New father and son riders
Discussion
Hey all,
Thought I'd say hello, share our new adventure into motorbikes and I'm always open to advice.
Sorry for the long intro..
I'd always wanted to have a bike since I could drive, having had a moped at 16. I loved the sense of freedom it gave.
But in the U.K. I just couldn't justify the expense even into my 20s.
We moved to the US 5 years ago, when my son was a couple of months old, and we've just become permanent residents with no current plan to return to UK.
Last year I did my motorcycle safety course here in Indiana. A 3 day course with the test at the very end.
It was pretty easy, all done in a parking lot on a Honda shadow 250cc.
The test consisted of low speed maneuvers and evasive actions. No traffic or road riding 😮
The best thing, $75 for the whole course and $10 to amend my driver license to add the motorcycle endorsement.
Up to this point I'd mostly had cars here, then projects like a vintage truck, that I sold for a hefty profit. We also bought my wife a new car, so I inherited the family minivan as a daily.
This left me with a wad of cash and a car to drive!
Well over the last couple of months, I've been a bit of a bike-aholic!
I've bought 4 and sold 1.
First was a bike for me, Ive no interest in going fast, or really riding interstates, I wanted something I could ride offroad and be legal to ride on back roads too.
I'd settled on dual sport bike, initially thinking a KLR650, as I'd previously owned and enjoyed a LandRover Defender for much the same purpose, it seemed to me the bike equivalent.
However a friend of mine convinced me a smaller/lighter bike would be more fun off-road.
I found a Kawasaki Super Sherpa (kl250) locally with 5000miles for $1300.
It has been loads of fun, not very quick, but perfectly capable of the type of riding I've been up to so far.
The single cylinder sounds great to me too.
I live right on the door step of a huge state park in southern Indiana with lots of back roads that just turn to gravel roads and river crossings. It's lots of fun.
My son has been riding 2 wheels since he was 2 1/2, having had a strider bike since he could walk.
He tried a Honda crf50 round a small course on a Harley Davidson open day near to us, and he loved it!
Well I looked around locally for a small bike the next day. I found a Yamaha pw50 that needed some work for $300 in Fort Knox Kentucky, so one evening I drove 4 hours round trip to pick it up.
The next day before school I told him to go to the garage and he was excited to see his own bike parked next to his dad's.
We fixed it up together, got him every bit of safety gear and took him down the road to a field and he just rode off! We were all impressed.
I took him a few more times to different places of increasing difficulty. He's fallen off, he's cried, but he's got right back on.
The only problem was I was getting tired running around after him. I needed to get both of us and both bikes to somewhere we could both ride.
So I bought a motorcycle carrier and tow hitch for the minivan and loaded the bikes and headed to a suitable off-road place.
While the bikes were great to ride, and we took turns following each other around some dirt paths, with a few hills, unloading my Kawasaki from the carrrier was a bit of a pain (literally) as I put my back out.
While I was stiff for a week, my wife and I we're just looking at the video I'd taken of our son riding his pw50 and noticed he was a little large for it. Even though he's 5, he's quite tall at 48" about the same height as a 7 year old.
So I did some research and there were some taller bikes available for 7 year olds they seemed to have larger engines and more power, not what a 5 year old novice would need, IMO.
But we did end up deciding a honda crf/xr50 would be good. A 50cc 4 stroke with 3 speed semi auto.
I picked one up locally for $800.
My son loves his new bike and feels lots more comfortable on it.
I just stick it in 2nd gear for him and he's off.
We then sold his pw50 for $500, making $100 profit!
My back got better and after talking to my wife she told me to get a smaller/lighter dirt bike for when I go off-road with our son, as it would be easier to load/unload.
I'd only need a trail bike with a small engine to ride along with him anyway.
I found a Honda crf150f locally and picked it up for $1000 as it needed a few things.
It's really just a scaled up version of his xr50, and good enough for me to throw my leg over and not get into too much trouble on.
I've spent about $500 on it so far, it needed a new rear shock, pair of tires, chain, sprockets, air filter, brake and clutch levers. And when I changed the oil, out fell a broken gear tooth, so I split the engine and I'm currently in the process of replacing the broken kick start gears.
All in all it has been a rather fun, albeit indulgent past couple of months. I'm pretty sure my wife is fed up of me talking about bikes, and the endless parcels of parts arriving.
But it has been the most enjoyable thing I've ever done, riding, fixing, buying, selling motorcycles with my son.
I'm enjoying the now, I'm looking forward to the future of us riding together.
Oh and I recently found out about Hare Scrambles near to us......
Thought I'd say hello, share our new adventure into motorbikes and I'm always open to advice.
Sorry for the long intro..
I'd always wanted to have a bike since I could drive, having had a moped at 16. I loved the sense of freedom it gave.
But in the U.K. I just couldn't justify the expense even into my 20s.
We moved to the US 5 years ago, when my son was a couple of months old, and we've just become permanent residents with no current plan to return to UK.
Last year I did my motorcycle safety course here in Indiana. A 3 day course with the test at the very end.
It was pretty easy, all done in a parking lot on a Honda shadow 250cc.
The test consisted of low speed maneuvers and evasive actions. No traffic or road riding 😮
The best thing, $75 for the whole course and $10 to amend my driver license to add the motorcycle endorsement.
Up to this point I'd mostly had cars here, then projects like a vintage truck, that I sold for a hefty profit. We also bought my wife a new car, so I inherited the family minivan as a daily.
This left me with a wad of cash and a car to drive!
Well over the last couple of months, I've been a bit of a bike-aholic!
I've bought 4 and sold 1.
First was a bike for me, Ive no interest in going fast, or really riding interstates, I wanted something I could ride offroad and be legal to ride on back roads too.
I'd settled on dual sport bike, initially thinking a KLR650, as I'd previously owned and enjoyed a LandRover Defender for much the same purpose, it seemed to me the bike equivalent.
However a friend of mine convinced me a smaller/lighter bike would be more fun off-road.
I found a Kawasaki Super Sherpa (kl250) locally with 5000miles for $1300.
It has been loads of fun, not very quick, but perfectly capable of the type of riding I've been up to so far.
The single cylinder sounds great to me too.
I live right on the door step of a huge state park in southern Indiana with lots of back roads that just turn to gravel roads and river crossings. It's lots of fun.
My son has been riding 2 wheels since he was 2 1/2, having had a strider bike since he could walk.
He tried a Honda crf50 round a small course on a Harley Davidson open day near to us, and he loved it!
Well I looked around locally for a small bike the next day. I found a Yamaha pw50 that needed some work for $300 in Fort Knox Kentucky, so one evening I drove 4 hours round trip to pick it up.
The next day before school I told him to go to the garage and he was excited to see his own bike parked next to his dad's.
We fixed it up together, got him every bit of safety gear and took him down the road to a field and he just rode off! We were all impressed.
I took him a few more times to different places of increasing difficulty. He's fallen off, he's cried, but he's got right back on.
The only problem was I was getting tired running around after him. I needed to get both of us and both bikes to somewhere we could both ride.
So I bought a motorcycle carrier and tow hitch for the minivan and loaded the bikes and headed to a suitable off-road place.
While the bikes were great to ride, and we took turns following each other around some dirt paths, with a few hills, unloading my Kawasaki from the carrrier was a bit of a pain (literally) as I put my back out.
While I was stiff for a week, my wife and I we're just looking at the video I'd taken of our son riding his pw50 and noticed he was a little large for it. Even though he's 5, he's quite tall at 48" about the same height as a 7 year old.
So I did some research and there were some taller bikes available for 7 year olds they seemed to have larger engines and more power, not what a 5 year old novice would need, IMO.
But we did end up deciding a honda crf/xr50 would be good. A 50cc 4 stroke with 3 speed semi auto.
I picked one up locally for $800.
My son loves his new bike and feels lots more comfortable on it.
I just stick it in 2nd gear for him and he's off.
We then sold his pw50 for $500, making $100 profit!
My back got better and after talking to my wife she told me to get a smaller/lighter dirt bike for when I go off-road with our son, as it would be easier to load/unload.
I'd only need a trail bike with a small engine to ride along with him anyway.
I found a Honda crf150f locally and picked it up for $1000 as it needed a few things.
It's really just a scaled up version of his xr50, and good enough for me to throw my leg over and not get into too much trouble on.
I've spent about $500 on it so far, it needed a new rear shock, pair of tires, chain, sprockets, air filter, brake and clutch levers. And when I changed the oil, out fell a broken gear tooth, so I split the engine and I'm currently in the process of replacing the broken kick start gears.
All in all it has been a rather fun, albeit indulgent past couple of months. I'm pretty sure my wife is fed up of me talking about bikes, and the endless parcels of parts arriving.
But it has been the most enjoyable thing I've ever done, riding, fixing, buying, selling motorcycles with my son.
I'm enjoying the now, I'm looking forward to the future of us riding together.
Oh and I recently found out about Hare Scrambles near to us......
Excellent. There is no better feeling than watch your own learn to ride
My daughter had a QR50 and we spent whatever spare time available between the age of 3-6 out on the bike. Unfortunately marital problems reared its ugly head and relocation put the halt on more time on the bike. While she had no issue getting on the back of my road bike, sadly she had no interest in taking her biking any further and moved over to cars.
However, I saw her face cringe when she saw my granddaughter sat on my track bike.
It looks like you have relocated to an area that is ideal for off road fun. Keep it up
My daughter had a QR50 and we spent whatever spare time available between the age of 3-6 out on the bike. Unfortunately marital problems reared its ugly head and relocation put the halt on more time on the bike. While she had no issue getting on the back of my road bike, sadly she had no interest in taking her biking any further and moved over to cars.
However, I saw her face cringe when she saw my granddaughter sat on my track bike.
It looks like you have relocated to an area that is ideal for off road fun. Keep it up
What a lovely read. I wish you and your son well in your adventures. Will be excellent for stories for the grandkids later on in life.
It is something I wish for me and my 2 sons, they are a little young yet and we live slap bang in the city lol.
Still I have got them all sorts of electric ride on scooters and bmw s1000r 12v ride on bike which he loves, so he has the bug.
It is something I wish for me and my 2 sons, they are a little young yet and we live slap bang in the city lol.
Still I have got them all sorts of electric ride on scooters and bmw s1000r 12v ride on bike which he loves, so he has the bug.
Hi chaps thanks for the kind words!
Forgot to check back in to this thread after posting it!
We’ve been riding a few other places since, and my friend bought a house with 20 acres of land/woods that we ride around on.
We also checked out the hare scramble racing here locally which is hosted by a great off road motorcycle club that I’m trying to attain membership of.
My son loved watching the peewee racing (his age group) riding through the woods.
A few weekends ago I went on a 200mile dual sport ride with 80 other riders on the super sherpa. It was lots of fun, beautiful forest roads, gravel and water crossings.
The ride began and ended at the motorcycle club about 5 miles from my house!
I got talking to other members and I was then invited back the next day to ride with my son on their trails and hare scramble tracks if we wanted!
So we both had a taste of what it is like to ride the same course that we were thinking he could eventually “race” on!
We both rode our little Honda CRFs (150cc and 50cc)
It was hot, 90F and humid, he fell off, I stalled several times. Cutting through the tight roped off trails picking our way through tightly packed trees and rutted ground with the occasional deep mud.
I kept looking back to see if he was stuck or fallen off, but most of the time he was right there tucked up to my back tire!
I think he is ready 😀
Also after riding that dual sport ride with I had been toying with the idea of selling the Sherpa and buying a larger bike like a DRZ400. I was riding with 2 guys on their Yamaha WR250R. Man those were capable bikes!
But a little over my budget....
With a little of man maths, I decided to list both my adult bikes and see which sold first. As luck would have it they both sold in a matter of days and I bought a 2008 Wr250r a couple of days after that!
I’m really pleased with it, although I think it’s a tad too heavy for hare scrambles.
So, I’m saving up for a lightweight 2 stroke bike to race in the beginner class 😂
Forgot to check back in to this thread after posting it!
We’ve been riding a few other places since, and my friend bought a house with 20 acres of land/woods that we ride around on.
We also checked out the hare scramble racing here locally which is hosted by a great off road motorcycle club that I’m trying to attain membership of.
My son loved watching the peewee racing (his age group) riding through the woods.
A few weekends ago I went on a 200mile dual sport ride with 80 other riders on the super sherpa. It was lots of fun, beautiful forest roads, gravel and water crossings.
The ride began and ended at the motorcycle club about 5 miles from my house!
I got talking to other members and I was then invited back the next day to ride with my son on their trails and hare scramble tracks if we wanted!
So we both had a taste of what it is like to ride the same course that we were thinking he could eventually “race” on!
We both rode our little Honda CRFs (150cc and 50cc)
It was hot, 90F and humid, he fell off, I stalled several times. Cutting through the tight roped off trails picking our way through tightly packed trees and rutted ground with the occasional deep mud.
I kept looking back to see if he was stuck or fallen off, but most of the time he was right there tucked up to my back tire!
I think he is ready 😀
Also after riding that dual sport ride with I had been toying with the idea of selling the Sherpa and buying a larger bike like a DRZ400. I was riding with 2 guys on their Yamaha WR250R. Man those were capable bikes!
But a little over my budget....
With a little of man maths, I decided to list both my adult bikes and see which sold first. As luck would have it they both sold in a matter of days and I bought a 2008 Wr250r a couple of days after that!
I’m really pleased with it, although I think it’s a tad too heavy for hare scrambles.
So, I’m saving up for a lightweight 2 stroke bike to race in the beginner class 😂
kurt535 said:
fantastic read!
more importantly, how did you manage the green card trick???!!! tips gratefully received.
A 6 year journey of work sponsored visas, then eventually PERM and green card sponsorship with work. more importantly, how did you manage the green card trick???!!! tips gratefully received.
I do a technical engineering/ management job, I have a mechanical engineering degree and 10 years experience and it qualified me to get the PERM as no other US person applied for the job!
Next step is citizenship...
Good work!
My dad taught me to ride 34 years ago (when I was 4) and I’ve had a bike ever since. So’s he! We (him, my brother and I (plus my wife now)) all go out on the bikes regularly together and it really is great to have a common hobby.
Im really good mates with my dad and I’m sure that’s due to bikes - and the inevitable beer that goes with it!
My dad taught me to ride 34 years ago (when I was 4) and I’ve had a bike ever since. So’s he! We (him, my brother and I (plus my wife now)) all go out on the bikes regularly together and it really is great to have a common hobby.
Im really good mates with my dad and I’m sure that’s due to bikes - and the inevitable beer that goes with it!
The Moose said:
Man I'm jealous you have those roads on your doorstep.
I'm in Southern Florida and don't have access to anything that awesome! Currently have a 2007 Honda XR650L in the garage up for sale ( < 900 miles on the clock ) that I would love to potter around on trails like that!
What!!?? You’re in Florida and you’re jealous of me in the arse end of Indiana! LOLI'm in Southern Florida and don't have access to anything that awesome! Currently have a 2007 Honda XR650L in the garage up for sale ( < 900 miles on the clock ) that I would love to potter around on trails like that!
I would love to live near the coast again.
Let’s do a swap! You can come here with your bikes to ride around Brown/ Monroe county and do the Kentucky adventure trial and I’ll stay in Florida for a week
I like the sound of your XR! Very low miles!
BritVsRedneck said:
The Moose said:
Man I'm jealous you have those roads on your doorstep.
I'm in Southern Florida and don't have access to anything that awesome! Currently have a 2007 Honda XR650L in the garage up for sale ( < 900 miles on the clock ) that I would love to potter around on trails like that!
What!!?? You’re in Florida and you’re jealous of me in the arse end of Indiana! LOLI'm in Southern Florida and don't have access to anything that awesome! Currently have a 2007 Honda XR650L in the garage up for sale ( < 900 miles on the clock ) that I would love to potter around on trails like that!
I would love to live near the coast again.
Let’s do a swap! You can come here with your bikes to ride around Brown/ Monroe county and do the Kentucky adventure trial and I’ll stay in Florida for a week
I like the sound of your XR! Very low miles!
You can ride my big scooter (a.k.a. V Rod) around Naples and I'll ride your bikes on the trails.
I was in Kentucky last week - probably not a million miles from where you are given what you've said (I was in the bottom left hand corner near where KY, TN and MO meet). I did drive around and thought there were some great roads!
I'd be happy to sell you the XR...but it'd have a few more miles on by the time I rode it to you (and played on those trails!!!).
srob said:
Good work!
My dad taught me to ride 34 years ago (when I was 4) and I’ve had a bike ever since. So’s he! We (him, my brother and I (plus my wife now)) all go out on the bikes regularly together and it really is great to have a common hobby.
Im really good mates with my dad and I’m sure that’s due to bikes - and the inevitable beer that goes with it!
Brilliant! Wish I could have that relationship with my dad.My dad taught me to ride 34 years ago (when I was 4) and I’ve had a bike ever since. So’s he! We (him, my brother and I (plus my wife now)) all go out on the bikes regularly together and it really is great to have a common hobby.
Im really good mates with my dad and I’m sure that’s due to bikes - and the inevitable beer that goes with it!
My Dad rode until a year or two ago when my Mum couldn’t ride pillion any more due to health issues, he didn’t have any other riding buddies so he sold his bike (Honda VTR1000)
I used to ask my dad as a kid for a little dirt bike but looking back I don’t think he could afford it.
I only started riding over here last year and that’s really when he stopped riding in the U.K., but he’s coming over to visit in a few weeks and I’m going to get him to ride my bike and ride along with his grandson. I think it will be great to see!
I also forgot to mention my wife decided that if her son is riding that she wanted to learn to ride. So she did the same course I did and got her license!
Here she is riding both the Sherpa and the CRF150F
And this is my friends property we ride on, this was fall last year when all the trees and foliage turn all sorts of lovely shades and the weather is just perfect for riding.
Here she is riding both the Sherpa and the CRF150F
And this is my friends property we ride on, this was fall last year when all the trees and foliage turn all sorts of lovely shades and the weather is just perfect for riding.
Great story.
I did something similar when my daughter was seven. I was really into trials riding at the time but felt a little guilty that I wasn't seeing enough of my little girl at the weekends so I bought a 50cc KTM. Idea being she could come with me and follow me around between sections. Worked for a while but in reality she was more interested in being the princess and after a few falls gave up.
Many years later she regrets it but I don't as having her riding now would scare me.
I did something similar when my daughter was seven. I was really into trials riding at the time but felt a little guilty that I wasn't seeing enough of my little girl at the weekends so I bought a 50cc KTM. Idea being she could come with me and follow me around between sections. Worked for a while but in reality she was more interested in being the princess and after a few falls gave up.
Many years later she regrets it but I don't as having her riding now would scare me.
Pat H said:
Acceptable motorcycle attire, circa 2017.
Acceptable motorcycle attire, circa 1980.
Glad to see that you have a more pro active attitude to your son's safety than my Dad did...
But seriously. Well done for encouraging him. You are creating a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Oh wow! Love the old school hooligan photo! HahaAcceptable motorcycle attire, circa 1980.
Glad to see that you have a more pro active attitude to your son's safety than my Dad did...
But seriously. Well done for encouraging him. You are creating a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Yeah it’s a different generation! We definitely wrap our kids up in cotton wool now!
Strangely, here, there is a huge disparity between on road bikers and off-road. There’s no helmet laws in Indiana and you regularly see on road bikers, no helmet, in short sleeves, no gloves, jeans and inadequate footwear.
But if you go off-road everyone wears the most protection you’ll ever see! In fact you’ll be berated if you didn’t.
Dual sport riders also fall into the last category, and I’m often asked why I’m wearing a jacket in 90F weather!
The other factor for me are the health care costs, it’s so damn expensive to go to the ER here. I’d rather spend $500 on gear than face a $$$$ medical bill! HaHa
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