I had a bike at 17 , all through college and now in my early 30s have little to no desire to ride anymore. Don’t really remember any close calls either honestly other than my own stupidity and one for popping a wheelie . Still own a bike . Bet it doesn’t see more than 100 miles a year. Think it depends on the kid but I’m sure it’ll be fine . Pretty complex equation – I’d be more concerned in the twin cities than the rural setting I grew up in .
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Yeah we live outside of town so its not very busy out here. He will not be driving into St Cloud, but will be riding around the small towns out here.
I’ve had and still have bikes. I’ve ridden all my life and my sons ridden since he was 5. After my accident my choice of bikes changed. I wouldnt pay for my kids first bike to be a rocket. But to each there own. Kids are kids. Stupid happens and you learn from it. Hopefully he enjoys the bike.
Yeah we live outside of town so its not very busy out here. He will not be driving into St Cloud, but will be riding around the small towns out here.
Tell him to sell that Ninja and get a DRZ 400 . Suckers are fun but like riding a 2×4 . Wont have to worry about him going far just wheelie tickets . 
Yeah, we will see. I am sure its just a fad because his buddies have them. I am sure he will sell before too long.
I wanted one when I was 18 but didn’t buy one until I was 24 or 25 and boy am I glad I didn’t have the money to get one when I was younger as I started with a new 2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 and that thing was way more than I was ready for, luckily I rode vary rarely after dark, never road without gear and never even after one beer so I was smart enough to be scared of it at that age that I would not have been at 18. Got rid of mine a few years ago and kind of curious to get back into a little basic dual sport that I can run some gravel roads with and some trails up north, kind of like Andy’s DRZ but newer and fuel injected.
I think you made the right decision not co signing for the loan. The problem with having your name on the loan is if the payments don’t get made, they come after you too.
At least from a financial stand point you did good. If he doesn’t pay you, well then you just deal with it.
As for the motorcycle itself, hopefully he has the proper training and doesn’t ride around like evil kenevil. Wear a helmet too of course.
He will be taking the course in the spring do the permit now. I want to find a more proper course than just the one to get your license.
yea i dont know…he’s 18 and needs some help getting a credit history. ya dont get that paying cash.
my dad co-signed my first new vehicle loan……just the thought of missing a payment and them calling my dad feared the bejesus outta me……i made them payments and paid it off early!!!!
i’ll leave my opinion out of this regarding the cycle!!!
And wet leaves on the road, it’s fall right now.
yea i dont know…he’s 18 and needs some help getting a credit history. ya dont get that paying cash.
He works at Scheels now too so I told him to get their card. Use it every month and just pay it off.
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
Not everyone.
My brother-in-law’s family are bikers (they even own a Harley dealership).
A few years ago he got into a wreck with a car and lived. Broke a bunch of bones, but made it through.
After he could walk again he bought a new trike since he couldn’t hold up a motorcycle anymore.
Weeks later he hit a deer and launched into the ditch. He was found unconscious with a TBI…
Today he’s still alive with physical disabilities, but thankfully he pulled through without any long term mental damage.
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
It’s a bit ridiculous . I had atvs, motorcycles and snowmobiles , rolled and wrecked every one of those a few times growing up . Was 3 feet from getting shot while hunting once . I have a ton of friends who had bikes and grown out of them and everything was fine . Side by sides sure have been killing alot of people lately but they get the blind eye . To each their own . I’m glad dad gave me any opportunity he did growing up to ride any of those toys . I’m sure it’s a phase anyway .
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
No, but certainly know twice as many dead from accidents than from cars. Not to mention the accidents where serious recovery was needed, know 2 folks rn recovering from summer accidents on their bikes.
^^^^ You’re 30X times more likely to die in a motorcycle crash than in a car in a crash
Life’s about playing the odds boys 
I do some stupid stuff, but learned long ago bikes are something to avoid.
Keep in mind I’m the same nerdy guy wearing a PFD and kill lanyard in the boat
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
Share your perspective if you want, but nobody here is lying about the ways crashes have impacted their lives.
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
Not everyone, but I know a few who are. Far more than I know who died in auto accidents and 100x more miles driven in autos than motorcycles. like someone said, it’s odds. The odds of dying on a motorcycle is far higher per mile driven than in an auto. Just simple facts.
If you heard about the wreck in forest lake this spring. A guy I know is trying to relearn life without his leg. Just a casual ride turned in to a crash rail ripping his leg off. Just be careful.
My stepson is waiting to get on the liver transplant list. The doctor stated that it would more than likely happen in the summer due to motorcycle accidents giving up the most donor parts. I have lost a few friends and relative’s over the years and have a brother that can’t think straight all due to motorcycle accidents.
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DT
I’m not sure you fully comprehend how many distracted drivers are on the road these days… Literally everyday on my commutes to/from work, I see people on youtube/tictok/facebook/texting while driving. They’re a risk to everyone on the road but its an amplified risk to motorcycles as they are inherently harder to see.
Also, I was one of the first people to pull up on a motorcycle accident once. That memory still haunts me to this day. The term meat crayon comes to mind.
I also get a kick out of the “sTaRt SeEiNg MoToRcYcLeS” campaign as they whiz by you going double the speed limit.
If you heard about the wreck in forest lake this spring. A guy I know is trying to relearn life without his leg. Just a casual ride turned in to a crash rail ripping his leg off. Just be careful.
Wow that is gnarly. Amazing he didn’t die from blood loss.
As a former ER Nurse I would not let my son own or drive a motorcycle under my roof. Once he leaves my roof it is up to him. Also like stated above their has been more side by side injury. I think as they get heavier they are more difficult to flip over causing mor incidents.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>deertracker wrote:</div>
You guys are talking as if everyone who has ridden a motorcycle is dead.
DTI’m not sure you fully comprehend how many distracted drivers are on the road these days… Literally everyday on my commutes to/from work, I see people on youtube/tictok/facebook/texting while driving. They’re a risk to everyone on the road but its an amplified risk to motorcycles as they are inherently harder to see.
Also, I was one of the first people to pull up on a motorcycle accident once. That memory still haunts me to this day. The term meat crayon comes to mind.
I also get a kick out of the “sTaRt SeEiNg MoToRcYcLeS” campaign as they whiz by you going double the speed limit.
I’ve been in law enforcement for over 22 years. I understand and have responded my fair share of fatal crashes over the years, both bike and vehicle. But I’m still going to ride. Always need to be watching and trust no one.
DT
The one thing that should be a law is a helmet if riding. Please wear your helmet if you are riding.
The one thing that should be a law is a helmet if riding.
I agree. But since its not a state law, many choose not to based on personal freedom. Same with wearing a PFD. Its called “watch your own bobber.” SMH
My son will NOT be riding without a helmet and at least a good leather or some other type of jacket.
well said DT…
well said DT…
100% Like I have said before, and had a nice chat with Mark yesterday, we have all done some really stupid stuff and we are still here. Wiser for sure. I trust my son, but no one else. I will make sure to really reinforce this since he is inexperienced.
I was 16 when I bought my first bike. At 18 I did all of the planning for a buddy and I to ride our bikes to the Black Hills for 3 days. That bike taught me responsibility, independence, how to take care of myself. This was in 2007 so not ages ago.
Only you know your kid, but this can be a great thing for him or can be a financial burden or worse. Give him room to take responsibility himself but keep some guardrail up so he can’t get himself into trouble.
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