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FZ6If you’re looking for one bike to perform a multitude of missions, look no further.
Take it from Cycle World* Magazine - “For a more advanced rider looking for a bike to do it all, there is no other choice.”
My wife said a couple of weeks ago that she wants her own MC and wants to learn how to ride. I thought "Cool", nothing hotter than a female on a sport bike.
But then I thought -"I wont even ride in ANY vehicle she is piloting, do I really want her on a MC?" There are reasons I wont ride with her, and because of those reasons I told her no way that it would ever happen.
We went around for a while on the subject, and I told her that I might let her ride offroad, and maybe later, after I was convinced that she could handle herself and the bike, I would talk to her again about it.
So the question is this (to the guys of the forum, although I would like to hear from the women also)- How many of you guys have a SO that rides?
How many of you wont let your SO ride? Why?
Of those who do ride, how well do they handle themselves on the road?
I would enjoy riding with her, but she just plain scares me on the road, and I think it would be worse if she wasnt surrounded by more airbags than I could shake a stick at.
She has been in 3 car wrecks over the years (none of them her fault)(2 stays in the hospital) bad drivers are attracted to her somehow.
Am I being selfish?
And if it comes to that point, what would be a good starter bike? She would want a sport bike, she is 5-8 and weighs 120. Do they make a sport bike with only 20hp?!?!
My wife starting riding a few years ago after a few years of peer pressure from the woman riding their own. She said she wanted to do it so I got her signed up for the motorcycle course which she took and passed. She was able to borrow a Honda rebel for a month to practice on after the course and got rather good. Then we bought a new Honda shadow aero 750 and it was kinda of heavy for her. She then moved on to a hd sportster 1200 which she loves but I agree with you. she scares the crap out of me when we ride. She is not as strong as she needs to be and has dropped her bike a few times in stopped or very low speed(less than 5 mph). She loves it and she likes it when I lead, so I can't watch her and criticize her every move. Good starter bikes for you wife might be the new 250 ninja, sporty and handles well. good luck with you predictament.
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My wife rides. She's shorter so no sportbike really fits. She's on a Suzuki Boulevard S40 (650cc thumper). She had never driven a bike before, just a 49cc scooter. I had her sign up for the Basic Rider Course to get her license. They taught her all the basics and she passed the class on the first try without much trouble. She's actually quite good on the bike and her last bad habit went away on the Catskill Meet when she didn't head-check and damned near got mowed down in front of me and Dan (the sweeper). She still doesn't understand how close she came but Dan and I do... both of us were pretty scared for her but after talking to her (both Dan and I) she now does her head-check without fail.
Since your wife is taller, I'd suggest for a starter bike the new Ninja 250. Great bike with all the power she'll need. Once she is confident on that you can move her up.
I wouldn't recommend the off-road stuff. Without the BRC. she'll develop habits that can be harder to break. She should start with the class and you should take it with her but do your dead-level best to not interfere with her training, just be there for her to offer all positive and encouraging words. My wife damned near quit the class because of the U-turns but I talked to her about it. I told her to just run the course and don't worry about the U-turns... hit all the lines if you have to just don't put your feet down. She had the rest of the course in the bag and I knew she couldn't fail on the turns alone. So, she heeded my advice and hit every line possible on two extremely wide turns but aced the rest of the course. Along with a 100 on the written, she passed. I told her in real life, most riders don't do U-turns anyway.
You're not being selfish, you're being over protective and that is purely natural to care for your SO like that. But, you can't shelter her either. She wants to do this and you need to let her go. Take the course with her, encourage her and be there for her should she need you. One negative comment could ruin it so please, nothing negative at all. If she does well in the course, THEN go look at bikes... not before.
Good luck and I hope she passes, gets a bike and you two enjoy the time out like we now do! Take care!
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*-={FZ1inNH}=-* `09 Cobalt Blue FZ1
*Cortech Sport Saddle and Tail bags**Tank Camera Mount**T-REX Frame Sliders**De-stickered **Two Brothers Racing Slip-on Exhaust **AIS Block Off **LARS Airbox Mod **De-Screened Stock Air Filter**Modded stock rear fender*
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I have been riding for 2 years, now. Your wife definitely needs the MSF BRC. The BRC helped tons with my skills, habits and confidence. Have her take the BRC; if she wants a bike of her own after that, then consider buying one.
+1 on the new 250 Ninja. The redesign looks awesome. If the 250 Ninja looked that good 2 years ago, it may have made the cut as my first bike. 'Course I thought I had to have a cruiser to fit in with my best friend and her husband. Following my husband on his sportbike and seeing how it handled made me want a sportier ride of my own.
my ex-wife had a bad habit when driving, which always made me nervous - she often didn't fully check behind her when switching lanes. usually she'd glance in the mirrors but she wouldn't do a head check to make sure the lane she was moving into was clear. This habit would be a Very Bad Thing if she had ever wanted to ride a bike, and I would have had to point it out as something she'd need to correct - if she wanted to stay alive.
You would love for her to ride but you know how dangerous and challenging it is. You also know that she's not a natural...this does not make you a bad person...I think you just care.
If she's a bad driver she shouldn't be on two wheels (or four actually). Maybe you can try and get her hooked on dirt like you mentioned but it sure sounds like her on the road would be an accident waiting to happen.
I have been riding for 2 years, now. Your wife definitely needs the MSF BRC. The BRC helped tons with my skills, habits and confidence. Have her take the BRC; if she wants a bike of her own after that, then consider buying one.
+1 on the new 250 Ninja. The redesign looks awesome. If the 250 Ninja looked that good 2 years ago, it may have made the cut as my first bike. 'Course I thought I had to have a cruiser to fit in with my best friend and her husband. Following my husband on his sportbike and seeing how it handled made me want a sportier ride of my own.
+1
At least let (let? ) her take the BRC. She may decide that she doesn't like it after all and you'll be off the hook. But it could turn out that she will be a much better rider than driver. You won't know until she tries.
But if you stop her from giving it a shot, she may resent it later.
While I find it interesting that you feel you have the right to tell another human being what they can, or cannot do... I find it deeply disturbing that your wife feels she needs your "permission" to pursue an activity she has an interest in.
"Yea, though I ride through the valley of the shadow of the Harley, I will fear no R.U.B.: For my FZ6 art with me; thy power, thy speed and thy handling they comfort me." -- Metrics 23:4
At least let (let? ) her take the BRC. She may decide that she doesn't like it after all and you'll be off the hook. But it could turn out that she will be a much better rider than driver. You won't know until she tries.
But if you stop her from giving it a shot, she may resent it later.
If she's an aggressive enough person to not get run over on a bike, she'll tell him to STFU and sign up for the course anyway.
"Yea, though I ride through the valley of the shadow of the Harley, I will fear no R.U.B.: For my FZ6 art with me; thy power, thy speed and thy handling they comfort me." -- Metrics 23:4
My SO doesn't ride yet. Before we even start two up, I want her to take the MSF BRC. This is mostly so she understands what riders do, as I'm not so good at explaining. Actually my next door neighbor has a 600rr and he wants his wife to take the course as well for the same reason. My SO doesn't really have any interest in riding solo, but she'd be willing to do 2 up.
My $.02.
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Just last year'after Iv'e been riding all our married life [34years] and many years before that..Wifey said she wants a bike.. so we found a lo mileage Suzuki Savage..she's 55 years old fer christs sake..I hate to see her on it and fear for her safety, but she absoloutley loves to ride..Sometimes we go together..most times we don't....But I still love that shit eating grin on her face when she rides down the street into the driveway!..Freedom is the name of the game!..
Does your SO ride?
NESBA #264
) her take the BRC. She may decide that she doesn't like it after all and you'll be off the hook. But it could turn out that she will be a much better rider than driver. You won't know until she tries. 
. I run into burning buildings for no pay, love trauma, and I'm not happy unless there's a good chance someone could die. Then it's a good day.
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