Change of heart

My bro didn't speak to me for a month or so after I got another bike following an 8 year break (break not by choice, but keeping everyone happy). My dad still gives me the "go steady" chat every time we're together and I'm about to head off for a spin or haed home after a visit. Glad he does cause it just reminds me both me, my bro and sis have all had lucky escapes and are still shiny side up. Think he's secretly toying with the idea of another, and mum said she wouldn't mind another GS500 as she found it easy to ride. Even bro has softened as well.

My parents are sort of anti-bikes. My dad likes them but would never have one and my mum always swore that i'd never have one whenever I asked her when I was little. I turned 16 and they were fed up with paying for my bus pass to and from my collage. (40 mile round trip) plus I was working evenings. So they caved and I was allowed a gilera DNA!!! woohoo. Ive never looked back from there. I moved up to an RS125 a year later when I passed my test and a year after that my SV. I now race that SV and have just bought a ZX6R. My dad now occasionaly comes to watch me race and my mum has only watched me race one. She said it scared her half to death.... cant blame her really! She should try it from where i'm sat! But she does like BSB now!


Funny people, parents!

This sounds very familiar. Back in the murky depths of time passed (think sepia photos), my parents clearly stated "I'd not have a bike and live under this roof" (family home) Mum went nuts when I got me first leather jacket (full leathers were rare back in the time of the Brontasaurus) and went even more epic when I bought a lid...... I invited me dad to the local bike shop to 'look' at a bike, later told him I'd put a deposit on it and needed his signature for the finance. Job done! Folkes were fine after that. Taught meself to ride then took training for the test. Me mum (rest in peace) even went on the back a few times as did the rest of the family but not all at once you understand.

yea when my dad went on the back recently, he said that I was going fast! (50mph on a dual carrigeway!)
but think that now he's seeing how much fun Im having and after speaking to other bikers when he sees them, now he has something to speak to them about, he finds out that they are not all scary hairy bikers on hogs with long beards (sorry, maybe a bit stereotypical - but thats what he thought!) but the vast majority are god guys/girls that are willing to chat and not very scary at all!

I still have to keep telling him thats it a tiny majority that ride like twi@ts and give us a bad name.

I think a lot of it is just not wanting to see family get hurt. Then after a while they realise that you must not be a totally clueless hooligan with a death wish, and their perspective changes.

It is sort of the same for me....My parents were happpier for me to have a bike but when I didn't live at home, something about not seeing me out on the bike everyday.

But what I do find funny about the entire the situation is that I don't exactly do a safe job, they seem happier with me chasing a nutter with a knife than riding

Put it this way when I was ill last year, I was not very happy at all. I had been to see the bike I wanted, they paid my deposit for me on the bike! So I don't think it can be that bad

I would like to get on track, so hey thats another level of worry to go with it probally!

Both mine and drew's parents hate the fact we have bikes, but can see we both enjoy it. When i passed my test couple dad made it very clear he was happy for me but would never forgive Drew if anything happened to me.

My mum and drew's mum are very anti-bike, my mum use to go on the back of her uncle's bike (but never known the full story something must have happened) and Drew's mum's brother has no many metal plates in him that i can see why she doesn't like biking, we have explained that it is a lot different now in terms of gear.

My dad and drew's Step-dad have that look in their eyes which show they wish it was them. Drew has offered to take my dad on the back but so far he has always said no.

I'm sure they will never like the fact with have bikes but it may get easier over time

God dammmm I feeel for you guys.

I think the day i went out for my first rideout with my old man, was one happy assed day for him. More recently taking both the Benellis out together, well, I could see him smiling all the way

In fact, i must be lucky as no-ones ever complained by my gf's mum But seeing as she has no idea, I don't even listen

[jambo]

Dad now rides my old Bandit 600 and loves it.
Mum keeps talking about getting another bike, as does my step-dad.

Mum & step dad bought me my first bike (SR125) and donated old bike kit until I could afford to upgrade. Frankly, I've had it easy.

Mum once came into the living room to say "I assume those are your foot pegs in the oven at gas mark 5, can you let me know when you're done so I can get dinner on?"

Jambo

My mrs' dad absolutely detests bikes and the fact I ride one. He's made her feel terrible numerous times and pished me off plenty. It got to the stage where I had a quiet word with him and told him to keep his trap shut, there'd be problems if he upset her indoors again. He's taken notice so it was worth it, I think he might even respect me a bit more now.