Help!

[gospeedracer]

I'm taking a co-worker riding this weekend. She's never ridden before except on the back of a motorcycle. For some reason I had thought she at least had some experience since her boyfriend rides. Not that it matters but now I'm just a little freaked out about teaching her from scratch. I'm feeling the pressure of making sure her first experience is enjoyable and not so traumatizing that she won't ever want to ride again.

Couple of questions,
Since my RM isn't quite all the way back together my choices are Eddie's TTR250 or my KTM200. She's 5'4 and about 125lbs. I'm thinking the TTR may be tamer but it's also much heavier and I think it's a smidge taller than my bike. My bike is shorter and lighter but may be a little 'much' for a brand new newbie. Any suggestions on which one I should start her on?

I also don't have a lot of choices in the way of where to take her locally. One place is all fire road. No hills, nice and wide open but it is shared with 4x4s, hikers, mtn bikers, and horses. Eddie doesn't think it would be a good idea to take her there. The other place also has fire roads but is a little more narrow and rocky. What I wouldn't give for a nice big grassy field like at Casey! :ugg:

She will have all the protective gear. I'm pretty sure all my stuff will fit her except the other 2 helmets might be a smidge too big. Will I be endangering her any if she is wearing a helmet that doesn't fit her quite properly?

I think I'll forward this link to her to read first, http://cindygross.tripod.com/learning.htm

Any other suggestions to help make this as possitive experience for her as possible are greatly appreciated. I don't wanna screw this up! I want some female riding partners! :)

 

[blackhawk468]

My suggestions:

Make sure she knows where all the controls are before you let her take off (ie sit her down on the bike and show her everything and make sure she knows how to apply them before even starting the bike) , also tell her what to do if the bike starts to get away from her, (like gives it too much gas and it wheelies) that happened to me and i had no idea what to do, so go over some hypothetical situations with her and make sure she understands what to do.

I would say to start out with the milder bike, or let her try both after she gets the hang of it and let her decide for herself. As far as places, I would say a wide open place would be better.

 

[Girlrider]

It is a little ackward but I always ride on the back with them at first. That way I can reach around them to grab the brake/gas if needed and I can help them judge how much gas and how much clutch to use. Instead of dragging my feet I put only my toes on the foot peg and then have them put their feet on top of mine. Trust me it is better for you and them. I have not figured out how to do this on a trials bike yet.;) I would take the KTM for sure. If she rides on the back with you some have her put her feet on the pegs too because it is much easier. If they get too much foot on the peg it is hard to shift so just the toe if possible. GOOD LUCK

 

[Jimmy!]

Now I know you weren't soliciting aid from us man-folk so feel free to ignore me :silly: but .......Ideally if you could beg, borrow or steal :debil: a 4s mini just to work on the basics you'd be much better off IMHO. That said and speaking as one who has a TTR-250 in the garage, it's VERY beginner friendly. Very mild power delivery, it won't load up or misbehave going 3mph for 20 mins at a time, the brakes aren't too grabby(though they are good), light clutch pull and the e-start takes all the starting worries out of the picture. worrying about stalling can be a huge distraction to a new rider, but with e-start that goes away. The only thing that could be tricky is your friend might have a little trouble reaching the ground at a stop. I think that motoring around on easy terrain, the weight won't be a huge issue.

But most important, like blackhawk468 said is which ever she's most comfortable with. And have fun! :)

As gar as gear goes, that's a judgement call. But in order for a helmet to do it's job it needs to fit properly.

that's my $.0000002 anyway :confused:

 

[gospeedracer]

OMG! Can I just say that oabike is THE MAN! And that DRN is simply the BEST! I have never even met oabike (local here in SB) and he is going to loan me his TTR125L to train my co-worker on tomorrow! No questions asked, just here's my address, come pick it up!! Unbelievable! And the threat that I would have him banned if he didn't comply had absolutely nothing to do with it. ;)

Thanks a million Scot.

BTW, anyone know how much a TTR125 goes for on the street these days? :p

 

[NVR FNSH]

GSR,
My advice was going to be the TTR - no radiators to damage when, not IF, she drops the bike. Fireroads are a very good thing. Find as big a field as possible and let her practice with the controls - clutch, throttle, brakes etc.

So who is going to shadow these two with the video camera and get all this for posterity?

Good luck, be safe & above all - have fun.

Brian

 

[gospeedracer]

No video cam, just digital pics..... lots and lots of digital pics! ;)

I'm already getting all kinds of flak at work... "If you break our Benefits Admin girl we're gonna be really pissed!" :silly:

 

[KTMster]

Ride Report time! ;)

 

[gospeedracer]

Check HERE for the ride report. I haven't got the pictures up yet though.