First, A little about myself. I am 14, almost 15, and extremely young for my grade. In Alabama you can get your license starting when you turn 14. I am also fiercely independent and hate having to bum rides. I think a motorcycle would be a great way to get around and also serve as a good project. My parents are fairly opposed to it, but willing to listen. I thought going directly to the motorcycle community would be a good way to get information. How can I convince them?
Parents vs. Motorcycles is a steep wall to climb.
Show them that you'll be a responsible rider, take a motorcycle riding course, it will save your life one day.
It is not your dad you have to convince, it's your Mom. She will be the one with the nightmares. But if you get your dad on side with the whole father son project-bonding-family time thing, he can help persuade your mom.
Fourteen-year-old-me understands exactly where you're coming from. The me who is the father of two sees their side too. Just be thankful that you are not their daughter.
Bonus Points for the Peter Frampton avatar.
1) Show them you are responsible. Take any/all of the MSF courses.
2) Start on a scooter. It's less threatening.
3) Wear the gear.
4) Don't be a dumbass.
I had a Moped at that age, laid it down at 30mph on asphalt wearing shorts, a tee shirt, and (thankfully) a helmet because I didnt respect what a minuscule amount of pea-gravel on the road in my neighborhood meant to my cornering speed. I took over a month to stop bleeding from that one. Never really went much further on two wheels after that and probably would be really hesitant as your parents are in your position. (Plus I now live in a high traffic area where the fear of other drivers keeps me from doing it)
They most likely object as you are at an age where you are still learning and want you to have a less risky way of learning some things the hard way.
I would say that your best approach is to genuinely grasp the concerns that your parents present. Dont dismiss their concerns, but discuss them in a logical manner accepting the risks and presenting how you intend to minimize them (all the gear, all the time) (behavior in traffic, non-hooning, etc) Dont focus on the advantages (less gas, freedom), but on risk mitigation.
If you do that and present a mature and reasoned argument you likely stand your best chance.
Perhaps do a bit of reading over on http://advrider.com/ ? They have a lot of good resources. Read through their Face Plant section and you will get some grasp for what your parents are thinking about.
I've had to explain it to my son, that talking with his mother about power slides and wheelies and exciting escapades on his dirt bike are not helping him.
This really is one of the best online communities out there, thanks so much for the help guys! 
My parents seem more open to me starting on a scooter as opposed to a full blown bike. The law in Alabama also makes this the most practical approach (sub-150cc and less than 200lbs until you're 16).
As for motorcycle safety courses are we talking about online tests or legitimate classes somewhere?
Legitimate classes are your best bet. Up here, they provide 250s, so you get to drop someone else's bike if you do something silly while learning how they maneuver. I took a class from these guys
http://trainingwheelsonline.com/index.html
See if there's something like it near you. It was really helpful.
Oh, and I tried to convince my parents (unsuccessfully) when I was 16. I ended up buying a bike when I was 29, and they still weren't too happy about it. So, best of luck to you!
Last November my wife said "you should get the kids a dirt bike. Every kid should know how to ride a dirt bike." Counting my own bike that I have owned since forever, there are now 7 bikes in the shop. (one for her and a spare for friends!) our neighbors hate us again. (just got over the whole firing race cars up at midnight thing.)
As the parent of a 16yo, good luck with this.
I can think of nothing my child could say that would convince me to let him ride a motorcycle.
E36 M3, im 36 and i still cant convince anyone that having a bike is a good idea.
If the Parentals are not on board in the first place you may just have to wait until you're an adult.
If you're set on convincing them start very very small. A moped might do the trick. Or one of those kits that adds a weedwacker motor to a bicycle.
If all else fails and you are absolutely hellbent on getting a motorcycle find a friend who will let you hide/store it at their place. Then it turns into the whole "asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission"
Hah! I just turned 40 and my wife won't let me own a motorcycle. Although I did just get my Motorcycle permit and have played around on my dad's DRZ 400. I have 30+ years of riding (motocross) 2 wheelers, it's just the "other" drivers that scare my wife (and me!) of riding on the street.
Scooter/moped is a great start and I like the idea of making a motorcycle a project for you and your dad. It's great bonding and a sly way of getting past mom. You can never have enough professional training either.
I'm still not allowed to ride a motorcycle, and mine's parked in my driveway at my house right now. 
Mopeds are good, training is good, dirt bikes are good. It's way, way more fun to fall in sand than on the street. Good luck–but you'll probably never be allowed, even when you're married with children.
Oh, and buy the gear. All the gear. Wear it religiously, and make sure your parents see it a whole bunch before/after/during any thoughts of motorcycles.
While a 50cc scooter is slow, a near 150cc scooter is not. If your folks are amenable to a scooter, that's likely the path to pursue. You will not win over the girls who love rocketeers with one, but make no mistake, many a girl will find it cute and safe and be willing to ride with you, so take advantage of that.
The more you learn, the better a rider you will be. Classes are dandy, but they do cost money (generally, sometimes not, depending on the state/region).
A no-name scooter is cheap, but parts are frequently darn hard to find.
Huckleberry wrote: 1) Show them you are responsible. Take any/all of the MSF courses. 2) Start on a scooter. It's less threatening. 3) Wear the gear. 4) Don't be a dumbass.
Also, start a savings fund for the classes to show you are responsible, create a to do list with save money at the top, take beginner msf class next, get bike and gear can be next, then next level class.
When you do get a bike, always remember not only do you need to be aware of what you are doing, you also need to be aware of what others are doing. No matter the size of your bike, you are always on the road with heavyweights (cars and trucks).
Like many of the posts on here have said, responsibility is the main pillar you'll want to lean on.
I found a place relatively close to where I live that offers a good beginner rider program. http://legacy.montevallo.edu/atsc/motorcycle/
When I pitch the idea my parents might ask me specifically what type of bike/scooter I want to get. I have researched and the best compromise of non-threatening and still cool I've found is either a Honda Grom or Ruckus. My question being, is the Grom too "bike-like" that it might scare them off of the idea?
"Fiercely independent" just crashed into "still cool". You sound a lot like me when I was 14.
I lived in TN, partly so I could excercise my "fierce independence", get my license young, and ride a bike.
My "non-threatening" choice was a 90cc Kawasaki. I found it was just as easy to act stupid on that little bike than anything else. I've got scars up and down my left side to prove it, where I nearly cut myself in half running into a barbed wire fence.
I guess I'd just ask, is it really about transportation, or being cool and independent?
I was too cool to wear the safety gear when the adults were not looking. I was also too stubborn to believe I couldn't take that turn with a bit of gravel on the road at about 50mph.
I was wearing a helmet. That's probably the only reason I am still here. But shorts and a tee shirt with no leathers or gloves don't stand a chance against barbed wire.
I'm not trying to scare you. I know someone a lot like you pretty darned well. I am just encouraging you to be honest with yourself.
Turns out, I was not Superman.
In reply to NoPermitNeeded: Welcome, and thank you for approachING this in a responsible way. I think member here Rob Lewis? Asked a similar what bike question about his teenage son.Maybe someone remembers that thread and can link it. Good luck!
You'll shoot your eye out.
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