Motorbike

[hopingfrbetter]

Hi,

My eldest son is 21 and in supported living, after living for three years in a residential setting for people with mental health issues. He has mental health issues (now reasonably well controlled) and autism.
He is a lovely, gentle young man.

Currently, he rides a 125 cc bike. He rides relatively safely, but he does seem to ride it fast and does not always slow down in accordance to the context.

He is waiting until after lock down to book his big bike test and if he passes, he wants a 321 cc bike. He has a little money and he has put a deposit on the bike as an incentive to pass the test.

My problem is that I really feel he should not ride the big bike. I feel there is a lot of difference between a 125 bike and a 321 cc bike that is built for speed and performance. He also carries a lot of bags with him for 'sentimental' purposes and he talks a lot about the speed the bike could reach.

He would need me to help him to buy the bike. My dilemma is that I helped his younger brother to purchase a second hand car and it might seem 'unfair' that I will not help my eldest in the same way.

I have tired to state that the financial assistance is only available for cars, but my eldest fears he will never pass his driving test for a car.

Am I just being too anxious, or should I insist that whilst I will support my eldest, I will not pay for the bike?

321cc is not a big bike. It's bigger than what he's riding now, but it's not a big bike.

Personally, I found around the 400cc mark far safer/easier to handle and get me out of trouble (caused by other road users as per usual ) compared to smaller bikes. Anything more than that wasn't my thing.

Passing his test for the larger cc bikes means he is capable of riding safely on them. He's not going for some behemoth or 998cc of racer rep to show off.

It's your decision - but if he passes, it's not because he isn't capable of riding, it's because you don't want him to anyway.

I personally think he's being sensible and just going to the next level (an R3?). He could ride a more powerful bike at that age if he passes. There are top and side mounted boxes he could get for the bike as a compromise on the bags

I get your fears, I ride and my mum still worries about me and I'm late 30s. I personally would help, as it is each sons vehicle of choice.

Thank you,

These are really reassuring responses. It is a Yamaha MT03 that he has sourced. The reviews seem pretty good . I will try to talk him into getting some boxes.

There is a clear advantage to having a more powerful bike- it can really help to be able to accelerate out of situations. It's always the rider that is in charge of the speed. In the UK I would avoid 400cc in general as they tend to be grey imports from Japan and troublesome.

Maybe he would benefit from some advanced rider training once he gets his next bike?

I worked for a company with an arm related to motorcycle insurance. By far the most accidents were on smaller bikes. 400cc will be fine.

I agree with all the responses above. The bike you mention is not such a big bike. However, in terms of safety, I would be far happier with him riding the 300cc bike. I passed my test on a 250 when learners were allowed to ride that size bike. I think going from a 125 to a 300cc machine is incredibly sensible tbh. I've known people pass their test on a 125 and go out and buy a fire blade!!

I passed my bike test about 10 years ago. Once I had done my CBT and was allowed on a 500cc bike I couldnt believe the difference. So much more stable. I hated riding a 125. It'll be better for him.

My husband is a biker and ssidvthe MT03 is not a fast bike, top speed of about 110mph, although a moped can be dangerous if not ridden correctly.
Although the MT03 is well built, good brakes and handling.

Its a good step up from a 125, my oh went from 125cc to 1000cc sports.

Just ask him to take his time getting used to it, I'm.sure he'll be fine

Forgot to mention, tell him to invest in decent clothing/leathers etc and not a cheap helmet.

The saying of 'dress for the slide, not the ride' is a important one. Too many people ride in jeans or shorts.

All the advice above is good. As others have said, it’s easier to accelerate out of trouble, or even overtake on a bigger bike.
You could also get him some advanced training instead of spending all on the bike.

As others say the mt03 is a decent little a2 bike,
Decent helmet, boots, gloves etc are essential and you could look at people like the IAM for a advanced riding package

I'm not a biker but am concerned that you mentioned he doesn't slow down in accordance to the context. Can you discuss with his support workers?

Hello buckeejit,

Yes, this concerns me as well. I have sent a message to his key worker and she is going to have a word with him.

The speed thing is why I think he could do with some advanced training. I bet he’d listen to an instructor about it.

Thank you. I have found an advanced riders group in our local area and sent my son and his key worker the details. If my son passes his test, the advanced riders' group may provide some social contact as well as training (after the lock down).

That's great @hopingfrbetter

Hopefully the instructor might be able to point him in the direction of some sort of sedate, speed abiding hells angels group?! There's something like that over here I reckon, I see the same group of (mostly older men & a couple of young 'uns), round various towns round the coast! Hope it all goes well.