Hmmm…I have a different opinion of some of those brands. I thought Alpinestars was a quality brand (though I have seen a wide price range in their products) and my opinion of Joe Rocket is that it is designed to appeal to the masses (good enough protection, good enough style and good enough price). This is all just opinion though, I don’t own anything from either of those companies. The best place I ever found for reviews on gear (practically the only place) is webbikeworld.com Most products they review get good reviews but you can get a feel for the differences and what appeals to you within your price range.
My favorite sites for buying stuff are http://www.motorcyclesuperstore.com and http://www.newenough.com. NewEnough has great pictures and comments from the seller. I have also bought from a few other sites (bikerhighway and johnsonleather) and had no problems. Motorcycle gear seems to be very seasonal so you can get great discounts on last seasons stuff if you are quick enough (it’s always really small and really large sizes left when I go browsing).
There are some really expensive helmets out there but you don’t need to spend a whole lot to get the most expensive part, protection. All the other bells and whistles you can live without if money is tight (and getting started in this business is expensive). There was a thread on here a few weeks back about Snell v No Snell. Dig that out and read it. You will learn a lot.
The one most important thing you can do is to take the MSF class and get in the mindset of learning to ride safe and continually trying to learn (maybe that’s more than one thing ) Lot’s of material out there that teaches you how to be safe. Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough was what I learned from. Others here have used Twist of the Wrist (I think that’s what it was called) and Ride Like A Pro dvds.
The fact is crashing on a motorcycle is much more dangerous than crashing in a car. No point trying to pretend it is not. But, I honestly believe my odds of crashing on the bike are much less than when driving. Why?
1) I am higher up and so have a better field of view
2) I have greater all round vision as there no pillars in the way
3) I can move around in my lane to see past the car in front of me
4) In the event I need to take avoiding action I have more options on the bike
5) I am much more focused on what is going on around me. With no air bags or steel cage around me I am very aware of my own mortality. If that does not help focus the mind nothing will.
The last point is something that took me by surprise when I started. Your mind is on high alert and it is exhausting but it is also part of the enjoyment. You live very much in the moment.
Good luck convincing the parents but hopefully that comes second to making an honest appraisal of the risks involved to yourself.