Keeping one's mouth shut could be a good thing...

[QuacktheDuck]

Yep, well I guess I asked for this one. I told my mom that I in fact do ride on the freeway and she went crazy (more or less). I now regret even saying so, but I didn't want to hide anything about me doing so. Oh wells I dunno how long it's going to take her to get over it. Logically speaking I can take sidestreets and get to work in 25-30 min, or the freeway and get there in 10 getting much better fuel economy. Sure the danger is higher at faster speeds but it's within an acceptable margin to me. I'm not reckless either, ride the speed limit/flow of traffic (whatever's more sensible) and keep as aware as one can be of the nuts in cars. Oh well, it's not as bad as when I brought home my first bike and she locked herself in her bedroom and cried saying I was going to die...that sure felt great *sarcasm*

[GIXXER-Mike]

You're in somewhat of a difficult situation, I'd say!

[Clint]

You need to educate her, and quickly. Dig up some documentation on risk factors and show her how many you eliminate by practicing avoidance maneuvers, wearing proper gear, maintaining your bike well, and generally not being an idiot. If she doesn't calm down, she's not a rational person and you have no hope.

[P-Low]

i thought the greatest risk of an accident to occur on a motorcycle was at an intersection. MSF tought me that.

correct me if im wrong but id presume the freeway doesnt have as many intersections as the side streets.

[QuacktheDuck]

Well things calmed down somewhat for the time being. Lucky for me my dad is somewhat supportive/agreeable with me since he used to ride a long time back (though malaysia and singapore is a bit different than riding here in LA...as I've done some riding there). I agree too that it feels safer on the freeway with no intersections to worry about. I always wear my bright orange safety vest too when I'm going to work in addition to my gear. Oh well, I can just do my best on these crazy socal freeways...my mom will get over it eventually I hope.

[inspiron]

I would agree that riding the freeway (when you are moving) is safer than riding on city streets - first, the bike is more stable at speed, and second, you have no cross- or opposing traffic.

IIRC, I've seen some courses offered for families of motorcycle riders, where they explain that we are not just playing russian roulette every time we get on the bike, and that a responsible rider can actually be safe.

[Trapper]

I avoid the freeways and take the long way to work. I enjoy it more.

[JES883]

Side streets are much more dangerous than the freeway IMO.

[Hardware]

Originally Posted by QuacktheDuck

...Oh well, it's not as bad as when I brought home my first bike and she locked herself in her bedroom and cried saying I was going to die...

No issues there...

[stp1971]

Ummm,,,point out the fact that you bought a responsible bike and not a crotch rocket (trust me,, the parents all think cruisers are slow and not as dangerous,,just go with it),, that you ride responsibly,, point out as stated that freeways are less likely to have you involved in an accident historically versus side streets, and make sure she sees you riding into the area and away from the area carefully.

My Mom was the same way,, she has settled down and I also point out that I have been careful and she is even contemplating letting me take her for a spin on the bike to ease her worries. Haven't done it yet,, but the attitude has gone from no way in hell I would ever get on one of those death machines to well not right now,,maybe later,,, so improvement does happen,, it takes time and you being able to demonstrate you are a safe alert rider. Good Luck on it!!!!

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by inspiron

I would agree that riding the freeway (when you are moving) is safer than riding on city streets - first, the bike is more stable at speed, and second, you have no cross- or opposing traffic.

NHTSA figures back you up on this, divided highways are statistically safer.
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd...01/809-271.pdf

[Trapper]

My mom hates my goatee. Or is it a Van Dyke?

[wookie]

No offense to all who advised the duck to reason with the mom.

The Asian moms are a different breed of animals, especially when it comes to their sons. You simply cannot reason with them on the issue of motorcycles. How do I know ? I have one and I've tried. And I only have a f*&^ing GZ250.

That's why I bought a condo and moved out, along with my bike. Out of sight, out of mind.

[tlwisner]

There are plenty of bad examples of motorcyclists riding around stupid, drunk, speeding, crashing, and dying to make anybody's mother concerned. The TV news doesn't hesitate to make motorcycles sound very bad.

It is true that a motorcycle will punish your stupidity more harshly than will a car.

[P-Low]

i find it odd that theres about 3 car accidents in vegas a day and everyone takes it fore grantid or blows em off, but when that one motorcycle accident happens in a month or two its blown outta proportion...

[citizenstitch]

if you ride in full gear, then you should be fine. i wouldnt give her facts because most bike facts are pretty depressing.

[SuzukiGirl1]

Originally Posted by stp1971

point out as stated that freeways are less likely to have you involved in an accident historically versus side streets,

I don't know if I'd go that way either...next she'll be locking herself in her room and crying because you have to ride through 3 side streets to get to the freeway!!!!

[stp1971]

Oh well,,, you're screwed,,, get a tank...

[QuacktheDuck]

Yeah doesn't help with an asian single mom who has no other family over here, and being an only child. Oh well, I'm gonna keep doing what I do, it is ultimately my decision and if I'm taking the proper precautions, I feel like I'll be ok. Oh my truck is enough of a tank which is why I don't enjoy driving it so much anymore

I'm guessing other reasons she doesn't like/care for bikes aside from the stories on the news and word of mouth is that when she was younger her neighbor's son died in an accident with a large truck, plus she had to put up riding on a bike herself in malaysia's tropical heat and rain and wind on the freeways sitting behind my dad on his 50 or 80 cc (i forgot) yamaha while he was a salesman. So in that regards I can understand somewhat her dislike with bikes...I don't think I'd wanna ride one of those small bikes on the freeway in weather like that over there either...

[themeatmanlandry]

Yeah, my mom always gives me the "your dad's cousin was thrown from the back of one of those things. Hit his head on a telephone pole and that's all for him."



. . . while she puffs away on the cigs.