My son(16) started on a '79 Honda cb650. Yeah, I thought it would too much for him. I was wrong about that. He rode that bike for a year with me. pride rides,troop rides, cruising with up to 6 bikes at some point. That is where he learned to appreciate ,Respect bikes I should say. I was riding a '84 Honda v65 Sabre at the time he learned on his Honda. Now, (19) he has the Sabre. He really likes it and respects it at the same time., just like I do my Rocket. I had that Sabre for 14 yrs and drove the tires off it 3 times!.Best **** motorcycle I've owned. So, I'd say ride with him as much as you can and get him used to riding with others.It doesn't mean long rides .1 hr max .That alone will get him to respect riding. Then, just maybe he will reconsider the R3. Just my 2 cents