How do you get someone to give up riding a motorcycle?

[Trouble]

This is an awful thing to post, but it's a crappy situation.

My mom got hooked on riding about 4 years ago. She came back from a trip to Europe and decided she'd give it a try. Did the motorcycle course and everything. She found a Suzuki Bergman 450. OK, so it's not a motorcycle, but it does have two wheels. That bike has been everywhere she goes ever since. She is a fanatic. More than I am, and I'm supposed to be working right now not typing this post. She'll ride until December, and it'll come back out in April. Rain, shine, hurricane, it doesn't matter.

The problem is she's a scary rider. Following her is torture. She slows way down in the corner, and then crosses into the oncoming lane to make the corner. She has dumped the bike a bunch of times. More than I can count, and I don't know of all the times. Never at any speed, just the low speed drops that you can imagine. Come to close to a curb, and bump. Slip on gravel, (they live on a dirt road) and down. Drop it at a stop light, etc etc.

Today she dumped it on that dirt road I mentioned above. This time when she hit the ditch the scooter landed on her ankle and broke it. Obviously painful. My brother gave her a ride back from the hospital, and she was in better spirits. Her statement was something along the lines of "well, at least I don't need that foot to ride"! She was serious. And so is the situation.

She's pushing 70 and is stubborn as all hell. My father (who is an excellent rider) can't even touch the topic. My brother (who used to ride) and I have been trying to be diplomatic, but this is friggin crazy. I think we are all hoping the scooter is trashed this time. Maybe we will make sure of that. I don't think that will help the situation though. She really loves to ride, it is now her sole purpose in life since she retired and it is her sense of identity.

Got any great ideas how to get out of this one? I think we have some time now that she is on crutches, but I'm not too sure of that.

[capt1014]

As much as I can see your point on this one.....................I think she is just going to ride if she wants to.

Hopefully she won't be to much of a danger to herself or others.

But as another Idea, has she taken the MSF course and if so how about asking her to do it again and you pay for it.
Maybe offer to do it with her. An instructure might be able to break her of some bad habits.

Iuno, just my $.02

[Doc]

I am with the Captain

Have her take the ERC with you!

When she fails maybe she will get the hint.

[Evil_Weasel]

oh wow man. i don't know. thats a tough situation. usually it's my mother trying to talk me out of riding. if a broken bone at age 70 isn't going to stop her from riding i doubt there is much anyone can say that will convince her to stop. like some one else suggested maybe do the basic MSF or ERC course with her. i'm just not sure man.

[SVRACER01]

i agree with the above. there are also different levels of the MSF class. have her retake it and or take the next one up.

i would also explain to her that you are concerned that even she falls over and doesnt hurt herself on the road, the person behind her might not see her and make it worse.
how would she feel if the roles were reversed. what if she was the good rider and you were the one falling over all the time, what would she say or do?

[KillBill]

Just be honest with her and tell her that you
are worried about her. From Son to Mother.

[MissTwisties]

Somehow I am smiling slightly when I read this....your mom seems like she's got a hell of a personality...LOL I understand your fears tho..not sure if I would suggest that you "make sure" the scooter is trashed, or to let her be if that makes her happy. My concern is for her to get more seriously hurt, altho ALL OF US can get seriously hurt while riding, but rather her hurting someone else because of her inadequacy (spelling?) of riding properly...I agree that taking the MSF course should be done, or done AGAIN if she's already been thru it. Apparently she needs some serious teaching on how to handle herself on 2 wheels.

[DucDave]

...holy chit...she's 70? Rock the fuck on...

I hope that I'm still defying the naysayers when I'm 70...

Having said that...I appreciate your quandry. Maybe one of those wicked cool three wheelers with the one wheel in the back that lean like a bike would satisfy her craving while providing a bit more stability...forget what theyre called but I saw a couple at MotoMarket at their OpenHouse.

[capt1014]

...holy chit...she's 70? Rock the fuck on...

I hope that I'm still defying the naysayers when I'm 70...

Having said that...I appreciate your quandry. Maybe one of those wicked cool three wheelers with the one wheel in the back that lean like a bike would satisfy her craving while providing a bit more stability...forget what theyre called but I saw a couple at MotoMarket at their OpenHouse.

T-rex?

[DucDave]

T-rex?

No...this thing

http://www.varsitycycle.com/i_07/mp3-middle.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjPEu0n2Kbc&eurl=http://www.varsitycycle.com/piaggio_mp3_250.shtml

Comes in a 400 and a 500 too....

OR the CamAm Spyder



Bombardier Recreational Products - BRP International

[Trouble]

Her balance is really poor, and always has been. Probably not the best quality for a bike rider.

I'm going up to visit her tonight. I had decided to try to convince her to re-take the motorcycle course. I'm just getting my wife into riding and she has signed up for a course later this summer. Now I just need to convince her to take the course with my mom (and maybe me too). I think that's going to be my angle anyway.

I don't think the experienced course would help her. It's basic skills that she's lacking so I'm hoping that I can covince her to retake the course. Wish me luck!

[Pittenger5]

I saw one of those dippin the fells the other night, dude was rocking. I agree, those sound like they'd be better. But hey, if it makes the old lady happy, let her have her fun. I hope I can still have something to live for at 70

[Trouble]

No...this thing



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjPEu0n2Kbc&eurl=http://www.varsitycycle.com/piaggio_mp3_250.shtml

Comes in a 400 and a 500 too....

That thing would be just the ticket! I wonder how it handles in the snow...

[SVRACER01]

I hope that I'm still defying the naysayers when I'm 70...

youre not 70?

[capt1014]

Good luck and hope it all works out in the end!

[RandyO]

give up, quit

I'd be trying to help her improve her skills, its something she obviously enjoyes doing, when you get that age if you can't enjoy yourself, why bother

[TTD]

I say, "let her ride"!!!!




(just let me know where she's going to be, so I can go the other way)

[Jaynnus]

The simple answer is....you don't. And you shouldn't.

I understand being concerned about her safety, but making her give up something she loves? No. No adult wants to be told what they can and cannot do, nor do they deserve to be treated that way by anyone.

Kudo's to her for being her age and finding a passion, it is what makes your life worth living.

Find a way to get her some training and improve her skills, don't find a way to make her give it up.

[jimaug87]

If she got her license she's got to have some balance, enought to cut back on the drops. What's the reason she can't make a turn on the street? Have you tried to give her some one on one lessons?

Doesn't sound like she's going to stop, you guys just have to get her some practice riding properly.

[vt625]

What about those guys that are starting the training business for people fresh out of the MSF course? Doc, they were at the awareness day - who are they? I think they are MSF instructors also. They go out and lead / follow for the day and help get people more comfortable and skilled. Seems like she needs some practice and skill building becuase you won't be able to talk her out of it.

[Wishbone]

Tony, you should give her a good deal on a track day

Do you allow scooters?

If so I pledge 20 bucks to see a 70 year old lady at the track

[butcher bergs]

Some people try to do things their entire life and never really *learn* anything through countless attempts. Sounds to me like this is the case here.

See how she feels about reading some technique-enhancing books like "Total Control" or something of the like.

Judging by your post, your mother could be target fixating on everything everytime she's out riding....not a good habit for sure.

Stubborn or not, your mother NEEDS to explore the possibility of learning new riding habits.

[Doc]

What about those guys that are starting the training business for people fresh out of the MSF course? Doc, they were at the awareness day - who are they? I think they are MSF instructors also. They go out and lead / follow for the day and help get people more comfortable and skilled. Seems like she needs some practice and skill building becuase you won't be able to talk her out of it.

Shit, I forget their names but I can get it...


Oh and Dave... I promise we will b gentle when we have to take you bike away!

[Cowboyrider]

I was going to say buy her out a track day so she can practice her turns!

Get her good leathers so she is dressed for her slow speed crashes!

and that cam-am thing looks sweet!

[reiobard]

As much as I can see your point on this one.....................I think she is just going to ride if she wants to.

Hopefully she won't be to much of a danger to herself or others.

But as another Idea, has she taken the MSF course and if so how about asking her to do it again and you pay for it.
Maybe offer to do it with her. An instructure might be able to break her of some bad habits.

Iuno, just my $.02

I agree, and if she HAS taken the MSF which it sounds like she had then offer to give her the advanced rider course as a gift, she should welcome the gift as it is riding related and play it up as a chance to learn her bike and her skill more than playing up that she is a shitty rider. You could even do it with her and emphasize that it is the ADVANCED class and is designed for riders that have been riding for a while. You may even learn a thing or two as well.