Mums and Dads who ride.... bikes that is

[TonyB]

The classic cliché for bikers is that once you have kids, you become ‘sensible’, sell the bike and don’t get back into it again until the kids are deemed old enough to cope without you. I know a few people who did this or are doing it, and I assumed that I was a bit unusual in that after my first kid was born, I actually went and bought a BIGGER bike.

But after stooging around here for a while it looks as though the cliché doesn’t necessarily apply, so this got me wondering just how many KB’ers have kids, and wether it affects their attitude towards riding, or the way that they ride. Do you ever think “I really shouldn’t be doing this”? Do you have moments where you think the risks may be too great, and the kids really should have the best shot possible of having both a mum and a dad? Have you never even thought about it? Is this too personal and I should just f^ck off?

When our first (Lexie) was born, the wife and I sat down and had a good chat about it. The general theory behind me keeping the bike is that you give up a huge amount of personal freedom when you have kids, so why give up the thing that makes you the happiest? If I couldn’t escape on the bike every now and again I’d be like a bear with a sore head, which wouldn’t be good for anyone. As for the risk thing, we decided that yes it’s more risky than driving a car, but there is risk involved in anything you do- a life without risk wouldn’t be much of a life at all. Plus you’d be pretty pissed off if you gave up riding the bike to be safe, and then broke your neck hopping out of the shower or something. Plus a couple of people we know have brushes with cancer, and still more have died, so that kind of reinforced the idea that when your numbers up, its up, so you might as well do the things you love while there’s still time.

Actually I think the reason why she lets me ride is because she thinks I look sexy in my leather jacket- there's no accounting for taste :unsure: 'Course, I kinda stuffed that when I bought a synthetic jacket :laugh:

So here’s the poll (my first one- hope it works) I’ve tried to make it cover all the bases. I know money is also a huge factor in riders chucking it in when the kids arrive, but I’ve got 8 options already…
Note: you can vote more than once, so if you tick 'Have kids- kept bike', you can also tick wether or not it affects your riding style. Sorry, could've condensed all that into two choices.

Hmm, looking at the ‘new thread’ window, I can’t see anything for posting a new poll- hopefully it comes up when I hit “submit new thread” otherwise I am going to look like a right plonker…

The option "Have kids- Sold bike" can be taken as past tense (sold bike, kids grew up, now I'm back/ not back yet) or present tense (sold bike- HURRY UP AND GROW UP!!)

[Two Smoker]

My old man is a KB'er.... He has settled down, but i dont think he like my riding.....

[gpercivl]

I started racing at 38 with 3 kids and missus approval :cool:

[White trash]

My old man is a KB'er.... He has settled down, but i dont think he like my riding.....

I've met your old man, bet he's prouder of your riding that you'd ever imagine.

Mine's exactly the same, told me for years about how I rode like a wanker and all that then had tears in his eyes when I won my very first race I entered. Tells all his mates about his lunatic son (The Larikan) riding around every where on one wheel.

What they say and feel are two totaly different things mate.

[Pwalo]

[QUOTE=TonyB]The classic cliché for bikers is that once you have kids, you become ‘sensible’, sell the bike and don’t get back into it again until the kids are deemed old enough to cope without you. I know a few people who did this or are doing it, and I assumed that I was a bit unusual in that after my first kid was born, I actually went and bought a BIGGER bike.

Yep money, house, that sort of thing. Before we bought the house my wife had a scooter, and I had a bike. With the house a car seeemed a more sensible decision.

I'd sort of stopped seriously looking at bikes until my wife suggested that I might like to get back to commuting on two wheels about five years ago. I don't think being sensible or waiting till the kids reach a certain age really came into it. Unfortunately now I can't stand using public transport, or even the car if I have a choice.

Funnily enough after I get back into biking my dear old Dad went out and got himself an old Royal Enfield which he's finally got back together. Guess you're never old enough to be sensible.

[**R1**]

yeah i have 2 kids, a 6yo boy, and a 2yo girl, they love my bikes, i bought my zx7 when the boy was born and the R1 when the girl was born, i guess if i want the new R1 i will have to have another kid :rolleyes:, but it hasnt changed the way i look at riding, the way i see it ya only live once so make the most of it.......worst case(i die) then they get a shit load on cash from insurance, so no worries and like ya said i could get hit by a falling satilite or slip in the shower, bang lights out :kick: if its going to happn then thats just bad luck. hopefuly they have stunt bikes in heven.....i better ask ZED :Pokey:

[NordieBoy]

I hear the "plonker" look is very "in" this year...

:scooter:

[vifferman]

Do you ever think “I really shouldn’t be doing this”? Do you have moments where you think the risks may be too great, and the kids really should have the best shot possible of having both a mum and a dad? Have you never even thought about it? Is this too personal and I should just f^ck off?
Yes.

Being a poor, poor, starving student,:( I sold my bike the year before I met my wife. :weep:
She didn't know I was obsessive about bikes, because I was obsessive about her. And stuff....

We now have three boys, and I returned to biking when the youngest was a toddler.

Yes, I sometimes think about the risks, crashing, etc. I don't mind dying, but when my wife is on the back of the VifFerraRi I worry about crashing and her getting injured or worse, and sometimes I think about leaving the boys parentless.

I think they'd eventually notice we were gone, when the groceries ran out, and I guess they'd eventually miss us. :eek5:

[bear]

I agree that you've got to keep doing what you enjoy, if I had kids, reckon the thought of them at home wouldmake me tone it down sometimes.

[TonyB]

I've met your old man, bet he's prouder of your riding that you'd ever imagine.....
What they say and feel are two totaly different things mate.
You're on the money there. My dad told me about a conversation with a farmer from further down the valley:
'Your son got a black bike?'
'Yep'
'Black helmet?'
'Yep'
'Black leathers?' (this was my black phase :whistle: )
'Yep- why, whats he been up to?'
'Well Murray, I was in me paddock, working on some irrigation, when I heard this funny noise- kind of like someone sighing. It got louder and louder, then all of a sudden theres this almighty racket, so I spun around to see this guy all in black on a black bike dissapearing past Oldhams place. Murray, there's nearly half a bloody mile of road between here and there! How bloody fast was he going?!"
I think the idea behind dad telling me this was to give me a bloody good rark-up. But he couldn't help smiling, so he just shook his head, said 'Try and be careful', and walked away.
They'll never admit it, but I think most dads wish they could join you...

[XTC]

yeah i have 2 kids, a 6yo boy, and a 2yo girl, they love my bikes, i bought my zx7 when the boy was born and the R1 when the girl was born, i guess if i want the new R1 i will have to have another kid :rolleyes:, but it hasnt changed the way i look at riding, the way i see it ya only live once so make the most of it.......worst case(i die) then they get a shit load on cash from insurance, so no worries and like ya said i could get hit by a falling satilite or slip in the shower, bang lights out :kick: if its going to happn then thats just bad luck. hopefuly they have stunt bikes in heven.....i better ask ZED :Pokey:

Almost time to start planning child #3 as you may want a new bike soon?? :)
I have three children. 5yo girl and 2yo twins. Still ride - MX (retiring) getting back into road/adventure riding when my damn ankle heals......

Anyone sick of hearing about my ankle yet??

[XTC]

yeah i have 2 kids, a 6yo boy, and a 2yo girl, they love my bikes, i bought my zx7 when the boy was born and the R1 when the girl was born, i guess if i want the new R1 i will have to have another kid :rolleyes:, but it hasnt changed the way i look at riding, the way i see it ya only live once so make the most of it.......worst case(i die) then they get a shit load on cash from insurance, so no worries and like ya said i could get hit by a falling satilite or slip in the shower, bang lights out :kick: if its going to happn then thats just bad luck. hopefuly they have stunt bikes in heven.....i better ask ZED :Pokey:

Geez Aaron you look quilty in your profile pic....... :niceone:

[Krayy]

There's an option missing from the poll:

Have kids - bought bike

I bought my bike after my first girl was born as we lost the wifes company car and I needed cheap transport. How I got her to allow me to buy it is beyond me :niceone:

[**R1**]

Almost time to start planning child #3 as you may want a new bike soon?? :)
I have three children. 5yo girl and 2yo twins. Still ride - MX (retiring) getting back into road/adventure riding when my damn ankle heals......

Anyone sick of hearing about my ankle yet??

you could be right....the miss wants another kid and i want an 04R1 and i wouldnt mind a wr450....so better make it twins :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:,

[bugjuice]

he couldn't help smiling, so he just shook his head, said 'Try and be careful', and walked away.
They'll never admit it, but I think most dads wish they could join you...
My dad live out Huia Road way, just off scenic drive. Awesome twisties on that road. When I head off, my dad always comes up to see the bike and he's told me he stands outside to listen as I shoot off. He's heard me thru the valleys for several minutes until it dies down at Titirangi (a good 5, 6 k's away).. He always does that..

I think if I had a kid on the way, I'd be gutted, but cash would be too hard up, so I'd have to sell up. The missus (ex..?? dunno, long story) said we would be able to keep it and we'd manage, but I'd rather have the cash handy than struggle..

[NordieBoy]

Mum and dad used to race karts in the late 60's early 70's in Nelson.
Grandfather had a TS125.
Dad had a TC100.
Mum had a QT50 and an SR185.
I've got 3 bikes.
One brother was into sports bikes (Bol'dor 750 and VRF750 - first of the single sided swingarms, in red) and split his pelvis on the bumper of a cop car (long story) at 100kph.
Other brother is a bike mech and has probably 4 complete bikes and half a million uncomplete ones.

Motorbike/sport family :grouphug: :2thumbsup

[riffer]

I grew up in a house where Mum hated bikes but Dad didn't give a shit what she thought about it. She learned to get over it. I learned to ride from my Dad.

My ex hates bikes. Made me get rid of mine when we had kids.

My wife thinks they are just fine. So when we moved to Upper Hutt she suggested I get one.

I have three kids (6, 5, 4) Oldest and youngest Jessie & Zach live with the ex, Tim lives with me and Gini. Next one is due in five weeks (or less)...

I am insured pretty well so if the worst happened everyone would be taken care of.

But the idea of course is not to have bad stuff happen...

[Slipstream]

How I got her to allow me to buy it is beyond me :niceone:


Probably because she loves you and wanted you to be happy ... either that or she sneaks a ride when you're not around or using it :whistle:

[Biff]

As sure as a silent fart smells, having kids calmed me down. I used to be a real tearaway and lived life on the edge. Having kids has slowed me down considerably as I'd like to see them grow up.

Although I admit to being a rebel every now and again. I even had sugar in my coffee this morning. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Blackbird]

Two of our kids are overseas on their OE and the youngest is at varsity in Chch. The boot is on the other foot now. Instead of us worrying about where our kids are, they worry about where we are. Quite often, my wife and I have been out for a ride and there is a plaintive message on the phone from one of them asking where we are. It's like they're still expecting us to be on 24 hour call with no lives of our own. Love it when we get messages like that :2thumbsup

Off round East Cape the weekend after next so they can whinge about that too :rockon:

Geoff

[XTC]

you could be right....the miss wants another kid and i want an 04R1 and i wouldnt mind a wr450....so better make it twins :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:,

I've heard that you increase your chances of twins by 54.59% if you do it twice or more in the one night....... Must be with the same partner though.. :rolleyes:

[**R1**]

I've heard that you increase your chances of twins by 54.59% if you do it twice or more in the one night....... Must be with the same partner though.. :rolleyes:
TWICE :disapint: that would take more than 10mins! i dont have time for that kind of young fella carry on :lol: :lol:

[Wolf]

Both our boys went on their first Cambridge-Hamilton Toy Run in utero :2thumbsup

The pic on my profile is me and my pregnant wife-to-be (Juliet) just after the toy run, it's blurry but you can just make out Taliesin's first toy run badge pinned to Juliet's belly. Rode all the way from Cambridge to Hamilton at 80km/h while being kicked in the spine. "Go faster, daddy, go faster!"

Had to get a baby-sitter the following year so we could go on the Toy Run when Juliet was pregnant with Tangwyn.

Juliet often rode on the back of the bike while pregnant with Taliesin. Not so much with Tangwyn as by that stage we had Taliesin and no way of carrying him on the bike.

I don't see that or continuing to ride after having kids as "insane". I don't think bikes are inherently dangerous - as with everything else, it's how we use them. Admittedly, you're more likely to be FUBAR if involved in an accident but car accidents can also render the whole family FUBAR. Like anything, "due caution" goes a long way.

I ride responsibly and don't speed (why should I help the politicians buy their kiddie porn and cocaine any more than I'm doing already? I earn money, buy goods and services and I smoke - they get enough of my pay packet, thank you!) I've got over 20 years' riding experience to help me assess situations and I ride like everyone else is a blithering idiot. Have been doing so for a long while - which is why I have over 20 years' experience rather than a pretty tombstone.

I think assuming that "riding a bike is dangerous and cars are safe" is insane - it carries a danger of complacency.

Riding, driving or walking, I am mindful of the risks involved and do what I can to diminish them - I have no desire to leave my kids fatherless by stepping out in front of a bus, either...

[Motu]

I've got 4 kids,and have never stopped riding,when my first daughter was born I put a child/adult chair on my featherbed Norton...I already had a sidecar,but wanted a bigger full enclosure job for a baby.I don't really think about what could happen to me out there,although when some stupid thing happens and innocent people get injured I am a bit nervous.I don't know what my wife and kids think of my riding...it's just what I do.I'm pretty sure my wife trusts me out there and knows going for a ride is impotant to my mental health.

[XTC]

Both our boys went on their first Cambridge-Hamilton Toy Run in utero :2thumbsup

Taliesin and Tangwyn.

Cool names :2thumbsup

[Wolf]

Cool names :2thumbsup
Thanx. Wait a few years, you'll probably see them on here :)

[Posh Tourer :P]

From the other perspective, Dad has had bikes since he came here age 19. Mum got a bike when they got together, "honeymoon" was an OE to buy a brand new BMW R75/6 from Germany, and ride it round Europe. Riding ever since, and still have the R75. Both me and Milky have been on the back since we were big enough to wear a (standard size) helmet safely. The two kids thing works well, one each bike. We did regular trips eg Taupo/Whangarei two up two bikes. I got my licence at 15, Milky about the same. Got my bike full before I got my car full.... Never owned a car yet, but three bikes so far.

I guess I'll follow the same example, keep on riding.....

[Coyote]

If you have a kid and you haven't brought them a bike yet, do so now. It's better if they learn on a small, slow 50-100 4 stroke on dirt than when they're older and decide they want to get a nice fast bike for themselves.

[SPman]

Only reason I sold the bike was to buy a car - rather hard to carry a wife, 4yo & 1yo on the back of a Ducati! A "mate", just happened to turn up at the time with a fistful of cash, in the 2 week envelope when I would have sold it.......barstard!

[Eddieb]

Tim lives with me and Gini.


And just wait till he's big enough to hold one up himself, then he'll be showing dad how to do it. :ride:

[Wolf]

If you have a kid and you haven't brought them a bike yet, do so now. It's better if they learn on a small, slow 50-100 4 stroke on dirt than when they're older and decide they want to get a nice fast bike for themselves.

RV80 on nice wet paddocks - that's where I learned (still had a few spills coming to terms with gravel and wet tarmac (and $#^@ paint on the &$&$* road!) but at least I wasn't going like a maniac at the time)

[enigma51]

I've met your old man, bet he's prouder of your riding that you'd ever imagine.

Mine's exactly the same, told me for years about how I rode like a wanker and all that then had tears in his eyes when I won my very first race I entered. Tells all his mates about his lunatic son (The Larikan) riding around every where on one wheel.

What they say and feel are two totaly different things mate.

Similiar story always loved bikes so when I had my first serious accident at 11 years old (Have been riding since 6) and almost lost my leg they where first to put me back on two wheels.

[Blakamin]

My parents never rode... just something that happened thru friends and stuff... (first pillion ride ever was on a Triumph chopper in the mid 70's)
actually... my first ever school project at 9 years old was on bikes... made mum walk all over town to bike-shops to get info (we didnt have a car)... got an A+!
I was a complete nutter in everything I did until 4 years ago... sex, drugs and rock 'n roll was my motto... or drugs, drugs and rock.... and sex... and beer
gave up bike years ago coz it got in the way of drugs and rock (crashed again)... and when I say drugs, I gave up marijuana at 16.... :crazy:

then I woke up one day looking at what I had, what I didnt have, and what I wanted... (being king-hit by your own brother and going thru a window will do that)
got away from where I was. got a better job... saved... moved back here... got mrs, baby and then bought another bike... (or 3)
ride when I'm not working... sometimes ride when I am (for little things like banking that I dont need barbie-van for)
I know its dangerous... but so's walking (probably give me a heart attack!)
family accepts it... enjoys it even... I know bubs loves it when I get the bike out... she makes "vrooom" noises!!!! :2thumbsup
and now all I do is beer (probably too much but it's not "sell TV for beer" sorta thing... priorities)
after all that... bike riding is probably a lot safer for my family than anything I did in the past...

[XTC]

now all I do is beer (probably too much but it's not "sell TV for beer" sorta thing... priorities)

That's a good one.... Hadn't thought of that one.... Yo son pull that plug out there!! dad's going for beer and I don't gave a damn if Spongebob's on!!! :Punk:

[Will]

MUST BE IN THE GENES
Born into a biker family. Can remember my father riding his Indian that he bought from the Air Force Base at Whenupai.
Have had some sort of bike or another in the shed, from dirt bikes to road bikes.
Have 3 daughters that can ride but 2 of them have produced little riders. I have a grand daughter and a grandson. Grandson goes straight to the bike shed when he comes for a visit and he is only 18 months old.
Grand daughter is only 12 months old so there is still time. :baby:
So it must be in the genes. :yeah:

[Coyote]

MUST BE IN THE GENES
Born into a biker family. Can remember my father riding his Indian that he bought from the Air Force Base at Whenupai.
Have had some sort of bike or another in the shed, from dirt bikes to road bikes.
Have 3 daughters that can ride but 2 of them have produced little riders. I have a grand daughter and a grandson. Grandson goes straight to the bike shed when he comes for a visit and he is only 18 months old.
Grand daughter is only 12 months old so there is still time. :baby:
So it must be in the genes. :yeah:
Funny how things seem to be in the genes. No one I knew was into superbikes (Dad and brother into dirt, rest of family to scared) and I got into them myself, then I found out my Uncle in England I had never met was into superbikes. Also, for years I wanted to be a mechanic, then I found out my Grand-dad was a mechanic

[FROSTY]

Anybody that knows me knows Baby Bikie -Nuff said really.
Hes been riding with me before he was born.
He was in a carseat on the back of a Venture royalle at 2 and then increasingly sporty bikes as his legs got longer.
I do ride differently with him on board. Im Mr MOT conservative.
Racing im probably a tadd more cautious passing than I used to be but not a lot.

[Jackrat]

Had bike when dauther was born. :2thumbsup
Had bike when she started school. :wavey:
Had bike when she finished school. :confused2
Had bike when she left home to live with dingo (unless Ozy boy friend) :Oi:
Will still have bike when she marrys nice Kiwi boy in April. :first:

[toads]

From the other perspective, Dad has had bikes since he came here age 19. Mum got a bike when they got together, "honeymoon" was an OE to buy a brand new BMW R75/6 from Germany, and ride it round Europe. Riding ever since, and still have the R75. Both me and Milky have been on the back since we were big enough to wear a (standard size) helmet safely. The two kids thing works well, one each bike. We did regular trips eg Taupo/Whangarei two up two bikes. I got my licence at 15, Milky about the same. Got my bike full before I got my car full.... Never owned a car yet, but three bikes so far.

I guess I'll follow the same example, keep on riding.....

That is very cool PT, that has to get my vote as the best biking family story ever!

[toads]

sold my first bike when I was too pregnant to ride comfortably with my first kid and only just bought another bike just over a year ago, after 20 years of breeding, the oldest kid is now 20, next one 18, next one 16 and then triplets who are aged 10, it's never a good time to die and leave kids without parents, but then there's no guarantees in life and somethings are just worth taking calculated risks for, I'm careful on my bike, so is Pete ( husband) on his, we prefer to ride our own bikes anyway, rather than go pillion, and figure it lessens the odds of making our kids orphans as well.
When it comes down to it, bikes are the best form of entertaiment for us both and the kids respect that and although they worry about us a bit, they recognise it's our thing and find it mildly amusing.

[Evilution]

My dad gave away my first 'real' bike just after I had my little man. I was devastated, I'd put so much work into it and it was almost ready to get back on the road. Now my son's 8, getting his first bike soon, then it's time for me to get my next one. This one won't be a box of bits like the first one, and nobody'll be giving it away, dagnabbit!

[Milky]

That is very cool PT, that has to get my vote as the best biking family story ever!

Just to burst your bubble a little, they dont ride much anymore. Maybe doing ~150000ks on the R75 meant that things arent quite as exciting as they once were.
Dad especially works on the principle that you need a reason to go somewhere, and that it isn't the best use of resources to just *ride* I guess it might come from growing up in Holland during the war. Having said that he seems to still enjoy riding when he gets out there away from the traffic, away from the city.
They also have a new toy to use, something that is more comfortable, just as functional, and infinitely easier to navigate in. It has meant even more of an excuse is needed to go for a ride. I keep telling him he should sell at least one of the bikes... When they only do a few hundred ks a year it is a shame, just being taken out because "Oh, I think the bike needs a run to make sure everything still works"

I was looking foward to going on some decent rides with dad too... Ah well :disapint:

[loosebruce]

I have one son, just about 2yo, never get to see him coz my ex is a psycho, for real she is mental. As much as i want to spend time with him, looks like it'll have to be when he's a bit older and can fend for himself.
Sad but last time i tried to see him and my ex came at me screaming "i'm gonna cuts your balls off with a pair of sisscors if you come near me or my son" coz she had just found out i had a new girlfreind, for the past 8 months and was much happier with her than i ever was with my ex.
Funny is how "MUCH" my ex loves me, but goes out skanking around every weekend with other guys.
Yeah not many things scare me, but she does. Thinks she needs to up her medication. Gotta feel for the kid too, breaks my heart :disapint:

But coz of this my boy hasn;t had much of an impact on my life yet, it never really sunk in, maybe it'd be a diff story if i was changing his nappies everyday etc etc, maybe then i'd tone down or sell. But there has been nothing toned down bout my riding recently.

[Motu]

My wife is the same now Milky,she used to be very much into riding and we went everywhere on bikes together - but now she needs a reason to ride,just because it's a nice day is not enough,there has to be a destination and a purpose.I'm just lazy.

[Draco]

Being a single mum with a shattered pelvis from a riding accident was enough to tone down my riding, i'm officially a nana rider now. :baby: My daughter worries about me crashing and yet she beams the biggest, proudest smile if i cruise in to pick her up from school on the bike! :2thumbsup Yeah, i sometimes feel guilty for putting my wants before my daughter's needs, but you also have to have some resemblence of a life outside of your children, and your usually a better parent if you do. So i continue to ride. Besides, daddy wouldn't let me ride (cause i was a girl) and ex-husband wouldn't let me ride (wonder why he's my ex?) so now nobody tells me i can't ride. :bash: :devil2: :ride:

[phantom]

sold my previous bike to buy a house, twenty five years later got myself a new partner and a new ( well old ) bike. Ride very differently now I have three kids of my own and 1 stepdaughter and hundreds of assorted whanau :niceone:

[Oakie]

Had kids and the bike went from a Z400 to a Z250 to a GT125 to a pushbike. It was a money and practicality thing so I guess it was being sensible (for financial reasons more than personal safety though).
Kids reached 17 and 20 and the bikes came back ... FXR150 and now replaced by a CB400. The bikes came back into play though for the same reasons ... money (we could afford the outlay ... and it would save a few dollars in day to day travel) and practicality (extra vehicle and I was sick of busing every day).
I do ride a lot more conservatively than I used to. Kids could probably look after themselves if the worst happened but I want to stick around for them for a few more years anyway.

[Beemer]

We both had bikes when we met and as it is a common interest, why on earth would we want to give them up until we're too old and feeble to ride any more?!! When people heard we were getting married, the first thing they did was ask HIM if I was going to make him sell his bikes! Why? Had I ever said "honey, don't go riding, stay home and watch tv with me?" Hell no, I was usually out there with him!

And as for kids, you can keep those horrible, snotty nosed little bastards - I've never liked them and I never will! And if I ever had the misfortune to have one (thank god he hates them too so it's not likely!), I'd deliberately buy a bike with no pillion seat so I could get away from them!

[XP@]

Inherited 3 kids, made another and bought a house.

I am planning on selling all my bikes... only reason to get a newer one... more reliable cos it will have done less than 100,000kms

I still commute, I dont go away as often, and don't ride as many weekends
I will be doing the 1000 miler this year again.

I do not take as many risks, but I am still improving my riding so I am doing things like getting pegs down which I wouldnt have done 12 months ago. But when overtaking / lane splitting etc i do ask myself "is the risk worth it?".
I have also had the red mist cos i was nearly taken out and I wanted to go home and see my little girl... have to keep that one balanced...

[Big Dave]

What a load of petticoat wearing bollox.
I'm a grandfather and I still ride the wheels off everything.
Get over it and harden up, the lot of youse. :msn-wink:
beemer - respect.

[Beemer]

Respect what, Big Dave? Rug rats? Or those who choose to procreate at a rate of knots to make up for those of us who loathe children? Yeah right!

[zadok]

[QUOTE=TonyB]

I know money is also a huge factor in riders chucking it in when the kids arrive, but I’ve got 8 options already…

All the more reason to keep the bike. It left the car for the missus to cart the kids around, while I used the bike for work etc.
Kids grown up now. I still use the bike for work.

[ManDownUnder]

There's an option missing from the poll:

Have kids - bought bike

I bought my bike after my first girl was born as we lost the wifes company car and I needed cheap transport. How I got her to allow me to buy it is beyond me :niceone:

Same happened to me! Except we needed a bigger car for Mum and Bubbz (who is now 5) so we got one - ran out of parking space for another car... so I offered up an idea (which I'd been harping on about for years)... how about a BIKE?!?

There you have it!
MDU

[Ogri]

We both had bikes when we met and as it is a common interest, why on earth would we want to give them up until we're too old and feeble to ride any more?!! When people heard we were getting married, the first thing they did was ask HIM if I was going to make him sell his bikes! Why? Had I ever said "honey, don't go riding, stay home and watch tv with me?" Hell no, I was usually out there with him!

And as for kids, you can keep those horrible, snotty nosed little bastards - I've never liked them and I never will! And if I ever had the misfortune to have one (thank god he hates them too so it's not likely!), I'd deliberately buy a bike with no pillion seat so I could get away from them!


Parallel universe or what!!! My sentiments exactly!!!!

[Skunk]

My wife (Skunk Control) and I decided we want to ride, so we're not having kids.
There is now no chance of kids happening. :niceone:

[XTC]

Respect what, Big Dave? Rug rats? Or those who choose to procreate at a ratg of knots to make up for those of us who loathe children? Yeah right!
We're you hated as a kid??

[Beemer]

Sorry to disappoint you but I was spoiled rotten, youngest of four. Just annoys me that people expect EVERY woman to be maternal and like kids - some of us don't! It's no different to some people liking Harleys and some liking sports bikes, or being a drinker/non-drinker, cat lover or dog lover.

I'm not going to apologise for not liking kids - I've NEVER liked them and the old cliche of "but if you had your own you'd love them" doesn't hold any water for me - what if I didn't? Can't send it back!

[FROSTY]

good onya beemer.I love my son to bits and couldn't imagine life without him.
I don't think anyone really cares if you choose to have kids or not to .Its your life and your body.

[Wolf]

And as for kids, you can keep those horrible, snotty nosed little bastards - I've never liked them and I never will! And if I ever had the misfortune to have one (thank god he hates them too so it's not likely!), I'd deliberately buy a bike with no pillion seat so I could get away from them!
Have two wonderful rug rats (2 and 3 now), both of whom I love dearly - would not lose them for the world.

Both are totally obsessed with bikes - both have two-wheeled "velocipedes" and the eldest now has a push-bike and they are well on their way to being the 4th generation of bikers in our family - talk about in the genes. The only reason they won't be the 5th is that my Great-grandfather rode horses, not bikes.

One day said rug rats will be accompanying me on at least the Paris Dakar (and probably uttering those immortal words "FFS keep up, you old bastard")

Far from giving up biking, I'm working towards teaching my wife to ride so she can come with us on the P-D rally (and at least ride her own bike on the Toy Runs in the meantime so we can carry a sprog each on our bikes)

[Big Dave]

Respect what, Big Dave? Rug rats? Or those who choose to procreate at a rate of knots to make up for those of us who loathe children? Yeah right!

Ummm - I don't remember - but i liked something you said.

I like working with kids in sport. I ran my local YMCA for a number of years and the basketball club. Used to park my tbird in the middle of the foyer.
ref'd over 1,000 games and tried to teach fair play and values and it was very rewarding. You could also just give 'em back if the were complete shits.

It's babies and bloody kids crashing social engagements wot gives me the irrits now. Especially the Look at me look at me look at me ones. (My gig!)

I too stopped riding for a while when we had two toddlers and were living in hobart. wrong climate for young'ens on a bike and not enough $ for six wheels.

[Wolf]

I'm not going to apologise for not liking kids - I've NEVER liked them and the old cliche of "but if you had your own you'd love them" doesn't hold any water for me - what if I didn't? Can't send it back!
Yeah, fair enough. The whole "women are instinctively maternal" thing is utter crap, in my observation. I know a number of women who do not feel in the least bit maternal, including two who have each had a child - so they can say from experience they didn't suddenly turn into "mama bear" by virtue of having a child.

If you don't like kids, that's your prerogative - no one should expect you to or expect you should change your mind about it. No one should expect you to apologise, either.

Me... If my kids got between a mother bear and her cubs and I was around, the mother bear would not survive to get within striking distance of my children - to each their own

[Beemer]

Apologies Big Dave, I thought you were implying I should SHOW some respect, not that I'd earned some from you :niceone:

I love well-behaved children as I like well-behaved dogs - both are a joy to have around. What I hate are the obnoxious children (often an only child - wonder why?) who come to our house and wreak havoc. It's so hard when you really like the parents but loathe their children, and you feel like such a meanie yelling at a child "get off my couch you little shit, it's not a fucking trampoline!" So if any of you have well-behaved children, don't worry, if I ever meet them I'm not going to hurt them, but if you have one of the other sort, well, don't bring 'em to my place! :Playnice:

[Big Dave]

Apologies Big Dave, :niceone:


No probs - i thought we were at crossed purposes. easy in this medium.
Besides, I'm an Aussie who loves living in NZ - I'm not easily offended. :crybaby:

[Virago]

Wow, what a mixed bunch we are!

I rode little commuter bikes as teenager, moved up to a cage when I got engaged. Twenty-three years later, with two teenage daughters (and just a little discretionary income!), I'm finally back in the saddle. Mrs VV loves the bike too, so most of my riding is with pillion.

And so on to the next generation! I've attached a video clip of my eldest daughter trying out a Virago 250 for size. Taken last year, when she was 16, she fits the Virago fine, despite being under 4'10"! :ride: (edit: sorry, site won't accept an MPEG file)

[Holy Roller]

I have 5 kids oldest is 18 the bike has been the most practical transport for me over the years. Cheap to run and also theruputic(sp we really do need a spell checker) time out. It also has provided quality one on one time with each child resulting in memories that hopefully they will want to remember. The kids have the next few runs already allocated as to who will be on the back. My 13 yr old son is super keen to do the Cold Kiwi again, he was dissapointed when I wrote off the last bike. :niceone:

[250learna]

I know two guys who use to ride, one quiet passionatly, who have given up riding. One guy realy loves it and I let him take my bike round the block a few times (he couldnt resist) but he is going to be a father in a few months and at 28 has decided that its too much of a risk as he has to support the family and doesnt want his kid to go trough life without a father should things go wrong.
Its sad to see him not riding but as he puts it, his life is not his own anymore, he shares it with his wife and a unborn baby.

I dont know if i will be able to give up riding if i have kids, but will definitly have effect on my riding style, mite have to start getting to the track when i get better so that i can get it all out there and be more careful on the road. :ride: for now, thanks to durex :niceone: , im still my own person... but only time will tell

[Pixie]

What a load of petticoat wearing bollox.
I'm a grandfather and I still ride the wheels off everything.
Get over it and harden up, the lot of youse. :msn-wink:
beemer - respect.
I agree,just think where the human race would be if our ancestors decided to stay in the cave because there might be a smilodon lurking outside,rather than looking for food or a cave chick to drag home by the hair.

Thats a mean looking possum you have a picture of there,Dave.

[Big Dave]

Thats a mean looking possum you have a picture of there,Dave.

It was my answer to the rather cheesy mickey mouse Triumph RAT logo that has since been dropped.
An original - it loses something in the reduction (well, turns inta a possum)
http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/rat.jpg
but that's how i would have done it. (not really, but you know...)

[Brian d marge]

The boy is 10 mnths old , I think he was about 3 months old at his first MX meeting ..( Loves the bikes ,,,)
Actually Much to his mums dismay and his fathers delight ...the boy loves the bikes as they go round the first corner ...( he gets bored after that ...) ACDC any of the Bon scot videos .. and a green plastic box in which the wet tissues come in

He sits in his pushchair and plays with the rear wheel when i am working on bikes....( I bought him a cheap tool set ..but like a true craftsman he uses the adjustable spanner as a Hammer ..and is tough on paint work ....they since have migrated to the truck as tools for race meetings ....

When hes a little bigger I will sit him on the tank and give him a squirt ....
As for owning a bike ..well pocket bikes are cheap and when he can balance ( on his own feet ) we will think about it ,,,,,

As for owning a motor bike ...

1st ..he takes up racing ,,,
2nd he does the absolute everything course in rider training
3rd he races soo much that he actually doesnt want to drive anything during the week ( might work ????? :no:??? )

Finally with a bit of help if he makes it past 25 ...hopefully I can bludge off him when I am older ... Son can I borrow your bike ...has a nice ring to it .... :D .)

As for the wife... very supportive , though gets bored at race meetings


Stephen
No it hasnt changed anything..having a child that is,,, ( except I moved back into the spare room ,,,,,,on the couch ,,,somethings never change .....)

Stephen

[Wolf]

When hes a little bigger I will sit him on the tank and give him a squirt ....
Get one of those kiddy-carry packs (papoose). Taliesin went for his first bike ride harnessed to my chest - albeit slowly and around the lawn (I'm not a complete loony)

When I was regularly commuting, Taliesin would get quite upset if I didn't stop at the top of the driveway and give him a ride to the garage on the tank. He'd come toddling out, slither down the steps on his bum and toddle up to the end of the drievway just to catch a lift.

If it were raining and I rode straight into the garage he'd make quite a production of it.

He made the mistake one day of playing with the kill switch as we were heading for the garage and the bike wouldn't start again (needed a good long push start) so he missed out on his ride - ever after he'd wait until we were stopped in the garage and turn off the engine with the kill switch.

An afternoon's entertainment was taking the kids around the yard on the tank of the bike.

[vifferman]

My daughter worries about me crashing and yet she beams the biggest, proudest smile if i cruise in to pick her up from school on the bike! :2thumbsup
:killingme
When my two youngest were in primary school, there were a few times when I dropped one of them at school or picked them up. Major rep points from their classmates for that!

I didn't ride much when the kids were small - had no-one to ride with, and no reason to go anywhere. (Not too different to now, except my wife now rides on the back....)

Despite having three sons, and having had all three of them on my bikes (sometimes at the same time - must dig out the pix of that!), only one of them shows much inclination to ride bikes, but is a bit put off by having to do lessons before he can get one.
None of them have been on the VifFerraRi, and one of them hadn't been on my last bike (probably because we now have plenty of cars, and he has his licence).

[eliot-ness]

Always had bikes. Couldn't afford a car when the kids were small. (my excuse) when I did have the cash the wife got the car. She had a car license 20 years before I did. Wouldn't let the kids have cars at fifteen. Figured they needed some real road sense so got them a bike. Youngest took to it like a flea to a dog. Pissed me off when I couldn't keep up. The oldest. Sad case. He prefers cars. Wrote him out of the will. Now he has a 17yr old son and won't let him have a bike. Have written him back into the will. He gets all my debts.... The wife is still keen on bikes. Bought me my present one as a retirement gift. Said the G.S. 500 didn't suit me. Now she's buying herself riding gear so the clock is turned back to the 60s. Long live motor bikes


-----------------------
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous

[Brian d marge]

[QUOTE=Wolf]Get one of those kiddy-carry packs (papoose). Taliesin went for his first bike ride harnessed to my chest - albeit slowly and around the lawn (I'm not a complete loony)

Thats a plan...then we could attack those tabletops together ,,,father son ..and a 60 ft table :killingme .

No I will do that we have 2 of those things ...next time we are down the track I will take them ... see if he likes it,,,

Stephen

[Wolf]

The oldest. Sad case. He prefers cars. Wrote him out of the will. Now he has a 17yr old son and won't let him have a bike. Have written him back into the will. He gets all my debts....
:killingme :killingme

I'll file that for future reference - though I doubt I'll need to use it.

Even with the kids aged 2 and 3, it's hard to see them not turning out hard-core bikers when they get older. The other day Taliesin was "Trials riding" on his velocipede over a spare car wheel which is lying on our lawn. Tangwyn got upset because his legas aren't quite long enough for him to do the same thing. Taliesin would get his "bike" (one of those black palstic trikes that looks a bit like a classic Triumph that I've modified to have only two wheels) up onto the car wheel, bounce up and down a few times, then ride it off - he's been learning from no less than the ELF Trials team.

"Quest for Victory", a lengthy documentary about ELF's involvement in motorcycle sport, gets a lot of plays in our house - at the request of the kids. Taliesin knows how to work the DVD player enough to skip through the long interviews and resume the race/Trials/MX/Paris-Dakar action. They watch avidly and chime "Oh God! Oh no!" when the riders bin, point at the river crossings in the trials and say "Water", and watch Paris-Dakar with rapt attention - when the time comes for us to do it, they'll know the route better than Neveu.

Currently I'm working on getting the GSX running properly (the LS will cost too much to get fixed and roadworthy) as it's been too long since I had a functioning bike.

Then work will begin on getting strayjuliet a bike she can learn on (she had a little off-roader and was getting quite good at gear-changes and cornering, but she had to sell it) and getting pocket bikes for the boys when they are big enough to ride them.

Honestly, if I could work out the logistics of sticking electric motors on their Wolf-modded velocipedes, I would. Taliesin's about ready for a motor - he already builds up speed and lifts his feet to coast... even coasts around corners leaning the bike (which is precisely why I changed it from a trike to a bike).

The next mod is likely to be proper wheels with rubber tyres so they can ride on slippery concrete without the bikes sliding out from under them.

[Krusti]

I ride, Mother of the other rides, Son out rides us both!...

[kels]

Started riding again at the tender age of 39 and 2 kids...gave myself approval to get riding again :niceone: