New bike in the stable...

[tcoop]

Not mine but my son. I was looking around in the want adds and came across someone who wanted to trade down.  They had an XS1100SH and my son had his Nighthawk 450. So He call we met and agreed to trade the bike with us chipping in a a little cash. So Now the Nighthawk has a new home. It went to a nice couple how are in college. She was at most 5' (Not that that is bad) and the XS was hers but was just to big to handle. (it was also her first bike) The Nighthawk is lighter for her and once they put shorter shocks on it will fit like a glove. My son felt a little cramped on the 450 and the 1100 fits hem better.




Most parents would not let their 16 year old have a bike especially one this big, but he is pretty responsible and does not give in to pier pressure.

[ariwhiteboy]

 

[bajakirch]

It's interesting you bring up the idea of giving a bike to a 16YO, as I've been having an internal debate on this myself.

My oldest son is 19 and has shown absolutely no interest in MCing. I had to twist his arm to get him to take a short ride around the block on the back when I got it.

My youngest son is 14 and, while he's not ga-ga over the bike, he's spent enough time wrenching with me that he's getting an understanding of how the bike works.

Hopefully I'll be upgrading to a 750 in the next year or so. If I do, I'm considering keeping the 550. Partially I want to keep it as a back-up ride in the event I have to do some work on the main bike. But a part of me is thinking about holding onto it for my younger son to see if he wants to start riding after he gets his driver's license.

Both of my sons are very responsible and, so far at least, haven't gotten into any trouble. In fact, they're way more responsible than I was at their ages. They get good grades and are conscientious and careful. Still...I just don't know if I could hand over the keys to a MC to my son when he's 16.

First, there's just the fact that MCing is more dangerous than driving a car. And I've gone on record in the past saying I don't think anyone should get a MC license without having at least a few years of driving under his/her belt. Driving experience in a car will help you on a MC, in that it helps you predict what other motorists are going to do. Pre-warned is prepared.

Then there's the idea that, physiologically, teens' brains are not fully developed. And the last area of the brain to physically mature is the one that helps foresee consequences of actions. That doesn't really come until about the early 20s. I think of some of the dumb stuff I've done on my bike; I'm definitely old enough to know better, and I've had some close calls. Can a high-school kid, even one that's well-behaved and responsible, really be expected to ride as safely (or safer) than someone my age?

Of course, this may all be a moot point if SOQS gives it the thumbs-down. To this point, she's even forbidden me from taking #2 Son out on the highway on the bike as a passenger. When I once tried to convince her to ease up on the restriction, she put it to me this way, "I won't forbid you from taking him for a ride. But if you do, and he's hurt or worse, I don't know that I could ever forgive you. Is that risk worth it?" To date, it hasn't been.

Sorry for the thread-jack -- like I said, this is something that's been on my mind the last few weeks.

[tcoop]

The funny thing is my wife just last week said that our 18 year old daughter was not allowed to get an 1100 (I was going to build one from parts that I have) because she's a speed demon (she got a ticket for going 100 mph). But she had no problem letting the 16 year old have one  

[Tryvelcro]

The funny thing is my wife just last week said that our 18 year old daughter was not allowed to get an 1100 (I was going to build one from parts that6 I have) because she's a speed demon (she got a ticket for going 100 mph). But she had no problem letting the 16 year old have one 

I am available for adoption....  I will even pay for my own tickets.  :)

[Laminar]

I can never resist a raised structure over water.

[tcoop]

bajakirck I have to admit that I am a little nervous about him taking it to school (luckily Friday is the last day of school) There are only a handfull of students that ride bikes to school (my son and daughter both do when they can) The plan was to let them use the smaller bikes for a few years but this deal cam up and we could not pass it up. I hope and pray that I didn't make a mistake. He also know that one speeding ticket or me seeing him racing the bike and he looses the privilege of riding (and I get to ride his bike  ) He's the type of kid that if he is at all tired or the slightest bit dizzy he calls us to come get him and the bike (even if he took the car/truck to school).

[tcoop]

Sorry Tryvelcro no adoptions. 7 kids are enough.

[Tryvelcro]

Good lord.... I withdraw my adoptionee offer....7 kids....