How would you respond to this?

[cookeetree]

The old adage, "It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission" suits this situation perfectly.

When I wanted to get my licence, I booked BOTH of us into a free one hour "try it" course at Pro Honda, Rocklea. She was so excited, the subject of NOT buying a bike never even came up!

[Black Magic]

Have heard it a lot- I usually say nothing but I must say it shocks me to hear how many people are hindered from doing something they love by a partner.

Very controlling and unfair IMO.

[the kid]

And how many wanna be's use the old missus line as an excuse for not getting a bike ?

[dave#3]

And how many wanna be's use the old missus line as an excuse for not getting a bike ?

I was thinking the same thing Billy - particularly as I think female riders hear this line more often than male riders.

[Wattie]

its all about ground rules.

what he/she brings to the relationship, they keep. (or trade, swap, upgrade etc)

[Buck]

I agree its the ground rules.

Met my wife at Castrol 6 hour at Oran Park 1984, her dad was tools for a RZ500 B grader.
She normally cuts the lawn when Im out riding on weekends too.

Take your time deciding is my advice, pick the one with the best helmet get her pregnant quick smart.

[Rusty]

My sister in law didn't want my brother to get his licence, let alone a bike. A couple of years down the track, he now has his licence and a bike and she couldn't be happier about it. He only wanted one for the fuel economy, but now he's ringing me up all the time telling me how much fun it is. No kidding, mate. Whaddaya think I've been telling you all these years?

Oh, right, the topic.

I don't respond at all, except an occasional "Sucks to be you" type thing. Scornful gazes work, too. The same response works perfectly for the, "Don't you know how dangerous that is?" and, "I don't ride because I knew someone whose father's aunt's favourite son's room mate crashed really badly doing something really stooopid," comments I used to get all the time.

[robracer]

pick the one with the best helmet get her pregnant quick smart.

hole in one

[Glen]

My response would be "mate if that stops you then you obviously don't really want a bike"

So Cath what sort of bike does Dave want now

[Shifty]

"I hope she makes you happy mate, I know plenty of guys who ahve given up (hobby) because the person who "loves" them won't let them do what they enjoy, only to separated 1/2/5/10/25 years down the track and then realise what they've been missing out on."

[Shifty]

Oh and a lot of this comes from stereotypes too. the only things they hear about bikes are on the news about rider killed, the 'shorts' in the sport section which invariably puts on all the crashes, seeing people ride like idiots (because we all know they don't see people minding their own business)... so they automatically assume you are an idiot and that you will crash/die/spontaneously combust.

Easily solved by taking said girl for a ride on the bike early in the piece, in a very sedate manner... a nice short ride to the movies or something via a local lookout... then a short ride in the hills one afternoon to a cafe that isn't too far away (don't want to make them tired/sore/cranky).

I know people who have taken girls out for "a fang" and they never get on the back again and hate bikes forever.

Or, teach 'em to ride and they'll love you for it

[rooster]

And how many wanna be's use the old missus line as an excuse for not getting a bike ?

As above this is what I find to be the case, if they really want to get back on they will. I didn't ride for reasons of economy and young kids for about 12 years and when the day came I just said well you knew I always wanted to keep the bike so now I am going out to get one again, my beloved doesn't like bikes at all which is good and bad but she understands why I love them so I now have the rex and the universal balance in our house due to compromise is maintained. You are better off just ignoring the comment and just sympathise with the poor soul and if they really want a bike they will get one regardless of the opposition.

[ty]

My usual response is.
"Stop your whinging Damon/TY and grab us a beer."

Nah - actually it was my decision, based mostly on the new little bub, so slightly different.
I don't know exactly what I would've done if Vick had given me an ultimatum - would I have gone 'oh ok'? or stood my guns? - I really don't know so I won't question other people's decisions.
However, I think anyone who gives their partner any sort of ultimatum, without proper discussion and compromise has questionable motives - perhaps they don't want a partner but rather a slave.

If I were in your situation Cath I would've done what you said Dave did - perhaps gone 'oh ok', then changed the subject.
It's the only thing you really can do.
ty

[Shifty]

I would never give up riding for a girl, rather I would try to involve her as much as I could to help her understand my hobby (disease).

If the other party wasn't supportive of or at least understanding of the interest then she'd be gone faster'n a set of tyres on the Oxley

[Phil]

Tell them to HTFU


























and buy her a ZRX1200