QuestionDear Mr. Roberson,
I am 17 years old and desperately want to get a bike. My dad is 50 and he has had two bikes, not including the ones he owned in college and high school. He wants me to ride, but he is afraid i will kill myself. How can I convince him to let me ride? Also, what are really the risks involved in riding - should I take his advice? And finally, what is a good bike to learn on?
- Harrison
AnswerHarrison,
Thanks for sending the question. It is an important question.
Probably the best way to approach your dad is to get him involved. Would he be willing to get a bike so you could ride together? This accomplishes two things: you get to learn from him, and he gets to "keep an eye on you" while you learn to ride. When I wanted to learn to ride, my dad's answer was plain and simple: no way. He didn't ride himself and thinks motorcycles are death traps. He feels the same way to this day, despite me riding safely for over 20 years. So you have an advantage in that your father has some riding experience and may want to share it with you at this time if it helps him feel you are going to be "safer".
You say he has given you advice, but you don't say what it is. Lots of it, I'm sure. But since I don't know what he said, I can't tell you if it's good, bad or otherwise. Some people ride motorcycles for years using the worst of techniques, but still manage to make it home from every ride. There is a correct way to ride a motorcycle, and if you do not learn it from the start, you place yourself in more danger than your realize. You need to get the correct basics from the start. Whether your dad knows what the correct basics are or not, I don't know unless I talk to him. The best way to get started riding is to take the MSF class. I strongly suggest you and your dad take it at the same time. You don't need to own bikes to take the class, they will provide them for you. It takes a whole weekend, so check out www.msf-usa.org for times and places near you. This class will give you the correct basics for safe street riding, and your dad may learn some new things as well (if he takes it).
What are the real risks involved in riding motorcycles? Just the usual ones: injury and death. But like the cliche goes, you can get killed just getting out of bed. How much risk you want to tolerate is up to you. Some people are terrified to leave their house. Some people think nothing of jumping out of airplanes or driving race cars. It's up to you. The key thing to work on is minimizing risk. In motorcycling, you minimize your risk of death or injury by keeping your bike in top shape, wearing the correct gear (helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, etc) and riding with your head screwed on. Ever talk to a retired stunt rider? Me neither, because they're all dead. Show-off riding is all the rage now, and modern bikes pack tremendous power. If you let your ego get the best of you, if could be all over in a split second. People that ride like maniacs usually die like idiots. It's not the speed that kills you, it's the sudden stops. The risks are real, and if you don't have respect for them, they will bite you hard.
Motorcycling is a hugely rewarding sport. It is tremendous fun and has many advantages over cars. But it is a high-risk activity, make no mistake. You have to be an ultra-defensive driver. Tangle with a car (or worse) and you will lose every time, guaranteed.
I'd have a real chat with your dad about riding with you, and if he says no and you still are going to ride, take the MSF course and then practice all you can. That means riding all you can. It takes time to be a good rider, at least two years of near constant riding. Seems like a long time, but it isn't. Are you that committed to safe riding? If so, then take the class and get started.
As for what bike, I'd need more info. How big are you? What kind of bikes do you like? Cruisers? Sportbikes? Classics? Scooters? There are lots of choices. What do you see yourself riding? What's your "dream" bike? Write back and let me know.
Good luck, be safe,
Bill Roberson
