Ok, so there's this young lady......what would you do??!!
Discussion
Now, A good lady friend 
has expressed an interest in biking. Now, the ex hated bikes, and that was fine by me. BUT, and I KNOW I'm gonna get roasted for this, would you advise her against it? I know that some of you guys have other halfs that ride, but........I'm not sure I would encourage the lady friend to take up biking. I'd just worry all the time. I kniow, all the proper gear, advanced training etc, but I'd still worry.
Any thoughts? A kick in the pills required?!
Cheers.
has expressed an interest in biking. Now, the ex hated bikes, and that was fine by me. BUT, and I KNOW I'm gonna get roasted for this, would you advise her against it? I know that some of you guys have other halfs that ride, but........I'm not sure I would encourage the lady friend to take up biking. I'd just worry all the time. I kniow, all the proper gear, advanced training etc, but I'd still worry.Any thoughts? A kick in the pills required?!
Cheers.
Would she look good in tight fitting leathers?
Bob speaks the truth... follow his advice.
If you do also take her out for a ride on pillion, try to be much slower and much smoother than normal... Otherwise you'll just put her off (I'm speaking from experience, not insulting your riding) Trying to show her that your bike does 0-100 in 6 seconds (or whatever) will seem like 2 seconds when perched on a tiny pillion seat for the first time.
Bob speaks the truth... follow his advice.
If you do also take her out for a ride on pillion, try to be much slower and much smoother than normal... Otherwise you'll just put her off (I'm speaking from experience, not insulting your riding) Trying to show her that your bike does 0-100 in 6 seconds (or whatever) will seem like 2 seconds when perched on a tiny pillion seat for the first time.
Buy her a bike.
I felt some trepidation when my partner wanted to learn to ride (having been riding myself for years) but she started with an old 100cc Honda and, over the past 10 years, has moved through various bikes up to a VFR800.
She's probably less likely to have an accident than me because she rides in a far more responsible way (but not a lot slower it must be said).
I guess I'd feel guilty if she hurt herself in an accident but she's an adult and has made an informed choice so no point in comming over like a worried parent.
On average we do 2-3 foreign trips a year on the bikes and I find it far more enjoyable to ride solo than struggle along with a pillion + luggage.
Buy her a track day and prepare to be amazed.
I felt some trepidation when my partner wanted to learn to ride (having been riding myself for years) but she started with an old 100cc Honda and, over the past 10 years, has moved through various bikes up to a VFR800.
She's probably less likely to have an accident than me because she rides in a far more responsible way (but not a lot slower it must be said).
I guess I'd feel guilty if she hurt herself in an accident but she's an adult and has made an informed choice so no point in comming over like a worried parent.
On average we do 2-3 foreign trips a year on the bikes and I find it far more enjoyable to ride solo than struggle along with a pillion + luggage.
Buy her a track day and prepare to be amazed.
Chilli said:
Here we go... 
Sorry mate. 
But seriously like Andy said, get her on the pillion, take it nice and easy and get her used to being perched on the back like that. I think you may terrify her by getting your knee down first time with her on the back. I reckon you should encourage her.
Once she's used to it, you can open her up and go hard.
Tight fitting leathers are good too...
My OH (Mitzy 1968)has always been into biking, but all her previous blokes haven't been, therefore was never encouraged or confident enough to go out there and get one.
In June, she bought a place in a charity sidecar event at Lydden. Even I wouldn't do that!! From that point on it has snowballed.
Together we looked for a 125 for her, bought it and stuck it in my garage. She organised her training and CBT and the rest is history.
It was nerve wracking the first time we went out, and even said to her that if we continue at 18mph I was going home! I explained that at that speed she was as much a danger as riding at 80.
Anyway, we hve been out 3 times now and with plenty of encouragement, her confidence is getting better and road sense is a massive improvement on that fist ride.
Providing you have patience, it could be the start of a beautiful relationship.
In June, she bought a place in a charity sidecar event at Lydden. Even I wouldn't do that!! From that point on it has snowballed.
Together we looked for a 125 for her, bought it and stuck it in my garage. She organised her training and CBT and the rest is history.
It was nerve wracking the first time we went out, and even said to her that if we continue at 18mph I was going home! I explained that at that speed she was as much a danger as riding at 80.
Anyway, we hve been out 3 times now and with plenty of encouragement, her confidence is getting better and road sense is a massive improvement on that fist ride.
Providing you have patience, it could be the start of a beautiful relationship.
Chilli said:
Now, A good lady friend has expressed an interest in biking. Now, the ex hated bikes, and that was fine by me. BUT, and I KNOW I'm gonna get roasted for this, would you advise her against it? I know that some of you guys have other halfs that ride, but........I'm not sure I would encourage the lady friend to take up biking. I'd just worry all the time. I kniow, all the proper gear, advanced training etc, but I'd still worry.
Any thoughts? A kick in the pills required?!
Cheers.
If your friend is interested in motorcycles, why would you not encourage her? has expressed an interest in biking. Now, the ex hated bikes, and that was fine by me. BUT, and I KNOW I'm gonna get roasted for this, would you advise her against it? I know that some of you guys have other halfs that ride, but........I'm not sure I would encourage the lady friend to take up biking. I'd just worry all the time. I kniow, all the proper gear, advanced training etc, but I'd still worry.Any thoughts? A kick in the pills required?!
Cheers.
My girlfriend actually had a bike before me, but I still worry.... it is only natural, because bikes are dangerous things to have accidents on and people have accidents.
Not sure if a pillion ride would help or not. Personally I can think of nothing worse than riding as a pillion, but I love riding my bike. Sort her out with a CBT... it is only £50 (or whatever) and she will get to ride herself in a controlled environment. If she takes to it then she has already completed the first step.
Not sure if a pillion ride would help or not. Personally I can think of nothing worse than riding as a pillion, but I love riding my bike. Sort her out with a CBT... it is only £50 (or whatever) and she will get to ride herself in a controlled environment. If she takes to it then she has already completed the first step.
Jolley said:
Not sure if a pillion ride would help or not. Personally I can think of nothing worse than riding as a pillion, but I love riding my bike. Sort her out with a CBT... it is only £50 (or whatever) and she will get to ride herself in a controlled environment. If she takes to it then she has already completed the first step.
Wise advice......
aeropilot said:
Jolley said:
Not sure if a pillion ride would help or not. Personally I can think of nothing worse than riding as a pillion, but I love riding my bike. Sort her out with a CBT... it is only £50 (or whatever) and she will get to ride herself in a controlled environment. If she takes to it then she has already completed the first step.
Wise advice......
Ironically, she hasnt been out on the bike we bought yet! But, the weather has been pretty crappy in her defence. I figured yes, she might hurt herself, but she was going to do it anyway, with or wthout me so i figured what the hell....
The CBT certainly made Jo think twice about whther she actually wanted to do it too....she is now talking about just me doing it. Im afraid the bug has got me bad (too bad to just go back to another TVR without first experiencing a quick bike) even tho it wasnt me that wanted to do it in the first place!!!
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