Opinions on biking?

[placidfemme]

I was just wondering what your friends, family and partners think about your biking lifestyle?

I know that my family hates the fact that I ride bikes... My Gran's brother was killed in a bike accident (like 40 years ago... on a Triumph) and my mother hated bikes because a friend of hers was killed while on the back of a bike... and the rest of my family think that biking is (A) a man's interest (LMAO) and (B) that ALL people who ride bikes are in gangs and take drugs (not in that particular order).

Did you get a lot of flack from family/friends when you got into bikes or where the people you loved supportive of your choice?

[soundbeltfarm]

my dads family all ride and rode bikes a couple are dead now ( 11 kids in his family)
on mums side only my uncle does.
so all my relatives are sweet as about it.
my dads sweet and mum if a little iffy,
my wife started riding when i did but once she was pregnant with our first son she stopped riding and has'nt ridden since. ( 3 and half years).
she says that if we are both riding together and crash and get killed she cant stand the fact that our boys wouldn't have any parents.
i respect her if thats the way she feels so it dos'nt worry me.
and my inlaws are dead against riding bikes.

[bugjuice]

family isn't keen on me and my bro riding bikes. Then the bro crashed last chrimbo. Now they're really not keen on me riding. But they respect my interests and hobbies, so while they don't like me doing it, they don't give me too much grief about it..

[XTC]

Been riding 22 years. Mum helped me get my first bike. I have had no injuries on the road but smashed my ankle bad doing motocross(last year). I get no grief from my partner and kids about riding.
p.s wanna join my gang? we got some good drugs.... :rofl:

[v.ros`]

As usual... Mum hesitated at first until i convinced her the advantages of a bike in Auckland - esp since i was gonna start uni in the city...so that really helped me.

Dad likes harley and always wanted one. He aint into riding but he always liked a Harley - so am thinking maybe as a way of thanking him, might get him a nice harley one day *starts planning*

Mates were all sweet cept a few. as always, once someone finds out that u ride bike and the first thing they say is be careful - least they thinking bout your safety.

So guess im alrite with ridin bikes. :Punk:

[placidfemme]

p.s wanna join my gang? we got some good drugs.... :rofl:

lol my granmother will beat you with... a rolled up soggy newspaper :rofl:

Yeah my family were and mostly still are against me riding bikes... I got my partner into biking and her family hates me even more now lol

Usually they just keep quiet about it... my gran keeps telling me I don't need a bigger bike (when I get my full) she can't understand why I'd want to upgrade... she even almost convinced Sam that she didn't need to upgrade to a 250 from a 150, and that other bikers were just "jealous" of her bike LMAO :rofl:

[onearmedbandit]

My family know me well enough to not try to change who I am. Both my elder brothers rode for a while, but I'm the only one to make it a lifestyle choice. Even after my accident, all they did was shake their heads and say 'well that's him'.

[John]

I told my mum I was road riding, she was like oh ok.

If my dad was around he wouldnt mind, alot of family friends have lost their lives riding - but you only live once, and I like to do it right.

[zadok]

First wife didn't mind, nor does my second wife. She's even given me the green light to buy a new one. :love: I will when I feel the finances are right. :2thumbsup

[WINJA]

MY PARTNER OF SIX YEARS SAID I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HER OR THE BIKE, I SAID BABE IM REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU , SHE LEFT HER RING AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR, I SOLD THE RING AND BOUGHT RACE TYRES, SHE CAME BACK ,I POINTED TO THE TYRES , SHE LEFT AGIAN , MY NEW PARTNER SAYS BIKES ARE OK AND I CAN HAVE ONE IF IT STOPS ME CHEATING ON HER

[SixPackBack]

Who gives a shit what they think, cn't stop us

[justsomeguy]

MY PARTNER OF SIX YEARS SAID I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HER OR THE BIKE, I SAID BABE IM REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU , SHE LEFT HER RING AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR, I SOLD THE RING AND BOUGHT RACE TYRES, SHE CAME BACK ,I POINTED TO THE TYRES , SHE LEFT AGIAN , MY NEW PARTNER SAYS BIKES ARE OK AND I CAN HAVE ONE IF IT STOPS ME CHEATING ON HER

......:killingme......:killingme......:killingme.. ....:killingme

My family thinks it's a passing phase ........ and I'm just trying to be "cool"......

Want me to sell my bike and buy a safe car.

[justsomeguy]

Who gives a shit what they think, cn't stop us

Amen.:Punk:

[Badcat]

Who gives a shit what they think, cn't stop us
my mother and father are both dead - smoking got them.
they hated me riding, but prolly would have been fine if i was a smoker.

[onearmedbandit]

MY PARTNER OF SIX YEARS SAID I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HER OR THE BIKE, I SAID BABE IM REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU , SHE LEFT HER RING AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR, I SOLD THE RING AND BOUGHT RACE TYRES, SHE CAME BACK ,I POINTED TO THE TYRES , SHE LEFT AGIAN , MY NEW PARTNER SAYS BIKES ARE OK AND I CAN HAVE ONE IF IT STOPS ME CHEATING ON HER

ROTFLMFAO!!!! Beautiful WINJA!

[NordieBoy]

Dad rode (TS100).
Mum had 2 bikes at once (Scooter and SR185).
Grandfather rode (TS125).
Grandmother loved riding on the back.
One brother rode (VFR750) untill a cop car hit him and split his pelvis.
Other brother just won the SI X-Country series (<200cc 2-stroke - RM125) and got 2nd at the nationals by 1 point.
Family on mum's side all ride (farmers etc).
Stepfathery person just sold his 1911 BSA on trademe...

Guess I didn't stand much of a chance of not riding really :D

[Indiana_Jones]

My old and his old man before rode, So he's sweet (infact he encourged me too lol). My mum doesn't seem too worried. I guess they think I'm big and ugly enough to decide for myself. :ride:

I must thank Steve McQueen for getting me into bikes :D

-Indy

[WINJA]

ROTFLMFAO!!!! Beautiful WINJA!
AND I SWEAR ITS ALL TRUE TWO REALLY WELL KNOWN RACERS CAN VOUCH FOR THE WHOLE THING

[Sutage]

Mum approved of the SR, not of the GSXR :P
She doesnt really mind, would prefer i had a car tho.

[placidfemme]

lol good on your WINJA!

My partner knows how much I love my bike... she always says "if we brake up I'll never take your bike" and I answer with "yep... else I'll brake you up... to little peices" lol I know she would touch my bike... and she knows I'd never hurt her...

[SixPackBack]

lol good on your WINJA!

My partner knows how much I love my bike... she always says "if we brake up I'll never take your bike" and I answer with "yep... else I'll brake you up... to little peices" lol I know she would touch my bike... and she knows I'd never hurt her...
lucky to have a partner that likes bikes, most of us dont

[Zed]

I was just wondering what your friends, family and partners think about your biking lifestyle?In my earlier years when I was still bludging off my parents at home, they tried to discourage me from riding motorcycles, especially my Mum (and she rode scooters when I was growing up!)...didn't stop me though.

Nowadays my friends and family are supportive (I think?) of my decision to ride as much as I do, but they still tell me to "be careful" all the time! The other week one of them told me I looked like a gang member or hoodlum when I arrived at their front door all kitted up...gave them quite a scare. :rofl:

Good original thread idea this one Placid! :niceone:

[crashe]

No one cared when I had a bike, back, oh so many years ago..

Then when I brought this bike...
my friends said "I'm mad... and I will kill myself".

Well five years on and Im still here...
and they gave up worrying after a short time.
They do say as I leave "Ride carefully" thou.

They do know that I have missed not being on the bike the last 8 weeks.

[HDTboy]

Mum was sweet, Dad had a few words to say, but that was all he did.
My bike riding uncle seems to be the one who says the most about the dangers of riding

[WINJA]

lol good on your WINJA!

My partner knows how much I love my bike... she always says "if we brake up I'll never take your bike" and I answer with "yep... else I'll brake you up... to little peices" lol I know she would touch my bike... and she knows I'd never hurt her...
IS THAT A TYPO , MY PARTNER "SHE" AND YOUR GENDER IS FEMALE , IF THIS IS THE CASE I MIGHTA HAD A CHAT TO YOU AT MOTOMAIL , IM THE FAT UGLY GUY WITH THE BIG MOUTH WITH THE GSXR1000

[mikey]

MY PARTNER OF SIX YEARS SAID I HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HER OR THE BIKE, I SAID BABE IM REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU , SHE LEFT HER RING AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR, I SOLD THE RING AND BOUGHT RACE TYRES, SHE CAME BACK ,I POINTED TO THE TYRES , SHE LEFT AGIAN , MY NEW PARTNER SAYS BIKES ARE OK AND I CAN HAVE ONE IF IT STOPS ME CHEATING ON HER


hahahaha

good stuff.

who gives a fuck what family reckons, they dont put out......

gf didnt like it when i sold skyline an bought a bike, easiest way to get rid of a chic ! sell car buy a bike an take her for a ride up takas. couldn help my self but luagh when she started cryign at the top of hill, an thats only on my shitter 250! if i was on a thou i might of literally lost her off the back an not have to have dropped her home later.

[WINJA]

In my earlier years when I was still bludging off my parents at home, they tried to discourage me from riding motorcycles, especially my Mum (and she rode scooters when I was growing up!)...didn't stop me though.

Nowadays my friends and family are supportive (I think?) of my decision to ride as much as I do, but they still tell me to "be careful" all the time! The other week one of them told me I looked like a gang member or hoodlum when I arrived at their front door all kitted up...gave them quite a scare. :rofl:

Good original thread idea this one Placid! :niceone:
THEY ONLY GOT A FRIGHT CAUSE THEY THOUGHT THE VILLAGE PEOPLE BROKE UP AND BLOW THEM DOWN THE GAYEST ONE WAS ON THEIR DOORSTEP

[placidfemme]

lucky to have a partner that likes bikes, most of us dont

Sam didn't like bikes when I first meet her. All her biking experience was on a dirt bike with 4 gears (I have no idea what kinda bike that would have been) and she said she hated it.

She used to hate me talking about bikes all the time and perving at a bike that was always parked up the road... then when I got my license and started riding more often she'd wait for me to come home and say something along the lines of "I want to come with you... but I don't" and after a while I got her to give it a go... she dropped the FXR (was mine at the time) and then didn't touch it again for about 3 weeks, then asked to try again... and now she loves biking...

[placidfemme]

IS THAT A TYPO , MY PARTNER "SHE" AND YOUR GENDER IS FEMALE , IF THIS IS THE CASE I MIGHTA HAD A CHAT TO YOU AT MOTOMAIL , IM THE FAT UGLY GUY WITH THE BIG MOUTH WITH THE GSXR1000

no thats not a typo... my family wishes it were lol

lol fat ugly guy with the big mouth... I've only been to MotoMail once... and it was last year sometime... I came in there looking for Alpinestars boots, and ended up buying a jacket, pants, gloves, bike lock and a bike cover... didn't get any boots. I honestly don't even remember talking to anyone other than the guy that rang up the bill and I gave the money too...

[Keystone19]

My husband thinks I'm going through a (slightly) early midlife crisis...

At first he thought I was crazy :weird: and kept talking about all the dangers and the kids etc, now he's really encouraging me - hmm, wonder what that means?

My olds think it's ok, my brother wants one now too.

[SixPackBack]

My husband thinks I'm going through a (slightly) early midlife crisis...

At first he thought I was crazy :weird: and kept talking about all the dangers and the kids etc, now he's really encouraging me - hmm, wonder what that means?

My olds think it's ok, my brother wants one now too.
Bit reckless with the truth keystone [slightly]lol

[myvice]

My mum hates the things, tis too bad, my lovly wifey is cool with it (not too shabby on two wheels her self!) and I'm aloud an upgrade in a year or so (when financers are in order) (mmmm Z750)
In-laws both ride, Jax's Granddad used to race a Velocette.
And my dad rode till about 10 years ago, He's not too keen on them now tho.
Have lost a few frends on them, and my brother in law. (That was hard)
But now my son is on them and wants a bike before a car!
So now I'll be the one staying up at night worrying about him!
Its in the blood so he'll be fine, but, well ya know how it is...

[Keystone19]

Bit reckless with the truth keystone [slightly]lol

thanks sixpack, i'll take that to mean that you think I'm about 18 or 19... :rofl:

[SixPackBack]

thanks sixpack, i'll take that to mean that you think I'm about 18 or 19... :rofl:
of course [squinting with my coke bottle glasses]lmao

[Jackrat]

My mother don't like bikes much an tends to see us all as being BIKIES.
She has her reasons,,, :shifty:
Other than that just about all the males and a couple of the female members of the clan ride or have done so.
My brother in law has ridden since he could,an my father inlaw has resently returned to riding with a Taupo Trike works Suzuki huge thing.
My son in law wants a bike but the dauthers not having a bar of it.
That's my fault,she saw the results of my big get off just after I arrived at the hospital.
Still feel really guilty about that one.
Oh well,life goes on. :ride:

[Bonez]

All my bros rode a m/c's at one point. Dad owns one. Mum got her licence when she was 40 something. Stepsons ride. Nanny loves it when her oldest grandson terns up on the m/c... [Reminds me-I must pop over and see her. 80 plus and not out]

[Waylander]

Friends constantly give me a hard time about it but only jokingly. As in " you can't pick up chicks on a bike" or "you have to face the wheather" and such.
All the men and a few of the women on both sides of my family have riden bikes. My grandfather on my dad's side used to race bikes and so did my dad.

So when it came my turn there really wasn't any hope for me not to be a biker. Fortunatly I love it.:Punk:

[Paul in NZ]

My Mum helped me fit the barrels over the new pistons of my old Triumph Chopper project while I was banged up at home from stacking my BSA.

Only time she got antsy was when I tried to ride my unregistered, un warrented, no lights, instruments, open primary / piped Norton motorcross bike to school in my shorts (hey I was running late)

Only time Dad got antsy was when I wanted to borrow $ or once when I rode my 750 Norton Cafe racer home at 3am and decided the carbs were unbalanced and....

hmm!

[onearmedbandit]

Oh yeah, the wife. Wasn't into bikes before she met me, I bought my gixxer not knowing what she'd think and before I knew she had jumped on the back. She was behind me as I was talking to her and didn't even notice she was on there until I looked over my shoulder. Now she loves getting out on the back, doesn't mind if I go out for a ride etc. Ah life is good.

[WINJA]

Oh yeah, the wife. Wasn't into bikes before she met me, I bought my gixxer not knowing what she'd think and before I knew she had jumped on the back. She was behind me as I was talking to her and didn't even notice she was on there until I looked over my shoulder. Now she loves getting out on the back, doesn't mind if I go out for a ride etc. Ah life is good.
ME AND MY MISSES HAVE A JOKE ABOUT THE JAPPA ON THE JAPPA

[SPman]

Peoples families have problems with bikes????

:rofl::rofl:

NOT MINE...

:rofl::drinkup:

[Ixion]

Mrs Ixion is fearful of my riding bikes, which sometimes makes me feel somewhat guilty. She had a friend when young who was killed on a step thru. And , being a Luddite, she neither understands nor approves of them as vehicles. However, she has reconciled herself to my doing it, after so many years, and takes some reassurance in the fact that I have not yet had any injury (I know this is fallacious , but I do not point that out to her. If it makes her happier, let it be)

When I started , many years ago, noone in the family had any experience with bikes. But a number of my friends had bikes, including some older guys.

In those days, riding a motorbike was looked on rather differently to what it is today. It was considered quite a "normal" choice, one made by many young (and not so young) men.

Indeed the progression from pushbike to motorbike was considered quite a natural one, almost expected.

So, despite the normal maternal fears I encountered little opposition to my acquiring one, other than an edict that I should start with a small one - an edict which also coincided with my pocket book. And my father was willing to support anything that stopped me borrowing his car!

As neither I nor any of my mates came to grief (none of the guys I rode with ever had an injury crash on a bike - indeed there was only one low speed u-turn on gravel that I ever heard of), she has long since accepted my motorcycling quite happily.

My father-in-law once rode a 350 something (he knows not what) of a mates, which threw him in the ditch, broke his leg and then fell on top of him. He has ever since hated bikes (perhaps understandable) and transmits this hatred to my mother-in-law. Fortunately, whilst I was courting his daughter he did not know that I rode. The matter is one of some discord between us.

[Pixie]

As usual... Mum hesitated at first until i convinced her the advantages of a bike in Auckland - esp since i was gonna start uni in the city...so that really helped me.

Dad likes harley and always wanted one. He aint into riding but he always liked a Harley - so am thinking maybe as a way of thanking him, might get him a nice harley one day *starts planning*

Mates were all sweet cept a few. as always, once someone finds out that u ride bike and the first thing they say is be careful - least they thinking bout your safety.

So guess im alrite with ridin bikes. :Punk:
It's amazing the the number of people that like Harleys and no nothing about bikes.
And people that think yank cars are great.
And also if, pre-Bloor,Triumph sold as many bikes as wannabees bought T-shirts with Triumph on them ,they would never have gone down the tubes. :rofl:

[MoFunthanmost]

Mum still not so keen - constantly get 'are you home safe' texts.
been on the road three months and still getting them.
:)

Brothers initially told me I was a fucken idiot (biased to the worry it was causing Mum) but after I rode up the first time, they're warming up to the idea of biking - who knows may get all three of us crusiing the 'tuka eventually...

Strange how people always thing that without a big metal box around you, you arent safe - way more comfortable on a bike - am defiantely more aware of whats goin on around me more on a bike than a car an thus feel way safer.

also parking up Brooklyn and @ Uni sucks - no place for a cage in my life. now or in the near future...
:Punk:

[placidfemme]

Mum still not so keen - constantly get 'are you home safe' texts.
been on the road three months and still getting them.
:)

Brothers initially told me I was a fucken idiot (biased to the worry it was causing Mum) but after I rode up the first time, they're warming up to the idea of biking - who knows may get all three of us crusiing the 'tuka eventually...

Strange how people always thing that without a big metal box around you, you arent safe - way more comfortable on a bike - am defiantely more aware of whats goin on around me more on a bike than a car an thus feel way safer.

also parking up Brooklyn and @ Uni sucks - no place for a cage in my life. now or in the near future...
:Punk:

Yeah I still get the "text me when you get home and let me know your safe" from almost everyone I go visit.. Nice to know so many people care though :)

[Lou Girardin]

I've never asked. Don't care what others think.
Except my darling, understanding wife.



(Just in case she reads this!)

[Eurygnomes]

Well, my parents both ride, my brother rides - so I'm the last one in teh family to finally get on two wheels. They're cool with it.

My best friends parents (surrogates pretty much) on the other hand, are 'terrified' for me, and pretty much have my funeral plans all sorted out. Mind you, my best friend and I are also not allowed to go horse riding, as mother knew Christopher Reeve. Best friend will undoubtedly not step near the bike (when it gets here) as she is FORBIDDEN from going near it. *sigh*

My opinion is that you've only got one life. May as well have fun living it. I've spent too many years looking at bikes in the biking bay wondering why all the wheels were turned the same way (I know now!) and drooling to NOT do it.

And for the record: I also do the whole 'txt me when you get home' thing. Have done so for years - whether friends are in cages or on bikes. I still care, regardless, and there are other drivers to consider - not just yer mates! :)

[DarkNinja]

My Whole family used to ride bikes, my dad, mum, cousins, uncles, apart from my grandma, shes a bit anti it, but doesnt give it too much grief. so it wasnt too much of a hassle to get my licence apart from i HAD to get my cage licence first , which to be brutally honest comes in handy for transporting 3+ people :clap:

Actually the most grief i get is from a big shot in our company that shook my hand and told me it might be the last time he sees me because im going to die on my bike. Nice.
he came up to me the other day and said 'hows that motorbike going, still hooning around at 100mph' and i said nah its kmh (only thing i could think of lol)

DN

[Motu]

As with Ixion riding bikes was an accepted step in the life of a boy - from a push bike and then when you started a low paying apprenticeship you got a motorbike to go to night school.My mother bought me my first bike and I had to pay her back at $5 a week...crippling on my pay,but she reduced my board and then put it up when the bike was payed for.My brother still rides too,and our mother only ever showed interest in our bikes...even in her last days she would say - ''I wonder what happened to your ******,that was a nice bike,I hope whoever has it had as much fun out of it as you did'' So no worries from that side.

My wife rode with me until kids took up her time and interests,she built and worked on her own bikes,was pit crew for trials,enduros and dirt track,I've had a shit load of support from her....I feel kinda embarassed when I ask if I can get the latest bargin bike or gear....and she says ''Of course you can,you've been working 6 days a week for 25 yrs supporting us,you deserve some enjoyment in life''.All her brothers and sister (5 of them) and her 3 step brothers,her mother and step father have ridden bikes,so no worries from that side either.

[scumdog]

lucky to have a partner that likes bikes, most of us dont

What, don't have partners or have partners that don't like bikes????

Chrissy-Bimbo likes 'em just as much as I do and goes everywhere on it with me and takes it for rides herself, last solo rally I did was the Brass Monkey five years ago. :yes:

[scumdog]

It's amazing the the number of people that like Harleys and no nothing about bikes.
And people that think yank cars are great.
And also if, pre-Bloor,Triumph sold as many bikes as wannabees bought T-shirts with Triumph on them ,they would never have gone down the tubes. :rofl:

Wassrong with Harleys and yank cars then? Somebody's got to set the standard and give ya something to aim for!! :whistle: :wait:

[Pwalo]

I'm just flattered that you think I've actually got a lifestyle.

My Dad rides (his unregistered Royal Enfield) still, two of my younger brothers raced for a while back in the early (19)80's, my uncle had a Suzuki delareship for a while in Wanganui, and my great aunt used to ride a delivery bike with sidecar way back when (30's or 40's).

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone on the board that hasn't had family members who have ridden at some stage.

When I started riding it was because it was cheaper that getting a car rather than a lifestyle thing. Turned out quite well all things considered.

My Mum worries a bit (especially after the hospital episode), my kids think I'm mad, and my dear wife is just happy that I haven't bought a Harley in some mid life crisis disaster.

[Ixion]

..
I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone on the board that hasn't had family members who have ridden at some stage.

..

Me. Never had any family ride. They always did think I was the odd one.

[placidfemme]

Me. Never had any family ride. They always did think I was the odd one.

Yeah same here, other than my Grandmothers brothers... none of which I've meet.

Back in Zimbabwe, not many people rode bikes, they had a lot of smaller bikes (150's and smaller) that were mostly messanger/delivery bikes or motorcross dirt bikes, but all the big sports bikes were usually imported from South Africa... so all the "bikers" were 30+ year old semi-rich guys... The first bike I was taken on was a Yamaha FZR (??) 1100 and then a Yamaha thundercat (600cc). My mom grounded me both times she found out I'd been on a bike.. lol

It was worth it... TV in Zimbabwe sucked anyway :)

[Lou Girardin]

Wassrong with Harleys and yank cars then? Somebody's got to set the standard and give ya something to aim for!! :whistle: :wait:

Well even Harleys worth more than GM now. Even the Yanks don't want them.

[ManDownUnder]

Wassrong with Harleys and yank cars then? Somebody's got to set the standard and give ya something to aim for!! :whistle: :wait:

:rofl: You mean they set the lower tolerance... that IS what you need to aim for isn't it??