When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Bought my first car and street legal Bike at 16, I see no issue as long as he has the maturity, its different (at least to me) when you earn and pay for it. Treated the car (a 73 lemans) like a Cadillac I also had dirt experience and was born to scooter trash so the bike was always respected,
the car may have been much for a 16 year old (400 bored over, 4 barrel with posi -track rear end) the enclosed capsule seemed to make me feel even more invincible. I was however more careful and attentive on the scoot
Eak........16 on a bike, that scares me. I don't know him though and I'm sure you know what you're doing and you're a good dad so I'll leave any other personal opinions out of it and just go on experience.
Personally I'd go the route of a used Honda Shadow. Maybe the Phantom as they look badass and he'll want to look badass. Those Shadows are damn near bullet proof. Easy to handle, light enough to maneuver for a growing boy but enough power to keep up and you can get a few mods like bags and a windshield to go on longer trips. You can get one for well under $4,000 too and have him save the money for accessories, gas and insurance. Having worked with kids....they change their minds and interests pretty much at the drop of a hat. Investing in a Harley and going into debt may not be the best plan. There are a TON of ways to build credit that are a safer bet than buying a bike.
I hear ya....when I was 16, I was riding my dads Goldwing. But, we are not sure yet which way we are going, just getting some ideas. So nothing is set in stone just yet!
Bought my first car and street legal Bike at 16, I see no issue as long as he has the maturity, its different (at least to me) when you earn and pay for it. Treated the car (a 73 lemans) like a Cadillac I also had dirt experience and was born to scooter trash so the bike was always respected,
the car may have been much for a 16 year old (400 bored over, 4 barrel with posi -track rear end) the enclosed capsule seemed to make me feel even more invincible. I was however more careful and attentive on the scoot
Good luck to you and your son
Haole
I hear ya. he has ridden dirt bikes since he was about 5 and now has a YZF 450. His 1st car is a 1st Gen S10 with an LS1 and a single 88mm turbo...this thing is faster than my 1969 Camaro was by a long shot! Here is a picture of his S10.
When I was 16 150 years ago my first street bike was a Honda 350 and I got plenty of trim if I would have had a Harley I could have kids all over. Get at the least the 1200 he'll thank you later but a low rider would be a nice step up. Good luck
When I was 16 150 years ago my first street bike was a Honda 350 and I got plenty of trim if I would have had a Harley I could have kids all over. Get at the least the 1200 he'll thank you later but a low rider would be a nice step up. Good luck
We are NOT doing this to get him some vagina! You guys keep it up and he will be riding around on a pink Harley!
Im kinda thinking low rider....if I was 16 and my dad let me get a Harley, I thin that's what I would want...but that's just me!
It's amazing how people deflect from the OP's question and give their .02 on parenting instead. Don't listen to them - my father taught me how to ride when I was 16 (i was 6'0"- 200lbs) on his electra glide. Maturity is the important factor here, not age.
That being said, the most important question is what does HE want? At 16 I wanted nothing to do with Harley's, I wanted a Jap bike. It took me til my late-20's to finally see the appeal of HD, but everyone's different. If he wants HD, I'd suggest a dyna.
I appreciate your response and all your comments are duly noted! he will definitely be doing motorcycle training classes and pass the exam before he rides on the street!
You should be taking the training class yourself. Especially if you're going to take a passenger.
In fact, take the class, successfully complete it, ride 5,000 miles, THEN go ahead and take a passenger to a parking lot for their training.
Better yet, have the passenger and your son take the class with you. ATGATT also.
You got some learning to do, before you go bike shopping.
A roadking isn't a beginners bike.
Check www.beginnerbikers. org for more insight into what you'll be doing. Lots of RC's there. Yup, I'm one of them.
You should be taking the training class yourself. Especially if you're going to take a passenger.
In fact, take the class, successfully complete it, ride 5,000 miles, THEN go ahead and take a passenger to a parking lot for their training.
Better yet, have the passenger and your son take the class with you. ATGATT also.
You got some learning to do, before you go bike shopping.
A roadking isn't a beginners bike.
Check www.beginnerbikers. org for more insight into what you'll be doing. Lots of RC's there. Yup, I'm one of them.
Im 48yrs old and have been riding bikes for at least 40yrs. So you are saying I need a training class? Rode my Honda Goldwing up to Fairbanks Alaska twice. Im not sure that I am classified as a beginner
It's amazing how people deflect from the OP's question and give their .02 on parenting instead. Don't listen to them - my father taught me how to ride when I was 16 (i was 6'0"- 200lbs) on his electra glide. Maturity is the important factor here, not age.
That being said, the most important question is what does HE want? At 16 I wanted nothing to do with Harley's, I wanted a Jap bike. It took me til my late-20's to finally see the appeal of HD, but everyone's different. If he wants HD, I'd suggest a dyna.
No ****, from advice on parenting, to credit to me taking training classes. I thought my question was pretty simple. But, im guessing it wasn't. But, its all good, I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.