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Asked by Michael Gaffley 2 years 145 days ago.

Do you feel comfortable with your child prefering a motorcycle to a car?



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People I speak to try to dicourage my son from riding his motorcycle. He has a Sportster, (cruiser, not a speed bike. Is something wrong with a motorcycle?

Answers to this question:
» Answer from Olufemi Ladeinde Answer given 2 years 145 days ago.
No. It is an extremely unsafe mode of transportation especially for young people who have a tendency to be reckless and prone to a feeling of being immune to damage - until it happens to them!

» Answer from Paul Schroeder Answer given 2 years 145 days ago.
In many emergency rooms in many hospitals there is a poster that says;"Give your children the gift of a motorcycle for their LAST birthday."

Rarely have I seen a motorcyclist stay in lane; they maneuver in and out of traffic zigzagging between cars.

That is how they lose arms and legs.

Without a rollbar overhead to protect their heads, they sustain severe brain damage; that helmet never protects their brains when they fall off in a bad spill.

» Answer from Kacycarr Answer given 2 years 144 days ago.
This has always been a fear of mine. I have two sons and thankfully both not interested in motorbikes, however both still love speed so I am not sure if I am comfortable with my son driving his Subaru Imprezza. And like Pual said about losing limbs etc. a cousin of mine lost his leg in a motorcycle and lucky to get away with his life.


Nonetheless this is not my reason for the way I feel about motorbikes. I was going to say I don't like the sound of them either, but if you listen to a Subaru revved up there's no difference.

» Answer from Marijo Phelps Answer given 2 years 143 days ago.
I have worked just enough emergency room to make this a very scary proposition - however, I don't have children but I can certainly empathize...

» Answer from Jonathan T Edwards Answer given 2 years 142 days ago.
Never ... I've always stayed away from mororcyles and a friend of mine (when I was in my teens ... a few years ago!!) came off his new bike and smashed up his leg ... has always walked with a limp from that day ... and he was one of the lucky ones!!

» Answer from Lawrence Pfister Answer given 2 years 142 days ago.
If your son is vary vary knowledgeable? and a safe rider by all means let him ride his motorcycle.

» Answer from Roger Williams Answer given 2 years 141 days ago.
World-wide research tell us that you are 34 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured from a motorcycle crash than you are a motorcar crash.

» Answer from Kathi Calahan Answer given 2 years 140 days ago.
   Selected as Best Answer!   
If my child were my age, yes. I'd give him or her my 883 Sportster and upgrade to a bigger bagger.

:)

» Answer from Jason Derello Answer given 2 years 140 days ago.
Well what child drives a car or rides a motorbike? In all honesty cars are safer than motorbikes but at the end of the day it depends on the rider and his/her riding skills/experience. Saying that, it's not always the riders fault but the majority of biker accidents come out far worse than those in car accidents. (No protection)

» Answer from Anders Dent Answer given 2 years 140 days ago.
It depends, firstly, on your son. Is he a responsible person? If he knows his limits and understands the extreme dangers involved - then sure, let him have the motorcycle.

But, secondly, there are other drivers out there too. And they might not be as responsible.

If you really care about your son - send him to Sweden and let him take the motorcycle course there. It is the most safe place on Earth to drive in, they have the least amount of accidents and their courses are the best. There, he will learn not only how to drive safely, but also what to look for in other drivers, how to drive on ice (yes, there are special ice-tracks) and how to take care of the bike.

» Answer from Deon Du Plessis Answer given 2 years 140 days ago.
No! Motorcycles are dangerous and that's a fact.

» Answer from Richard Hurford Answer given 2 years 139 days ago.
Prefer a car. Its difficult for other drivers to see motorcyclists beacause there brains are programmed to see cars

» Answer from P. Eric Willms Answer given 2 years 138 days ago.
There is nothing wrong with your concern. As a parent when you quit being concerned that is a problem. What kind of kid is he, one who has proven to you that he has solid decision making capabilities, and a really good head on his shoulders? If yes then you can worry less, that's all!

» Answer from Johnathan David Answer given 2 years 137 days ago.
Yes I do as long as they have been trained correctly to ride a motorcycle. The thing that would be necessary is that the motorcycle is a privilege and the child must be responsible with it. I would teach them how to work on their bike, change the oil, and teach them all the safety that is necessary to be aware of what can happen if you are not safe on your bike.

» Answer from Ralph Pedersen Answer given 2 years 136 days ago.
My understanding is that you are seven times more likely to die while riding a motorcycle than a car. Plenty of reason for any parent to be worried, especially with a young rider.

» Answer from Royston Tan Answer given 2 years 132 days ago.
No. I will not be comfortable because i myself used to be a 1000cc motorcycle rider and the last accident which i had in 1996 was still vivid to me. Therefore, i would discourage my child not to even think of that.

» Answer from Andrew Lawton Answer given 2 years 131 days ago.
No, not at all. I rode a motorcycle for two years and I was a safe rider. I had a few close calls over this time period and I would hate it if my daughter rode one.

Andrew

» Answer from Peter Dranitsin Answer given 2 years 129 days ago.
No, Motorcycle easily drag your child in danger and accident.

» Answer from Phillip Meilbeck Answer given 2 years 129 days ago.
Both of my grown sons (22, 23) want motorcycles, and one rides a motorcycle in addition to driving his truck. They are both adults who are Marines and fought for our country in dangerous situations. It is difficult to tell them not to risk their lives enjoying an activity they love, yet the country asks them to risk their lives for our foreign policy and national security.

Not only that, can I stop them? NO, they don;t even live at home. Still, as a rider myself, I know how dangerous the highways in CA can be, especially on a motorcycle with little protection.

I found it best to teach, warn and help assure they are as safe as possible, knowing it will never be truly safe. I attended safe rider courses with both of them, and bought them better jackets and boots than they had. I constantly remind them about safety, and taught them to avoid 'lane sharing', speeding, and to watch for hazards like tailgaters.

Information, safety equipment, reinforcement, and hope has been my tact on this subject. It is scary for any parent to know their kid is out there in a dangerous world, but there are only so many limits we can place on their lives.

Great question and subject, with no final set of answers.

» Answer from Aurelia Flores Answer given 2 years 129 days ago.
No. It is so unsafe and kids tend to show off and go to fast. They always think things happen to the other person and not them. They do break only they don't think so. I have a son who had a terrible accident and no one knows what it is like until it happens to them.

» Answer from Diane Cuesta Answer given 2 years 129 days ago.
My son rides a motorcycle which I am very uncomfortable about, however that is my own fear. He's been zooming around on motorized vehicles since he was 4 years old, and he once told me, "That's what you get for putting me on a motocycle when I was little!

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