The 3 yr old boy and the motorbike.

[tracyprier]

I usually get it from the opposite end of the age spectrum. Pull the Trumpy into a service station for a fill and old guys that appear to be in their 70s or 80s usually have a good look around it and start a conversation, usually along the line of "I used to have one in the 50s or 60s etc etc". Some are even surprised that Triumph still make new bikes (and that they don't leak anymore).
It's makes for a good day when someone compliments you on your bike. Always good to have a natter.

I used to get the same with the Enfield Bullet I imported from the factory before there was a pukka importer here. Stopped in Clevedon one day and this old guy comes over and just would NOT believe it was a new bike. He was adamant I must have rebuilt it.

[Geeen]

When my daughter started talking it was a boogabike, now she's 2 it's a muddabike

Just wait till she gets to four and asks "is that a motorbike or a Harley??" just like my son does

[Old Steve]

I went to the Tauranga Ulyssees club rally at Waihi Beach. We took a ride up through Whangamata, Hikuai, Kopu, Paeroa, Karangahake, Old Tauranga Road back to Waihi Beach.

We'd just pulled up, I was just taking my helmet off, and a car pulled up near the gate to the camp and a woman came down and introduced herself. She said she had her 35 year old disabled son home for the weekend, they'd seen the bikes ride through town, and he was mad about motorbikes. So I said, bring him down.

I sat him on the bike and showed him the controls, got him to hold the clutch lever in and started it and let him sit on it for a couple of minutes with the engine burbling away. He was thrilled, she might only be a 250 learner bike but he was thrilled, and I've got to admit that I felt good too. Got lots of waves as they drove off, fantastic feeling to have made someone's day.

[FJRider]

When my daughter started talking it was a boogabike, now she's 2 it's a muddabike

suzuki ... right ... ???

[munster]

My favorite trick, normally with friends kids, is to let them push the start button when I leave - so thrilling for them.

The neighbours kid calls me Poppa Aaron (I'm 42 for fucks sake), he came over and I let him 'toot' the horn. The stebel nautilus upgrade was definitely worth it.

He's been back every Saturday since.

[yod]

Just wait till she gets to four and asks "is that a motorbike or a Harley??" just like my son does

we were on the way home one day in teh car and she spotted a harley across the intersection;
"Papa! Boogabike Papa! Just like Papa!"

"Err.....we'll discuss this when you're older..."

suzuki ... right ... ???

No. Threw the Suzuki away. Went back to Honda.

[Geeen]

we were on the way home one day in teh car and she spotted a harley across the intersection;
"Papa! Boogabike Papa! Just like Papa!"

"Err.....we'll discuss this when you're older..."

Ya gotsta learn 'em when they're still young

[Big Dave]

I had a mini-bike at 3.

[nadroj]

I had a mini-bike at 3.

Did your feet touch the ground?

[Big Dave]

Did your feet touch the ground?

My mum tells me most of the story. My Grandfather was the senior engineer at the Steel works. He had the apprentices make a 2-stroke minibike for a project. Apparently I wore out the grass in the backyard on it and only stopped when it ran out of fuel.

I only really remember riding it vaguely. Burning myself on the exhaust and that the frame was rusty are quite vivid still.

[wanpo]

Pulled into Blacksands for a coffee. Ran the bike back into the curb in my usual possie. Swing the leg off. Before I even get the helmet off I can hear this little voice shouting "Motorbike! Motorbike!"

I had a similar thing last night, stopped for petrol, and a boy probably also about 3 was staring wide-eyed at the bike from across the forecourt, so I gave him a wave. His mum actually apologised to me for his staring to which I said, "no problem, he's welcome to take a look." So she brought him over and I showed him all the bits.

I went in and paid for the fuel then came back out to find the boy telling an older woman (I'm guessing his grandmother) all about the bike! They stepped back and I gave it a rev which increased the size of boy's already huge grin.

Another future KB'er maybe.

Getting the kids into Gixxers? Uhoh, going to be a whole new generation of squids

[gale_wolf]

Getting the kids into Gixxers? Uhoh, going to be a whole new generation of squids

Well I was wearing full ATGATT and departed the scene at a rather sedate and very much legal speed. Don't want to set a bad example for the young'uns. Besides which, you know I ride like a nana, it may have a reputation for being a squid bike but its rider is the anti-squid.

[martybabe]

Managed a quick run over to Raglan and back this morning before the rain arrived.

Pulled into Blacksands for a coffee. Ran the bike back into the curb in my usual possie. Swing the leg off. Before I even get the helmet off I can hear this little voice shouting "Motorbike! Motorbike!"

I get the helmet off and there in the doorway of the cafe is this little tyke, eyes gleaming like radio valves, opening the door to greet me with the biggest grin you've ever seen, gabbling away flat out. As I come in he points at the bike - "Bike! Bike!"

I stopped for a wee chat, then went to order the coffee. Sit down at a table. He comes over and jabbers away in three-year-old-ese for a bit, then goes back to the door and gazes out. His mum eventually comes over, picks him up and goes out to see the bike. I went along and pointed out all the bits, told him what was what, pointed out the gloves, helmet, leathers etc. I thought he was gunna burst there for a bit...

His mum told me he is motorbike crazy, has just turned three - had a pretty extensive vocab for a three year old boy. He told me he "wants one just like that!"

Future KB'er maybe...

Made my morning really...

To be honest I get just as excited as that 3 year old every time I see a bike, I just have to act all grown up and unimpressed.

Worst but sadly true story: I bought a Gold wing once on impulse, I only went in the shop for a pair of winter gloves Anyway somewhere in Wales I found a toddler searching all around the bike, I warned him about the hot exhaust and asked why he was scrabbling around on the floor. To my utter dismay he said :your car has only got 2 wheels, have you had a puncture? Little bastid !

My favorite trick, normally with friends kids, is to let them push the start button when I leave - so thrilling for them.

They would have been mightily disappointed with my last Harley then, sounded great but only started when it felt like it, pressing the starter button just made it more obstinate. fecking mule of a thing.

[wysper]

My favorite trick, normally with friends kids, is to let them push the start button when I leave - so thrilling for them.

That is a great idea, I will have to remember that one!

Worst but sadly true story: I bought a Gold wing once on impulse, I only went in the shop for a pair of winter gloves Anyway somewhere in Wales I found a toddler searching all around the bike, I warned him about the hot exhaust and asked why he was scrabbling around on the floor. To my utter dismay he said :your car has only got 2 wheels, have you had a puncture? Little bastid !

O man that is funny - coffee all over screen and keyboard funny!!

[wingnutt]

yeh, its great when folks stop to chat aye, I get it a lot with the wing, I was at the end of group run, by a park, and mum (Ithink) and 4 kids stopped to have a look, they where just walking away and I asked them if they would like to have a sit on the seat.

I almost got killed in the rush!! lol