Am I Being A Douchebag?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 0
From: Danville Va, Providence NC
Just my opinion.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
As someone who used to sneak out my Dad's old CB360 and road it all over the countryside without him knowing at age 11 the sheer thought of him finding out was enough to make me extra careful. At the time you could get a motor scooter license in TN at age 14 with a 125cc limit. At 14, I was 6' and 240 lbs and could not find a moped (early '80's) that could haul my big a$$ up a hill so I rode the CB360. That being said when the THP caught my A$$ in a road block my riding days was over. Just because someone is 50 years old and covered in leather does not mean they know how to ride either...
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
I agree with the decision to not ride but you did give a douchebag response when you said "I'm Out". I am certain there could have been a less inflamatory response to the parents. Maybe you could have helped the situation and potentially saved this kid from being hurt if you would have explained your reasoning in a reasonable way. Like all comminucation, the delivery is as important as the message.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 20
From: Salem, Or
I was 16 when I first started riding. I bought a CB750 with my own money. I am now 51 and I can't for the life of figure it out but I survived and not one person gave me any lessons. Remember when we were young we would say I'm never gonna be like my parents. Well I hate to tell most of the posters that is exactly what you have become. What a tough crowd.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
OP, I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes. I think it depends a lot on the kid and the parents, and I don't know either.
I sure hope we get a trip report when the trip is over.
I sure hope we get a trip report when the trip is over.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 0
From: Danville Va, Providence NC
I agree with the decision to not ride but you did give a douchebag response when you said "I'm Out". I am certain there could have been a less inflamatory response to the parents. Maybe you could have helped the situation and potentially saved this kid from being hurt if you would have explained your reasoning in a reasonable way. Like all comminucation, the delivery is as important as the message.
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Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
I was 16 when I first started riding. I bought a CB750 with my own money. I am now 51 and I can't for the life of figure it out but I survived and not one person gave me any lessons. Remember when we were young we would say I'm never gonna be like my parents. Well I hate to tell most of the posters that is exactly what you have become. What a tough crowd.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Big difference in the world of motorcycle riding today compared to when you were 16. I'm 68 and I started the same way you did, but we didn't have the hazards then we have today. You can't tell me if you had a 15 yr old with no experience, no license or insurance, you would allow him on the highway for a 500 mile round trip? If I had a 15 yr old son that wanted to ride, I would insist he take the MSF course and have plenty of practice in parking lots and off road to build his confidence and experience in handling the bike. I would probably start him on something smaller than a sportster. I don't think a lot of the posters here really read the OP's statement. as I understood him to say, He found out the guy was bringing his 15 yr old son whom had no license or insurance. He told his buddy...not the parents, He was not riding! Am I right?
You are 68. Maybe you just forgot about the hazards there were back then.
Maybe we didn't have cell phones, but we sure had gravel in the corners and people that ran stop signs. The pavement was wet when it rained, too.