New riders

[Uncle Hud]

<snip>
She's already looked up insurance on a bike. She's a smart girl, AP classes with a 4.32 gpa. No trouble, with good, solid common sense. A blessing of a daughter! However, I'm scared. The thought of her on a bike, riding in Florida traffic, has me petrified. I know I should let go of the girl, and say hello to the young woman, but it isn't easy. I've told her, if she gets one, that for 6 months she can only ride with me along side her...no exceptions. This way, I can train her to be a good rider, that looks for every scenario. She's agreed.

So today we, along with my wife, looked at bikes. She sat on a 2014 Suzuki 250 and a 2013 300 Ninja. The Ninja was used, and lowered. She fell in love! I feel responsible. I'm the only bike rider anywhere in our combined families. So this passion of hers, was planted by my own passion. Thus, my concern. If anything were to happen to her...I would feel responsible and devastated.

I know, I know, I have to let go. It's just not easy to do.

<snip>

Methinks you have it relatively good, LKLD. Your daughter's obviously smart, responsible (she looked up insurance premiums?!?!), willing to undergo a 6-month apprenticeship under your tutelage, accepts ATGATT without argument, and likes a 300cc bike that seems to fit her.

Thank goodness my boys raced road bicycles in college and calculated the comparison of bicycle road rash vs. motorcycle road rash. (Their wives are in charge of them now, so I'm free to ride without your worries, sir!)

Like father, like daughter, and best wishes for both of you!

 

[LKLD]

***UPDATE***

So after careful consideration, I pulled the trigger on a new bike for them both, but mainly my daughter.

Before I did, she has promised that she can only ride along with me for the first 6 months. That way I can get her up to speed on all the aspects of riding a motorcycle. With the Sena's on our helmets, we'll have an open line for me to teach while riding. I ended up getting. 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE ABS. It's lightweight (385#), easy clutch, throttle, and brakes. Even though it has the Ninja moniker, it will not break any speed records. It sounds like a scooter actually. This will be a good beginner bike for them to learn and get confidence on.

My daughter on the right, with her salesperson.



Happy young lady, who now loves her daddy even more!



This is her doing her first ride, learning her new bike!



Both her and my wife drove it, and did quite well. I was surprised. We'll start with some short runs of 10 miles or so the first few times, and increase that as they progress. I'm really excited to be sharing this with them, as I never dreamed they would ever have an interest.

Any guess what my weekends will be like for awhile?

 

[TomInPA]

You're a lucky man. Take care of the girls and have some fun sharing the passion.

 

[hppants]

So envious. Hoping you both (all) have many enjoyable miles together.

 

[Uncle Hud]

<snip>Any guess what my weekends will be like for awhile?

Yes, fantastic father-daughter opportunities! As they say, "Teach your children well", and enjoy yourselves!

 

[RadioHowie]

She's gonna kick yer ass with that thing!!!

 

[LKLD]

She's gonna kick yer ass with that thing!!!

Sure, why not? She kicks my ass at everything else!

 

[RadioHowie]

She's gonna kick yer ass with that thing!!!

Sure, why not? She kicks my ass at everything else!

I guess we, as parents, always hope our kids CAN kick our asses...especially in the "Game of Life".

I remember a few years back (well, not THAT few...) when my now 37 year old son reached his mid-20s.

He was about 6'6" and 230~240 pounds and feeling his oats one day and told me "Hey Dad, I can kick your ass now!"

I quickly reminded him of the old saying about age and treachery beating youth and exuberance any day of the week. He kind of tossed of my remark until I told him of the time I exacted some revenge on my older brother when I was about 10 or 11.

The older brother had beat the snot out of me for some older brother reason, and when I threatened to "get him back" he proceed to beating "Round 2".

That night, after he had gone to sleep, I took the extension tube off of Mom's vacuum cleaner and beat him senseless while he was trapped under the cover in bed.

One of the great, gratifying moments of my short life.

Mom whipped me good for giving him quite the severe ass-beating I felt he so richly deserved. That was the last time he ever raised his hand to me in anger!

"What's your point, dad?" the boy says.

Four words, son -- "You gotta sleep sometime."

We've been best friends ever since.

 

[DezzertRider]

Man, you bought an FJR so you wouldn't have to mess with a chain. Now I wonder who is going to do the chain maintenance on that ninja DAD?

Congrats, that is really neat! I confess, I would be very concerned if any of my kids took up any of my crazy habits.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Ive found that having a communication system is VERY nice to have when teaching a new rider. giving them a heads up for potenial dangers in real time...priceless!

What I was thinking too. There are just so damn many extra things we have to be tuned in to that a car driver doesn't. If she'll really go along with the "riding only with dad" agreement for a while, I'd just be running my jaws every second I was with her--letting her follow me through curves and watching my line, and hearing why I chose it, calling her attention to debris in the road, or even places where it might be present, like a bank or hillside to the side of the road where rocks or gravel or even water could run out onto the road. Or somebody sitting in a parked car who could pull out suddenly or open a door, or painted arrows or crosswalk markings that could be wet--and slippery--just all of it. I suppose she'd get pretty sick of the sound of my voice, but I hope she'd learn about at least what I watch out for when I'm riding. Good luck, and enjoy.

 

[mcatrophy]

If you're going to do a commentary, particularly if you are not used to doing them and/or you are concerned about upsetting the recipient, I'd suggest listening to one or two by a professional to get the concept of how much to say, tone of voice, what to look out for.

I did a quick Google, this is one such commentary. Ok, left-hand driving, possibly very different road conditions, but it might help in its style.

In this case, the bike is being filmed from a helicopter, the commentary added afterwards, but could still be done "live".



Of course, you might have trouble speaking with the UK accent

.

 

[LKLD]

Man, you bought an FJR so you wouldn't have to mess with a chain. Now I wonder who is going to do the chain maintenance on that ninja DAD?
Congrats, that is really neat! I confess, I would be very concerned if any of my kids took up any of my crazy habits.

Now, you know that's not what made me buy the FJR, it was the throttle! Anyway, this will give us more time together learning her bike...win/win!

Ive found that having a communication system is VERY nice to have when teaching a new rider. giving them a heads up for potenial dangers in real time...priceless!

What I was thinking too. There are just so damn many extra things we have to be tuned in to that a car driver doesn't. If she'll really go along with the "riding only with dad" agreement for a while, I'd just be running my jaws every second I was with her--letting her follow me through curves and watching my line, and hearing why I chose it, calling her attention to debris in the road, or even places where it might be present, like a bank or hillside to the side of the road where rocks or gravel or even water could run out onto the road. Or somebody sitting in a parked car who could pull out suddenly or open a door, or painted arrows or crosswalk markings that could be wet--and slippery--just all of it. I suppose she'd get pretty sick of the sound of my voice, but I hope she'd learn about at least what I watch out for when I'm riding. Good luck, and enjoy.

That! That is exactly it! All of those things and more. You don't really realize all of your defensive thought processes, until you think of telling someone else what your thinking or looking at. This makes it not only easier, but shortens the learning curve drastically!

If you're going to do a commentary, particularly if you are not used to doing them and/or you are concerned about upsetting the recipient, I'd suggest listening to one or two by a professional to get the concept of how much to say, tone of voice, what to look out for.I did a quick Google, this is one such commentary. Ok, left-hand driving, possibly very different road conditions, but it might help in its style.

In this case, the bike is being filmed from a helicopter, the commentary added afterwards, but could still be done "live".

Thanks for that! I'm one of those types that loves to teach something that I love doing, so I remain calm at all times, encouraging words, and no critiquing while riding. She really likes this part of it too, as it relaxes her a bit, knowing I'm right there with her, telling her she's doing fine.
***UPDATE***

So today we went to a large unused parking lot, to work on her clutch when going from a stop. Last Sunday we did 30 miles, and she stalled it most every time from a stop. She was feeling very apprehensive about the bike now because of that. So I rode it there, while she followed in her car. Once there, she got on the bike, and I had her just release the clutch slowly without any throttle. She was surprised that it would go this way. Not practical in real world situations, but it helped her understand it better. Then I showed her that her clutch only engages the last inch of travel. This really was an eye opener for her! I then let her practice for 30 minutes stopping and starting. Boo yay! No stalling!

So she rode the bike back, while I drove her car (still communicating with Sena's) to the house. Here is where we had a problem Houston. When she pulled onto our driveway, which has a slight uphill slope, she put it in neutral, and then tried to put the kickstand down. She didn't have her hand on the brake, so the bike started to roll backwards and me hearing "Daddy! Daddy!", and before she knew it..it was on the ground? Yep, she dropped it sitting still. I showed her how to pick it up by herself, and then we assessed the damages. Minor scratches on mirror, fairing, and exhaust. I gave her a hug, and welcomed her to "the Club!".

I then got on my bike and we took off. We did the exact 30 trip we did last Sunday and still....no stalls! Not a one! She was on cloud 9 the whole time, actually having some fun for the first time. It was so great so see her enjoying it! First thing, when we got into the house was " Daddy, when can we go riding again?".

Man, I'm so lucky!

 

[majicmaker]

I guess we, as parents, always hope our kids CAN kick our asses...especially in the "Game of Life".I remember a few years back (well, not THAT few...) when my now 37 year old son reached his mid-20s.

He was about 6'6" and 230~240 pounds and feeling his oats one day and told me "Hey Dad, I can kick your ass now!"

I quickly reminded him of the old saying about age and treachery beating youth and exuberance any day of the week. He kind of tossed of my remark until I told him of the time I exacted some revenge on my older brother when I was about 10 or 11.

The older brother had beat the snot out of me for some older brother reason, and when I threatened to "get him back" he proceed to beating "Round 2".

That night, after he had gone to sleep, I took the extension tube off of Mom's vacuum cleaner and beat him senseless while he was trapped under the cover in bed.

One of the great, gratifying moments of my short life. :mace:

Mom whipped me good for giving him quite the severe ass-beating I felt he so richly deserved. That was the last time he ever raised his hand to me in anger! unk:

"What's your point, dad?" the boy says.

Four words, son -- "You gotta sleep sometime."

We've been best friends ever since.

Howie, Willie Nelson's wife did the same thing to him. Except she untucked the bedsheets from under the mattress, opened up the sheet he was covered in and sewed the two of them together making one big Hot Pocket! Then she used a baseball bat. Oh!! And did I mention that he was passed out drunk?! Yeah.... He was! . He survived. He didn't stop drinkin', he just got rid of the wife. He is one of my heroes!

 

[hppants]

Well done, dad. I enjoy looking fwd to updates on this thread

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I can truly relate to the split between fear of what will happen to the kid and the happiness of finding common ground.

I just installed a SHAD SH 50 top box on my ST and it looks terrible. Like a flying saucer out of The Jetsons.

My 10 year old son asks, "Daddy, does that thing have to stay on your bike?"

I ask, "Why? Do you not like it?"

Boy says. "Not really. It kind of looks ugly. Why is it on there anyway?"

I grab him and set him on the back seat. "Lean back boy, against that backrest."

Realization hits him and spreads as a huge grin across his little face. "Oooh. This is about me isn't it Dad? Mommy is NOT going to like this".

He's right. She won't. But I may have just reached some common ground with my best little friend.

 

[LKLD]

So, for the first time ever....my wife, daughter and I went for a ride. My daughter on her Ninja, and wifey on the back of mine. We did a ride on 2-lane roads with no traffic and small city traffic. I ran over a 4 ft. snake (black racer), daughter ran over a different snake, daughter pulled a wheelie (accidentally popped the clutch on take-off), and wifey damn near had a heart attack watching said daughter pulling a wheelie!

It was a friggin' great day! Wifey and daughter continue to learn the nuances of riding, and the enjoyments.

The wheelie scared the sh** out of my daughter, but she didn't panic, kept the wheel straight, no front brake, and came down slowly. I'm really proud of how they both continue to learn, and how willing they are to listen.

Life is good!

 

[hppants]

Well crap, this thread gives my heart a little tug.

Most proud of you my friend. As I have experienced recently with my nephew, it's a great joy to watch a loved one get enamored in the activity that we love so much.

 

[LKLD]

Thanks Pants, I never dreamed that this would be happening. 2 months ago this wasn't on the radar, then wifey and daughter took the MSF course, and it all changed. They both look forward to the weekend, so they can ride! I still have to pinch myself...really.

 

[LKLD]

Well today it happened. It was inevitable.

The wife wanted to go riding on daughter's bike, so once the rains cleared, we went. The roads were dry, as the sun had shown through partly cloudy skies and mid-80's temps. She was doing very well, being as it had been 2 weeks since her last time. Took her on back roads around the phosphate mines, which have roads that DON'T go in a straight line, a rarity around here. After 70 miles of wonderful riding, we come to a 4-way stop. I stopped and waited on her. As I turn my head right, waiting for her to stop beside me, she comes in a bit hot and inches from me. She panics and grabs the front brake...instant stop. She didn't expect it, as her feet were still on the pegs, so the bike starting going over on the left. She tried her damnedest to hold it up, but to no avail.

She fell with the bike, landing against me. I held it...barely. I got off and helped her up, then pulled her bike up. Man, that bike is so friggin' light! Got us both to the side of the road, and made sure she was ok. Looked the bike over and the shifter is bent into the linkage. So I try to be my lady's hero and pull it out some. Luckily, I was able to just enough so it could move, though it was still bent quite badly. I drove it a little to see if it will go through the gears. It did. So I asked her if she thought she could ride it like this, after showing her how to place her feet. She said yes. So she rode it 20 miles back to the house...safe and sound.

The whole time, from the time it happened to the time we got home, all I heard in my helmet was " Oh gosh Honey, I am so sorry!". I tried to make her not feel bad by showing it wasn't a big deal. Still, I know the feeling.

She's thought that she would want a Can-Am Spyder when she decides to get a bike. So after we've been home awhile,and have calmed down, I hear her say " I think I want a Can-Am, instead of a motorcycle.".

I say "Really? You don't won't a motorcycle? Why, because of what happened?". Then she says to me, and this totally blew me away, " No, I DON'T think I want a Can-Am, instead I want a motorcycle!". She continued, " I don't think the Can-Am would be as much fun in the curves, and I like the clutch thing.".

My jaw hit me knees!

 

[Mudslide Miller]

Looks like a pair of 300's will be in your garage soon! I had a lot of the same feelings when my 16 year old son wanted a bike, but I think it was easier to accept than if I would have had a daughter. I made him take the MSF course & he started out on a Kawi Ninja 500 & within a year moved to a Gixer 650. He became very skilled within a couple of years & by 18 he was riding wheelie's past me (not to my liking or approval, but he obviously knew what he was doing). After a stint in the USMC he came back from Iraq & got a Gixer 1000 & rode the heck out of that thing. He's now on a Victory Cross Country & has settled down from the Gixer days. We love our rides together. The only thing better than riding a motorcycle with your friends is riding them with family.

Once your girls are through the learning curve, you'll be enjoying the same thing, without worry! Congrats & enjoy the ride (the WHOLE ride, bumps, bruises, scrapes & dings)!!