would get onto two wheels, but not thought seriously about it - until now.
I've had a few pillion rides on some 600cc sports bikes (ZX6Rs) and really enjoyed it. Not been scared, but had a healthy dose of respect for the machine, rider and what's going on around us! I'm from a background of performance cars/race cars and have done plenty of track driving, so I guess now feels like it could be the right time to move to "the next level" and get a bike; I'm 32 so probably a good age to do it. The wife is supportive if it's "what I want to do" so no problems there.
The problems are my parents. I guess it might seem strange that someone of my age is concerned about what they think, but I'm close to my folks. They have a friend who lost a leg 10 years ago in a bike/car accident, so they are anti-bike and some might say with some justification.
I've always said "one day" with regard to a bike and I'm wondering if I'm just wasting time, when I should get on with it. I'm thinking about getting my CBT over and done with (which I guess will tell me if bikes really are for me) and then my DAS.
Equally, I don't want to upset my folks but I'm an adult, should be able to do what I want to do. I guess the time will come when I tell them - how do I make that news easier to swallow given that they are so anti-bikes? It's interesting that they have no issues with me screaming around Silverstone, Brands or Goodwood, but mention "bike" and they get upset.
I'm sure I'm not the only person who's been in a situation like this....
I've always admired bikes - for what they are, performance through light weight taken to the extreme. I've always imagined, that one day, I would get onto two wheels, but not thought seriously about it - until now.
I've had a few pillion rides on some 600cc sports bikes (ZX6Rs) and really enjoyed it. Not been scared, but had a healthy dose of respect for the machine, rider and what's going on around us! I'm from a background of performance cars/race cars and have done plenty of track driving, so I guess now feels like it could be the right time to move to "the next level" and get a bike; I'm 32 so probably a good age to do it. The wife is supportive if it's "what I want to do" so no problems there.
The problems are my parents. I guess it might seem strange that someone of my age is concerned about what they think, but I'm close to my folks. They have a friend who lost a leg 10 years ago in a bike/car accident, so they are anti-bike and some might say with some justification.
I've always said "one day" with regard to a bike and I'm wondering if I'm just wasting time, when I should get on with it. I'm thinking about getting my CBT over and done with (which I guess will tell me if bikes really are for me) and then my DAS.
Equally, I don't want to upset my folks but I'm an adult, should be able to do what I want to do. I guess the time will come when I tell them - how do I make that news easier to swallow given that they are so anti-bikes? It's interesting that they have no issues with me screaming around Silverstone, Brands or Goodwood, but mention "bike" and they get upset.
I'm sure I'm not the only person who's been in a situation like this....
Fortunately I've never had any anti-bike sentiment in my family as my Dad and his Dad were both bikers, my Dad bought me and taught me how to ride my first bike, and even when I've crashed I've not had any stick but at your age you must do what YOU want to do.
Although my Grandma gave me this advice about riding fast 'don't take it out of first gear' but I'd have had a bike regardless.
Get a bike and ride it........
Although my Grandma gave me this advice about riding fast 'don't take it out of first gear' but I'd have had a bike regardless.
Get a bike and ride it........
If you do get one, get some proper training. The first few times I fell off my moped aged 16, I was only doing 15-20mph. Since then I progressed to 145mph bikes before ultimately (aged 32 as it happens) having a big accident (at around 50mph) which left me with a stiff knee.
Bikes are heaps of fun, but considerably more dangerous than fast cars IMHO.
Bikes are heaps of fun, but considerably more dangerous than fast cars IMHO.
And you've never consumed too much alcohol?
Never played contact sports?
Never taken illegal drugs?
Never been hillwalking?
Never climbed a stepladder?
Never played football in the street as a lad?
People take risks every day in all aspects of their life; it's all about managing those risks.
Get proper training, ride sensibly, wear adequate protective clothing.
Manage the risks in your life.
Never played contact sports?
Never taken illegal drugs?
Never been hillwalking?
Never climbed a stepladder?
Never played football in the street as a lad?
People take risks every day in all aspects of their life; it's all about managing those risks.
Get proper training, ride sensibly, wear adequate protective clothing.
Manage the risks in your life.
My parents too were anti bike. I sat my DAS when I turned 21, 4 years ago. Dad was a little more understanding than Mum. They both know how much I enjoy it now though. I spent a while convincing them that I wasn't going to drive like a prick. I dont overtake on blind corners, I don't pull wheelies on the High Street, explain that you do the crazy stuff on the track... that theres a time and a place. Ive even had my Dad pillion a few times to show him how good it is, and he has even said he would do his test if he were younger. If you really wanna do it mate then do it. As I say, all they are worried about is that your going to get hurt. If you can convince them that your not going to get hurt by something you have done yourself then you are half way there. Get your test done mate, you wont regret it... Guaranteed!
I remember last year at the grand old age of 29, I decided to move to the next level also by taking a CBT with a view to doing the DAS - the pelters I got from my parents was unbelievable. They thought that I would end doing a Randy DePuniet highside straight into the nearest lampost and my dad being a petrohead himself would rather that I was strapped in a car with 900bhp than any motorbike!!
Did my DAS and then ran about in a CG125 without incident - they started to chill out and now 7 months on, my dad is actually looking forward to seeing me get my 1st 600cc bike in a couple of months time
He actually wants a seat in it 
At the end of the day, we all know that all forms of transport carries an element of risk - just try and be sensible and keep your wits about you. If it's something you really want to do, go for it!!
Did my DAS and then ran about in a CG125 without incident - they started to chill out and now 7 months on, my dad is actually looking forward to seeing me get my 1st 600cc bike in a couple of months time
He actually wants a seat in it At the end of the day, we all know that all forms of transport carries an element of risk - just try and be sensible and keep your wits about you. If it's something you really want to do, go for it!!
do your CBT then you'll know if you like bikes & worry about it then.
mine told me it was dangerous etc etc etc but seemed to accept it ok when i just went & did it. first they knew that id done anything about it was when i turned up to visit on a 600.
mine told me it was dangerous etc etc etc but seemed to accept it ok when i just went & did it. first they knew that id done anything about it was when i turned up to visit on a 600.
Edited by Hooli on Tuesday 11th March 00:32
Blimey guys, hadn't expected so many replies!
I agree with it being "your life" and I certainly believe life's for living, I just wanted to handle this situation with my folks delicately and it's this that I was hoping for some genius support on
I agree with life being full of risks - crossing the road etc, but you always manage them as you say. Same with taking my cars on track, same I'm sure with riding a bike.
I want to get my CBT booked up so I can see if it really is something that I want to take further - I'm actually going to see if I can book it up today for later this month
I agree with it being "your life" and I certainly believe life's for living, I just wanted to handle this situation with my folks delicately and it's this that I was hoping for some genius support on
I agree with life being full of risks - crossing the road etc, but you always manage them as you say. Same with taking my cars on track, same I'm sure with riding a bike.
I want to get my CBT booked up so I can see if it really is something that I want to take further - I'm actually going to see if I can book it up today for later this month
Had a similar problem last year, done CBT loved it, done the DAS, loved it even more, bought bike before I passed. After a while I told them ( had 2 since they pop to house without announcing - and I could be cleaning it etc) , got the suspected reaction, but once I explained ex wife never came round to idea (one of reasons she is ex wife !) and that for years had loved them, just never let them know because of their antibike crap, they clamed down a bit. They realised it's what I wanted and realised I'd done all training etc, once I rode it down to them one sunny Sunday my Dad loved the look of it and the sound, mum still hated it! All they want is for their kids to be safe - understandable, I keep telling them it's others that are the problem, car drivers, so long as you ride in your limits you will be fine, just got to be carefull of those in boxes. I also told them being a biker has made me a better/safer/clamer car drive, and generally people do a lot more miles in their car and don't blink an eyelid about jumping in a motor, in my opinion you are equally at risk in a car or on a bike, just on a bike you are more exposed and if you get in an accident, even at slow speed the consiquences are worse for the rider. Sorry, to bang on a bit..I don't get out much !
Good luck with everything mate !
Good luck with everything mate !
My parents were very against it, my dad had previously had a bad accident on a bike.
I did everything without telling them, got my bike, rang my dad as I knew he wouldnt be massively bothered and said i was popping round because my mum was out.....as it turns out he didnt bother telling me she was only out for 5 minutes.
She is over it now, they always get over it.
One thing though, just because you have driven fast cars and done trackdays in cars..... dont for one second assume you are capable of riding even remotely fast. That will be a fatal mistake and you will go into a corner slightly to fast, brake, the bike will stand up and you will end up in a wall or into an oncoming car.
Speaking as someone who has driven fast cars on and off the track for 8 years. Its a completely different experience to 4 wheels, a completely different level of observation and a completely different level of skill.
I did everything without telling them, got my bike, rang my dad as I knew he wouldnt be massively bothered and said i was popping round because my mum was out.....as it turns out he didnt bother telling me she was only out for 5 minutes.
She is over it now, they always get over it.
One thing though, just because you have driven fast cars and done trackdays in cars..... dont for one second assume you are capable of riding even remotely fast. That will be a fatal mistake and you will go into a corner slightly to fast, brake, the bike will stand up and you will end up in a wall or into an oncoming car.
Speaking as someone who has driven fast cars on and off the track for 8 years. Its a completely different experience to 4 wheels, a completely different level of observation and a completely different level of skill.
Thanks for the continued replies chaps, good to know that I am not the only person in this situation! 
It's really amazing that my wife is so supportive - most blokes would find their wife is anti it I guess, but she is always supportive of what I want to do - I've got a cracker. And I know she isn't even after the life insurance payout!
[quote]One thing though, just because you have driven fast cars and done trackdays in cars..... dont for one second assume you are capable of riding even remotely fast. That will be a fatal mistake and you will go into a corner slightly to fast, brake, the bike will stand up and you will end up in a wall or into an oncoming car.
Speaking as someone who has driven fast cars on and off the track for 8 years. Its a completely different experience to 4 wheels, a completely different level of observation and a completely different level of skill.
[/quote]
I don't want to give the impression that I thought I'd be Rossi straightaway, I realise I would have a lot to learn. I do believe some of the car control knowledge will be valuable (much more used to "feeling" what's going on) and was also saying that my roadcraft is better than most other car drivers (numpties!) so that should be some transferable knowledge.
I took a biker friend of mine out in one of my track cars and he returned the favour on his ZX6R. It was good to have this experience as it really hammered home the differences - car I can brake much later, take more speed into the bend. Bike needs slower entry speed, nails it on the exit
Waiting for the motorcycle training place to open and see if they can book me on my CBT for a forthcoming day of annual leave that I have arranged
It's really amazing that my wife is so supportive - most blokes would find their wife is anti it I guess, but she is always supportive of what I want to do - I've got a cracker. And I know she isn't even after the life insurance payout!
[quote]One thing though, just because you have driven fast cars and done trackdays in cars..... dont for one second assume you are capable of riding even remotely fast. That will be a fatal mistake and you will go into a corner slightly to fast, brake, the bike will stand up and you will end up in a wall or into an oncoming car.
Speaking as someone who has driven fast cars on and off the track for 8 years. Its a completely different experience to 4 wheels, a completely different level of observation and a completely different level of skill.
[/quote]
I don't want to give the impression that I thought I'd be Rossi straightaway, I realise I would have a lot to learn. I do believe some of the car control knowledge will be valuable (much more used to "feeling" what's going on) and was also saying that my roadcraft is better than most other car drivers (numpties!) so that should be some transferable knowledge.
I took a biker friend of mine out in one of my track cars and he returned the favour on his ZX6R. It was good to have this experience as it really hammered home the differences - car I can brake much later, take more speed into the bend. Bike needs slower entry speed, nails it on the exit
Waiting for the motorcycle training place to open and see if they can book me on my CBT for a forthcoming day of annual leave that I have arranged
Yup having a supportive partner makes it easy - the ex always wanted money for this that and the other..and like a wuss I always agreed that a nice holiday in Cyprus was much better than me getting my bike training done, what a silly little hobby. Put up with it for years - then came I want a kid, I said I don't - solicitors were dually called. Met someone who meets halfway on everything now and life is sweet for the first time, makes life a lot easier when you have a supportive partner. Despite me being bikeless (medical reasons) she still takes an interest and once I'm back to work will help me get another bike.
I hope all your training goes well, regarding your CBT/DAS - try book early, I know the place I done my training was booked for literally months ahead, I booked CBT/DAS together and paid it 2 months before I got to do it.
Just remember to ride in your limits, don't push it. I had a couple of near misses early on, when the suns out and the roads are quite it can lull you into a false sense of security, especially when you are out with a group of more experienced mates.
All the best - hope you get everything done soon.
Enjoy.
Barry.
I hope all your training goes well, regarding your CBT/DAS - try book early, I know the place I done my training was booked for literally months ahead, I booked CBT/DAS together and paid it 2 months before I got to do it.
Just remember to ride in your limits, don't push it. I had a couple of near misses early on, when the suns out and the roads are quite it can lull you into a false sense of security, especially when you are out with a group of more experienced mates.
All the best - hope you get everything done soon.
Enjoy.
Barry.
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