Ducati Monster Forum

Local Clubs => NMMR => Topic started by: xsuperbikeracerx on February 11, 2009, 07:29:44 AM

Title: Learning how to ride
Post by: xsuperbikeracerx on February 11, 2009, 07:29:44 AM
So I am going to take on the task of teaching the boyfriend how to ride! He's never been on a bike at all. I've taught a few how to ride years ago, but they atleast knew the basics! Any suggestions on making this as easy as possible or shoukld I just ship him off to a MSF course and let them deal with it? Lol
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: El Matador on February 11, 2009, 07:32:50 AM
msf, then you can expand from there.

At least that way when he drops a bike repeatedly it's not yours, or his.
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: Kawboy on February 11, 2009, 08:03:36 AM
MSF for sure.  They have their own bikes.  They are small, light, forgiving, and all ready beat up.  If he passes, he doesn't have to take the riding test at the DMV and he'll get a bunch of discount coupons for safety gear (helmet , jacket, gloves, boots, etc.).  Does he know how to ride a bicycle?  Does he have the balancing thing down?   [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: xsuperbikeracerx on February 11, 2009, 08:25:57 AM
Quote from: Kawboy on February 11, 2009, 08:03:36 AM
MSF for sure.  They have their own bikes.  They are small, light, forgiving, and all ready beat up.  If he passes, he doesn't have to take the riding test at the DMV and he'll get a bunch of discount coupons for safety gear (helmet , jacket, gloves, boots, etc.).  Does he know how to ride a bicycle?  Does he have the balancing thing down?   [thumbsup]

He can skateboard so he can balance, but I'm not sure if that really helps. Hell I can ride but I can go 2 feet on a board without falling on my arse! :P
He knows nothing of motorcycles at all! ugh, I think I'm gonna call MSF, then i can sit back and  [wine] [drink] [beer] [laugh] [clap]
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: ducducgooseme on February 11, 2009, 08:58:59 AM
MSF and then let him borrow your new 996  ;D [evil
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: DucMouse the Mighty on February 11, 2009, 09:15:35 AM
make the beast with two backs that!! send him to MSF course  [evil] [popcorn] 8)

then will he buy a bike?!?!

what will he buy  [evil] [bacon] [evil]
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: xsuperbikeracerx on February 11, 2009, 09:25:15 AM
Quote from: ducducgooseme on February 11, 2009, 08:58:59 AM
MSF and then let him borrow your new 996  ;D [evil

Oh HELL NOOOOOO Thats not happening! I told him that if he wants to ride with the Kool Kids he needs to buy his own Quacker!
[laugh]
There is no way a newbie is riding my baby NO NO NO
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: bonfy on February 11, 2009, 10:31:50 AM
Quote from: Kawboy on February 11, 2009, 08:03:36 AM
MSF for sure.  They have their own bikes.  They are small, light, forgiving, and all ready beat up.  If he passes, he doesn't have to take the riding test at the DMV and he'll get a bunch of discount coupons for safety gear (helmet , jacket, gloves, boots, etc.).  Does he know how to ride a bicycle?  Does he have the balancing thing down?   [thumbsup]

Yeah, but remember that poor guy in our class, Kawboy, that had never ridden, and it was hell on him trying to get the clutch and throttle coordination down.  He didn't pass either.  But your right about the bikes they use, they are like riding a trike (tricycle, I should say).  I think learning on an old beater, like a minibike you can step off of is good, but the MSF is a decent second best. 

Good luck, Girlfriend, with the training.   [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: Punx Clever on February 11, 2009, 10:41:00 AM
Find someone with a tame dirtbike that you can borrow for him.  Send him off on some trails and let him hurt himself for a while.  That should do the trick.
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: bonfy on February 11, 2009, 10:47:04 AM
Kawboy, how tame is  your dirtbike?  I learned on a little YZ80 Yamaha dirtbike.  Like Punx suggested, that was an excellent teacher.   Scottish may have an old dirtbike laying around somewhere.
Title: Re: Learning how to ride
Post by: TheMav on February 12, 2009, 06:37:28 AM
MSF is the only way to go, especially with a new rider.  Besides, teaching someone to ride a big twin is probably the worst way to introduce them to riding.  I keep having flashbacks of all the GSXR and CBR squirrels who came to the store and the number of times we had to teach them how to manipulate the clutch because they kept stalling in the parking lot  [laugh] [laugh] 

And besides, like everyone else has mentioned...let them drop the bargain basement 250 they will ride in the course as many times as they like, not your slightly-more-expensive-to-fix red rocket.