"motorcycles are a death sentence"

[perry.806]

Motorcylce safety training would definitely be a good idea - you would prove to your parents that you are trying to be a responsible driver.
I guess parents are always freaked out if their kid is trying something new, but if they see that you love it and that you can handle your bike well they won't see any problem in it anymore soon!

[toates89]

yeah "rich north shore kid" most def an islander. I myself are a ghetto south shore kid, who will be buying a $150 dollar first bike

[Upi]

HAHA after all the crap I put my parents through, motorcycles were the least of their concerns. All my mom could say was "Just buy a good helmet."

Good luck to you!

[AlphaZed]

Originally Posted by Aron696

This is the view of my parents, my question is how do if any of you have expierience with this.

They think that cars just ignore motorcycles and get ran off the road/owned
this prevents me from going with the "Im responsible and will be a good driver" route.

I am going to buy my own 250r and pay my insurance but if my parents back it I could get something along the lines of a BMW (Rich north shore kid) and they would pay for insurance.

The fact is, your parents are correct! If you're getting a bike -- any bike -- you better damn well have your ducks in a row! That means training, practice and more practice! ANYONE can ride a street motorcycle, but those with the skills to make that extreme evasive maneuver, panic stop or slide recovery are what separate the living from the dead.

Your parents are also partially correct saying that "cars" ignore motorcycles. When you're street riding, you MUST ride like you're invisible because drivers may not so much be "ignoring" you, it's just they simply don't see you!

Personally, I HATE riding in traffic! I go to great extremes to avoid traffic. I don't commute on my bikes, I don't like freeways and splitting lanes or even riding around town. I just don't get anything out of it.

My passion is for the twisties, but unfortunately, I don't own the pavement between my home and the canyons, so I can't keep the cages away. Therefore, I use extreme caution with every auto I approach/dispatch. To me, you have to treat EVERY driver like they're blind, drunk and driving for the first time!

[Rappy62]

Originally Posted by RivZX6

Well, I got mine when I was 19, or 20 i forget. It was a 650R, I paid 15 dollars a month, no collision. Only people to get motorcycle insurance through is progressive, if you go anywhere else, get vasoline. I'm 23 now and I'm paying 10 dollars a month on a ZX-6R so its not all that expensive unless you have a crappy driving record.

Geico is 80 dollars a year for me, just liability.

[plantman]

Have you ever driven somewhere in a car and then wondered how you got there? Been completely zoned out thinking about work or family issues and then you arrive at your destination and wonder if you stopped at any redlights or stop signs? Well, you can't do that on a bike!
That's why I love motorcycles, you are always living in the moment! You have to be aware of your position in the lane and what the cars are doing around you.
I started out with a Honda 175XL street/trail bike when I was 15 and have never been injured more than with some street rash from zooming around a corner and hitting a big pile of loose gravel. My Uncle who taught me how to ride, was riding a Suzuki 1100 until he passed away at 85 (cancer). The only accident he ever had was when he hit a dog and because he always wore protective clothing, helmet, gloves, good jacket, he walked away with just some bruises.
Buy a GOOD helmet and protective gear, that will also impress your parents!
Good luck Aron!

[stargazertony]

Originally Posted by Aron696

also do you have any general idea what insurance would cost on one?

It's different for each person. It's based on age, bike, driving history, etc. Here's an idea. Why don't you call an insurance agent.

[Mrs. Aifwikir]

My husband brought me kicking and screaming into the motorcycle "world." He bought his 900 Vulcan one morning on the way to work....and called to tell me about it. Fortunately, there was about 10 hours from the 'bomb' and him coming home....so it wasn't too bad for him.

I did list off all my demands. Helmet, leathers, boots, etc. And he did buy them as well.......my checkbook can attest to that.

He kept offering to give me a ride....I declined. I have control issues. LOL. So, one day, he took me to the Kawasaki place and sat me on a 500. It fit. And he bought it for me. Now what. I immediately dumped it in the drive way.......in the parking lot, and the drive way again. <sigh> It sat for about 4 months.

THEN I took the MSF course, and began to learn about riding. IT was great! I am still learning, so we go out together.....that is until I get up enough courage to solo. LOL.

I recommend the MSF course. They teach the basics and the finer points.

[maximum_babe]

In my case, it was the other way. I decided to learn to ride instead of only pillioning on friends' bikes, and my hubby (fiance at the time) almost freaked out. He reluctantly kept quiet about it, knowing i do what i want anyway. Then my son decided to take up riding too,when his friends said how cool it was to hv a mom who rides a motorcycle. Anyway, he didnt really want to ride my Virago so when i got the 2nd bike (zzr250), he was very happy. He'd ride it to school and attract attention. He went to private school where kids were pampered with chauffeur driven cars, and bikes were out of the question. (Now he has his own ZX636r here.)
Then eventually hubby decided to join in too.. and got himself enrolled into the MSF course, and bought a HD. (ugh). No riding for my hubby now though, coz he broke his foot when he fell with the bike. Still in a cast.

[vikbarbarian]

no i dont agree with your parents opinions. yes they are entitled to have their opinions but, i feel the feeling of FREEDOM comes only when your are riding your machine....at a speed, where everything you overtake just vanishes behind in seconds. that feeling is something, you can not get in any cage (car).

[Jamie C.]

Originally Posted by vikbarbarian

no i dont agree with your parents opinions. yes they are entitled to have their opinions but, i feel the feeling of FREEDOM comes only when your are riding your machine....at a speed, where everything you overtake just vanishes behind in seconds. that feeling is something, you can not get in any cage (car).

When you're 18, you can exercise your "freedom" all you want, within the confines of the law. However, when you're 17, your parent's opinion is law.

As a matter of fact, if you're still living under their roof, no matter what age you are, their opinion still carries a great deal of weight.

So, you wanna be free... once you're of legal age, get your butt out, support yourself, and do whatever you please.

[Guitarosaur]

Get your MSF at the local community college. Have your folks come out and watch you do your range test. Let them see that you're serious about safety and about obeying the law.

[Frenchy]

I'd suggest the 250, if that's one of your choices. If you can get your parents to make the payments, tell 'em you want a cruiser, they're safe... Loud pipes and blah blah blah.

How can you live at the shore, when there is no ocean? Lake shores, sheesh. LOL Any way, welcome to the forum, and be careful. "They" really are trying to kill us, because we are free.

[AlphaZed]

Originally Posted by Jamie C.

When you're 18, you can exercise your "freedom" all you want, within the confines of the law. However, when you're 17, your parent's opinion is law.

As a matter of fact, if you're still living under their roof, no matter what age you are, their opinion still carries a great deal of weight.

So, you wanna be free... once you're of legal age, get your butt out, support yourself, and do whatever you please.

touché

[Mrs. Aifwikir]

Originally Posted by maximum_babe

Then eventually hubby decided to join in too.. and got himself enrolled into the MSF course, and bought a HD. (ugh). No riding for my hubby now though, coz he broke his foot when he fell with the bike. Still in a cast.

LOL. My MSF instructor would ask the students if any had HDs. If one said yes, he would offer to give them quick lessons in tying one down for transport. LOL.

I love my 500 Vulcan. During the course, I had to retake the riding part.... hubby came and commented the Viagro fit me well. I let him know that I loved my 500 because it had just enough power to go on the long ride. And it was a forgiving bike.