Brother bought a bike

[waynedear]

Now I am not saying it is a midlife crisis but he is 40 next month, not had a bike since probably 2001, early zxr400, had an rg125 fun years before that, both of which he did not look after and crashed both. We still do not know the truth of his most famous crash, good weather, light, very little traffic, he managed to crash in a straight line approaching traffic lights (no the approach was not slippy or oiled)

Yesterday he bought off a sort of mate a zzr1100, to say I am worried for him is an understatement.
Luckily, currently he is broke so unable to insure, it will stay tucked up in the garage, he has no bike gear either.
I have suggested a refresher course which is falling in deaf ears.
I have no issues with his mental well-being but I do fear for his skin and bones

[Jazoli]

Meh, so what, a 40 year old should be able to insure a ZZR11 for a hundred quid, it'll probably end in tears or a sudden death, or he might be awesome when he buys some camo trousers and a cheap lid but wears no gloves, I see plenty just like him at weekends, he'll more than likely st himself the first time he goes out on it and it'll be sold, I wouldn't worry too much

[waynedear]

Jazoli said:

Meh, so what, a 40 year old should be able to insure a ZZR11 for a hundred quid, it'll probably end in tears or a sudden death, or he might be awesome when he buys some camo trousers and a cheap lid but wears no gloves, I see plenty just like him at weekends, he'll more than likely st himself the first time he goes out on it and it'll be sold, I wouldn't worry too much

He tested it before he bought it and unless he gets decent gear he knows it will make me most unhappy, I know when I taught him to ride his rg he was taught the right way.
Problem is I also know that he will NOT in any way shape or form do any look around checks of the bike and only discover there is an issue when there is an issue.
He is my baby brother, has a lovely wife and fabulous daughters, he will be much safer in his focus.

[Jazoli]

He might be your baby brother but he is a middle aged grown man, all you can do is worry, what I've found with born agains is that they realise they were never as fast as they thought they were and realise that its fking dangerous and they could well die if they get it wrong then they wobble around holding coaches up on a roads, he has probably wanted a bike for years but life/kids/wife got in the way, it might be what HE wants and if that's the case you let him get on with it.

[waynedear]

Jazoli said:

He might be your baby brother but he is a middle aged grown man, all you can do is worry, what I've found with born agains is that they realise they were never as fast as they thought they were and realise that its fking dangerous and they could well die if they get it wrong then they wobble around holding coaches up on a roads, he has probably wanted a bike for years but life/kids/wife got in the way, it might be what HE wants and if that's the case you let him get on with it.

That’s probably true enough.

[EagleMoto4-2]

If it was me I would get hold of a bike somehow and go out for a ride with him and assess what his skill level is like, then would be more confident in him having the bike. Of course don't make it obvious that is what you are doing.
You know, you might end up going for ride outs with each other and bond over your shared hobby.

[waynedear]

EagleMoto4-2 said:

If it was me I would get hold of a bike somehow and go out for a ride with him and assess what his skill level is like, then would be more confident in him having the bike. Of course don't make it obvious that is what you are doing.
You know, you might end up going for ride outs with each other and bond over your shared hobby.

I may just have to do that, be ages yet before my guzzi project is rideable, I do fancy an 80’s Japanese 4 pot, we already have a common bond from fishing together.

[Byronico]

Let him enjoy

But would be good idea if he did some sort of advanced riding course.
BikeSafe course is a great intruduction to advanced riding which is only around £50 for the day and you get to train with and be assessed by police riders, which are bloody good at what they do!

Or join the local ROSPA or IAM group which are also very good.

[moanthebairns]

waynedear said:

Jazoli said:

He might be your baby brother but he is a middle aged grown man, all you can do is worry, what I've found with born agains is that they realise they were never as fast as they thought they were and realise that its fking dangerous and they could well die if they get it wrong then they wobble around holding coaches up on a roads, he has probably wanted a bike for years but life/kids/wife got in the way, it might be what HE wants and if that's the case you let him get on with it.

That’s probably true enough.

OR he'll join a facebook biking club thingy, meet at a cafe every weekend and stand for hours talking about how good they are, planing their once a year epic round trip of 200 miles that requires an overnight stay, probably in a tent, bland as fk live ROCK show and JD n'coke.

[Motorsport3]

Byronico said:

Let him enjoy

But would be good idea if he did some sort of advanced riding course.
BikeSafe course is a great intruduction to advanced riding which is only around £50 for the day and you get to train with and be assessed by police riders, which are bloody good at what they do!

Or join the local ROSPA or IAM group which are also very good.

That. You might want to get that as a present to him if he is not financially strong at the moment.

[SVS]

Byronico said:

Let him enjoy

But would be good idea if he did some sort of advanced riding course.
BikeSafe course is a great intruduction to advanced riding which is only around £50 for the day and you get to train with and be assessed by police riders, which are bloody good at what they do!

Or join the local ROSPA or IAM group which are also very good.

^ this. BikeSafe is a great intro and enjoyable day out. An IAM or RoSPA course would be an ideal follow up and very worthwhile.

Also, Rapid Training is outstanding training and brilliant fun too