Triumphrat

markbvt · 05-01-2007

I don't let anyone ride my Bonneville, not even my best friend who's been riding as long as I have (in fact, we took the same MSF class).

I agree with everyone here who's suggested sending the guy to the MSF class. Best way to learn to ride. And then encourage him to get his own bike.

--mark

mkchev · 05-02-2007

About letting others ride your bike. In the weekend just past a local real estate agent and his mate, a lawyer went for a afternoon ride don;t know if HD's or Jap bikes .swapped bikes 1/2 way through the ride. the lawyer got back to town but his mate was not behind him so he retraced his steps and found his bike and dead mate in a ditch. Funeral is tomorrow , he was 56 been selling real estate for 20 years here.I am thinking the lawyer will spend the rest of his life wishing the swap had not happened

SCCTrim · 05-02-2007

Very sad story, I've let 2 experienced riders ride my bike. I'd never let a inexperienced rider on her. I have alot of stress in my life, my bike is the only escape from this.

sweatmachine · 05-02-2007

I let my dad and a friend ride my bike. They are both experienced and have the $$$ to replace it if they crash it. I don't really mind letting them ride it but they are smart enough to know not to ask, so it's usually not a problem. Everytime I hand her over I remind them "you break it, you buy it" and I get a "yeah...yeah..." response. That's the conditions:

1. I trust your riding ability
2. I trust your financial ability
3. I know you well enough to trust you to make good on your F-ups.

There are 2 people in the world like that. That's it. My younger brother wants to ride it all the time but he's lacking in category #2, so I tell him to F-off!

MattTriumphs · 05-02-2007

There a post on here a few months ago about a guy who had two bikes and went out riding with brother. His brother crashed and wrecked his other bike. There is no way I'd let someone else on my bike without a license, and without knowing they would happily pay for any damages. Too much can go wrong. Tell him to take the MSF course and go chance it on some dealers bikes :lgh:

doogin · 05-03-2007

"DEAR ABBY" would respond. "If your friends infatuation is strong enough he/she will get a bike. Don't let this infatuation ruin your friendship or your bike."
Sweats, "just the tip in." has the ring of truth. I know I've been there. You take care and have no regrets. Be safe and have fun.

ivar · 05-03-2007

I really want to get my g/f started with riding. She took the theory/safety exam last year, along with her car licence.

No driving schools nearby either, so she'd have to take the driving lessons during her summer vacation.
Was thinking of getting her started on the "simple" things etc at a closed parking lot, but have mixed feelings for doing that with the Bonnie.... Now it would be handy to have something like a 250 Rebel or something.

As for riding friends bikes, I never ask them, they have to ask me if I'd like to take it for a ride. Same the other way around. And I treat the bikes I try out with the utmost respect and expect the same for my bike, I'd hate to bin a good friends bike.