His baby girls first street bike...

[MyheartorHis]

I have been riding for a long time now, just never owned one of my own. I started riding (on the back of a bike) when I was 13 and when I turned 16, my boyfriend taught me how to actually ride ("drive") on a dirt bike. I have rode many street bikes, even with a guy on the back, and it's no problem. I am talking all summer and fall every single year since I was 16- that kind of experience. I am looking into a gsxr 600 for my first one, which is perfect because that is the bike I have been riding on mostly.

 

Money is not an issue because I have been saving up and about to start a new job that will make it easier, and I won't stress about money. I already have a helmet, jacket, and know how to do everything. Now all I have to do is legally get my motorcycle license and buy a bike!

 

But my problem with the WHOLE thing is my dad. I'm a HUGE daddy's girl but he WILL NOT let me ride. Even though I have been going behind his back (I'm almost 21 years old so it's not like he can really tell me what to do anymore), I am a safe driver! I KNOW my limits. I don't know how he will EVER support me BUYING a bike when he won't even support me RIDING on one! I prefer to have him co-sign, but he will never let me do that!

 

HOW CAN I GET MY DAD TO CHANGE HIS MIND?! I have been DYING to get my own bike since the FIRST day I ever rode when I was 13! It's not like he can really tell me what I can or can not do but I want him to support me, be there for me, etc. I feel like I'm disappointing him. He just feels like that because I am his little girl, he wants to keep me safe, and the list goes on!

[waveseer]

He has every right to decline to cosign a loan with or without a reason. He also has every right to his own opinion on the safety of motorcycles. I'm not trying to take sides, but it's very easy to forget that we are autonomous when we want something badly.

[Binoo]

I understand this. I once dated a guy with a motorbike and my dad said that he'd kill me before the bike could if I even thought about riding it.

 

Your dad will still love you and learn to accept the bike over time.

This may be a long shot but maybe you could take him for a spin and show him what a good driver you are?

Educate him. Take extra, extra safety precautions.

He'll come around eventually. But I would suggest saving for the bike and paying for it yourself. Might add fuel to the fire otherwise.

[MyheartorHis]

He has every right to decline to cosign a loan with or without a reason. He also has every right to his own opinion on the safety of motorcycles. I'm not trying to take sides, but it's very easy to forget that we are autonomous when we want something badly.

 

I understand about the cosigning, but I feel like if he supported me even a little bit he wouldn't mind. But he is so much against it.

 

I guess I just want to find out if there is anything I can say to possibly change his views even the slightest bit. Every time we start to talk about it, his face gets so red and he won't even listen!

[MyheartorHis]

I understand this. I once dated a guy with a motorbike and my dad said that he'd kill me before the bike could if I even thought about riding it.

 

Your dad will still love you and learn to accept the bike over time.

This may be a long shot but maybe you could take him for a spin and show him what a good driver you are?

Educate him. Take extra, extra safety precautions.

He'll come around eventually. But I would suggest saving for the bike and paying for it yourself. Might add fuel to the fire otherwise.

 

If I want to get it from a private buy, I won't need a co-signer but I will if I go somewhere to buy it like a dealership thingy, ya know?

[waveseer]

I understand about the cosigning, but I feel like if he supported me even a little bit he wouldn't mind. But he is so much against it.

 

I guess I just want to find out if there is anything I can say to possibly change his views even the slightest bit. Every time we start to talk about it, his face gets so red and he won't even listen!

 

He believes that you will come to harm and he loves you and cares for you and doesn't want that to happen. For him it is too big a risk to take.

 

I have discussed riding extensively with bikers (and former bikers). So far it runs about 50/50 whether they think it's too risky. Most are very experienced and between the ages of 35 and 55.

[airmanswife]

My father is the same way...he doesn't even know I have a tattoo and I've had it for almost 3 years. All fathers like to see their little girls once as their little girls always. I would just tell him that this is what you want to do and express to him that you would like his support but don't need it to buy a bike.

 

Eventually he will come around. They always do.

[MyheartorHis]

He believes that you will come to harm and he loves you and cares for you and doesn't want that to happen. For him it is too big a risk to take.

 

I have discussed riding extensively with bikers (and former bikers). So far it runs about 50/50 whether they think it's too risky. Most are very experienced and between the ages of 35 and 55.

 

That's who my friends are, very experienced riders. Actually, the guy that I am talking to is a profession stunt rider. Now, I wouldn't ever do that myself but he lets me ride his bikes all the time with him, he has 5 bikes so he just rides along with me. I understand all the danger that is out there, I've lost friends and been the hospital more times than I can count all from bikes but bikes are a passion of mine. I just wish he would listen enough to KNOW that. I just feel like if he would take the time to listen to what I had to say, he might just understand to a certain extent.

[KG]

I rode for 8 years...and quit when a friend got t-boned by a driver running a red light. He's OK, but still has to use a cane, 10 years on.

So when the day comes that my son wants one, will have the same dilemma.

I think it's not that your father won't support you, but wants you safe from the careless drivers out there.

 

They have no brake lights, stop, you run into them.

 

They turn without looking into their blind spot...there you are.

 

Speed through a red light, while you are crossing the intersection.

 

Unexpected pulling out of a driveway, you're doing a safe 40 mph, at 10 feet.

 

Just my humble opinion, is all.

[jcrisph]

My dad doesnt support me getting a bike and i doubt he will ever.

 

he asked me one question:

 

would you be able to drive the speed limit with it.

 

i said no, he started laughing and said wait at least till you get

better health care and then think about it again.

 

I think like my dad, your dad might just have have the safety issues..

 

might take your dad somewhere and talk and tell him about the passion you have for street bikes and how much it means to you. Go out to lunch,or something,just the 2 of you.

[Dating Coach]

I understand about the cosigning, but I feel like if he supported me even a little bit he wouldn't mind. But he is so much against it.

 

I guess I just want to find out if there is anything I can say to possibly change his views even the slightest bit. Every time we start to talk about it, his face gets so red and he won't even listen!

 

He's probably against it because he's scared you will hurt yourself. I would say the best way to get him to listen is to express just how careful you will be and how all of the lessons he taught you about safety have stuck with you.

[JadedStar]

I wouldn't cosign for my daughter to get a street bike either. Or my son.

 

For that matter, I also won't cosign a loan for them to get a car. LOL I cosigned for an apt for my daughter once and got stuck wtih a bill. NOw they know mom doesn't cosign anymore, for anything.

 

Even if you have been riding since you were 13 they are still dangerous. This isn't even a gender issue. My son is almost 20 and i would be really afraid if he decided to buy a motorcycle and would talk him out of it if i could.

[Dating Coach]

A 20 year old kid just died yesterday in my area. He was a straight A student, in college, worked his butt off, was responsible and had no history of getting into trouble. He always wanted a bike of his own and his parents wouldn't cosign with him. He ended up saving up his money and was so happy when he finally bought his bike. He had it only a couple of months and wrecked yesterday going down an off ramp. He was speeding too much for the conditions, hit a part of the road that was slightly tricky, and that's that. He's gone.

 

So yeah, I can totally see your dad's position. He loves you and fears you will get hurt. People always think that something will never happen to them, but it does.

[PixelPusher]

I agree... you'll never change his mind when it comes to this really, unless you eventually prove to him that you're a safe rider (which requires going behind his back initially.)

 

There also is a very big stigma associated with the sport bike crowd and maybe your dad is reading into that. You can just YouTube Sport Bikes and see all the morons giving sport bikers a bad name. Let's face it... sport bikes are designed to go very, very fast so they attract a certain "type" of rider. Granted not ALL sport bike owners are like this... I have a couple friends who own incredibly powerful sport bikes and are very safe riders.

 

I get tagged with a stigma, too...I currently ride a 250cc scooter and considering it will out-accelerate most cars and can do upwards of 85+ mph, it's not the toy people think it is. When I bought it, my mom thought it was so cute and she didn't have a problem, but when my girlfriend's dad gave me a 1976 Honda GL1000 to fix up and ride, she freaked out. I told her that I can just as easily get killed on my scooter than I can on the GL1000!

 

Don't be a squid and ride in inappropriate clothing. Full-faced helmet, riding jacket with armor, riding gloves, boots over the ankles and preferably armor-lined pants, too. Props that you already have some good gear.

 

I strongly suggest taking a safety class through the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation). No matter how long you've been riding or how good you think you are, you WILL learn something very valuable in a safety class. I've only been riding on the street for 9-months or so (spent many years on off-road bikes) and that safety class has already saved my behind a few times.

 

So I guess my point is... the only way to prove to your dad that you're responsible is that you have to be responsible. Perhaps buying a smaller "beginner" friendly 250cc cruiser like a Honda Rebel or the like will put his mind at ease while you prove you're a good rider. Then, when he sees that you're responsible, you can sell it and get a bigger bike.

 

Never, EVER believe that you're ever safe on a motorcycle. You can be as prepared and educated as possible, but you're never safe. Always understand that you could die anytime no matter how safe you are... it makes you a MUCH more aware rider. There are dangers inherent in motorcycling... that is just the way it is.

[MyheartorHis]

Thanks for all the advice. I did talk to my dad.

 

He actually said with my job (in the nursing field) he will co-sign. He has co-signed on all my vehicles and my first apartment, so he knows I am reliable and will not stick him with the bill- that was never a concern of his. He WAS just scared of my safety. And I completely understand.

 

I have been in three CAR wrecks, so it's not just bikes that are dangerous. Not saying that bikes are less dangerous, just saying you never know what can happen. I AM a safe driver and rider, but you have to be aware that sometimes it's not you you have to worry about- it's everyone else on the rode.

 

I think it's all going to be okay. I promised I would wait a little bit to get it, though. Oh, and I am taking classes, plus I get a hell of a deal on my insurance if I do, so I am taking as many as I can!

 

Thanks again everyone!