New Rider

[Caper11]

After over 25 years of sitting on the back my wife who has turned 60 this year has decided she is tired of being a passenger and is going to take her motorcycle training course and buy a bike of her own. What do you guys out there think of that. :rolleyes:

[brantvol16]

Good on her! 60 is the new 30 - many happy miles and God Bless!

[sanjaun2]

Its a big undertaking and I wish her all the luck possible and wish her safe riding as well. If I were you, and she really wants to do this, I would stick her on a bicycle for a bit so she gets used to the 2 wheel thing again.

[gerryrenstrom]

What do you think ?

[ronk1200lt]

My wife is starting to ride again after 25 years. I bought her a 150 cc Vespa. It is an easy non-threatening way to get back into it. When she is comfortable. We will move to something bigger. There is nothing more intimidating for a newbie than a large bike. Start with something she can handle. Even if you don't buy one. Renting a scooter for a couple of weeks, will really help her get her confidence and skills up to handling a bigger bike.

[vernvernvern]

After over 25 years of sitting on the back my wife who has turned 60 this year has decided she is tired of being a passenger and is going to take her motorcycle training course and buy a bike of her own. What do you guys out there think of that. :rolleyes:

She'll know for sure after taking the beginners safety course whether she wants to buy one and ride it. It may just change her mind.

My wife took the course and knew she wanted something that she didn't have to use a clutch with.(the course used 250cc Honda Rebels mostly) Some folks have trouble coordinating the twist of the wrist and the hand clutch lever. So she ended up with a 250cc Honda Reflex which she just rolls the wrist and goes. She hasn't mentioned getting anything bigger yet and I don't think she will as she gets along great on her scooter. It isn't for interstate travel but does just great on 2 lane 60-65mph roads.

I say congrats to your wife.

If Momma ain't happy, no one in the house is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bmw:
Believe me, as I've been married for 44 years.

[Serendipity]

Age is nothing but a number. :) Like Vern said, let her get through the course and go from there. I have a friend who is 40 that thought she really wanted to ride her own, took the course and ended up realizing she was happier riding on the back. For most of us however, we take the course and think, "Oh my! I can't believe I wasted so much time only getting such a small portion of the thrill of riding!"

I met a woman at my Women in the Wind meeting tonight who is in her early 70s and just started riding a year ago. She's still on a little Rebel, but loving it! She plans to move up whe she's ready. I also have a few "sisters" in my chapter who are in their 60s and most of them started riding within the last few years as well.

Good luck to her!!!

[motorman587]

I support her 100%, training every year with an ERC update.

[grahamw]

My wife turned 40 this year and finally passed her bike test so she can now go out on her own bike ;-))) She is slowly gaining confidence and it is fun going on a trip together - no matter how long or short.

Remember to negotiate the appropriate increase into the bike buying budget -at least double should be good. The same applies to farkles - or hand down your old ones and buy new for your bike. Remember you will now have 2 bikes to keep clean and serviced and taxed and insured and.........

[dshealey]

If she wants someone as an inspiration, have her read about Ardys Kellerman. Of course she may take it too far, and you will have to keep up with her. :D:D

Ardys won the BMWMOA mileage contest last year with over 80,000 miles in 6 months!

http://www.lonestarcycle.com/ardystxn.htm

http://www.lonestarcycle.com/48plus2.htm

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/media/paper410/news/2003/09/19/Focus/Leader.Of.The.Pack-470539.shtml?norewrite200603210911&sourcedomain=www.dailytexanonline.com

[zaphod]

I’m in a similar situation with my wife. She has expressed her desire to learn to ride for several years now. I have been just a bit reluctant, as she can be “gravitationally challenged” (P.C. term for clumsy, and don’t tell her I said that.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif) Well I finally decided to give in and I’ve got her signed up for the BRC for her birthday next month. I’m still nervous about it, but she really feels the need, so I’ll support her as best I can.

I have also been looking for a good beginner bike for her. I looked at a Rebel and a Suzuki GZ250 but I didn’t like the “cruiser” foot forward position. I think it makes handling more difficult that a more upright position, like the BMWs have. Does anyone know of a good, small, inexpensive bike that would make a good learner?