thaker1985

Hi All,

Let me say a little something about myself, before you start thinking that I am another teenager hammering on the ever so controversial "parent-child" conflict

I am 24 years old, and work in Bangalore at an IT firm. My parents stay in Chennai. I have been riding since I was 14, and have never met with any major accidents till date (touchwood).

Lately, I have developed an interest in doing long distance trips on my motorcycle, and am really getting hooked on to such butt-breakers. But my parents are REALLY worried that i do such trips on own. I have tried every trick up my sleeve to convince them that this is not such a bad idea. I wear proper gear while doing these trips, have decent enough knowledge on amatuer motorcycle fixing, and constantly keep in touch with my folks while I am on the road. Yet, there is a strong opposition on their part. I have even tried the lame excuse of "festival time, so couldn't get tickets for the bus/train/plane, and hence rode down home, to be with you , mom/dad " My father went to the extent of suggesting that I should sell my bike, and get a new car. Now, I care a lot for them, and would not like them to feel that I do not respect their feelings, just because I stay away from them, and am independent.

Is it me, or are there any other poor folks out here, who have have been in a similar situation. There are a zillion questions on my mind, but I'll stick to asking the more important ones. What is it that makes parents think that we (Motorcycle tourers) are risking our lives. How does someone in my position go about convincing them otherwise

MODS, please merge this if there is an existing thread on this.

Thanks all!

ken cool

Yeah. This is a typical scenario in our country. Even some senior members of our community have lambasted me for discussing this. Interesting subject at any cost.

Approved

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Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

thaker1985

Thanks a mill for the lightning quick approval Ken! Beats me! this ever so "hot" controversy!

Sava

I'm having a tough time convincing parents as well. I'm only 18 though

coolboy007

Same problem here.

Am 18 years old and it took me hell lot of time convincing my parents to even let me buy a bike and use it for just 10-15 kms daily, let alone touring.

Have bought good riding gear and make sure i always wear it so that the belief of my parents in me is never destroyed.

I told them that Xbhp is doing induction rides and i will also one day go for it. My mom immediately declined for anything like that and warned me that she will tell dad about any such idea
I told her that there are MODS in the group, still i can say it will be a hard time to convince mom to allow me touring on my bike...

You can blame it on the thinking and a fact that anyone on a motorbike is always more unsafe than same guy going in a car. Also, some guys really spoil our name- cutting ahead of cars missing them by a few inches and driving rashly- all contribute to our parents fear that we may do the same thing once we go out of sight of their eyes. Cant blame them too- its natural.

thaker1985

Yeah, I know what you guys are going through, heck I've been working for over 3 years now, and my parents still think I am not capable of taking care of myself. Thats how parents are I guess

Its not like we're plannin to jump off a cliff its just regular biker stuff. I guess they just don't see the idea of someone doing tours on a bike. India is kinda backward when it comes to public mentality, "Biker" means someone crazy for the general public.

Parents need to be made aware that "safe" biking is not rocket-science.

tanay

Some people, like me, are unluckier. My parents are dead against bikes even for sitting pillion. And I bought a bike almost 2 years back without telling them. And I'm not going to sell it either.

This New Year I will be shifting back home. And once they get to know, those Pokhran tests will seem like trifling mirchi bombs at Rs 20 a packet.

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outworldly maniac

This is one of those topics where in a way both parties are right .
A difficult say . I mean if I would have been a parent , I would have been worried . If I would be the kid .... .
What I feel would be correct in both ways is that when parents know or have confidence that you are mature enough and are responsible enough , they should not and probably would not stop you AND I dont think some would even stop even after their parents deny . If still there is stopping , they love you a lot . Some parents are even against biking . So those who get to ride in the city are lucky to some extent .

Good topic of explaining how things can be seen in different ways .

Cheers

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inflammable

If your parents are not convinced in anyway...

Different techniques... Show them Bike India and tell them about road trips and all.. Safety... Riding gear... Tell them about PraveenKM... who has been an icon in touring on bike... Show them may be XBHP pics... gradually they will get conviced...

If then also its not working.. Then stop telling them that you are going on a bike... I would never say.. speak lie...
but dont even tell the truth... Stay mum.. Stay quite..
If going out on bike for a ride.. and if they call... tell them... You are out and tell them you will give back a call... Dont say anything on biking...

Just cover the matter.. but try never to lie about.. I do the same.. i just tell my mom that.. I will call her back in sometime.. And later on I dont touch the topic.. Here I never spoke lie.. nor I told the truth... Stay mum...

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Prakash994

Ya... I agree with what "inflammable" said...coz instead of making them to worry about by telling them that u r riding or going for a long trip, u can simply stay quiet... but safety is must...