How to get wife on bike?

**ynot slow** · 18th July 2007, 18:54

Ladies I need your help.
My wife will come with me for rides about town,but not keen say for longer rides.She came off years ago from pillion on her brothers bike so I can understand her apprehension.
I try to get her confidence up by not being a dickhead with speed etc,slowly she is learning to lean with me.
Just bought a new jacket for myself so now have a good jacket for her,and helmets etc.Any ideas welcome,it's great to be together on the bike and enjoy the comraderie of other riders.Also am thinking of going to Queenstown next year for a wedding and thought the bike could be ideal,maybe not but can dream.Like the idea of going away in summer with bike and tent and just relaxing together,cheers Tony

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**paturoa** · 18th July 2007, 19:00

When you find out can you let me know please....

**westie** · 18th July 2007, 19:03

Put some chick porn(or whatever gets her attention) on the back of your helmet.
She will lean with you as far as you want then!
Hope that helps

**janno** · 18th July 2007, 19:11

I can understand your wife not being keen to pillion after her accident, no matter how many years ago it was. IMO, bikes are something you are either instantly hooked by, or never really comfortable with.

Perhaps she might be more interested in riding her own? That way she will feel like she has complete control. I bloody hate pillioning because of that lack of control, unless I have absolute total trust in the rider (about two people, so far!). Before I got my licence I loved it, though.

It may well be like horses, you are either really keen to learn to ride and accept the chance of falling off, or you never feel happy and would rather not.

I can't think of any magic answer, I'm afraid! Cos I would have jumped at the chance to do a pillion tour of ANYWHERE, before I got my licence.

**Oakie** · 18th July 2007, 19:28

Originally Posted by janno

Perhaps she might be more interested in riding her own? That way she will feel like she has complete control. I bloody hate pillioning because of that lack of control, ...

I'd second that. I love riding but hate being pillion.

Mrs Oakie was a willing pillion but originally was not interested in a bike of her own. A wee seed was planted in in the course of time she did get her bike.

Is there a specific problem your wife has with doing long trips?

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 18th July 2007, 19:28

Understand your plight... I am trying to get my partner to ride... I know she doesn't like being a pillion "mainly because she isn't in control during the turning and leaning process" and will agree that I love riding and not too fond of being the pillion... (tho will if have to)

But I have been slowly working on it, she has been to one rally, and hopefully a second soon as she enjoyed it. She came as a support vehicle

She also sees the joy I get from riding, the grin I have when I come back from one of those awesome rides you get... (most of them)

She is now 80 to 90% sure she may or may not give it a go, to see if she may or may not enjoy it herself.

But my point... Im workin on it.

**TLMAN** · 18th July 2007, 19:34

I think the bike makes all the difference!
I couldnt get my mrs on the R6 or the TL but she would willingly get on a harley or the ST due to the comfortable pillion riding position.

**Trudes** · 18th July 2007, 19:55

Everything janno said!!! And... take her shopping, buy her whatever spunky bike gear she wants, there is some really gorgeous ladies bike gear out there, show her some of the gear available at this place and then see if you can get it locally. Otherwise bribe her with a massage and wine and shit when you get where you're going. Good luck!!

**oldrider** · 18th July 2007, 20:13

Originally Posted by ynot slow

Ladies I need your help.
My wife will come with me for rides about town,but not keen say for longer rides.She came off years ago from pillion on her brothers bike so I can understand her apprehension.
I try to get her confidence up by not being a dickhead with speed etc,slowly she is learning to lean with me.
Just bought a new jacket for myself so now have a good jacket for her,and helmets etc.Any ideas welcome,it's great to be together on the bike and enjoy the comraderie of other riders.Also am thinking of going to Queenstown next year for a wedding and thought the bike could be ideal,maybe not but can dream.Like the idea of going away in summer with bike and tent and just relaxing together,cheers Tony

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This is just "so" important!

She's your wife man, what strategy did you use for her to gain enough confidence and trust in you for her to want to spend the rest of her life with you?

You managed to crack that one, so getting her on the back of your bike should be a pushover by comparison.

There is no problem in the world that can stand the assault of sustained thinking! (Voltaire)

Take David Tua's fight with Lewis, he lost round one and then continued to do exactly the same thing in every other round.

(and he is still wondering why he lost!)

It's just like when you were trying to get into her knickers, never lose sight of the objective. (obviously you didn't then)

Whatever you think about will happen, so never stop thinking up new strategies, until you are both enjoying the bike.

No one ever said it would be easy, good luck.

Cheers John.

**ynot slow** · 18th July 2007, 20:37

Some replies are brilliant,no she's not interested in getting her own bike,how did I win her over?I was pissed was new years eve.

Just take time is my idea,no scary movements etc,nice day,maybe massage and wine,yeah right lol,bike is good for 2 up.

**TLMAN** · 18th July 2007, 20:44

Originally Posted by Mrs Kendog

Otherwise bribe her with a massage and wine

He is trying to get her on the back of a bike not get her into a birthday suit lol!!!

**babyblade250rr** · 18th July 2007, 20:47

Originally Posted by TLMAN

He is trying to get her on the back of a bike not get her into a birthday suit lol!!!

I can see this thread going downhill very quickly

**Mystery** · 18th July 2007, 21:08

It is really hard to overcome something that scares the crap out of you and if she was badly injured, it might be something that she cant overcome.

My suggestion, try and get her to go for slow cruises on the weekends, reassure her that you wont go too far and will take it easy. Stop for coffee/lunch, to give her a break and tell her she is a great pillion. When you get home tell her how much you enjoyed having her ride with you. Just take it slow and easy, eventually she will feel comfortable and hopefully enjoy it.

**Crisis management** · 18th July 2007, 21:21

Pick a destination she really wants to get to....something out of the ordinary and she will put up with the minor inconvenience of your incredibly slow and careful riding tro get there.

In the case of my high commander it's a weekend at Hotel Du Vin, but you really have to work at it.

Good luck!

**SHELRACING** · 18th July 2007, 21:25

I can understand how she feels.
My ex husband was an idiot on a bike and we had two accidents and several near misses. I refused to go on the bike with him.
My new partner Steve, was very tolerant and took his time when we went for a ride.
Then one day he went down the motorway and started to increase speed a little, then more.
I was scared, but he just kept going (damn man), but my fear soon vanished, much to my surprise. I trusted him not to crash after that and now I ride my own bike.
Overcoming fear is not easy and sometimes it takes someone else to make you confront your fear, then it will go away.
I still love riding pillion, but he has taught me on my own bike how to enjoy the speed safely.
Thats why I can now race our bucket racing bikes and have been on Taupo Raceway as well. I'm hooked.