Dad life and sharing the passion
Discussion
Since becoming a dad my motorbike has barely been used — less than 200 miles since he was born 4 years ago. Even my potential commutes i can rarely use it as i need to do nursery drop-offs. I absolutely love it, but it spends far more time sitting in the garage than being ridden. I've had many bikes, and currently enjoying the hum of a boxer twin in a BMW R nine T.
My son is already showing an interest in anything with an engine, and always wants to go out to the garage to look at the bike, which has got me thinking about how I can share my love of all things petrol with him as he grows up.
Part of me is wondering whether I should look at moving the bike on and putting the money towards something like a Lotus Elise. Nothing sensible or practical, obviously, but something fun that still scratches that driving itch and that I could eventually take him out in.
I know it's probably just swapping one toy for another, but there's something quite appealing about being able to share that passion with him.
Anyone else been in a similar position? Am I onto something, or just looking for an excuse to buy another toy?
My son is already showing an interest in anything with an engine, and always wants to go out to the garage to look at the bike, which has got me thinking about how I can share my love of all things petrol with him as he grows up.
Part of me is wondering whether I should look at moving the bike on and putting the money towards something like a Lotus Elise. Nothing sensible or practical, obviously, but something fun that still scratches that driving itch and that I could eventually take him out in.
I know it's probably just swapping one toy for another, but there's something quite appealing about being able to share that passion with him.
Anyone else been in a similar position? Am I onto something, or just looking for an excuse to buy another toy?
Similar-ish situation.
I too have a 4 year old. As I spend so much time around cars, I suppose it was only natural my boy was going to take some interest.
Around the time he was three, I was fortunate enough to have a fund for a "fun" car, originally I was going to build a Caterham/GBS, however not wanting to spend as much, I settled on a much cheaper BMW Z3.
It lives in the garage at home and I've done quite a lot of work over the past year that Ive owned it, my boy always shows an interest in whats being done and can name quite a lot of parts, I can ask him to connect the battery (cut-off switch) when I need to move it.etc - always asks for a ride whenever we get the chance.
Hes finished nursery now, however at the start of the summer I collected him a few times and we went for an ice cream - absolutely loved it, and so did I!
Due to the work I'm doing, its slowly morphing into a track car of sorts, I intend on keeping long term if I can, so hopefully something my boy can start working on over time and when the time comes - drive it.
I too have a 4 year old. As I spend so much time around cars, I suppose it was only natural my boy was going to take some interest.
Around the time he was three, I was fortunate enough to have a fund for a "fun" car, originally I was going to build a Caterham/GBS, however not wanting to spend as much, I settled on a much cheaper BMW Z3.
It lives in the garage at home and I've done quite a lot of work over the past year that Ive owned it, my boy always shows an interest in whats being done and can name quite a lot of parts, I can ask him to connect the battery (cut-off switch) when I need to move it.etc - always asks for a ride whenever we get the chance.
Hes finished nursery now, however at the start of the summer I collected him a few times and we went for an ice cream - absolutely loved it, and so did I!
Due to the work I'm doing, its slowly morphing into a track car of sorts, I intend on keeping long term if I can, so hopefully something my boy can start working on over time and when the time comes - drive it.
My boys are 13 and 10. They both go on the back of my bike and love it! My wife recently passed her test and has since bought an SV650 so once she is confident enough we will all go out together.
I got them both little electric mini-motos when they were younger which they loved. It can be a great family hobby.
I got them both little electric mini-motos when they were younger which they loved. It can be a great family hobby.
My daughter is 10. I've never stopped riding. She's helped me wash the bike a few times when she was little, but not really interested.
I've got an Elise too and she's not all that interested in that either
Gone to a few local meets but she doesn't like going over 40mph. To be fair there's a lot of noise and vibration in my one with fairly solid engine mounts. I'm doing my best to try to get her to catch the bug. Not like my parents or any of my relations were petrol heads when I was little though!
I've got an Elise too and she's not all that interested in that either
Gone to a few local meets but she doesn't like going over 40mph. To be fair there's a lot of noise and vibration in my one with fairly solid engine mounts. I'm doing my best to try to get her to catch the bug. Not like my parents or any of my relations were petrol heads when I was little though! My son (15) is a big petrolhead. I also have two daughters, they aren't fussed about cars.
Had motorbikes since well before kids but they've never been on it (apart from stationary). Just not comfortable with the safety, plus a fireblade isn't really a good bike for a pillion
Still have the bike but it's SORN, bought a Caterham and built it up from a kit, my son helped at points. Use the Caterham when I'd go out on the bike, but have the bonus of being able to take a passenger. It's also more practical than a bike. One of my daughters also likes going out in it which is nice
Had motorbikes since well before kids but they've never been on it (apart from stationary). Just not comfortable with the safety, plus a fireblade isn't really a good bike for a pillion
Still have the bike but it's SORN, bought a Caterham and built it up from a kit, my son helped at points. Use the Caterham when I'd go out on the bike, but have the bonus of being able to take a passenger. It's also more practical than a bike. One of my daughters also likes going out in it which is nice
I know this might get shot down as not a direct recommendation, but do you have a mountain bike?
It's a easy way to take a kid out, but at 4 there might not be much longer they fit on a shotgun style front seat. Two wheels are two wheels and doing the pump track/jumps/ little trails will be a great gateway, and time together.
It's a easy way to take a kid out, but at 4 there might not be much longer they fit on a shotgun style front seat. Two wheels are two wheels and doing the pump track/jumps/ little trails will be a great gateway, and time together.
touringhornet said:
Part of me is wondering whether I should look at moving the bike on and putting the money towards something like a Lotus Elise.
Definitely. I sold my Fireblade when my sons were old enough to start taking an interest. The thought of them getting into bikes scared my to death. However, they eventually grew up with no interest in cars or bikes, which suits me fine. 2wheelsjimmy said:
I know this might get shot down as not a direct recommendation, but do you have a mountain bike?
It's a easy way to take a kid out, but at 4 there might not be much longer they fit on a shotgun style front seat. Two wheels are two wheels and doing the pump track/jumps/ little trails will be a great gateway, and time together.
This. Get them MTBing. Not only is it immense fun, but will build balance skills for when they eventually want a motorbike.It's a easy way to take a kid out, but at 4 there might not be much longer they fit on a shotgun style front seat. Two wheels are two wheels and doing the pump track/jumps/ little trails will be a great gateway, and time together.
I gave up motorcycling until my youngest child was 10. None of my 3 children showed any interest in motorbikes that suited me just fine.
My youngest son is really into cars and has been since he was a toddler. My daughter is interested in cars (especially sporty ones) and my eldest takes a reasonable interest in cars.
If any of them had shown an interest in bikes, I would big encouraged and supported them in off road motorcycling.
My youngest son is really into cars and has been since he was a toddler. My daughter is interested in cars (especially sporty ones) and my eldest takes a reasonable interest in cars.
If any of them had shown an interest in bikes, I would big encouraged and supported them in off road motorcycling.
I stopped when I didn't need it to get to work and my son was born, I didn't have a bike for about 3 years.
Moved to Stourbridge and my commute for 10 years was Birmingham new st to Euston, parking was very expensive and I'd have to allow over an hour at times I bought a cg125 ,taxed and insured for less than the price of a month's car parking.
My son is 22 and only went on the back a few weeks ago for the first time, that was fun he said after, not sure I want to get him hooked just before winter.
I'm picking up as far as 8 can work out my 82nd bike today
Nope I've not kept them all
Moved to Stourbridge and my commute for 10 years was Birmingham new st to Euston, parking was very expensive and I'd have to allow over an hour at times I bought a cg125 ,taxed and insured for less than the price of a month's car parking.
My son is 22 and only went on the back a few weeks ago for the first time, that was fun he said after, not sure I want to get him hooked just before winter.
I'm picking up as far as 8 can work out my 82nd bike today
Nope I've not kept them all
I keep staring at the Superduke 1290 shaped garage ornament thinking I should really get rid.
I have 3 kids, a 5, 2 and 1 year old. I simply don't have the same motivation to get on the bike and have a bit of fun anymore.
I think it's going to be sold and I'll upgrade my road bike (bicycle), think I've put 400 miles on the KTM this year.
That said, it's my perfect motorbike. Fast, comfy and handles well. Not sure if I could ever replace it further down the line with something that ticks all the boxes.
I have 3 kids, a 5, 2 and 1 year old. I simply don't have the same motivation to get on the bike and have a bit of fun anymore.
I think it's going to be sold and I'll upgrade my road bike (bicycle), think I've put 400 miles on the KTM this year.
That said, it's my perfect motorbike. Fast, comfy and handles well. Not sure if I could ever replace it further down the line with something that ticks all the boxes.
I have ridden many miles per year earlier in my biking life, both socially and in work. Probably 25-40k a year.
My lad did his test, but then had a slow speed off on his bike. Messed with his confidence and quickly sold it after that.
I've tried getting rid of mine even though i don't do the miles these days, but whenever I sell my bike, I miss having it there, just in case, so end up buying something else.
My lad did his test, but then had a slow speed off on his bike. Messed with his confidence and quickly sold it after that.
I've tried getting rid of mine even though i don't do the miles these days, but whenever I sell my bike, I miss having it there, just in case, so end up buying something else.
I had a deal with Mrs BigM when she agreed to get married. I was not allowed bikes anymore but I had a free hand with cars. We had a toddler and another one on the way so I was happy to agree. The YPVS 500 got sold and the cash got ploughed into my Porsche race car 
It's a deal that has worked out just fine. We have 3 lads one is a petrol head through and through, the other 2 have other interests. They all enjoyed blasting around on quads, and gocarts when they were growing up and we did have a sneaky little dalliance with schoolboy trials. I was able to get this past the goalie as they are not road bikes. Honest love.
I am on rinse and repeat again now with grandkids and I love every minute of it.
Don't really miss the road bikes. I've got a KTM X-Bow if I want to get absolutely piss wet through and cold, so that ticks that box. I've also had and got some great cars with never a single moan from MrsBigM.
It's a deal that has worked out just fine. We have 3 lads one is a petrol head through and through, the other 2 have other interests. They all enjoyed blasting around on quads, and gocarts when they were growing up and we did have a sneaky little dalliance with schoolboy trials. I was able to get this past the goalie as they are not road bikes. Honest love.
I am on rinse and repeat again now with grandkids and I love every minute of it.
Don't really miss the road bikes. I've got a KTM X-Bow if I want to get absolutely piss wet through and cold, so that ticks that box. I've also had and got some great cars with never a single moan from MrsBigM.
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