My fiancee has sudenly decided that she is tired of sitting around and just watching. Now don't get mad because i'm not against women riding or anything. It's just that she is pretty small (5'9" and about110). I'm worried that she wouldn't be able to pick it up or hardly even ride it. She is kind of girly and I don't personally see her riding, but maybe. If you do think she should try what should she ride? If it matters I have a 97 YZ250
Should my girlfriend ride?
- Thread starter Wanabe
- Start date
firecracker22
Sponsoring Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 3,213
- 0
It's entirely her decision and you should help her in any way you can. If you don't think she can ride, she will pick up on that. If she thinks she can, she will give it everything she's got.
As far as what bike, DON'T do what every other well meaning boyfriend does and immediately put her on a heavy electric start bike. I don't know why this happens but it does. It is far easier to learn how to kick than it is to pick up a 260-lb TTR or DRZ, and there will be lots of picking up to do as a beginner. Try a KDX or a 125 of some type--depending on what she feels comfortable on. The standard "beginner" bikes like TT-R 125s and XR 200s might be too short for her if she's 5'9".
Can't women be "girly" and ride? I curl my hair and paint my nails.
As far as what bike, DON'T do what every other well meaning boyfriend does and immediately put her on a heavy electric start bike. I don't know why this happens but it does. It is far easier to learn how to kick than it is to pick up a 260-lb TTR or DRZ, and there will be lots of picking up to do as a beginner. Try a KDX or a 125 of some type--depending on what she feels comfortable on. The standard "beginner" bikes like TT-R 125s and XR 200s might be too short for her if she's 5'9".
Can't women be "girly" and ride? I curl my hair and paint my nails.
TexKDX
~SPONSOR~
- Aug 8, 1999
- 747
- 0
A KX100 would let he stand flat-footed, a confidence booster. The KX100 also has a power valve which gives it more than just 20cc's worth of low end over an 80. To FC22's point, this lighter bike versus say a "starter" bike like the TTR250 or DR250 may make here alot more comfortable, especially considering her wingnut weight status.
WHATEVER you put her on, get a spare throttle housing and drill it for a throttle stop screw. Nothing worse than throwing her weight back, accidently twisting on WFO, and losing control. Just take a good look at the housing and drill a hole in it in the right spot to put a little screw in it to stop the cable holder. 1/4 throttle is a good starting place. You can drill another hole at half throttle when she gets better, then 3/4.
Also, for the first "ride", leave the motor off and push her around the block so she can get the feel for the brakes before she has to deal with them and the throttle. It may look stupid, but this is an effective technique for getting her started. When she is finally using the motor, be sure you are in an open area and there is nothing for her to hit. If there is one thing within 200 feet, she'll probably hit it.
Finally, make sure she has decent gear on. Boots over the ankles, legs and arms covered (jeans and sweatshirt are OK), helmet and gloves. A simple tipover can get nasty if the bike lands on her and the exhaust or engine makes contact with her leg.
Can she drive a stick shift car? Is she a sissy girl or a toughy girl? My wife is a sissy girl who thinks she is a toughy girl. 100 feet on a motorcycle was all it took to make the distinction for her unfortunately. Makes a decent passenger now though.
WHATEVER you put her on, get a spare throttle housing and drill it for a throttle stop screw. Nothing worse than throwing her weight back, accidently twisting on WFO, and losing control. Just take a good look at the housing and drill a hole in it in the right spot to put a little screw in it to stop the cable holder. 1/4 throttle is a good starting place. You can drill another hole at half throttle when she gets better, then 3/4.
Also, for the first "ride", leave the motor off and push her around the block so she can get the feel for the brakes before she has to deal with them and the throttle. It may look stupid, but this is an effective technique for getting her started. When she is finally using the motor, be sure you are in an open area and there is nothing for her to hit. If there is one thing within 200 feet, she'll probably hit it.
Finally, make sure she has decent gear on. Boots over the ankles, legs and arms covered (jeans and sweatshirt are OK), helmet and gloves. A simple tipover can get nasty if the bike lands on her and the exhaust or engine makes contact with her leg.
Can she drive a stick shift car? Is she a sissy girl or a toughy girl? My wife is a sissy girl who thinks she is a toughy girl. 100 feet on a motorcycle was all it took to make the distinction for her unfortunately. Makes a decent passenger now though.
firecracker22
Sponsoring Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 3,213
- 0
A lot of women are also more comfortable around someone they aren't involved in . . . just the way it is, no offense to you. Another woman who rides would be ideal.
Another good learning tactic is to have her stand next to the bike,walk beside it, and let the clutch in and out. That is what they do with beginners in MSF school and it's a good way to learn clutch control without worrying about falling down too. And get her to start practicing good body position NOW, not later when it's a bad habit!
Another good learning tactic is to have her stand next to the bike,walk beside it, and let the clutch in and out. That is what they do with beginners in MSF school and it's a good way to learn clutch control without worrying about falling down too. And get her to start practicing good body position NOW, not later when it's a bad habit!
firecracker22
Sponsoring Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 3,213
- 0
Geez, give her a chance! You might be surprised! And gain one of the best riding partners of your life. (after you get past the "You *&$%# Jerk, I can't believe you led me down this trail! This *#@&$ sucks! You and your @#(%@^ trail can bite my ass!" stage, anyway. Be patient, this stage is short.)
TexKDX
~SPONSOR~
- Aug 8, 1999
- 747
- 0
The TTR would definately be a friendlier bike than the angry-sounding KX100 for the first few rides. And, after she moves up to something else, you can make a great backyard MX bike out of it!
Wifie has driven nothing but sticks since her first super beetle at 16, except for a brief period between sticks while piloting a Volvo 240 wagon auto. The twist throttle is something we take for granted, permanently hard wired into our brains since that first spin around a field at age 7 on a Briggs and Stratton-powered conglomeration of mild steel tubing AKA a mini-bike.
4 wheelers and PWCs come with thumb throttles for a reason. That have-a-friend thing is one of the top 5 suggestions given here. It ranks right up there with the throttle stop and having nothing around for her to hit.
Wifie has driven nothing but sticks since her first super beetle at 16, except for a brief period between sticks while piloting a Volvo 240 wagon auto. The twist throttle is something we take for granted, permanently hard wired into our brains since that first spin around a field at age 7 on a Briggs and Stratton-powered conglomeration of mild steel tubing AKA a mini-bike.
4 wheelers and PWCs come with thumb throttles for a reason. That have-a-friend thing is one of the top 5 suggestions given here. It ranks right up there with the throttle stop and having nothing around for her to hit.
Spend the money & send her to an MSF course - yeah, it's for the street but basic controlls are the same and she's not having to deal with reading the terrain. That and they provide the bike (some of them at least).
When my wife moved into my house she had never fired a gun - I have several and felt that she should know how to use them. Smartest thing I did was send her to a handgun safety/training class taught by a Police Instructor. She enjoyed the class, learned a lot & we didn't get divorced.
Brian
When my wife moved into my house she had never fired a gun - I have several and felt that she should know how to use them. Smartest thing I did was send her to a handgun safety/training class taught by a Police Instructor. She enjoyed the class, learned a lot & we didn't get divorced.
Brian
wayneo426
Sponsoring Member
I agree with everyone else. She should first learn in a MSF course. You will have plenty of time for input in the future. I can remember trying to teach my wife how to hit a golf ball, and after 2 months of trying she hung up those clubs, and almost hung a 3iron around my neck.....:eek: Give her some time to learn, and you will both be better off.
LoriKTM
Super Power AssClown
She's too small?? Sheesh, I'm only 5' 3", I'd better just sell my bike and give it up, then. :silly:
You sound like you're ready to give up on her. Give her a chance, if she wants! Whatever you do, don't put her on your YZ!! If you don't want to spend the money, find someone with a TTR125 or XR200 that she can try out to see if she even likes it. The TTRs are small and un-intimidating. (Maybe too small for her size).
The MSF class is an excellent idea-- they provide the bikes, and she can learn to ride in a comfortable setting. When she gets done with the class, if she's still interested you can look at getting her a small dirt bike of her own.
You sound like you're ready to give up on her. Give her a chance, if she wants! Whatever you do, don't put her on your YZ!! If you don't want to spend the money, find someone with a TTR125 or XR200 that she can try out to see if she even likes it. The TTRs are small and un-intimidating. (Maybe too small for her size).
The MSF class is an excellent idea-- they provide the bikes, and she can learn to ride in a comfortable setting. When she gets done with the class, if she's still interested you can look at getting her a small dirt bike of her own.
- Oct 13, 1999
- 2,807
- 0
MSF class, only if SHE wants to learn how to ride. There were several women in the class I took 6 years ago. Three of them were there because their significant other wanted them to learn how to ride. All three were in the bottom of the class and one even failed. :silly:
I'm smart enough to know that I should never teach my wife anything, again. Someday I'll tell you about the skiing trip to hell. :p
I'm smart enough to know that I should never teach my wife anything, again. Someday I'll tell you about the skiing trip to hell. :p
firecracker22
Sponsoring Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 3,213
- 0
Or, of course, you could check to see if there's a Debbie Matthews women's mx school nearby. Most of them (to my knowledge) break up students according to skill and in the one I took, there was one gal who'd been on a bike only once or twice, and they took her aside and worked with the basics of shifting, braking, etc. She never even made it to the track but she said she learned a lot. Before the class started the teacher instructed us to go and ride around the track and I saw her and her husband getting pretty annoyed with each other. It's very hard to teach your significant other.
J_dem_Bones
Member
- Jun 23, 2001
- 197
- 0
Cool.....Thanks for the tips and for Wanabe for starting this thread.
My girl want's to ride also. She's tired of watching and taking pictures.;)
I was thinking of a TTR-125 for her. She's 5'7"@115lbs. I thought it would be good for her to learn on a smaller bike. Then when she's ready she can move up to a bigger bike. By that time our little guy can ride it next (till he break's it).
My girl want's to ride also. She's tired of watching and taking pictures.;)
I was thinking of a TTR-125 for her. She's 5'7"@115lbs. I thought it would be good for her to learn on a smaller bike. Then when she's ready she can move up to a bigger bike. By that time our little guy can ride it next (till he break's it).
I'd suggest the MSF course as well. I sent my (not yet then) wife to one as a BD gift about 5 yrs ago. Up to that point she hadn't ever ridden a motorbike on her own & had just a few passenger trips with me on the street. Well, she ended up getting a MC license and her own street bike & dirt bike :cool: And, she married me after all that too! :)
I'd agree too that it can be helpful to have a friend or two help with the "instruction" as she won't take any "advice" or "tips" so personally as she would from you. If you want to teach her yourself, just keep in mind that it's supposed to be FUN.;)
firecracker22 wrote:
"As far as what bike, DON'T do what every other well meaning boyfriend does and immediately put her on a heavy electric start bike. I don't know why this happens but it does. It is far easier to learn how to kick than it is to pick up a 260-lb TTR or DRZ, and there will be lots of picking up to do as a beginner."
Hey! I resemble that remark! :p My wife rides a TT-R 250 because she LOVES the electric start! Hates kickstarting all to H E 2Xhockeysticks. She rides pretty darn good, but really hates kickstarting. I'm not arguing with FC22, the weight is a factor for some people. But in my wife's case the exact opposite was true. She is strong enough to right the TT-R by herself but has some serious "challenges" with kickstarting. For her, the fact that she knows the bike will always start gives her a big boost in confidence. Plus, the TT-R suits her riding style very well, so for her, the TTR is the best bike. Besides, she really digs that blue color!
Any way you slice it though, your task is to make sure that she has a good time & to support her if she wants to leave the ranks of spectators & become a participant, and that SHE decides whether or not to pursue it.
There's nothing like getting roosted by your SO! :cool: Puts a big smile on my face every time!
I'd agree too that it can be helpful to have a friend or two help with the "instruction" as she won't take any "advice" or "tips" so personally as she would from you. If you want to teach her yourself, just keep in mind that it's supposed to be FUN.;)
firecracker22 wrote:
"As far as what bike, DON'T do what every other well meaning boyfriend does and immediately put her on a heavy electric start bike. I don't know why this happens but it does. It is far easier to learn how to kick than it is to pick up a 260-lb TTR or DRZ, and there will be lots of picking up to do as a beginner."
Hey! I resemble that remark! :p My wife rides a TT-R 250 because she LOVES the electric start! Hates kickstarting all to H E 2Xhockeysticks. She rides pretty darn good, but really hates kickstarting. I'm not arguing with FC22, the weight is a factor for some people. But in my wife's case the exact opposite was true. She is strong enough to right the TT-R by herself but has some serious "challenges" with kickstarting. For her, the fact that she knows the bike will always start gives her a big boost in confidence. Plus, the TT-R suits her riding style very well, so for her, the TTR is the best bike. Besides, she really digs that blue color!
Any way you slice it though, your task is to make sure that she has a good time & to support her if she wants to leave the ranks of spectators & become a participant, and that SHE decides whether or not to pursue it.
There's nothing like getting roosted by your SO! :cool: Puts a big smile on my face every time!
bbbom
~SPONSOR~
- Aug 13, 1999
- 2,092
- 0
Good advice as usual.
Have to admit, the too small to ride cracked me up. My daughter is 6, about 4'4" and maybe 50 lbs and races SX on her 50, my son is 8 about 4'10" and 85 lbs and races SX on his KX60 and CR80E. As for being a sissy girl - so was GSR I have heard!!! :p
Find the right bike by letting her try some out if possible. It is difficult to find which bike suits a person until you give it a try - nobody ever told me I should ride a CR500 (except my boyfriend) in fact most everybody told me I shouldn't. Let her decide what she likes then let her go.
:eek:
Have to admit, the too small to ride cracked me up. My daughter is 6, about 4'4" and maybe 50 lbs and races SX on her 50, my son is 8 about 4'10" and 85 lbs and races SX on his KX60 and CR80E. As for being a sissy girl - so was GSR I have heard!!! :p
Find the right bike by letting her try some out if possible. It is difficult to find which bike suits a person until you give it a try - nobody ever told me I should ride a CR500 (except my boyfriend) in fact most everybody told me I shouldn't. Let her decide what she likes then let her go.
:eek:
firecracker22
Sponsoring Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 3,213
- 0
<crossing fingers behind back>
I have NEVER done that to Steve. Ever. I am always sweet and kind and patient on the trail. I have never sworn, kicked my bike or thrown it down on the ground. I have never raised my voice above conversational level. I have never thrown a tantrum.
<uncrossing fingers behind back>
I have NEVER done that to Steve. Ever. I am always sweet and kind and patient on the trail. I have never sworn, kicked my bike or thrown it down on the ground. I have never raised my voice above conversational level. I have never thrown a tantrum.
<uncrossing fingers behind back>
- Jun 5, 2001
- 7,529
- 18
Ever seen the Sienfeld episode where George doesn't want his girfriend to hang out with them? The two worlds should never meet! Not that we do anything bad out there but, I can just hear my wife on a goat trail! "You made that @$#%$ tree branch hit me, didn't you?!?!?!" "You knew that there was a big hole on the other side of this hill, didn't you?!?!?!" "You want me to do what?" All the time this is happening, your fine 2 stroker that usually is pinned in third gear is now spitting oil from the pipe and puttin out more smoke than a 78 Ford Grenada! You could probably get your truck setup with a bar off the side so you can drive while she rides attached to it!
I know I've probably ticked off the women here, definately unintentional, trying to be funny. Actually, having another teach her would be a good idea then you can ride together after. Good luck
I know I've probably ticked off the women here, definately unintentional, trying to be funny. Actually, having another teach her would be a good idea then you can ride together after. Good luck
- Oct 13, 1999
- 2,807
- 0
Worlds are colliding here!
LMAO elk. I guess that explains why my snow skiing vacations have gone from "Where's the steep and deep?" to "Where's the groomed bunny slopes?"
Worlds collided and Extreme Woods lost out to Relationship Woods.
Hey honey did I show you this lovely, colorful hematoma I sustained on my leg at last Sunday's enduro? Pretty gross, huh?
LMAO elk. I guess that explains why my snow skiing vacations have gone from "Where's the steep and deep?" to "Where's the groomed bunny slopes?"
Worlds collided and Extreme Woods lost out to Relationship Woods.
Hey honey did I show you this lovely, colorful hematoma I sustained on my leg at last Sunday's enduro? Pretty gross, huh?
firecracker22
Sponsoring Member
- Oct 23, 2000
- 3,213
- 0
Extreme Woods lost out to Relationship Woods
I try to find others to ride with and only subject Steve to my trailside company when he absolutely insists he doesn’t mind and actually wants to go trailriding with me. Someday, I’ll be a good enough rider to back up my attitude. Maybe.
I try to find others to ride with and only subject Steve to my trailside company when he absolutely insists he doesn’t mind and actually wants to go trailriding with me. Someday, I’ll be a good enough rider to back up my attitude. Maybe.
wayneo426
Sponsoring Member
Woodsy,
Im beginning to think you spend too much time on the ground!:)
I know, I know, at least your not afraid of the mud. :silly:
Im beginning to think you spend too much time on the ground!:)
I know, I know, at least your not afraid of the mud. :silly:
bbbom
~SPONSOR~
- Aug 13, 1999
- 2,092
- 0
Riding with your significant other is a wonderful bonding experience!!!
I have only flopped my bike over sideways once in order to get it off a hill where it had ended up on it's side with the top side on the uphill - I guess I did blame Karl for the broken clutch lever though. :think But it was HIS stupid idea to go up the darn hill!
I guess I have been known to yell at my bike when stuck upside down or pinned against a tree. Well I admit I recall ONE time when Karl decided to come back up and check on me I politely told him his assistance was not needed at that point something like "JUST GO AWAY!!". If it hadn't been for the helmet cam footage I would not have ever known that he was giggling at me as he walked back down to his bike! BUSTED BUDDY!!
Actually, I rarely blame him for taking me places I have second thoughts (of murder) about. I KNOW what I am getting myself into EVERY time I fall in behind the man. :eek: And they say blondes are dumb! :think
I have only flopped my bike over sideways once in order to get it off a hill where it had ended up on it's side with the top side on the uphill - I guess I did blame Karl for the broken clutch lever though. :think But it was HIS stupid idea to go up the darn hill!
I guess I have been known to yell at my bike when stuck upside down or pinned against a tree. Well I admit I recall ONE time when Karl decided to come back up and check on me I politely told him his assistance was not needed at that point something like "JUST GO AWAY!!". If it hadn't been for the helmet cam footage I would not have ever known that he was giggling at me as he walked back down to his bike! BUSTED BUDDY!!
Actually, I rarely blame him for taking me places I have second thoughts (of murder) about. I KNOW what I am getting myself into EVERY time I fall in behind the man. :eek: And they say blondes are dumb! :think
