Learn to ride - 'What should I do?'

**baptist** · 2nd December 2010, 22:39

Originally Posted by easyrider

lol @ the Piaggio, someone had to do it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb6URzDE_vQ

Wonder if she would like to have a go at this

**LBD** · 2nd December 2010, 22:51

Start with a cheap 49cc auto scooter to get the balance, throttle and braking co-ordination sorted. Then grab one of those CB125's or similar to get the cluthch and gear shifting sorted. Do notstart with too big a bike, so she is not scared of it. Get the learners on that, then when confident move to a 250 for the restricted period...Move in gentle steps....From my experience with 50 something women learning to ride....ability is not the problem, it is the lack of confidence and the concern that a bike might be to powerful for them to manage.

**sinfull** · 2nd December 2010, 22:59

Sounds like an excitable type, any A&E on any given sunny saturday might sort her out !

**myvice** · 3rd December 2010, 00:24

ZX10
$20 says less than 100 meters…

**tri boy** · 3rd December 2010, 06:20

Kanny had never ridden a bike either when she met me.
My advice is let her, (the newby), browse trademe for a small single cyl like a volty etc.
She will need to like the bike if she is to want to ride it. Chicks won't connect to anything that doesn't float their boat.
Next, allow her to just sit on it, pull the levers etc for the first lil while until she feels ready for the next step. Don't rush. (hanging around sprouting advise is a big no no also. Chicks talk to their bikes, it's a private conversation).

Teaching a newby how to mount/dismount etc covering the front brake, walking the bike around to feel it's weight, and natural balance point etc.

I can only compare it to teaching a child how to bond with a pony, (not that I like horses), and then allowing them to build confidence.

Getting at least twenty hours of "bond time", including lil wobbles up and down a safe flat area is very important.
If the lady has a scary moment in the first few hours, it's a lost cause. MHO

**allycatz** · 3rd December 2010, 06:48

Well as a 5' 5" 50 year old here, I can definitely recommend the scooter approach for road confidence, throttle, balance etc after trying to learn to ride bike that was too tall and a bit heavy. Have had a go on a 150cc dirt bike, was great as wasn't so phobic about dropping it. Only thing stopping me now from going further is financial but in the meantime love being on the back of a bike anyways

**Spearfish** · 3rd December 2010, 08:13

She would benefit from a few weeks with a push bike, it will speed up the very basic balance part of learning to ride.

As she cant even ride a push bike a scooter is a good way to start her path into riding:
no gears and gradual clutchless take off
all hand controls
very very lite plus its easy to push her around while learning the controls
low seat so she can drag her feet
small turning circle and, good for car parks
step through so she can get on and off, plus if it goes pear shaped she can step through before it falls over (The lady I helped forgot to put her feet down, to busy worrying about everything else)

I would go for a 125 like http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-335491167.htm

From experience the 125-150cc scoots will give her more usable range being motorway capable and they are about the same size as a moped class scoot.
Mopeds have a very limited use, perfect for inner-city jobs but she wants to do what attracted her to bikes in the first place....

But its not a bike so it might not fit her mental image of what she wants to do but its just a "step through" to a full bike (no pun intended).

I think the hardest part for her mentor is teaching something most take for granted so don't get to serious with it all keep it fun and lite harted, especially in the really early car park stuff because she will get frustrated.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 3rd December 2010, 09:49

Originally Posted by easyrider

lol @ the Piaggio, someone had to do it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb6URzDE_vQ

I think that those idiots reviews (which boil down to "Uts a puysa shut") really arent going to determine whether or not anyone is going to buy an MP3 or not. Fucking retards.

**Mom** · 3rd December 2010, 09:53

Get her to contact Roadcraft School of Motorcycling
0800 4 LESSON
www.rcsom.co.nz

**Mudfart** · 3rd December 2010, 10:13

pushbikes are definately harder to learn balance than a motorbike or scooter.
id put her on a scooter and watch her deathgrip the throttle open, which some people do. it was hilarious when i was 13 or so and watching this guy lock the throttle open over a curb. he actually flew arse first.

**Big Dave** · 3rd December 2010, 10:21

Originally Posted by myvice

ZX10
$20 says less than 100 meters…

No deal. I've seen a $10k Vespa planted inside 30mtrs.

**R-Soul** · 3rd December 2010, 14:37

The thing about not having balance is that you want to be ridinga light vehicle when it falls on you. Pushbike first. While she learns balance, she can learn counter steering as well. Once she has balance - she will be like any other noob (probably better if she already knows countersteering out of habit).

**wysper** · 3rd December 2010, 14:44

Where did it say she couldn't ride a bike? As far as we know she could be an ex Olympic cyclist!

Said she just wanted to learn to ride a motorbike.

I think pillion rides are a good place to start.
I would skip the scooter and just go for a nice small bike.

I thought tirboys post was pretty awesome. Sounded good.

Then find a nice empty car park, possibly hard to find these days LOL.

Then let the fun begin.