2 up with son, no going back now...

[Allie]

My 15 year old son has been quite enthusiastic about going on the motorcycle recently, he's never shown interest before. I never pushed it, being autistic my feeling is it has to be something he WANTS to do. Well that time has come.

I scraped up enough gear for him to wear that although is loose, it doesn't come off easily. My spare helmet likewise is not tight enough but it doesn't come off when you pull it forward so it was okay for my plan. We started at the school behind our house, in the parking lot... no way was I going to pull into the road with him without being sure he wasn't going to jump off or freak out. After a couple laps, figure eights, weaves, he was still into it so I took him out on the roads! Most of the time we never got out of third gear or went over 25. He was completely relaxed the whole time - a couple times he took a hand off me and freaked me out - he was waving at people. Just before we headed back home I told him we'd go faster and to hang on tight, which he did. We pulled onto a county road for about 1/4 mile, and got up to 50 before we turned back into the residential. He totally loved it, so I can tell I will be buying him some gear in the spring. They grow up so fast!

[Steve]

My #1 son changed his motorcycling at 15, too, but that's when he graduated from rear seat to front seat.

Like you said, there's no looking back.

#2 son did not earn the privilege until recently, though. He is still on his permit at 20,
but after riding with him on the 'Roo Rally, I feel he is ready for a full endorsement.

.

[KC1908]

Great to hear of other parents that involve their children in their passion. Our son went from a motocross bike to one of our GS1150's when he was 16. My wife didn't like watching him at first on the larger bike but now at age 20 he races a Hayabusa which she really enjoys watching. They do grow up quick. He still gets on one of the GS's now and then. Hope you enjoy many miles together.

[bonanzadave]

Cool. I like giving people rides. Get a Sissy bar / Back rest. Much more comfortable for the rider and good piece of mind for the driver.

[Planecrazy]

My 15 year old son...

You had him when you were four ... right?

Regards,

[Redman]

Allie,

Good story.

Good that you know your son enough to wait untill he was ready for a ride, and that you took it easy at first.

I had to laugh when you said you were scared that he let loose of you, but then you realised that he was waving at people. I quess that ment he was quite comfortable with it all and was enjoying himself.

What did he say about the ride afterwards?

.

[Allie]

Allie,

Good story.

Good that you know your son enough to wait untill he was ready for a ride, and that you took it easy at first.

I had to laugh when you said you were scared that he let loose of you, but then you realised that he was waving at people. I quess that ment he was quite comfortable with it all and was enjoying himself.

What did he say about the ride afterwards?

.

Being autistic he's a man of few words. Then again, being a teen he's a man of few words. "Good" was what he said, his stock answer. The smile told the story And I knew he was serious about going as he spent the day wearing the old riding jacket I scrounged up for him around the house - he couldn't wait for this afternoon

Cool. I like giving people rides. Get a Sissy bar / Back rest. Much more comfortable for the rider and good piece of mind for the driver.

Yes I really fancy a back rest/luggage rack thingy if we put any kind of miles on.

You had him when you were four ... right?

Regards,

And a half.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Good times there, Ms. Allie. My 11 year old daughter loves to ride with me too. Aren't kids great?


All the best to you and yours,

Cliff

[wacky941]

That's so cool, it brought up good memories of when my son was twelve, I would let him ride my '81 GS1100E, of course he couldn't reach the ground so I would sit on the back and hold it up and he did all the rest, he was a really good rider then. Now my son is twenty six and shows little interest in motorcycles, he's much more interested in his '76 Camaro.

Good job Allie and yes they do grow up fast. Nothing better than family and fond memories.

[Charlie G]

Allie,

I know what your saying about getting a 15 year old to tell you if they liked an experience. I was a Scout Master for years. I would take kids camping. I would see them having an absolute blast doing acitvities all weekend long. When their parents would pick them up Sunday afternoon and ask eagerly "How was the trip?!", the typical response was "O.K" or "allright". You have special opportunity here. I sure you would know better what what he could handle than us. Good luck and thanks for posting. A 19 1/2 year old , with a GS750, Hmmm....... .

cg

[BentRod]

hmm, sort of related.

I got first bike when I was 19... when my parents finaly found out about it a year later my mother imploded, mostly because I didn't tell her, but my father just sort of smiled and laughed. His only experiance is a moped his buddy had in university.

My father will be 63 this summer, and the plan is to take him out for a couple of rides. If he decides he likes it then who knows. I know he's always wanted to fix up an old bike. (I may nudge him towards a gs to learn on and a Norton Commando for a project..)

[Allie]

Allie,

I know what your saying about getting a 15 year old to tell you if they liked an experience. I was a Scout Master for years. I would take kids camping. I would see them having an absolute blast doing acitvities all weekend long. When their parents would pick them up Sunday afternoon and ask eagerly "How was the trip?!", the typical response was "O.K" or "allright". You have special opportunity here. I sure you would know better what what he could handle than us. Good luck and thanks for posting. A 19 1/2 year old , with a GS750, Hmmm....... .

cg

19 1/2, yeah that's me. 19 1/2, yeah that's me. And then some.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a tour of the neighborhood streets so much as with my son there. It will be great to go on a long ride with him! I put the bee in his bonnet to think about what color helmet he wants in the spring

Best of luck to you and your dad 'Rod, I hope you spend some nice time together with this.

[posplayr]

19 1/2, yeah that's me. 19 1/2, yeah that's me. And then some.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a tour of the neighborhood streets so much as with my son there. It will be great to go on a long ride with him! I put the bee in his bonnet to think about what color helmet he wants in the spring

Best of luck to you and your dad 'Rod, I hope you spend some nice time together with this.

sounds like really good times

[Skateguy50]

I got a helmet for the kids a year back and its a bit tight on them and they both use my spare adult helmet when they ride.

I dont know if it will fit but its either a youth large or xl, I do know its a tad smaller than an adult small as that is the one the kids use now. Its a nice yellow and black helmet I got for like $50 delivered and used only once or twice.

What size was the one you used that was to big? If not start watching new enough for deals.

[four_shot]

I totally get it Allie

My stepdaughter is autistic as well, although she's pretty high function. (She speaks in short sentences, and hacks my computer, god help the CIA if they try to recruit her).

When I had her on Suki the few times, she held on real tight then started letting go. She wasn't waving but pointing to things in the neighbor hood. I know the panic feeling you were talking about. Beth is much younger though so there's also that plain old fearlessness of childhood.

I totally understand the smile. Beth had to be pried off the bike .

Dee and I want to do a road trip with the girls on the bikes. I just hope beth gets to that point soon....Im impatient !