GF wants to ride a motorcycle... but im concerned.

[Roadstergal]

DWA... my small Asian female friend...

http://www.iebmw.org/one_lap_srp.mpg



Dang rearview... she said she'd get rid of it the next time she makes a vid. :p

[manofthefield]

DWA... my small Asian female friend...

Damn that looks like fun.  Nice of her to wave as she passed that car

More on topic, my gf has wanted to ride for a long time, so I suggested she take the MSF course.  She took it this weekend, and actually just called a few minutes ago to tell me she passed with only one point off on the riding test and a perfect score on the written.   :mrgreen:

The weekend started off rough because she felt like she knew less than everyone else in the class, most of whom had prior riding experience.  She was mad at me about this for a while, and even contemplated not going back saturday.  But with some reassurance and obviously a lot of effort on her part she was able to pick up on everything and pass the class with flying colors.  She knows she still needs a lot of practice, and it seems the course opened her eyes to see that maybe she doesn't want to get a fully faired sportbike as her first bike anymore.  Occasionally she is an inattentive driver, but I think she also learned that you can't do that on a bike.  

MSF course good, nuff said

[Roadstergal]

In general, I think riding makes one a much better driver.

[Kerry]

Dang rearview... she said she'd get rid of it the next time she makes a vid. :p

IIRC, the rearview was invented by an auto racer so he could see what was behind him.  But since nobody seemed to be passing her, and it DID get in the way of the video...

[davipu]

you lie, if she really was Asian she'd have her cell glued to her ear and be talking the whole time.  the little green blinking light shure does look like a right turn siginal.

[The Buddha]

OK fine ... You're making me do this ... I am going to give in ... but that means nothing its just a joke ...
There are 4 americans in a car driving down the highway ... they wanna switch lanes ... T/s comes on (yea right) and the driver turns and checks his blind spot and switches lanes.
There are 4 indians in a car driving down the highway ... they wanna switch lanes ... T/s comes on (yup it does) and all 4 turn and check their blind spot, and switches lanes ...
There are 4 chinese in a car driving down the highway ... they wanna switch lanes ... T/s comes on (Hell no) and no one turns and checks the blind spot ... and switches lanes.
Just a joke ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[Roadstergal]

There are 4 americans in a car driving down the highway ... they wanna switch lanes ... T/s comes on (yea right) and the driver turns and checks his blind spot and switches lanes.

And then I woke up...

[Jace009gs]

DWA... my small Asian female friend...

Damn that looks like fun.  Nice of her to wave as she passed that car

The weekend started off rough because she felt like she knew less than everyone else in the class, most of whom had prior riding experience.  She was mad at me about this for a while, and even contemplated not going back saturday.  

AS a MSF course instructor It's alot easier w/o experience because you don't have to break bad habits ...one finger fr brakes, rear wheel locks, head turned the oposit way of turning...putting the bike in N at stop lights [my close encounters ALWAYS ALWAYS happened  at a red stop light and the car just keep flying as I watch in my side mirror. :guns:  :guns:

[scottpA_GS]

I have to say.. looks and race have nothing to do with how well you can ride.

On the first day of my MSF there was a guy wearing a Harley shirt, he had long hair, big belly and a chain wallet! I would have passed him just cause he looked like he was born to ride  :mrgreen:  However, he was the only one in my class of 16 to drop his bike  :lol:  He just flat out could not keep his feet off the ground. He didnt even try and take the final test. I passed the final w/ no points and one girl (tiny, blonde and ditsy) who I thought would never get the hang of riding passed w/ 1 point.. I would say, see how she does in the class, then make a judgement wether she should get her own bike or not.  

[jbeaber]

I was persuaded to take MSF by my GF when she was going to take it.  We both ride avidly now and, man, has it given us something fun to enjoy together and talk about.  I would definitely encourage her to try MSF, good experience in a safe environment.  And look for an old GS.  I have an 89, stock on pretty much everything.  I'm 5'7", short legs and I can bend my knees a bit when straddling it.  
The first bike I had that both my GF and I learned to ride on was an old 83 Nighthawk 650.  Neither of us were anywhere near flatfooted and, while it was a little more difficult, we both were able t o learn pretty easily on it.  She still has a bike she can't be flat-footed on (SV650) whereas I have the tiny toy we toss around.  Being flat footed is far from essential when learning to ride.  The other advantage of the GS is that it is not as top heavy as other bikes I have ridden.  Get her on a bike, man.  It will give you a whole new world to talk about and have fun exploring with her...

[ScubaGirl]

Being a relatively new rider, and live in a hilly part of town, my husband (gsxr1000 rider) drives in a car behind me and corrects my riding technique via the Chatter Box.  It's nice knowing that he's right there when I need him, but gives me enough space to maneuver as I would if he's not following me.

[Blueknyt]

Its low and small, but its not that well made, it doesn't crash all that well and get this

Srinath, buddy, you must be thinking of another bike bro.  the rebel and Nighthawk 250 and 450's are damn near imposible to kill from use EVEN IF you Use Dirty Lawn mower oil in it.  as long as you keep oil in it. Crashing is like any bike with exposed side covers. the 250 is underpowered for anyone over 150lbs but enough to move me at 75mph stock.  they will rattle and clunk but just dont seem to Die. now if run dry, ANYTHING will die.  the rebels seem to hold thier values too. you can still find a late 80 rebel 250 for about 1000 if nice shape, mother in law bought a clean 93 for 1300 this was from a dealer that i brow beat with cracked front rubber and leaky  fork seals.

[jbeaber]

We did the same thing.  First time we went on the highway, the other followed in a car to make sure the motorcyclists back was covered.  Made us both much more comfortable.

[The Buddha]

Its low and small, but its not that well made, it doesn't crash all that well and get this

Srinath, buddy, you must be thinking of another bike bro.  the rebel and Nighthawk 250 and 450's are damn near imposible to kill from use EVEN IF you Use Dirty Lawn mower oil in it.  as long as you keep oil in it. Crashing is like any bike with exposed side covers. the 250 is underpowered for anyone over 150lbs but enough to move me at 75mph stock.  they will rattle and clunk but just dont seem to Die. now if run dry, ANYTHING will die.  the rebels seem to hold thier values too. you can still find a late 80 rebel 250 for about 1000 if nice shape, mother in law bought a clean 93 for 1300 this was from a dealer that i brow beat with cracked front rubber and leaky  fork seals.

Yea the motor and stuff is solid. But there is that whole tin can feeling ... "rattle and clunk" in your words ... The Virago 535 (OK its a 535) feels much more solid and that torquey torquey motor ... BTW Rebel is bound to be lighter and might make all the diff ... so I'd say 1/2 of my objection is withdrawn ...  :lol:  ... just 535 is more solid ... 250 and 450 is good ... but 535 better. 75 is fine for 250, my 535 was 100 capable with 230 lbs me on board. Crash worthiness is an entirely different league on the 535 though. Removeable body parts ... Whooo hooo ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[ScubaGirl]

I took the MSF too, but the max speed during the course was 30mph.  So it's nice to have that protection (the car behind me), while I am learning to ride faster and battle the rest of the traffic.

[RVertigo]

30?  They yelled at me when I hit 25...    Bastards!

Although...  30 is pretty fast for a little parking lot.

[pandy]

My significant other doesn't think I can drive...and I'm a white chick! Everyone knows we white chicks can DRIVE!  :lol:

pandy  :mrgreen:

[RVertigo]

Everyone knows we white chicks can DRIVE!

Now THAT was funny!!   :lol:  :lol:

My wife used to be the worst driver I've ever seen...  Now she's pretty damn good.  I won't deny my influence.