Trying to get into biking
Discussion
I've always had an interest in bikes, and this is probably down to my dad, who's always had bikes, and used to take me out on the pillion. I've been motocrossing a few times, and love it, and really want to get a road bike. However, my parents are pretty adamant that I shouldn't get one. I've always seen this as a pretty hypocritical view though! If they didn't want me to get one, they shouldn't have brought me up with them! Obviously I understand where they're coming from, the danger and all, but still.
Now, I'm about to turn 21, graduate from uni this year, and have a job lined up. So I figure now's a good time to get a bike, at least in time for the summer, especially since I can now do direct access. The only thing standing in my way is really pissing off my parents... Now I imagine this is a pretty common situation, so how should I go about convincing them?!
I've tried going down the "I'm going to get one eventually anyway, better I get one before I move out, so you (Dad) can come out for rides and teach me, than for me to get one and learn the hard way" route, but it hasn't worked so far! Also, I live in a pretty rural area, so learning at home, rather than London (where my job will be), is presumably a better idea... Any tips you can give me?!
Now, I'm about to turn 21, graduate from uni this year, and have a job lined up. So I figure now's a good time to get a bike, at least in time for the summer, especially since I can now do direct access. The only thing standing in my way is really pissing off my parents... Now I imagine this is a pretty common situation, so how should I go about convincing them?!
I've tried going down the "I'm going to get one eventually anyway, better I get one before I move out, so you (Dad) can come out for rides and teach me, than for me to get one and learn the hard way" route, but it hasn't worked so far! Also, I live in a pretty rural area, so learning at home, rather than London (where my job will be), is presumably a better idea... Any tips you can give me?!
Edited by Mellow Matt on Tuesday 16th January 22:56
I just did it...turned up with a newly purchased bike one day...but you may end up homeless...
I find they will discourage it until it`s clear it`s in your blood....just don`t ride too fast & carelessly as it`s so easy to have a big accident early in your biking years...especially on the super quick road bikes....The lessons is the next step ...which are 10 times more enjoyable than the 4 wheeled training..
I find they will discourage it until it`s clear it`s in your blood....just don`t ride too fast & carelessly as it`s so easy to have a big accident early in your biking years...especially on the super quick road bikes....The lessons is the next step ...which are 10 times more enjoyable than the 4 wheeled training..
Edited by F.M on Tuesday 16th January 23:07
Heh, yeah I'm tempted to go for that approach, especially regarding getting lessons and doing the test. I'd really like my dad to be on my side when I buy my first bike though, as he knows so much more about the mechanics of bikes than me, I don't want to end up with a duff one!
Also, homelessness shouldn't be a problem as I'll be moving out at the end of the year, I'd like to be able to come back for Christmas though!
Also, homelessness shouldn't be a problem as I'll be moving out at the end of the year, I'd like to be able to come back for Christmas though!
Edited by Mellow Matt on Tuesday 16th January 23:19
Its funny, but I got back into it as an old fart too, and the parents both hated and loathed the idea with a passion, and were terribly anti. Strangely enough, after the off, and the "upgrade" my old man muttered that he was jealous of the new bike 
I so nearly offered to sort his CBT out....
I so nearly offered to sort his CBT out....This situation is familiar , but i was the hypocritical parent .
I wasnt prepared to have anything to do with him riding a bike , although i was happy for him to have a scooter for 2 years .
I just made it very financially easy for him to have a decent car , and would provide no assistance whatsoever for a bike .
Didnt even have to argue about it
He is 23 now and I can see he will have a bike one day , probably when i am too old for the Busa
I wasnt prepared to have anything to do with him riding a bike , although i was happy for him to have a scooter for 2 years .
I just made it very financially easy for him to have a decent car , and would provide no assistance whatsoever for a bike .
Didnt even have to argue about it
He is 23 now and I can see he will have a bike one day , probably when i am too old for the Busa
As a “yoof” many years ago, I approached my mother asking if I could have a moped as most of the other 16 year old lads were getting mopeds and I was told “no one in this family will ever own a motorbike”! This just made me even more determined to get a moped/motorcycle. Since 16, I have never been without at least one bike.
As a parent, I am not looking forward to having the conversation with my kids regarding motorcycles, but the one thing I know is not to tell them they “can’t have one”.
The key is to not make it into an argument. Don't specifically bring it up in conversation but when it does come up, stick calmly and quietly (without being patronising) to the fact that you have considered it carefully and that you are getting a bike. Don't try and justify your position and don't disagree with what your parents say. If the “safety issues” are mentioned then agree that you too are concerned which is why you will be getting decent kit and good training. Remember, your parents will only be trying to do what they think is best for you. You and they don't have to agree but you also don't have to make it into a big family argument.
I hope it all goes well.
As a parent, I am not looking forward to having the conversation with my kids regarding motorcycles, but the one thing I know is not to tell them they “can’t have one”.
Mellow Matt said:
… Any tips you can give me?!
The key is to not make it into an argument. Don't specifically bring it up in conversation but when it does come up, stick calmly and quietly (without being patronising) to the fact that you have considered it carefully and that you are getting a bike. Don't try and justify your position and don't disagree with what your parents say. If the “safety issues” are mentioned then agree that you too are concerned which is why you will be getting decent kit and good training. Remember, your parents will only be trying to do what they think is best for you. You and they don't have to agree but you also don't have to make it into a big family argument.
I hope it all goes well.
I got my first bike in Nov aged 43. I didn't want to tell my parents (well mum really as my cousin was killed on a bike yearsa go..but he was a nutter so no comparison anyway to me) . Anyway,,,they found it in the garage over Xmas .. my dad loved it (said he wished he had one) and my mum was actually OK.
I think the real thing is to show them you are serious about the saftety as much as the riding...going on proper couses etc etc etc! Hopefully they will come round.
They may never really like it cos they worry about "their boy" but we all know that life is full of risk and being aware of it and minimising it is all you can do!
I think the real thing is to show them you are serious about the saftety as much as the riding...going on proper couses etc etc etc! Hopefully they will come round.
They may never really like it cos they worry about "their boy" but we all know that life is full of risk and being aware of it and minimising it is all you can do!
Thanks for the advice guys, I think you're right about not turning it into an argument, as it's always been on the verge of that when I've discussed it with them before. I'll try and make it clear that I'm as conscious of the safety aspects as they are, and intend to minimise the risks as much as possible, whilst making it clear that I am getting a bike.
After that I've just got to get some more money! My main point of concern is what to do with my car (after dealing with the 'rents!), I've got a 1.6 106XS at the mo, which is pretty hefty on the insurance side, especially if I move to on the street parking in London. I don't know if I should sell it and get a little non-hot-hatch car for the winter. I'm torn as it's a great car, and I probably won't get near what I paid for it, but then it's almost definitely not as fun as a bike...
After that I've just got to get some more money! My main point of concern is what to do with my car (after dealing with the 'rents!), I've got a 1.6 106XS at the mo, which is pretty hefty on the insurance side, especially if I move to on the street parking in London. I don't know if I should sell it and get a little non-hot-hatch car for the winter. I'm torn as it's a great car, and I probably won't get near what I paid for it, but then it's almost definitely not as fun as a bike...
Mellow Matt said:
Thanks for the advice guys, I think you're right about not turning it into an argument, as it's always been on the verge of that when I've discussed it with them before. I'll try and make it clear that I'm as conscious of the safety aspects as they are, and intend to minimise the risks as much as possible, whilst making it clear that I am getting a bike.
After that I've just got to get some more money! My main point of concern is what to do with my car (after dealing with the 'rents!), I've got a 1.6 106XS at the mo, which is pretty hefty on the insurance side, especially if I move to on the street parking in London. I don't know if I should sell it and get a little non-hot-hatch car for the winter. I'm torn as it's a great car, and I probably won't get near what I paid for it, but then it's almost definitely not as fun as a bike...
After that I've just got to get some more money! My main point of concern is what to do with my car (after dealing with the 'rents!), I've got a 1.6 106XS at the mo, which is pretty hefty on the insurance side, especially if I move to on the street parking in London. I don't know if I should sell it and get a little non-hot-hatch car for the winter. I'm torn as it's a great car, and I probably won't get near what I paid for it, but then it's almost definitely not as fun as a bike...
Be careful where you keep a bike - if it's in sight on the road all the time, it will probably be nicked.
Matthew-TMM said:
I've got a year to go until I can do my DAS, but I'm not sure about the financial side of things. Mainly, what's insurance going to be like for a 21 year old? Since it's closely related to this thread I won't start a new thread for it.
It will be high but not as high as a car!
Tenuously related to the original thread, I want to know the general feeling on the following and how do I approach it?
My 'yoof' younger brother is threatening to get into bikes. He is 25 and completely undisciplined in life, very emotional and a complete hazard behind the wheel of a car. I don't want to discourage him as I know he will take it personally. I believe he is only trying to follow in both mine and my younger sister's footsteps.
What is the BB view on him being able to get insurance on anything two wheeled based on the following:
1. He hasn't got his car license back yet after a 12 month drink driving ban
2. Before the ban he was running at 9 points through speeding and reckless driving offences
3. He rolled a brand new Fiesta after a few months of ownership and wrote the car off
4. He has no garage
5. He has no bike license yet
6. Hence no NCB
7. Unsavoury postcode
I dont think the insurance companies will go for a quote.
Apologies if this a viewed as hijacking, I will happily restart another thread. I do need advice from the other side of the fence to the original poster Matt, I don't want to sound hypocritical!!
Cheers
My 'yoof' younger brother is threatening to get into bikes. He is 25 and completely undisciplined in life, very emotional and a complete hazard behind the wheel of a car. I don't want to discourage him as I know he will take it personally. I believe he is only trying to follow in both mine and my younger sister's footsteps.
What is the BB view on him being able to get insurance on anything two wheeled based on the following:
1. He hasn't got his car license back yet after a 12 month drink driving ban
2. Before the ban he was running at 9 points through speeding and reckless driving offences
3. He rolled a brand new Fiesta after a few months of ownership and wrote the car off
4. He has no garage
5. He has no bike license yet
6. Hence no NCB
7. Unsavoury postcode
I dont think the insurance companies will go for a quote.
Apologies if this a viewed as hijacking, I will happily restart another thread. I do need advice from the other side of the fence to the original poster Matt, I don't want to sound hypocritical!!
Cheers
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