Should advice ever be prescriptive?

[Balky001]

I have a mate (wife's cousin's husband) who has just passed his test and bought a 2001 ZX6R as his first bike. It's a beautiful bike and he got a real bargain but the tyres (BT014s) on it are 10 years old although still have decent amount of tread.

He is one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet, so enthusiastic about everything and really got the biking bug when we did a couple of off road days so I feel a bit responsible. Plus his Mrs is 5 months pregnant and he has little safety gear at the moment.

I said I'd go out for a ride with him but the tyres are really bugging me. I suggested changing them a couple of times but he says he doesn't really have the money. The tyres are like hard plastic.

I don't know whether I should just accept he has made his own decisions taking my advice for what it is, and ride out with him, or whether I should be telling him not to risk it all (especially with the lack of safety gear) for £200. Or am I just being over-cautious and should man up? If anything happened to him especially if we are out I don't know if I could accept it, but then I'm, not his keeper.... Opinions?

Tyres are the only thing connecting you to the road. You're rightfully cautious. Ask him to take the bike to a tyre company and ask them to check the tyres.

[rictus01]

many years ago a young work colleague showed some interest in my bike one day and we got talking, over the following weeks/months he got more and more into bikes and asked me about all sorts of things to do with tests/bikes gear he'd need, I let him have a go on my bike in the car park at one point.

Anyway he eventually asked me to go look at a GSXR 600 and although it was a good bike; I wasn't keen on it as a first big bike, he bought it anyway,about 3 weeks before his test.

passed his test with flying colours and straight onto his Gixer, we went out for several rides thereafter, he was riding IMO beyond his ability at that time, I had a word or two to calm things down, of course no one wants to hear that, unfortunately the ego thing/intoxication came into play and he drifted away a bit, he began riding with a sportsbike crowd and many comments about knee down/ wheelie and speed related stuff came from him, 16 months later he died in a single vehicle accident, now I never found out exactly what happened, but I suspect a lack of restraint was much of the cause, whilst I contented myself with the fact I'd given him good advice on care of his machine (as well as riding advice), it'd always been his choice on what he done, yes I've always had a degree of guilt in a corner of my mind, it's tempered with the fact I've made sure they were at least aware of my concerns and why so they could make a well informed choice, but that's it, end of the day it was their choice.

[jambo]

Why don't you offer to take the bike for a short run to check it over?
There's every chance the tyres are safe, even if they might not be the perfect choice.

Go for a ride with him, it can be a bimble surely? If he's going to try to keep up with you while you're going at full pace he'll almost certainly crash whatever tyres he has on.

If you want to be responsible, then make it easy for him to get into biking without feeling like he has to do stupid speeds.

Jambo

[Balky001]

Cheers Rictus, I'm leaning that way. I can't live it for him.

Jambo, I totally agree - I'm taking him out so he doesn't push it. I wouldn't take him out with others I ride with. However, he's late 30's and sensible and I've made it clear he should always ride to his speed. There wont be any silly riding, his Mrs would kill me, and then mine would and the rest fo the family

I took the bike out but tyres like these can let go without warning. They had no feel or heat.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Balky001

I took the bike out but tyres like these can let go without warning. They had no feel or heat.

I'm always in 2 minds about these sort of things. I've ridden on rubber from most manufacturers and I don't think I'm terribly fussy. Certainly other people have much stronger opinions than I do.

Suggest that they get replaced, but I'd say continually stressing how bad you feel they are is probably not going to help him get on with riding sensibly, so I'd suggest some caution on that front.

I'd also ask if you think realistically they let go at the pace you ride, or the pace he's likely to ride? Might be just fine for now.

Either way, it's his choice. You should offer advice where you can, and you shouldn't beat yourself up about it if he doesn't follow it all. If he's not got money for good gear, new tyres and has a little one on the way then he can't do everything for now anyway, so just keep his head as straight as you can, and help him do things when he can in an order that makes sense.

When I started riding I had no money at all. I've ridden on nearly bald tyres, in old ill-fitting lids, with waterproof trousers for crash protection. We can't all buy a bike, buy full leathers & an Arai/Shoei, replace all consumables as a precaution, and do an advanced course and some track days. By not purchasing tyres he's almost certainly not ignoring your advice as such, but having to balance the books as we all do.

Jambo

[Biker Biggles]

Protective clothing is really cheap second hand off ebay.What size is he and what does he need?I bet theres orgers who could help out.

Balky, if he's riding behind you. Ride slowly.
You might not be able to control his tyre choice but if he spills it chasing you down you'll certainly feel guilt then.

[Mr Speirs]

Have a word with his wife. I'm sure he'd find the money once he got a 'no riding until it's sorted' lecture from her. Especially with a baby on the way.

I'd say theres nothing wrong with telling him YOU aren't happy riding with him until it's sorted.

After all you'd feel partly responsible if he pushed it too far chasing you round a bend.