Motorcycle Help. Would you let your 18 year old son get a motorcycle?

Question

I am a 48 year old Mother and i have always thought that motorcycles were cool and/or fun. However i have never owned one. And now that my son is wanting one im kind of freaked out. What would you say? and Why?

Answer 1

Considering this has been asked in the Australian only questions I will give you all the info pertaining to all the different states needs for obtaining a motorcycle license.
I will tell you that in Australia, it is LAW that all LEARNERS are restricted to motorcycles found on the LAMS list, and you will need to ensure he has an AS1698.approved helmet.

To answer your question, I would say sure, on my terms, and they would be........ not only do you have to wear ALL the right safety gear (helmet armoured jacket, armoured pants, riding boots, winter weight gloves), you also have to do the advanced riders courses (because many of the states it is now compulsory to do the rider-safety courses before you get your learners or provisional licenses) and ensure that EVERY time he rides it is with ALL the knowledge that has been handed out at the courses, when you ride, you ride with me (and I'm a slow rider), you also have to work on your motorcycle to ensure it stays in good condition. And because you don't ride yet, I suggest that you go and get your license with him. Just to show you're serious about the safety side and that he rides sensibly. Also know that riding a motorcycle will enhance your son's driving ability.

Riding can be dangerous, but if you apply all the training as well as the knowledge that you are given, and abide by that you will find that many dangerous situations you come across you will be able to avoid or safely get out of.

One day I will be in your situation, with both of my children, so I already know I will let them ride, as long as it is with care and respect for the road, motorcycle, other users and themselves. And I know if I don’t let them they will sneak behind my back and do it any way (their father did when his father said no), at least this way I have a say, and I can see their antics, and I can encourage safe riding habits.

NB: The user that encouraged dirt bike riding is spot on. If he can start at dirt bike riding then go to road motorcycles he will gain skills that will keep him upright when he hits "loose debris" whilst on the road bike and know exactly how to react to save not only the motorcycle, but himself.

Answer 2

I'd say no.

Sorry, Junior, but you've got WAY too much testosterone pumping through your veins to be a responsible rider, and your mother hasn't priced out insurance for you yet or she wouldn't even be asking this question!

Seriously, an 18-year old has only had two years at BEST to learn how to deal with other traffic and weather conditions, and a tiny fender bender in a car could mean DEATH on a motorcycle. Whose fault it is doesn't matter, the motorcyclist loses EVERY TIME. A 600cc sportbike can go 0-60 in about 3 seconds and top out just north of 150mph; do you want that in your son's hands?

If you truly believe that your son has the experience, maturity, coordination and patience to ride a motorcycle, is willing to wear all the gear ALL THE TIME, take an MSF course and start on a bike UNDER 600cc, then the decision is up to you.

Or you could take the easy way out and say, "You're an adult now, go finance it yourself with your excellent credit history!"

Answer 3

I am a rider, for the last 55 years. I did not even ask, just bought a bike, because I knew what the answer would be. After two years, I was involved in a serious accident, a car I was meeting pulled out to pass, on an S curve. I never saw him but the report shows he had 3 wheels on my side when he hit me. My mother never said much, my Dad told a friend he made me promise never to ride again. I heard him say this, and called him on it. A week or so later, I rode another bike home. All he ever said was the next morning, that he hoped I left him room enough to get his car out. Five years later, I was involved in another accident, topped a hill at a very high rate of speed, a car was turning into a driveway just before the top of the hill. I got over on the shoulder, he hit the bike on the primary chain case. The bike stayed in the ditch, I tumbled across a yard, wrapped backward around a light post in the yard. A chipped bone on the left foot, a damaged back, and a few cuts and bruises. Got over this, riding again in a few weeks, still am, 48 years and a half million miles later.

There is a lesson from this. I drove a car like there was no tomorrow, rode the bikes the same. I never drank, never rode faster than I could see, If tired, or stressed, took it easy. I rode scrambles and other dirt competition, a wee bit of road racing, a bunch of drag racing, and many trips to Bonneville Salt Flats, as well a a lot of highway. A bike was my only transport at times, favorite always. I have had only a very few friends on bikes badly injured or killed. I have lost many friends in cars. And most of my friends were/are bike riders.

The secret to a long life on a bike - very simple:
1. Ride like your are invisible.
2. Remember - you are on a bike- car drivers do not see you.
3. Ride very defenseivly. but give the appearance you are as big as any trailer truck. This forces most of them to see you. BE PREPARED TO ACT LIKE A MOTORCYCLE IF THEY DO NOT SEE YOU!
4. Know your bike, how fast it stops, how it handles corners, wet roads, rough spots, and any other road hazard.
5. Know how to handle the bike in above conditions. Courses do help. Riding off road helps. PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE!!!!
6. Take a good riding safety course.
7. Keep cool. In an emergency situation, do something. Going straight into an obstical with both brakes locked, (or not appplied) is not good sense.

There are many more dos and don't I could quote, but these are the main ones.

Tomcotexas

Ride Smart, Ride Safe, Ride!!!!

Answer 4

I have been through this myself. If your son is 18, he can buy and ride a motorcycle without your consent. I would insist that he take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider course and that he obtain and use safety gear, including a helmet. I would also make sure he starts out on a smaller, less agressive bike to gain experience before graduating to one with serious horsepower where he could potentially do some real damage.

Answer 5

I am a 28 year old female that has always wanted my bike licence however my brother never wanted me to have one. My Mum spent 10 years of her life worrying about my brothers life after he had a massive accident on his motorbike and was in and out of hospital from the age of 21 to 31 with continuous operations. I researched the internet and read a lot about bike riders because I really wanted a bike. I read a passage from a popular bike site that stated about driver safety of bike riders to do the safety courses as it's not about 'if' you have an accident but 'when'. If he really wants if then I would advise that he goes and does it through a motorbike safety school where they teach you all the good ways to ride a bike safely. You can find these online.Yes, it costs more but what's the price on your sons life, if this is what he really wants. The other thing he has to watch out for are other drivers. He may be the best and most sensible rider on the road, but when a car isn't watching it's really easy to kill a bike rider and it does happen. I still want my bike licence but will do it the safe way. No one is invincible and good luck :-)

Answer 6

Yes. IF he's responsible. It should be a requirement that he take the safety course. No sport bikes (croth rockets) for his firs bike. Too tempting to do dangerous things.

According to the NSTB - Of all motorcycle fatalities 45% are single vehicle accidents. This means the riders fault! So if he's responsible, takes the course, and doesn't ride beyond his means the likely hood of something bad is automatically reduced by half. Even more so when you consider a lot of collisions with cars could are also the "fault" of the rider because they were going too fast, not paying attention etc.

Answer 7

As a parent it is your first instinct to protect your children. When my kids were young my husband was afraid to let them climb trees. It was my feeling that a kid needs to experience life and learn from it. We all climbed trees when we were young, as adults we cannot put a protective shell over our children and prevent them from living their lives. What does this have to do with motorcycles? Well, years later, my son (at age 17) bought an old 1970 Honda CB350. He used his own money and paid for his own motorcycle safety course as well as buying for his own insurance, helmet, gloves, etc. We had a long discussion about the dangers of motorcycles as well as the dangers of other drivers on the road who seem to be oblivious to motorcycles. He rode it to school everyday, safely. He is in college now and only rides it in the summer when he is home.

I know there are horror stories out there about accidents, but I am sure just as many motorcycle riders can tell you about years of driving without any incidents. There are dangers everywhere, something as simple as riding a rollercoaster can have horror stories too.

I have found that after talking to my son and making sure he was fully informed and showing that I trust him and respect his decisions; he in turn is a very safe rider because he wants to show me the same respect and not let down my trust. This might not work with all kids, I can't expect that every teen will act the same and there are many reckless kids out there. Depending on your son's personality and level of responsibility, talk to him. As parents we can guide, educate, and advise, but we cannot shelter our children from the world.

Answer 8

I would say yes because it would be hypocritical of me to ride a bike and not let him. of course I would make him take the course and wear a helmet and all that other good stuff. of course, I've met some 18 year olds who have no common sense or respect for the road, so it also depends on if he's responsible enough.

Answer 9

Maybe let go? He is 18 after all, so technically he's an adult and can do what he pleases. Also, the world is a "dangerous" place but you can't protect him from it forever - he is bound to get hurt in many ways, but the best thing you can do for him is to be there to comfort him when that happens (if he chooses to come to you for comfort).

If you really want, talk to him about your concerns about motorcycles, but be clear with him that it's his decision. At least that way you won't distance yourself from him, and he may actually listen to your input, rather than resenting that fact that you're trying to tell him what to do.

Answer 10

You can't stop him - you could maybe delay it for a while, but it would be better to encourage him to do it safely. I'm 47, and my dad still asks "when are you gong to sell that thing..." I had to leave home to get my first bike, but that only caused a brief delay!

The most important things are:

Training - good roadcraft is critical - it helps you avoid accidents, and even to be seen (positioning on road, how to tell which cars are potential problems etc). it also teraches proper braking - which is a real life-saver.

Gear - proper protective clothing - tip to toe.

Little bike - his first bike should be light enough that he can dominate it, not the other way round - dirt bikes are good for this, as is off-road riding - it results in lots of minor spills but very few serious ones.