My son has left the reservation

[newc4]

Saturday we drove down to Richmond VA so my son, Chris, could pick up a 2007 FZ-1 for $3K. (Rented the same trailer we used the previuos weekend to retrieve my 78E.) Chris also got a tailbag and 3 helmets with the deal. He has been rather excited about getting his own bike and has been watching the various forums for good deals on FZ-1s. But I think it would be difficult to 2 up with gear in case my ride breaks again!

I'm a little dismayed that he's turning away from th XS11 but he said that the XS11 was my bike, he wanted HIS bike. However, my purpose was to introduce him to motorcycle riding. So far he has ridden within his limits and has been riding on his own for a few weeks.

So now I begin training son #2.

And when you put an FZ-1 on centerstand be careful when grabbing the back of the bike, the two exhausts are right under the seat. My fingers will remember that.

[Elevener]

Aint nothing wrong with a FZ1. But that sounds like a very good deal also.

[madmax-im]

Darrell you taught him well. Chris is a fine young man and rider too. Somehow i'm not surprised that he would want a bike more in line with his generation. Give him my regards

[Rstyduck]

Have you thought about putting him in a riding program to learn some things that may help him save his butt and get a heads up on self preservation?

Im hearing from experianced riders that they are learning things in these programs. Kinda peeking my interest in going to one, if anything for the ****s n giggles.

[dpotter58]

My oldest is 23 now. He learned to ride on one of my 11s. He rode one of them for two years then bought a yzf(?) 600 r or something to that effect. Like chris, he is very mature for his age and rides cautiously.
He likes it; it's too fast and light for me though... Whatever makes them happy.

[newc4]

He did take the basic MS course which is required in VA. Between that, OJT and 2 XSEasts he's a competent rider and not prone to the crazy stuff. He's planning on taking it to VMI and I'm sure his judgement will be put to the test there if some of his fellow classmen like to clean out the pipes.

Have you thought about putting him in a riding program to learn some things that may help him save his butt and get a heads up on self preservation?

Im hearing from experianced riders that they are learning things in these programs. Kinda peeking my interest in going to one, if anything for the ****s n giggles.

[DeanR]

Chris is gonna do fine on that new fangled up to date bike Darrell!! Good for him....

[mastan]

Darrell: Chris made a fine choice of bikes. Great deal too!
I just bought one myself and can attest to how great of a bike it is. Once you ride it a few times, you'll probably be getting one too!
Mark

[newc4]

I stand corrected

Chris read the post and said, its a FZ-6. I stand corrected.

[newc4]

Chris rode his bike back down to VMI two weekends ago. I was going to ride with him halfway but my 78E started losing power a bit so I turned back after 15 miles. Of course when he arrived a VMI he picked up a speeding ticket.

This past Sunday he called me in the morning to tell me he hit a deer.
"In the jeep?"
"No"
"On your motorcycle?"
"Yes"
"Are you hurt?"
"No, just a bruised leg and ankle."
"Is the bike still rideable?"
"Yes"
"Any damage?"
"The fairing is cracked and the left headlight lens is gone."
"Oh, well I guess you can find one on Ebay. Probably will run your $400. Now, Chris, for the hard part. You're going to have to tell your mother and I'm going the have to hear about it."

Don't bad things happen in threes? I'm waiting for the last shoe to drop.

[XS1100 Newbie]

All that matters is the Son is ok. I know what you mean when you say you will have to hear about it, and i bet it was a lesson well learned by the Son about animals on the roads.

[natemoen]

Glad he is ok!

[fredintoon]

Have you thought about putting him in a riding program to learn some things that may help him save his butt and get a heads up on self preservation?

Hi Rusty,
full agreement from me on getting the boy into a riding program.
We bought the Saskatchewan Govt. approved riding course for our two boys for their 16th Birthday present and yeah, they are better riders than I am even with my many years experience.

[CatatonicBug]

He's lucky, that's for sure! Glad he's ok. That walking roadkill is scary stuff!

[dpotter58]

Having recently done battle with a deer myself, It made me cringe to read about him. Glad he is OK; if he just got a couple bruises he is one lucky man.