Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: League City, TX
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
Did the same thing. Wife got the Yamaha 250 Virago after and rode the heck out of it. Kept up with us to 70 mph - then it ran out of steam. Moved up to a Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic. Put about 15k on it. Surprised her with the Heritage Softail Classic - that was really what she wanted to go to. Didn't lose too much on the starters after all and kept peace in the family.
If you push too hard, she'll quit and you'll be ridin' alone - IMHO!
If you push too hard, she'll quit and you'll be ridin' alone - IMHO!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 8
From: western Mass
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
I think the "it's her bike, let her decide what she wants, not what YOU want her to have" is the right answer! When my wife learned to ride 3 years ago; she asked for my advice........and asked lots of questions. (She rarely just accepts what anyone tells her just on faith!) I recommended a Sportster..........more specifically, and old iron head! She is 5' 4". The bike was cutom built for her. It was an 82 (if I remember correctly!). Lowered 3", she had no trouble handling the bike. I tookher to parking lots the first few times..........when she felt more comfortable, we hit the road. After only 4 months, she wanted more! We looked at the 1st new Street Bob the dealer had and bought it. She whips that thing around like nothing! Loves to scrape the pegs! lol......anyway, I've been riding 43 years now..........if you can ride a Sportster, you can ride anything! Oh yeah, she can handle my EGC just fine! We do swap rides once in awhile. I'm a believer in get what you're gonna end up on anyway and skip the bs!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
My wife has her course scheduled this month also.
She's not sure yet what bike she wants.
Probably a Classic, it's lower seat height is a factor.
We shall see.
She's not sure yet what bike she wants.
Probably a Classic, it's lower seat height is a factor.
We shall see.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 2
From: Naugatuck, CT
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
My wife did the riders course last year. I bought a cheap 2003 Yamaha V-star 650 for her. She has rode the hell out of it. The bike actually grew with her riding ability. She has just begun riding the Sporty we have, and she really feels comfy with it. I just sold the V star for $500 more then I purchased it for.
I believe thats the way to go
I believe thats the way to go
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 33
From: Lewisberry PA
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
I bought an 883 fora new rider. She found it too top heavy and was afraid to ride it. I would recommend that you get her riding anything and then look at a Dyna or something that is not too top heavy. If you really want the sporty, I'd look at the nightster which sits very close to the height of the 883. You may look better on the nighster over the 883.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
let your wife get the bike she wants. a sportster is not a good learner bike. (i know, my wife learned on one) if she wasn't so headstrong, she probably would not have kept up with it. sportsters are 'top heavy' and tend to like to fall. after i got my road king, it took her about 5 months to actually ride it, the mass of it intimidated her. but after she took that first ride, she had her own within a month. she feels that if she can ride a sportster, she could ride anything. the road king is way easier to ride. also, whatever you do, don't yell at her if she drops it. i know of a couple of women who won't ride because their husbands yelled at them for dropping their bike so their scared to even try now. at least with the rebel, if she drops it, you can both laugh it off.
what are you talking about? you do realize that the 1200 and the 883 are physically the same bike? so she would 'look' the same on the 1200 as she would on the 883. besides, there is nothing wrong with an 883. i rode mine for 4 years before the wife bought me my road king as a retirement gift. if she hadn't i would probably still have the sporty. i've ridden that thing for some pretty long distances and never had any problems. i could run 90 mph all day long with no complaints from the bike. your post just reeks of ignorance.
ORIGINAL: drrandall1
Forget the starter bike thing. Forget the 883 thing. At least get a sporster 1200. Or a lowrider. The 883 would be like the Dumb and Dumber moped going around the country. Dont waste her money.
Forget the starter bike thing. Forget the 883 thing. At least get a sporster 1200. Or a lowrider. The 883 would be like the Dumb and Dumber moped going around the country. Dont waste her money.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Onalaska, WI
RE: Wife is takin Basic Rider Course
I can only give you my opinion. My wife rode for many many miles on the back. Never mentioned learning to drive and I couldn't have cared less. Then, a woman she knew asked if she would take the rider course with her. She says "OK". Well. that was 80,000 miles and 4 bikesago. The first bike was what I call a learner. It was a 650 Yamaha Virago. Perfect bike for learning. I think way to many new riders make the mistake of getting a Sportster to learn on.They can be little bulldogs and are top heavy. Not to mention they ain't cheap. We laugh now about her sitting in the garage on the Virago andsaying to me, " it's too big!" After a summer of that bike it was, "it's too small!" Then it was a 04 rubber mounted Sportster that she put 28,000 on. Coast to coast,Nice bike! Then she went to a 06 Street Glide, and it was back to, "it's so big!" 30,000on that one.She now has a brand new 08 Street Glide with 43 miles on it.
Let me say this to all of you starting out with a new rider. Patience, patience , patience. You will be one of the most important parts of the journey. In the end you will be rewarded with being able to ride your own bike and look in the mirror and seethe smiling face of your significant other.
Let me say this to all of you starting out with a new rider. Patience, patience , patience. You will be one of the most important parts of the journey. In the end you will be rewarded with being able to ride your own bike and look in the mirror and seethe smiling face of your significant other.