GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

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Well, after riding my gs500f for the past 2 months or so (already!  :o  ), my gf is getting excited about riding a bike herself, and all this because about a week ago we went hiking, and there was a long road with many sharp turns.
She was driving behind me and to keep a decent speed (within speed limits), I had to lean more than average to take those curves.

I wasn't scared at all, and it was really fun actually.

Later I find her researching at the honda site for a small motorcycle (sizewise). She is japanese, so she's too short for a GS  :P
Anyway, I asked how come she was interested in riding a bike now, and she replied that she tought it was fun to do it (after seeing me in those twisties).

I became really concerned. Her reflexes are slooooow, and she's not very careful driver either. I told her that riding a bike requires a lot of concentration and fast reflexes (when things go wrong), but she insists to take the MSF and buy a motorcycle.

Should I let her? even if she just takes the MSF course and decides that bikes are not for her, she will be close to $600 dollars out (200 for MSF and 400 for gear).

what to do, what to do  :dunno:

Let her take the MSF.  400 for gear???? You can always sell the gear if she doesn't get the hang of it.  You will probably find out really quick.

If your in Ohio she won't have to buy any riding clothes. Not even a helmet.
All she needs is shoes that cover the ankles, long pants, longsleeved shirt and full fingered gloves. I would think she already owns most of this. In Ohio they will provide the motorcycle and helmet.

:cheers:

you dont need gear for the MSF. Just gloves, helmet (if you want your own), boots, jeans and a long sleeve teeshirt.

they provide the bike and helmet anycase.. but its best to bring your own.

Anyway let her take the class. When she is done put her on a rebel or something and she will be fine. She will learn slowly. Remember to have her get some gear.

I wish i had a gf who was interested in riding. you're a lucky one. Keep her interested in your stuff.

The MSF Basic RiderCourse around here just specifies the need for a helmet, long-sleeve shirt or jacket, full-finger gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle footwear.

Only the helmet need be motorcycle-oriented.  If you lend her your helmet for the weekend, she may even be able to avoid that purchase.

Chip in half the tuition -- you feel for her don't you?  Maybe you under-estimate what she can do.  If she can handle the MSF range course, it's her choice to go forward or wait.

One step at a time, man.  Give her the benefit of the doubt and try a Basic RiderCourse.  Best weekend I've had since getting married.  :)

PS. If you can locate a second helmet, take the RiderCourse with her.  :thumb:

8)
Let her ride...she can not be that small. I have seen women ride gxers that are not any taller then me....5'2". once she learns she may well be able to handle a bigger bike. I hope to move up myself in a couple of years.

Quote from: John BatesIf your in Ohio she won't have to buy any riding clothes. Not even a helmet.
All she needs is shoes that cover the ankles, long pants, longsleeved shirt and full fingered gloves. I would think she already owns most of this. In Ohio they will provide the motorcycle and helmet.

:cheers:

She has never ridden a bike before but doesn't need gear?

You could get some 2nd hand clothes off ebay until she decides if she wants to continue riding or not.

Quote from: subc...
Should I let her?

That's a joke, right? Please tell me that's a joke.
Because, unless she's under 18 and also your daughter, I don't think you're in any position to 'let' her do anything.

Quote from: ukchickenlover.....................

She has never ridden a bike before but doesn't need gear?

....................

That's correct.

The Ohio MSF course is conducted in a parking lot, not on the streets.

Of course if she does ride on the streets she then has to have her own helmet but the rest is up to her.

:cheers:

I'm neither for or against her riding but...

One weekend take her to the MSF class just to watch....Usually someone drops theire bike or lowsides, or squeeks the tires [sudden stop]. I'm sure she'll either have more respect for Motorcycling in general or be scared stiff of the possibility of getting seriously hurt in just the parking lot.

I know your delemma. My girl also wants a bike. She already has her license but not the funding.. :roll: so I can't say no but I'm going to miss the rides she takes on the back of my bike.... ;)

You only live once. And when you get older you don't want to look back on life and say "I wish I had taken the chance to ride when I was young."

My wife who's Korean and about 5'6" can handle the GS fine.  She has more riding experience than I do.  Just get her a helmet, gloves, over the ankle boots if she doest have any and let her take the course.  I'm hoping to get my riding skills better so my wife and I can ride together.

Quote from: hulap0pr

Quote from: subc...
Should I let her?

That's a joke, right? Please tell me that's a joke.
Because, unless she's under 18 and also your daughter, I don't think you're in any position to 'let' her do anything.

+1 ... Careful, or she might not 'let' you be her boyfriend   :nono:

+100000000000  Let???  :?

Quote from: daneilah

Quote from: hulap0pr

Quote from: subc...
Should I let her?

That's a joke, right? Please tell me that's a joke.
Because, unless she's under 18 and also your daughter, I don't think you're in any position to 'let' her do anything.

+1 ... Careful, or she might not 'let' you be her boyfriend   :nono:

Be a nice BF and give her a gift of an MSF class.  She'll pick up how serious it is quickly, and it will give her a good start on the skills and reflexes she'll need.  Bikewise - what's her inseam?

And if she likes it, I have a small leather jacket FS...  ;)  :mrgreen:

how short is she??.....my wife is 5'2" we had to lower the GS, but eventually we got to the point where she could almost get 2 feet completely down....

Don't make me bring up seat shaving again!   :lol: Anyhoo, once again, 5'1" with ~28-29" inseam, and I fit a old-style without cutting and a new-style with a shave.  But if she wants feet flat on the ground, Savage 650.

Well she's gotta start picking up better Hand to eye coordination and reflexes. Its something that can be learned ... I hear people say they have poor reflexes etc and they cannot ride a bike, my answer is ... you have poor reflexes because you didn't learn to ride or do similar things that use these qualities. If I dont ride for a month or 2 ... I also start behaving like a buffoon on a bike... a day or 2 after riding and I am back to my old old old man self.
Cool.
Srinath.

Wait, you have a chance to always have a riding buddy (a presumably hot one  too) and you're not jumping at the chance?

dude... i'd be encouraging her all out.

besides, she already has a mother - u don't need to baby her.

Is she asking you for permission?

I would discourage her. If something happened to her, you would never forgive yourself.

My suggestion, is to let her learn how to ride on an xr100 dirtbike.
She can learn %80  of the skills needed on that bike. She can do it on the dirt, or grass, without the worry of cars, pedestrians, curbs, traffic lights, etc...
I have taught many people to ride, and the biggest mistake people make, is they panic, when faced with a quick decision. They may remember to hit the brakes, but they forget to let off the gas.
Get her used to a dirt bike, and let hitting the brakes, be an automatic function. the dirt, is a lot more forgiving, her speed will never top out at more than 40mph, no cars, no gaurdrails, no roadrash, CHEAPER INVESTMENT( especially if she lays it down)
Then if she is still interested, let her decide.

Quote from: ratzI have taught many people to ride, and the biggest mistake people make, is they panic, when faced with a quick decision. They may remember to hit the brakes, but they forget to let off the gas.

That's exactly what the motorcycle safety course will drill into her.  You practice stopping and swerving and stopping and swerving and...

I took the MSF.
You can't learn to be automatic in one afternoon, with cones, and a bunch of other students, with an instructer is always there.
I believe she become more automatic after weeks of riding, in a relatively safe enviroment.
It is a comfort level that comes from muscle memory.  Like golf.

One word "repetition "

given that english is my second language, then I wrote my sentence wrong.

Instead of "should I let her?"
I meant to say "should I persuade her not to ride?"

And yes, she asked for my advice on this matter.

...

Talking about the devil. She just called me from work to 'inform me' that she got approved by INS to get her worker's visa  :kiss:
now is the chance to tell her that I can go with her to the MSF course (i already took it anyway).

She is getting a honda rebel 250cc btw. We went to the dealer a few days ago to check them out.

We'll see how it turns out.  :thumb:

Quote from: subcgiven that english is my second language, then I wrote my sentence wrong.

Instead of "should I let her?"
I meant to say "should I persuade her not to ride?"

And yes, she asked for my advice on this matter.

...

Talking about the devil. She just called me from work to 'inform me' that she got approved by INS to get her worker's visa  :kiss:
now is the chance to tell her that I can go with her to the MSF course (i already took it anyway).

She is getting a honda rebel 250cc btw. We went to the dealer a few days ago to check them out.

We'll see how it turns out.  :thumb:

OK Buy a 1987 thru 1990 Virago 535. A rebel sucks as a learner bike ... Its low and small, but its not that well made, it doesn't crash all that well and get this ... V 535 ... all the pretty bits faux tank, the bug eyes, side panels, t/s'es, all can be yanked off and the bike will never get visibly dinged up if you dump it. Its also got torque torque and more torque. Its got side fit carbs, as in you can swap out all jets and clean everyhitng wihtout ever taking it apart. Its the beginner bike to have IMHO. my second choice for beginner bike - savage 650 ... but its so faaar behind the 535. Old rebel is OK ... but even those are too $$$
Cool.
Srinath.

Persuade her to ride safely! And please do let us know how this all turns out!  :thumb:  :thumb:

pandy  :cheers:

Quote from: subcInstead of "should I let her?"
I meant to say "should I persuade her not to ride?"
We'll see how it turns out.  :thumb:

Quote from: hulap0pr

Quote from: subc...
Should I let her?

That's a joke, right? Please tell me that's a joke.
Because, unless she's under 18 and also your daughter, I don't think you're in any position to 'let' her do anything.

:lol: I think it must be something in the water that people from MA drink, what's with this whole wanting equality thing??? :thumb:

Quote from: subcgiven that english is my second language, then I wrote my sentence wrong.

Instead of "should I let her?"
I meant to say "should I persuade her not to ride?"

And yes, she asked for my advice on this matter.

...

Talking about the devil. She just called me from work to 'inform me' that she got approved by INS to get her worker's visa  :kiss:
now is the chance to tell her that I can go with her to the MSF course (i already took it anyway).

She is getting a honda rebel 250cc btw. We went to the dealer a few days ago to check them out.

We'll see how it turns out.  :thumb:

Very cool!!  I was just kidding about that, I knew what you meant.  The more riders, the better. :cheers:

If you care about her, don't let her ride...

Ever heard  D.W.A. before?

Driving
While
Asian
its a serious thing, and someone needs to put a stop to it.  And the fact that this Asian is also female only makes this situation more serious and more dangerous to others on the road.

You're letting her drive a car?

Should you let her??? Just how would you propose to stop her if she's made up her mind? Victorian husband style, that might be interesting.

Seriously, if she wants to do it and you talk her out of it she will always have doubts or resentments. Advise her to get the best training possible and go for it, it may put her off, it may not. As for gear all the training agencies here provide helmets and hi-Viz jackets if yours don't try and borrow a helmet or get a cheepie, there are plenty about.

Quote from: subc... She just called me from work to 'inform me' that she got approved by INS to get her worker's visa  :kiss:
now is the chance to tell her that I can go with her to the MSF course (i already took it anyway).

She is getting a honda rebel 250cc btw. We went to the dealer a few days ago to check them out.

We'll see how it turns out.  :thumb:

Sounds like Chapter 1 of this story is complete.  With the obvious interest in how the adventure turns out, please post.

PS. Good job on the Rebel 250.  Great starter bike.

Quote from: 97gs500eIf you care about her, don't let her ride...

Ever heard  D.W.A. before?

Driving
While
Asian
its a serious thing, and someone needs to put a stop to it.  And the fact that this Asian is also female only makes this situation more serious and more dangerous to others on the road.

You're letting her drive a car?

Yea right ... Nothing wrong with asians ... person to person ... my wife will entirely bury me and most other men I know ... she's good at distances, good with a truck that handles like crap, just plain good ... Me OTOH ... yea ... I backed into my own mail box, clobbered the door of my welders shop, constantly run over curbs and in general think its a bike I am in ... horrible. Its person to person ... dont think anyone is pre disposed to not being a good driver, but it does take effort and you need to put that in. If you were exposed to it as a 13yr old ... you picked it up by the time you were 16, you try that as a 30 yr old, and people make fun of ya, and you are now afraid and never pick it up. Do it and learn it ... That's what is important.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: hulap0pr

Quote from: subc...
Should I let her?

That's a joke, right? Please tell me that's a joke.
Because, unless she's under 18 and also your daughter, I don't think you're in any position to 'let' her do anything.

My thoughts exactly... It's okay for you to give her your opinion, but the decision is ultimately hers to make, not yours. She has a mind of her own, let her use it & decide for herself, after she takes the MSF class, if she likes riding enough to get her own bike. Good Luck!

Hope she does well and enjoys it, all the best to both of you.

Quote from: LadyJules31She has a mind of her own, let her use it & decide for herself...

Blah blah blah Julie, now shut the yap and go make me a sandwich and bring me a beer  :lol:

hehe, just kidding.  :kiss:

Quote from: Phaedrus

Quote from: LadyJules31She has a mind of her own, let her use it & decide for herself...

Blah blah blah Julie, now shut the yap and go make me a sandwich and bring me a beer  :lol:

hehe, just kidding.  :kiss:

:bs:   I'm sorry Rich, did you say something?   :P

I'll get you that sandwich and beer right after you kiss my a$$ & rub my feet.  :kiss:   ;)

Hey, that foot thing really worked for me... that and Ben & Jerry's.  Forget the flowers.

Then again, it's hard to figure out who was zoomin' who...  my wife is always saying "Men are like linoleum...  lay 'em good once, and you can walk all over 'em for years."

Seriously, it sounds like you don't think she's a good driver, and that she won't be a good rider.  It's alright for you to feel that way (and you may even be right).  You can even do some subtle things like buy a car with a good crash rating, "just in case".  But being overprotective will just clue her in that you think she's a poor driver, and nothing good can come of that in a relationship.  There are some things in life that you just have to let run their course, and an SO's driving is one of them.  You have to respect her enough to let her figure-out her own limitations there.

Unless she's crashing as often as Daniely  :cheers: , then just support her.

Quote from: Rema1000Unless she's crashing as often as Daniely  :cheers: , then just support her.

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:

This is speaking from experience.  I'm Asian, 5'3", I'm a GREAT driver, and ride a GS500.  My husband thought that this would be a good bike for me to start on and so far, it hasn't treated me too badly (I have dropped it a couple of times, takes a beating and keeps on ticking).  He rides a GSXR1000.  And is always reading up on ways to improve riding skills.  And there is a section, in one of his books, that talks about who SHOULDN'T be riding at all.  Here are the top ten reasons why one shouldn't ride a bike:

1.  You're always being encroached upon by other drivers.  
2.  If you honk your horn daily just to survive.
3.  Every other driver on the road is out to get you, so you drive timidly.
4.  Stopped traffic frequently surprise you, forcing you to brake hard every time.
5.  You have trouble acelerating onto a freeway to merge smoothly with traffic.
6.  You are honked at often.
7.  You are constantly the recipient of road rage.
8.  You drive below the posted speed limite for safety.
9.  You neglect your turn signal switch.
10. You believe everyone on the road is crazy and that it's only a matter of time before on of these crazy driveres hits you.


(paraphrased from "Sport Riding Techniques" by Nick Ienatsch)

You should let your girlfriend read this part.

Quote from: ScubaGirlThis is speaking from experience.  I'm Asian, 5'3", I'm a GREAT driver, and ride a GS500.  My husband thought that this would be a good bike for me to start on and so far, it hasn't treated me too badly (I have dropped it a couple of times, takes a beating and keeps on ticking).  He rides a GSXR1000.  And is always reading up on ways to improve riding skills.  And there is a section, in one of his books, that talks about who SHOULDN'T be riding at all.  Here are the top ten reasons why one shouldn't ride a bike:

1.  You're always being encroached upon by other drivers.  
2.  If you honk your horn daily just to survive.
3.  Every other driver on the road is out to get you, so you drive timidly.
4.  Stopped traffic frequently surprise you, forcing you to brake hard every time.
5.  You have trouble acelerating onto a freeway to merge smoothly with traffic.
6.  You are honked at often.
7.  You are constantly the recipient of road rage.
8.  You drive below the posted speed limite for safety.
9.  You neglect your turn signal switch.
10. You believe everyone on the road is crazy and that it's only a matter of time before on of these crazy driveres hits you.


(paraphrased from "Sport Riding Techniques" by Nick Ienatsch)

You should let your girlfriend read this part.

heh heh

crazy asians

You wanna see crazy Asians...here's one for you.  Hope the link still works, I saw it on www.socalsportsbikes.com a while back.  

http://www.19actionnews.com/global/video/WorldNowASX.asp?playerType=native&ClipID1=472139&h1=Owner%20of%20often-robbed%20neighborhood%20market%20says%20she%27s%20ready%20to%20kill&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=124834&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&playerVersion=6       :lol:

Oyyy ... dont encourage this guy ... nothing wrong with asians ... if they put in the practice and they are close enough to the regular American driver ... If they dont, well that's not apples to apples comparison ... like saying un trained is worse than trained ... Well ... Duh ...
Cool.
Srinath.

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

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

(http://i.pbase.com/v3/11/582411/2/47189822.ltw_20.jpg)

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

Quote from: RoadstergalDWA... my small Asian female friend...

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

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 :thumb:

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

Quote from: RoadstergalDang 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... :thumb:

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.

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.

Quote from: seshadri_srinathThere 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...

Quote from: manofthefield

Quote from: RoadstergalDWA... my small Asian female friend...

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

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.  :thumb:

AS a MSF course instructor It's alot easier w/o experience because you don't have to break bad habits :roll: ...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:

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.  :thumb:

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...

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.

QuoteIts 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.

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.

Quote from: Blueknyt

QuoteIts 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.

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. :P

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

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

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:

Quote from: pandyEveryone 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.   ;)