Non bike people don't get it.

**AllanB** · 14th October 2010, 18:54

So I wanted a bike since I was about 6, license at 16 (my parents wisely made me wait a year) and I'd been working school holidays etc since I was 12 saving for one. Purchased my first bike about a week after I got my license - a bright red CB200

.

There has been a street legal running motorcycle of some form in my shed ever since. If I had the coin there would be more than one

I'm now 45.

So why is it that people I have known for years who do not and have never ridden occasionally come up with comments indicating that they thing it is time for me to give them up - hell one even said grow-up recently.

I'm responding politely that I intend to have one in my garage until I am at least 95. If they really piss me off I just tell them I'm thinking of getting the kids some riding gear so they can come out with me - that usually freaks them out!

Arses - they don't get it. It is not something that I will 'grow out of' or a mid-life toy.

**The Baron** · 14th October 2010, 19:03

You are right!

Some people just don't get it.

Some people may some day see the light and give you that look of "Oh now I get it" I should have done this years ago.

Some people never will.............................................. ..........

**ducatilover** · 14th October 2010, 19:05

I know what you mean (even at my young age, must be the throbbing delerium)
I have a few friends and family "dissapointed" on my purchase of another bike. The old man understands, being a bike chap. It's like a red-head or foot fettish, people just don't get it.

**munster** · 14th October 2010, 19:09

I get the same sort of stick about hunting. Boys & Guns comments are quite common.

But I don't live my life to please other people, I live it to please my wife, kids, cats, bank, boss . . . . . . . Shit, I'm sure I'm on the list somewhere!

**bogan** · 14th October 2010, 19:11

people who don't get it, get told to get fucked

but luckily most people I know do get it, actually most people I know have had a bike or two at some point

wonder if thats cos I told the rest to get fucked

**hellokitty** · 14th October 2010, 19:38

Originally Posted by AllanB

So I wanted a bike since I was about 6, license at 16 (my parents wisely made me wait a year) and I'd been working school holidays etc since I was 12 saving for one. Purchased my first bike about a week after I got my license - a bright red CB200

.

There has been a street legal running motorcycle of some form in my shed ever since. If I had the coin there would be more than one

I'm now 45.

So why is it that people I have known for years who do not and have never ridden occasionally come up with comments indicating that they thing it is time for me to give them up - hell one even said grow-up recently.

I'm responding politely that I intend to have one in my garage until I am at least 95. If they really piss me off I just tell them I'm thinking of getting the kids some riding gear so they can come out with me - that usually freaks them out!

Arses - they don't get it. It is not something that I will 'grow out of' or a mid-life toy.

The time to give up your bike is when you are 96 or dead or whatever!
Don't let anyone tell you to give up riding. My Dad had some health issues and decided to sell his awesome BMW and has regretted it ever since. He ended up buying a K100 (which I think is yuk) because my Mum said he had to get another motorbike - she said he needed a hobby

I am hoping that as he gets older (he is only 66) he will get a lighter and lower bike (perhaps like my VT750) as that would be easier to handle, but there is no way he should give up riding!

People that don't ride need to keep their negative thoughts to themselves......

**Maha** · 14th October 2010, 19:52

I know plenty of non bike people, can say that I have ever had a negative reaction to the fact that I own/ride a bike.
What I do get at times though from non bike people that I dont know is....(and I started a thread on this a while ago)
''Wadda ya got, a Harley''?
I guess Mum did at first but changed tack when a close friend of my sisters collapsed and died suddenly at around age 40.
Then I got (and this from my mum) you enjoy your bike Mark, you just never know when your time is up.

**AllanB** · 14th October 2010, 20:53

Originally Posted by Maha

Then I got (and this from my mum) you enjoy your bike Mark, you just never know when your time is up.

Now that's a wise woman.

I know of a lot of guys who's partners 'encouraged' them to give up biking. MrsB has had comments on me still riding over the years - her reply is usually something like "he had a bike long before he met me' Mind you she has also been know to tell me to 'bloody get out for a ride' apparently I'm a better person after one!

**Number One** · 14th October 2010, 21:08

Originally Posted by ducatilover

being a bike chap. It's like a red-head or foot fettish, people just don't get it.

That is gold...and shit I think that nails it! My mother keeps looking at me all disapprovingly when I comment on a new helmet, or tyres and then I went and got a 'big' bike

SV650

THEN I had the gall to go and try my hand at racing...first little buckets and then I dared take my 'big'

bike on a hillclimb and to a track day!!!! SHOCK HORROR

NOW I let her almost 7 year old grandson go out with his crazy biker father up hill and down dale on his own wee motorbike!

I can fair hear her screaming in her head 'Will it not end!!!'

**Motu** · 14th October 2010, 21:29

You've been hanging around with the wrong people.In the 40 years I've been riding bikes I don't think anyone has ever said I should give them up,or anything else negative for that matter.My mother bought me my first bike ($60 for a BSA Bantam),and always took an interest in all my bikes,my Aunties and Cousins always asked what I was riding when I saw them,my brother still rides (in Canada),and we are always in contact about bikes.No one I have ever worked with has had anything negative to say about me riding bikes...in fact most are interested in my bikes.

Maybe it's your attitude,bikes are so much a part of me they are almost my personality.

**ellipsis** · 14th October 2010, 22:22

Originally Posted by Motu

You've been hanging around with the wrong people

...i dont understand people that dont wanna ride a motorbike...but i cant fathom people who want to knock balls around with metal sticks...or play cricket....either

**Berries** · 14th October 2010, 22:23

I work in road safety so get shit all the time from people who don't get it. So I wind them up further about it. Step mum hates motorbikes, so that's another incentive to keep on riding.

But then some bike people don't get it either. Has there ever been a "Why I ride" thread ? I know my reasons are incompatible with some of the views on KB. And my job, which is a bit of a pisser.