Kids on bikes?

What do you think? Stupid idea? Great idea? Depends on conditions?

I have twins, approaching driving age. They are pretty level-headed and interested in my bike. This is how I see it:

Pro's:

1. You can't text or chat on a cell phone while driving (not without a bluetooth anyway).
2. You can't turn a bike into a "party barge" with 20 of your friends screaming at you while you drive.
3. Fuel economy.
4. Usually less expensive maintenance.

Con's:

1. Aggressive driving environment where I live.
2. Kids are inherently inexperienced so a higher crash risk factor.
3. Could be prone to speeding.
4. Little cargo space for things like a load of school books.

What do you think?

 

Pro #1: Don't quite count on it, I have a friend who texts while hes at stop lights.... I've promised him if he does this while were out riding together I am extending a foot and pushing him and his bike over because I think it's that unsafe and maybe he'll learn when it costs him some plastic panels on his 600rr.

 

well im in the same boat but im the kid in this aspect not the parent. from my experience.

-speeding even if level head will occur.(dead give in)
-cargo space is a must considering we cary book alllllllll day long any way it would be nice to get it off our backs atleast while we go to school especialy coming back.
-fuel economy is a must aswell for us we cant afford to be putting $40 bucks in gas everyday.
-in the winter what then get them a car anyway?
-bike has cool factor
-if they are level headed then why would it turn into a party bus with 20 friends.
-4 wheels is harder to tip over then 2 wheels when they drink and drive.(trust me there is going to be an instance when they do. i have an im pretty sure everyone you talk to will say they have atleast once in there life).
-agressive driving is everywhere.
-as far as texting and talking on the phone. they might try that depending on how darish they are.


my suggestion would to get them smaller bikes. but have them insured under your family cars aswell, just incase you need them to go pick up some thing for you.

i bought a bike as a project to keep me out of trouble. so far working. as i am always getting my self in predicuments. like alot of teenagers.
hope that helps my goal was to show you the teen side of those pros an cons.

 

Also, con #3 could be taken care of with a home made limiter on the throttle, it would make them p****foot it everywhere. Thats assuming your kids aren't very mechanically inclined to figure it out and remove it.

 

Well, i'm a kid, and i have one, maybe, to make sure they are safe to drive, skill wise, make them drive a car until they're 17, or after they get their license, let them get a cycle license, but dont let them get a bike, maybe on occasions let them take your bike out.
resp[onsibility wise, they're either ready or theyre not, it really depends on how you raised them.
maybe you could start them on a smaller bike, my idea of aperfect blend between cool and economy is the cb350, a 350 with 4 cyliders!!! sounds soo cool, and gets good economy, and isnt that fast but its still pretty zippy, and if they want to be more manly, they can take off the 350 emblem, and put on a 750 or something.

As far as drinking and driving, I have on a car, but the thought hasn't and probably will never cross my mind while on a bike, because you're really the one at a risk, unlike a car, pretty selfish and dumb huh?

but one other factor that could play into experience is the whole dirtbiek or quad thing, I have gorwn up riding both, and hopping onto my maxim was a breeze, and so was taking the cycle class.

 

I have a 17 year old, and I know he's not ready... Heck, I'm not even ready for him to drive. I could see him now trying to stunt in front of a few of his friends! IMO, I think your teen years is too young based on that invincible factor.Nothing will ever happen to me... I can handle this speed... yada yada yada

 

The invincibility factor applies to cars as well. I'm already aware of that one.

The party-barge question- Yes, they're level-headed but peer pressure is strong, especially if it comes to "I missed the bus and you're just going to leave me here?" One a 1-up bike, it's not even an option. Sorry, you're out of luck.

I took one of my kids to the D.C. bikeshow. They fit very well on Honda 250 rebels and another, similar bike by Suzuki...Boulevard I think.

I think that basically, I'll have to have a "job interview" with them to decide if they're ready.

And yes, I have vehicles that they can borrow during incliment weather.

 

if it was the suzuki GZ 250 then it's a great handling bike. that's what they use for our MSF course. That'd be my choice for a 250.

 

I think it depends totally on the child's level of maturity, and responsibility.

My oldest is close to learner's permit age. EEEK! He is also the kid most like me in personality. He will absolutely not go on a bike for school or any other activity. I'm already nervous enough with him learning to drive my old Ford Festiva.

I was a decent kid, semi responsible for a 16-17 year old. I was given restrictions,(I learned to drive waay before cell phones and internet ) only my brother and one friend allowed in the car with me, if you drink call home and I ALWAYS did. But that didn't stop me from putting about 10 people into a 1992 Subaru Loyale. (My brother fit well in the trunk). It wasn't long I wreck my mother's brand new Subaru on prom night, (insert joke here ___________) and the day before I graduated from high school I wrecked my poor little dodge pick up. After the second infraction of any kind, speeding ticket, wreck, getting caught with 10 people in the car dad dropped our cars off his insurance and took the tags off the back for good. I couldn't drive my own vehicle for three more months until I turned 18 and could legally get tags and insurance.

So if my kids are anything like me when I was growing up... motorcycle? I think not. When they are 18 they can do what they like.

 

yeah but wouldnt you rather them learn now and not later in life? my thoughts are when you drive you wreck at least one major accident in your life. mine already happened i wrapped my trucka round a poll. tought me alot. a leason i learned early. would you rather them get there licence when they are older and start having a family then have there wreck when they are with there kids?

you bound to wreck a vehicle in your life i dont care how carefull you are.

im glad i totalled my truck. best leason ive other learned other then knowing what jail is like. nothing like the movies. and people consider me a responsible kid i just end up in bad situations.

i wouldnt have the whole interview thing and if you feel that your not ready for them to drive is no reason for them not to be allowed.

because if you dont allow them they will do it any way. the more privaleges you restrict the more they will try to do. and thats a fact to every person my age i talk to the ones that have no restrictions are the ones that are the ones that dont do stupid stuff. the ones that theyre parents put limits on stuff are the ones that do the iligal things. not sayign that you should condone everything but dont tell them they CANT becuase that just makes sure the WILL.

 

Good story. I'll have to think on it. I wonder if I should get an old 250 of some flavor to train them on. Then when I observe their behavior, I can decide if they're trustworthy.

 

I agree with every one on maturity level. You probably know your kids better than they know them selves. If they seem mature enough make them take the an MSF course first. My Dad never made me take and I wish I would have. Could have saved a few scrapes.

Also a suggestion for anyone who rides but especially those who are learning is pick up this book Proficient Motorcycling. Its a great book easy quick read and packed full of excellent riding tips. My dad bought if for me and I skim through it before every riding season.

 

Driving a car? Yes, they will learn as teenagers. Just like every other teenager on the planet. My ex husband didn't get his driver's license until he was 21. He still doesn't know how to drive a standard shift. And he scared the shit out of me when he drove.

Yes, everyone will have a major accident. I ask, did you wrap your truck around a pole because you did something stupid? Or because it was someone else's stupidity? Both my major accidents was my own stupidity being that I was an inexperienced driver. The one other accident I was in was caused by... an inexperienced driver who made a left hand turn into the side of my car. See my point?

They can learn to ride, I was taught by my uncle at 16. Just they will not have their own motorcycle until they are 18 and legal adults. They will not have their own car until they are 18 and legal adults. Why? Because I am legally responsible for their little A$$es until then, and I'd rather not have my pants sued off for their stupidity.

Children of all ages need to have restrictions and limits. That is our job as parents to teach them right from wrong and not raise little sociopaths. Your logic if you don't let them they will anyway is flawed. Yes, they might, but I can guarantee when something happens that mom and dad told them would happen, they'll think twice about it next time. Caught red handed or not.

The majority of children that are in trouble are the ones that either their parents are TOO strict and don't let their kids learn lessons. Or parents that totally neglect their kids and don't care.

I try to be a fair parent. But my kids know this isn't a democracy, it's a monarchy and Mom's the Queen.

Trust me, there will be a day that if your parents were worth a grain of salt in parenting, you will go to them and say "Wow you WERE right!"


Sorry sushi I ranted and hijacked your thread.

 

We all make mistakes. New drivers make lots more.

Wrap them in steel until they have a lot of mistakes under their belts.

Most cell phones today have the ability to be locked so they can only make or receive calls to approved numbers (you, for instance). My policy would be that if the car isn't in the driveway the phone is locked. They'd also have to decide if they want driving or texting, if it's driving the texting is disabled.

A dirt bike for the weekends with dad would be great though.

 

My daddy always said "Experience is what we call our mistakes"

And my dad bought us all used $300 PoS vehicles because he KNEW we would tear them up. And we did.

 

i agree with the dirtbike idea and the small 250 bike idea. im 26 and have been riding for not even 2 years so im still learning a lot. i havent gone faster than 80 mph. however, if i had a bike when i was 16-18 or 19, i wouldve pushed the limits of both the bike and myself. and theres a good chance that i wouldve crashed and/or done something else stupid.
.02

 

Also, I'm not sure why I just thought of this but is it even legal for your kids to get motorcycles yet? I don't think you can get a cycle endorsement until your 18 in michigan. I could be wrong though.

 

I believe it is 16 in Indiana. Michigan does do everything a little backwards though :wink:

 

Maturity level, not age SHOULD be the primary deciding factor (unless the subject is well over 18 and out of your sphere of influence.)

Unfortunately, there are a lot of 20, 30, 40 and even 50 year-olds who are not mature enough to control themselves when in possession of a high performance vehicle.

My first vehicle at age 16 was a motorcycle. I'm still here. (Which is not to say I never did dumb things-- at 17, I wrecked someone else's bike.)

My daughter (17) is learning to ride my '81. She will be taking the MSF class when the weather warms, and I expect she will be fine.

I think a properly trained (by pros, not me) SERIOUS teen motorcycle rider could actually prove to be a BETTER car driver as a result. The serious and mature parts are the problem, and that's where the "P" in "PG" comes in.

Like I tell my 8-year old when he protests "but it's only PG" Yes, but I'm the "P" and it's my "G" that says NO.

 

I did hear somewhere that accident rates for people who learned to ride from family of friends is much higher than those who take a professionally taught course.

 

My folks wouldn't let us near bikes, quads, minibikes, they probably would have said no to riding lawn mowers if i had shown any intrest. But my old man had a 72 CL175? in the shed. I never saw him ride it, but he had one and I knew I would have one someday. My older brother grew up under the same rules. A couple of weeks ago he visited and we talked bikes. Just like me he use to wish for a dirt bike every year. The difference is he never pursued it while I now own 4 bikes. (would have more if I wasn't so budget orientated)
I bought my first one when I was 23 and felt I could handle the responsibility. I waited another few years before getting a road bike. I spent months researching the right bike, thats how I ended up here.

If they want bikes, they buy them. They do the research, buy the safety gear, and always wear it. dirt is better to learn than street. Nothing flashy, fast, or expensive. An XR250 or TW200. dependable, fun, and not built for racing. I don't recommend the Rebel, the cruiser stance is less stable than an upright stance like our bikes. The 250 nighthawk is a better bike were handling is concerned.

Do they understand the risks involved?

 

In Indiana, actually, you can get your cycle permit at 15. Same as a car. No idea on how Michigan handles that stuff though.

My two cents is pretty simple. I had a 99 ninja 500 when I was 16 (in 2000). It was entirely too much bike, and I was a moron on it. I'm surprised I didn't kill myself. I grew up riding dirt bikes, quads, snowmobiles, you name it. I've always been confident that I can drive anything with wheels, and a handful of things without, but, if anything, all that did was lead me to be more reckless on the bike. I was fortunate enough that when I went down, I was doing about 25 mph negotiating a turn. Lowsided, destroyed the plastics on the bike, I walked away with a couple small scrapes and bruises.

My opinion is that if they're wanting to ride, you should teach them how to do it right. Be it on a 250 or something larger. My parents didnt want me to have a bike when I was in high school. So what did I do? I went out and bought one with my first paycheck.

Safety first, always. I say teach them how to do it right, preferably have them take an MSF course. If they don't want to ride anymore after being taught how to "do it right," then so be it.

 

bigfitz, the safety class in deckerville is kind of a joke, but so is the one at delta college, my friend, who bought and rode a bike for 3K miles before he got a license rode his bike to the collage, and hour away, they didn't say a word... but what ever, maybe its just how i grew up on bike and such that I though it was a joke, telling me what a clutch was and how to apply brakes.. but there was an older gent there who couldn't figure it out... so he took his refund home, i sure felt sorry for him, but it made the class go by faster.

 

Back when I turned 15 here in Florida many years ago, once you got your learner's permit, you could legally ride a bike that was under five brake horsepower by yourself in daylight hours. The last 60 or 90 days before you turned 16 you could ride at night also. At the time Florida still had the helmet law also.

Because I had been riding on the dirt since I was 5 years old, I picked up a nice little Honda 125 Elsinore for my daily commute to high school. The bike probably had a bit more than 5hp, but not much. Due to it's dual-purpose nature, the previous owner had some fairly aggressive knobbies mounted which made for a fairly exciting wiggle on the grid decking of the drawbridges I had to cross at least twice a day. Once I mounted up more street oriented rubber, the Elsinore made a nice little commuter for a student that could also be taken out and played with in the sticks. The only time I really hurt myself on it was playing around off-road.

Although I already had ten years of riding under my belt by the time I bought Elsinore, I think that sort of light bike is perfect for the novice rider on the street. Then again I've always liked the lighter, nimbler bikes. I guess it's telling in that my 550 Seca is the heaviest, most powerful bike that I have owned. Owned, mind you, not ridden.

After saying all that, in my opinion, if the kid has no motorcycle experience before he/she is old enough for a learner's permit, go with a car. The kid doesn't need the added distraction of learning to ride at the same time as learning how to handle himself on the road. If the kid has been riding for a few years off-road and is fairly competent on a bike, it might not be so bad as long as they agree to "all of the gear, all of the time." I told my uncle that he should inform his son that if any family member or friend of the family caught him on the bike without all his safety equipment on, he would immediately lose ALL driving previledges until he turned 17. Although the kid was upset with me for a while, after one of his friends was killed in a bike accident that he should have survived if he had worn the proper gear, he thanked me and said he saw where I was coming from. It helped that I made it a point to wear "all the gear" whenever I rode with him, even when just running down the street to the store.

 

i think it boils down to the fact there is no right or wrong answer for this, i know kids that where way less mature than i was when i got my first bike when i was 17, 5 of us all the same age got bikes within 3 months of each other i and everyone else would admit that they would all be in a hospital in a week after the got the bikes.....long story short, out of the 5, I the most mature of the bunch have been in the hospital 2 from my bikes, the other 4 still to this day nothing but riding one did dump during a wheelie but got right up and rode away lol so i look at it this way everyone will dump at least one time in their life i don't wish it on anyone but its something you have to just accept and move on if you don't dump i would call yourself lucky....most of the time its not our fault for the dump there are the cagers out there that couldn't drive if the car did it for them...i would say ride with them one at a time see how they react and go from there...they are in turn your kids not ours its easy for anyone to say sure do it cause they are not at loss if something happens but also remember the can roll that tank of a car you bought them with 15 yelling kids in it also so thats what you would need to way out too

 

These are all valid points. Wether or not your kids are mature enough to handle the skills, mindset and maturity to ride responsibly is a tough call and is really only up to you to determine. I know as a parent that your biggest concern is their safety. If they want to ride, then I'd say do what you can to make sure they learn to do it safely and responsibly from the beginning.

My suggestion would be this - if they're that interested, require them to take and pass the MSF Basic Rider course in order for it to even be an option, regardless if your state requires it. This will at least guarantee that they have mastered the basic skills and theory of riding. Since it would be a formal class environment and not "Dad trying to teach them", they're much more likely to pay attention and listen to the instructors and the others in the class. This is even more true if they're paying for part of the cost of the class out of their own pocket...

I don't know what the regulations are for them there, but here in Mn, if a 16 or 17 year old wants to get a MC license, they have to take the MSF course (and pass) just to get their learner's permit (as compared to only passing a written test for 18+). After that, I think they have to wait a year (or turn 18) before they can take the road test to get their license. The permit part restricts them to no passengers, no freeway (Interstate) riding, no riding after dark and requires wearing a helmet.

 

Did someone say moped?!
You can find up 150cc mopeds that can cruise at 65 mph, yet still lack the power to go hog nuts at 90+ and popping wheelies in the parking lots. Not to mention the fuel economy could be fantastic.

 

I got my first streetbike at 18. I 'verified' the top speed to be in the 115 range with a buddy on the back. I'll stop there and not say everything else that was all wrong about that situation. I did survive though and can guarantee I would not put myself in that same situation again.

I don't think putting them on a low power bike (e.g. 250, moped, etc.) necessarily makes it safer for them. I remember several years back being able to avoid being broadsided by a car that ran a stop sign by laying the throttle open on my Nighthawk. I am sure many others have had similar situations where they punched it to avoid being hit.

I've seen a couple of kids in my area riding their bikes to school. One was a Buell Blast, the other was either a Ninga 250 or 500. So, there are kids out there with a bike as their mode of transportation. I would say that we have a moderate level of traffic.

Maturity is important, but I think the environment where they are riding is perhaps just as or more important. Having ridden in the area where your kids will ride, how aware are cars of you and how many near misses have you had? Could a less experienced rider avoid the same near misses you have had? It's one thing to put a kid on a bike in a suburban or rural area. It's completely different in a high traffic suburban or urban area.

I agree with Kyrr... If you decide to do it, a rider safety course is a requirement even if it is not to get their license.

 

in regards to the question posed by tennsouthernbelle.

No i put my truck into a poll doing about 80km drifting. pulled the whole axle drive shaft, leaf springs, some of the bumper(metal) and the tailgate right out the back, the drivers side was all ripped apart. very stupid, but its a leasson learned no one other then me was in the truck(a must when being wreckless my own rule) and i had a buddy in another truck just for safety percausions. country road aswell so no one around to hit. ive been lucky and been able to avoid all the near accidents caused by bad drivers, in my area there is a huge amount of elderly drivers that under no cercumstances should have theyre licence still. not just me that says that but pretty much everyone in my area. old young even some of the other elderly people.

and i rode my bike for the first time today. fish tailed it when trying to slow down for my turn into the driveway. defenetly alot more pep then expected for an oldie, but im for sure taking the course.

im a pretty wreckless person i guess you could say but i will always have those experiences to hold me back from peer pressure. i still make sure all my friends in the winter to the and open parkinglot with nothing to hit and let them have a go with my truck. just so they know a little better when it happens on the road. i teach them what to do when they fish tail or skid and such and so far every single one has come back and thanked me. saved my friends life when he hit a patch or black ice. not saying im anything close to an expect but im a firm beleiver in you have to life it to know it.

 

in Alberta you get your learners permit at 14 and can drive a car with only one passanger that must be over 18 fully licenced and non probationary or you can ride a scooter or motorcycle not more than 50cc with a top speed of not more than 60km's per hour,(this keeps learners of the major traffic roads and highways while on motorcycles) My friends and i rode a varitiy of scooters ysr50's and dt50's without incident other than Matt dumping a ysr on a slurpee cup in the 7 eleven parking lot! I feel it was the best driving expereance I had as a teen and plan the same practice with my own kids when it's time, I guess my point is that it takes trust to built responsiblity so trust that you taught them well enough to make good choices and trust that they will remember what you taught them when they need to. but I guess thats just my opinion
Shaun

 

as a 19 year old "kid" i completely agree with the notion of it depends on the kid. as a highschool student i saw the different types of teenage motorists:

1. the girl on her cell phone who cant drive very well or park to save her life and can get in a wreck at any minute.
2. the good driver who stays within speedlimit to +5 mph and doesnt get in wrecks
3.the good driver who its never there fault ,but they get in a lot of wrecks
4. the stupid ass "hot roding" drivers who make my insurance so damn expensive.
5. the average drivers who have a wreck there first year and do ok driving after that(me) ha.

i personally was not prepared at 16,17 for a motorcycle let alone a xj650(plus i was scared of riding a motorcycle back then).

and i am glad that last summer when i got my first "real" motorcyle the xj650 ,that the carbs where not perfect (the first time ever said on these forums) because they kept me from doing rookie mistakes and getting myself in the highspeed/acceleration problems. it is my opinion that a xj650 is probably to much bike for a 16-18 year old average kid (exempting individuals like schooter who have more experience than me).
actually now that my carbs are the cats meow im having a hard time getting used to the new power of the bike it scares me a little lol.

 

Sushi_biker wrote: And yes, I have vehicles that they can borrow during incliment weather.

OO! OO! Can I borrow the DeLorean Dad????? Puhleeeeze! I'll be real careful. Honest! How fast do those things go anyway? And even more important: How quickly does it get there?

 

Forgot I saw this. They can figure out how to text and ride too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKNb5jDTPGs

 

wow man that video is crazy stupid

 

I think it's a good idea . . . As long as you give them some good training or enroll them in or training course.

 

Once I tell you how it really performs, you won't want to drive it.

It came from the factory with only 137 hp. The engine was a Puegot/Volvo mechanically fuel-injected V6. It gets great gas milage, and the engine is very durable but today's family sedan can beat it off the line. It does have decent top end though at 135 mph.

The fastest I ever had mine up to was about 110 mph. I guess it's not in perfect tune.