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Teaching my wife to ride.

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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:56 PM
  #11  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

Sporsters are fun.
I personally reccomend everyone at least knowing how to ride a little bit before the Basic MSF. It makes it nicer knowing how the bike operates and you can focus more on the skills than the learning to ride.
 
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 03:11 PM
  #12  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

Two things to show: Practice emergency stopping from 20mph. A locked front brake feels the same at 80 and 20 so get her used to using the front brake and how hard she can apply if need be. Teach her countersteering and how you push on the bar the direction you want to go. I have met people that have driven motorcycles 20 years and still did not know how to steer the blessed thing. If you don't know how to steer it, it silently waits until someone pulls out in front of you and you go into what you are trying to avoid, or you go off the turn that suddenly became "too fast" when you got in the middle of it (they are turning the bars the wrong way). I taught these too things to a friend who had just bought a motorcycle. Less than a week later the emergency braking saved his life and the moron in the car who pulled out in front of him was mad at him (he stopped before hitting her)!
 
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 07:25 PM
  #13  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.








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I am signed up for cruiser day at the race track this May for more advanced training.
[/quote]
I just took the HD Experienced Rider's Course this weekend, it was fun but not much more difficult than the beginner's Riders Edge Course (except that we were on our own Harley's). What will you be doing on the "cruiser day" course at the race track, and how much do they charge for the course? Thanks.
 
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 11:26 PM
  #14  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

ORIGINAL: danmo

Sporsters are fun.
I personally reccomend everyone at least knowing how to ride a little bit before the Basic MSF. It makes it nicer knowing how the bike operates and you can focus more on the skills than the learning to ride.
I couldn't agree more. Repetition is key to learning. When she hears things I have already gone over it will reinforce those and she will be able to concentrate on anything I may have missed.
 
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 11:29 PM
  #15  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

ORIGINAL: wojeepster

Two things to show: Practice emergency stopping from 20mph. A locked front brake feels the same at 80 and 20 so get her used to using the front brake and how hard she can apply if need be. Teach her countersteering and how you push on the bar the direction you want to go. I have met people that have driven motorcycles 20 years and still did not know how to steer the blessed thing. If you don't know how to steer it, it silently waits until someone pulls out in front of you and you go into what you are trying to avoid, or you go off the turn that suddenly became "too fast" when you got in the middle of it (they are turning the bars the wrong way). I taught these too things to a friend who had just bought a motorcycle. Less than a week later the emergency braking saved his life and the moron in the car who pulled out in front of him was mad at him (he stopped before hitting her)!
Yes, I agree. I have been working with her on the "Slow, Look, Press, and Roll" technique, as well as having her practice emergency stops, swerves, proper procedure for changing lanes, etc.
 
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 11:46 PM
  #16  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

I am signed up for cruiser day at the race track this May for more advanced training.
ORIGINAL: Werbeck
I just took the HD Experienced Rider's Course this weekend, it was fun but not much more difficult than the beginner's Riders Edge Course (except that we were on our own Harley's). What will you be doing on the "cruiser day" course at the race track, and how much do they charge for the course? Thanks.
http://www.lstd.com/
The cost is $170 and includes an entire day of training and practice on the track. Where as most of the advanced courses focus on slow maneuvers, this class will focus on handling at higher speeds on various curves, as well as emergency maneuvers. Full face helmet and leathers are required as well as taping up lights.

The Top Gun Motorcycle School in Louisiana that I took last summer was great and very different from the MSF. Mostly focused on slow turns but also emergency stops and ways to handle the bike if you find yourself going into a curve too hot. http://www.wellscornette.com/page/page/2985738.htm
 
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 05:46 AM
  #17  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

I need to take the Riding Course myself, I am thinking of buying these Videos for further practice, Ride Like a Pro, I hear they are Good -
www.ridelikeapro.com
 
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 08:10 AM
  #18  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

ORIGINAL: nolafishr

I need to take the Riding Course myself, I am thinking of buying these Videos for further practice, Ride Like a Pro, I hear they are Good -
www.ridelikeapro.com
The course is great and a lot of fun and well worth the time and money.

I think the videos you mentioned are very good too. You would probably get more out of them after the course anda couple thousand miles ofregular riding experiencethough (I don't know how much you ride now).I have not seen the videos but I believe theconcepts in the videos are more advanced than the MSF. The guy who does them is a member on the board.
 
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 09:21 PM
  #19  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

Dawn is on the slow track to riding her own,she wants to but is very skidish,we have a nice place for her to practice and she will coast around nice but she will not twist the throttle. She loved her 883H I gave her for her B-day but she didn't like holding it up so she is learning on my Shadow (lighter & lower) She also talks about riding her own. It's going to happen soon cause' I'm ready to take my couch of my bike. (Sundowner/ wide backrest)
 
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 10:20 PM
  #20  
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Default RE: Teaching my wife to ride.

ORIGINAL: twisty571

Dawn is on the slow track to riding her own,she wants to but is very skidish,we have a nice place for her to practice and she will coast around nice but she will not twist the throttle. She loved her 883H I gave her for her B-day but she didn't like holding it up so she is learning on my Shadow (lighter & lower) She also talks about riding her own. It's going to happen soon cause' I'm ready to take my couch of my bike. (Sundowner/ wide backrest)
Maybe taking off that comfy seat and backrest will help motivate her to speed things up.
 
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