reaubideux
October 7th, 2011, 07:29 AM
So, against my wife's wishes, my son got his first bike for his birthday in August. Bright red, and already stickered out from the previous owner. I admit, I was a bit jealous as I liked the red more than my blue Ninja. I tried, and tried, and TRIED to get the boy to the MSF course but he wouldn't have it, didn't think he needed it. I'd ask him and always got a resounding "no." I can't force him. He's his own person and needs to learn to deal with the consequences of his decisions like a real man.
I at least got him gear up a bit but only b/c he liked my gear. Oh well, whatever it takes to get him in the proper riding attire. Admittedly, though, I'm glad my Dainese jacket didn't fit, who knows what type of condition he'd return it in.
Oh yeah, all smiles as he hopped on his bike for his first real ride. I should've seen it coming. I could see the squidiness rising inside him like a souffle in the oven; he would just sit there revving it like your typical squid. That's all I heard for at least 5 minutes: a bubbly, enthusiastic "vrooooommm vrrrrrroooooommmm." The motor loved to be revved. It wasn't higher pitched like an inline 4 but didn't have the rhythmic, thumping burble you hear with a twin either, it was kind of flat to be honest. I couldn't quite place it. For having an open exhaust it was surprisingly quiet though. You could hear it and you knew it was there, but it wasn't annoying.
We think the P.O. raced it because it didn't have any turn indicators and it came with slicks although, for slicks, they didn't seem to be very grippy, kinda hard to be honest. I don't have much experience with race tires but I imagined they'd be notably softer than your typical street tire.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4751/1010134n.jpg
Finally, after he was done just revving the thing, he took her out for a quick ride. He took to riding pretty naturally, although I think he needs to work on his low-speed skills because he likes to keep his feet down when crawling along at low speed.
I offered to go with him but he thought I'd make him nervous so he shooed me away and took off for another ride. I went on about my business. I checked up on him riding around and low and behold, the little punk was now sans riding gear. I was simply in a state of awe at how brazen this newb rider was and just simply did not care about his safety. I had even caught him in the act of trying to stunt... it always starts small, first riding with one hand, then no hands! He was having a good time but I don't think he realized what a slippery slope he was on, all in due time before he makes a bigger mistake and hurts himself.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6690/1010145x.jpg
As they always say, hindsight is 20/20 and looking back, I should've ripped the keys out of his hands right then and there but the boy has charisma and charmed both his mother & I into letting him ride a little longer. I walked away and came back later and my jaw damn near hit the ground. My son somehow managed to convince my wife, who was completely against the bike from the get-go mind you, to partake in the stunting as his assistant. W. T. F?! I absolutely couldn't believe it. We're meeting with the attorneys next week to draw up the divorce papers.
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1063/1010150a.jpg
I washed my hands of the whole thing and then I heard my wife yelling for me, and came out and to no surprise, it finally happened. He was trying to drag knee around the recliner and ended up low-siding right into the dog. He was okay, just a little rash on his knee and arm; the dog was touch and go for a few seconds but she quickly lied down and went back to licking herself.
I kept trying to get him to lift the bike up properly, using his legs and walking it up but he wouldn't listen so I had to get it right side up for him. I decided he'd had enough and I wanted to take it for a quick spin anyway so I rode her back into the garage while he sat on the couch with some milk and thought about what he did.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4178/1010139.jpg
Needless to say, he's quite shaken up but I think he'll get back on the bike. But only after he gets his own gear and takes the MSF course.
Happy Friday... yes, I am bored.
Alex, with the obvious joking nature of my post, please move to the appropriate forum if it shouldn't be here. Wasn't really sure where the best place to stick this.
I at least got him gear up a bit but only b/c he liked my gear. Oh well, whatever it takes to get him in the proper riding attire. Admittedly, though, I'm glad my Dainese jacket didn't fit, who knows what type of condition he'd return it in.
Oh yeah, all smiles as he hopped on his bike for his first real ride. I should've seen it coming. I could see the squidiness rising inside him like a souffle in the oven; he would just sit there revving it like your typical squid. That's all I heard for at least 5 minutes: a bubbly, enthusiastic "vrooooommm vrrrrrroooooommmm." The motor loved to be revved. It wasn't higher pitched like an inline 4 but didn't have the rhythmic, thumping burble you hear with a twin either, it was kind of flat to be honest. I couldn't quite place it. For having an open exhaust it was surprisingly quiet though. You could hear it and you knew it was there, but it wasn't annoying.
We think the P.O. raced it because it didn't have any turn indicators and it came with slicks although, for slicks, they didn't seem to be very grippy, kinda hard to be honest. I don't have much experience with race tires but I imagined they'd be notably softer than your typical street tire.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4751/1010134n.jpg
Finally, after he was done just revving the thing, he took her out for a quick ride. He took to riding pretty naturally, although I think he needs to work on his low-speed skills because he likes to keep his feet down when crawling along at low speed.
I offered to go with him but he thought I'd make him nervous so he shooed me away and took off for another ride. I went on about my business. I checked up on him riding around and low and behold, the little punk was now sans riding gear. I was simply in a state of awe at how brazen this newb rider was and just simply did not care about his safety. I had even caught him in the act of trying to stunt... it always starts small, first riding with one hand, then no hands! He was having a good time but I don't think he realized what a slippery slope he was on, all in due time before he makes a bigger mistake and hurts himself.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6690/1010145x.jpg
As they always say, hindsight is 20/20 and looking back, I should've ripped the keys out of his hands right then and there but the boy has charisma and charmed both his mother & I into letting him ride a little longer. I walked away and came back later and my jaw damn near hit the ground. My son somehow managed to convince my wife, who was completely against the bike from the get-go mind you, to partake in the stunting as his assistant. W. T. F?! I absolutely couldn't believe it. We're meeting with the attorneys next week to draw up the divorce papers.
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/1063/1010150a.jpg
I washed my hands of the whole thing and then I heard my wife yelling for me, and came out and to no surprise, it finally happened. He was trying to drag knee around the recliner and ended up low-siding right into the dog. He was okay, just a little rash on his knee and arm; the dog was touch and go for a few seconds but she quickly lied down and went back to licking herself.
I kept trying to get him to lift the bike up properly, using his legs and walking it up but he wouldn't listen so I had to get it right side up for him. I decided he'd had enough and I wanted to take it for a quick spin anyway so I rode her back into the garage while he sat on the couch with some milk and thought about what he did.
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4178/1010139.jpg
Needless to say, he's quite shaken up but I think he'll get back on the bike. But only after he gets his own gear and takes the MSF course.
Happy Friday... yes, I am bored.
Alex, with the obvious joking nature of my post, please move to the appropriate forum if it shouldn't be here. Wasn't really sure where the best place to stick this.