gf
05-13-2009, 03:05 PM
#3
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 1,548
agree. if she has a lot of power-bike experience (dirt etc) that's one thing. If not, be really careful. Its a lot of bike for a newbie
05-13-2009, 03:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 2,188
05-13-2009, 03:09 PM
#5
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Central Fl.
Posts: 530
I am experiencing a curious mixture of jealousy, envy, anxiety and fear. Long distance.
In the pre-cambrian era, my girlfriend (now wife of 22 years) attempted to ride a motorcycle with cataclysmic results. I've ridden mono-posto now for decades while nurturing a fantasy of a moto-babe to ride with.
Good for you, and her. Having toured the maritimes I have an abiding appreciation of them Canadian wimmens. Any progress in the split caused by the Quebecers and that talk about Newfoundland, PEI and N.B. joining up with the 'States?
In the pre-cambrian era, my girlfriend (now wife of 22 years) attempted to ride a motorcycle with cataclysmic results. I've ridden mono-posto now for decades while nurturing a fantasy of a moto-babe to ride with.
Good for you, and her. Having toured the maritimes I have an abiding appreciation of them Canadian wimmens. Any progress in the split caused by the Quebecers and that talk about Newfoundland, PEI and N.B. joining up with the 'States?
05-13-2009, 05:50 PM
#7
Senior Member
SuperBike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: moncton nb canada
Posts: 1,269
well guys, i have to tell you that i was not in favor of this motorcycle career for my lady. she is timid and not aggressive enough for riding. so, i worry a lot about this. i wish she didn't get into it. hopefully she will get this together and do well, or quit before she hurts herself.
tonight she was ok. she took her time and i did my best to give her space and support. she had a hard time turning at stop signs.
yes, this is her first bike. it's lots of bike but she isn't a 22 year old looking for thrills. she's got the maturity to handle the power and performance. as for physically handling the bike, she is ok, a bit shaky, but she's concentrating and paying close attention.
wish us luck.
tonight she was ok. she took her time and i did my best to give her space and support. she had a hard time turning at stop signs.
yes, this is her first bike. it's lots of bike but she isn't a 22 year old looking for thrills. she's got the maturity to handle the power and performance. as for physically handling the bike, she is ok, a bit shaky, but she's concentrating and paying close attention.
wish us luck.
05-13-2009, 05:56 PM
#8
Senior Member
SuperBike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: moncton nb canada
Posts: 1,269
quebec. they really should separate from canada. they are definitely not like the rest of canada. they are way out there in just about every aspect of life.
as for atlantic canada joining the usa, that would be fine by me. probably help us a lot. would america take us???!!!! we're a drain!!!
as for atlantic canada joining the usa, that would be fine by me. probably help us a lot. would america take us???!!!! we're a drain!!!
05-13-2009, 05:57 PM
#9
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 3,451
My wife's been riding for 4 years now with 22,000 street miles. Her current bike is an '07 SV650S, and she still doesn't want to ride my bike even though I've encouraged it lately.
Did your gf take the MSF course?
I might add that it's great having your significant other as a riding partner. Especially when she says "let's go for a canyon ride today".
Did your gf take the MSF course?
I might add that it's great having your significant other as a riding partner. Especially when she says "let's go for a canyon ride today".
Last edited by VTRsurfer; 05-13-2009 at 06:05 PM.
05-13-2009, 06:27 PM
#11
Senior Member
SuperBike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: moncton nb canada
Posts: 1,269
yes, my ex had an sv650s. she very quickly got things together. within a month or so i was totally comfortable with her taking my gix1000.
my gf now though, she's a different character. she's a bit timid and i am nervous. you're right, it's the weight and physical size of the bike that makes me nervous.
we are actually looking at a third bike. something small and cheap for her to cut her teeth on. going to look at a suzuki 550.
my gf now though, she's a different character. she's a bit timid and i am nervous. you're right, it's the weight and physical size of the bike that makes me nervous.
we are actually looking at a third bike. something small and cheap for her to cut her teeth on. going to look at a suzuki 550.
05-13-2009, 06:44 PM
#12
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: altoona, pa
Posts: 2,934
[QUOTE=finepooch;216460] she had a hard time turning at stop signs.
a couple things that helped my daughter turning from a stop:
use the rear brake to control speed when turning from a stop and turn your head to look where you want the bike to go. you can even face your body into the turn a bit to get more comfortable with the lean. it's an important skill to master as we all know.
It helps to practice turning in a parking lot.
a couple things that helped my daughter turning from a stop:
use the rear brake to control speed when turning from a stop and turn your head to look where you want the bike to go. you can even face your body into the turn a bit to get more comfortable with the lean. it's an important skill to master as we all know.
It helps to practice turning in a parking lot.
05-13-2009, 06:50 PM
#14
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 987
05-13-2009, 06:56 PM
#15
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 3,451
05-13-2009, 07:00 PM
#16
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 987
Ack, btdt. That bike was a huge POS, I was glad to see her get rid of it. I remember trying to hit 75mph on that thing in full tuck. They claim that makes it rideable on the freeway, but damn, if you have no ability to accelerate, you're dead meat.
Didn't help that the previous owner didn't take care of it... but honestly, why would you? LOL.
Didn't help that the previous owner didn't take care of it... but honestly, why would you? LOL.
05-13-2009, 11:09 PM
#19
guru of things sparky
SuperSport
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Grand Prairie , Texas
Posts: 599
If she doesnt understand countersteering yet, explain it to her. Save her life.
Turn the bars left- the bike leans and turns right, vice versa.
Im still amazed at guys who are career hardley riders and quite a few other sport bike riders as well that still try to balance the bike while riding.
Just amazing.
Turn the bars left- the bike leans and turns right, vice versa.
Im still amazed at guys who are career hardley riders and quite a few other sport bike riders as well that still try to balance the bike while riding.
Just amazing.
05-14-2009, 02:33 AM
#20
MSF RiderCoach
Back Marker
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 170
When you countersteer you are not "turning" the bars. You push out and down on the bar in the direction you want to go. Push left, go left. Push right, go right. Countersteering starts to take effect at around 12-15 mph. Its one of the first lessons we teach...
Oh, and my girl rides, too. She's also a RiderCoach and these are hers...
Except...she just swapped the 600RR for a new 1000RR...
She cleans and wrenches on them, too. I'm a happy guy...
Oh, and my girl rides, too. She's also a RiderCoach and these are hers...
Except...she just swapped the 600RR for a new 1000RR...
She cleans and wrenches on them, too. I'm a happy guy...
Last edited by radbikers; 05-14-2009 at 02:43 AM.
05-14-2009, 06:14 AM
#21
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 243
my g/f has a 2007 ZZR250, picked it up end of last season and shes still very timid on it... i worry sometimes because she doesnt have enough experience to do something in an emergency situation...
but i take her to parking lots and practice practice practice...i'm teaching her threshold braking and what a locked up rear tire feels like so she doesnt panic. long way to go, but shes a good learner.
funny enough, she bought and had this bike before she met me...i had no influence in her decision to start riding.
but i take her to parking lots and practice practice practice...i'm teaching her threshold braking and what a locked up rear tire feels like so she doesnt panic. long way to go, but shes a good learner.
funny enough, she bought and had this bike before she met me...i had no influence in her decision to start riding.
05-14-2009, 07:23 AM
#22
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 987
Me and mine started riding together actually! Both of us had been secretly thinging about it and then after we talked decided to take the MSF course at the same time. That was about 50 canyon rides and a few long distance touring rides ago!
Probably will ride out to vegas this weekend as well.
I've even ridden on the back of hers a few times.
I'm still trying to get her to use it for commuting more, my superhawk sees more duty than my two cars combined.
Probably will ride out to vegas this weekend as well.
I've even ridden on the back of hers a few times.
I'm still trying to get her to use it for commuting more, my superhawk sees more duty than my two cars combined.
05-14-2009, 09:20 AM
#23
Duc Hawk
SuperSport
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Malibu's canyons
Posts: 691
I recommend the Hawk GT for the ladies. Perfect balance with a low CG and power delivery like our bikes. It doesn't have enough power to blast away or wheelie with a accidental wrist slip. Also no plastic to smash on a drop either.
05-14-2009, 02:25 PM
#24
guru of things sparky
SuperSport
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Grand Prairie , Texas
Posts: 599
I prefer to tell it like it is, that way the people fully understand .
The bike steers opposite the direction of the handlebar, period.
probably the single most important thing to understand when riding.
And how do so many get by not learning this? That is my point.
I gave my girl my well preserved 87 CBR-600 F1 hurricane.
Its mild enough for her to train with, with plenty to go for when she gets comfortable.
05-14-2009, 08:18 PM
#26
guru of things sparky
SuperSport
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Grand Prairie , Texas
Posts: 599
Our policy used to be- IF they cant ride the XR-80, we demote them to the Z-50 or maybe the NQ-50.
If she isnt ready for an XR-80 beware with the VTR.
You have a big insurance policy on her?
If she isnt ready for an XR-80 beware with the VTR.
You have a big insurance policy on her?
05-16-2009, 08:01 AM
#27
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 210
+1 - great choice. I still miss mine years later.
05-16-2009, 08:04 AM
#28
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 210
Wow, this has to be tough.
I'm going through the same thing with my son. It's dirtbikes, and I want to share the fun with him of riding and camping. But I KNOW if it gets in his blood (it will), that he'll end up riding on the street when he's older.................
Scary stuff for a parent.
I'm going through the same thing with my son. It's dirtbikes, and I want to share the fun with him of riding and camping. But I KNOW if it gets in his blood (it will), that he'll end up riding on the street when he's older.................
Scary stuff for a parent.
05-16-2009, 08:25 AM
#30
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Muskego,WI
Posts: 388
When I was 16 my parents bought me a 1987 Hurricane... scared the crap out of them but with proper training and time everyone can do it...
We all hard to start somewhere and with time she will be fine.
We all hard to start somewhere and with time she will be fine.
