My nephew wants a bike!

[GreenRexRider]

My 19 year old nephew has decided that he wants to get a bike and learn to ride. I have been riding for nearly half my life and I promote this sport whenever I can and try to be a good example. The idea of him riding is terrifying and I find myself wanting to discourage him. He's looking through ads at sport bikes : CBR's and Gixers and Ninjas and I'm going no , no , no. I've been encouraging him to take the MSF class and to wear all the gear and try to get him to understand that this isn't play time or another way to look cool. Trying to get him to consider something other than a sport bike for his first is probably useless.....I discussed it with him most of the afternoon. It just feels strange trying to discourage someone from something I love .

[Hoosier]

I know what your talking about.....

People ask if I'm going to get my kids pocket bikes and teach them to ride....and I'm like "NO WAY". You don't want them hurt and you're fully aware how bad they could get hurt and the times that you put yourself in danger and did the things that you think back on and realize how bad you could have gotten hurt.

All that you can do is stress the use of gear and safety. .......show them some crash pics if you think that it's not getting thru.

I figure if I teach the kids about safety while they are still young, it'll make them better riders in the future.

[no0ne]

How about a sport-tourer? My twin cylinder Ninja 650r would be great.

[VFRLuke]

I'm glad I feared street bikes when I was 19. tell him to get a dirtbike or a ninja 250

[cynyc]

There's a inexpensive FZ6 in the classified's. Of course, stressing gear is needed to all new riders.

But I understand what has been mentioned regarding family. People I work with always ask if or when I'm getting my 2 year old into bikes. I couldn't possibly imagine seeing my son on a motorcycle. As much as I love them, I've often contemplated when I should stop riding. I want to have a positive influence on him in every respect. But I don't want him to ride motorcycles. Basically, because people are f***ing nuts and don't see motorcyclists. I'd have a hard living with the fact, if he got hurt, that it was something I encouraged him to pursue.

I quit smoking before he was born after doing it for 14 years. I plan to stop riding before he wants one for himself. Some might view it as being overprotective. I just want what's best for him. If that means doing without my love for 2 wheels, so be it.

[crazylegs]

I'm a little different....

I would feel like a hypocrite if i were to deny the kids the pleasure that our family is enjoying with this sport. I'm a firm believer in "safety first" and express the importance of wearing gear and being responsible from the get go.
Personally, i have no problem with letting the kids ride bikes. IMHO, earlier the better. If i could afford it and if he were to express the interest on riding bikes, i would put little Eli (almost 4 years old) on a pocket bike. I'm also not one of those people who would shove sports down the kids face. If the kids want to play football or soccer by all means they have my blessing. The same would go with riding sport bikes or dirt bikes. The key is the importance of being responsible. Bikes aren't toys...

GreenRexRider:
Put him through grinder.... Let him do the MSF course, put restrictions on when and with whom he can ride with. Him being 19 years old, if he wants a bike then he can get a job and earn it. He will appreciate it more...

[GreenRexRider]

I've told him that if he doesn't get training and take it seriously I would not help him.

[Railing]

I've told him that if he doesn't get training and take it seriously I would not help him.

Great!

How about this, take the MSF course with him, and pay for it for him (if you can). Although I have taken it before, I would have no issues taking it again if someone wanted some company. If you have the money, I would suggest that maybe you go helmet shopping with him and stress that you buy the gear first, to make sure you have the money for it, and then buy the bike after. Maybe when you are there, make him a deal and buy a helmet for him, IF he will ALWAYS wear it. I made a similar deal with a good friend of mine when he turned 18 and decided to buy his first bike. I had a jacket in the closet (a mesh Joe Rocket) that fit him and he talked about it. I made him a deal and gave it to him and said he could have it if every time I saw him on the bike he would be wearing it or some other jacket. To date I he's always worn the gear, even on blazing hot days.

If you want to show him some roadrash, here's a picture of my knee about hitting it on the ground during a roll. My knee was in contact with the ground for a split second. Took over a month for me to be able to have it healed enough to ride again, and about 3 months to fully heal:

http://www.railingit.com/knee.jpg

Stress safety, get him to sign up here so he can see us stressing it as well, since many of us learned the HARD way...

[Viffer]

I feel your pain. Who are his friends? My youngest son came back with a small horror story after the last SS bike night dyno event they had. He saw some friends from high school there (20-21 year olds) NOT part of the forum by the way, who bragged on how they were going to a bar to drink and then ride home. That same evening a couple of young squids going 100 mph scared the heck out of us racing through cars as we were merging onto I64 from exit 118 at night in the car. Because God was looking out for us we swerved back into the merge lane in time and they didn't end up as part of my back bumper. He said, "Mom, I'm gonna lose some friends this year for sure". Make sure your nephew hangs with the right crowd.

[FIDO]

Street & trail bikes are a great way to learn (go for a used bike). The dirt is a friendlier place to learn, and hurts less.