Proud Dad / Nervous Dad

[oldryder]

I just went thru this with my daughter in the past year culminating in a 2300 mile road trip the 1st week of august.

started her on a ninja 250 last spring which I bought for $1300 and sold a year later for $1300. she took the MSF course.

she rode the ninja last year. this spring I let her move up to a GS750 suzuki followed soon after (she really didn't seem to have any problem with the heavier bike) with a TL1000R and ZRX1200R.

After I got comfortable she could ride a bigger bike without dumping it I let her ride the FJR. We took a "tune up" ride to Green Bay in July (400 miles each way)

I think the most valuable thing we did was take a couple advanced rider classes at a local track. They taught us to "look thru turns" and also gave us some idea how sharply a motorcycle can be turned with proper technique.

Riding the track also makes agressive street riding less attractive. Once you experience the fun of railing thru a turn without worrying about sand, gravel, oil, pedestrians, bicyclists, stalled cars, dead animals, or whatever, the attraction of agressively taking a curve on the street fades.

I've been riding for 35 years and I have a much better chance of avoiding a sudden obstruction as a result of the classes. She's already probably a more technically proficient rider than I was for most of my 35 years of riding.

We also had a LOT of fun!

Of course I still worry a bit when she's out riding because she's more vunerable to the thoughtless actions of some *****.

 

[Intech]

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.

She already rides with me and i require gear. She and my wife share the gear as we only have the one bike. Safety course, gear and a reasonable size starter are definite. The Ninja 250 is a good suggestion.

 

[Warchild]

Appreciate the kind words, folks!

Well, Lauryn finished up today will flying colors.... she scored well in the Written Test in the morning, and here she is in line to take the final Range Tests:

She kicked butt on the Range tests, and was ecstatic to finally get her Motorcycle Endorsement, displaying it proudly next to Dad:

Next up: she is going to go test ride that Ninja EX500 for sale in her home town....

 

[Old Michael]

...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....

....so, do you think they saw you following them?

 

[DABRIT]

Congratulations Lauryn,

Welcome to the world of motorcycling.

Be careful, Ride safe.

Try not give give dad too many grey hairs.

Now it's time to celebrate, dad where are taking her ?

Regards

Chris and Di

 

[canyonman]

Man that's great WC the more of us on 2 wheels the better.

Dad's smile is [SIZE=12pt]way[/SIZE] bigger.

 

[FJRay]

Appreciate the kind words, folks!
Well, Lauryn finished up today will flying colors.... she scored well in the Written Test in the morning, and here she is in line to take the final Range Tests:

She kicked butt on the Range tests, and was ecstatic to finally get her Motorcycle Endorsement, displaying it proudly next to Dad:

Next up: she is going to go test ride that Ninja EX500 for sale in her home town.... B)

The EX500 is a great starter bike. Thats what my daughter started on and I rode it several times. They used to be a pretty good race bike until the 650 Suzuki came out.

 

[terrebandit]

Your post made me chuckle. I bought my son a TTR125 when he was about 12. He rode the wheels off that bike with numerous hours of personal training by me... weaving cones, braking, slow speed manuvers, the works. All this in preparation for eventually taking to the street. When he was 16, I sprung for a used SV650. We traveled together to pick it up in my truck/trailer. Soon after, he signed up for the MSF class and ended up tipping one of their bikes over at slow speed. He still passed the test :clapping: In retrospect, its a good thing he dumped the bike there because I think that taught him a valuable lesson. We've covered many miles since then without issue and he is one of the most cautious 20 year old riders I've ever known.

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

Try not give give dad too many virtual grey hairs.

...fixed that for you, DABRIT

 

[Wee Willy]

It IS all good. Just instill the right kind of instincts in them and try to enjoy watching 'em fly. I told my son this would probably be the most dangerous thing he would ever do short of deploying for combat, statistically speaking. He started careful, became confident, then too confident, then had a close call one day. That woke him up. He now drives with the kind of caution experience brings. Many of us have been there too...right? I have anyway...still have the scars to prove it.

Enjoy watching her fly.

W2

 

[Silver Penguin]

Bitter sweet! You're loving the thought that she's following in your footsteps and knowing what fun is in store for her. At the same time, you're worried sick that you can't protect her from all the morons out there.

Looks as though you're doing the best job that a Dad can do - getting her proper training and teaching her about gear.

Fond memories, all the way back to my 16th birthday when my provisional license became valid. I got up at 5am and went for a ride, in the dark. While I was getting my gear on, I heard my Dad come downstairs. Without a word, he got his gear on, and rode behind me. (Then I had to put the bike away, change into my school uniform and bicycle to school).

 

[eeksnake]

Congrats Lauryn and proud Papa!

Another educated and safety conscious rider on the road. I love it! Good job teaching her right. :clapping:

 

[Fred W]

I've said it before...

IMO anyone considering riding a motorcycle on the streets, especially fairly young and inexperienced drivers should do some time in the dirt first. Learning motorcycle control is better done when the hazards around you are not moving (while also talking or texting on their cell phones).

Having to "learn" all the hazards of the road while also still mastering controlling a bike is too much for just about anyone. There are some good reasons why so many novice motorcyclists show up in the accident reports.

Plus there are some things that you will learn about bike control roosting around in the soft stuff that you may never pick-up out on the tarmac. It accelerates the learning process with an added margin of safety.

I know there will be several folks that pipe up saying how they just bought an FJR and climbed on and that was that. But I also know that I was very comfortable leading my teenage son out for his first rides on his learners permit, because he had 4-5 years being a dirt squirt first.

Beside, it was good (not so clean) fun for the old man too...

 

[airboss]

Never get tired of posting this.

BTW if you ever get the urge, throwing that little Ninja down a crooked road is a hoot!.......................ah, not that I would know from personnal experiance h34r:

 

[MsLilly]

Reading your posts and seeing the pictures brings back memories. For my daughter's 21st birthday we got her a Ninja 500. She took the MSC and aced it. Her biggest problem is her short legs. She struggled with the bike the first year she had it. Then, second year, she and I were out riding. She dropped it again and was in tears. We talked a long time and I told her to get behind me and just relax...we would have a nice day. From that day on she had no problems. By the end of that riding season she had sold the Ninja and bought a Ducati 749dark. Talk about scared...it is one of my fears for her but I remember when I started riding and my parents were freaked out. I try to remember she is a good rider and hopes that she takes all precautions. The one good thing is she rides with guys all the time and has seen them crash and burn cause they were riding out of control. She is out front with them but always is the one who is there to pick up the pieces.

 

[Warchild]

And addendum to this thread.... now Dad can be *really* nervous!

This past Saturday, we went on a little 100 mile run through the canyons of southeast Washington on her (new to her) '94 Ninja 500:

She did quite well.... she stayed back a good fair bit behind me, but always within sight. Her cornering skillz are pretty decent for a new rider, but until I can get rid of that POS front tire (a Kendra cruiser tire - WTF was the previous owner thinking?) and overhaul that front caliper (very "wooden" braking at the moment), she says she will not be getting rid of any chicken strips anytime soon.

 

[FJRay]

Good job Dad. Thats the same bike my daughter started on. With decent tires and fix up the brakes you will find it a very fun bike.

 

[exskibum]

Perfect first bike, WC . . . with new rubber and the application of your maintenance skills, that is. You'll have some company out in the garage for maintenance operations now?

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Warchild,

Thanks for posting the update... her smile is Priceless and you have alot to be proud of.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I've said it before...
IMO anyone considering riding a motorcycle on the streets, especially fairly young and inexperienced drivers should do some time in the dirt first. Learning motorcycle control is better done when the hazards around you are not moving (while also talking or texting on their cell phones).

Having to "learn" all the hazards of the road while also still mastering controlling a bike is too much for just about anyone. There are some good reasons why so many novice motorcyclists show up in the accident reports.

Plus there are some things that you will learn about bike control roosting around in the soft stuff that you may never pick-up out on the tarmac. It accelerates the learning process with an added margin of safety.

I know there will be several folks that pipe up saying how they just bought an FJR and climbed on and that was that. But I also know that I was very comfortable leading my teenage son out for his first rides on his learners permit, because he had 4-5 years being a dirt squirt first.

Beside, it was good (not so clean) fun for the old man too...

+1

I have to agree with Fred on this one. You can carry over skills that you just won't learn riding the streets. When you tires slip and slide a little bit you have no fear and know what to do. You also learn that the throttle is your friend in many instances when most people will let off and then the bike will be in control of you.

If you ever have a chance take your daughter to play in the dirt sometime on some MC's.

Which reminds me i must go take the XR for a spin to refresh my skills. See ya! and ride safe.