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Wednesday, March 1 Dear Mama, I'm currently riding a 883 Sportster (converted to 1200) on a Voyager conversion kit, which is working quite well for me. Still, I frequently think back to my original motorcycle safety course and wonder if, with re-training and practice, I could learn to ride without the extra wheels. I'd rather not try it on the Sportster, though! I'm considering shopping for a small learner's bike and giving it another try. Do you or the other readers have any recommendations for ways to do this without spending a lot of money? What size and model would be best? How small of a bike can I learn on and still expect the basic skills to transfer to the Sportster? The first time I tried this I went from the Motorcycle Safety Class to a Kawasaki 550 which I drove into the ditch the second or third time I was out on it! Obviously, I'd prefer to avoid repeating that experience! My hubby and riding partner is a bit freaked out that I'd like to try riding without the extra wheels, but in his defense he had to watch that first crash, so I guess it was pretty hard on him, too! Gila Dear
Gila, But what now? Well, you could buy any used 250cc bike for cheap (check the classified ads in your local paper) or you could even consider renting a bike that size (i.e. check into availability and cost and balance that against a purchase, but you'll have to gauge how much time you'll want to spend on it). Is that Kawi 550 still available to you (I'm not sure if it is your husband's bike, etc.). The point is that you definitely need to locate a paved, flat, distraction-free practice lot, like a church or school or business (obviously when the lot is basically not being used) that has wide open areas. Then, your hubby can ride that bike to the practice zone and you can plan out your practice sessions. Remember how you learned during your course? Do that sequence again on your own bike (whatever choice you make)! Even if you go back to a 250cc bike, each bike has it's own handling characteristics, so no matter what, I strongly advocate that you take each new bike back to the practice lot and put yourself and the bike through the paces. I did! And that's with 26 years of riding experience! So, that was a long-winded way of saying "get thee some practice in a safe zone." Then, and only then, you can plan out short rides "out and about," but even pre-plan those routes (by car) to take into account any nasty things that might goof you up. I'm thinking that if you and your hubby put together a practice battle plan that makes better sense, you'll be able to do this with confidence, and each positive step will lessen hubby's worries (as well as your own!). Soon you'll be able to remove the trike conversion and try that again. YOU CAN DO IT! Mama Wednesday, March 1 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sami, Sami, you could visit the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (located in the UK). That site offers fund raising ideas, and I can see they did a ride in India to raise funds so that grants could be offered to disabled riders (but that was riders with a bike and the money was to allow them to help adapt the bike to their needs). Still, this might be a source of information and I see that they have an email to the Fundraising Officer on the Fundraising page that you could contact for additional information on assistance. Mama (Please note that I am not questioning the validity of Sami's plea as I have no way of verifying her situation, but do feel that if we can find pathways to assistance that would be in position to validate her request, we will have made a difference.) Wednesday, March 1 Dear
VTwin Mama, I purchased my 883 thinking that because it's the smallest hog, that it would be easy to handle, this after having driven the Blast in class. Wrong. This bike has a very, very tall seat requiring several modifications for the shorter rider. This bike is extremely top heavy, making a new rider really challenge those Riders Edge skills to the max. If you purchased a 2004 model or earlier, this bike takes a long time to warm up, so do not start and attempt to enter traffic right away; has an extremely difficult clutch made for a STRONG hand and will rattle your teeth while heading down the highway because the engine is not rubber mounted. Prior to 2004, this bike also has an extremely small gas tank - so if you're riding with the big dawgs, you're going to have to stop to gas up a lot more. How did we wind up purchasing the 883? Well, let's start with other women riders have them that we know and the majority of the articles for the Sportster features woman riders. In fact, in this months Enthusiast magazine someone writes in with the same complaint . . . that Harley continues to push the image of the Sporty as a woman's ride. The magazine continues to show woman riding Sporty's on the cover and in it's several years of publication has only shown a guy on one 4 times. Add to that the mindset when you leave class is to purchase the small guy and the dealerships do not lead woman to the bigger bikes. The last time I spoke to a gentleman at the dealership about my 883, they suggested I buy the new lowered version, the 1200 or the V-Rod. What you find out after purchasing the small guy is that all of the other women you talk to that own one, want to sell their "small guy" and buy one of the big dogs - because of all of the issues mentioned above. The Sportster is not a "bad" bike; it's wonderful. It's sleek, it's sporty and can kick it given the right tweaks, it's just not a good beginner bike. Seems it should be a simple thing to get women more interested in riding if they can get over the mental block about size and avoid the Sportster. All a woman's fears about size go out the window after they ride a Sportster. The Sporty is a quick way to end a new riders desire to ride - almost did mine. The whole thought of not being able to handle a big bike is reinforced when they realize they can't seem to handle the Sporty. This bike can hide the fact that one motorcycle is not like the next . . . and just because a Sporty is hard to ride . . . does not mean an Ultra Glide is harder . . . but most would think that if they start with the Sportster. With woman being the fastest growing segment of riders now, education is key to longevity on 2 wheels. Bikes cannot be made gender specific and no one bike is best for any gender because of our physical size differences. My personal suggestion (and if I could afford to go there now) for the shorter rider and for a new rider would be the Heritage Standard sans bags and windshields. The new Heritage is low, balanced, and easy to maneuver. The 2006 clutch is a easy pull in. Gas tank will allow you to continue riding. Perhaps getting newbies past the "size" issue is the biggest thing here. Perhaps there should be more feature articles on women riding the big dawgs. Until I took my rider's edge I was thinking a smaller bike would be better. Bigger is heavier, but the difference in riding and the confidence of feeling in control . . . you only get that from a big bike. Now having said that, the changes that I have made thus far to my 883 Sportster and the Steps to Sportster Happiness: 1.
New pull back handlebars (2003 came with
the mini drag bars) Dear
NN, I invite you to translate your excellent information into a more formal bike review, which I just recently added to my site . . . Motorcycle Reviews by Women Riders. As I have now listed your bike/height/modifications into my Motorcycles for Short Riders list, it simply awaits a formal review submission to link to the review section, and the impact of your message will be much more visible! Mama Wednesday, March 1 Dear
VTwin Mama, I used the Clymer's manual (Vulcan 750) and read over the oil change instructions, and then went out to the bike. I found the bolt for the drain plug and started unscrewing it. However, it turned, but wouldn't come out or get looser. I re-read the manual but I finally gave up on that as it wasn't acting like it should. I went to the dealer and asked them about it and it turns out it was actually an engine mount bolt. You need a wrench on the other side to keep the other side from rotating as well. The real drain plug is about 6 inches away and rather hidden by the frame, but it looks exactly I like. Oops. However, that done, I managed to drain the oil (into a kitchen pot) fix a leaky O ring, and next I'll be replacing the regulator and fixing the petcock. Hopefully I won't make any more blunders like the frame bolt in the future! Ben Dear
Ben, Thursday, March 2 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Tanya, Molybdenum is used to protect the engine from metal-to-metal wear. In one online article I read, it is suggested that unless you are riding a high-performance race bike in a racing situation, you do not need to concern yourself with metal-to-metal wear. There is evidence that "moly" can affect the operation of a wet clutch (which most bikes have) over time. The Pro Honda oil without "moly" is HP4, a semi-synthetic oil. Therefore, you can use HP4 in all three of your bikes. Note: there is HP4M, which is the version with "moly." Of course, these oils are at a premium price, so I'm going to point you to this oil article by a chemist on getting perfectly good motorcycle oil from your local auto parts store at a less expensive price. Just some food for thought. Mama Thursday, March 2 Dear
VTwin Mama, However, I never realized until today how much your mental state affects riding ability. I was pretty down mentally today with a personal issue and kept stalling the bike, by getting it in the wrong gear at the wrong time etc. I quickly decided I needed to quit for the day. Anyway, thanks again for your encouragement. Ruth in Tallahassee Dear
Ruth, Thursday, March 2 In response to No Name who chronicled her experiences with a Sporty as a first bike: I would think its main plus is cost. If I remember correctly, a Sporty is about half the cost of a Softail. If you drop it and break it, you haven't lost as much financially. For someone starting out in motorcycling and not positive they will stay with it, the cheaper bike also makes sense. In addition, some of us can keep a Sportster from falling all the way to the ground (in a stopped situation) or can, at least, slow its descent, whereas very few of us can muscle a 700+ lb. bike. There's no doubt the center of gravity on a Sportster makes it top-heavy and more difficult to ride. It's not the ideal bike for a new rider! But, economically, it might be the only option if the rider wants a H-D. There is also the Buell Blast which is $4,000+ and is very light. I would probably recommend buying a used Softail and getting a clutch assist installed. Penny (note from Mama: yes, for many, the cost of a bike is one of the main factors that must be taken into consideration. I know I don't have unlimited funds and I prefer to pay cash for my bike purchases. However, if a bike erodes a rider's confidence in herself, and actually causes her to question whether she should be riding at all, and maybe even causes her to quit altogether, then whatever the price is, it's too high. I'll continue to advocate that a first bike should be chosen with price and cc range in mind that allows the new rider to proceed with a sense of assurance. The cost of "confidence" is a higher price to pay IMHO, as compared to the extra work to buy a super cheap used model for practice and then move up to the dream bike. And the "dream" can be more readily defined once a rider has some miles under her belt! This "gotta have" mentality for a first [insert make/model here] bike may work for some. It could be that my view is slightly skewed because the VTwin Mama site has listened to soooo many women who have started out "too big, too top heavy, and/or too overall weight heavy" and I have heard the consequences of it.) Thursday, March 2 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Dan, Friday, March 3 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
BC, Since a bike needs spark, fuel, and compression, that leaves a compression problem for last. It's possible that something in the top end of the cylinder head has finally worn. Such as a valve that has tightened over time, a valve spring that has no more spring, etc. A compression test is simple enough, in that you again remove the spark plug and screw in a compression gauge and compare against factory specs. From Dan's Motorcycle Repair Web Page: "If you don't have a compression gauge handy, all is not lost. A down and dirty way to do it is to simply press your thumb over the spark plug hole and hold it there tight. Now have someone kick the engine over. No matter how hard you push your thumb, the compression pressure should blow it off the hole smartly. If it won't, you don't have enough compression to start the engine." I hope these steps help you try some more things. And no, I'm not a technical genius . . . I use the Internet to research the subject and also turn to The Essential Guide to Motorcycle Maintenance by Mark Zimmerman, which covers maintenance but provides an excellent overview of how a bike works that's easy to read (because he injects humor into the mix!). Good luck! Mama Friday, March 3 More in response to No Name who chronicled her experiences with a Sporty as a first bike: I just sold my 2005 Sporty and bought the '06 Softail Deluxe. I find the Deluxe to be much more at ease with balance for my 4'11" frame of 120lbs. However, if I hadn't had the Sportster, I don't think I would have been able to ride so well on the Deluxe. Some of the best of riders I know have had or do ride Sportsters and I have been told by men that "if I can ride the Sportster, I can ride almost anything." I remembered being told that by guys at a run . . . it is a state of mind, but it is also physical. Now if I had a choice to do it all over again . . . the Deluxe would be it for me. But only because I know the difference of the ride now. I did drop the Sporty because I felt unbalanced on it in a lot of scenarios and had a helluva time picking it up (even Skert's way), AND...ugghghghg I hate saying this: I dropped my Deluxe (fool I was had my handlebars turned in a stop-had nothing to do with balance) . . . and it was a breeze to pick up Skert's way! The Deluxe is 200 lbs more than the Sporty, but rides lighter. For me mentally, it made all the difference. If you ask, do I miss my Sporty? -- I say yes, it was easier to get in and out of situations and turning, etc. But would I go back -- no. I lost on money doing it this way. I got bored with it and wanted to use my bike for long distance travel. Hence, the Deluxe. Not so well planned. But like anything new there is a learning curve and patience has to be there while trying to achieve it. I really enjoy the Deluxe now. If you feel comfortable in yourself knowing you will move up one day---SOON, choose the larger one. Its more worth the bang of your buck and you will achieve success if you go at your own pace. Just a few thoughts for you to consider. Kathy H. (note from Mama: I'm glad we're getting more Sporty commentary as it will definitely help a new reader trying to noodle out if they want to start on one!) Friday, March 3 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Branden, Monday, March 6 Women M/C Conference, May 6-7, Napoleon, OH Women
Ride II, a two-day motorcycling conference in Napoleon, OH is May 6-7
(hosted by Harley-Davidson). Karen Davidson will be speaking, and there
will be women-only demo rides, blessings of the bikes, cookouts, group
rides, introductory classes, and more! $25 registration fee includes an
event T-shirt, two meals and Saturday evening activities. Registration
deadline is April 1. Monday, March 6 Cycle Sisters Fund Raiser, April 22, Bethpage, NY Cycle
Sisters MC Club is hosting a fundraiser, Baby Josephs Benefit.
Its on Saturday, April 22 at 8pm, with music, food, raffles and a
50/50. $10 at the door of The Road House, 4222 Hicksville Road, Bethpage,
NY. Donations go to help pay for costly treatments needed for Joseph
Romeo, a 20-month-old boy born with Neonate Myoclonic Epileptic
Encephalophathy. Monday, March 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Donna, We learned through the California Governor "incident," where Governor Schwarzenegger was cited for riding a motorcycle with a sidecar without a motorcycle license, that in some states, any three-wheel vehicle (sidecar or trike) on the road simply requires the standard "C" auto driving license. So, I would hop onto your state DMV site and check the three-wheel rule or call them up. Some states have now added amendments to their licensing process so that a special skills test is necessary. Although you may find you don't need the "M" license on a trike conversion, do not delude yourself into thinking you don't have things to learn about riding safely. Trikes have very special handling characteristics, especially around curves at higher speeds. You would do well to check for trike-specific riding courses in your area by doing an Internet search. These courses are becoming more available nationwide, and if you can't find one in your area, then I would make an extra effort to locate a trike riding club near you so you can gain knowledge from trike riders who can serve as mentors. Mama Monday, March 6 Even more about Sportys as a first bike choice: I have to chime in here . . . I could not agree more with the responses women have had on the Sportster. I too rode a Sportster as my first bike. I still have the bike and love her but, this is definitely not a good first bike for women. It is very top heavy . . . I always had to turn the front wheel in order to lift her off of the kickstand with an "oomph." I dropped her many times. Sometimes, due to newbie errors and sometimes due to weight. OK . . . most of it was probably newbie errors but, it is still a very top heavy bike and that does not help the newbie. I would like to point out what most of my oopsies were due to. The brakes on this bike are very responsive and I tended to drop her a lot at stops. I finally realized what it was after about a year's worth of clutch levers and tail lights. Every time I would come to a stop, I was hitting the front brake just a little too hard. Hence, the front forks would depress just enough to put me off balance and down we went. I finally figured out that I needed to use more of the rear brake coming to a stop and lightly touch the front brake when I was almost at a stop. Alas! No more oopsies. I remember pulling into one of our local HD dealers and the guy at the parts counter saying, "Man, why do they put you women on those Sportsters . . . they are the hardest bikes to ride." He said, "you should try the Softtail, you will not believe the difference." Well, the size and the weight of that thing just scared the you know what out of me. I finally broke down though. Ladies, I have to tell you, this is the easiest bike to ride. Oh the size and weight may seem daunting at first but, when you ride this bike it just feels lighter. And if you do get a little off balance at a stop, you have more margin because of the low center of gravity. This bike is like riding on a big sofa down the road. I just love it! I wish I had rode this bike a lot sooner. I will say one thing for the Sporty . . . it is true that it is easier to handle around parking lots and a lot more nimble. But, when it comes to balance and comfort, the Softtail has it all the way IMHO. The one thing I would like to add; had I not rode the Sporty, small maneuvers in parking lots and "slow races" in stop and go traffic would have been harder to learn on the Softtail. I am glad I rented that 250 Rebel a few weekends. This would be my recommendation: ride the 250 for awhile then, go for the Softtail. Mama, as always I love your site! You are invaluable to all of us women riders. Regards, Shani in NH In 2001, I returned to riding after a 20 year hiatus and started out by buying a used 2000 Honda 600 VLX. Im just under 5 and weigh 104 lbs. I choose the Honda because it was a great buy and it had one of the lowest seat heights available at the time. Although I was never flat footed, the bike had a low center of gravity and was easy to balance even when I could only put one foot firmly on the ground. The problem was I could barely reach the foot pegs and even after adding 4 pullback risers to bring the handlebar closer to me, my shoulders ached after a short time from pulling myself forward constantly. I felt unstable on the VLX that first year and went back to riding a 250 the next season. A friend
kept telling me to try out a Sportster, he said the hugger would be
perfect for me. In 2003 I
took a hugger out for a demo ride at Americade and was immediately
convinced this was the bike for me. I
bought one later that year. Yes,
I did have to change the seat to one with a lower profile in order to get
my feet closer to the ground, and the addition of an EZ clutch was a must,
but the slim frame, mid By the way, I just bought a new Sportster, the 1200L. And, the friend who encouraged me to try the Sportster in the first place bought my Hugger for his wife. Were both looking forward to a great riding season!
Best of luck to No Name. Patti Women must ride larger motorcycles
before being convinced to buy a Sportster. Most men seem to think
that the Sportster, being the smallest HD makes, is the only way for a
woman to go. That is why I gave up asking the extremely well intentioned
men that I know for bike choice advice. If you had met me when
the Sportster was all I knew you would have heard someone speak nothing
but love for her motorcycle because it was a Harley, it was paid for and
it was mine! I had no clue what I was missing until I bought my V-Rod! Im embarrassed for having spent
all of that energy riding a Sportster. My first words after
getting off my brand new V-Rod after riding an 883 Sportster for 3 years: (note from Mama: lots of input on Sporty riding and I'm glad the pluses and minuses are being chronicled by women who have been on these bikes!) Monday, March 6 Hello
VTwin Mama, I ride the Buell Blast now with a seat height of 27.5". When I sit on it I would guess it probably goes down to a 26.5" and it is the most comfortable seating position for me. The seat on long rides has much to be desired but this is why I am moving up to a bike that can take me further with more comfort. I have to face a lot of traffic every day so I need to be able to have my feet flat on the ground and be able to comfortably walk the bike through traffic. I know the Low Rider is considerably wider then the Buell Blast so I have to be lower to the ground then on the Buell to be able to reach. The biggest thing thing that bothers me when I sit on a Low Rider is how wide it is between my legs. I am 5' 1 1/2. Any suggestions for a good seat? I will probable have the bike lowered also but for now I want to get the best seat I can find and see the difference that would make for me first. Another question I have is I am about 115 lbs. Will they be adjusting the suspension for my weight and what difference will this make? I was reading the bikes are mostly set up for a 185 lb person. Thank you for any advice you may have. Electa Dear
Electa, To help you talk with more confidence about the bike's suspension settings, here are basics from the CarTest Software site (but this is definitely about motorcycles!): "The primary job of a motorcycle's suspension is to separate the chassis from the effects of bumps and other surface irregularities while simultaneously keeping the tires in contact with the road. Suspension systems have two theoretical components, springing and damping. The spring controls how much force is required to compress the suspension and the damping controls how quickly the compression and subsequent decompression occurs. The Preload adjustment determines the spring force. More preload, more required force to compress the spring. Less preload, less required force to compress the spring. Compression damping controls the speed at which the spring is allowed to compress for a given force applied. More compression damping, the slower the spring can compress. Less compression damping, the faster it can respond. Rebound damping controls the speed at which the spring can rebound following compression. Again, more rebound damping means a slower spring decompression, less rebound damping means faster decompression. Determining the optimum suspension settings for your bike is as much art as science and has to do with your physical characteristics and riding style as well as the physics of the motorcycle's design." So take that knowledge and explore what setting changes can be made to the Dyna Low Rider, or if components should be changed out for your weight (shocks, springs, etc.). The dealer should be able to address this, and if not, find another dealer! There is a 2006 Dyna Low Rider review by a woman on my Motorcycle Reviews: Harley Davidson page, and although she is taller, you might like to read this. Mama Monday, March 6 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Anon, Or did you make that inquiry over the phone? If so, go to the dealer, preferably during a less busy time, as it's going to take some looking to find what you need. If necessary, take a close-up picture of the current lever/handlebar area so that you can compare with greater confidence. Mama Tuesday, March 7 1994 BMW K75RT For Sale 1994 BMW K75RT, 750cc, 55,000 miles, Pacific Blue Metallic color, ABS brakes, tool kit, fully functional, recent full service, new tires, $5,000. Call Joe Tyson in Wilmington, NC at 910-762-6402. Tuesday, March 7 Hello
VTwin Mama, Dear
Mike, I'm assuming your wife is a new rider and over time I've certainly heard enough to be of the opinion that a functional used 250cc bike is the way to start (for many) . . . it takes away the "jitter" component of scratching a new bike up (if oopsies happen) and nixes the depreciation of riding a new bike off the lot. Some dealers do offer a program for trade-in though, knowing that new riders on little bikes often are ready for a bigger bike sooner than expected, so I'd check into their policy. There are lots of bigger bikes for women at 5'2" with modifications, as can be seen on my Motorcycles for Short Riders list page, so it's something to consider (in the grander scheme of things). As to lowering a 250cc bike, well, what shoes/boots is your wife wearing? She might want to look at riding boots with a bit more heel to get her flat footed. Lots of women review their footwear to make up leg-to-ground distance. Also, I'd be looking at the seats, as some are wider and force a rider's legs out (before going down), so a less expensive route could be to get a new seat as part of the deal (or have an upholstery shop shave the seat down at the sides). Mama Tuesday, March 7 Hey
y'all, Dear
Lady Di, Tuesday, March 7 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Sharon, Wednesday, March 8 For No Name who was interested in Street Bob input: My advice to "no name" is to go out and demo the bike if she can before she buys it. After riding the Bob for about two months, I noticed that I am having a hard time with the slow tight turns due to the mini apes. This has presented a problem for me because I can't stretch my arms far enough to turn the bars without feeling like I am going to drop it. This is very weird and maybe the problem is me - when I bought the bike, I rode it around in the HD parking lot for about a half hour and I was making some pretty slow, tight turns and I didn't have a problem there, but later on after riding it, seems that I just freaked out with those turns, I felt like my arms weren't able to stretch enough to get it where I wanted it to go. Also - I haven't quite got the height problem adjusted yet. I still can't put my left foot all the way down since the primary sticks out so far and forget about backing the bike up. The slightest incline foils me every time. Because of the battery box being located on the side of the bike and not under the seat, I can't plug in my electric clothes anymore so I am missing out on some good riding this winter. Last but not least is the engine - at low speeds, it feels like it is going to stall out because of the way the engine is mounted to the frame, very vibrate-y and it freaks me out. I took the seat to an upholstery shop to have it modified and it didn't quite work out the way I wanted it to, they need to make some more adjustments for me. My other choice is to replace the handle bars with some that come back more towards me which is fine but it still doesn't fix the height problem I am having. My only other option is to take the bike to a shop and see what they can do with it. This will cost me a lot of money that I just don't have right now but it's either that or lose money when / if I try to sell it. On the plus side, the bike is very powerful and will withstand the long distance riding that I do. I sat on a Honda something or other a few weeks ago (I forgot the name of the model, I think it was a 750 cc) and it fit like a glove. I want the power of a HD but the fit of that Honda. I wish I had thought to demo the bike and also gave some thought to the electric clothes problem BEFORE I bought it. I am actually thinking of selling the bike right now (which I don't want to do because I will lose a lot of $$$). It's just not the bike for me and if I had to do it all over again, I would not buy it. "No name" didn't say a lot about herself, but if she is a taller woman (taller then me and I am 5'3") she most likely won't have the same problems I am having with the bike. If she is my height, I would say "save your money" and buy something else. There are a lot of great bikes out there from every manufacturer and she should test them all out (or at least sit on them) before making a decision. If she is dead set on an HD, look into the Low Rider or Night Train. Doreen from NJ (note from Mama: thanks for sharing your observations on the Street Bob . . . it's greatly appreciated!) Wednesday, March 8 For Mike and his wife who are considering a Hyosung GV 250 for her to start on: I was looking into a Hyosung for myself in the future. There is a website called www.korider.com and it is all about the Korean bikes. The guys there are friendly and fairly knowledgeable about the bike. Wanda, aka V45 (note from Mama: hee, hee, I really need to check my own Useful Sites page on occasion, as I have that site listed there . . . am so glad you wrote in!) Wednesday, March 8 Hey
VTwin Mama, Dear
Becky, Last Thursday I was up at my BMW dealership to handle a small crisis, which was fixed, and then stopped by another local dealer that now carries the Ridley line. I took at a look at the three they had on the floor and talked to the salesperson a bit. His response to possible problems is that it's all about the dealer's service commitment to the line of bikes they carry. My best advice to you is to review the warranty on the bike to the nth degree, determine how long the dealership has been carrying the Ridley line, query the service department manager on things they have had to do to the Ridleys they have sold and their satisfaction with Ridley headquarters, ask whether they have a Ridley-qualified tech on hand (do they have to take a course or a test? or does stuff have to be shipped to Ridley for repair), and review the Lemon Law for your state (so you know upfront some details about your last resource for action). Awhile ago, I contacted Ridley itself, and although they won't share buyer information, they did indicate they would be addressing the need for owner-related input. I just hopped on their site and see they have added a discussion forum, tech question input form, and other sections under the Owner link. You may wish to query the manufacturer as to exactly how many bikes they have sold since they started, and use the forum to see what's up and post your own questions. The current base price for the Classic is $15,600. I tried to check into resale value, but even the NADA Guide is indicating "DUE TO LIMITED RESALE MARKET, WE ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE USED VALUES." On Cycle Trader I saw a few 2003 Autoglide models up for sale from $10,000 (2,650 miles) to $11,500 (650 miles). In the Ridley forum, you'll also find a few listing for Autoglides for sale. Mama Wednesday, March 8 Dear
VTwin Mama, I learned to ride last year and bought an '05 Honda CBR 600 F4I. I bought a sport bike because my boyfriend had one and loves his (learned a valuable lesson about that) as I don't enjoy this bike. It is really too tall for me and I don't feel comfortable. I had it professionally lowered but due to the suspension they could only lower this bike 1" and it isn't enough. I am considering selling it and buying a cruiser. I like the Honda Shadow Sabre and I was wondering if any ladies have rode this bike and their thoughts on it as I didn't see it listed in the bikes for short riders. Thank you. Miranda Dear
Miranda, I find that in researching bikes, it's useful to type in the make/model of a bike with the added words "road tests" into a search engine to pull up reviews (but rarely are they reviews by women, but still useful to read through of course). Right off the bat, I see that the CBR has a seat height of 31.7" and the Sabre is at 27.2", a big difference. I also hopped onto a specifications site and compared the Sabre to the Spirit 750 (which have some listings on my Motorcycles for Short Riders page) and note that the Sabre is 0.8" higher in seat height, so the 750 notes could provide a general guideline. The big differences between a 2006 Sabre and 2006 Spirit (1099cc each) are the Spirit has a 1.5" higher seat height, is just 21 lbs. lighter, a 0.4" difference in wheelbase, a different front tire size and a rear drum brake (rather than a disc on the Sabre). So, let's see if we get any "riding reality" input! Mama Wednesday, March 8 Dear
VTwin Mama, One of the things that actually disappointed some of my customers is their expectation of seeing a biker and not a consultant. I manage my hair by using a Buff. Just like the ones on the Survivor show! They keep your hair in place (long or short) and prevent it from being terribly smushed, tangled, or frizzed (is that really a word???). They are the absolute best! I get them from Buff. In addition, when I need to stay over (due to weather or some other unfortunate reason), I have a neat accessory for my outfits! They are inexpensive enough to have several different styles and colors. Mommydba Dear
Mommydba, Thursday, March 9 For Becky who is looking at a Ridley Autoglide but has concerns: I have a 2002 Speedster (the smaller version). I have had 2 full seasons with it and love the bike. The dealer here is wonderful. I have had no problems with the bike. It has a deep throaty sound that is louder than my husband's Harley. It can go fast if needed and rides very nice. It is easy to drive and my husband even enjoys a ride on it once in a while. It's the best part of riding without having to think about shifting! You do get a lot of attention when you make stops! Everyone wants to know what you are riding! Good luck in what ever bike you decide on! Kelly from Minnesota (note from Mama: are you having way too much fun? I think not!) Thursday, March 9 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Angie, So, to get started, I did a search on the Want Facts site (the link sequence is Research New, Motorcycles, Search by Feature), chose Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha, and limited the search between 400cc and 1000cc. Doing this, you'll find a wonderful selection of mid-range sporty bikes for consideration. With this list you can now check seat heights, power range, cost, etc. This will also help you look at want ads or check with dealers for used ones! Sporty bikes are a challenge for shorter riders, in that they offer less lowering options due to their stock suspension systems. Still, it's not completely impossible. I do have some sport bikes listed on my Motorcycles for Short Riders page. with the rider's height and the modifications they made. You may wish to extend your research by visiting women's sites specific to sporty bikes. There are several listed on my Women's Sites page and I think you'll find these useful in that they also have discussion forums, etc. Mama Thursday, March 9 For Mommydba who recommended the Buff for hair control: The reason I don't ride my bike to work is because of the way my hair looks when I take the helmet off. It doesn't seem to matter what the temp is outside, I always have a damp head under my helmet. I do have a vented helmet but it doesn't cure the problem completely. My hair is medium length and it frizzes and curls when it gets humid. Most everyone can visualize what a problem that can be when your going to work and you arrive all frazzled looking. I am a nurse and I could pack my scrubs and put them on at work but the hair is a challenge. My hubby rides his bike back and forth to work all the time but then again he shaves his head and even if he didn't, men don't seem to have as big of a problem with "helmet head" as us ladies do. Does anyone else have any suggestions other than the Buff? I am going to order a few of those and give them a try. Thanks for the info Mommydba. Nikki from Dallas (note from Mama: well, I have seen men with hair smush, but rarely! All hair smush-related input is archived on my Riding Gear: Helmets/Goggles/Hair pages, so you might want to take the time to read through those five pages worth of material as there is a lot of chatter about handling hair and too much for me to recount in this response.) Thursday, March 9 Dear
VTwin Mama, I just turned my drag bike GSX1100EFE into a road bike. My mate came and helped me, but whilst jump starting the bike, the positive lead hit the frame. Since then, all the electrics have worked except for the fact that the main fuse (15amp) and the lights fuse (10 amp) keep blowing. I also noticed a smoking wire but can't find which one it is. Can you help? Also, on my XJ 600, I started it, then the engine cut out and now there is no power . . . the clock lights work and the horn, but nothing else. Could this be the relay?? Frustrated Biker Chick Dear
Frustrated Biker Chick, The fuses on the GSX keep blowing because something is damaged and they are simply doing their job. I'd start by removing the battery and checking those leads. Then, with the battery removed, and noting you can smell a smoking wire, you can identify the general area . . . then it's a matter of removing whatever needs to pulled off to get to the wires underneath and look for wire melts, bubbles, wires fused together, or discolored. These wires are damaged and need to be replaced as they can no longer hold the load or are touching ground in some way. Sorry, but there is no short cut, but again, if you had the schematics, you could trace which wires lead from the fuses that are blowing and have a slightly faster chance at tracing the mess. As to the XJ, well, that could be a number of things. If the clock light and horn work, it may be that the battery is holding just enough charge to power those two items, but not enough to start the bike again. If you hold the horn button in, does it bleat and then lose it's loudness level? Then, I'd start with recharging the battery (and remember to check the electrolyte level; if a cell ran dry, you may not be able to save the battery, or it may have sulfated). Otherwise, you need to check the battery leads for correct contact and corrosion. Since the bike ran briefly and then died, it's possible you're having a regulator/rectifier problem, in that this unit regulates the current flow to the battery. Or your bike may have an alternator/regulator/rectifier combination that is no longer doing its job. Without the electrical schematic, I cannot tell you if there are relays in these circuits, so we're back to square one . . . get the service manual. Mama Thursday, March 9 For Doreen who offered input on her HD Street Bob: The battery on my FLSTS is under the seat as it is on the Street Bob. I have a connector attached to my battery which come out under the front edge of my seat. I use it to attach my Battery Tender and I also plug my heated vest into it. Depending upon what type of heated clothes you have, I'm sure there's a connector available to attach "permanently" to your battery which will give you access to plug in. Penny Price (note from Mama: it sounds like one could query the heated garment vendor or bike dealer on finding a connector that would do the job.) (3/10: added note from Penny: I had to ask my "sweetie" how he hooked it up. He says it's a common connector, and thinks one came with both my heated vest and the battery tender. He said that Doreen could take her heated clothes to an auto parts story or hardware store etc. and they could get her the necessary parts. He says it's a very common polarized two-pole connector and it's just attached to the battery poles then is run out from under the seat which it's readily accessible. So there!) I sure wish more lady riders would get over the idea that they have to get a Harley. There are any number of bikes out there that are far less expensive and easier to set up for short riders than any HD model is. I have tried several -- including Marauder, Intruder, an old Shovelhead and now I ride a 1200 Sporty. For each bike, due to my being 5'1", I have had to spend a bit of money to make the bike fit me. If you cannot flat foot your ride and cannot back up the bike than you really should find something that fits you. If you are determined to keep your bike than you will have to bite the bullet and spend some bucks on new bars and Progressive shocks to lower the bike. That also most likely means rerouting clutch and brake cables, etc. Costly yes -- but only you can decide it it's worth it to you. A great bike with plenty of power that can be easily lowered is the Suzuki Intruder 1400. I had one that was lowered 2 inches so I was bent kneed and totally flat footed. Put buckhorn bars on so my arms felt great on even the tightest turns. Dorathy (note from Mama: I agree that a bike that fits the rider is more important than the manufacture's name on the bike, especially for a new rider. Still, for some riders, a particular mfg. is "the dream" and there's just no denying it! And then, yes, it's a matter of realizing it may take some $$$ to make it fit correctly.) Thursday, March 9 Hey
VTwin Mama, Dear
ninja mama, Friday, March 10 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Rebel Wanna-be, But not to worry, this too shall pass with a few simple adjustments. First, to get the right hand under control, start the bike, sit on it, and in neutral, practice pulling in the brake lever till you don't rev the throttle at the same time. Look at your wrist angle and correlate that to the combo demon. Practice, practice, practice. Also, in neutral, rev the throttle on purpose so that you get use to the "noise." Then, have hubbie ride that bike to an empty, nicely paved parking lot with plenty of room, and begin your first lessons there. Remember, the quickest way to remove power from the bike under any circumstances is to pull in the clutch lever with the left hand, thus disengaging the clutch and the power to the drive system. With the clutch disengaged, even if you accidentally roll the throttle while applying the brake, or get scared because you feel like you're going too fast, or are approaching an "icky" thing feeling out of control, it will just make a lot of noise, but not actually make you go anywhere. Now here is the most enlightening thing: you absolutely, positively, without a doubt . . . ARE NOT ALONE. That's right, your DNA has not twisted your being into a motorcycle rider wanna-be freak of nature. You simply scared the stuffing out of yourself and need to construct a better practice battle plan. Ok, off you go to do that! Mama Friday, March 10 Dear
VTwin Mama, What I'm curious about is the notion of a bike being "top heavy." My bike has the peanut tank that sits up higher and people often comment to me that that makes the bike more difficult to manage. So, I'm considering replacing the peanut tank with the wide capacity tank that is usually used on the Sportster 1200's. The tank would sit a little lower and be more "spread out," supposedly lowering the center of gravity a bit. Do you have any thoughts on the benefits of doing this? P.S. I am practicing the skills-building on an '02 Buell Blast - a great bike, but much lighter than the Sportster. Lisa Montano in Martinez, GA Dear
Lisa, Your bike's dry weight is 553 lbs and the center of gravity (COG) is a point somewhere at the engine level, where the heaviest concentration of mass is. Your bike holds 3.3 gallons of gas, and gas weighs about 6.5 lbs per gallon (there were varying numbers, but I'm using this average), so the gas weight when full is about 21.5 lbs. By lowering the bike, you lowered the center of gravity, because the overall bike and engine are now lower to the ground. If the new tank sits lower, than the weight of the tank and the gas therein, would lower the COG, but would it really be a discernable amount? I'm not convinced (but readers may give me an Ann Lander's "wet noodle" on this one). IMHO, COG mainly has to do with higher speed curve and tight turn handling at slow speeds. The bike wants to go straight and by "commanding" it to go around a turn or curve, it naturally pivots around it's COG (basic physics, omigosh!). The higher this is, the more work it takes for the bike to do that. That can be handled by learning your counter-steering techniques (high speed) and back brake feathering and friction zone control (tight turns). Yes, with a higher COG, when you lean the bike and hold the weight by your leg, it may feel like you're not as much in control. Your main concern appears to be the overall weight of the bike. That Blast is 193 pounds lighter than the Sporty, and since you are in the skills building mode, that's a significant change to the experience. What's your overall physical strength? This could be improved if you don't work out regularly (squats and such for leg strength so your legs can more easily hold the bike weight at a lean/stop and with greater confidence and arm strength so you can "muscle" the bike around a lot easier). Ugh, exercise. Yes, it makes a difference. Don't forget tummy muscles . . . they hold the back/spine in place and you'll notice the difference on long rides. For my money, I see you continuing to practice on the Blast, considering strengthening exercises, doing some "get to know the weight of the Sporty stuff (like sitting on the bike and leaning it gently from side-to-side and rolling it forward and back to feel the weight and get to know your limits, etc.), and then hopping onto the Sporty for basic beginning practice sessions. Mama has spoken! Ok, ok, Mama has written, but I think you've got some more food for thought on which to chew. Mama Friday, March 10 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Guy, Friday, March 10 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Cathie, So, I hopped online and found this Motorcycle Tire 101 article from Motorcycle Cruising magazine. And now I'm going to send you to WebBikeWorld and their directory on all things "tire." You'll see links to the main manufacturers and if you scroll down, there is a All About Tires sections, with more links to Tire 101 stuff. I also found this motorcycle tire site which suggests that if the majority of your riding is high-speed, you may wish to consider the "performance" category of tires (softer rubber, better traction, but faster wear) rather than the "all season" tires (a design balance of comfort, performance and yuck weather handling). Me, myself, and I (all three of us, in schizophrenic synchronization) have been a Metzler fan for some time, including a lot of years riding the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Mama
I now have an online order form for VTwin Mama business cards and the new
brochure. If you have an upcoming event, regular business
opportunity, or just want to carry some things around because you never
know who it might help, you can order these for FREE!
Tuesday, March 14 Dear
VTwin Mama, I'm 6ft tall and 150lbs so I want a bike that will fit my long legs (35" inseam). Thank you for all the information and this site to learn and share. I've downloaded the motorcycle handbook from DMV so I can have a jump on the class (if I ever find one that's open) :-) I hope to have completed the course and on my way to buying that life long dream by the end of the summer. Thanks again for the encouragement you give to people you don't even know. Shelley from Los Angeles Dear
Shelley, And you're right . . . I don't personally know most of the people who write in to this site, but truly feel we're all sisters in spirit and that a place like this gives us all a chance to share the collective experience. While you wait for your class, you may wish to determine what local chapters of women's riding organizations are available to you. A good place to start that search is on my Women's Sites page! Mama Tuesday, March 14 For Rebel Wanna-be who is trying to learn to ride her Rebel: VTwin Mama's advice to is great; I'd just like to add that an approved course will give you all the skills you need to develop to ride safely. That was my route, starting on a Rebel and moving up recently to a 600 Shadow VLX, and it has been very successful for me. Good Luck! Ugogirl (note from Mama: an absolutely solid suggestion!) Tuesday, March 14 Dear
VTwin Mama, We decided on a brand new '05 S40/Savage. She can touch on her toes, so we are going to shave the seat and go from there. She has taken it for a few rides up our little road at the house, not much traffic, but I know if she had another inch or so lower where she could touch better she would have more confidence. One question I would like to ask is where are all the aftermarket parts for this bike?!?!? I have found a few sites with parts but not many, and no seats to be found!! As for anyone wondering about if this little "thumper" would have enough power . . . it hauled me down the road at 80 on the interstate and had plenty left in it!! Thanks again for all the posts about possibilities for the "vertically challenged" and information/reviews!! VTX Predator NC Dear
VTX Predator NC, Tuesday, March 14 For Lisa who is searching for ways to make her Sporty more manageable: I have to respond here to this issue as I went through the same. Unless you want to do long distance riding, don't put the money into a new tank. It will still be top heavy either way. The Sportsters are just built that way, frame and all. I was told if I could ride the Sportster, I could ride anything . . . I believe that -- you should too. At stops or stopping, try extending both legs out away from the bike so that you have more balance and control at a stop. Also keep those forks straight. I found that if I turned my handlebars the slightest when stopping I would get off balance. When you get used to this movement, start practicing stopping with your left foot down (for your inclines, etc.) It took me a long time to feel comfortable doing this but once accomplished you can ride the Sporty anywhere. If you get the Sporty into a gliding motion (of sorts) and lean the bike just ever so slightly to the left when stopping you will have control of it at stops with the one leg down routine. Again, keep the handlebars straight. Now . . . where did I get this information? Hmmmm . . . Mama! That's who. I dropped my Sporty a few times but was determined to accomplish riding that bike and I think I did by coming into this site and reading about others with my problem. As Mama says, "you're not alone . . . practice . . . practice . . . practice." Kathy H. (note from Mama: as you've noted, practice is the key to finding the methods to overcome challenges and I'm glad you've re-shared your techniques!) Maybe this is what you were getting at or maybe you'll
disagree, but I'd say ride the heck out the Blast and then take steps to
move up, if possible. I had several people tell me that when I was going
to be moving up to the bigger bike, I should stay with it and not go back
and forth between bikes. Being new, and trying to become one with a bike,
it's just easier to become "one" with only one (bike, that is).
Then when the smiles come, along with the eagerness to go out and just
ride, then get the bigger bike to a parking lot and go. And don't look
back. |
