Hey I'm Shane I'm almost 19 and I own a 2000 Lightning. I love it and I wouldn't trade it for the world. My dad has 2 bikes and I've ridden' on them since i was like 8. I used to love when my dad would take me to baseball practice and we'd take the hog. I'd have so much fun on the way to where ever we were going and I'd show up and ALL my friends would be jealous. Every time he'd take me with him or in front of his friends, they'd ask me when i was getting a bike... And I'd say when I get older. And my dad would say the same thing, and he'd imply when he turns 18...
So recently I've been looking at bikes, thinking about getting a bike and I've got the money for a bike. So I talked to my dad about it, and tried getting some advise about it. He really doesn't want me to get one now that he thinks about it he says.
He says they are very dangerous, and I don't need one right now. Now I should focus on College or better yet he say's put that money down on a house. When i see his points 100%.
College should be the most important thing in my life right now.
Motorcycles are very dangerous and even the best of drivers can be involved in an accident even if it's not there fault. And lastly interest is at an all time low now and now is the best time to put $15,000 down on a house.
But I’m 18 years old and i work 58 hours a week. I run a Nextel phone shop here in town Monday-Friday and on the weekends I help a neighbor out and I change oil for him at his Car Wash/ Oil Change. I want to have something else to show for myself. That may sound weird and greedy even. Like i want a reward or it to be known that i work and do what i do. But I’m serious and I take pride in the things I own. I had my heart set on my truck months before I got it, my dad advised me it wasn't the best thing for me at the time, and gave me the whole, "Do what you want speech." Which pretty much means I don't want you to get it, but you're getting it anyway. I got that speech a few other times in my life. I got it when i was 15 and bought my first car. It was an 87 Jeep wrangler. I was 15 and i really liked cars and i wanted to have one lined up when I got my license and a guy who worked for my dad was selling his Jeep for $3,000. So i saved up the money I made from working at a pizza place, and i went out and got the Jeep. A year after I got my Jeep, all my friends were getting their licenses and cars, they all started to get Camaros, Mustangs and other fast cars.... So i got a 94 trans am. I paid $6,800 for it and i was able to keep my jeep and drive that in the winter. Even then I got the "Do what you want..." Speech.

About me getting a bike, he is very worried about not only me but other drivers. He says that even the best of drivers (like himself) get into accidents and bikes are less forgiving (than a car). He also says bikes are a lot of fun. He has 2 Harley's. So i save up the money for a bike and in the mean time I tell him i want to get one and he shuts down the idea without putting any thought into it. He thinks I am getting it to keep up with my friends. When that’s not why I am getting a bike. I want one because I want to be able to get on a bike and ride. I see how much he loves his, and I want to have a bike of my own.
This is weird for me because my dad and I are SO close and we have a relationship most father and sons don't have. I talked to him about everything and I tell him things i pry shouldn't and visa versa at times... We both treat each other like men.
I am a sensible and responsible kid. I go to my dad for advise for everything. And now that my dad isn't there, it's weird for me to do anything with out him behind me. I am just wondering if I am going about this wrong and if there is any other things you can recommend I do to try to get my dad's approval. Thanks, Shane

 

Well, you say you and your father are close. That is excellent. Now, not knowing either of you, and only a good guess on my part your dad is, in my opinion, just simple worried about your safety on a bike.

Like you and he had both said even if you’re a great rider it don’t matter it only takes ONE idiot or someone not paying attention and your dad very well could see you for the last time laying in a morgue.

I don’t mean to come across as cold and blunt, but I have a 14 year old daughter. I worry about the day she starts driving. She won’t have NO ricer car, not for the first car, because I will worry every time she leaves the house.

A car and bike are two different worlds. A car, as you and your dad seem to agree on, provide “a little” more protection then does a bike.

If it is possible try to imagine you have son, who you are very close to. First try to imagine letting him take his first drive in a car. You know there is “some” safety, but you will still worry. Now imagine your son instead of leaving in a car takes off on a bike.

Another thing is remember your dad was your age once too. I am sure he is well aware that most 18, 19 etc old kids, especially guys seem to believe they are invincible. I know I was at 17. I had a 69 Grand Prix, with the 455cid motor and it hauled serious @ss. I use to drive it through the cannon with all the curves doing well over 100mph with my buddy.

Never once thought about the possibility the tires could roll right off the rims, never once thought about a possible blow out, nothing. In this cannon there were many curves with huge rocks along the road, we are talking 10 to 20 feet tall.

Knowing what I know today I wouldn’t do that, but that is my point. Not that your dad don’t trust you, but he has been there, done that and now has to worry about his son who he is close with.

Is it fair? Most likely not, but you can’t fault your dad for caring about you either.

Good luck in what ever decision you choice to make.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I understand your points. I have put myself into his shoes many times and I realize it's a rough position for him to be in. I am sure he hates to be put into the position he is in. He can't just get up and say, "Sure Shane, go get a bike... " And then if something happens to me, how would he live with himself?
I understand that completely and I am already scared to death of the day I will have kids and from there, when they want to drive... And on top of that get a bike? What are they out of their mind? See I understand that and I don't know how I will get over that then other than try to teach them and be there for them when they need me along the way.
I guess what i am trying to say is this is something I am going to do. I am going to get a bike. It's not about the money my dad just is looking out for me. I just don't know if I'll ever get a straight answer out of him... And on the same hand, I don't think it's fair of me to ask his permission... Do you understand the position he is in?
Lastly I think I am pretty confident about getting a bike and I have the money, I've looked into insurance, I've test drove them... I've pretty much done it all and it's a done deal. I am just waiting for my dad's approval. But, I'm not sure if I'll ever get the bike if I keep waiting for that.

 

Sounds like you're gonna get a bike no matter what we say, but here's a thought...Buy an old bike, like a Norton or Triumph, or even an old tank-shifter 3-wheeled Harley...and restore it.
This way you will;
have a bike,
spend some quality time w/your dad while you work on it,
be less likely to take chances with it,
probably won't use it as much,
get it out of your system, and
have something to really be proud of when its done.

I didn't let my son get a bike either. It was a good move, because of the way he drives, I know he would have hurt himself bad on it.

 

MROLDV8 couldnt have hit that one on the head any better. I am 20, so i can relate to your dillemma Shane. Let me tell you a little story...My father and I have been riding motorcycles all our lives. I went from dirt to street when i was old enough, and ride quite often. I have a dirt bike now, no street bike. For all and more of the reasons already posted. I am an experienced rider, but it takes one soccer mom in her suburban yelling at the kids in the back rather than looking at the road.....Anyway, I've owned my share of bikes...an old yamaha seca, a kawasaki ninja, a hond superhawk and cbr 600. but first bike was a norton commando 750. old, run down and in desperate need of attention. dad really dindnt want me riding on the street (i was 16 at the time...just got my liscense) anyway, together we built the bike back up, and rode together with it. i then learned to apprecaite older bikes....it pisses me off to see some 17-18 year old kid go out and buy some 2003 185 hp ninja and kill himself. my friend, who is 19 and very, very self confident(for lack of a better word not allowed on this forum) bought himself a 2003 suzuki gsxr 650. he had never ridden a day before that. didnt take him 35 minutes to wreck the damn thing, smashed up the whole right side and front end. anyway, do what you feel is right, dont let us tell you what to do. but do take some advice when needed. I hope it all works out for you (which it will) and ride safe my friend...ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET....i was in a wreck and if it werent for my helmet i would've been dead, no questions asked.

Take care,

-Alan

 

is this your opinion or are you trying to fit in or show off some? I would skip the bike at the moment, get school all paid for, then worry bout the little things.

 

You mentioned that you want something to show for all your hard work, then I say get a house. You already have the L for show on the road, it is ten times nicer to come home to something that you have worked for. We bought our house 3 1/2 years ago & it didn't need any fixing up but we enjoy doing little projects every year (patio, pond, garden). Plus the fact that you can put anything anywhere you want & have a garage to call your own. Now if we could just fit the Torino in the garage w/the L & the other crap (no I'm not callingthe L crap) we would be set.

 

You didn't let your son get a bike because of the way he drives you said. I admit I drive my truck hard, but still responsibly. I love driving and i like the attention I get when I'm in my truck. But you and my dad both say you KNOW (your kid)/ I would hurt myself bad on it because I drive my truck hard? I drive hard yeah, but I do drive very responsibly. I don't have any accidents. I have only been driving for 3 years and I know that riding a bike will be so different. But I am confident I can handle myself on a bike and continue to make the right decisions while out riding.

rdy2rac with: you said get the house.... I'd love to get the house. I really would and my dad knows that, but I don't think he understands REALLY how much I want my own place. I just don't think 4 grand is going to set me off that much from getting a $135,000 house. I want to get the bike now, and I told my dad if come this fall (when i want to get a house) I need the money, I'll sell my bike. I told him I'd even sell my truck if I wasn't able to make the payments on the house. I really want to get my own place. Again, I just don't see the money being where the standstill is...

Any more advice from people who were in my shoes, or even my dad’s shoes and you can recommend any other way about going about it. Also, what you think is best for me. I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Shane

 

rdy2rac with, Thats cool that your an Accountant. That is the degree I'm working on now. Only had 2 acct. classes, but more are on the way.

 

I'm actually working towards my degree as well (I go to class after work), but I've been performing the accounting functions for our office since last spring.

Shane, when it comes to houses every little bit counts. $4000 may not seem like much compared to the overall price but it does help in the end.
You sound like you want a house more that you want a bike. I still say go for the house, it will pay off so much more in the long run.

 

Or you could get a Newmar Deisel pusher. Have a house and a cool set of wheels at the same time.



ya, the class I have now and next semester Managrial and cost acct. is really cool. Figuring out all the way's to assign cost, set budgets, and stuff is good stuff.

 

I've been taking 1 class a semester since I have the full time job & Roni is only a year old. I'm taking cost accounting now (reading chapter 7 as I type ).

 

These people taking about getting the house are making a lot of sense.

Here is why:

Interest rates at the moment are at an all time LOW. I don’t remember seeing interest rates so low ever and I am 38. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

When the war is complete and if all goes as well as it is now you very well could see the economy rebound and not just a little. Now I am not saying it is going to go through the roof, but if it climbs at a nice pace then so will INTEREST RATES.

All you have to do is look at all the auto dealers, and as you say the bike dealers they are doing about ANYTHING they can to get someone to buy something, all kinds of nice incentives.

The housing market is trying their best to just about give away money. Now I may be off a bit, but if I am correct housing prices are down as well due to the economy.

Housing prices down, interest down all equals a ONE in a life time deal. Even if you only have $4,000 to put down, you most likely will never get a chance like you have now.

As far as the bike, you will have a chance at that later, maybe pay a little more, but nothing like the money you will save on interest on your own house.

Another thing to remember. If you buy a house now at a low price, with low interest when the market picks up so will the value of your house which equals a great opportunity to get a second mortgage which you could use to buy a bike later, be it a year or two down the line.

If you bought a house now at a low price and low interest, held on to it for just 5 to 10 years you could make A LOT of money later on. It is probably the best investment you could ever make.

Also remember that owning a house could benefit you as far as taxes and perhaps getting more of your tax money back at the end of the year, another opportunity for cash for a bike.

Buy a bike now, and it will not help you in any way to make money, or for money to buy a house later, no more then your Lighting. Don’t take me wrong I am not saying a bike or the Lighting is bad, but as far as investments, they are indeed bad.

Just something to think about before you jump into buying a bike. Ask around, not just your dad but some others, here and where you live about what I have said. I really believe you have a once in a life time opportunity to own a house, and shortly later own a bike and have more money in your pocket.

 

Just kinda curious, who writes the Cost acct book you have?

 

Horngren, Datar & Foster. Eleventh edition.

& so I don't totally hijack your thread... buy a house, have a party, charge $20 a head & buy a bike after your hangover wears off.

rdy2rac with
(sorry didn't feel like logging him off)