A Mother’s Work Is Never Done
26. Oct, 2009 
5 Comments
Over the last few months I’ve been both consoling and advising an old friend. It started out when her grown son expressed a desire to buy a motorcycle. His first motorcycle. Naturally she started worrying about his safety, as mothers are accustomed to doing, even though he now lives on his own. It seems like it was just last year that she was happy he was finally moving out. Maternal instincts never wane.
Ever since she relayed the news to me I’ve been trying to pass along some tips on which bike to buy plus some safety advice gleaned from thirty-nine years of riding. Mostly it was do as I say not as I’ve done. Let my painful experiences be a lesson to ride safely. The biggest thing was for him to know your limitations, your bike’s limitations and analyze your situation and surroundings so you can recognize hazards and avoid them.
Even though he’s taken the Motorcycle Safety course and bought a helmet I know nothing short of locking him up or swaddling him in a coat of bubble wrap will ease her concerns. Especially since he showed up at her house the other day with a new 1200 Sporty. She had to admit that it was a good looking machine and that it didn’t seem as scary as she thought after she sat on it. Somehow I think she”ll understand the appeal after she goes for her first ride with him. But she’ll still worry about her kid, hey that’s what all Mothers do.
As a mom myself, I’d choke about a 1200 sport as a first bike. That can get you in a lot of trouble.
A 883L would have probably been a better choice for a first bike, but on the other side of the coin he could have shown up on a Buell. With the 5000.00 dealer incentive he could have bought a lot faster bike for less money.
I recommended the 883 Iron, but I don’t know how the ergonomics between the rider and an 883 would have been. If he’s a big guy it wouldn’t have fit which would have made it uncomfortable and dangerous. Hopefully he’ll stay off the main roads till he gets some experience.
Sam: That’s true. When I bough my first new Harley I was torn between a Low Rider and a XLCR. I bought the CR and it was really too light and uncomfortable to do the kind of riding I wanted to do. The bikes were both the same price. I often regretted my choice.
Curt,
if you still have that CR you shouldn’t regret that choice. Those are collectors items now.