So I took my wife for her first ride yesterday, and though she was scared when we left and scared on some of the corners, when we got home we decided together  that she needs her own two wheeled machine. It is safer for us both in that she can go at her own pace and will learn about holding a line rather than flopping around when I am cornering (she tried to look over my outside shoulder on one corner... she knew better but I think it was fear that was getting to her)

Here is where I am at a loss: do I just throw her on my GS and give myself a chance to upgrade (sv650 or CB600f), get her a GS of her own, or do I get her a scooter for awhile then move her to the GS? I don't want to put her in harms way by putting her on something that won't do the speed limit, and a scooter is the same price as a used GS... but for just a little bit more money she could be on my GS and I could be on something a bit faster.

We looked at gear last night and that is a MUST before we buy a bike. She wore my spare helmet yesterday but it was too big for her and I know how important proper fitting gear is.

let her practice on the GS for a little bit and if she likes it give her that. then you can decide if you want another GS or upgrade or whatever.

i think the scooter is a waste. if she wants to ride a bike then a scooter won't cut it and i know you won't want it either. i mean, does she really just want to play on a scooter and that's it? really?

Does she know how to drive a manual transmission? If not then depending on her size even the GS500 might be too big. From the way you described her, I don't know if starting her on a 440lb bike is a good idea.

I just remember when my wife was learning and she dropped my GS500, that left both of us pretty unhappy. It would have been better to start her on a 125-250cc dirt-style bike. They are much lighter and easier to learn the clutch because of the lower gearing.

is she going to take the MSF course? that would leave her with a good baseline to see what she's comfortable with.

New bike? School your wifey on trusting you more.  All that.... "trust me with your life".... "have faith in me stuff" type stuff.

I voted for the scooter, but that is based on my wifey...she doesn't care too much to learn about clutch and throttle control...so a scooter is the only answer for me to get her on two wheels...twist & go...

If your wifey is interested in getting her own bike, let her choose...

Later.

Did you give her a chance to tell you what she wants? Heather always wanted a scooter, we ended up getting her the GS500 instead, took her a while to learn, was never 100% comfortable, she stopped riding it, we moved to the city, and now she rides mopeds and has no interest in motorcycles. It was a whole big long waste of a circle just to get her back on something she wanted to ride in the first place. Obviously she'll want something that will go the speed of traffic, but if she wants a 200lb scooter, don't waste the effort trying to talk her into a 400lb motorcycle. I also would've preferred to get Heather a ninja250 over the gs500. They're much easier to handle, but I couldn't find one when we were looking. With the new styling you could probably find one of the older ones pretty cheap.

Having 2 of the same thing will never hurt - you will be able to maintain both with the same manual, knowledge, etc.

It's pretty obvious that a GS500 is a great bike to learn on.  Also they are relatively cheap and easy to keep in good working order.

Quote from: zirconx on May 23, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Does she know how to drive a manual transmission? If not then depending on her size even the GS500 might be too big. From the way you described her, I don't know if starting her on a 440lb bike is a good idea.

I just remember when my wife was learning and she dropped my GS500, that left both of us pretty unhappy. It would have been better to start her on a 125-250cc dirt-style bike. They are much lighter and easier to learn the clutch because of the lower gearing.

personally, i think dirt bikes are harder to learn on than a begginer street bike. she'll most likely end up laying on her back while the thing wheelies away with a dirt bike, especially the sizes mentioned.
i'd go with the MSF option before committing to anything.

Quote from: cjaama on May 23, 2011, 02:06:50 PM

Quote from: zirconx on May 23, 2011, 08:12:13 AM

i'd go with the MSF option before committing to anything.

^^ pretty much that.

and as far as how big or heavy a bike is, it depends on the learner.

I'm 6ft2 220 pnds and last summer an old friend let me sit on his bike and then teach me the basics at the parking lot he took the course in, then tossed me in the fire.
never sat on a bike before, and sure as heck never rode one either.
Also never drove manual anything.

after about 30 mins to an hr going over clutch control, I was riding around just fine, taking turns, shifting etc just fine.

and this was on a 600cc rocket.
sorry I forget Exactly what it was too

So I'd just try to go by what she can actually handle, weight wise for starters.

Quote from: cjaama on May 23, 2011, 02:06:50 PM

Quote from: zirconx on May 23, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Does she know how to drive a manual transmission? If not then depending on her size even the GS500 might be too big. From the way you described her, I don't know if starting her on a 440lb bike is a good idea.

I just remember when my wife was learning and she dropped my GS500, that left both of us pretty unhappy. It would have been better to start her on a 125-250cc dirt-style bike. They are much lighter and easier to learn the clutch because of the lower gearing.

personally, i think dirt bikes are harder to learn on than a begginer street bike. she'll most likely end up laying on her back while the thing wheelies away with a dirt bike, especially the sizes mentioned.
i'd go with the MSF option before committing to anything.

Agreed.  My girlfriend and I are taking the MSF course together next month and I will let her ride my GS500e and see if she likes it. 

Good luck!

She will be taking the MSF course once a year, like I do. A refresher is always welcome. I wouldn't mind having a scooter to mess around with, but it would have to be a Honda ruckus for me and she does not like those. We have looked at scooters and she doesn't like the retro looking scooters, she prefers the modern, sporty looking ones.

She said she would be more comfortable getting used to being on two wheels with out the gears; she drives stick with the best of them but is afraid that shifting a motorcycle will be too different. I have faith in her ability to learn, but I don't want to just dump her into learning on a bike if shes going to be too far outside her comfort zone. I think the transition from scooter to bike would be easier for someone without any background on bikes. I grew up riding dirt bikes, so I know that is not really an option to teach on, its really too different.

I am personally ready to get something just a bit bigger for myself as I was riding Kawi ZX6Rs and R1s owned by friends long before I got my GS, so if there is a way to get her on my GS and get something bigger I would welcome that with open arms. I miss the power.

Quote from: tb0lt on May 23, 2011, 08:46:51 AM
New bike? School your wifey on trusting you more.  All that.... "trust me with your life".... "have faith in me stuff" type stuff.

The issue isn't so much trust as much as different riding/driving style. I grew up on bikes and autocrossing cars at a young age. I had an 80cc shifter cart when I was 12 and raced, I am an aggressive rider and driver, she however is the opposite. When she drives she slows way down for corners, she plays it extra safe... careful driver stuff.

Get her taught on bike riding where They provide the bike. Then...

Let her ride your GS
Let her ride something else (or many something else's)
Let her tell you which she prefers and get that.

Michael

Quote from: cjaama on May 23, 2011, 02:06:50 PM

Quote from: zirconx on May 23, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Does she know how to drive a manual transmission? If not then depending on her size even the GS500 might be too big. From the way you described her, I don't know if starting her on a 440lb bike is a good idea.

I just remember when my wife was learning and she dropped my GS500, that left both of us pretty unhappy. It would have been better to start her on a 125-250cc dirt-style bike. They are much lighter and easier to learn the clutch because of the lower gearing.

personally, i think dirt bikes are harder to learn on than a begginer street bike. she'll most likely end up laying on her back while the thing wheelies away with a dirt bike, especially the sizes mentioned.
i'd go with the MSF option before committing to anything.

You may be thinking of the old 2 stroke motocross bikes, small 4 stroke non-race derived dual sports don't have much power.  My DR200 and XT225 can't power wheelie.  Even clutch wheelies take a little effort.  I'd say the DR is on par with the power of a Nighthawk 250 but has a much better ride (rear suspension that actually absorbs bumps) and a front disc brake.

-Jessie

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on May 23, 2011, 06:28:46 PM

Quote from: cjaama on May 23, 2011, 02:06:50 PM

Quote from: zirconx on May 23, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Does she know how to drive a manual transmission? If not then depending on her size even the GS500 might be too big. From the way you described her, I don't know if starting her on a 440lb bike is a good idea.

I just remember when my wife was learning and she dropped my GS500, that left both of us pretty unhappy. It would have been better to start her on a 125-250cc dirt-style bike. They are much lighter and easier to learn the clutch because of the lower gearing.

personally, i think dirt bikes are harder to learn on than a begginer street bike. she'll most likely end up laying on her back while the thing wheelies away with a dirt bike, especially the sizes mentioned.
i'd go with the MSF option before committing to anything.

You may be thinking of the old 2 stroke motocross bikes, small 4 stroke non-race derived dual sports don't have much power.  My DR200 and XT225 can't power wheelie.  Even clutch wheelies take a little effort.  I'd say the DR is on par with the power of a Nighthawk 250 but has a much better ride (rear suspension that actually absorbs bumps) and a front disc brake.

-Jessie

I cant see owning a dual sport that doesn't power wheelie. All the ones they sell as dual sports from the factory are far too tame. I want CRF450R power to weight ratio if I have a dual sport.

I'd decide based on how she feels about the gear/clutch.  There are plenty of 'scooters' that have decent power with no gears to worry about.  My little cn250 wannabe is so easy to ride and it is still a 250.  There are all kinds of 'scooters' now all the way up to something like a Burgman 400 or 650.  Good luck to you. 

Heck ya! burgmans are fast, twist and go, no need to be sitting super high and can't touch the floor.  I think if it is for her, then she should be the one to choose.  I've been eyeing the honda elite 110 for the storage and mpg, cheaper insurance and registration.

Quote from: jeffdodge on May 23, 2011, 06:44:34 PM

Quote from: BaltimoreGS on May 23, 2011, 06:28:46 PM

Quote from: cjaama on May 23, 2011, 02:06:50 PM

Quote from: zirconx on May 23, 2011, 08:12:13 AM
Does she know how to drive a manual transmission? If not then depending on her size even the GS500 might be too big. From the way you described her, I don't know if starting her on a 440lb bike is a good idea.

I just remember when my wife was learning and she dropped my GS500, that left both of us pretty unhappy. It would have been better to start her on a 125-250cc dirt-style bike. They are much lighter and easier to learn the clutch because of the lower gearing.

personally, i think dirt bikes are harder to learn on than a begginer street bike. she'll most likely end up laying on her back while the thing wheelies away with a dirt bike, especially the sizes mentioned.
i'd go with the MSF option before committing to anything.

You may be thinking of the old 2 stroke motocross bikes, small 4 stroke non-race derived dual sports don't have much power.  My DR200 and XT225 can't power wheelie.  Even clutch wheelies take a little effort.  I'd say the DR is on par with the power of a Nighthawk 250 but has a much better ride (rear suspension that actually absorbs bumps) and a front disc brake.

-Jessie

I cant see owning a dual sport that doesn't power wheelie. All the ones they sell as dual sports from the factory are far too tame. I want CRF450R power to weight ratio if I have a dual sport.

Check out the DRZ 400's.  A buddy of mine has the supermoto version and loves it!  That thing is a wheelie machine   

-Jessie

+1 on letting her decide.  I bought my wife a CRF150 so she could ride with my son and I.  She tried but just couldn't get comfortable on it.  We sold that that and got her a Recon ES250 4-wheeler (electric shift) and now she's good to go.  

If I were in your situation one big question for me would be - if I weren't in the picture would she want to ride?  If the answer is no then I would be really looking at a nice scooter.  Had I applied that question to my earlier situation I would have realized the only reason my wife wanted anything to do with riding on the dirt was simply to be with my son...and maybe with me.