dad wants a bike - son is worried

[Greg Awesome]

My dad used to hate motorcycles and he was furious when I got one. A couple years later and now he is talking about getting one.

All his coworkers ride harleys so that is what he wants. I told him to take the MSF but he wants to just buy the bike first and take the class later. I think he is being dumb. I'm also worried that his coworkers are all pirates and aren't wearing helmets or are at most wearing half shells. I don't want my baby niece to have a grandfather without a face.

Is the Sportster 883 a decent starter bike? He tells me this is a "girls bike" - I'm sure that's what all the harley riders think, but as someone who started on a Ninja 250 I'm like whoa.

He lives in Morgantown, WV which is apparently deer capitol of the US or something. I've crashed 3 times (all single bike, rider at fault [cough conditions of the road cough]) and so I'm surprised he isn't taking safety more seriously. I don't think he realizes that the reason I am still here all in one piece is ATGATT.

Help me STN, what do I tell him?

Greg

[Rabidsnipe]

Tell him what you think and accept that he's a grown man and can make his own decisions. My dad was the same way before I got a bike. Now he rides as well. He only wears a helmet when it rains or it is cold. I casually remind him on a regular basis he should wear his helmet. He doesn't. But I still have fun every time I ride with him.

[hig4s]

My dad used to hate motorcycles and he was furious when I got one. A couple years later and now he is talking about getting one.

All his coworkers ride harleys so that is what he wants. I told him to take the MSF but he wants to just buy the bike first and take the class later. I think he is being dumb. I'm also worried that his coworkers are all pirates and aren't wearing helmets or are at most wearing half shells. I don't want my baby niece to have a grandfather without a face.

Is the Sportster 883 a decent starter bike? He tells me this is a "girls bike" - I'm sure that's what all the harley riders think, but as someone who started on a Ninja 250 I'm like whoa.

He lives in Morgantown, WV which is apparently deer capitol of the US or something. I've crashed 3 times (all single bike, rider at fault [cough conditions of the road cough]) and so I'm surprised he isn't taking safety more seriously. I don't think he realizes that the reason I am still here all in one piece is ATGATT.

Help me STN, what do I tell him?

Greg

The 883 Sporster is an OK starter bike. None of the Harleys except the V-rod have that much power, and they all have a ton of torque so they are easier to start on than most sport bikes, but they are heavy! I have nothing against heavy bikes. My current bike is a Yamaha Venture, 860lbs, but I've had my endorsement since 73, and my first street legal bike was a Yamaha 125 enduro.

Sportster 883s are 580lbs wet.  1200s weigh about the same 589lbs wet.
Dynas (Super Glides, Fat Bobs, Street Bobs) are at around 650lbs !
Softails (Fat Boy, Rocker, Crossbones) start at just over 700lbs!
Touring bikes starting with the Road King are right at 800lbs to 890 for an Ultra Classic!

And I agree, he should do the MSF course first.  There is a guy here at work that just started riding a year ago, and started on a Harley Road King. He took the safety course first, and then spent two days just riding his new Road King in a parking lot to make sure he was comfortable with it. He has put 20K miles on it since, so he is doing OK with it. But he is also 6'4" and 240lbs, so most beginner bikes were just too small for him.

[falconati]

He'll have a regular issue keeping the front wheel down on an 883.

[Frankienuckles]

That is a tough one, you can't save people from themselves. The power of a harley isn't really a problem at all. Damn they are heavy though. He's probably set on the type of bike he wants so try to push the MSF training. Sell it anyway you can "you don't wanna scratch your new chrome!", "Insurance will be cheaper if you take this course.", "Hell Dad I'll take the course with Ya." Whatever you can do steer him in a good direction.

[FiremanBob]

He'll have a nicer, better handling bike for much less money if he buys a Suzuki Boulevard 50 (any model) than if he  buys an HD.

[hig4s]

He'll have a nicer, better handling bike for much less money if he buys a Suzuki Boulevard 50 (any model) than if he  buys an HD.

Or the Yamaha V-star Silverado,, 650 or 950,, both have the same wheel base and leg room as any pre 09 Harley.  and the 650 gets about 60 mpg and considerably less than the C50T. Or the Kawasaki Nomads, or the Honda Shadows and VTX 1300s are nice bikes too.

Personally I like the Harley Crossbones, but it is a stripped bike that costs as much as my full dress Yamaha.

And the only reason I have my full dress 1300 Yamaha is because no one makes a bike that is comfortable for two up riding with a smaller engine.. This is the first bike I've ever had over 750cc. And never had any problems with any bike hauling me, my wife and our gear. Just had problems with the comfort on the smaller bikes.

[county]

Well, first I would ask myself if he has done what I told him in the past.

Then maybe get him a book or two oriented towards M/C safety....

[UHOH]

My dad used to hate motorcycles and he was furious when I got one. A couple years later and now he is talking about getting one.

All his coworkers ride harleys so that is what he wants...

He lives in Morgantown, WV...

Hey Greg, you're Dad's having a mid-life crisis, let him go - 'tis his life.
Just hope his co-workers in W Va keep him going straight between the multiple (surely) bar stops.

[bomber]

By all means, tell him what you think.

Once, for certain. Maybe twice.

Then, ask yourself how often you immediately followed his advice when you were 17.

If his buds have HDs, and he wants one too, it's clear that the motorcycle is only part of the reason he wants to ride. He also wants to fit in and hang with his buddies . . . . given that,suggesting other brands will likely not add much to the converrsation.

When you're done giving advice, tell him you really look forward to riding with him.

[hig4s]

How old is your dad?  If it really is a mid-life crisis, you could probably push him into a convertible Vette instead, then you could borrow it from time to time!!!

[peacemaker24]

Similar situation, here.  My dad was more that a little irked when I wanted to start riding, but bought a bike himself less than a month after I did.  And yes, it was a Harley.  

One thing to remember about Sportsters:  don't let the displacement mislead you.  What's more important to consider is how much power that displacement produces, and how much weight that power has to push around.  

For example, my Dad's '98 883 Hugger makes 53 HP, which pushes 517 (dry weight) pounds. That gives a power to weight ratio of 9.75 pounds per horsepower. For comparison, the same year Ninja 250 makes 45 HP, but only weighs 303 lbs dry.  That's a power to weight ratio of 6.74 lbs per hp.  Means the 250 should actually be quicker.  

As for the weight, in my Dad's case, he's a big guy, 6'3 and 220, so it's not much of an issue, especially when you combine Harley's already low center of gravity with the even lower Hugger suspension.

Anyhow, I don't know how big your dad is, but a Sportster's not a horrible place to start, especially if you convince him to take the MSF, or even Rider's Edge beforehand.  

Also, a cruiser rider can do a pretty fair imitation of ATGATT, without departing from his "image."  You know, chaps, jacket, gloves, boots, etc.  The helmet's likely to be the only sticking point.  

Also, remind him that although the sporty is smaller than a big twin, they're also faster.  I've noticed that I get a lot less crap from BT guys after I offer to race 'em for pinks on my Sporty 12.

Also, dad's getting ready to upgrade to a BT of his own, now, so you might suggest to your dad that you know where a good 883's to be had.    He can ride that for a year before trying on a 900 lb bike for size.

~~~Jess

[vfrrider]

SON,

I told you let me do what I want, its my life, dammit.

Now, where's my viagra and my beanie, I'm gonig to the bar, have a few beers,  and pick up a women, I hope.

Signed,

Geezer

And no, youre not in the will anymore. The nurse is.

[bomber]

We have a very good friend of the family who has been in a coma for the last 10 years.

He binned a Vespa.

Power/weight conversations, while marginally realted, are really pretty much beside the point, I believe.

Tell him to have a good time.

[peacemaker24]

...
Power/weight conversations, while marginally realted, are really pretty much beside the point, I believe.

Tell him to have a good time.

Was just pointing out that a largish number of CCs doesn't necessarily mean more power.

~~~Jess

[Cheddarhead]

Hook him up with Chornbe's (or whatever his ID is these days...) 883...he's got it listed for sale here on the board.  He's just north of the river in Ohio...probably deliver it for beer.

[xmonger]

Dude, your dad is a pirate.  

Fathers don't listen to their kid's advice on matters such as these.  Wish him luck, let him have his fun, and hope for the best.

[jsanford]

SON,

I told you let me do what I want, its my life, dammit.

Now, where's my viagra and my beanie, I'm gonig to the bar, have a few beers,  and pick up a women, I hope.

Signed,

Geezer

And no, youre not in the will anymore. The nurse is.

 

[Galo]

My dad used to hate motorcycles and he was furious when I got one. A couple years later and now he is talking about getting one.

All his coworkers ride harleys so that is what he wants. I told him to take the MSF but he wants to just buy the bike first and take the class later. I think he is being dumb. I'm also worried that his coworkers are all pirates and aren't wearing helmets or are at most wearing half shells. I don't want my baby niece to have a grandfather without a face.

Is the Sportster 883 a decent starter bike? He tells me this is a "girls bike" - I'm sure that's what all the harley riders think, but as someone who started on a Ninja 250 I'm like whoa.

He lives in Morgantown, WV which is apparently deer capitol of the US or something. I've crashed 3 times (all single bike, rider at fault [cough conditions of the road cough]) and so I'm surprised he isn't taking safety more seriously. I don't think he realizes that the reason I am still here all in one piece is ATGATT.

Help me STN, what do I tell him?

Greg

Tell him we all agree with you.....we're convinced he and his co-workers are dumb  

[Uncle Leo]

Don't broach the subject as son to father, or even bring family into it. Leave all emotion out of it and talk to him as a professional to new student. Tell him he can approach the sport in a professional manner or as an uneducated amateur. Tell him to look at what the professionals wear vs what the weekender party goers wear. Then ask him why the pros dress that way. Tell him if he wants to party, have at it but leave bikes out because they don't fit a party equation. They are mechanical devices that demand attention, respect and attitude and must be approached that way if he wants to live.

Whatever he says, remind him that you're already doing it, learned from it and anything he's heard is useless because HE REALLY DOESN'T KNOW.

[06_wi_vfr]

My brother and father are both HD'rs and they're tough to talk to.  I'd tell dad to take the MSF at the HD dealership.  It's more expensive than other locations but at "graduation" you get a coupon for use in the HD Accessories shop (there is literally nothing that HD doesn't sell with an "HD" on it).  

Then when he's got his license he can rent rides from the shop to really get a feel for what he wants.  It's all safe for him - nothing but pirates around, except the MSF instructors who tend to be pretty cool.

My MSF instructor was a Madison Motorcycle cop and taught at both the technical college and at Capital City Harley.  

Hell - buy the class as a gift for the old man.  The only thing dads hate worse than advice from their sons is when their sons pay for something!!

[Grainbelt]

My Dad got back into it after 30 years last summer. He took the MSF, looked around, and bought a BMW R1200RT.   It is a big bike, but not real fast, not as heavy as you'd think, and pretty well balanced. He did decide to get some real boots and pants recently.

I don't lecture him about anything, just talk and relate my experiences. So far, so good.