This one is bugging me...

I am 25 want to buy a motorcycle....nice used one for around 3000 bucks. 600cc or so. Girlfriend doesnt think they're safe and says no. What would you do in this situation? We live together...been together about 3 yrs. I want it for obvious reasons...but also to save gas. Will probably be 3 $ a gallon by mid summer. Practical here in AZ. So what would you suggest would be the best approach to getting it and keeping the woman happy...Ive always had an interest but she never knew it...

why do girls hate motorcycles?....

 

Depends upon you.

Riding a bike requires a mental attitude. If you drive it like a car, the odds of being hit are very high. The most dangerous time for a motorcyclist is the first 6 months of riding.

You live together but who pays the bills? How committed are the two of you?

My wife was always opposed to bikes even when we were dating. Didn't stop me from putting on over 60K and I still have a bike. She likes riding with me in town (the most dangerous period) but she doesn't like highway riding where your safety is the highest.

A 600 is a very high performance bike for a beginner. I always tell new riders to be prepared to lay it down at least once that first year. If you can accept that and minimize the chances of that happening (training, good tires, etc.) then go for it.

 

dirt biking will teach you alot of useful skills that can be applied to street riding, but taking a defensive riding course will definitly help give you some life saving skills.

 

It really depends on what type of bike you want. A 600cc sport bike is the beginning of the sport bike line, ie Yamaha FZR600 or a YZF600. Smaller bikes will get boring real soon. But if you are looking at a crusier or sport tourer (ST) like a Honda Shadow or Yamaha Vstar then you will tire of a 650 very quickly. Not much performance. I would recommend minimum 750 or better yet the 1100.

If you are an inexperience rider, I highly recommend the Safety course. You will learn a lot, and it might save you some pain. They will teach you not only the rules of the road but safety techniques, bike handling, etc.

 

Well in my defense....I am a fairly experienced Mt biker......so the art of 2 wheel balance isnt to hard to understand. I am also a very , very defensive driver in my truck. Im not exactly what you would call the "MACHO" attitude. It is something that was discussed in my flight training. Someone who thinks they are not subject to danger like others. I have a lot of trust in myself as far as riding skills are concerned and I am at the end of april taking a riding safety course, just to become more aware of what motorcyclist face. We share the bills together, so financially things are cool. Might be that she would like to see the money used for other things, things that are round' and sparkle if you get my meaning.

Trax

Side note: I was looking at the Honda Shadow 600 market... I am 6' 1" 230 lbs I have sat on starter bikes like 250's and find that my legs are too long to comfortably shift and brake.

 

mt biking can have its moments, but its different on a motorcycle/dirtbike, too much twist of the throttle on gravel on a curve can have some surprising results , and having a bluehair pullout in front of you is twice the fun...take that course! pushing right to go left was not an easy thing to learn....but once i did it was great knowing that you can change directions that quickly. if you can practice in the dirt, sliding, locking up the rear wheel, it will give you a feel for what "your" bike will do when you hit a slick spot on the road.

p.s. when you can tell what kind of bug that just hit you by taste, then you know that really are a biker....

 

My brother had the same sort of problem. His wife was really scared about him riding a bike. He got some sort of stats (either from the AMA or from some sort of Harley group) which gave evidence that folks who passed a certified motorcycle safety course were XX% less likely to have an accident. I can't remember the numbers, but, it was a pretty significant difference.

Anyway, since safety is a big concern of hers, you might try digging up those numbers, showing them to here and promising to attend the course. Good for you and peace of mind for her.

 

[QUOTE=Tetchy101] Might be that she would like to see the money used for other things, things that are round' and sparkle if you get my meaning.
QUOTE]

Sounds like it's time to decide if she is the one for you. She gets her rock and you get your bike. If you are worrying about the price of the rock vs the bike. Who is going to stand by you 10-20+ years from now? If she comes up as second fiddle then you have something to think about.

 

"If she comes up as second fiddle then you have something to think about."

HaHa......I dont think physical things can replace the people you love by any means. What I need or needed was some tips on easing the idea in. But for some unknown reason shes not stressing about it anymore. AMA stats might be the way to go. She's got her masters degree so I already know she responds to Compiled data. LOL
As far as mt biking .......I see your point with power on demand. When your human powered its you that controls the wheel control not an engine. RPMs come and go faster with your feet.....no matter how few there are. I appreciate the advise....it is a common issue between the sexes when motorcycles are involved......must be that image carry over of someone that owns a bike....

 

Not all girls hate motorcycles, in fact, many of them ride their own now. Your girlfriend has been "conditioned" to think the way she does about motorcycles. You may or may not be able to change her mind, but will it turn out to be more about "dangerous motorcycles" or about control?
Over 35 years of riding, I've seen lots of them come & go. Younger guy gets a bike, wife/girlfriend doesn't like it. One or the other won't last 6 months.
Stand your ground or she'll soon have you driving a minivan.

 

Could be that she might have had a bad experience at one time on a motorcycle, or she knows of someone who has. Maybe once she sees how careful your being, and how much fun the both of you will have riding, she'll ease up more.

And not all girls hate motorcycles. I've had my license for a few years now, and have owned a couple of bikes.

 

No advice other than check out this site;

http://www.sport-touring.net/


you will find help from many mature riders (and no, its not all Goldwing riders ( no offense implied))

 

It truly depends on the rider and the girl. My ex hated motorcycles until I asked her to take a ride on my '03 Buell Firebolt (American just like my truck). She was very scared at first and almost crushed my ribs holding on but after awhile she relaxed and loved riding on the bike. She would rather drive a car but she didn't mind the bike as much. I don't ride like a crazy person. I took two rider courses (military requirment to take one course) and still had 2 accidents in the last 6 years. It will happen just make sure you are ready when it does. How much is your head worth? Spend that much on riding gear. I never spent any time in the hospital thanks to the gear I wear. Well worth it IMO. She won't kill you for buying a bike if you show her you care by riding sensibly. Just my $.02

 

OK... From someone who rides a lot (over 300,000 miles in the last 10 years, no accidents knock on wood), and has been through the situation with previous Girlfriends.

First of all, Go take the MSF course. They provide the bikes for the beginner course, and completing it gives you a cut on your insurance (even your car insurance as it counts as having been through a drivers training course). Suggest that the Girlfriend take it as well (pay her way in as well) Who knows...she might just decide she LIKES the things If you decide that it is not for you, you are out a weekend's time.

I would NOT suggest going with a big bike your first 10k miles. for a cruiser, a 600 shadow, 650 V-star, Kawasaki 500-800 etc would be about the BIGGEST I would ever start someone out on. Believe me, they are enough to get you in over your head if you are not careful. For the sport bikes, even the 500s will get you in WAY deep. Remember that nothing is where it is on a car (or a pedal bike). You shift with your foot, gas with your hand and brake with both. A whole new set of body mecahnics to learn.

After you take the course....Get a used one. Statistically, you will probably lay down your first bike. Why lay down a 15k Harley when you can do the same with a $1000 honda? When you are comfortable (and only you can judge when that is....don't let other people tell you whe to move up) Then go get your "perfect" bike. FWIW, My father went up to Gold Wings, found out he was uncomfortable, and went back toa 500cc bike. Drives 30 miles of highway a day, saves him a lot on gas, and it has NO problem keeping up with traffic.

If the GF wants to ride, get her one too. Trust me, it helps all the way around.

My wife has been riding her own bike for 15 years now. She learned to ride while we were still dating. If anything it brings us closer. Now my 7 year old rides pillon with either one of us when we go.

I'm all for riding, but do it safe. Wear a helmet (snell certified), Protective jacket, boots and gloves. Ride safe.

Jim

 

I agree with Jim. Get a used bike first. Mine was a 92 GS500E. It was a great bike to learn on. It only cost me $1500 and I didn't have any hard feelings when I layed it down. I hit loose gravel on a corner and it slide out. The MSF is the course I took but mine was on base and they have dirt bikes on this base to learn on. You don't have to know anything about riding. They teach everything. Taking your girlfriend along is a great idea also. Riding a bike is alot of fun for me. Just watch out for the other cars that don't see you.