Ducati Monster Forum

So, long story short, my wife had a close friend of the family die riding a motorcycle while she was growing up.  In response to that she promised her mother that she'll never get on one.  She rides and jumps horses and wants me learn as well.  I would love for her to learn how to ride, even if it's just the MSF course.

Currently I'm rationalizing the MSF route based on what happens if I have a small get off on the bike and it needs to be ridden home.  I think its a good idea that now that there's another motorcycle in the garage, she should know her way around one (the same way I taught her to use guns).

Let me preemptively say that I don't want her to break her promise, just to learn how to use a motorcycle and to possibly realize that promises like that are stupid (self-limiting and pointless).

Any thoughts?

first, glad you want her to be educated
second, good luck you'll need it
third. what is the other bike?
fourth, has she ridden with you yet and will she? My wife rode with me and had never been on a bike before (i think i remember that correctly) had to teach her to lean, work with me, go against her instincts to counter weight, etc. once she had those down, i began to teach her about the controls. i let her with me on the bike kinda counterbalancing with my legs out control the bike going straight on the local street just to get a feel for controls.
she thought it was neat, but not for her. but she loves riding pillion.
we even went to italy on the bike (although GET SADDLEBAGS and don't let her carry a backpack)

in other words, let her have fun WITH you and she may begin to feel more comfortable

Excactly what Raux said [thumbsup]

Baby steps.

People see motorcycles as super dangerous, but horse jumping isn't exactly the safest sport out there!

isn't that what happened to Christopher Reeves!

you can't convince her to do anything.  You can only provide her with information and let her make a decision.

+1

Well one, there's no way for her to keep her promise and learn to ride a bike.

If you have a get off and you're hurt enough to not be able to ride, a number of things are also likely: 1) the bike is likely not rideable. Or more accurately, it's rideable to someone experienced-I've ridden things home sans shifters, etc-this is not something for an inexperienced rider. 2) She'll be preoccupied with thinking of you-not ideal for an inexperienced ride home. Putting her in that position will probably make her hate the bike more. Just call a tow truck-they'll bring it to anywhere you want. An AMA membership will cover the cost of the tow.

Trying to push the issue will just make her resent the bike. Buy some spare gear that'll fit her, keep the passenger pegs on it, and every once in a while, ask her if she wants to join you. That's the best way to go about it. You could also PM lillysmama (Bobspapa's wife) as she was very anti-motorcycle for a long time-one day, she went two up with the hubby, which surprised all of us. She'd probably give further good advice.


Oh and....go learn to ride the dang horses  ;)

She rides and jumps horses and wants me learn as well.

Are you make the beast with two backsn' kidding?  That shit is dangerous.  I grew up on horses - rodeos and jumping; it's a make the beast with two backsing wonder I lived long enough to have a chance at dying on a motorcycle.  Did I mention that shit is dangerous?

Why do you want her to ride?  You could play golf together too, but why the make the beast with two backs would you want to.  Don't you get to spend enough time together otherwise?  Jebus.  ??? ??? ???  [coffee]

LA

The other bike was my old Monster... I should have said now that there's a motorcycle in the garage.

I'm going to learn to ride horses, it just bugs me that she won't do something that she might actually enjoy because of a promise she made a long time ago.  I think limiting yourself that way is dumb.  I love skydiving and she even jumped once... she didn't like it and that's okay, at least she tried it.

That's like not trying a new food, or watching a movie or reading a book that you've never experienced before.  I like to try everything (certain drugs excluded) at least once and then make an informed decision.  Then if I don't like something at least I know what I'm talking about.  The whole thing just seems so closed-minded to me... end rant.

Cool!   Glad she wants to learn.  [thumbsup]

Took me 25K miles on the DR350, nearly 75K miles on the 620M and finally a new 1100M before the wife FINALLY said she would like to start riding on the back! 

If I got my wife on the 620 to ride by herself..it'd be a very happy day! 

you're not losing anything by her not riding with you. and she only gains by doing it. so let it go. she'lll may end up being more curious or not, but enjoy the bike and don't think about it. ESPECIALLY when you are riding. let it happen naturally. you're too preoccupied with this.

+1

Get her to ride with you till she realize how great it feels to be on two wheels. :)

+2

sell all the cages?

i got nothing....

Good luck. My wife HATES motorcycles and guns (both of which I love!) but she married me in spite of that. Back in 2007 I finally got her on the back of my Hayabusa for some real easy spins around the neighborhood and a ride or two to a couple of local Mexican food places for lunch and dinner. Yes, she had a nice HJC helmet, Joe Rocket jacket and gloves. Birthday presents that she was not real thrilled about. She got other "good" stuff too so I didn't screw up too bad! [thumbsup] Never ever did anything stupid, just took it real easy and cruised like the old fart I can be. Didn't ever want to do anything scary. The point was to win her over.

My failure was crushing four neck vertebrae into little bits due to a wild turkey attack on a long distance ride with friends and missing dying or paralyses by "this much". The "getting her into riding" love story ended right there. I had a nice full face helmet for my step son too and was getting him into riding pillion in the same fashion. Just cruising the neighborhood. Both of them told me in the hospital that they were done... "sell our gear because we will never ride with you again". :P I still ride but they will never ever throw a leg over a motorcycle saddle again due to a dumb ass turkey. Shame. I had such high hopes. I would love my wife and step son to ride with me but it will never happen. [bang]

I sincerely hope you have better luck. [thumbsup] And yes, that was a bad promise she made. Prove her wrong!!! [clap]

Don't.

I'm firmly of the opinion that you (not you, just anyone) should never talk someone into doing something dangerous like motorcycling or skydiving (or whatever). Their decision should be made of their own volition or you open yourself up to some *nasty* drama if something does go south and that albatross is hung around your neck.

If someone wants to ride, they will, giving them information as Privateer suggested is the only course IMO.