Another thing you could do to help with your dad is show some initiative in being a safe rider. Grab a couple books from your local book store Proficient Motorcycling and More Proficient Motorcycling by Hough. They are published by Bow tie press and their pages fall out easy but they are a great read! Your dad will like them too.
Talk to your dad about the joys of riding a bike, thinks like participating with the roadway instead of watching pass out the window and how you can smell everything you pass by such as a freshly mowed lawn or a BBQ.
Good luck!
Glen

 

One more thing that may help is to go ahead and set aside money for gear, you will need to spend close to $1000 for good gear and could even be more, taking the time to get gear lined up might help convince him that you intend to be safe and you are aware there are risks. And as the other guys said the MSF course is great for any rider.

 

yes gear is nice find a nice nice confortable helmet...and leathers...leathers in summer suck so you might want breathing leathers and winter leathers... may you ride safe