motorcycles??

[CyclChyk]

Any "biker" babes out there? And by this I am referring to bikes with engines......

my DH is an avid "biker" and hates riding double so I am taking a motorcycle safety beginners class this weekend (have only ever "driven" a moped) to see if I can handle a bike........... I really want a Harley 883L Sportster.......
If I suck they will kick me out of the class, no refund, and I will be forced to give up all hope.

I am hoping I don't suck........

Anyone out there who can share their personal experiences to boost my confidence??? Offer insight??

Thanks in advance.

[Pax]

I've had a bike since 1972, it was my primary ride to High School. Riding motorcycles has always been a passion of mine and I take several long (1000-1500 mile) solo trips every year.

If you want to share your DH's passion then there is no better place to start than The Class. Don't worry about being a newbie, everyone in the class is new and clueless and the curriculum is designed with that fact in mind. The fact that you regularly ride a bicycle will be a huge asset as well. Good luck and enjoy yourself, if you have any specific questions feel free to give me a shout.

[postiechic]

yep...I ride a motorbike
advice?........don't crash - it hurts!
and it wrecks your bike

V...

[horsemom]

Hi! I am just getting into motorbikes (at 46-yikes!!). My DH has put up with my horse racing for 16 years (he is a vet, so it wasn't too much of a stretch) and now he mtbikes with me, but HE really wanted to get back into motorcycles, so I am being a good sport! Actually, I am looking forward to it, and will take the beginner course in May. He bought a dual sport bike (Kawasaki KLR 650) and I am looking for the same type, but smaller. Being dual sports, they can go on and off road, and that is part of the allure for me. I wouldn't be happy just going down the pavement.

We thought we would put the motorbikes and mtbikes on the horse trailer when we go to big races (10 days/500 miles on the Santa Fe Trail in Sept) and then we could get out on non race days and explore.

This getting older with less responsibilities (kiddo just graduated college) is starting to grow on me!!!

Laura

[Bad JuJu]

Hey CyclChyk--I took the class in November and bought my bike in December. I'm in the same situation as you--DH loves riding his motorcycle, but neither one of us wanted me riding on the back with him. But if he was going to ride as much as he wanted to, I was going to have to be involved somehow.

The class was great--an excellent way to find out whether you're even going to like riding your own bike. My main tip is to pay attention to your coaches--some of the instructions they give may sound counterintuitive, but they work! But probably the more important thing is to make sure you're rested up for the Saturday and Sunday classes--we were on those bikes most of the day, both days, and I was beat by the end. Also, don't be afraid of a little speed. There were a couple of women who dropped out of the class because they never could get themselves to move out of first gear. I don't think we went much past second gear, but certainly you've got to be able to go beyond first. And after you finish the class and get your bike, be prepared to spend lots of time riding around the neighborhood practicing starts and stops and turns.

And just for you, here's my embarrassing story: the first time we'd been on the bikes, then got off, I forgot to put the kickstand down and the bike fell over on me. The only thing that got hurt was my pride, but I sure did learn to put that @#$% kickstand down. The coach was cool--she said now I'd got that over with, the rest would be easy!

I had wanted the 883L Sportster also, but read some reviews that suggested it was top-heavy and therefore maybe not the best choice for new riders. On the showroom floor, I found it very comfortable, as far as height, handlebar reach, and placement of controls. And it sure is HOT! But in the end, I opted for a used Suzuki Intruder 800, which is very similar to the Harley in styling, but with lower center of gravity and ... several thousand dollars lighter in the price tag. OTOH, the Sportster might be just right for you. It might be just right for me, too, in a couple of years, but not yet.

Right now we're planning for my first big ride--to Thunder Beach in Panama City, FL.

Anyway, enjoy the class, and keep us posted on your progress and what bike you end up getting!

[CyclChyk]

Thanks Ladies for all the words of wisdom and encouragement.

This class will determine whether or not I can do this. The ONE requirement is that you know how to ride a bicycle. My DH thinks I may as well give up now being as often as I seem to crash on my bike. I'll show him!!

He thinks if all this goes to fruition I should get a Honda Rebel - I think an older Sportster would be just fine. As much as I drool over the new Sportster I can't see putting in the expense when I am such a novice. However I can get an older one for a fairly decent price. What I like best is that HD's keep their resale value whereas all the others don't. (Besides, he just got a new HD Night Train all decked out so anything I buy would be chump change).

And thats provided I DON'T flunk out................ My classroom part is tomorrow night, and then Sat & Sun will be the riding portion. I will keep you posted.

And thanks JUJU for the advise on the kickstand. I'd hate to do anything to draw negative attention to myself since they clearly state that if the instructor feels you are a hopeless case they can drop you from the class.

[Kitsune06]

the problem with massive forums is the tendency to duplicate threads.... here y'all go...

You hawt ladies and your motors...

Juju! Glad class went well for you!

Chyk- idiot moves do *not* denote hopeless cases. ...well... maybe a certain proliferation of idiot moves...

[Pax]

...He thinks if all this goes to fruition I should get a Honda Rebel - I think an older Sportster would be just fine....

I'm going to echo your husbands sentiments here, a Sportster is a top heavy and quite powerful bike to learn on, if you start on a Rebel (or any similar smaller bike) you'll have to opportunity to learn much better bike handling skills than you would on a larger/heavier bike. I can't count the number of women I know who've given up on motorcycling because they started on a bigger bike and just "couldn't get the hang of it". Smaller used bikes tend to get sold from new rider to new rider so you don't really end up taking a bath on the purchase price.

[CyclChyk]

My hubby always insists that he knows all (gotta love the male ego) - usually however, in my hubby's case he's mostly right. He's the smartest person I know and thats straight from the heart.

QUEEN - (and JUJU) - bike being top heavy is not something I considered nor did my DH express it in those words so it made sense to me (he never gets why I don't always follow his train of thought - must be I'm a ditz). He just kept stressing a "smaller" bike. But I would hate to give up riding because of an uninformed decision on my part.

I will look at the Rebels (or something equal) and heed your advise. "Top heavy" is not something I am used to in any department.

Thats why I love you girls - you help keep me grounded

[Bad JuJu]

Here's the only concern I'd have about a Rebel--you may not be able to keep up with DH at highway speeds, since it's only a 250 (actually a tiny bit less, I think). Several folks warned me about this when I was shopping, and they weren't all dealers just looking to sell me a bigger bike. But then again, maybe you're not planning on any long, fast rides, so this might be a moot point for you. Just a thought.

Have fun in class!

[Kitsune06]

I think if I went with a motorcycle (and I just might) I would think seriously about a smaller bike given my size/weight and handling. Yes it would make highway speeds a little more difficult, but that would be something you'd have to consider for yourself. I was tempted most by a Rebel or a Virago. I'm not much for Harleys given the expense of their parts, but then again, if you do your own mechanical work, it might be worth it in terms of being able to buy factory reproductions etc.

As it is I need to sell the CB 650. PITA does not want it, will not ride it, and will not put the time or effort into it. What a waste. Yet somehow I knew it would be this way, from the moment I started her up and felt her run. Oh well.

[Cha Cha]

I took the Basic Rider course a few years back and loved it. It was a long and very tiring weekend, mentally and physically, so you might not want to make any other plans... It proved to be "not for me" (I don't trust my reflexes to be fast enough to get me away from trouble), but it was a great experience and I wouldn't trade it - or the "M" on my license! - for anything!

FWIW, as others have written, I sought a lot of advice about what kind of bike to get, and it seems to come down to two schools of thought: either (a) start with a smaller bike to get comfortable and then upgrade or (b) start with a somewhat larger bike (600) and then you don't have to upgrade. I'd lean toward option (a). Used Rebels in great condition are not hard to find, as people buy them and either upgrade or quit riding altogether.

But it all depends on your comfort level, and you won't really know until after you've completed the course, so the best thing to do at this point is keep a very open mind. You'll have a much better sense of it by then, and your instructors will have some good advice for you too.

Most of all, enjoy - and let us know how it went!

All the best! Vroom!

Cha Cha

[Kitsune06]

A friend of mine in Eugene gave her bike to a friend of hers, bought a hot red motoguzzi and as we sat outside chatting over her sexy machine, she said "That little kawasaki has taught five biker chicks to ride. She needed to be passed on.".
What a legacy.
Perhaps this is the sole purpose of smaller bikes.
but whatever you do, mind your protective gear. @ssless chaps are hot, but not generally a good idea- guess where lots of road rash happens. Look into jackets with really honestly body-hugging spinal protection. A lot these days have very flexible sorta foam/plastic cr*p to say they have it, but I wouldn't trust my mobility to it. for that, look into these. Make sure it fits snugly. If it shifts under normal circumstances, you better bet it's going to shift if/when you go down.
Rotten.com used to have a great ER pic of a guy who kissed pavement wearing a brainbucket helmet. Not recommended. Cannot believe guy was still conscious.
I grew up with an interesting dual way of thinking regarding motorcycles. On one hand, Dad would tell me fondly of the Honda CB350 he rode from WI to PA when he was drafted for Vietnam... all painted like the bike in Easy Rider- his trips to Canada motorcycle touring, etc...
then Mom's side where after Dad filled my head with enough 'nonsense' she'd make him pull out the white helmet with canuck flag and then the face shield (that nifty '60s sorta bubble-face shield) with the side ground off and gravel imbedded, go on about how he still has gravel in his butt, etc etc after a particularly nasty lay-down/near-collision with a power pole. Why my mom made him sell his bike.
So have fun, and be safe. And I'll eye you with more than a little envy 'til I can be there, too.

[logdiva32]

Don't know if this is still true. But when I bought my first Harley, I was able to take it back a year later and trade up, They credited me the full MSRP!!

Second note: I have been riding since 12 also. My HB bought a huge bike to match mine, and ride with me, come to admit, he's not into MC at all. So we spent alot of money for nothing. So my .02c do it for you.. Then if it is a mutual hobby, it is a plus.

[horsemom]

FWIW, it is a good idea to by the best helmet you can afford. I have a good friend who was in an accident last summer and if not for the full face, very expensive helmet he was wearing, he might not still be alive. My DH and I just bought SHOEI helmets--$600 for the two, but worth it, we think.

Laura