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For Christina, a rider whose newest bike is giving her concern in her abilities: I just want to give Christina a bit of encouragement. I have two things I would like to share with her: 1. Although not the same as dropping her new bike, I flipped my Jeep a little over two years ago driving during a snow storm. Thankfully, I was unhurt, but my Jeep was totaled. It was a very scary experience. I had a difficult time driving anything in the snow after that without completely freaking out. I kept replaying that day and that accident over and over in my head. I had the opportunity to meet with a hypnotist who was able to help me with it. Among the many things he said during our session, one thing sticks in my head. He told me that it's okay to replay that accident in my mind but to keep in mind what I am seeing in those replays. I am not the person driving the Jeep when it flipped. That is a different person. I am a different me, who has learned from that accident and has changed. That little piece of advice has helped me tremendously. 2. When I first started to ride, I learned with my husband, and started out on a Yamaha TW200. I dropped it a couple of times and was quite embarrassed. Nothing serious, and each time I knew exactly what I did wrong. Thanks to a lot of encouragement from my husband, I never gave up. After a lot of practice my husband let me try out his much bigger, much more powerful BMW R1200C, because he felt I was ready to get a bigger bike and that's the bike I wanted. I did great at first and then a pickup truck was in front of me and I had to brake, and I dropped it. I just panicked. Needless to say I thought I would never try that again. Well, that was probably about 6 months ago, and I now have my own BMW R1200C and have been doing great with it. My husband took me to a school parking lot several times to practice riding my new bike before I went on the road. After that, I slowly started getting used to driving on busier and busier roads. Also, I again remembered what the hypnotist told me and realized that when I replay that incident in my head, it is not me I am watching drop the bike. It is a different person. I am the girl that learned from that mistake and kept trying! Good luck, Christina, and don't give up! – D'Lilah (note from Mama: thank you for sharing! I love the point that once we've gone through an "icky," we are no longer the same person. Learning from the experience is indeed the key and talking it out helps us get past that which goofed us up!) Christina, I just wanted to let you know that you're really not alone. My husband got me a 1200 Custom Sportster for Christmas and I was so excited. I had already took the MSF course and did great and was so ready for my own bike since I always rode on the back of his. Anyway I've been in the Charleston Harley shop a million times with my husband already, so everybody knows me. The day I went to pick up my bike, I took it for a little test spin around the building and needless to say, when I came back up front to where everybody was waiting for me, I dropped the bike right after I stopped. I don't know what it was, but I wanted to die, how embarrassing. But like you I got back up and rode it home. My husband and I went out for a ride a few day later and I dropped it again, this time on an incline, because I wasn't getting the clutch and gas right. This time I tore open the huge scab on my elbow from the first fall (by now I am starting to think I need elbow pad or training wheels.) I've noticed that both times I've dropped it was because I was nervous, now I just concentrate on being relaxed and using the skills I've learned. So keep at, it really is a joy when your riding. Also another good idea is to get the video, Ride like a Pro for Women, it's great, I've been using it and see a great improvement. Feel free to e-mail me at kdkelley@bellsouth.net any time you need support, because I have a few stories to make you laugh about my learning to ride my bike. Good luck and don't quit. – Domenica (note from Mama: sharing similar oopsies go a long way to helping us understand that we truly are not alone . . . thank you for having the heart to share your story! The video you mention is highly recommended by many of my readers and can be found at http://www.ridelikeapro.com. It's good stuff!) To Christina who dropped her new Softail Deuce.....(I was the first of the sales people that came to her rescue that evening). I talked to her to calm her down after it happened. Made sure the gas was off and helped her right her bike. Told her that I had dropped my sweet Greta, a 2001 Lowrider, several times before I learned how to not tipping it over. Christina made a simple mistake of panicking when she stalled her bike. She turned her wheel a bit too far over and it fell. It all takes practice and patience. Lucky for Christina and myself, we both have wonderful husbands and friends that continue to encourage and give confidence to us as we get more and more experience. V-Twin mama's website is great. We have the abundance of knowledge for all sorts of women that ride. Hang in there Christina! Don't give up and the thirll of riding will be so worth it! – Sandy Lattimer in New Port Richey, FL (note from Mama: and there you have it . . . a first-hand witness who knows that stuff happens, and will always happen! Great to hear from you Sandy . . . your words of encouragement are worth everything!) Friday, March 4 For Kathy whose bike was in the shop for backfiring, but no resolution was found: The bike you have is no lemon generally...although there are generally differing opinions of 'Hubbies' who stick their wife with old bikes that don't run very well... A large Honda dealership should take a good look at this problem. Why do I specify large? Well, because many times the smaller ones are backed up for months during the riding season and cannot get to it or even tell you when they think they will be able to....not so with a reputable larger dealership or Multi-dealer. Make sure that the dealer knows and understands YOUR bike and not just motors or motorcycles in general. There are many good Kawa mechanics that would just look at your bike and shake their head. (also, check them out on the BBB web site for your area). Try running some carb cleaner through the gas system. Check the spark plugs...heck...replace them every season if you don't already! My most sincere form of advice...if you are completely apposed to a divorce....is to take the bike down to your trusted dealership and trade it in for a new one. Reduce the amount of money in the budget spent on beer and steaks and new clothing (just for him) and make the payment on a nice new or nearly new used bike of a high quality and low mileage. Don't take the deal until you have talked the dealership into at least a full riding season warrantee for FREE, and don't be talked into a smaller 'ladies' bike if that's not what you want. Though you will generally get more for your bike if you sell your bike yourself in your local paper and just tell the people who test ride it that it runs rough, but it runs and you don't know what's wrong with it. Best of luck with both rough running things... – tjt (note from Mama: your point on seeking out the right dealership by taking the time to talk extensively before handing over the bike is a good point. As to how much time to spend trying to get an older bike to run correctly is always difficult . . . you just want so much to see it work! As to the hubby, Kathy I'm sure has that well in hand!) Friday, March 4 For Half-Pint and the subject of auto tranny bikes: Has she checked out the 400cc Suzuki Burgman scooter? I'm 5'1" and handle this easily. I'd have the same small-hand problem re: clutch levers on a regular bike (did have problems in the MSF course but passed). But I can go all day with the Burgie. She also may want to check out www.burgmanusa.com, a site for Burgie enthusiasts. And let me tell you, this Burgie keeps up on group rides, does 80 mph with ease, and is a joy to ride. Ride safe and enjoy the ride, – Bryna (note from Mama: glad to hear your bike is still giving you miles of joy! Thanks for once again sharing this auto tranny bike for consideration.) Saturday, March 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Needless to say, that driveway incident had spooked me a bit – I’m not about to try that U-turn again unless I have to. I now wait until my bike is the only one in our garage – Hubby keeps his bike next to mine, so I have to wait until he is gone or have him back out first – then I turn this monster around inside our garage. I have to go back and forth 4 or 5 times, but the peace of mind to be facing that dirt incline with only a left turn is worth the hassle. I gained confidence enough that I finally took the next step. My 17 year old son that has never been on a motorcycle before has been asking to ride with me – my old bike was just too small for the two of us & I was worried about balancing him until I felt comfortable with this one. Well, last Sunday I passed up a group ride to stay home and take him for our first ride together. I couldn’t face that driveway with him up; had to have him walk down to the street before I let him get on, but we went 5 miles, turned around in a grocery store parking lot and returned home safely! We were both absolutely thrilled! He has taken a huge step towards a love of riding like his mom has, and I have recovered all my confidence! I love, love, love my ‘Mercedes’ as I like to call her! I am so looking forward to nicer weather and more real ‘quality’ time with my kid! – Amy in Washington Dear
Amy, Saturday, March 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, At least my husband had a good attitude about me dropping the bike. He told me that the bike is made of metal and it didn't feel a thing. He was more concerned about me. I had a huge bruse on the palm of my hand from catching myself when I feel. Other than that I was fine. My pride got hurt more. – Susan Lenz Dear
Susan, I am glad to hear that you're basically ok and I love the line about the bike being metal and it didn't feel a thing (!). That's a great way to look at things. If you don't have an engine guard on your bike, this might be something you wish to consider for the future. It makes picking up a bike "that has taken a nap" a little easier and definitely visit my Pick Up the Bike page for sites that show you how picture by picture. You're confidence will soar, especially when you're on solo runs. Now, go buff out that scratch and know that you're in good company . . . been there, done that myself! – Mama Saturday, March 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Spotter, Saturday, March 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, The other time is the issue. I am in Wyoming and there IS a lot of ice here. It seems a lump of it just won't melt in front of my garage. No ice to speak of on the road etc right now.... just a nasty lump of it in front of where I park my bike in the garage. Now I'm not a little girl -- I CAN pick up the 600lb bike even BUT I can't seem to get it over these lumps and such to park it. I dropped the bike trying to push it from the front out of the garage. I have had almost as much trouble pushing it back in. I want to just sit on it and shove it back as I see other riders do but if there is the tiniest anything in the way it just isn't going to happen. Any ideas? – Parking Troubles Dear
Parking Troubles, Dear
VTwin Mama, Petra, attached is a picture of me and my V-Star 650 -- what an empowering moment after I passed my MSF class with flying colors. Am not forgetting myself either, after all I was the one out there riding in those silly figure eight patterns in a box that seemed as small as a postage stamp for hours on end. Thanks again for all you do for women riders, Hugs from Kansas. – PurplePonyGal Dear
PurplePonyGal, Tuesday, March 15 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Bonni, Getting used to forward controls does take a bit of practice also, but only in terms of getting your legs/feet to relearn where they need to be when you need them! A bit of running around should get the job done. You'll need to discuss options with the dealer if you find you would need to pull those controls back a bit . . . some bikes have relocation kits, but many don't. – Mama Tuesday, March 15 Hey
VTwin Mama, Dear
Susan, Tuesday, March 15 For Chris on her observations on taking a riding safety course: I took the class at our local
community college near We only had one person asked to leave due to safety reasons…bless his heart, he had never been on a bike before and wanted to travel the world on a big bike. For safety reasons, he was asked to leave before he got hurt. He was the sweetest man, but did not need to be on two wheels traveling the world! He sat in line in front of me to take the final road course test and told me that I made it look so easy and that I was a natural. I told him that I had grown up on dirt bikes and was taking this course to brush up my skills. I actually missed one point on the road course by NOT using the front brake in the “slow - brake in a curve” obstacle. Another lady in the class asked me for help on the riding course…so one of the instructors let us practice before class started under his watchful eye. When she cleared the figure 8 in the box on the final test…I was jumping up & down cheering for her! Our instructors were super nice
guys…one being a Tuesday, March 15 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
April, Sounds like you're getting ready to go shopping . . . me too! Yup, sold the old '76 HD Superglide and it's on to bike #4 . . . and who knows what I'll get next. The great thing about getting some time in on a bike is that you're in such a better position to judge the next one in terms of body position, etc. And thanks for noting that you've logged on good miles on the Virago 250 as a starter bike . . . it will help someone down the road to know that. Kudos to you on your continuing adventure . . . and you're welcome for any bits of advice or encouragement that I and other readers offered!– Mama Friday, March 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sweet VStar Deb, Here's what I'm thinking about whether pulling that handlebar back towards you would help: sit on your bike and place your hands in front of you in the most comfortable position (without regard to where the controls actually are) . . . do you find yourself then having to reach for the controls that causes you to lean or hunch forward or raise your whole arm higher? Then pullback risers could easily alleviate that. And it's a cheap enough fix to see if it takes care of the problem. Meanwhile, search your memory for something that could be causing the condition in the first place. Do you experience it in any other situation? Perhaps exploring the symptoms with a doctor will shed light on the situation and lead to a more comfortable solution overall. – Mama Friday, March 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
fmdroopy, I think you are most likely more tense towards the end because you're getting tired. Did you drink enough water during the session (hydration at all times is important) and did you have proper nutrition in your system (as the wrong foods or no food at all will not make this situation any better)? Also, did you have a less than easy sleep the night before worrying about the test? I'm thinking that closing your eyes and visualizing a successful run the next time through will help your concentration (and it's proven that if we see ourselves successfully completing a task, we have a much better chance doing so than if we keep seeing potential downfalls). Do this many times over the next week as you prepare and your "senses" will be trained into thinking about success, not failure. Now, is it certain that you'll have the same coach for the next class? Check into it, as many women report that by simply finding a better match in instructors can make all the difference. Do not be shy about this . . . ask. After all, it's your money! If it turns out the same coach will be there, and you wish to proceed, remember that this instructional technique is not aimed at you personally . . . it's simple that person's style. Then find a way in your mind to defuse the influence (you could perhaps envision this person as a barking seal or someone with mad cow disease. See, it's funny already!) Last, but not least . . . remember your overall goal, grit your teeth, and say, "I can do this, this will be good, and I'm going to give it everything I've got because my goal is to be a rider." Then go do it! Good luck . . . I know you can do it! – Mama Friday, March 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, Last Friday I took the day off of work to ride the bike and found myself at the dealer trading in for a '05 Honda Shadow 750. I was a little concerned because the bike seemed so big compared to the Rebel, but as soon as I started riding it I realized it was even easier to handle than the Rebel. I don't think I would have had the courage to try a bigger bike if it wasn't for your site and the wonderful people who right in. The best thing I ever did was to buy the bigger bike and read your site. Thanks. – Dana in Chandler, AZ Dear
Dana, Sure, a new beastie always feels like it may be a tad too much, but your earlier riding gave you some knowledge to be able to judge your next bike more accurately. Kudos to you. Remember to revisit some practice sessions in an empty lot if you feel the need to hone skills on the new bike without having to worry about traffic and such . . . this is always recommended. And, do you recall that there is an advanced course with the MSF for riders with 6 months or 3,000 miles of current riding time (on your own bike)? I'm thinking you might like that as a way to advance your skill level even more! – Mama Friday, March 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Hattie, Now, in looking at the service manual for a friend's BMW, I don't see the internal baffle shown in the exploded parts diagram, so I'm not sure if the manual for your bike would include it or not. One thing you could do (to learn more about it) is visit your local dealer's service department to discuss the matter further. You might want to hop onto a specific discussion forum for your made/model and see if there are riders who have done this work before and can offer tips. – Mama Friday, March 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, I had more problems in parking lots than anywhere else, then had my grandchildren for the summer and couldn't ride much...recently had back surgery but Dr. says I can ride this summer. I quit dropping it since about the third time (was not even freakin' on and I pulled it off the kickstand and took it right on over!). My question is, I have ridden it to work and back, no problem . . . but what IF I were to hit uneven pavement or something, and lay it over. HOW DO I PICK IT UP? It sucks to think that I would have to have someone with me all the time to pick up my bike for me! I have heard that I can use leverage and the front brake and roll it up. Can you give any advice for us solo women riders? Is there a website that would provide this info? – Anita Lyster Dear
Anita, Friday, March 18 Dear
VTwin Mama, I found your email address through the Harley dealership that we went to yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin where I am from. It looks very interesting to me. I hope that I learn some things from it. I am 54 yrs. old, so I am no spring chicken to be learning how to drive a bike but I am still taking the chance. My boyfriend has a Harley and he kids me and says that I have to drive 10 miles behind him because I have a Honda!! – Margie Dear
Marge, It sounds like you're well on your way to becoming a competent rider, so keep practicing and mastering the skills you'll need to become a truly excellent rider. You'll find a wealth of information on this site and I would suggest that you particularly take the time to read letters in the Riding Techniques section, where you'll find sub-topics on just about anything in terms of learning skills. Also look into getting the Ride Like a Pro for the Ladies video, which shows many techniques and is a great way to share with your boyfriend (watching together, you could devise practice sessions with him watching you master the skills). You'll also learn that many women favor non-Harley bikes . . . with as many reasons as women who like Harleys have for choosing that type of bike. While kidding from your boyfriend may be good natured, make sure that you stick to your own game plan for learning to ride . . . and don't let anyone pressure you in any way. Perhaps you would be interested in meeting other women in your area who can form a support team and broaden your "riding buddy" experience. Check my Women's Sites page for a number of excellent women riding organizations with local chapters. You'll be glad you did it! – Mama |
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