Headphones and my Crazy Teenager

[chipperjones]

So I bought my kid (16) an Aprilla Sportcity 250 recently (yea lucky kid right). He has had his time on dirt bikes and bmx, but he's never had to deal with traffic and it scares the poop out of me as a dad. A few days ago he came home and slide his helmet off and was wearing these New Balance earbuds that ironically i got for him. So i got a bit more scared for him in traffic, took his key and told him he'll get it back soon. So my thought here is to tell him that he needs to put 500+ miles on the scoot without the earbuds in order to learn the "rules of the road" when on two wheels after that i'll "let" him wear headphones but only in one ear. And if i catch him again with another headset i'll use his new scoot for myself. So my wife thinks im crazy, but spending a bunch of time on two wheels (supersport) in traffic i know how important hearing your surroundings is....so i ask you dawgs! Am i being to strict? Or does it sound about right?

[skuttadawg]

Not only are earbuds or headphones unsafe but illegal . Instead check out Amazons huge selection of motorcycle radios with speakers that he can hear with a helmet on

[derbi]

Your not being too strict.
Im with skutta on this. and has your son taken a MSF course and does he have his motorcycle endorsement as well?

[Scooter Elements]

yea i got pulled over for having earbuds listening to music on my ipod while riding my scooter. wasnt my best idea

[inkyben]

Your not being too strict at all, its your job to be strict and teach him some responsibility. I was a careless kid when I was 16 and I got t-boned on my old honda shadow because I was distracted. After having my leg re-attached and a year of therapy I could walk again.

[skuttadawg]

www.motor-scooters-guide.com/support-files/scooter-driving-tips.pdf and online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx

If he does not have health insurance then I would ad Med Pay to the policy in case he wrecks on his own it would help pay for the ER visit as I have it on my scooters along with roadside assistance