Bikes and your family?
Discussion
I'm currently in Liverpool at University, but I'm flying home next week to do the second part of my bike test. Next part is the road ride, then I have a bike licence (albeit restricted). So I obviously want to buy a bike..
I'm curious how your families; parents, wives, siblings etc reacted when you got into your bikes/bought one.
I think my dad might have came off a bike as pillion before, and under some really stupid circumstances, so he's not too happy. Nor is my mother.. I think it's more the initial fear of me having a bike, I can't see myself being a cock of a rider..
They are the exact same when it comes to fast cars though..
Anyone in a position of similar negativity, what did you do?
I won't be permanently living at home now either, as I spend most of the year across the pond in Liverpool..
I'm trawling the classifieds almost ever day for bikes.
I'm curious how your families; parents, wives, siblings etc reacted when you got into your bikes/bought one.
I think my dad might have came off a bike as pillion before, and under some really stupid circumstances, so he's not too happy. Nor is my mother.. I think it's more the initial fear of me having a bike, I can't see myself being a cock of a rider..
They are the exact same when it comes to fast cars though..
Anyone in a position of similar negativity, what did you do?
I won't be permanently living at home now either, as I spend most of the year across the pond in Liverpool..
I'm trawling the classifieds almost ever day for bikes.
I plan to do my DSA in the early part of next year (I'm 29) and when I told my parents they were not at all happy, but realise that there isn't any point trying to make me change my mind. I waited this long to do it so I felt experienced enough on the road and in life to be a safe rider. My missus hasn't said much, realises I'll do it regardless and sometimes shows some good signs of interest when I explain the benefits 
My Dad doesn't mind, secretly I think he'd like to have a go. My Mum is a constant worrier, but she's better than she was, now my brother is talking about doing it too she's more focused on him. My Girlfriend doesn't mind it, she knows how much I enjoy it and has said that she'd not try and stop me doing it, much as she wouldn't want me to stop her from doing anything.
I didn't tell my parents for a few years (I was 29 when I passed my test!!) and they only found out when they found the service book for the bike in a storage box in my house, and uncovered the bike standing in next doors driveway to find the reg numbers matched 
Mums a bit of a worrier but we all had a laugh about it. Not dropped it yet.
Mums a bit of a worrier but we all had a laugh about it. Not dropped it yet.
My family, OH and mates have been great.
My dad used to race bikes and got me my first one when I was six months old (Yamaha PW50). I learnt to ride from around three years old. However, due to uni, lack of money and the like I never actaully passed my test until a few years ago. I didn't tell anyone and suprised my mum and dad by visiting them on my bike, I don't think I have ever seen him so proud, especially when we went out on our first ride together!
My mum loves the bikes, the noise and look, my OH loves to come out on the back of the bike with me and is a wonderful pillion and a couple of my mates are doing their CBT so they can get bikes and come out with me.
Obviously, the biggest plus is that I look great in leather...
My dad used to race bikes and got me my first one when I was six months old (Yamaha PW50). I learnt to ride from around three years old. However, due to uni, lack of money and the like I never actaully passed my test until a few years ago. I didn't tell anyone and suprised my mum and dad by visiting them on my bike, I don't think I have ever seen him so proud, especially when we went out on our first ride together!
My mum loves the bikes, the noise and look, my OH loves to come out on the back of the bike with me and is a wonderful pillion and a couple of my mates are doing their CBT so they can get bikes and come out with me.
Obviously, the biggest plus is that I look great in leather...
Most mothers will hate it. (As did mine and my sister). My father secretly loved my bikes but never admitted it.
At the end of the day bikes are more dangerous than cars and you are more likely to be seriously injured on one. It's a fact. Because of this, most mothers will be scared and will desperately want you to avoid getting a bike.
However you only live once so enjoy life. Just don't get out of control and do stupid things that will get you killed.
At the end of the day bikes are more dangerous than cars and you are more likely to be seriously injured on one. It's a fact. Because of this, most mothers will be scared and will desperately want you to avoid getting a bike.
However you only live once so enjoy life. Just don't get out of control and do stupid things that will get you killed.
My parents were never over the moon about me riding bikes but have never tried to stop me (I'm 37!)
I was riding before I met my wife so she cant say too much! Weirdly my 5 year old daughter is very worried about me on the bike, and has voiced her concerns a few times with me now. I'd stop for my daughters but not anyone else I guess.
I was riding before I met my wife so she cant say too much! Weirdly my 5 year old daughter is very worried about me on the bike, and has voiced her concerns a few times with me now. I'd stop for my daughters but not anyone else I guess.
I went on the back of my cousins moto-x bike when i was about 5, dad was driving.
I was givnen a quad bike @ 11.
I then decided to do my bike test as i failed the car test, they did'nt have a problem with me doing the bike test, just would of preferred i did the car first.
Dad had bikes when he was about my age then gave them up, he now has his poseres bike (HD).
Mum likes going on the bikes & my uncle has a bike also.
All my friends want one now i have one.
My OH does'nt mind me having them either!
I was givnen a quad bike @ 11.
I then decided to do my bike test as i failed the car test, they did'nt have a problem with me doing the bike test, just would of preferred i did the car first.
Dad had bikes when he was about my age then gave them up, he now has his poseres bike (HD).
Mum likes going on the bikes & my uncle has a bike also.
All my friends want one now i have one.
My OH does'nt mind me having them either!
Dad couldn't say much as he was a biker, but mum is properly against it. Got my mod 2 on Thursday and mum is trying to find every excuse under the son to stop me having one.
Girlfriend wasn't too happy but, as said above, she knows i'll do it regardless so have still been supportive, wishing me luck for test etc. Mum just gives a scornful look whenever the subject comes up and mutters 'death machine...' under her breath!
I think with my mother its a case of she needs to see me on a bike and not fall off for a while before she'll believe its anywhere near safe.
Cheers,
Adam
Girlfriend wasn't too happy but, as said above, she knows i'll do it regardless so have still been supportive, wishing me luck for test etc. Mum just gives a scornful look whenever the subject comes up and mutters 'death machine...' under her breath!
I think with my mother its a case of she needs to see me on a bike and not fall off for a while before she'll believe its anywhere near safe.
Cheers,
Adam
beanbag said:
Most mothers will hate it. (As did mine and my sister). My father secretly loved my bikes but never admitted it.
At the end of the day bikes are more dangerous than cars and you are more likely to be seriously injured on one. It's a fact. Because of this, most mothers will be scared and will desperately want you to avoid getting a bike.
However you only live once so enjoy life. Just don't get out of control and do stupid things that will get you killed.
+1. I didn't tell my parents I had bikes for years.At the end of the day bikes are more dangerous than cars and you are more likely to be seriously injured on one. It's a fact. Because of this, most mothers will be scared and will desperately want you to avoid getting a bike.
However you only live once so enjoy life. Just don't get out of control and do stupid things that will get you killed.
SS7
I had mopeds from a relatively early age, but that didn't stop mum or grandmother from worrying incessantly about me being on bikes, not that it stopped me.
Dad has never shown much interest either way. Brother got his licence on the back of me getting mine.
The other half isn't bothered about me being on the bike, but won't show any interest in going on it herself.
Dad has never shown much interest either way. Brother got his licence on the back of me getting mine.
The other half isn't bothered about me being on the bike, but won't show any interest in going on it herself.
My Dad was a biker and he bought me my first bike. His Dad was a biker and never drove a car, the family transport was a Bike & when my Dad was born they added a Sidecar.
My Wife's scared of bikes but never tried to stop me riding (I woudldn't anyway) but at least that means I don't have to carry a pillion.
I bought my eldest Son his first (and second) bike, the Wife's not keen that he rides a bike but as he's still at school he can't afford to run a car so the biking legacy continues...
BTW When I first started riding my Grandma gave me the same advice she gave my Dad which was to "leave it in fist gear" so as not to go too fast - bless her...
My Wife's scared of bikes but never tried to stop me riding (I woudldn't anyway) but at least that means I don't have to carry a pillion.
I bought my eldest Son his first (and second) bike, the Wife's not keen that he rides a bike but as he's still at school he can't afford to run a car so the biking legacy continues...
BTW When I first started riding my Grandma gave me the same advice she gave my Dad which was to "leave it in fist gear" so as not to go too fast - bless her...
Mother reads the Daily Mail and father votes Conservative so no, they are not fans! They know that I can ride a bike after the track day photos were found and convincing them that I had a photo of some random rider wearing eye makeup and blond hair streaming out from under the lid did not wash.
Do they know that I still own a bike? Do they f
k!
But some Aussie turning up on the doorstep in red leathers on a GSX6 did elicit the comments of "must be practical when the traffic is heavy!"
Do they know that I still own a bike? Do they f
k!But some Aussie turning up on the doorstep in red leathers on a GSX6 did elicit the comments of "must be practical when the traffic is heavy!"
My mum hates them, sounds sad but when I decided to get another bike I dreaded telling her. She's been pretty good about it though, but would definitely prefer that I didn't have one.
My dad is in his mid 60's and recently bought himself an SV650 so he could go for some gentle ride outs with me and my brother, and my step mum (early 60's) rides a 125cc scooter so they are all fine
.
My wife used to have a car and bike licence until the astounding negligence (and complete unaccountability) of the DVLA cancelled her licence after she reported it stolen. She re-took her car test 10 years ago, and is considering re-taking her bike test now that I have a bike
My dad is in his mid 60's and recently bought himself an SV650 so he could go for some gentle ride outs with me and my brother, and my step mum (early 60's) rides a 125cc scooter so they are all fine
. My wife used to have a car and bike licence until the astounding negligence (and complete unaccountability) of the DVLA cancelled her licence after she reported it stolen. She re-took her car test 10 years ago, and is considering re-taking her bike test now that I have a bike
Edited by Mr2Mike on Tuesday 21st September 15:34
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