Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge I love you son, but.......

My 21 year old son Chris is showing an interest in learning to ride. I told him a couple months ago if he got his permit I would teach him to ride and pay for and go with him to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. I have been wanting to take the advanced course and figured a refresher never hurts.

So last night we are sitting in the garage. He says, Dad I am going down this week and get my learners permit. What else do I need to do to ride the America?

I told him with the permit in the state of Indiana you have to wear a helmet and cannot ride passengers. I do not think you are suppose to ride at night.

Then he says,"great then I can start riding the America back and forth to work. She needs to be ridden dad. Since you got the Rocket she just sits there."

This is not entirely true. I did turn over 1200 on the Rocket yesterday, but I have at least half that many miles on the America this year.

I looked him square in the eyes and said:

I love you son. I will teach you on the America, and when I am on the Rocket you can ride with me on the America, but other than that you get your own bike.

Oh and if you get a Harley you are not parking it in the garage.

Lol. I think it's time for you to say "goodbye" to that America my friend.

Nope going to turn her into a solo ride and stop leaving the keys in the ignition.

I set her up to be a multi purpose bike to meet all our needs. Now all she has to do is make me happy and I can set her up the way I want too.

Windscreen gone
Backrest and luggage rack gone
Pillion gone
rear foot pegs gone

Chrome pillion rack or leather rear fender cover.

Don't plan on getting rid of any parts. Who knows what the future will hold.

I would've just told him "Get your OWN bike!"

You show great insight with that Harley comment!
The rest of that stuff wasn't bad either.

"OK, how much have you saved up? Let's go down to the Triumph dealer this weekend."

Love them kids but the responsible parent makes them buy their own ride. Having said that makes me a hypocrite, though. I DID buy my oldest daughter a 250 Honda Twin last year for 1200 bucks. Low miles and taken care of. She has slight learning problems but is a good person with limited income. She was thrilled to get it and rides it all the time. And I've kinda promised myself that I would pass the Indian on to my middle boy in a few years when I can't hold it up any more and move "down" to a Triumph Bonnie. It's a real balance to help them along but not spoil them. But my dad was good to me in his later years (After drilling self sufficiancy into me during my youth) and I'm trying to imitate him.

Hey Billy,

The Harley community has been very excepting of my America, I get positive comments all the time. There is not much in the way of Triumph orientated groups where I live. Hope you were joking about your garage space,hate to see a Harley parked outside.

Yes I was joking. You are correct I ride with Harley s all the time and I get nothing but respect from them. Sometimes I do want to lie to them.

A Triumph? I did not know they were still around?

Oh no they closed years ago.

This is a 1972 Triumph America and is 883 cc.

There is only one Triumph Dealer it the entire state of Indiana now and they also sell Indian and BMW.
Triumph is in the back of the store.