I have a 17 year old son who wants a two-wheeled bike instead of spyder. He says spyder not as fun to ride but he doesn't know because he never rode one. I'm scared of two-wheeler and i doubt there's much difference in enjoyment. Can some of you experienced riders weigh in? Thanks in advance.
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Advice for son's bike
- Thread starter tnfleming
- Start date
FANG
New member
I'm not a real experienced ryder but I can vouch for the great amount of fun I have ryding my :ani29: and what I really like is not having to balance a 1000 lb two wheeler at a light. No way the wife would have riden with me on a bike but we love to ryde 2 up on the :spyder2:. Wouldn't want any other ryde. :clap:
Smylinacha
Yellinacha
:agree:MSF will teach him how to ride safe.:2thumbs:
ataDude
Mod Maniac
What did it teach you:clap:
Smylinacha
Yellinacha
Taught me not to ride behind you
I would have a hard time putting a 17yr old on either. Not to say that some could not handle it but most are not mature enough or have enough experience. If you do remember safety first, get the safety course, the right size bike to match his experience and size and a HELMET. This comes from a 19 year veteran in the fire service. Good Luck
dryheat
New member
I tell people the Spyder is about 90% as fun as a 2 wheeler, and about 50% the risk. That said... if he still insists on a 2 wheels, avoid anything remotely resembling a sport bike. 17 year-olds aren't known for their self control, and if it looks like a racer, he will treat it as such. Instead I'd steer him towards an on-off enduro like the XL-650 or Wee-Strom.
Star Cruiser
New member
let him try the MSF Course. I personally think a Spyder is too much power for a first "bike". I know I will hear back on that one! A smaller cruiser type (Shadow 750 or similar) would be my choice. Less than half the power of the Spyder. Crotch Rockets are a bit to quick as well IMO for a new rider, but that is whom usually buys them. I am sure he can learn, but i hope that he at least has some road sense that he picked up driving acar for a year or two before getting a bike. That is the "understanding" that I have with my son. He's 21 now and still thinking he shoudl gain a little more experience in a cage before buying a bike.
The MSF course is a must for new riders.
While I find riding the Spyder just as much fun as riding a 2 wheeler I really don't feel like it's a good "starter" bike. In my opinion because the Spyder is safer than switching to a 2 wheeler without any experience could lead some problems if and when he does switch to a 2 wheeler.
While I find riding the Spyder just as much fun as riding a 2 wheeler I really don't feel like it's a good "starter" bike. In my opinion because the Spyder is safer than switching to a 2 wheeler without any experience could lead some problems if and when he does switch to a 2 wheeler.
Lamonster
SpyderLovers Founder
I have three boys, one is 22 one 20 and the other 17. They all grew up riding dirtbikes just like their Dad, :doorag:
My two oldest boys ride crouch rockets and I'm sure my youngest boy will do the same as soon as he can. Motorcycling is a great sport and with the right training it can be great fun and as safe as any other high risk sport including riding a Spyder. Anything in the open air is going to give you less protection than a car or truck, that's just a fact of life.
My youngest son didn't think too much of the Spyder when I first showed it to him online but he's come to like it.
I'm guessing your son has some motorcycle experience so I would let him take you for a ride on it and go into town or get some fuel and I'm pretty sure it won't be long before he likes all the attention he'll be getting on the Spyder. He'll be a Rockstar as you know. :spyder2: Still I wouldn't try and keep him from riding a bike either. I'm 50 now and have been rinding my own bike since I was 12 and I somehow survied it. :doorag:
Their first bike.
Now two of them are in the Marines and one is headed that way as soon as he gets out of Highschool. :doorag:
My two oldest boys ride crouch rockets and I'm sure my youngest boy will do the same as soon as he can. Motorcycling is a great sport and with the right training it can be great fun and as safe as any other high risk sport including riding a Spyder. Anything in the open air is going to give you less protection than a car or truck, that's just a fact of life.
My youngest son didn't think too much of the Spyder when I first showed it to him online but he's come to like it.
I'm guessing your son has some motorcycle experience so I would let him take you for a ride on it and go into town or get some fuel and I'm pretty sure it won't be long before he likes all the attention he'll be getting on the Spyder. He'll be a Rockstar as you know. :spyder2: Still I wouldn't try and keep him from riding a bike either. I'm 50 now and have been rinding my own bike since I was 12 and I somehow survied it. :doorag:
Their first bike.
Now two of them are in the Marines and one is headed that way as soon as he gets out of Highschool. :doorag:
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
I heartily agree with everyone who said "MSF course first!" As to the choice in first motorcycles, it is hard for a 50 year veteran of two-wheels to reflect on his experience...they don't sell Cushmans any more. I tend to agree with those that say a little dirt riding experience can't be beat, as far as developing skills goes. I also feel strongly that most riders start out on motorcycles far too large and too powerful these days...and that includes the Spyder. I'd recommend one of the smaller dual-sport machines, say 400 cc. Sufficient to get around in traffic, lightweight and maneuverable, and you can get them off onto dirt roads and trails to further develop your skills without the added distractions of traffic. From there on, with a couple of years of experience under his belt, he will probably decide for himself which direction he wants to take.
-Scotty
-Scotty
I heartily agree with everyone who said "MSF course first!" As to the choice in first motorcycles, it is hard for a 50 year veteran of two-wheels to reflect on his experience...they don't sell Cushmans any more. I tend to agree with those that say a little dirt riding experience can't be beat, as far as developing skills goes. I also feel strongly that most riders start out on motorcycles far too large and too powerful these days...and that includes the Spyder. I'd recommend one of the smaller dual-sport machines, say 400 cc. Sufficient to get around in traffic, lightweight and maneuverable, and you can get them off onto dirt roads and trails to further develop your skills without the added distractions of traffic. From there on, with a couple of years of experience under his belt, he will probably decide for himself which direction he wants to take.
-Scotty
:agree: Couldn't have said it better. Someone else in this string mentioned a Kawasaki KLR 650 or a Suzuki 650 V-Strom. Also good choices for a first bike.
Bruce
bjt
Very Helpful Member
I heartily agree with everyone who said "MSF course first!" As to the choice in first motorcycles, it is hard for a 50 year veteran of two-wheels to reflect on his experience...they don't sell Cushmans any more. I tend to agree with those that say a little dirt riding experience can't be beat, as far as developing skills goes. I also feel strongly that most riders start out on motorcycles far too large and too powerful these days...and that includes the Spyder....
-Scotty
When I was taking my motorcycle endorsement test, there was a lady there with her first bike, first time rider, and someone (boyfriend?) had convinced her to get this large (over 1000cc) sport bike. She could barely hold the thing upright. There was no way she was going to pass the test on that thing. Luckily she befriended another lady there who had a smaller Ninja and they both tested (and passed) on that smaller bike.
crazycanuck
New member
I know a couple of instances that even the :spyder:was too big too soon.....just cause it has 3 wheels people forget that it is still a powerful machine
GaryTheBadger
New member
After 38 years on two-, three- and four-wheeled cycles, I also agree with the rest of the replies that he must take the safety course to earn the right to drive in public, and that the Spyder is too much power for a first bike, for a 17 year old male. I only survived my initial bike years because I was limited to a Honda S90 and a Suzuki RV90 Rover. Who's name will the bike and insurance be in? He's a minor...in many places, parents are liable for damage their minor children cause.
crazycanuck
New member
My first bike was a CBR Hurricane when I was 21, I still don't know how I managed to live through those riding years so yes I suggest a smaller bike because testostrone and a powerful bike is a bad combination
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