How to convince parents when 18?

[Turbo-Torch]

I often wonder about his parents and the anguish they must feel over having bought him that bike.[/QUOTE]

Hard to say. A parent who BUYS their little shaved head eminem clone a high powered sport bike is either suffering from an additional chromosome 21 or they found a legal way to murder their kid and collect on a big life insurance policy.

Now I realize there are many teens that actually start WORKING at 16 and can afford a new 600RR. This can be a problem because the parents may not even know about it until the dreaded knock on the front door.
Good friend of mine bought a highly modified ZX10 when he was 18. Begged and pleaded with his older sister until she caved in and co-signed, leaving her a nervous wreck. He kept the bike at a friends house. A few weeks later he came to his senses after realizing what his sister would go through if he killed himself on it and sold it. His parents never knew he owned it and we still laugh about it 15 years later.

I must be getting old as I find all these posts about teens wanting mommy and daddy to BUY them a motorcycle (car or whatever) mind boggling.

After the age of 16, if my parents had to buy a car or bike for me I'd have died of embarrassment.

To to the OP:
Get a fuggin job, save up $1800 and buy your own bike! Pick something between 250 and 500cc that costs $1000 bucks or less.
With the extra $800 left over go buy a good helemet and then visit www.newenough.com to get your jacket, pants, gloves and boots.
Maybe then mommy and daddy won't object since you'd be showing some signs of growing up.

We have so many stupid azz laws in this country, yet we can't adopt a common sense law like the UK's cc restrictment for new riders.

 

[HayaVegas]

Rather than helping you "pull it off", let me help you think about what you're trying to do. Read this carefully (twice).

Our next door neighbor's son (also 18 at the time) went through this exact senario with his parents. His parents hated the thought of him getting a bike (i.e., "you're not getting a bike while you live under our roof!). Reasons; too dangerous, etc, etc. He had zero experience with riding a motorcycle, but some of his friends owned bikes, so of course he wanted one too. He tried the "trying to save gas" angle with his parents. Didn't work. A few months later he bought a brand new beautiful red & white Honda 600RR. How? He bugged his parents until they finally couldn't take his crap anymore, and they gave in. He paid for the bike himself and paid nearly as much for insurance as he paid for the bike (insurance companies are not stupid) - and off he went! He totalled the bike 6 weeks later...

Let's see... if I remember correctly, it took 2 weeks for him to become an "expert rider" (or so he thought), 2 more weeks for him to get cocky (read: Hey! I can wheelie!). Two weeks later his father and I found ourselves pulling on the back wheel of his Honda trying to pull the bike out from underneath a guardrail which it was wedged under. The Honda was wedged under the guardrail so tightly both of us couldn't pull it out. We ended up having to get a tow truck to pull it out, using its power wench. Turns out, he lost it in a turn (read: inexperience) and went down hard. And in true inexperienced teenager style, he was wearing the typical squid atire (t-shirt, shorts, and tennis shoes). Luckily he managed to live through the crash, with only a cracked bone in his back, lots of road rash and bruises. He spent the night in a hospital getting xrays, etc. Luckily he didn't hurt or kill anyone else in the process. With only 603 miles, his beautiful bike was totalled. Cop said he sees this same senario play out over and over each month. The kid walks kinda funny now-a-days (not funny haha), and may for perhaps the rest of his life. At 19 years old he's wised up and hasn't decided to purchase another bike; at least for awhile he says. Obviously his parents are happy he lived through the experience. Personnally, I think the crash scared the hell out of him, woke him up, and if he were to try to get another bike now most insurance companies would laugh at him (read: many, many thousands per year). In a word "luck" is the only reason my neighbor's son still is alive.

Several young people end their life through such events. Starting out with a 600cc crotch-rocket doesn't stack the odds in your favor, or give you a good platform to "learn" on. It's like starting your pilot flying lessons in a F-16. As cool as that might sound, it doesn't make any sense.

So, rather than asking yourself "how can I pull it off", maybe you might want to be asking yourself, "Is this a smart move?" A 600 is not slow machine or a smart machine to learn on. For the unexperienced, a 600 can easily end your life. And not "just" because you're inexperienced (although that's a major concern). THERE'S TON'S AND TON'S of stupid cell phone wheeling drivers out there just waiting to IGNORE YOU while you're driving your new bike down the road!

Anyone of them can ruin your day (read: ruin your health and/or life), in a big way. And most of all, know that just because you can drive a car well, riding a bike (especially a fast bike), is a very different ballgame. You didn't mention if you had any riding experience, so I will assume you have none.

I'm not advocating never riding, far from it! I've ridden for years. But perhaps consider staying with a car for now and buying a dirt bike to hone your riding skills for a year or so. You'll be able to wreck (and you will!) in a much more controlled environment, and you'll better know the risks if and when you decide to transition to street riding.

In just a few short years you won't have to ask permission to buy anything, and you'll be fully in-charge of paying for any mistakes you make, yourself. Bottom line - bike riding is more dangerous than car. But yeah, bikes are more fun. Make wise decisions and do what's necessary to stack the odds in your favor and you'll have a better chance of seeing 19.

Probably something you don't want to hear right now but most 18 year olds are not very mature and have little or no experience with much of anything, much less riding fast motorcyles. Do some make it? Yes! Do some die? Yep! At your age, it's a crap-shoot (major risks). That's why insurance rates are so high for younger drivers/riders. It's just the way it is (and all of us on this board have been through this stage). All parents went though this stage too - so they know where you are, and the mistakes you're about to make. The thought of an immature inexperienced rider throwing their leg over a machine that can out perform 98% of the cars on the road, is NOT a comfortable feeling to parents.

So how can you "pull this off"? You're parents want to know that their 18 years of effort to bring you up are starting to pay off. In short, they want to see you're becoming a mature adult. So... here's what your parents probably want to hear:

1) "Before seriously considering owning a motorcycle, you'd like to sign up for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course, to learn what the risks are." (This shows a high level of maturity).

2) And later. "You'd like to take "it slow" and learn to ride with a small dirt bike, before deciding whether riding a bike on the street is "right for you.""

Besides perhaps "pulling it off" this process just might save your a## someday.

In case none of this has sunk in, and you're still hell-bent on getting a 600, at least remember this:

"You'll never live long enough to make all the mistakes that others have made, so learn from the mistakes others have made before you."

My .02. Good luck.

Wow.

Now that is some smart advice. Well put, FJrider. Great insight. Right on.

 

[HayaVegas]

No WAY do you need a 100+ hp 600cc bike like the gsxr600. The bike is too light and the engine too powerful to be under an inexperienced rider. Its totally stupid.

No gsxr should be for a beginner. It is not because its 600cc...the 600cc bike can be a variety of different models. You could get a 750cc Kawasaki ZR7-S and it only has about 40hp...so its never going to buck you off of it like the gsxr-anything...could.

Get a used Bandit600, - dont get a jacked up race bike.

ACTUALLY...Go look at a suzuki GS500. It looks like a gixxer to people who dont know anything...and it has suzuki on it, and it is a nice tame beginner bike.



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[HayaVegas]

Suzuki GS500.



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[pward76]

I often wonder about his parents and the anguish they must feel over having bought him that bike.

I must be getting old as I find all these posts about teens wanting mommy and daddy to BUY them a motorcycle (car or whatever) mind boggling.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean - I wasn't ALLOWED to spend my own money for my first car until the summer after high school....

 

[onerabidshark]

I agree with everyone above, The question I ask is are you getting the bike just cause your friends got one or do really have the desire to wanna learn to ride? I see another new uh um rider that can't ride for shid everyday and almost every other day I hear about another bad accident. Rider no license new bike parents bought cause they didn't want to hear him bi*ch. I'm not knocking you just helpful info, if you go about it the right way you'll enjoy Motorcycling alot more, and I promise you'll become a better rider than any of your friends IN TIME, do the Motorcyle safety course and advanced course if you feel you need it, I suggest both especially if you go straight to a gixxer 600, buy the gear and use it, all these guys ride around no helmet no gloves no pants no boots or even riding shoes. If you're hell bent on getting one do it right. Do it for you. Riding is supposed to be fun, enjoyable, an escape. Not a showoff event for friends or the cutie on campus who's attention you're trying to get. Just for your info to let you know where I started 14 yrs old RM80 dirt then YZ125 YZ250 Street Honda 175 Virago 750 Nighthawk 750 KZ 1000P(police) Harley 1200 custom Now a Busa, so don't let anyone give you shid about starting a little smaller than a gixxer 600 I hope you have read all of the above and listened and let it sink in, We are not being D*cks, But we would rather you come back on hear in a year and tell us how much you've learned how much you love to ride then you'd understand what we were saying "Not trying to keep you from riding just trying to keep you from being a statistic."

and welcome to the board

 

[doodoggy]

We have so many stupid azz laws in this country, yet we can't adopt a common sense law like the UK's cc restrictment for new riders.  

I've mentioned this several times before, and I'll mention it again.

Back in Singapore, licensing starts at 20. Legal age is 18, but most people don't have the time to do it when they're serving their mandatory 2 years in the army.

They have a limit of 250ccs for the first year. After that, you take another test and can ride bikes up to 400. AFter one more year, you take another test on a 750cc bike, and then you can ride anything you want.

So, although 600ccs does not seem like alot, compared to people who are learning on bikes like the Busa, the GSXR IS a race bike. It was built with racing in mind, and was engineered for the track. Sure, it can be a tame street bike in any responsile riders hands, but you're parents are not going to assume you'l be a responsible rider.

People's parents who know very little about motorcycling will look at a GSXR and identify it as a race bike. They will assume that all it does is go fast. Be responsible, and do not get a race bike as your first bike. Riding a "cool" bike like the GSXR is not all the fun there is in motorcyclind. Other things like embracing the open road, and feeling the wind through your hair (actually, through the vents in your helmet) are also fun.

As has been stated here, the GS 500 F is an amazing, capable bike. If that's a bit underpowered for you, going with a bike that has a larger displacement is fine, provided its not a race bike. Then again, a bike like a Vulcan 2000 is just as bad as going with a GSXR.

So, count yourself lucky that you don't have to start off with some loser 200cc cruiser.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you... just make sure it's a reasonable bike, and that you are confident of being able to handle it safely.

Also, MSF courses are a MUST.

 

[RetroRacer02NY]

Well I have 8 years of dirt bike experience but I believe that counts as 0 years of street bike experience. I started off with the 50cc then the 80cc, and now the 125cc but I'm smart...that doesn't mean squat. That's why I didn't bother mentioning it and I've already asked about the classes where they supply the bikes and plan on taking it in the spring.

I appreciate the answers from everyone and I believe the first step that's the right step is research...and that's why I came here.

My next question then is what bike should I start off with...the Katana would be too powerful, no? I would like a older model without panels of any sort that way laying it down doesn't scratch the bike. Also, state the hp of the model...thanks again.

 

[StageRulz]

WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING IS THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Learn how to ride first.........Start Small and work UP^
Ride Time......Ride Time ...... Ride Time..........
The only you can ride is Stay Alive!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck and keep us Posted.........
We are here to try help and answer questions.
Peace__

 

[1ceHacka]

First off I just wan.t to say that just because teens get things because their parents buy them doesn't make you any better than them. I have never had to worry about money in my life. Car on my 16th (96 Civic....whoo hooo). Insurance always paid for. My own bike is coming in a week. This doesn't make me less of a person just because I didn't work for the money to buy these things. I work in my own way. Grades in school. Graduated top 10 in high school. 3.5 in college. I'm not some nerd either. I party and do the normal college things just like other people. I learned to ride on one of my friends busas. His dad gave him one on his 16th, and this year gave that one to his lil bro who just turned 16 and bought my friend an 05 busa. He didn't have to pay for them. Basically I don't think it is right for you to criticize teens for not working for things that they have, just because you didn't have them at our age.

 

[FJRider]

RetroRacer02NY - You should have mentioned your dirt bike experience. That "does" make a difference, a big difference! Being able to control a modern 125cc dirt bike; power-slides, jumps, and generally pushing it near its limits, takes a lot of skill, so don't discount that riding time! Through your dirt riding experience you've already learned some of your own limitations, pushed the bikes limitations, and built up your skill level. That means a lot.

A few street tips... Unfortunately things you can't learn from riding in the dirt is; anticipating what stupid cagers will do (or won't do), like not stopping at stop signs, ignoring you as you attempt to pass and them pulling out in your lane, etc. Got a green light at an intersection? Best to ASSUME a cage will run stop sign. Sometimes they do and it only takes once to screw up your day (or life). Try to get into a habbit of clearing the intersection as you approach it. You've probably heard people say "ride like you're invisable" - that's very good advice! I also try and maintain a healthy clearance zone around me, whenever possible. It gives me more time to react to stupid cagers.

Also it's an unfortunate fact that many bikes get hit from the rear, even while stopped at a light for example. Make yourself (reflective helmet/jacket) and your bike a bit more visable. They'll stack the odds a bit more in your favor. I added Hyperlites (www.hyperlites.com) on my wife's Kawi, my FJR and my Busa. They look a bit goofy (anti-bling), but they really get peoples attention! At a minimum, pulse your brake lights when sitting at a light and you see a cage approaching. It helps to get their attention.

And besides stupid cagers, there's the environment - which is tough to control. Wet leaves or gravel in a sweeping corner; tar snakes, deer, etc. Keep your eyes pealed for that crap and be ready to react.

Ah... what bike to choose! (The fun part!)

I mentioned "bike's limitations" above for a reason. Depending on the bike you choose, it's high end limitations may not be all that "limited", if you know what I mean!

Some machines like the Gixxer's, ZX10, Busa, etc, have upper limitations (acceleration & top end) that only a few people will ever be able to fully take advantage of (including myself).

My wife has several years of dirt riding experience too, along with several years of riding smaller dual-purpose street/trail bikes. She recently bought herself a 2005 Kawaski K750S (see: www.kawasaki.com). Being a larger machine than she's used to riding, she was a bit nervous a first on it, but because of her past riding experience I felt confident that she could handle it. Within 15 minutes she felt right at home on it. I've driven it a few times myself and found it to be a very tame, yet very fun machine. It handles very well, is just a tad on the heavy side (430#), and has plenty enough power for any street situation, (but killer-rocket-wheeling power). It doesn't have any side fairings either, so with some sliders attached should it go over - it shouldn't be too costly to fix. My wife is short (5'4") so we had a lowering kit put on it (down about 2"), which worked out for her. If you could get some experience on a 500cc street machine, moving up to the Z750S would be an easy transition.

I would caution you not to get "too small" of a machine. For example (and I might catch some flak over this...), I wouldn't recommend the Kawi Ninja 250 or a Honda Rebel unless you're planning on staying off the major highways. Most honest dealerships will tell you bike that size can be dangerous on major highways.

Once you learn to control a street machine, having the ability to quickly accelerate can come in handy. I can't count the number of times some stupid cager didn't see me and decided they were going to displace me, in my lane. Since more times than not you'll have another stupid cager tailgating you, your only choice (besides the horn), to to accelerate forward (quickly). If I were you, I'd consider a Ninja 500, GS500, or maybe something similiar to a SV650. These machines have 2 cylinders which costs a bit less to maintain than an in-line four. Hope this helps.

 

[MET]

Alright I'm 18 and I don't know how to convince the parents to get a GSX-R 600. I've thought about talking gas prices and saving money...only riding in the day...not speeding...talking of many peers at college owning them for many years. Plus my best friend is getting one soon. And please keep in mind I am a stay-home college student.

Thank you and please share any stories if you've personally pulled this one off.

Your parents are not stupid, so they will not fall for that crap. Just tell them you will buy it anyway sooner or later and keep it at a friends house if need be.

 

[HayaVegas]

Go to www.MOTORBIKES.BE

Check out a lot of models and their years...and you can get a rundown on the HP and TQ of each.

 

[Busa_05]

Well I have 8 years of dirt bike experience but I believe that counts as 0 years of street bike experience. I started off with the 50cc then the 80cc, and now the 125cc but I'm smart...that doesn't mean squat. That's why I didn't bother mentioning it and I've already asked about the classes where they supply the bikes and plan on taking it in the spring.

I appreciate the answers from everyone and I believe the first step that's the right step is research...and that's why I came here.

My next question then is what bike should I start off with...the Katana would be too powerful, no? I would like a older model without panels of any sort that way laying it down doesn't scratch the bike. Also, state the hp of the model...thanks again.

Sounds like you pretty much have a decent head on your shoulders. I agree with fstbusa, though...the young guys are generally the ones who end up dead. I absolutely am w/out a doubt that had my parents had got me or let me get anything along the lines of a bus when I was eighteen...I would either be dead, paralyzed, crippled for life, or one scar ravaged and mean sport riden' mutha...pro'lly one of the former, though for sure.

Again, though, sounds like you have a good head about this. The Katana is not "too much" to start on for the road, in my opinion. The GSF...that zuk 500 or the ninja 500...honestly, and it is likely to get me flamed here, but honestly, I think those may be good to start out on, but you will outgrow that about a third of the way through the season.

If you don't like the style or lines of the katana, I think a gixxer 600 or the CBR rr or F4i would be a good starting bike. You're problem is really going to be finding a bike that you don't get over eager on, because pretty much any sport bike these days, a litre bike like the 636, Honda and Kaw's rr's, the gixxer...they are all really good race bikes that make awesome street bikes, for the most part. If you know how to ride, they are absolutely phenomenal...powerful, fast, "flickable"...you need to be tame when you approach them and get to know the bike before you start revving the sh!t out of it and getting out there with your buddies doing wheelies, stoppies, and racing through the twisties...or you really will get hurt.

I've been riding on and off for about 23 years...and I almost crashed a handful of times this season. Know why? 'Cause even though I've ridden dirt, cruisers and sport bikes, I never really got into "racing" until I bought a Bus and became addicted to the power, both the hp and torque. So I started pushing it harder and harder...and eventhough I made it my goal to learn to do this correctly, it's almost bit me a few times. I also was a bone head one morning and cranked on it around a corner about two minutes after I got on my bike...and my tires were nowhere near warm, so my rear end stepped out on me, I went into a tank slapper and it was only experience and alot of luck that kept me from crashing. You know about different tire compounds and the science behind tire temp and so forth? Read up on it. Make sure your tires are warm before you begin cornering aggressively. I know my tires should warm up, but that power made me want to take that particular down hill corner fast and cranked over...bone head...But the power and maneurverability of a sport bike will do that. It'll make you want more and more, and will want you pushing your limits from the second you swing a leg over.

Take the MSF course for friggin' sure. All it is is more experience for you. Time in the saddle of a street bike while you learn the rules of the road. Take it easy your first few times out. Really get to know the bike. Work on your throttle control, and you'll probably be fine. You will probably crash. We ALL have at one time or another. Seriously, if you haven't EVER, EVER crashed whether your fault or someone elses you're either extremely lukcy or...something...

I would say go with a 600...and buy it used. It doesn't have to pretty does it? You're going to learn on it. Learn. Just don't buy a Bus until at least season, bro...really...you'll be happy next season when you buy it and are more familiar with the world of street bikes. I would bet on it.

Good luck, bro.

J

 

[RetroRacer02NY]

Thanks again for the additional advice and yeah I have crashed numerous times (like 23 something) over the last 8 years because...well ...it's dirt biking. Minor falls or wipe outs but non-the-less. I was reading up on the Suzuki GS500F and I think that might be the bike for me to start off with.

I don't plan on riding the freeway until at least 6 months on the thing which will be the whole 1st riding season up here. But I do plan on riding it eventually so this bike will suffice.

Thanks again.

 

[Busa_05]

Thanks again for the additional advice and yeah I have crashed numerous times (like 23 something) over the last 8 years because...well ...it's dirt biking. Minor falls or wipe outs but non-the-less. I was reading up on the Suzuki GS500F and I think that might be the bike for me to start off with.

I don't plan on riding the freeway until at least 6 months on the thing which will be the whole 1st riding season up here. But I do plan on riding it eventually so this bike will suffice.

Thanks again.

Just an FYI...the gsf is nothing like a two or four stroke dirt bike...there is little to no torque. None. Perhaps re-gearing it might produce better results than stock, but...

You'll be rev'd out at 50/60 MPH as well.

Test ride one before you buy it. I guess it might just be me...but I really, really hate the gsf and ex. I didn't even have my wife start out on one, but...anyway, if you have the money to spend to learn on one and trade it or sell it to move up, then perhaps that really is the way to go, but check the market; it's flooded with ex's. Resale is not good by far.

Anyway, at least you're not starting out on an rr or Bus; that's good to see for sure.

Have fun and keep it on two wheels.

J



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