Convincing family its ok to get a motorcycle?

Question

I recently started a new job workin from home and won't need to do much driving - just to college and to my girlfriends house. I would like to sell my car and purchase a bike - my car is soon to be due for some COSTLY maitenance - clutch, timing belt, radiator.. I would much rather avoid this and sell it as I would be paying 200 a month for insurance for a vehicle I barely drove.

I would be saving money on gas and insurance by doing this.. As well as the 1000+ on labor and parts for that maitenance

What I would like to know is how I can convince the people around me that its a good idea.. I don't need anyones approval to get it but everyone around me is against it for safety reasons - how can I convince them its not as dangerous as they think?

I want to get like a 650cc sportbike and I would have full protective gear when I rode.

I would also like to know what you consider a good brand for bikes - my price range is 5000 to 8000 for a new bike.. I can go to a smaller engine if its too expensive

The car I want to sell is a 2000 mitsubishi eclipse gs, 115k miles, some performance upgrades and a system w DVD player

Answer 1

Dont lie to yer folks, riding on the street is dangerous.

and sports bikes are the most dangerous machines .

Answer 2

If you are a new rider then you should not work on convincing your family that it isn't dangerous, you should convince yourself that it is. full gear is great for when you slide but if you go splat then youre still going to splat. take a safety course if you haven't already.

one of the big things to think of is insurance, depending on where you live and your age insurance can be more than 200/mo considering the bike you get. sport bikes are double if not more when it comes to insurance.

look at the gsxf and the ninja650 for your price range, both are comfortable but the gsxf is way heavy...like 480lbs. everyone will have a different opinion on the best brand so go with what will be the best for you when it comes to price, financing if you need it and warranty/protection plans.

hope it helps. be safe.

Stupid Hurts.

Answer 3

they aren't safe don't get one

Answer 4

Where do you live? I'm in Southern Cali, seldom rains here, but when it does, I'm glad I have a vehicle.... Riding in the rain with a bike CAN be done, you can drive with your feet if you want to, but that doesn't make it a good idea. Especially an inexperienced rider....

With gas as it is now, its a good idea to get a bike and save some money, but the fact is, they are not safe....They are dangerous, but I love it still....

A motorcycle should be a secondary mode of transportation, not a primary one. I rarely drive my Jeep, but I'm glad I have it when I need to go grocery shopping, or when it rains.

Be smart about it.... Buy a car, if you don't drive it much, but a cheap inexpensive car... then if you have money left over, buy a bike.... But to buy just a bike is foolish and immature.

Answer 5

I been riding since 1982.  But telling the family it is OK (safe?) is kind of hard to do because it really is not safe.

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

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Just be truthful with yourself about the dangers of riding.  and you won't be surprised and you'll less likely try dangerous moves.

Good Luck...

Answer 6

on a bike you have to be aware of everyone else around you, far more then if you were in a car... cuz if you get in a wreck, pretty much regaurdless you're going to come out the loser....

somehow you have to convince them you can be very saftey minded... dunno how... but most of the danger from those particular bikes is people showing off and people not paying attention to everything around them, like they're invincible...

anyway you cut it tho, they still are more dangerous then a car... i don't think i'd give my bike up for anything, so don't think i'm saying bikes are dangerous etc etc.

Answer 7

Get one and make sure you attend the motorcycle safety course by the state.  I would also get full coverage on the motorcycle.  You mention your state is not require to have insurance, but with reality "YOU WILL NEED IT SOONER OR LATER".

good luck

Answer 8

There's not much cargo capacity on a motorcycle, so it'll be hard to go grocery shopping.  I ride my motorcycle most of the time, but I kept the car for those occasions when I have to shlep something around that won't fit in a daypack.

Answer 9

get a suzuki gsxr 600, when they see it, they'll love it and will be sooo jealous. also just say "its not the bike, its how you ride it" my dad has been riding for 50 years now, and he's NEVER came off. and i've got myself a gsxr750 and never came off *touch wood* and I LOVE IT

Answer 10

Why convince your family they dont have anything to do with you getting a new bike if you want a bike and you are an adult then voice your opinion and get you a bike.  I  have bike that I am fixing up and a scooter that I ride.  Bikes arent dangerous as long as you pay attention and dont act like n idiot on them, not saying you do but I seen alot of people do it and vehicle drivers try to show you up and you have to watch too.  Good luck and go have fun