The wife's first ride solo
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: New Braunfels, TX
RE: The wife's first ride solo
i recently completed the Rider's Edge course and this weekend in picked up my '04 RK Custom. i took it out yesterday for my first time. i went with my father-in-law who is a very experienced rider.
we headed out on some low-traffic county roads with me in the lead -- that way he could watch my cornering and basic riding "skills". we did this for 30-45 minutes, then we stopped and he told me about some things that he saw in my riding - then he took the lead like the Rider's Edge says and i followed the rest of the day with him occesionally checking on me. a couple of times i took the lead on more open roads - then he'd take the lead back. we rode for a couple of hours. it was REALLY windy - which made it "fun" too.
until the Rider's Edge course - i had never ridden a bike on pavement before. hell, i hadn't ridden one on dirt but TWICE and that was in about 1983 or 1984 -- which i didn't even count when they asked me if i had ridden before. LOL!
anyway - i had wanted to ride and get a bike for years, but life always got in the way. now i'm in a position where i can afford a nice bike and afford the time to ride it. i have a good group of riding buddies already in place - so that helps. i can't wait to get back on the bike and put some more miles behind me. all i could think when i was riding was, "Why didn't you do this years ago?" - it was so exhillerating and relaxing at the same time. it is hard to explain, but everyone who rides knows what i mean.
so .. congrats to your wife. i know how cool it is to get out there for the first time and begin what i know will be a lifelong "addiction" - i think it is truly life-changing, but that is just my opinion.
we headed out on some low-traffic county roads with me in the lead -- that way he could watch my cornering and basic riding "skills". we did this for 30-45 minutes, then we stopped and he told me about some things that he saw in my riding - then he took the lead like the Rider's Edge says and i followed the rest of the day with him occesionally checking on me. a couple of times i took the lead on more open roads - then he'd take the lead back. we rode for a couple of hours. it was REALLY windy - which made it "fun" too.
until the Rider's Edge course - i had never ridden a bike on pavement before. hell, i hadn't ridden one on dirt but TWICE and that was in about 1983 or 1984 -- which i didn't even count when they asked me if i had ridden before. LOL!
anyway - i had wanted to ride and get a bike for years, but life always got in the way. now i'm in a position where i can afford a nice bike and afford the time to ride it. i have a good group of riding buddies already in place - so that helps. i can't wait to get back on the bike and put some more miles behind me. all i could think when i was riding was, "Why didn't you do this years ago?" - it was so exhillerating and relaxing at the same time. it is hard to explain, but everyone who rides knows what i mean.
so .. congrats to your wife. i know how cool it is to get out there for the first time and begin what i know will be a lifelong "addiction" - i think it is truly life-changing, but that is just my opinion.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From:
RE: The wife's first ride solo
It was her idea to ride, I really feel more comfortale with her on the back of mine. This is something she really wants to do, I am proud of her, she is 33 and other than steering one she has only ridden on the back. She has really payed attention, she was at the top of her class. She got her bike in November and we have been doing parking lot rides and around the neighborhood until she passed her course. It would be fine with me if she wanted to sell it tommorow, if not I have a lifelong riding partner on her own bike instaed the back of mine. One thing about it the bug has bitten her too, I can buy anything I want for mine or go to a rally anywhere and she is always with me and never says a word. I am a lucky man! In fact my bike was a Christmas present this past year.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Tidewater
RE: The wife's first ride solo
Ride safe. My wife has been bitten and is taking a MSF course this month. I am taking it with her and fully expect she will want to go ashopping for a bike next month. Thank God for good women, mine was also a present, for my birthday.\
Mike
Mike
RE: The wife's first ride solo
Congrats to your wife and I feel your pain bro. My wife has been riding her own for 2 years now and it drives me crazy worrying about her but what can I say, its her choice to ride her own and I respect that but it still makes me nervous and it dont get easier either over time.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From:
RE: The wife's first ride solo
BADX, nice ride you got there, I have a friend his wife has 8k and a few years and he still worries. I have another who is an instructor for the course he has not even turned his wife loose yet. I think I am going to put her upfront and see hoow that works out, thanks for all the advise!
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
RE: The wife's first ride solo
Congrats to her.. Know it takes a lot for a LADY to sit on one much less to ride it. Keep the nerve up and things will get better for the both of you.. There are times that I which mine would but I would be afraid of the other guy.. But that is all part of riding..
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,187
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From:
RE: The wife's first ride solo
Big Props to a new Motorcycle Mama! My GF is studying for the test now, and is going to spend some time on a 250 Nighthawk... If she is still itching for more, I think that will be a perfect excuse to buy a Sportster 1200r.... But wait, do I really need an excuse?