The dangerous GSXR article

I think the MSF course should be mandatory to all new riders, but just my opinion. It was one criteria that I set on myself when I started. The second was a helmet, and the third, gear.

In that order. Although I had a helmet and gear before the class.

it's all a matter of control. if you don't have the control or the attitude for it, then there will be more bikes for me to pick up at a cheap price.

if you do have the control and the attitude for it, then you will have a long and healthy riding experience.

at my age (yea, I'm old, 41 next month) I don't risk my body like I did at 18. I was invincible back then. Now, I have to show up for work monday morning :p

To say the parents need a swift kick is to also say the kids do.

Ultimate responsibility.

David

I'm still amazed at the number of people that buy 1000's as a first bike. Last weekend, a friend informed me that her son had bought a GSXR 1000 as a first bike 2-3 months ago and he crashed it on the road the day he bought it, and wasn't wearing a helmet. Road rash aside, he got lucky but the bike was totalled, so he traded in the wreck on a new 600 and a helmet. She was wondering what to get him for a birthday present this year. A lot of crass ideas came to mind, but I suggested the Keith Code books and video, a gift c ertificate for a local MSF course, and one or two track days.

Apparently, he's a computer geek in Oregon and his mom says she thinks he is fighting off the nerdy look and feel of his life in the mirror by taking on what she calls 'high risk' behavior. I told her to add some Trojans to the package containing the books and video.

What would have been a better answer for a worried mom?