[Scumbag]

Luckily my wife has rode with me enough and she also rides so having her as a passenger isn’t bad. I hate riding her on sport bikes tho. Just scares me. Couple falls ago we was riding my street glide. This lady ran a redlight to try and squeeze between me and the car behind me. Hit the corner of my saddlebag just enough to slam us down. We never even seen her coming. I’d seen her sitting there but as I looked the other direction that’s when she took off and nailed me. She was 78 years old and twice over the legal limit. At 1115 in the morning. I only had road rash but it broke my wife’s right arm in four spots. Both bones in half. Down near the wrist and up at the elbo. It was an awful break. Even though I know 100% there is nothing anyone could have done to avoid that wreck there is still regret and I think about that day everytime she wants to ride with me. And she is still a little iffy wanting to ride by herself. Especially in town traffic. Sometimes shit just Happens and there isn’t anything you can do to avoid it.

I hate seeing guys all geared up and they have a female on the back with nothing on more than a helmet. Especially cruiser guys in Florida. Not even a helmet and her in a bathing suit. Shits sketchy.

 

[Scumbag]

I've had a couple, but they aren't common. One GF liked riding and really enjoyed spirited riding on my GSXR1000. She was pretty light weight and would lean in with me, making the bike handle nearly the same as solo. My wife is also pretty good, going with the flow and not fighting the bike. She is so relaxed I worry about her falling asleep sometimes. I could never be that relaxed on the bike, but it makes things easier as the operator.


Mark

I agree. Your wife is a very good passenger 😲

🤷‍♂️😂

 

[Scumbag]

I miss using my gf’s legs as arm rests at red lights when she is not on the back!

They make good drink holders to.

 

[Scumbag]

These are great thoughts -- it's hard to know where to draw the line -- I used to ride with my daughter as passenger, always with full gear.

Now she rides the N400 herself with me behind her on the ZX-6R, with helmet intercoms -- we don't go above 35mph, though.

I'm not sure if that is better or worse, but I did not want her to be uneducated going off to college and then being passenger with some cute guy driving (I'd rather him be the passenger!)...

The same thoughts go thru my head rock climbing or even bicycling on public roads -- heck or even driving for recreation...

How much risk is OK, and can I even really explain the possible consequences to a 17yo?

I don't know the answer, but I do believe I kept the angels very busy as a teenager myself long ago -- I assume they are still up to the task...

This is something I have struggled with. My little boy had a motorcycle before he could ride a bicycle. Same with driving a manual I’d sit him on my lap and let him drive. My train of thought is the more experience they have while you are in charge of safety the Better they will be when you are not around. I see so many young adults coming in the store to get their first bike and they don’t have a clue. And everyone says. “I always wanted one but my parents wouldn't allow it”. Now they are grown with their own money and they go nuts.
Years ago the old man started offering free riding courses and it’s the only way we will sell to first time bike owners. It’s a case by case tho. Some guys we have traded with their family and know them and what not. But we have turned down our fair share of young kids coming in and wanting to jump right to a sport bike. We even have a program where if you buy a 250 or 400 whatever beginner bike and keep it for a year and we do the service we allow you 90% of what you paid when you come back to trade it in. Assuming it’s not trashed. Having a kids death on us just isn’t worth it.

but whith kids your happy they follow your footsteps. But it wouldn’t bother me if my son was into ballet and crossstitching instead of motorcycles. Well it might bother me a little bit lol.

 

[Scumbag]

+1 on that. I used the same approach with mine for cars/motorcycles/guns/alcohol and other things that need some judgment and restraint to survive the learning experience. It's about the most you can do to prepare them and guide them while they still will listen some.


Mark

when my boy turned 15 I got him a 883 when he got his motorcycle license. (Tennessee you can get then at 15 600cc or smaller) and I wasn’t getting him a sport bike so we cheated and got a 883. But no joke our first street ride out he was behind me I topped this hill and this huge dog ran out and snapped at me. I looked back and he hit that sucker dead on and went airborne on that Harley lol. He stuck it tho. Was very sketchy but he kept it on the road and on the wheels. I feel pretty confident if he hadn’t grown up on dirtbikes he would have reacted and crashed instead of just bracing and riding it out. Oh and dog seemed somewhat fine. It hobbled away lol. I almost wrecked looking back to make sure he made it through it. Pretty sure that’s the day I started loosing my hair lol