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

[Trouble]

I went up and talked with her for a while last night. I think I was about as diplomatic as I have ever been. I think we have her conviced to do the intermediate rider course when she gets back on her feet. The hard part will be keeping her from riding before she walks. I tried very hard to convince her that a "walking cast" isn't intended to be used as a motorcycle boot. If she was to tip over and put her foot out it could easily slip out or re-injure the ankle. I guess I'd be as stubborn if I were in her position, but it's no less frustrating.

She was concerned that the MSF was going to be geared more for motorcycles than scooters. I think that's just an excuse. I'll talk to one of the instructors and confirm that the course would be appropriate. I think if I do as reiobard and some others suggested and sign her up as a gift she won't be able to say "no".

[reiobard]

I went up and talked with her for a while last night. I think I was about as diplomatic as I have ever been. I think we have her conviced to do the intermediate rider course when she gets back on her feet. The hard part will be keeping her from riding before she walks. I tried very hard to convince her that a "walking cast" isn't intended to be used as a motorcycle boot. If she was to tip over and put her foot out it could easily slip out or re-injure the ankle. I guess I'd be as stubborn if I were in her position, but it's no less frustrating.

She was concerned that the MSF was going to be geared more for motorcycles than scooters. I think that's just an excuse. I'll talk to one of the instructors and confirm that the course would be appropriate. I think if I do as reiobard and some others suggested and sign her up as a gift she won't be able to say "no".

If you do it with her, she won't feel it is as much of a "Punishment".

[RandyO]

The hard part will be keeping her from riding before she walks. I tried very hard to convince her that a "walking cast" isn't intended to be used as a motorcycle boot. If she was to tip over and put her foot out it could easily slip out or re-injure the ankle. I guess I'd be as stubborn if I were in her position, but it's no less frustrating.

you can "what if" all day long. a few years back, I broke my thumb and it was in a cast all the way to my elbow. made it a bit awkward to use the clutch. but I continued to ride

I plan to still be riding in 15 years

[Trouble]

Oh I don't think she is thinking of it as punishment. My father and I were talking (with my mom in the room last night) about the great learning I'll be getting from my upcoming track day. We were also discussing both re-taking the advanced course.

We were discussing my wreck this spring and what I could have done differently and tried to bring mom in to the conversation by asking what she thinks she could have done differently. She seemed pretty receptive but initially blamed it entirely on road conditions. After a while she thought about it and decided she should have stopped and assessed the situation before trying to proceed.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we presented motorcycle education as a continuous thing, not as a one time course. I think she agreed, and I'll sign her up as soon as we know when she'll be able to ride again.

[keifa9]

i think this is kind of interesting and this is why. When 04ZRX posted about his son and his riding woes and concerns, most people were like take the keys away, put your foot down, make him take a course. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and folks are saying just let it be, let her ride cus she is old, make her take a course.

Taking a course is great, and she should. Hell, I did it, most of you did it....but it is not the end all in motorcycling competency. There are a lot of folks that leave there with a license who really have no place on a cycle and or scoot. That being said, I tend to treat this with the same attitude as before. If you dont feel safe with your mother, YOU make a decision with your family if the keys need to be taken away. If it was a option for 04ZRX, then it is for you as well. 70 year old people do not heal quit as well as us youngins.. good luck bro. it has got to be tough on everyone

[DucDave]

...imagine keifa9 when he gets to be MY age....

[catch2otwo]

i dont think telling her to hang up the leathers is the right answer here. since its basic skills she lacks, and since it seems like your whole family rides, why not take her out on a saturday morning to help her out with those slow speed skills. do stuff similar to the msf stuff just in an empty parking lot. she might come around to understand that you are all worried if she sees that your all spending time with her to help her improve rather then giving up on her.


70 and still rockin out on 2 wheels. more power to her.

[Brian675]

Why would you ask someone to stop doing something they love?
Have her take the intermediate MSF course, hopefully that works.
Or you can be the nice son and show her whats wrong with her riding.

[markbvt]

Okay, first of all, your mom's cool.

Second of all, I agree with most of the other people posting in this thread. I wouldn't bother trying to talk her out of riding. Instead, I'd offer to help her learn how to ride better.

--mark

[Doc]

I am with the Captain

Have her take the ERC with you!

When she fails maybe she will get the hint.

[Jaynnus]

Has anyone else ever ridden her scoot? Ever consider that there is something wrong with her bike that is preventing her from controlling it better?

[reiobard]

Has anyone else ever ridden her scoot? Ever consider that there is something wrong with her bike that is preventing her from controlling it better?

the gravity over ride button is obviously malfunctioning...

also a good point though, i had ridden someones bike last year and even though it was the same make/model/year as the bike i had at the time, their bike felt like ti wanted to throw me on the ground, turns out they had a bent fork and the dealer tried to misalaign the rear tire to offset the issue... asshats...

[bigred875]

let her ride dude...get her the erc and some good gear

[DucDave]

let her ride dude...get her the erc and some good gear

DucDaves Axiom # 7 - Any thread that contains more that 6 posts will begin being populated by replies from people who refuse to read the previous 5 posts and will therefor begin repeating concepts...

[DucDave]

DucDaves Axiom # 7 - Any thread that contains more that 6 posts will begin being populated by replies from people who refuse to read the previous 5 posts and will therefor begin repeating concepts...

[Kham]

buy more life insurance for her? j/k. seriously is she afraid of anything? ok nevermind...

[Doc]

DucDaves Axiom # 7 - Any thread that contains more that 6 posts will begin being populated by replies from people who refuse to read the previous 5 posts and will therefor begin repeating concepts...

DucDaves Axiom # 7 - Any thread that contains more that 6 posts will begin being populated by replies from people who refuse to read the previous 5 posts and will therefor begin repeating concepts...

And people start repeating themselves! They make some good meds for Alzhimers these days Dave...

[bigred875]

[Kham]

DucDaves Axiom # 7 - Any thread that contains more that 6 posts will begin being populated by replies from people who refuse to read the previous 5 posts and will therefor begin repeating concepts...

i only read 7.

[DucDave]

And people start repeating themselves! They make some good meds for Alzhimers these days Dave...

DucDaves Axiom #22 - Not everyone benefits from 'examples' of Axioms.
corollary 22a - Irony will always be missed by some.

[keeena]

What would most of you say if this was a car, not a bike? "My mom has OK vision, can walk, etc... But behind the wheel she crosses double yellow, hits the curb, etc..."

I disagree with majority here. Is there a physical reason why she can't ride? Or just a poor rider? Is she also a poor car driver? Probably tough for you to judge, since it seems like she started riding at a late age? I think she may not be fit to ride, just like a lot of older folk aren't fit to drive. It sucks to say, because it means having to give up freedoms and realizing new limitations. But ultimately its still her decision because there is no testing or evaluation required to keep her license. I do agree that she probably won't change her mind even if you carefully explain your reasons and concern for her safety, etc...

I'm not singling out age; plenty of young folk can't drive either.

Best of luck w/ the situation. I can definitely appreciate her love for 2 wheels.

[Doc]

A Scooter responds more quickly than a motorcycle to a press on the handgrip because of the smaller diameter tires, shorter wheelbase and steeper steering angle.

Maybe that has something to do with it.

[keeena]

A Scooter responds more quickly than a motorcycle to a press on the handgrip because of the smaller diameter tires, shorter wheelbase and steeper steering angle.

Maybe that has something to do with it.

So...she should get a 'Busa?

[Doc]

Or a GIXXA!!!

[reiobard]

Full dressed harley with ape hangars...