Triumphrat

Lance-S4

Ok, my girlfriend took the MSF course a couple years ago after buying a small 250 Virago to practice on. The class she took had all Honda CB250 Nighthawks that she felt very comfortable with and after graduating from the class, decided to buy one. Well a year and a half later, she has "upgraded" to a Ninja 250. Because of her size and other physical reasons, she claims it fits like a glove and I believe her as I have seen her abilities increase 5X in a matter of hours (stupid cruisers).

Here's the deal. She's nervous still in many basic maneuvers and conditions.
First, cornering. The long sweepers she is getting better at...every corner. The 90 degree city or highway corners, she slows to a crawl afraid of leaning the bike. I can almost see her fighting the lean. She understands shifting into a lower gear, light breaking and all of that but after these 2+ years, this is her biggest struggle and my biggest frustration.

Second is wind. We live in an area that is windy all of the time and the roads leaving our house are wide open, straight and have a nice side gust. She slows down on the 50mph Hwy, lets frustrated cars pack in behind her and eventually pulls over to let them pass just to do it again a mile down the road.

She has less than 1 hour riding by herself and keeps asking me if she can ride to work (30 miles away on back roads). As if she really needs my permission, I told her I don't think she is ready yet.

Keep in mind that she really is getting better in these areas but it is MUCH slower than it should be.

Would throwing her on the back of my bike so she can feel it in the safety of my (cough) abilities or do we just keep riding an hour every other night.

I'm tired and frustrated.

Thanks for the advice in advance.

-Lance

FuryFour

I really believe the MSF Advanced Rider Course may help her.

I don't think putting her on the back would help any. Riding as much as possible will definately help, Even more so if you're in front so that she can watch you and observe how you do things. Just remember to go slow enough for her. I think she just needs to get comfortable with leaning and then it will be nothing but progress from there on.

Be happy your girl has any riding ability. We tried to get mine to pilot a scooter once, and she went off into the bushes, somehow incapable of turning it...

__________________
| 2006 Triumph Speed Four - SOLD |
| 2001 Triumph TT600 - SOLD |
| 2008 Triumph Daytona 675 - NEW |
| 1979 Honda CX500 - Old and Ugly |
| 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn - Support Vehicle |

Lance-S4

Thanks bro. I have her ride behind me all of the time to "watch" it just doesn't seem to help. I have thought about the advanced course and may look into it. She wants to ride better and I am lucky that she's into riding her own bike, I just want her to be well, better... and safer. Maybe she's simply being too safe.

Anyway her new Ninja 250 is a pretty cool little bike and she has already spoke of going to a 500 next season. What have I created?

Thanks!

-Lance

FuryFour

just don't let her steal the speed four!!!!

__________________
| 2006 Triumph Speed Four - SOLD |
| 2001 Triumph TT600 - SOLD |
| 2008 Triumph Daytona 675 - NEW |
| 1979 Honda CX500 - Old and Ugly |
| 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn - Support Vehicle |

badS4

Hey Lance. You said "she has less than 1 hour riding by herself" but she's been riding about two yrs. Do you mean 1 hr total solo time, i.e., she almost never rides alone?

matt

Rik

I suspect she just needs plenty of time and if she wants it - additional professional instruction. Confidence can be a hard thing to build.

Just a thought but I wouldn't be surprised if she feels a little intimidated by the noise, look and power your bike so if she still has her old 250 why try going out on that with her instead - Only use a max of half throttle and no matter how bored you get, no ragging it

Lance-S4

Yes, barely any solo time. I sent her out last night by herself and asked her to ride for at least a half an hour. She came back without a scratch so maybe the key is to let her figure it out on her own. We'll see.

hinkleyboy

to quote a film, that i can't remember the title of


'' if you love her, let her go''

seriousley though, letting her ride by herself will teach her so much rather than her concentrating on what your doing, let her go to work on the bike , just make sure she's fully kitted up and that she's got a mobile/cellphone with her

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doodledog

Same thing with my wife she got a varadero and does the same things as yours, I always used to go with her but I dont think it helps as she is more nervous cos I am there, just encourage her to go out and ride on her own at quiet times at first, the confidance will come, It is difficult to remember the first steps out there on our own as most of us have been riding for years, and I first set out when I was a cocky kid with no fear, mind you I been riding now for 40 years, there is more traffic now and as you get older you are naturally more cautious, give her some time and she will be kicking your ass on track days but let her do it in her own time

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Will

Make sure she really wants to ride and isn't just going along with the program. I agree with the others who have said to make sure she rides plenty without you watching. That probably makes both of you nervous.

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