From: smm@rodan.UU.NET (Steve Mansfield)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles
Subject: Re: beginner's luck
Date: 26 Aug 1992 19:18:15 -0400
Organization: UUNET Technologies Inc, Falls Church, VA
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: rodan.uu.net

In article <4eaxnvK00WBKQ4jm5G@andrew.cmu.edu> "Peter A. Simon" <ps3p+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
>rpearl@athena.mit.edu (Rachel A Pearl) writes:
>> 
>>Okay, I've finally enrolled inaOD motorcycle safelty  course and
>>I'm going to learn how to ride that crazy thing. I'm pretty 
>>psyched about it and I have a lot of support from a few
>>biker friends of mine. I just thought I'd put it out to the group -
>>What would be a good bike for an average sized 34 year old woman to start out
>>on? I'm coming from ground zero information so any help I could get
>>would be greatly appreciated.
>> 
>>Thanks,

First of all, it sounds like you're taking the right approach to riding.
I was in the same position as you just a few months ago, and believe me,
it's payed off!

>RAP
>
>I'm not your size but here's my take on it:  I am teaching my 31 year
>old girl friend (5'4", 125#) how to ride my "spare" bike which is a
>Honda CM400.  It's what's known in the trade as a "standard" (vs sport,
>cruiser, etc.) 
>
>First of all, she can "flat foot it."  That means that with the bike at
>a standstill she can put both feet comfortably on the ground.  Maybe
>when she gets shit hot at riding and is real comfortable with balance
>and so forth this won't be so important but right now it is--for a
>feeling of comfort and confidence if nothing else.

Good point, but probably one of the least important in my opinion.  Being
5' 6" myself, and 125 lbs., there aren't too many bikes I can flatfoot.
My GS550E is small enough, that I can get both feet on the ground, one
flat, one on the toe, or both semi-flat, but too tall to flat both feet.
As long as you fell comfortable enough with how your feet sit at a stop
you should be fine.

>Third, being a "standard" motorcycle the Honda is *very* well mannered. 
>It shifts smoothly, turns easily and so forth.  My cruiser is a real
>snarly beast which, to tell the truth, is kind of a chore to ride at
>times.  So I figure let Judy have a positive initial experience and when
>she has more time in the saddle she can make up her own mind about how
>bad ass macho she wants to be.

Another very good point.  Sooner or later I want a crotch rocket of some
sort, but I decided, and my biker friends all praised me for this
attitude, learn how to ride well, and safely, then get something that can
tear up the roads.

>Fourth, I paid $585 for it and she can trash it in the learning process
>for all I care.  The bill for damage so far is around $100 which brings
>us to 

Yet another good point.  Don't go out and get something that you're going
to inevitably drop (not necessarily lay down) at least a couple times and
be worried about the money that's going down the tubes.

>Fifth, it *may* be too heavy for her to pick up when she drops it. 
>(Read the thread: "Women riders - what do you think?" in
>netnews.alt.motorcycles.harley about dropping bikes.  The thread exactly
>applies to your question in general).  She's dropped it twice but each
>time I, in a manly manner, picked it up for her.  Next time out we're
>going to work out ways she can get it up herself if possible.  It may
>not be imperative that one be able to get his or her own bike off the
>ground but it sure saves embarrasement.

Here's the one where, I don't disagree with him, but I've found to be
different in my case.  If she (or you) drops the bike, even some of the
bigger bikes shouldn't be overedly hard to pick back up.  It's a matter
of how you go about lifting it.  You want to get good leverage, without
twisting your forks and handlebars up.  I've had to pick mine up twice
now, and I have, both times, grabbed it from the low side handlebar and
put a hand under the gas tank.  Use your legs to lift it up, not your
back (oooo, all those proper lifting techniques again!!!), and you'll
find it much easier to lift.  If you use your legs, you'll have better
leverage (as well as a happy back) to lift with.  Then again, I've always
had pretty strong legs, with no upper body really, so it works pretty
well for me.  Most people's legs are stronger than their arms, so using
them to lift will help a lot.

>My opinion, for what it's worth.
>
>-peter
>
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>*                             WATCH BACK!                           *
>*                                                                   *
>* DoD #10o00                 Suzuki LS650H         NAUI INST. #1434 *
>*                             (for sale)                            *
>*                             Honda CM400                           *
>*                           (for sale, too)                         *
>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Steve Mansfield	    | The system we've learned says we're equal under law
smm@uunet.uu.neta   | But the streets are reality, the weak and poor will fall
1983 Suzuki GS550E  | Let's tip the power balance and tear down the crown
DoD# 1718	    | Educate the masses, we'll burn the White House down.
Queensryche	    -       Speak the Word.