My son wants to ride a motorbike. He is so set on it, and I don't know what to do. Can aspies ride a bike? What should I look out for, help him to learn, beforehand.
This has been a centrl theme for a few years, and he's turning 18 soon. He has applied for his licence, and showed it to me all by himself. Its provisional, and only allows small bikes, which is better I think.
Can someone please help me.
I think he is very young. I dont like bikes at all. Cars are bad enough. He, I dont think, has the timing it takes. Can you be fully aware enough? I dont know.
Pillowtalk,
I forgot to ask...does your son ride a bicycle?
If so how is he at that...experience in traffic etc.
I rode a bike at five...helped by a girl I might add, and have been riding ever since.
If your son has never balanced on two wheels learning on a motorcycle in traffic is contraindicated for anyone.
Another factor is local traffic.
Learning to ride in a rural quiet area can have fewer hazards.
I quit riding in town traffic before I quit riding altogether.
Something of note on the timing...my wheels smooth out the small motor control issues I have.
I can ride a mountainbike in places I can not walk...the bike is two gyros.
Is your son reading these posts?
Tim
Why not buy him a couple of lessons and see how he fares?
Neither my sisters nor I ever developed proper motor coordination to ride a bike.
I cannot buy him a bike. I wont. If he wants to ride then its his responsibility to get one, which he has. Its a scooter, and looks pretty small. He sits on it a lot in the garage, which is a shame as he is separating himself away from us more. I don't think it works, and I've never heard it start or move.
He has a frend who is a mechanic, and spends time there. He, the mechanic, is very responsible, and some friends of mine have known him for some time. So I trust him to be there, plus its only around the corner, which gets him out of the house.
Some of you have said to get him a bicycle, a mountain bike, an offroad bike. Can you give me bit more information about this. I cannot say whether he is ready for the road or not, so offroad sounds good to me, and I think less harmful.
He's not afraid of risking himself, is very bold. This is my problem, that he will find himself in a position where he just wont back down and yield to the other driver. He is very headstrong, and this is my main concern.
Someone told him that all he needs is the licence, and as long as the bike is small enough, then he will get insurance. Is this true?
Whereabouts do you live Tigger?
Your son should be the one who does the buying.
Like you I had my son work for his car.
For him the motorcycle was a passing thing.
Here is a link to Mountainbike review:
http://www.mtbr.com/
It is a commercial site.
It has regional forums world wide.
Look in your region for people to ride with.
There is a beginners forum...be advised they do not know about AS.
It is more on getting proper gear and bikes.
Mountainbiking has it's risks but the trees and rocks don't try to run you over.
I never ride on roads...If there were bike paths in my area I would ride those.
If there is a bike shop in your area you can talk to them and they can help you find local trails.
I would simply offer it and let him check it out.
Wanting to feel like you are in control of your life is important and so having someone try and derail you can be a sore point even if it makes sense.
I have found that helping my kids learn to make decisions on their own has been the single most important thing I could teach them.
It doesn't mean I am not fearfull of the world around them...it is their world now.
I'm just the rock they can touch base with for a grounded view of things.
The part about getting a license and insurance varies.
Where I live licenses are graduated by age.
I haven't ridden M/C's in long time so I don't know about training requirements.
You have to check your motor vehicle department.
I hope this helps...
He is always welcome to log in and chat with the riders on this forum.
Tim
A lot of what you say about bikes I really haven't a clue about, and I cannot go against his decisions, but I can guide him, and give him information, where other people might just jump in at the deep end so to speak.
I'm a 48 yo "biker" that loves to ride. I have a 1976 Kawasaki 900 that I rebuilt in the kitchen 3 or 4 years ago, turning it into a 1000cc engine. Bicycling skills relating to balance only need tuned to the mass of the bike. Driving skills are similar to driving a car as far as accident avoidance and awareness of surroundings. Realizing the possible outcomes of a bike wreck are very important to long term survival.
I tell new riders several things to remember.
Always assume you are invisible and that every cage (car) driver will pull out infront of you. Be ready to dodge or stop.
Always assume that there is loose gravel or wet leaves around every turn. Never go too fast to change your "line."
Always assume there is a child chasing a ball into the street from behind every bush, or a deer. Pay intent attention.
Always assume that over the crest of the hill is an Amish farmer in a horse drawn wagon. Never ride a well known road thinking that you know the road well enough to ride faster than you can react to the unexpected.
I love to ride very fast sometimes, and have a rule for that too.
Never ride faster than you can see and react.
These rules have helped me.
Some feel the bike space better than a car. I drove a 150cc scooter and felt lots of control and my sense of space and balance worked quite well. The sense of space with a car is very distorted but safer. I agree a couple of lesson would do him some good.