Being a First Generation Rider - Page 5

Ceri JC · 03-21-2013, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assquatch20

My mom encouraged me to ride in groups as much as possible...

It's strange, this is a really common reaction and I've been on the receiving end too. It's a good example of a lay person's 'perception of risk' bearing no correlation to 'actual risk': Statistically you are a lot more likely to get hurt in a group ride than solo. The only difference is that you're more likely to have someone there to help if it goes wrong. If you're trailriding in the boondocks, I can see how a riding buddy makes it, in total, less dangerous.

On a highway with other traffic though? Unless your friend is a field medic and police-level rider, you're probably safer on your own and relying on the general public to ring and ambulance and stabilise you.

stoke · 03-24-2013, 11:59 AM

A lot of people have mentioned their parents negative reaction to them getting a motorcycle-thing is, they're a lot more safe than some alternatives. Which is weird because growing up my brothers and I weren't allowed a dirt bike, but something "safer".

Did anybody else grow up riding a three wheeler in the '80's before they stopped making them? My brothers and I used to tear around on one of those things and got in many wrecks. No gear, no helmets, no training. Thankfully, no permanent damage for any of us.

Just think it's funny there was this stigmatized perception among my parents that motorcycles were inherently dangerous, but 3 wheelers were not. Pretty much the most unstable design possible.

assquatch20 · 03-26-2013, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stoke

A lot of people have mentioned their parents negative reaction to them getting a motorcycle-thing is, they're a lot more safe than some alternatives. Which is weird because growing up my brothers and I weren't allowed a dirt bike, but something "safer".

Did anybody else grow up riding a three wheeler in the '80's before they stopped making them? My brothers and I used to tear around on one of those things and got in many wrecks. No gear, no helmets, no training. Thankfully, no permanent damage for any of us.

Just think it's funny there was this stigmatized perception among my parents that motorcycles were inherently dangerous, but 3 wheelers were not. Pretty much the most unstable design possible.

A family friend doesn't have the face she was born with because of the inherent design issues behind three wheelers. A lot of it probably lies in the false sense of security you get on quads and three wheelers.

stoke · 03-26-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by assquatch20

A family friend doesn't have the face she was born with because of the inherent design issues behind three wheelers. A lot of it probably lies in the false sense of security you get on quads and three wheelers.

Exactly. Quads too are super tippy in certain circumstances-ridden quads and six wheelers for years. People get really hurt on them because like you said, false sense of security and no one ever wears gear.

The only other thing we weren't allowed to own were snowmobiles. People always went too fast through fields and couldn't/didn't stop in time for barbed wire fences, which were usually right at neck level.

mattlikesbikes · 03-26-2013, 01:27 PM

I'm a pseudo first gen rider. My dad was a baja racer in southern California way before I was born (60's and 70's). By the time I had come along my mom had made him hang up his helmet (and his hang glider too, buzz kill).

I was a mountain biker before I got my first powered 2 wheels, a 150cc scooter. After a few thousand miles I finally man'd up with an F650GS. The hardest call I made was to tell my dad I bought a bike. At age 23 I told him I was considering a Ducati and he had threatened to come see me every six weeks to break another bone so I could never actually ride.

Fortunately he has observed that I have grown a lot since that first thought of a bike. He is still nervous but understands with a family of my own to come home to that I don't take risks when I can avoid them.

pmacb · 03-26-2013, 06:18 PM

I grew up in a non-motorcycling household until my mother went to work as a bookkeeper for one of the European tour companies (the Mom and Pop one). Of course I ended up hanging out with one of the owner's sons who was a few years older than me and got the the bug (I drank the BMW kool-aide too). After all that exposure to "motorcycling people" Mom & Dad were accepting, if not enthusiastic about motorcycles.

I bought a Honda FT500 Ascot from a kid at college my last semester only to park it a couple of years later until my own kids had grown up and were mostly done with college themselves.

pmacb

BillsburgGS · 03-26-2013, 06:26 PM

First gen here, started at 44, other than having rented a scooter once 20 years before on an island vacation. My parents, friends, wife, etc. all gave me the "it's insanely dangerous" and I bought it.

I came home from work one Tuesday after learning of a 3rd friend/work associate had been diagnosed with cancer. Sitting on a lawn chair with a beer, I asked myself "what if I were next...what would I regret not having done or tried while I could of?" After dismissing 30 minutes with Heidi Klum as not really being an option, the only thing I could really think of was "riding a motorcycle". That was Tuesday night. That Friday night I started the MSF BRC, passed my road test that Monday, bought a used Shadow 750 that Friday which. Next year traded it for a Harley, and then two years later settled down to an F800gs and dual sport riding is my very favorite hobby.

One nice thing about starting later in life (6 years ago) is if you have the desire and adequate means, you haul ass and go for what you want.

BCJC · 03-26-2013, 09:29 PM

entire family was dead set against bikes. no chance.

i distinctly remember my aunt, who was a nurse, saying she would break both my legs if i ever got a motorcycle. i was 8.

Halen · 03-27-2013, 03:35 AM

I was a true first generation rider in my family, motorcycles were considered foreign.

From a young age I always remember wanting to own a motorcycle. Being raised by a single mom, the luxury of owning a dirt bike at the age of 10 was out of the question. In high school I set out to save money and buy my first motorcycle. Upon graduation I picked up a brand new 1983 Kawasaki GPZ-550. It was that old school superbike style that really sucked me in. My first several months on this bike were quite an adventure.

Now 30 years later I look back over the years and am glad that the early passion led to a life long motorcycle odyssey.

03-26-2013, 01:27 PM	#65
mattlikesbikes Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Oddometer: 94	I'm a pseudo first gen rider. My dad was a baja racer in southern California way before I was born (60's and 70's). By the time I had come along my mom had made him hang up his helmet (and his hang glider too, buzz kill). I was a mountain biker before I got my first powered 2 wheels, a 150cc scooter. After a few thousand miles I finally man'd up with an F650GS. The hardest call I made was to tell my dad I bought a bike. At age 23 I told him I was considering a Ducati and he had threatened to come see me every six weeks to break another bone so I could never actually ride. Fortunately he has observed that I have grown a lot since that first thought of a bike. He is still nervous but understands with a family of my own to come home to that I don't take risks when I can avoid them. __________________ 2009 F 650 GS - Lava Orange

03-26-2013, 06:18 PM	#66
pmacb Sophomore Joined: Aug 2006 Location: The dark heart of the Vampire State. Oddometer: 120	Strange how these things happen... I grew up in a non-motorcycling household until my mother went to work as a bookkeeper for one of the European tour companies (the Mom and Pop one). Of course I ended up hanging out with one of the owner's sons who was a few years older than me and got the the bug (I drank the BMW kool-aide too). After all that exposure to "motorcycling people" Mom & Dad were accepting, if not enthusiastic about motorcycles. I bought a Honda FT500 Ascot from a kid at college my last semester only to park it a couple of years later until my own kids had grown up and were mostly done with college themselves. pmacb __________________ “I wanna help the helpless, but I don’t give a rat’s ass about the clueless anymore...” Dennis Miller There's never enough time or money to do it right the first time, but there's always enough time or money to do it right the second time.

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03-24-2013, 11:59 AM	#62
stoke ocean minded Joined: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 71	A lot of people have mentioned their parents negative reaction to them getting a motorcycle-thing is, they're a lot more safe than some alternatives. Which is weird because growing up my brothers and I weren't allowed a dirt bike, but something "safer". Did anybody else grow up riding a three wheeler in the '80's before they stopped making them? My brothers and I used to tear around on one of those things and got in many wrecks. No gear, no helmets, no training. Thankfully, no permanent damage for any of us. Just think it's funny there was this stigmatized perception among my parents that motorcycles were inherently dangerous, but 3 wheelers were not. Pretty much the most unstable design possible.

03-26-2013, 06:26 PM	#67
BillsburgGS Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2010 Location: Glendale-opolis, MO Oddometer: 237	First gen here, started at 44, other than having rented a scooter once 20 years before on an island vacation. My parents, friends, wife, etc. all gave me the "it's insanely dangerous" and I bought it. I came home from work one Tuesday after learning of a 3rd friend/work associate had been diagnosed with cancer. Sitting on a lawn chair with a beer, I asked myself "what if I were next...what would I regret not having done or tried while I could of?" After dismissing 30 minutes with Heidi Klum as not really being an option, the only thing I could really think of was "riding a motorcycle". That was Tuesday night. That Friday night I started the MSF BRC, passed my road test that Monday, bought a used Shadow 750 that Friday which. Next year traded it for a Harley, and then two years later settled down to an F800gs and dual sport riding is my very favorite hobby. One nice thing about starting later in life (6 years ago) is if you have the desire and adequate means, you haul ass and go for what you want.

03-26-2013, 09:29 PM	#68
BCJC Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Ukee Oddometer: 37	entire family was dead set against bikes. no chance. i distinctly remember my aunt, who was a nurse, saying she would break both my legs if i ever got a motorcycle. i was 8.

03-27-2013, 03:35 AM	#69
Halen Suerte O Muerte Joined: Mar 2013 Location: Houston .:. TX Oddometer: 30	I was a true first generation rider in my family, motorcycles were considered foreign. From a young age I always remember wanting to own a motorcycle. Being raised by a single mom, the luxury of owning a dirt bike at the age of 10 was out of the question. In high school I set out to save money and buy my first motorcycle. Upon graduation I picked up a brand new 1983 Kawasaki GPZ-550. It was that old school superbike style that really sucked me in. My first several months on this bike were quite an adventure. Now 30 years later I look back over the years and am glad that the early passion led to a life long motorcycle odyssey.