Guilty feeling/Put off by family for wanting a quick bike?

[D1on]

I've always been into bikes, I've had quick cars in the past.
I'm now 30 and wanting to get my bike license and get a sports bike...
Both my mrs and my father aren't happy and have been trying to put me off, Should I give into them, as the danger aspect is always in the back of your mind... Or do what I want to do?
Anyone had similar before?...

[Jazoli]

Buy a 125, laugh at them when you are in hospital after someone has pulled out in front of you .

You're an adult, buy what the fk you like.

[Ed.]

D1on said:

I've always been into bikes, I've had quick cars in the past.
I'm now 30 and wanting to get my bike license and get a sports bike...
Both my mrs and my father aren't happy and have been trying to put me off, Should I give into them, as the danger aspect is always in the back of your mind... Or do what I want to do?
Anyone had similar before?...

You are unlikely to get an unbiased response from here but yes you should get a licence and and see how it goes. Most bike's feel quicker and more agile since they are smaller and lighter and you are more exposed.
Are planning on getting straight onto a 180bhp sports bike or going at your own pace to see what you like. Faster bikes aren't inherently more dangerous but it's going to be down to how, when and where you ride them.

[Dog Star]

Ed. said:

You are unlikely to get an unbiased response from here but yes you should get a licence and and see how it goes. Most bike's feel quicker and more agile since they are smaller and lighter and you are more exposed.
Are planning on getting straight onto a 180bhp sports bike or going at your own pace to see what you like. Faster bikes aren't inherently more dangerous but it's going to be down to how, when and where you ride them.

The type of bike you buy and how fast it is aren’t really relevant to how dangerous they are - the throttle goes both ways. An idiot on a 250 will still be an idiot on a 1000. I’d argue that stuff like Blades etc can give safer due to better handling and brakes.

Mrs DS has an R1 and is very “steady” - most people on a small bike will ride faster than her. But she loves it - it fits her well, it’s comfy and it’s got decent brakes and just goes no matter what gear it’s in. Oh and it’s got heated grips (important for birds). She’s never going to be getting even halfway to the redline on it. It’s just an easy bike to ride.

[bogie]

You could try education, the risk needs putting into perspective. Statistically motorcycling is safer than ever...this is not the 1960s when you could jump on a 250cc bike without a helmet and everyone knew someone who had been in a motorcycle accident.

Just a few hundred motorcyclists die each year. 6000 people die in accidents in their own home. Road traffic accidents in general make up a small percentage of total accidents. The A and E dept at your local hospital is not being kept busy by motorcyclists.

List of top 10 dangerous hobbies below, and motorcycling isnt on there

https://termlife2go.com/ten-dangerous-hobbies-life...

Accident stats from other sources:

https://www.rospa.com/resources/statistics

[black-k1]

100% of people will die. That is a fact!. When most people are "checking out" the things in life they regret tend to be the things they've not done as opposed to the things they have done.

What you need to ask yourself is "is motorcycling important enough risk upsetting your loved ones? and "are you going to spend the rest of your life not forgiving them because they stopped you doing something you really wanted to do?"

No one wants to shorten their time, but there are many ways that can happen ...

bogie said:

You could try education, the risk needs putting into perspective. Statistically motorcycling is safer than ever...this is not the 1960s when you could jump on a 250cc bike without a helmet and everyone knew someone who had been in a motorcycle accident.

Just a few hundred motorcyclists die each year. 6000 people die in accidents in their own home. Road traffic accidents in general make up a small percentage of total accidents. The A and E dept at your local hospital is not being kept busy by motorcyclists.

List of top 10 dangerous hobbies below, and motorcycling isnt on there

https://termlife2go.com/ten-dangerous-hobbies-life...

Accident stats from other sources:

https://www.rospa.com/resources/statistics

You're a grown adult who can make their own decisions and who needs to own the decision you make.

[p4cks]

Motorbikes are council, sorry.

[LimaDelta]

Escalate to de-escalate.

Tell them you are taking up paragliding or cave diving instead, and then decide on something safer, like bikes.

[Biker's Nemesis]

p4cks said:

Motorbikes are council, sorry.

I shall rub my knob on your car door handle when I see it around the Newcastle area Sir.

[mickyh7]

Just be aware that any modern Sports bike will do 0-100-0 mph in around 10 or 11 seconds.
It is a Brutal experience and one that very few cars can match.
Until you get on a really fast bike you don't know if your going to like it.
Bit like a light switch, power wise.
Better to have at least one year on a focused 600.
They are bloody fast as well, but play nicer!

[b4gga83]

Biker's Nemesis said:

p4cks said:

Motorbikes are council, sorry.

I shall rub my knob on your car door handle when I see it around the Newcastle area Sir.

ROFL!!

[TimmyMallett]

p4cks said:

Motorbikes are council, sorry.

Says the person that owned a Ford Focus. Did you stray from the Classics section or something? Now off you fk.


Op it's a tricky one, my mum wasn't exactly enamoured but if you have no dependents then really it's your choice entirely. If they love you they'll understand.

And a tip: don't ever watch 24 hours in a and e or any if those programmes. You can guarantee that there is always a biker down which is obviously asking for a guilt trip.

Edited by TimmyMallett on Saturday 5th March 16:29

[p4cks]

Biker's Nemesis said:

p4cks said:

Motorbikes are council, sorry.

I shall rub my knob on your car door handle when I see it around the Newcastle area Sir.

[p4cks]

TimmyMallett said:

Says the person that owned a Ford Focus. Did you stray from the Classics section or something? Now off you fk.

And a Ninja

[mickyh7]

[Baldchap]

I got loads of crap when I did my DAS in the noughties. A few years later when they all realised it wasn't going away I got a SENA music gizmo off my mum for Christmas.

They'll come round, assuming you demonstrate you're safe and sensible.

[Whatsmyname]

Went round to see my dad, new bike out on the drive we are looking it over.

Neighbour - wouldn’t get me on a bike out lasses cousin had an accident and was in a coma for 3 month etc etc

I said if he’d done the same in a car I presume you’d quit driving too?

[TimmyMallett]

I can't stand that response from people. That's like saying to someone who has cancer that they had a friend that died of cancer. Oh, that's a nice thing to say.

[agent006]

Maybe the offer of doing something like BikeSafe or IAM would help them feel more at ease with it?

[MrGman]

Sometimes I’ll take a bike to work, upon saying goodbye at the end of the day, I’ll usually get one or two “ride safe” “go careful” if I’m in the car, all I get is a “c’ya tomorrow” etc

It’s the general opinion, and if we’re honest there is some truth behind it, bikes are inherently more dangerous but if it’s what you want to do, and you’re sensible, modern bikes with modern tyres really minimise the risks compared to many years ago.