Fathers who ride a motorcycle- thoughts?

[coppertales]

I save 100 bucks a month riding the bike instead of driving the pickup to/from work. My work partner bought a Triumph and the gas he saves makes the bike payment. Just use the Clinton formula for economics, what you save on one thing, you can spend on another........he was good for at least one thing........chris3

[cbaz]

I'm a soon to be new rider and new to this forum (thus my very first post). I am also a Dad of 3 amazing kids, my youngest daughter is 4.

I have to say, this was the most mature, informative and intelligent threads I have ever read on any of the multiple forums I am, or were, a member of. What a wonderful read! Great questions, insights and advice! I am deeply impressed and very glad I joined this forum.

I rode for a bit in college, but now being 43 and with the wife and kids commandeering our X5 most of the time, I needed my own weekend, here and there, vehicle that saves on gas and if fun. My wife is totally for it, and in fact is going to take the riders class soon to get her license. My cousin is a father of 6. Yes 6! And is a 20 year rider...

I have nothing to add to all the great advise given in this thread. In fact, I will take a lot of the advise I read today.

Thanks!!

[JAHLuv7]

Hey Matt! I'm not a father (except for my dog), but I am married and could potentially be a father at any time. I went through the questions you're going through about safety and what not, but I took the course and bought a bike still this year; My beautiful '05 Ninja 250 {No need for applause; Thank-you!} !
I just upped my life insurance, and got long term disability. I always wear a helmet, gloves, jacket, and ankle highs (hopefully real boots soon). Although I get nervous at times, I just pray before I get on and enjoy the ride!
I prefer the bike and bought it for similar reasons as you, gas prices and insurance costs, but don't get it twisted or let others make it seem that the 250 is too small and can't do this or that. It is a great and capable bike! Fast enough to get you in trouble, and more than quick enough to get you out of trouble.
I was dumb enough to try a wheelie on mine, but smart enough now not to try that again. (Although I say "try", I accomplished the wheelie, and landed just fine, but the curb in front of me didn't want to move out of my way for some reason ) My point is, that the 250 is still a m/c that handles the tasks very well, and is great on gas.
I also dislike hearing the "horror" stories, especially from non-riders, but I always try to find out EXACTLY what happened, so that I can learn from OTHERS mistakes. But 8 out of 10 times it's riders error, i.e. improper gear, not paying attention, riding tooooo fast, and especially riding intoxicated!
Get out there and ride and have fun! Just watch your back! and your sides... and especially your front! Ya, watch your front .

[DanL]

Matt you got a lot of good advice here. I'd only say someone is being selfish if they refuse to take every precaution they can when they ride- proper gear all the time- helmet, gloves, jacket, protective pants. At least then you minimize the risk if you happen to go down. I hate hearing the no helmet people talking about how it's their choice. Yeah, it is, but when you make that choice, you affect a lot of other family and friends who might not support that choice.

[Saleenguy]

I am a Dad, and ride as often as possible.

I do carry life insurance, and hope my family never needs it, but just incase I do die, they have something to help them thru at least monetarily.

All things in life are a risk, just do not increase your risk by stunting in traffic etc. as you already said you won't be doing anyways.

I say go for it, buy a bike, ride, and enjoy!

[wild_deuce03]

Originally Posted by DanL

Matt you got a lot of good advice here. I'd only say someone is being selfish if they refuse to take every precaution they can when they ride- proper gear all the time- helmet, gloves, jacket, protective pants. At least then you minimize the risk if you happen to go down. I hate hearing the no helmet people talking about how it's their choice. Yeah, it is, but when you make that choice, you affect a lot of other family and friends who might not support that choice.

So then I'm guessing that you never do anything while in your cage that would be considered a distraction, right? Because you want to minimize the risks of causing an accident. If I lived my life by trying to make sure I minimized all risks I'd be living in a bubble.

[socalmarcus]

Originally Posted by mattd313

My intentions for the bike are clear. An inexpensive commuter. Mainly to and from work (which happens to be about 2-3 miles away).

But am I being selfish, being the sole provider for my family- putting myself on a motorcycle?

What do you folks think about this?

Inexpensive commuter doesn't apply to a 2-3 mile commute. That's a pure $ issue.

Selfish? Yes, but you can say anything we do for fun is selfish. Look at it from your wife and kid's point of view. Weight that - for yourself. +1 on 'more insurance,' definately.

I didn't touch my MC license privilege for 25 years and wanted one every day. College, home and family took priority. My daughter's 17 now and I still carry a lot of insurance.

I've been in those shoes and made my decisions but I would not impose them on you.

I ride now - alongside my daughter. I wish you the same.

[Blinker]

Not being selfish at all... it is not the bike that will hurt you.... it is your own actions as well as all the idoits on the road... life is too short enjoy it

[mattd313]

Originally Posted by socalmarcus

Inexpensive commuter doesn't apply to a 2-3 mile commute. That's a pure $ issue.

Figure a car gets 20mpg.
Figure a bike gets 60mpg.

I go home for lunch, so it'd be 14 miles per day commute. (3.5 x 4)
14 miles per day all year-
14 x 5 x 52 = 3640 miles per year
Car 3640/20mpg = 182 gallons (avg 93 octane $680 on gas, per year)
Bike 3640/60mpg= 60 gallons (avg 87 octane $190 on gas, per year)

It works no matter how large or small your commute is. The key is to look at the MPG the vehicle achieves. The higher the number, the more fuel efficient the vehicle is.
Then again- I'm not only buying a bike to save on gas. But if you read all my posts you'd know that already.

[socalmarcus]

Well, I can't argue with your figures.

Think of your family every time you mount your bike, and enjoy.

[HoopleHead]

This is an endlessly deep subject and rides close to the heart of every motorcyclist. I've been a biker all my life... much longer than most of you have been alive, and each of my three sons were exposed to bikes at an early age. Naturally, as mentioned by others, they all thought it very exciting and used that as a bragging point with their friends.

So my point to make, trying to keep this as short as possible, is... not only do we endanger ourselves at our own delight, we pass on the seed to our children.

My older boy was never interested in bikes much, but did learn in the mid-80's. Two small crashes changed his desire to bike and he'll never do it again.

My younger son has always been a bike enthusiast and he's actually been a member of this forum at one time. He got his first bike at age 10 (DS-80) and has had many since.

My middle son got into sportsbikes and was killed along with his wife in a horrible collision with a land rover head-on, leaving two small children.

I still ride. I've given it up many times for one reason or another, but I still ride. My children are grown and not dependent on me, my wives have moved on to bigger and better things. I don't worry about myself ending it and leaving my sons in misery as much as I worry about that one son who still rides.

There's more to the story of the middle son, but it doesn't need to be discussed now.

[Jambolaya]

It'ws a good time to get a WHOLE LIFE policy, if you don't already have one. THose are the ones that build a retained value over the years and don't get too much more expensive.

[TheReaper]

When I was young my dad couldn't afford a bike. Navy man with a stay-at-home wife and a son equals no money. Anyway, my dad ended up dying from renal cell cancer when I was 12. I promised myself that I would get a bike for myself and for him. While I'm not a father and have no plans for it even if I was I would ride. You only get one chance. You might as well enjoy it. That being said, a $450 helmet is excessively expensive unless you really want it. My HJC was $120 and it's snell and dot approved. As for the bike I know everybody says start small but if you're smart and don't ride like a coked up teenager you'll be fine. I started on a ZX6R last summer. Just over a year, 5000 miles, and no accidents. Ride safe, enjoy life, and please take your kids when they're older. You'll find that it's a great bonding experience.

[jeffs99vulcan]

It's entirely fair, to yourself and family, to enjoy realistically safe activities if they are well thought out and undertaken with a level-headed approach, which you seem to embrace... You could walking down the street, or by a bolt of lightening.

I have two boys, 7 and 5. I take advantage of the opportunity to teach them the importance of safety and how to prepare and dress for riding, and hope that if they one day get their own, they'll remember that. Heaven forbid I had NO experience myself and they decided to ride...

Good luck and have fun! I hope you do it!

[Streaking Tiger]

Prolly not what you want to hear - but I sold my bike years ago when my son was almost 2. I finally bought another bike ~3 years ago. My son is 30 now, and my youngest (daughter) was 22 and out of college. For me - it was worth the wait. I wouldn't change a thing. But - everyone is different. Follow your heart/mind. Good luck with your decisions.

[cpttoad1swife]

hey matt where in texas are you at? we have alot of members that live in texas

[dino821235]

I as well am a father of a 2 1/2 and 5 month old and have been riding in the city for last 7 years on my eliminator 900 and just went out and after 7 years of asking my wife if i could buy my first new bike i picked up the zx14(08/SE) and if you keep those points in mine and just as i like to say always have a out or just keep your eyes peeled for idiots and keep yourself in a good position to act quick if something does come your way.....but you know i just am extra,extra careful now with kids and i think its the best medicine for a new dad....and trust me you need it now...hheheheheh....Good Luck my friend and ARRIVE ALIVE!!!!

[riverbound51]

I was a motor officer for many years and have ridden hundreds of thousands of miles both on an off duty. I am a Dad and husband and enjoy all of it.

My Advice:
1) Take as many classes as you can and practice what you learn. Listen, learn and read what others have experienced. Practice decels and evasive moves.

2) Keep your eyes up. Look where you want to go.

3) Only ride within you own ability, not others.

4) Realize that most motorists are not looking for you, so position yourself so that they do. Blindspots, High Beams, Lane positioning, etc.

5) Enjoy the ride!! It still puts a smile on my face every time I go for a ride!

[ManhattanRider]

Classes won't save you - once you know how to ride...You know how to ride. But you need to be careful.


Don't do it

I am 17 and purchased a ZX6R 2007 - and been riding for 1 month and a half and totally wrecked the bike in a crash - It's sickening what can happen if you go down. I am completely fine. Bike looks like a crushed soda can.

Also i've been in many close encounters with selfish cagers who were going to ram into my lane on the highway going 60mph+ and i avoided all those. But still some things are inevitable sometimes




Don't do it -

I ride because i am young, have no family, job, or anything important. Also i don't care about my future and etc. I like to have fun

So if i die...it won't matter

But you have a wife and kid. And a job - and a life. Don't do it. Not worth the risk

[ManhattanRider]

also if you purchase one of em super sport bikes...You will push it - No matter how hard you try

You will get a non resistable urge to speed and go fast and ride a lot. If its your first time.

You will get a false sense of control - just like me -I thought i had everything down -

The bike was easy to ride, SO EASY TO TURN, so easy to control...It was a piece of cake

I crahsed in straight line while having my front breaks apllied. AT night - Not even speeding. i was looking ahead...But sadly not at the floor itself for a moment - caught off gaurd and fell and the bike plowed into someones car while at a stop light

Now i might be sued and all that bs...Hurr