 She popped The Question....
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Well, Maureen, my trusty passenger in good weather and bad has enjoyed cruising on my '09 America so much that she asked me to teach her to drive Cory herself. I'm trying not to panic, but I'm not sure how to go about putting my new Triumph under a new driver. I know some of you have done this, and I need a little help with the details. What say you, boys?
University of Da Nang
Class of '68
In the End, the Captain stands alone...
" Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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A Triumph cruiser is too heavy for most beginners, could break a leg, should work for now...
...but by all means, consider a used 250 Ninja or Honda to learn on.
Another school of thought offered by a Total Control Advanced Riding Course instructor when I asked about my wife starting out - before buying a bike, a beginner might consider taking the course with bike provided by the course. Some decide it's not for them, and don't get stuck holding a title and the associated depreciation. As a plus, your bike doesn't get subjected to a scratch & drop fest.
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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+1. Have her take the basic course on their bike and go from there. There were several people in the course I took that were first-time riders and not all of them are motorcyclists today. Men and women.
More flags
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Teach her on this: $899 located in Forked River NJ (866)599-4150 Found on Cycletrader.com 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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I agree with the MSF, best part is they supply the bike for her to drop the first time if she does. Wendy jumped right on her BA then and I kept her in the yard and then some close back roads while I followed to tell her what mistakes she was making. Once we got that pretty much down we started just riding all over with me behind to help instruct.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: May 2007
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Yippie , I get to ride tomorrow with a few buds and this one bud got his wife a Sportster 1200 to LEARN on ! What's he thinkin' ? I'm gonna be WAY away from him and her . My sweetie rides a 1200 but only after she mastered her little wee Virago 250 . (that's the coolest little bike).
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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After MSF school, my wife got a Suzuki 250 to learn on-that was last year. Did great and now she's on an 09 Bonneville. She said in retrospect that was the proper way to go.
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Quote:
Yippie , I get to ride tomorrow with a few buds and this one bud got his wife a Sportster 1200 to LEARN on ! What's he thinkin' ? I'm gonna be WAY away from him and her . My sweetie rides a 1200 but only after she mastered her little wee Virago 250 . (that's the coolest little bike).
A Harley buddy of mine let his wife get a V-Rod for her first bike and then MSF course. To say the least she does not ride any more.
Kendall
"When you drink the water, remember the man who dug the well." Chinese proverb
2008 America Pacific/Aegean blue w/long slash cut TOR's, and stock carbs rejetted.
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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My first bike (yes I am a girl) was a 1984 Suzuki Katana 650 in 1985 - after I took the MSF class and had my licesne endorcement. I absolutely agree, your wife should take the MSF course first, then go select a bike SHE will be comfortable on - have her sit on a bunch of stuff at least, pick it up off the kickstand see how it feels. In retrospect, maybe my first bike shouldn't have been a 650 crotch rocket - but for me it worked out. I am still riding! You may not want her to ride your BA until she is competent. I don't think I would let mey boyfriend ride mine if he were a new rider!
I did drop the Katana the first time I rode it!! And it was in a parking lot where I was practicing. My boyfriend picked it up and made me ride it home! (sorta like getting on a horse after it throws you - and yes I have done that more times than I can count) After my severly bruised rib healed a week or 2 I was back on it. When I went down I was trying to park next to his car and realized the kickstand was on the downhill so went to go to the other side and didn't give it enough throttle and fell into the car bumper. I did drop that bike a few more times (gravel driveway and a pot hole at a stop sign), but those times I picked it up and continued on. I rode the Katana for a couple years until other things in my life intervene into my riding.
I retook the MSF basic course in 2001 (having not been riding for over 12 years)and bought my BA in January 2002. It now has 36K miles on it. I have had some close calls but no major damage to me or the bike. I also ride (don't hate me!) a 2008 Harley Road King and have dropped it once, grabbing the front brake with the fork turned on a hill. No damage except my ego - did it in front of a full restaurant and a group of my riding friends.
On both bikes I get complements about my riding skills. But I think that is just lots of time in the saddle for me, and my determination to ride well. I don't practice as much as I should, but try to recall all the training I have had everytime I ride. I never really had unofficial training from a boyfriend or husband - not sure that would have worked for me (something about being competitive, and not taking instruction/critism well from people close to me (my mom had to get me sewing lessons as I could not/would not let her teach me). Probably could have taken such instruction from my dad (he did teach me to drive a car, but his temperment is different than mine) had I given him much chance which I didn't. I didn't tell them I was buying my first bike or even that I was taking the class until after it was a done deal!
So hopefully your wife will enjoy her own ride - let her figure that out in the MSF class - and then enjoy your time riding as 2 bikes!!! I have enjoyed a new adventure in riding the last year or so - now that I have a boyfriend who rides too - its fun riding just the 2 of us!!!!
Becky
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Some perspective. My BA is/was MY first bike. Got it delivered. Next day took it down the block. Dropped it trying to turn around. It sat for the rest of the winter till I took the MSF course in April. THEN I took it out again and went around the block a bunch, etc. So unless your wife is bigger than 6', 250, I think maybe she should start smaller  At the VERY least, take the MSF course to get a feel. Only bad part is you fail if you drop it...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Thanks to everyone for sharing your info. I have pulled up the MSF site and will go from there. Much obliged.
University of Da Nang
Class of '68
In the End, the Captain stands alone...
" Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Don't know about NJ, but in PA when you pass the MSF basic rider's course, you get your license endorsement that day. And it's free in PA.
More flags
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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In keeping with the pervasive Star Trek theme...
Dreams of Avarice.
Being in the ambitious stage of life, dreams are a good thing. the reality is a stage of post pleasure. Word your desire for her choice of a first motorsickle in terms of ambition and not the final passion. Who wouldn't want the epitome of modern power? Be consistent in supporting her passion while fueling her ardor. Say yes a lot...with loving sincere caveats. Never say no.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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on a moe level, Does she ride a bicycle? Has see ever? Yes? Good. No? not so good. Yes: Samuel Johnson "The Great Cham of Literature" regarding Dreams of Avarice, er see above post. No: Get a couple of mountain bicycles and ride together. Then entertain thoughts of a motorsickle. Why? You'll be able to observe her spacial intuition while she is in action. Which will afford you the words you will use to discuss her two wheel desires. Mountain biking is great fun and a great way to intimately ride.  in public. Good luck.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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There would be no way I would allow a newbie to take a spin on a BA or Speedy. These are high performance machines and require an experienced rider. I have an 07 Speedy and it has more power than I can use. It has an excellent ride but at low speed in turns it wants to dump to the left. It has thrown me a couple of times at 1 or 2 mph when I was not looking towards where I wanted to go and was looking at the front tire.
It will out accelerate most 4 wheelers and get you into trouble real easy if you lose your focus and a newbie will be a disaster on a BA or Speedie. Let them get a 250 CC bike to get started on and learn the required skills and take the MSF courses and then move up to a Triumph.
Trying to short circuit this course would be a disservice to anyone you have feelings for.
Last edited by DanCorrigan; 05/15/2009 12:40 PM.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Thanks to everyone for sharing your info. I have pulled up the MSF site and will go from there. Much obliged.
man that's great she wants to ride! My wife decided she want to as well. Start small!
I got my wife a little v-twin 250, and signed her up for the MSF course right away.
She and I ride together a little more every weekend now.
Keep in mind, the reason your girl wants to ride is she has an experienced rider to help her enjoy it. If you dropped your bike while she was on it, she wouldn't have any interest.
Have a look at this short video series about Stephanie:
http://ridelikeapro.com/html/videos.htm
Excellent stuff.
Clay
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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I was just re-reading this thread..... First - make sure the bike FITS her - even if that means lowering, changing the bars (including wiring), hands fit the brake and clutch lever (there are things that can be done for small hands that doesn't affect performance). I changed the bars on my America w/in a month of purchase. I did the same on the Road King, and lowered it before I even picked it up! Second - let her, make her practice. Parking lots and riding the same road LOTS. I have a couple roads with curves and hills that I ride over and over for practice - still to this day. She's going to want to keep up with you, but really, really encourage the "ride your own ride" theory and don't push her to go faster or farther than she is willing. (I relearned that at the SWTF this year - I can't keep up with Dwight and BigBill and shouldn't even try - its outside my comfort zone - but that is OK!) The other thing I notice here - all you guys say get her something small to start on - how many of you did that and how many of you went out and bought your first bike as big as possible or the America is your first bike? (except those that started as kids)? This triumph does have lots of power, but she's going to be very bored very quickly riding only on the side streets on a little 250. I wouldn't get on a major road on such a little bike -I want the power to MOVE when necessary. Why is it different cause she's a girl!?!? Let her chose her first bike! Anyway, off my soapbox  Becky
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
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All valid points Becky. My sister wants to learn to ride and I'm just letting her move through her comfort zone on her own. She is very intimidated by my BA but loves to try new things on my 81 CB125. All she wants is to putt around town anyway... sort of a scooter type usage.
And I dig what you said about "ride your own ride." Personally I like to ride alone. Too many times have I been with others that want to push the envelope for that speed rush. Me? Too old for that and love the scenery I ride in... so I just take it easy and soak up all the sensations when riding.
Back to my sister... I take her out on the pillion from time to time and we go for the whole day sometimes. She's learning that the 'idea' and 'reality' of riding a bike can often be two separate things.
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Just for my 2 cents worth.... Definately agree on the MSF!!! And then if she wants to ride a cruiser, then start on a 250 something, honda rebel, or other!!! My wife started on a rebel before we met and within 2 weeks was upgrading to, well, ok, maybe not necessarily an upgrade LOL, but got a 1200 custom Sporty.... Then after that shook the crap out of her for a couple of years she got herself an 06 America.... Now on the other side of the coin, there is a lady that we ride with in a local group, she road on the back for many years, then decided to take the class, and as soon as she got done with the class, she bought a VTX1300..... Wayyyyyy too big for her.... I dont know how well she did in the course, but she definately got way too big of a bike or should be giving up riding her own permanently before she hurts herself or someone else... She has actually stopped in the middle of some 15 mph corners and walked the bike cuz she gets so freaked out in the twisties..... And she has been riding now for about a year on her own.....
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Why is it different cause she's a girl!?!? Let her chose her first bike!
Anyway, off my soapbox  Becky
It's no different.... I can out ride some of the blokes I ride with, but not some of the others. I'm still relatively new at this riding lark, but it's in the blood. (when I was in Oz, I met up with Matt - Sandmann - and Stewart - SRS - and some of their riding mates. One of them - I felt anyway - expected me to ride like a girl. half hour later, he was put right.) My 03 was my first big bike. Due to the way things are different over here, I had a year on my 125. Pass the test, and got her.
I think what I'm trying to say is it'll be her choice. Pressure her into a small one and she'll get a big one behind your back. Get her to get a big one and she could be scared of it and never ride it.
But that's the advice I'd give any new rider - bloke or girl.
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Quote:
how many of you did that and how many of you went out and bought your first bike as big as possible or the America is your first bike? (except those that started as kids)? This triumph does have lots of power, but she's going to be very bored very quickly riding only on the side streets on a little 250. I wouldn't get on a major road on such a little bike -I want the power to MOVE when necessary. Why is it different cause she's a girl!?!? Let her chose her first bike!
Anyway, off my soapbox  Becky
I started with a 350 Yamaha when I was 20. So yes, I did start small. When you are ready then move up. It has nothing to do with being a "girl". I would give the same advice to any new rider, male or female. When I started riding the old biker adage was, don't ride anything you can't pick up yourself. It is as true today as it was 35 years ago. I can barely manage to get my 500lb TBA up when it is on it's side. That's why I am leary about buying a 700lb Rocket or a 680lb. Thunderbird. Also I agree you must ride in your own comfort zone. There are many here I can't keep up with, Gina sounds like one of them. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Let's be honest here. Does anyone really want to drop and damage a new bike they are making payments on? For a first bike, an old piece of crap bike that runs is just fine for learning, and if it hits the pavement, either straighten it out or throw it away. Plus, the Jap bikes from the 80's are plentiful, very light for the cc's, run almost as reliably now as they did new, and parts are still available either from dealers or ebay and other online sources. Ride it, learn, move up to a nice bike. Or decide riding isn't your thing, but only be out a few hundred maybe a thousand bucks.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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 Re: She popped The Question....
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My first bike was a HD Topper 2 stroke scooter. It had a 185cc engine that you started with a rope. I ran the crap out of that thing and it was bullet proof. That was back in '62 and my newphews and grandnewphews are still beating up that scooter off road in upstate NY.
I then moved up to a 441 BSA Vickers single cylinder. That was a real motorcycle. Along came a few 500 and 650 cc BSA's and finally Triumph Bonneville 750 in 1980.
Then I encumbered myself with two wives who did not like bikes. Last year I got rid of the last stale mate and I now ride a 07 Speedmaster and I love it. If I had started out on the Speedy or the Triumph it would have not worked out.
Even this bike rose up to bite me last year and I just went through surgery to correct the broken fibula which had never healed properly since the crash.
07 Speedmstr, Long Tors, bags, sissy bar and rack, windshield, engine bars, 2 ww lights, 2 fast eddy stickers and a .45 ACP.
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