Am I Being A Douchebag?

Daisey

New member
Well said! This is a different world we live in now. Back when most of the posters on here learned to ride, we didn't have people on cell phones running red lights while texting. This is a great forum with great info, but I've learned two things now as well. One, theres a lot of people that shouldn't be doing their own maintenance. Two, Now I see a lot that I hope are not parents if they are going to teach their kids to break the law. JMO
 
No doubt "things have changed",...... but the biggest thing that changed is that we are looking at the world thru older eyes.

I don't let my kids do half of the chit I used to do.
But it was okay for me back then.

This kid is gonna return from this trip a seasoned rider and he is gonna think his dad is the coolest dad ever.
Super bonding!
Add a lil risk for the adrenaline rush = memories the kid will have 80 years from now.

Sure, something can go wrong and everything turns sour.
Everything has it's risks. The more fun, the more risky.

Y'all can walk on my lawn anytime you want.
 
Sounds like the start of a new thread: "You might be a douchebag if..."

However I would not ride with a group that includes a 15yo on his own bike, AND I would let the parents and my other buddies in the group know it.
 
Will the consequences be worth it if you get caught? In NY if you get caught driving or riding without a license and you are under age, You don't get a license until 21! Has the kid been riding dirtbikes since he was six? OP said not experienced. I will not subject my riding buddies to an inexperienced rider, let alone an unlicensed one.
 
I wouldn't ride with the parents even if the kid wasn't with them. What other hair-brained stunt might they pull down the road?

I only ride with people I've ridden with locally several times. We sort of audition each other. No problem if we're not matched.
 
Got to agree, they aren't being good parents allowing and encouraging him to ride illegally. If they want him to ride, and yes it's a good idea, find somewhere private, off-highway to do it, wild camp, bond etc and have a ball while teaching him proper values.

Faast Ed: What happens if he doesn't return a seasoned rider etc? but instead returns injured or after seeing his Dad and / or Mom arrested and his bike impounded, or he has an accident thru his inexperience and hurts / kills someone innocent? Where's the bonding then and is it really worth the risk? At the very least, if they have to break the law, pick a short trip where bad things are less likely to happen.
 
Are you kidding? We (forum members) routinely advise LICENSED ADULT riders to gain substantial experience before embarking on a 500 mile overnighter. Now we're gonna' send a kid, a 15 year old, out on that same trip.

Nope. I hate riding with inexperienced riders on long trips, and did so for MANY MILES as my wife developed her skills. Not doing it again if I can help it. There is no unlicensed 15 year old who has the experience level for that, and it doesn't matter how much dirt time he has. The street is different. Add on top of that the unlicensed/uninsured aspect and it's a no-brainer.

Knowledge without experience is just information.
 
Pretty responsible parents if you ask me..not wanting to
leave a minor child by themselves.
If the child is a girl, fine (sportys are for girls, you know!).
But seriously, me being me...I would question the judgement of the parents.
Say your piece, and say I might with you later. Then step away.
That's just me though.

chuck
 
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