Girlfriend wants her own bike.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
Girlfriend wants her own bike.
I am hoping you guys/gals can help me out. Here's the situation.
My girlfriend who has only ever been on a bike twice (mine) wants her own now. Now this is music to my ears and I am not trying to steer her away from buying one, but I am wondering if it is way to soon for her to even be thinking about buying one. Do you think she should ride with me for a season to see if she LOVES it or should I just let her buy a used Honda or Yammy and see what happens? The concern I have is of course her zero experience with a. riding a motorcycle and b. being a passenger.
I think that we learn so much just by being a passenger. Watching the drivers moves, how they handle the MC, the obstacles they have to overcome sometimes. I am afraid that if she spontaneously goes out and buys a bike, takes the course and starts riding and something happens (drops it at a stop or looks down when doing slow steering etc.) that she will give up on completely.
She says the idea having her own is terrifying, but exhilarating at the same time. That could be good or bad. Not sure. haha I do believe a person can overcome fears, so we'll see.
Anyways, I just wanted to get some thoughts out there about what she and I should do. She is stubborn as an ox so convincing her otherwise is going to be one hell of a challenge. Learning to ride was easier!!
Thanks,
Ryan
My girlfriend who has only ever been on a bike twice (mine) wants her own now. Now this is music to my ears and I am not trying to steer her away from buying one, but I am wondering if it is way to soon for her to even be thinking about buying one. Do you think she should ride with me for a season to see if she LOVES it or should I just let her buy a used Honda or Yammy and see what happens? The concern I have is of course her zero experience with a. riding a motorcycle and b. being a passenger.
I think that we learn so much just by being a passenger. Watching the drivers moves, how they handle the MC, the obstacles they have to overcome sometimes. I am afraid that if she spontaneously goes out and buys a bike, takes the course and starts riding and something happens (drops it at a stop or looks down when doing slow steering etc.) that she will give up on completely.
She says the idea having her own is terrifying, but exhilarating at the same time. That could be good or bad. Not sure. haha I do believe a person can overcome fears, so we'll see.
Anyways, I just wanted to get some thoughts out there about what she and I should do. She is stubborn as an ox so convincing her otherwise is going to be one hell of a challenge. Learning to ride was easier!!
Thanks,
Ryan
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
I think the best thing is to let her decide. There are plenty of good riding courses available, and that might be the first thing she should do...before....buying a motorcycle. Take the course, get the license, then see what she thinks. Many people start the course then find out that it is not for them and drop out. Whatever you do don't try to teach her yourself.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,560
Likes: 2,115
From: Central, Ca.
Please have her do what flyboy suggests, it will give her a chance at throttle, brake and clutch control on a small bike. They will also teach her basic survival skills. Just ask the local dealer how to sign her up for the MSF course, it will be the smartest couple hundred you ever spent
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Appleton, WI
First take a riders course, then let her make the choice. Maybe by a cheap moped or something she can get use to road conditions. there are alot of aholes on the rode so go with her everytime. my wife started out on a sporty and now on her 3rd bike (streetguide) since 06. good lud and stay positive.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 231
Likes: 2
My wife has her own bike and she's fine with it on country roads and such. She hates the hiways. Have your girl take the riders training course, they supply the bikes. When my 2 boys took the course (for insurance discounts) they said half the women quit, just wasn't what they expected. You don't want her deciding that after dropping $$ for a bike!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
Thanks guys, hell I'm positive and I sure want her to ride. It's a dream of mine to have a gf/wife that loves to ride. My only concern with her is that she might be jumping into to quickly. Not thinking everything through.
I have explained to her the dangers and of course the good things to riding. I'm afraid she might just like the 'lifestyle' rather then the ride. Only time will tell I guess.
Oh, she is definitely going to do the course. She has no choice in Nova Scotia. No course, no license. I like the idea of a small bike. 400-650cc would be perfect. I don't want to limit her to city/town driving but I wouldn't feel comfortable putting her on a 883 either.
I have explained to her the dangers and of course the good things to riding. I'm afraid she might just like the 'lifestyle' rather then the ride. Only time will tell I guess.
Oh, she is definitely going to do the course. She has no choice in Nova Scotia. No course, no license. I like the idea of a small bike. 400-650cc would be perfect. I don't want to limit her to city/town driving but I wouldn't feel comfortable putting her on a 883 either.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
i think you should just step back and let her do her thing. you did your thing.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: East Coast
...of course there's a nice line up of CVOs...
The perfect course of action would be to get the bike that YOU dream about. After 2 minutes, claim that it's just too much for her right now, and hand over your mount to her. Then you wrap your fingers around those new grips and...
The perfect course of action would be to get the bike that YOU dream about. After 2 minutes, claim that it's just too much for her right now, and hand over your mount to her. Then you wrap your fingers around those new grips and...
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
GF ain't going to learn nothing riding passenger.
How many years did you have to ride bitch before you knew you wanted to ride?
How many years did you ride bitch before you got to grab the handle bars?
Don't stomp on her dreams, help her find a good deal on a used Honda Rebel or Yamaha has a 250 v twin, oh and stop being a bitch.
How many years did you have to ride bitch before you knew you wanted to ride?
How many years did you ride bitch before you got to grab the handle bars?
Don't stomp on her dreams, help her find a good deal on a used Honda Rebel or Yamaha has a 250 v twin, oh and stop being a bitch.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
I don't think I alluded to the fact that I was going to try and stop her from doing what she wants. I am not like that. Just wondering what the best way to go about this is.
I had to learn just like we all did, but I have never done the teaching.
I am also going to disagree with you saying that you don't learn anything while being a passenger. Yeah, you might not learn how to physically ride the bike, obviously, but you learn a great deal about what to expect as a rider. You can't be a passenger for a few seasons and go through all the obstacles that you might come across and never learn anything. There will always be something you will pick up.
I had to learn just like we all did, but I have never done the teaching.
I am also going to disagree with you saying that you don't learn anything while being a passenger. Yeah, you might not learn how to physically ride the bike, obviously, but you learn a great deal about what to expect as a rider. You can't be a passenger for a few seasons and go through all the obstacles that you might come across and never learn anything. There will always be something you will pick up.