teaching my lady to ride

spitfire · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Karma :

Although Mrs spitfire enjoys going pillion, up until now she has not expressed an interest in riding a bike. That was until the other day when we were looking around a bike shop and the only bike to catch her eye was a KTM EXC enduro bike! She expressed an interest in riding off road so I thought I would look into it.

Now there seems to be plenty of organised off road days, there are even ones aimed at ladies, but they as far as I can tell all assume some level of riding skill. She has never ridden a motorbike before but can at least ride a push bike.

So my question would be, where can I get her some training for a complete beginner that not a CBT type setup ? She has no interest in taking her test and riding on the road. Laughing

Or does anyone have any other idea's?

PS: this should probably go in the off road section but thought it would get a larger audience here !

PPS: No I'm not going to teach her to ride on my R6

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

You'll probably find your post just drops a lot quicker off the first page in general chat than in off road.

Best bet would probably be to find someone they've got an enduro bike they could lend you and show her the ropes yourself, on some wasteground.

Howver, still, doing a CBT might be worth it - she wouldn't be losing anything and would be shown all the stuff about gears etc on a relatively easy to ride bike (lower seat height is less intimidating, I'm told).

spitfire · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Karma :

cheers....might pop the post over in off road as well !

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

Hi,
I went on a motocross day organised by Yamaha Schools. It was at Golding Barn in Sussex. https://www.yamaha-schools.co.uk/ They claim to take non riders and on the day I went one of our group(female) hadn't ridden a bike for over 20 years and that was a BSA Bantam so doesn't count. There was also a young lad who was a first timer.
I have to say the whole day was fantastic and our group were all off road novices and in my case I had only done about 10 miles on a bike in the last 10 years. (since rectified)
The people running the day were amazing and Barry the main man had a great line in dry humour. And the bikes available were superb.
Having said that getting some familiarity with riding and learning clutch less gear changes before going would make the day better for her.
Hope this helps
Vin

spitfire · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Karma :

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Unless you have an off road bike and somewhere to use it how is she going to learn ?
Although she doesn't want to do a CBT at least it will teach her how to ride and use gears before she gets a bike.
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Nolongerhere · Trackday Trickster Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

buy a shit motoX bike and take her to some land and teach her to ride there. Its easy to pick up and when she is more confident she can go on these experience needed courses!!!!! Cool

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

Cos I think they are shite Laughing

Nice pics though. You have a knack of finding these thiings

spitfire · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Karma :

Aikman666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Karma :

*aherm* Vin, dont knock it till youve tried it, i would never have had any other first bike Thumbs Up

Brilliant for offroad if you get all the little niggles fixed, no complicated electrics to worry about, and i could rebuild the thing with household products easily Very Happy

(eg a U-bolt holding on the exhaust, brown paper barrell gasket). They are truly magnificant, indestructible, and have incredible spirit, i intend on buying another BSA/ classic bike very soon!

Unfortunetly i had to sell mine Crying or Very sad

Attatched is a pic of her before i put the finishing touches on the rebuild (chrome trim, badges, redone handlebars...etc)
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Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

OK you are right I have never tried one. It was just my usual reaction caused largely by old men around at the time I started riding insisting they were better than "Jap crap". When quite clearly they weren't. My friend mentioned above gave up biking because it would never start.
But now as I slip into middle age I agree. Probably great little bikes in their time.
Oh and I was commenting very much in a bantering tongue in cheek kind of way.
Thumbs Up

TOM M · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2005 Karma :

Best thing to do is probably book a CBT for her as others have suggested Thumbs Up

That way she can be taught by professionals and ina safe, controlled environment Thumbs Up

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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

Dracan · Trackday Trickster Joined: 15 Apr 2005 Karma :

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

Nice one stinkwheel your knowledge of bikes is amazing.
Didn't MZ figure out the expansion chamber to great effect? Then Suzuki erm.."helped" the engineer involved defect?
I am sure it was something like that.
Keep the pictures coming Thumbs Up

Vin

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :