Proud Dad / Nervous Dad

Warchild · Aug 19, 2009

While I am very excited for her, and VERY proud she has picked up on my insistence for proper gear, proper training, etc..... it STILL makes Dad very nervous to see his 19-year-old daughter Lauryn on a motorcycle. Here she is on a Honda Rebel 250 (provided by the MSF class) on the MSF Beginner's Course range....

This exercise below has her shifting up through third gear and practicing countersteering...

What an emotional rollercoaster.... I am, of course, very proud of this girl, but I am already wringing my hands over the notion of her in traffic on a bike....

wfooshee · Aug 19, 2009

That's really cool. I can't imagine either of my girls riding, I just know they're a little too incinsistent with their thinking processes, easily distracted.

You should try having a kid ride up to pick your girl up for a date on a bike. She came up to me with, "Can I borrow Mom's helmet?" Once she had Mom's helmet, jacket, boots, and gloves, and I'd seen the kid's license with the motorcycle endorsement, and checked out the bike, it was still an iffy thing. He was obviously nervous, and very curious about the FJR in the driveway but not wanting to seem too eager. That was fun, in a cruel sort of way. But since I didn't hear him ride up (no high-speed approach or loud cans), and the bike was a small parallel twin, I caved. At least within earshot, he was very well-behaved, as I stood on the porch and listened, even around the corner and down the side street.

FJRBluesman · Aug 19, 2009

That's awesome Dale. Maybe you're stressed cause she might ride like you....??? :dribble:

Enjoy your riding time with your daughter, should be a blast.

Toecutter · Aug 19, 2009

Well, she couldn't ask for a better mentor, so you guys have that much going for you, plus genetics....

Intech · Aug 19, 2009

Well I can only imagine how you feel. My 18 yo daughter spoke again last night about wanting a bike. And she wants a "crotch rocket". Her exact words. I would love to ride with her, but I wish she was thinking a little more conservatively about what bike. I told her the safety course was a must. I feel it is inevidable, so I will just try to continue to influence her decisions on what to start out with.

I can remember when I bought my first bike. My mother was adament about not allowing a motorcycle in the yard. It was one of the very few things I rebelled against. I went and bought a '76 Triumph Bonneville. The day I brought it home she shocked the hell out of me by coming out and throwing her leg over it, while I was on it, and saying, "Well let's get it over with. Take me for a ride". WOW! That was cool as hell.

DaJudge · Aug 19, 2009

rablanch said:
My 18 yo daughter spoke again last night about wanting a bike. And she wants a "crotch rocket". Her exact words. I would love to ride with her, but I wish she was thinking a little more conservatively about what bike.

It's funny to see how your teenage kids sometimes don't want to listen to your advice, but end up following in your footsteps. Maybe she thinks that Dad's guided missile with luggage (aka, the FJR) is cool, like an "old man's crotch rocket". My 18-year old son started on a KLR650 (a great starter for taller folk), but thinks that my '01 Tiger he now gets to ride has a much higher cool factor :yahoo: (not to mention more than twice the horses).

If she really doesn't like the cruiser bikes (I can relate to that), maybe a used Ninja 250 would be a good option for her first bike. More importantly, get her decent gear and make her wear it even if it's hot. Of course, she'll likely follow your example (good or not) on that too.

exskibum · Aug 19, 2009

Coincidentally, the blond (Judy, my SO) did her MSF beginners class this last weekend also. I understand your trepidation, WC. Judy seems to have what it takes IMO, but still -- I'm a lot more confident of her not getting hurt when she's behind me on my bike. She's hoping to find a 250cc dual sport (likely target = used Kwak KLR 250) before too long.

It'll be amusing when your daughter (your genes, of course) announces she's going to bed early one night, because she's decided to leave at 1 am so she can do a solo ride to breakfast at some remote northern California eatery. :lol:

Warchild · Aug 19, 2009

exskibum said:
It'll be interesting when your daughter (your genes, of course) announces she's going to bed early one night, because she's decided to leave at 1 am so she can do a solo ride to breakfast in northern California.

FJRay · Aug 19, 2009

Hang in there Dad. I went through it with my daughter at 16 and it turned out well. I think the good thing about girls it they don't have the male blood flow issue. Only enough blood for one head at a time. It is easier for them to focus on getting things right.

One of my best rides with my daughter was over North Cascades hwy at a pretty good pace and watching her hit the corners just like she had been schooled and then the grin when we stopped in Winthrop for lunch. Its all good.

Panman · Aug 19, 2009

It's funny to see how your teenage kids sometimes don't want to listen to your advice, but end up following in your footsteps. Maybe she thinks that Dad's guided missile with luggage (aka, the FJR) is cool, like an "old man's crotch rocket". My 18-year old son started on a KLR650 (a great starter for taller folk), but thinks that my '01 Tiger he now gets to ride has a much higher cool factor :yahoo: (not to mention more than twice the horses).

I think Dales FJR is his Cruise Missile, it's when she wants to start borrowing the Blackbird or the Busa that he needs to start worrying!

RenoJohn · Aug 19, 2009

Awesome stuff. Whether bikes or other sports, it is great for young adults to be engaged with something they like. No doubt where she got her interest in bikes and she's got a great mentor.

Best of fun and safety to your daughter, and while I'm sure you're nervous, ......I have no doubt that your trademark grin is shining brightly.

Nice job to the both of ya.

RiderCoach Lar · Aug 19, 2009

Congrat's WC and kudos to Lauryn for her commitment to rider education. Whether she wanted to take the class or she was "encouraged" to do so, I'm sure she's glad she did. I think it'd be cool to hear from her what her motivation for taking the BRC was and what she thought about it. I'm also curious how long the RiderCoaches let you hang out around the range snapping photos. I've asked more than a few proud/vervous parents/boyfriends/husbands to avoid the distraction of hanging out near the range, especially during exercises.

Joe2Lmaker · Aug 19, 2009

Warchild said:
What an emotional rollercoaster.... f

Tell me about it.

My 22 year old daughter points out every ZRX1100 she sees "That's the color!"

and every 750 Four "That's the bike I want!"

kaitsdad · Aug 19, 2009

Dale, if that was my daughter out there I couldn't watch. I freak out just having her as a pillion!!

But if she wanted to, I'd let her. I guess dads are like that.

Glad she's doing it right.

johnny80s · Aug 19, 2009

My twins are not even 2 yet and I am already having cold sweats about them riding. I think we might start with some dirt bikes.

airboss · Aug 19, 2009

My Daughter did that last summer, MSF then Ninja EX500, spent as much time as I could riding with her last summer. A good time and brought us closer together. She is older than your Daughter, but still tjhe baby of the family and I did and do worry, but still when shes determined to do something she always finds a way to get it done, so I knew better than to fight. Besides Sunday morning coffee at Starbucks and a ride with your Daughter is a good thing.

DABRIT · Aug 19, 2009

Congratulations,I am sure you will enjoy the (LONG?) rides with your daughter.

Now if daddy is not going to pass over the keys to his toys, what bike do you think is going to be the new addition to the warchild garage

I vote dealers in WA will be seeing a certain person riding one of those FZ6R's, you know the white ones with the cool graphics .. that way the daughter can ride the FJR yay ....

Sorry Warchild.

Don't worry she has such a great mentor, all you have to do impart some of that vast knowledge you have acquired and she will be good to go

Chris

playgtar · Aug 19, 2009

I wish the lot was as big as that where I took the course. I'm glad I took the course though, it sticks with me. I wish I could get my wife to drive. She's content to stay on the back.

dcarver · Aug 19, 2009

I work at a University and see LOTS of gals riding. Typically they are much more behaved than the guyz, and dressed with MGATT as compared to NGATT.

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