Teach a boy to ride!

Cravin01 · 08-05-2018, 11:01 AM

Well my Ex divorced me after 18 yrs and took off with my buddy...yep I sure miss him! in the process though she took the kids and all the house stuff, I told her I wanted my tools,guns,clothes a couch a TV and Id be fine.

I moved to the neighboring town so I could be close to the kids, well as they got their drivers license they opted to not come over as much or on their weekends, I understand they got things going on.

Last August my oldest showed up with everything he owned in his truck, He got into it with her over the lawn and she told him to go live with your dad. I think she need his room cause her sick father had moved in two weeks earlier!

Best thing that ever happened to the boy! I told him I'm not your baby sitter it's on you, get a part time job and finish high school, your responsible for your own outcome so be smart about it, I'll help when you need it.

He flips burgers at Whataburger and mows lawns while preparing to start college at this point has been not one spot of trouble.

He had been slowly showing some interest in the bike and what I'm doing with it so I asked him " Are you ready to learn to ride?" and he said YEAH! so I took him to a close field and we went over everything and within 45 mins the boys was taking off without stalls 80% , and coming to a stop fairly smooth, shifts got better.

A sign in the field did jump in front of him breaking a mount point on the tank plastic, bent the blinker, popped out a reflector, and bent the foot break. we rode it back to the garage for some nascar style repairs and went back at it!

I just stood in the field and told him ride till your done.... When he finished it was completely dark and he was riding it a lot smoother and faster.

I asked him what he thought and he said he now understands how people wreck there bikes and it was a lot different than he thought all the while wearing the biggest smile ever seen

A moment forever locked in both our minds I'm sure.

Times like these are rare so I thought Id share with you guys!

**JerryHawk250** · 08-05-2018, 12:10 PM

Awesome! So when is he ordering his? Lol

Cravin01 · 08-05-2018, 01:04 PM

We just finished mowing and he told me he was going to wait till after his first semester so i said we could put one on layaway and have it payed off at that time. he told me he was looking at bike late last night and as soon as we finished mowing he asked to ride. right now he's in the field behind my house riding solo for the first time and yes I'm a little nervous!

Bruces · 08-05-2018, 03:06 PM

Awesome ! I truly believe in starting them very young ,but waiting until he showed interest is perfect .

roundhouse · 08-05-2018, 03:59 PM

Nice, glad things are working out for ya. I almost spit my tea all over the monitor when I read "yep I sure miss him!"

Sounds like the boy has a good work ethic.

BlackBike · 08-05-2018, 06:04 PM

I would think riding about 6 month off the road with high speed experiences would be adequate before full pavement ridings . Then take the course and endorcement.. Going from no experience to 6 months experience should be enough . HOWEVER keep a watchful eye on his propensity for doing stupid stuff on a motorcycle, it doesn't translate to full street ridings and is DEAD serious stuff when dealing with traffic. Good stuff!

wheelbender6 · 08-05-2018, 11:48 PM

Sorry about your divorce. I am kin to some Cravens in Waycross Georgia. They spell it a little different.

Megadan · 08-06-2018, 12:33 AM

Don't forget to teach the importance of gear.

From somebody with a broken body.

kirbo7106 · 08-06-2018, 01:18 AM

Sounds like some great father and son time! Like everyone else has said, get the safety gear and take the riders safety course!

Enjoy the ride!

Cravin01 · 08-06-2018, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheelbender6

Sorry about your divorce. I am kin to some Cravens in Waycross Georgia. They spell it a little different.

A complete blessing in disguise, Although things like that are tough to get through I was fortunate enough to meet a wonderful little Filipino gal whom I've been married to for 2 yrs now and she is a major upgrade in every way!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

Don't forget to teach the importance of gear.

From somebody with a broken body.

I bought my wife a helmet that's too big for her but fits his head nice so he's been wearing it with boots and jeans in the field, he does need gloves because he has rubbed the skin off his thumb knuckles, I told him it's ok to loosen your grip a little but I'll pick up some gloves for him. I think that will do until he is ready to take it to the street but that will be a while.

Sport Rider · 08-06-2018, 10:40 AM

good for you! my boys didn't learn until they were in their late teens. I taught them on my VX800 riding around a very large church parking lot. I completely understand that first look!

**JerryHawk250** · 08-06-2018, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cravin01

I bought my wife a helmet that's too big for her but fits his head nice so he's been wearing it with boots and jeans in the field, he does need gloves because he has rubbed the skin off his thumb knuckles, I told him it's ok to loosen your grip a little but I'll pick up some gloves for him. I think that will do until he is ready to take it to the street but that will be a while.

Those little scrapes and bruises will help him learn to respect the bike on what he can and can't do.

Megadan · 08-06-2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Those little scrapes and bruises will help him learn to respect the bike on what he can and can't do.

Yep, and the first few pins in his right ankle will let him understand what proper riding boots are designed for.

**JerryHawk250** · 08-06-2018, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

Yep, and the first few pins in his right ankle will let him understand what proper riding boots are designed for.

Lets just hope he learns that before anything like that happens. lol Broken ankles tend to hurt for a long time. Don't ask how I know.

Megadan · 08-06-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Lets just hope he learns that before. anything like that happens. lol Broken ankles tend to hurt for a long time. Don't ask how I know.

Mine are anchoring tendons. I have yet to break a bone, and instead hurt everything else around them.

08-05-2018, 11:01 AM	#1
Cravin01 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 498	Teach a boy to ride! Well my Ex divorced me after 18 yrs and took off with my buddy...yep I sure miss him! in the process though she took the kids and all the house stuff, I told her I wanted my tools,guns,clothes a couch a TV and Id be fine. I moved to the neighboring town so I could be close to the kids, well as they got their drivers license they opted to not come over as much or on their weekends, I understand they got things going on. Last August my oldest showed up with everything he owned in his truck, He got into it with her over the lawn and she told him to go live with your dad. I think she need his room cause her sick father had moved in two weeks earlier! Best thing that ever happened to the boy! I told him I'm not your baby sitter it's on you, get a part time job and finish high school, your responsible for your own outcome so be smart about it, I'll help when you need it. He flips burgers at Whataburger and mows lawns while preparing to start college at this point has been not one spot of trouble. He had been slowly showing some interest in the bike and what I'm doing with it so I asked him " Are you ready to learn to ride?" and he said YEAH! so I took him to a close field and we went over everything and within 45 mins the boys was taking off without stalls 80% , and coming to a stop fairly smooth, shifts got better. A sign in the field did jump in front of him breaking a mount point on the tank plastic, bent the blinker, popped out a reflector, and bent the foot break. we rode it back to the garage for some nascar style repairs and went back at it! I just stood in the field and told him ride till your done.... When he finished it was completely dark and he was riding it a lot smoother and faster. I asked him what he thought and he said he now understands how people wreck there bikes and it was a lot different than he thought all the while wearing the biggest smile ever seen A moment forever locked in both our minds I'm sure. Times like these are rare so I thought Id share with you guys! __________________ Visit me on YouTube at "Project Next"! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6KTCi2GVbfRDv-2XCqHhsg?view_as=subscriber 2017 Bashan Storm Keihen PZ30 Pumper Carb,115 main jet,35 pilot jet, gutted factory exhaust, Sambo Digital Speedometer,LED blinkers, H4 headlight,D.I.D X-ring chain 428,17/42 sprockets,UNI cone filter.
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08-05-2018, 12:10 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,713	Awesome! So when is he ordering his? Lol __________________ 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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08-05-2018, 01:04 PM	#3
Cravin01 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 498	We just finished mowing and he told me he was going to wait till after his first semester so i said we could put one on layaway and have it payed off at that time. he told me he was looking at bike late last night and as soon as we finished mowing he asked to ride. right now he's in the field behind my house riding solo for the first time and yes I'm a little nervous! __________________ Visit me on YouTube at "Project Next"! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6KTCi2GVbfRDv-2XCqHhsg?view_as=subscriber 2017 Bashan Storm Keihen PZ30 Pumper Carb,115 main jet,35 pilot jet, gutted factory exhaust, Sambo Digital Speedometer,LED blinkers, H4 headlight,D.I.D X-ring chain 428,17/42 sprockets,UNI cone filter.
	3

08-05-2018, 06:04 PM	#6
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	I would think riding about 6 month off the road with high speed experiences would be adequate before full pavement ridings . Then take the course and endorcement.. Going from no experience to 6 months experience should be enough . HOWEVER keep a watchful eye on his propensity for doing stupid stuff on a motorcycle, it doesn't translate to full street ridings and is DEAD serious stuff when dealing with traffic. Good stuff! __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	2

08-05-2018, 11:48 PM	#7
wheelbender6 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,902	Sorry about your divorce. I am kin to some Cravens in Waycross Georgia. They spell it a little different. __________________ "Its not WHAT you ride; its THAT you ride"
	1

08-05-2018, 03:06 PM	#4
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,649	Awesome ! I truly believe in starting them very young ,but waiting until he showed interest is perfect .
	1

08-05-2018, 03:59 PM	#5
roundhouse Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: N Texas Posts: 706	Nice, glad things are working out for ya. I almost spit my tea all over the monitor when I read "yep I sure miss him!" Sounds like the boy has a good work ethic.
	2

08-06-2018, 12:33 AM	#8
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,110	Don't forget to teach the importance of gear. From somebody with a broken body. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
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08-06-2018, 01:18 AM	#9
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	Sounds like some great father and son time! Like everyone else has said, get the safety gear and take the riders safety course! Enjoy the ride! __________________ Dan-O -2018 Tao Tao HellCat - DOA -2016 Hawk 250 - Kitty Hawk - eBay exhaust, Mikuni carb(120 main/30 Pilot), airbox mod with K&N filter, digital cluster, total LEDs, 17/45 sprockets, RK chain, Shinko 244 tires, trunk, aftermarket levers, burrito tube, skid plate, Sargent Cycle Seat... -2003 HD Sportster 100th Anniversary -1999 Buell X-1 Lightning - Race kit, Buell Seat
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08-06-2018, 10:40 AM	#11
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,116	good for you! my boys didn't learn until they were in their late teens. I taught them on my VX800 riding around a very large church parking lot. I completely understand that first look!
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