Need help. GF taking up riding.......
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: New Brunswick
Need help. GF taking up riding.......
So....rather than make the same mistake others have made...I thought I would pose this question. Would have posted directly to the ladies but apparently I'm not allowed....
Looking to start my GF on her first bike. She is 5'3", 130lbs and extremely fit. Wondering what others in that size range have started on?
**No guys...I don't have any pics...lol
Looking to start my GF on her first bike. She is 5'3", 130lbs and extremely fit. Wondering what others in that size range have started on?
**No guys...I don't have any pics...lol
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 351
From: MO
When my ex wanted to start riding, we bought her a used, beat up Honda 250 Rebel as a learner bike. We made numerous trips to a large church parking lot where I taught her the basics. Of course, she dumped it several times at low speed. She then took the MSF course, and when she completed that, I sold the Rebel and bought her the new bike of her choice.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Richmond,VA
Have you taken her in to a dealer or two? See what kind of style she likes, have her sit on a few bikes. I kept having mine sit on some smaller bikes that I thought she could handle. She then walked over and sat on a RK and has been sold on it since. Big or small, handling a cruiser is just a matter of confidence. If thats what she feels comfortable on, no reason she couldn't.
Try it, she might surprise you.
Try it, she might surprise you.
She took the MSF course, started out on a Wide Glide, was scared to death as it was just to big and intimidating as she later admitted. She hated to ride it.
Bought her a 650 custom Yam. Great little bike, balanced well for her and very low. Just enough power for her and she's not intimidated by it. She now has a great deal of confidence in her riding. Hoping to move her up again one day. If she doesn't that's cool too.
Big mistake I made was thinking she would like to ride like I do, every time it's not pouring. She doesn't, stars have to aligned just right, mids 70's to low 80's, all the other factors I really haeven't figured out yet. Now I don't bust on her for not riding it, I just appreciate the times she does, or says I'll ride with you or go ahead, I'll just stay here.
Bought her a 650 custom Yam. Great little bike, balanced well for her and very low. Just enough power for her and she's not intimidated by it. She now has a great deal of confidence in her riding. Hoping to move her up again one day. If she doesn't that's cool too.
Big mistake I made was thinking she would like to ride like I do, every time it's not pouring. She doesn't, stars have to aligned just right, mids 70's to low 80's, all the other factors I really haeven't figured out yet. Now I don't bust on her for not riding it, I just appreciate the times she does, or says I'll ride with you or go ahead, I'll just stay here.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
My girlfriend started on a buell blast (same bike she use at the riders edge course). Rode that for about a year and then she got a Sportster. Worked out well for her, but when my wife found out I was taking a bunch of bike trips with my girlfriend - well let's just say it got messy for a while. Worked out well in the long run. Girlfriend is now my wife and life is good. I would suggest a first bike that will not get her all upset if it gets banged up a little. Something cheap.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Small light bike like the fore mentioned Honda Rebel and lots of practice in a parking lot. Have her just practice working the throttle and brakes without the bike running to familiarize herself with how they feel. I have seen too many videos of people that are just learning to ride freak out and grab a bunch of throttle. And then the MSF course. Might even be worth buying a minibike to start off on. That's how I learned some 40 years ago.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
Like others have said
!. MSF course
2. Cheap bike she can gain confidence on and no bigggie if dropped
Then the bike of her choice once she feels confident.
MY GF did the same and now "looking " at a Dyna. Maybe next year
I'm impatient, so be cool and don't rush...... calm
!. MSF course
2. Cheap bike she can gain confidence on and no bigggie if dropped
Then the bike of her choice once she feels confident.
MY GF did the same and now "looking " at a Dyna. Maybe next year
I'm impatient, so be cool and don't rush...... calm
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 2
From: South County, CA.
Same song here; Wife's 5' Put her on a used Virago 250, taught her the basics in parking lots, Sent her through the MSF Course, (And Also bought Ride Like A Pro) Then when she was comfortable riding, moved her into her Sportster.
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