"The Talk"

[jamesgarfield]

Hey guys and gals.... I needed some input on this one. First let me preface the question with some statistics: I'm 22, just graduated college, working full time as an analyst for a soon to be publicly traded company ("responsible" if you see where I am going with this):

Anyway, I have yet to tell any of my family members of my recent acquisition and was wondering what your thoughts might be with regard to the subject. I think everyone knows what an unsurmountable level of criticism I have coming my way haha. But with that being said, I still want to let my parents know in case anything happens to me. I'm a grown ass man, and independent of my parent's financial decision making, but I also don't want to become the estranged only child. Anyone else have a similar experience that they could share?

(PS. I have 316 miles on my bike and am loving every second of it)

 

[applejax]

What are you talking about ?

 

[jamesgarfield]

What are you talking about ?

How to talk to your family about riding...Both of my parents would flip out but I am not sure how to handle the situation. Do I tell them I got a bike? Keep it secret? etc etc.

 

[DakinechicK]

At 22 you're a grown man for F***s sake... you are allowed and capable of making your own decisions and doing with them what you will!

My parents never wanted me to ride motorcycles, but guess what... it's not up to them. They know I ride and they just hope I'm careful.

If your parents are the kind who would disown you for riding a motorbike, then what does that say about them? Not much! (No offense) Plus, it's really non of their business unless you want to make it their business. That is up to you.

Family will always have your best interest at heart but in the long run, it is your life and you can do with it what you will. Time to start being a grown up there sugar muffin. In other words... MAN UP! On another note, Ladies don't want a guy who is afraid of what mommy and daddy think. Believe me!!

So, go out there, put on your big boy pants and do what you feel you need to do.. weather that be telling them you have a motorcycle or just letting them believe what they want to believe as to what you are cruising around in/on. (Dirty minds my friends.... dirty minds.... but you get the just, right?!)

 

[jamesgarfield]

At 22 you're a grown man for F***s sake... you are allowed and capable of making your own decisions and doing with them what you will!

My parents never wanted me to ride motorcycles, but guess what... it's not up to them. They know I ride and they just hope I'm careful.

If your parents are the kind who would disown you for riding a motorbike, then what does that say about them? Not much! (No offense) Plus, it's really non of their business unless you want to make it their business. That is up to you.

Family will always have your best interest at heart but in the long run, it is your life and you can do with it what you will. Time to start being a grown up there sugar muffin. In other words... MAN UP! On another note, Ladies don't want a guy who is afraid of what mommy and daddy think. Believe me!!

So, go out there, put on your big boy pants and do what you feel you need to do.. weather that be telling them you have a motorcycle or just letting them believe what they want to believe as to what you are cruising around in/on. (Dirty minds my friends.... dirty minds.... but you get the just, right?!)

I agree with a majority of what you said...I guess the main purpose of the post was to get a sense of other's reactions when they talked to their family members

The truth is, I have a bike, I love it, I am not getting rid of it no matter what they say...hopefully they will respect my decision. I am more concerned about my mom crying and pulling out baby books "LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU WERE AND WHAT, WHAT IF YOU WERE TO CRASH etc etc etc" hahaha

 

[alh081]

^agree w/ dakinechick.

I knew my parents would not want me to get a motorcycle and im 28. but in the end its up to me so i went to the dealership and bought one. i told them after and they cant say anything about it. only told me i should be careful since i was new.

 

[travisH3]

I would tell them, they can't force you to sell it but they may not be happy with your decision but they will get over it. I would just explain it as a new hobby you really enjoy and let them make notice of all the things you do to keep safe on the road like your gear, and what you have learned on here to stay safe on the road. Mention the msf course and that you have taken it or will be taking it etc. you obviously don't live with them if you have the bike and have been riding without them knowing this far so it's not like they can kick you out lol.
My parents were the same way about the bike but then I convinced them that as long as I wore my gear and took the msf class(which I had to anyway because I was under 18) that I could get a bike.

 

[DakinechicK]

My parents said the following...

"Well, I can't believe that this is something that you wanted to learn to do! Just be careful for the other drivers. Do you always wear your helmet? Ahh, I can't believe our daughter rides motorcycles!" -that's the just of it. I'm sure there were a lot of other things said. I can't remember.

Nowadays they tell their friends if it comes up in conversation. They think it's "neat" and always enjoy seeing pics of me riding. They will always worry about me when I'm riding, but Hell, they worry about me doing anything! LoL.

I've been riding for 12 years now... if they aren't used to it now, well, so be it.

 

[Nastybutler]

Ahh, I can't believe our daughter rides motorcycles!" -that's the just of it.

You keep using this word. I do not think it means what you think it means.*

To the OP, I have some sympathy for you. My parents are very religious and don't approve of many things that I choose to do, such as drink, look at pr0n (occasionally ), get tattoos, etc. Some of these things I hid, or tried to hide from them, to some degree even now. Oh, they know I drink, they just don't know to what extent. So I feel your pain.

But when I got a motorcycle, I wasn't too worried about their reaction since my dad used to ride when he was younger. After I told them, my dad went out and got a FJR1300, so you just never know.




*The word you want is "jist."

 

[Chevyfazer]

Let me tell you what NOT to do!!!
1st off a little back ground so maybe you know where my parents were coming from...

Bought my 1st car at 14, went on my first joy ride at 14. Got my 1st tickets the day I got my license for reckless driving, laying drag, speeding. By the time I graduated high school I had about 15 of those tickets (a very good lawyer too). Got in my 1st police chase at 19 (also 1st time I called mom to bail me outta jail. 2nd police chase about a year and a half later (mom left me that time...) many tickets, license revocations, and court dates later I got my 1st bike at 22 or 23 but they were ok with I because it wasn't a "fast" bike (a dl-650 aka Vstrom) that lasted until I wrecked it then it was "I never want you on 2 wheels again!!!"

Well I picked up the fz6 had it for a week before she knew and they invited me out for dinner. I figured I would let them know loud and clear I had another bike so I road past their house on 1 wheel bouncing off the rev limiter...

I thought it was funny, she, well she threw a fork at me...

 

[dart1963]

my family always knew I wanted a bike... when I told them they were like, did you get a Harley... nope, a sport bike... oh... well be careful...


haha, well, I did wait until my kids were older before I bought mine, at 37

 

[GHOSTWITTHEMOST]

Just ride it over there!

 

[bmw675]

I got my bike when I was 23 I think. I already bought my own house and moved out 3-4 years before that, so I was on my own. My dad didn't care, used to ride, but my mom was dead set against it.

I had the 6r for 2 weeks before one of the neighbors squealed.
The response I got, "you just take that thing back." She always hated it, but fastward 3 years, parents went to the track with me once this year.

 

[Marthy]

Just ride up there and show them your ride. It's only a bike... not like you're showing up with your buddy Bob announcing them you got married in Vegas! LOL

I had my first bike at 6 yo... pass that bridge long time ago...

 

[MistahT]

^agree w/ dakinechick.

I knew my parents would not want me to get a motorcycle and im 28. but in the end its up to me so i went to the dealership and bought one. i told them after and they cant say anything about it. only told me i should be careful since i was new.

I'm also 28, started riding at 25. Before then I had to get a lot of speed out of my system. Once I knew I was responsible enough to have a bike and not kill myself, I got one. Seeing how responsible I am and gear up every day put my parents minds at easy. My dad rode dirtbikes as a kid and my mom's brother rides a harley with no gear, so it's not totally foreign territory. My wife and parents still worry, but less about me and more about other people on the road.

As long as you ride responsibly (most of the time) and don't give them a reason to worry, they will probably be fairly alright with it. Don't leave their house popping wheelies and redlining....

 

[Fizzer6R]

Just ride up there and show them your ride. It's only a bike... not like you're showing up with your buddy Bob announcing them you got married in Vegas! LOL

I had my first bike at 6 yo... pass that bridge long time ago...

depending on the parents, they might rather hear that news instead. heck use that tactic, tell em your new girlfriend, ginger, is coming over any minute. you fell madly in love the last couple weeks, got engaged, and plan to marry next month. she's quitting her job, stripper, to stay home with her 3 kids, one from each dif. daddy. then tell em just kidding, you *only* got a motorcycle. they'll be relieved

 

[Marthy]

depending on the parents, they might rather hear that news instead. heck use that tactic, tell em your new girlfriend, ginger, is coming over any minute. you fell madly in love the last couple weeks, got engaged, and plan to marry next month. she's quitting her job, stripper, to stay home with her 3 kids, one from each dif. daddy. then tell em just kidding, you *only* got a motorcycle. they'll be relieved

Just can't imagine... "Mom, Dad... I'm gay! Bouaaahhhh! Just joking, I got myself a bike!!!

 

[99vengeur]

Ride that bitsh right up to their doorstep, horn blaring, throw the sidestand down like a boss, hop off and shout "Ta-dah!!"

 

[BKP]

You're looking at it from the wrong perspective...
It's not you against them...

It doesn't matter your age... believe me. It doesn't matter if you're telling parents, kids, wives, husbands, best friends... The common denominators are:
1) they care about you;
2) they don't want to see you getting hurt;
3) they most probably have more than a few misconceptions about bikes.

So, what's the issue? They worry that you'll ultimately get hurt, or worse.
Then, how do you approach them? At the root of their concern:
1) You're a responsible guy (already self-confessed), and not prone to a lot of the immature BS that gets riders killed.
2) You've already taken steps that reduce the likelihood of injury (or worse): an MSF class.
3) You will *always* be riding ATGATT, which further reduces your statistical issues.
4) You were wise enough to choose a good, solid, reliable, all-around bike, that is *not* a hell-on-wheels crotch rocket, with an excellent reputation.

Again, it's really not you vs your folks... Talk to their concerns...

 

[jamesgarfield]

Good stuff so far... I'm just concerned, when I got the bike I didn't tell my girlfriend. Instead I waited for her to come over and be like "surprise". Sounds good right? Wrong. She was going to show up but to my surprise....her parents as well. Reputation with the parents? :spank::spank::spank:

Probably not the best way of doing things but it's one way haha

They love me dating her now /sarcasm/