I want a motorbike.?

Question

Hey everyone,

I have been a HUGE fan of motorbikes from a very early age and recently decided I will take my full licence and finally get one. However, my girlfriend feels very strongly against the idea saying things like "you will die" or "its either the bike or me", I had a CBT test years ago and loved my little crappy scooter, but, now its time to go onto something big.

How can I convince my girlfriend that Im not going to die and that motorbikes are safe if you don't ride beyond your means?

I will be starting with an Aprilla 250cc and then eventually onto a Yamaha R6...

Any ideas,

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi David, whilst I have been a motorcyclist for 30 years, I have lost many good friends, either through other peoples stupidity, their own, or merely bad luck. Motorcycling is dangerous, but then so is life. You can ride a bike for years and never have an accident, or you can go clubbing with your girl and get beaten to a pulp by mindless thugs. All you can do is minimise the risk. Firstly dont buy an Aprilia, secondly why an R6? Straight away, you are proving your girlfriend right!, you are entering the "power ranger" category. If you want to experience the speed and power of an R6, buy a track day bike, ride fast and live. Then ride something on the road that is less of a crotch rocket. The roads in this country suck! mainly because of poor surfaces, but also due to the number of morons on them. If you are riding something like an R6, there is one place and one place only for it! the race track. Buy yourself a big trailbike for the road and go green laning, be aware and remember the golden rule of biking.

There are old bikers and there are bold bikers

But there are no, old bold bikers!

Answer 2

I have been riding for 20 years.  Everything in life comes with risk - you just have weigh up whether the risk is worth it - its a pros and cons thing.

In the 20 years of riding I have put in  - in all weathers - I would say only ride to your capabilities and treat EVERYONE else on the road as an idiot.

If a car in front of you turns on his indicator what is the only 100% certain thing you know at that point...................................... that the bulb works!

Ride defensively and always observe the road and weather conditions.

As for your girlfriend, well either she will learn to live with it or not.  If she is already saying stuff like "its the bike or me" then it seems to me she is being very immature and possessive.  There will be immense problems forever more either way.  If you back down she has the green light to use the same ploy at any time in the future (and she will).  If you go ahead then have plainly made your choice and she needs to get with the plan or **** off.

Answer 3

I had never riden a bike in my life until December 2007 when i did my CBT, i then did my DAS in February 2008 and went straight onto a Honda CBR600.

Guess what? I'm still alive!!!

Actually i've found the general experience nothing like as dangerous as people would have you believe. I think mainly it's just a case of staying within your own limits while you build your confidence and experience and just staying concentrated.

My wife wasn't that keen on me getting the bike but she can see it puts a smile on my face everytime i ride it and her riding pillion has really helped because she can see how careful i am.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Don't know how old you are or how close you are to your girlfriend, but if you want a bike, get one! Yes, it is a risk with todays traffic conditions, but if you really want one, do it or you will probably regret it later. Being young is all about taking risks and enjoying life, doing what you want. The police do a good training course which would be worth looking into if only to prove to your girlfriend you are going to be responsible. Rode bikes for years, been knocked off twice and lived to tell the tale. Come off quite a few times but I'm still here. Lost a lot of friends who weren't so lucky, but it becomes a way of life. The adrenalin rush of a good bike is second to none! Some girls like bikes, some don't, but there you go. If it means that much to you (sounds as though it does) get one! Life's too short for regrets, I know, I'm 50 and being a biker is still at the top of my list. Sounds selfish, I know but if you can't persuade your girlfriend, you may have to make a choice unfortunately. Know what I would do!

Good luck and safe riding!

Answer 5

Remember the CW song with a line so...... I'm sure gonna miss her (twang twang)?    But.............. in case she stays, ride something she will be comfortable on and that AIN"T a Yamaha R6. For a lady on the back eating bugs and soaking up rain, some comfort is essential. Get a cruiser or a touring bike, BMW RT etc. Take her on a nice 200 miler to some place special. Make the journey a part of the goal. Make sure she loves it. It is down hill from there. However, take her 40 miles on an R6 to some mindless 30 mile poker run on a hot day, hungry and bored and ............she is  sure gonna miss ya.

Answer 6

I felt very much the same when my hubby wanted a bike - i made him take life insurance out !.At the end of the day it is up to you, if she still feels really strongly about it why dont you take the Police safety bike course when you have passed your test. You just contact your local Police station and they will tell you where youre nearest course is and i believe its free. It will show her that you are serious about SAFE riding habits. You could always buy her a helmet and the gear and take her out on it as well. My hubby gave up the biking after a workmate had a serious accident a year ago on a bike. One year on and hes still on crutches (he nearly lost his foot and his hand) as it is he has lost his big toe on one foot and lost the use of his right hand. He may still have to have the foot taken off - but he still considers himself lucky. Remember matey - Speed kills, but if youre lucky to survive a crash it  changes lives forever.