| Author | Message | ||
     Chrisb |
To make a long story short I have a friend that is 18 and wants a used R6. he just started college this fall working on a Engineering degree. He's wanted a bike for some time and to "help" matters his Grandma just gave him a serious chunk of change. I've tried to talk him into a KLR650..no go Even mentioned a XB9 ..no go Those arent the bikes that are "cool" to his age group. So he's set on the R6 or something similar. I speak with his parents at least twice a week and they are not very keen on the idea of a any form of bike in his life right now. I'm trying to at least get the kid to wait one year before buying a bike. Of course he's found a deal on a bike and is ready to pull the trigger right now. Any suggestions on something to say to a 18 yr old to get him to wait a year to buy a bike? | ||
| Spiderman |
There is almost no talking a kid out of anything. The best thing you can do is put him in a rider ed course of some kind. He needs to know first off if he will like to ride and it will get hims some training. Does he have any exposure to the cycling world other than you? Tell him your and others experience with there first year of riding. Try to talk to him like an adult and not down to him like hey I can do this you can't I used this on a kid I know that wanted a 900 Kawi. He is in his 20's but never ridden, he is also a fire fighter. I told him no you need something smaller to start with, he said no he can handle it. So I told him OK then give me you fire gear I am gonna go out and put some fires out tonight. Then it clicked and he has held off on getting a big CC bike for now. So since your friend is going to college maybe you can make a simulare analogy for him... | ||
| Hans |
I knew a man who could handle crocodiles. The last thing I would say to somebody: "Don`t be afraid: Go on: Jump in the dark water: There ARE men who can handle crocodiles." I would say: Try a baby crocodile, and be amazed how fast it will bite you. Hans | ||
| Ezblast |
http://www.beginnerbikers.org/forum/index.php http://www.beginnerandbeyond.com/modules.php?op=mo dload&name=PNphpBB2&file=index Send him to either of these two sites - if he can convince these guys he's ready for a 600R - then let him get it - sad - people always think they can handle something they can't, and then act suprised, even with every one telling them otherwise. Who knows - he may get lucky, though its douptfull - motorcycle accidents happen every day in the Bay area due to young men thinking they can handle it. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Daves |
and lots more young men and women actually do survive. If he has a brain, and uses it, he will be fine. If not,then he is going to get hurt no matter what he rides. | ||
| Ceejay |
just as long has he knows that his hand controls the throttle and his brain controls his hand and his brain knows what can happen if either loses control... All bikes are beginner bikes if there is a beginner riding it. | ||
| Bomber |
family friend, who, for reasons legal, was limited to riding scooters 150cc and less, is presently in Intensive Care, with very bleak predictions for the future . . . anything can be dangerous, anything can be less so -- all up to the attitude fo the rider tho I LOVED Spidey's fire fighter story! | ||
| Daves |
Sorry to hear that Bomber. Hope they will pull thru. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Why does he want an R6? If its for the looks and you know him well enough to believe that he'll take his time learning and not try to race, do tricks, and drive at triple digit speeds everywhere, then maybe it's ok If he wants the R6 because of it's hp and speed then he doesn't need to get one. But really the first year or so of riding you're more likely to make a mistake and lay down the bike. I know I learned about light-rain wetted roads in the first couple months by laying my 81 CM400 down. I'm glad now that I didn't have a brand new/nice bike because I only paid only $500 for it. | ||
| Bomber |
thanks, Daves -- given the shape he's in, I'm not convinced pulling through is the best outcome, ya know? it's all in the mind and right wrist | ||
| Ezblast |
You must live in a quiet hood Daves - daily young men die here with that idea in mind, and our insurance skyrockets - I must disagree - tell him to get a used beater, learn on it, then sell it and get the bike you want - suggest perhaps an SV? GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Daves |
That has nothing to do with it EZ. The fact is plenty of people buy and ride bikes like that as their first bike and DON'T CRASH AND DIE . Some of you make it seem that anyone that buys a 600 or larger bike as their first bike is doomed to crash and die. That just isn't true. Sure, a small % do and that is too bad but a lot(most) of those riders bring it on themselves. Or are run into by a car driver that "didn't see" them. It is hardly ever the bikes fault. If I spell a word wrong is it my keyboards fault? | ||
| Howieshotrods |
Yeah, we have a 19 year old kid here at work that just went out and bought a brand new Hyabussa (sp?) last Wed., didn't even make it through the weekend before he wrecked it. Luckily he only had some minor road rash. He thought he could handle it, and seems to me he wanted to be cool by getting such a fast bike. He said he could ride, ridden his buddies Gixxer 1000 some in the last year, and dirt bikes when he was younger. Just goes to show that the brain is the most important key to riding.....and when you are young, that doesn't always work as well as it should. Just try to make that point to him, so that he will listen. I started riding when I was 18, but I wasn't out to prove anything to anyone, and was pretty level headed (as much as you can be at the age) and I still had my incidents and accidents. | ||
| Chrisb |
I'm sure he wants a R6 for the hp & speed. He was astute enough to check out the tach on my XB and say "It has a low RPM redline" His mother knows him to a "T" and has said "He has a need to impress everyone" | ||
| Diablobrian |
At least be sure he keeps money aside for a complete set of good gear, and then be sure to impress the importance of wearing it on him. Short rides are the ones that most often end in crashes and he needs to be aware of this. Everyone falls down occasionally, even professional riders. How much experience does the kid have riding motorcycles? | ||
| Ezblast |
Dave - if this was your kid - and you knew that getting an R6 their odds are ok that nothing was going to happen, however, there would be a chance that something could happen, and worse it could be fatal - would you still recommend it over a more beginner rider friendly bike? Being a new rider has a lot to do with the fatalities in the Bay area - I'm not saying he's going to crash and die, but why do it the hard way when you can get a beater - ride it for a while - sell it for practically what you paid for it and then get the bike you want - what is the rush - Daves - no disrespect, however, you've been selling bikes too long if you are starting to believe what you are saying. Make it personal, then see if you would still agree with that philosophy - I just don't think so. Its mostly never the bikes fault is correct - it is the inexperience of the rider on the bike - lol - just as guns don't kill people, people do - all I'm suggesting is that he takes his time and enjoy his riding/learning experience and get good gear - and then step up - most folks learn in a short ammount of time, still it is easier to learn on a less powerful bike - no disrespect intended. Perhaps I'm a bit conservative - better safe than sorry. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Bdabuell |
you CANNOT stop him....and the more he gets lectured and told not to do it, the more he's going to want to do it. That's part of human nature So you could always take a different approach and try to educate him... -get him into a safety course like Spidey suggested -let him know completing one of the MSF courses can help insurance costs - he's 18 and has picked a popular bike so he's looking at high insurance -Show/buy him some of the books that are out there to educate him on how to ride well/safely. -get him to buy gear - I agree 100% with Brian and the rest of the ATGATT gang here. There's a lot more that could be added to this list also. You may not be able to stop him (personally, I don't know if it's your place to) but you can certainly help him be safer If I spell a word wrong is it my keyboards fault? Dave - time for a new keyboard - it failed to include the correct apostrophe...  | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Any suggestions on something to say to a 18 yr old to get him to wait a year to buy a bike?" I wouldn't worry too much. The insurance on a bike like that for an 18 year old will probably scare him worse than the fear of death. | ||
| Ezblast |
True - the insurance cost alone should pretty much ziltch the idea - lol GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Chrisb |
I've explained to him more than once about gear. I've told him that he cant go cheap on the stuff either and he should bank on spending 1k on gear alone. He fully expects to ride it in PA thru the winter (HA). You are all right about I cant stop him I am just trying to get him to slow down a bit for right now. I'm supposed to call him later. Thin k I'm going to suggest course first then buy a bike. | ||
| Kdan |
Most fatal, single vehicle accidents on a motorcycle are guys in their 40's on their first bike, usually cruisers. Age has nothing to do with it. It's all inside. Gear, training and intelligence. If he needs to conform and follow the crowd, he'll be good with the R6. Suggest he run by a few dealers and sit on some iron. But you're not going to change his mind probably. | ||
| Rainman |
It's an issue. As an MSF coach and Rider's Edge guy I've tried to talk a lot of people down. Recently it was a 19-year-old UVa freshman who wanted a GSX-R 1000. I was at the dealership and joined the salesman in trying to steer him toward a Katana without insulting him. He, too, needed to impress and we finally got him to a GSX-R 600. But, like the salesman told me, "I try to talk to them but if they're gonna buy no matter what I tell them, I give up and take their money." We all learn hard lessons. My first bike was a souped-up Sporty 1200 and I had it 10 minutes before I put it in a pile of pine straw. I learned not to yank on the right handgrip so hard. Luckily, I've always been on the safe side so I didn't yank too hard. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
what bdabuell,spidey and anyone else says about leading him in the right direction instead of talking him out of it is right on the mark. my son waited until he was almost 20 before he got his but i talked to him like someone who has been hit when he was 18 after getting his first road bike(550 honda)although i started out on mini bikes and dirt bikes and had some road experience. you can't stop fate but you can change the results. like the other guys said, proper training, proper gear, talking with others about their experience can change what happens when you do go down. it's never if, it's always when cause you will go down at sometime in your life. i've told both my kids that when they started riding and my son went down when he panicked because of a car that he thought was gonna come over in his lane and hit the break to hard. luckily he was wearing proper jacket and helmet. when my daughter got hit she wasn't wearing her jacket or gloves but at least she was wearing her helmet, which saved her face cause she does remember seeing pavement. education can save his life. | ||
| Daves |
EZ, if I had kids (shudder) they would be riding way before 18 like I did(if they were into bikes). When I was 18 I was riding a modded 900Z1, at the time, one of the fastest bikes in the world. While a modern 600 is faster than my old 900 they also have suspension that works,brakes that work and tires that grip. All in all probably a safer choice for an 18 year old than my 900 was. Did I do stupid things on the 900? Yep. I also drove a Mustang that would do 11.90 1/4 mile times. I did lots of stupid things in that car too. Yet, I survived? So to answer your question, yes, if he were my son I would be ok with him getting the R6. Of course I might have to borrow it a few times. It has nothing to do with my selling bikes for too long. It has to do with my belief on freedom of choice, good or bad. Only this young man can make this choice and he will live with the results. That is what he needs to be aware of. And yes Brian, I would stress wearing the gear. I sure love my parents for giving me the chance to make choices,on my own, when I was young. Didn't always make the right choice but at least it was mine to make. I think if parents today would let their kids think for themselves a little more,at a young age and hold them accountable for the results the world would be a better place. But that is a whole nother rant for another time. Like my Grandpa used to tell me, "if your gonna be stupid, you better be tough"  | ||
| Motornoggin |
I had a GSXR750 at age 16. I had been riding since age eight though. Still did lots of stupid stuff. | ||
| Ceejay |
well put Daves! Here's to learning the hard way(not calling myself stupid, but)  | ||
| Daves |
This is just one of those subjects that get me going. I am sure glad I am not growing up today. My parents might the the over protective,over nurturing,give me a "time out",drive me wherever I need to go,give me everything I want for nothing from me in exchange,pay for my education with me never having a job,never,oh my GOD, spank me,pay my cell phone bills(like a kid has anyone that important to talk to,4000 minutes a week)make me drink bottled water,never go to Burger King,make me wear my seat belt, type. Then, when I turn 18(or 25) in most cases and am finally on my own, not have a frickin clue about life,freedom,choices,responsibilty,work ethic,Consequences,respect, you know those little things that help make you a better,more productive human. | ||
| Motornoggin |
I had a GSXR750 at age 16. I had been riding since age eight though. Still did lots of stupid stuff. | ||
| Ezblast |
I know you can only go so far, then it is up to the other to make the choice, still - just like friends try not to let friends drive drunk, friends also should try to help a friend make an informed decision - even if it is contrary - what we are talking about is an 18 year old with no experience learning to ride on a R6 - lol - can it be done - sure - met lots of people who have learned on SS type bikes every day, however, where I live - the Bay area - it is the same who also end up wrecking every day. I totally agree with the freedom you wish to protect, however, I think a better informed choice would make that freedom more useful. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Crusty |
I spent many winters in Massachusetts and Colorado with only a motorcycle for transportation. If he rides the bike through the winter in Pennsylvania, he will have learned throttle and brake control to a degree that ten years of summer only riding won't match. (there's nothing like ice and sand on the pavement to sharpen your skills, and tighten your sphincter!) |
