Family and BF all don't want me to go biking..

Family and BF all don't want me to go biking..

Author
Discussion

RemaL

24,967 posts

233 months

Monday 20th April 2015
quotequote all
CarlizzleFoSho said:
RemaL said:
+3

How old are you OP?
if your over 18 you can do what you want. Your not married so it's not like you need get their view on this before you learn to ride.
Yeh I'm 26. Not married and we don't plan to be (we both don't really believe in it). I guess I just hate upsetting people or thinking they're worried about me all the time. At the same time, there's been hobbies he's done which have taken up loads of time....I expressed negativity but never said to stop it as I knew he wouldn't. Admittedly these hobbies aren't as dangerous.

He's a worrier and I would worry too if he got a bike. HOWEVER, hand on my heart I'd say "Look after yourself, don't drive like a dick & do what makes you happy." Relationships are important but at the end of the day a strong one is where you let each other follow a life path they want to take. Whatever that may be.

I'm not asking to do the bloody Isle of Man TT!
My dad was killed on a bike about 3 months before I was born. So not a good way to tell you mum at 29 I was doing my bike licence. I told the wife I wanted to do my DAS and CBT which I did. Both my mum and Wife worry about me. it's natural but they know I love riding and would not stop me. I've crashed twice. got back up and kept riding.

People who love you will not stop you doing things you love. or they should not.
I would take more advice from people/family/friends who ride. if your BF and family do not ride then they really don't know what they are talking about.

best advice I can say is do your CBT/DAS. if it's for you then you will love it. if not then you don't need to keep riding.

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
So, have you made your decision yet op?




Moto Guzzi or Triumph?

Drawweight

2,863 posts

115 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all

My dad was seriously hurt on a bike long before I was born so getting a bike didn't go down well with her.

But I still got one and continue to ride many years later.

It's natural for someone who loves you to worry but you just reassure them as best you can, you shouldn't not go riding.

The thing that brought that point home was I went out on my bike with my wife for a spin. We went further than we thought, stopped for lunch and got home much later than planned. When I walked into the house my youngest teenage daughter burst into tears.

So, do your test, buy your bike but understand how some people are going to worry.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Do what makes you happy, not other people. Ride smart and enjoy yourself.

Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody that's died on a bike. I also know somebody who died in a car, in fact more people.

CarlizzleFoSho

Original Poster:

83 posts

179 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
I bloody love both the Moto Guzzi and the Triumph! I've got a friend with a Triumph cafe racer who said they're a bit uncomfortable, but my god they sound a look stunning.

Indeed, my O/H in fact had a very very bad car crash before I knew him. Going way too fast and only escaped death due to hitting a caravan in a lay by and not a concrete wall.

Just got to buy some motorbike boots and then I can do the CBT! Can't wait smile

Eclassy

1,201 posts

121 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
It was completely different for me. There was little to no resistance from the missus when I decided to start riding.

I got a little bit worried when she repeatedly asked me to run errands on my bike. She said 'because it used less fuel'. I suspect it was more to do with my life insurance laugh

NITO

1,077 posts

205 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Life insurance does seem to be the clincher lol!

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
I've had mates have big accidents in cars and on bikes (I've had a big crash in a car already). Life is dangerous so if you fancy it go for it.

I decided to go for mine when I was 25, got my CBT and a little Suzi GS125 to test the water... Liked it so much I have a little GS500 and a full license biggrin . Family were a little unimpressed but they no full well if I want to drive/ride something I'll give it a go. The girlfriend just wants to know when I'll revoke my 'no pillion' rule so she can come out with me!

CarlizzleFoSho

Original Poster:

83 posts

179 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
The thing is the more he worries about me going out the more it worries me about using one! If you get what I mean.

I know I'll do it and get it done, it'll just suck that whenever I come back home with a bike he'll have a face like a slapped arse.

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
Get a 125 and CBT, don't fall off it and they'll get used to it before you go big thumbup

CarlizzleFoSho

Original Poster:

83 posts

179 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
Do you reckon it's best to do a cbt, learn the ropes on a 125 for a year and then take a DAS and get a big bike?

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
Personally I found the saddle time on the 125 was invaluable in making me feel comfortable on the road with two wheels, the first few weeks I was too tense (worrying about falling off mostly!). I had about 6 months on the 125 and got comfortable before moving along to the DAS.

CarlizzleFoSho

Original Poster:

83 posts

179 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
Yeh I'm starting to think that, some have said just hop on a big bike. Personally I think psychologically it would work better for me if I did the cbt, got a 125 for a few months or a year then do the DAS.

Mentally I'd feel better prepared than hopping straight on a big bike! Even though the one I'm looking at is fairly tame (Yamaha xv950). At least the 125 could be used as a deposit!

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
A 950 is still a hulluva step up from a 125. My 500 is A2 compliant but still a noticeable difference (jumped back on my 125 earlier and it felt like a toy!)

I started a thread last year about starting out and alot of the regulars on here gave some brilliant advice (along with some of the usual stick wink )

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Yoda400

386 posts

107 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
CarlizzleFoSho said:
Do you reckon it's best to do a cbt, learn the ropes on a 125 for a year and then take a DAS and get a big bike?
Yes. At least, that's what I did and it worked well for me. U turns didn't come naturally, but after nearly a year of practice I could finally do them smile
Then did my test and was restricted to 33bhp for 2 years, which was frustrating at times but probably saved me from disaster (ham fisted acceleration in the rain, heavy footed panic braking) had I had more power. It was for the best!

So it depends on how much confidence you have and whether you'll be able to keep your adrenaline urges in line with your ability level.

road_rager

1,091 posts

198 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
Weird the assumption is you'll get hurt..,. Not every biker gets killed.... Get a bike take responsibility for your riding, just remember drivers won't always bother looking for you, then you'll be fine

CarlizzleFoSho

Original Poster:

83 posts

179 months

Friday 24th April 2015
quotequote all
I was told the Yamaha 950r is quite 'beginner friendly'. V twin, 55bhp 950cc loads of low down torque. I do definitely want one, but in my heart of hearts I feel like it makes sense to learn the ropes on something lesser like a 125cc. Then I wouldn't think, st what if I drop it or give it too many beans!

BobSaunders

3,027 posts

154 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
I was in a similar position to you.

Parents are against it, missus was unsure on it, friends reckoning I will die.

I cracked on with it, sorted out decent life insurance and medical care, and committed to the CBT and DAS.

Several months in now; riding a zx6r, no issues or complaints. I simply just ride sensibly, I've no interest in power or knee down, I'll save that for the track.

I am granted a fair weather weekend warrior, or evening after 730pm ; )

I say communicate with the other half, explain that you want to do it, my missus luckily is rather forgiving and let's me crack on with what I want, however it's give and take.

Speed addicted

5,561 posts

226 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
CarlizzleFoSho said:
I was told the Yamaha 950r is quite 'beginner friendly'. V twin, 55bhp 950cc loads of low down torque. I do definitely want one, but in my heart of hearts I feel like it makes sense to learn the ropes on something lesser like a 125cc. Then I wouldn't think, st what if I drop it or give it too many beans!
I had a XV950 as a loan bike recently while the CB1300 was getting serviced.
They're not a scary bike in the slightest, all the power is smooth and pretty low down and unless you're a complete muppet giving it 'too many beans' isn't really a risk.
In fact I was quite surprised to find out it was a 950 when I looked at the key fob as the engine size isn't displayed on the bike.

They handle quite well for the style of bike though and I had quite an enjoyable run. I think if you like that style you could do a lot worse for a first bike.

I was happy to get the Honda back though!

I'd go for direct access, bigger bikes are easier to ride.

996 sps

6,165 posts

215 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
It really irritates me when people who've never had or rode a bike tell me how dangerous they are.

The brakes never fade, you can put yourself in a better road position, you have better vision, you control the bike. If you don't know the roads then ride to your ability.

On Feb 4th this year I lost my best friend to a brain tumour - He was an ultra endurance athlete and had completed double marathons - He was 40 years old - When I sat in the hospice I realised how many 'young' and 'old' folk were seeing their days out.

The reason I say this do what 'YOU' want - I commute to Surrey daily on my VFR and see nothing but car crashes, car/lorry fires, roof being cut from a car on the M40 last month.

Life's a risk, playing sports a risk, but I'd rather have risk than be someone who talks other people out of what they wanna do.

The week after my mate died I missed a flight to Murcia (Spain) to see BSB testing, I couldn't get another flight and wanted to go so I decided to ride the bike - Northants to Spain (1400 miles) - The 'car' drivers at work - Said "That's a long way to go on a bike" - How clueless is that?

Going over the French Pyrnees at 530 in the morning - Grinning, laughing.

Bikes are a way of life, these people who talk you out of them haven't rode one or don't have them in their blood.

I lost a friend to a bike accident, I lost a friend to cancer and I've lost two through car accidents. Its statistics - Enjoy your life do what you want.