Teaching wife to ride

RodneyBR

RodneyBR

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My wife and I recently bought bikes, she has a Yamaha TW200 and I have a Kawasaki 650R. I rode A LOT in the past, but on dirt bikes, so this is new to us. She passed her M1 a couple of days ago. We were out today at parking lot and she did well, but a long way to go. I remember when I learned years ago, it took a few hours to figure out, a few more days to get and a lifetime to master. What she found hardest is getting used to the clutch and balancing herself, but after one minor tumble, she kinda got it. Practice makes perfect, so we are going again and again until she gets it :). It's a hot day here today and she had on all the clothes, so she wad rather hot, which doesn't help. Also, she's tiny, 95lbs, 5'1". She's going to do the Durham College Motorcycle course later this year to learn the correct way to ride and more.
 
I think it's best that she wait and do the course. No offense intended, but it's different learning from your s/o than it is from a course instructor she has no attachment to. There's a certain level of pressure and expectation learning from your partner that is absent in a structured course taught by people you don't know. I know this from experience, btw.

As for being warm, pick up some hot weather Under Armour (or another comparable brand) for under her gear. It helps a lot, and drink gallons of water! It also helps to keep you cool, and thinking straight.
 
stormcat said:
I think it's best that she wait and do the course. No offense intended, but it's different learning from your s/o than it is from a course instructor she has no attachment to. There's a certain level of pressure and expectation learning from your partner that is absent in a structured course taught by people you don't know. I know this from experience, btw.

As for being warm, pick up some hot weather Under Armour (or another comparable brand) for under her gear. It helps a lot, and drink gallons of water! It also helps to keep you cool, and thinking straight.
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+2 Never train the wife on how to ride. Just don't :P
 
My wife did well in the parking lot with me but when she took the course she learned a lot more and gained a lot of confidence.
 
CruisnGrrl said:
this advice can save your marriage.

the college will teach your wife from the ground up and not teach her any bad habits.
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You're even better having a friend teach your significant other... but the course is the best idea.
 
I read somewhere that it's safer to teach yourself than having a friend teach you.

With a spouse that probably goes double.

I'll see if I can find the reference.
 
You can teach a girlfriend to ride, fish, ski, windsurf or operate a new camera, It will work and you'll both have fun.

You cannot teach a spouse to ride , fish, ski, windsurf or operate a new camera, it will never work and will not be any fun. Ever.

These are life's rules, feel free to insert any activity into the rule, the outcome will be the same.
 
LoL... I took the 3 hour introductory course at Durham college last year. It gave me some of the basics to start.He's there for the support... watches me go round the lot like a toddler on training wheels, lol.I fell off once and he helped me right the bike up again, but after the course come this September I'll be able to figure that out.We both figure it will give me some balancing skills ahead of time, considering it's only a weekend course.We rode issue 140 dirt bikes for that introductory. My tw200 is so much more beefier. Rod shaved the seat for me. At first it felt like too much weight to balance, but now it's getting more familiar and I'm learning to relax and have fun!
crankcall said:
You can teach a girlfriend to ride, fish, ski, windsurf or operate a new camera, It will work and you'll both have fun.You cannot teach a spouse to ride , fish, ski, windsurf or operate a new camera, it will never work and will not be any fun. Ever.These are life's rules, feel free to insert any activity into the rule, the outcome will be the same.
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crankcall said:
You can teach a girlfriend to ride, fish, ski, windsurf or operate a new camera, It will work and you'll both have fun.

You cannot teach a spouse to ride , fish, ski, windsurf or operate a new camera, it will never work and will not be any fun. Ever.

These are life's rules, feel free to insert any activity into the rule, the outcome will be the same.
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so true!!!
 
Bad idea all around!! Now you will never have free time to yourself!! My condolences!
 
C-Note said:
Bad idea all around!! Now you will never have free time to yourself!! My condolences!
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How about condolences to me, if I wanna ride solo, he's gonna wanna come too! LOL...No offence taken...we all had to start somewhere. I like speed. I used to race horses bare back down the fields at home. So I got a few more horses now ;).
 
AND she's on the forum??!! U got nowhere to hide bro!!
 
I taught my wife on a CBR 125 and she passed her M2 2 years ago. She since has had another baby and needs re-education class and a 250cc bike for passing her M next year. It can be done. She's competent and take instruction well. I'm also digging riding the 250 myself.
 
My wife did her course first then I taught her to ride. While I was very nervous early on I am glad I invested the time with her. The bike course teaches only the basics or motorcycle operation. You learn to ride after the course.
 
I agree the course is a great idea. but it's also really nice just to get her on the bike, so it's not her first time on the bike the next day when they do the M1exit.
I personally find the course quite intense. 2 full days of riding, and i was a little nervous and wasn''t too confident doing the exam when it's my 2nd time on bike. I had to do the retest a month later after i get my own bike and practice more.
 
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