Ques for new female riders
 

After years of deliberation my wife has decided to give riding a go.
So ladies out there which route did you all take and which in your view was the safest.
scooter then bike or 125 etc.
any comments helpfull as i dont want to put my wife off with the wrong advice.
Plus is the 620 monster sold restricted and is this really a good bike to have after passin your test
thanks
ian:puzzled:

My wife passed her test on a 500 Kawasaki and then bought a 600SS the day after, followed by a 900SL, ST4 and Buell.

Passing that way meant she could ride a proper bike straightaway.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by Spen]

Hi! I took Direct Access last year and got Monster 620. I don't know they're sold restricted? Direct Access has to be the way so you can choose what to ride after. Monster lovely and low, fab to ride, gentle and quite forgiving when you need it but loads of oomph when you're ready for it!

They`ve got the vote but I say enough is enough!

only prob with direct access is size - a lady of 5' and under may struggle and have to do the 125 route. Then they can build up the tiptoe confidence needed.

should be able to restrict a 620 easily enough - I think the knits are usually about 50 quid which means she can have what she wanst and wait for the extra bhp

My wife decided to give riding bikes a go a couple for years ago after I took it up again. She learnt to ride down some back lanes on an old GS500 (really a rat bike), as a lead up to doing the Direct Access. They taught her on CB500 twins, solid and stable. She wanted a 620 Monster but we couldn't afford it that year and she ended up with a 600 Bandit. A mistake in hindsight, because it was too high (she is "not tall") and too top heavy. She pranged that the following summer under some odd circumstances (long story), and then got the 620 Monster she always wanted. Her leg was in plaster for 4 weeks having broken it in the accident, and then it was take delivery of the monster, get to the 600 mile service in about 2 weeks and then 3 days later she got used to the bike by riding it 2500 miles around France as we had a Gite booked in the Dordogne. She loves that bike, and in fact just took it out this afternoon for her first ride of the year ... 5 months or so off it and got straight back into enjoying it again. Says it all I think.

As regards restricting a monster ... when we were first looking for bikes for her I asked about the 400 monster that they sell in Japan. Apparently it is so underpowered it is not worth considering, because the Monster is not a light bike. HAving said it's not light, it does have a low centre of gravity so it doesn't give her the trouble that the Bandit did and she can manhandle it. That is mainly practice rather than strength, or perhaps a combination of both. Don't be put off by one bike being a few kg heavier, the monster doesn't feel it.

All in all, I don't think the direct access system did her any harm, as she hurt herself on the Bandit "stopping" from about 50 mph not going too fast! It was down to exerience and "survival reactions" which go against what is safest on the bike, rather than not being ready for a 600.

Hope that helps, and you didn't fall asleep TOO early on ...

Henry :roll:

All valid points, Henry. Depends on the confidence level of the rider, I think. I bought a 600cc Yamaha, sit up and beg variety, the day after passing my direct access course, so had only ridden a 125 and only for 5 days, nothing prior to that. My first reaction was '**** it's fast', but that was the only thing that felt really different, because other than the weight and the speed, the riding position and everything I'd learned on the Yamaha 125 was the same.

I would always recommend buying a first bike that mirrors the riding position of the bike you learn on, whether it be sports or sit up and beg. That's one less thing to think about. Passing your test gives you a great feeling of confidence. That confidence is easily dented if you immediately throw too many differences into the equation.

Generally, I'd say a 600 isn't too big to move up to immediately. Buying a bike that makes her want to get out on it as much as possible is key. Enthusiasm can overcome reams of reservations. Buying a bike that doesn't feel right, eg feet not flat on the floor, tank too wide, handle bars too much of a reach, all of those things add to the discomfort a new rider has and could be enough to discourage regular outings.

Hope that's helpful.

Best of luck
Ruth

My girl took her DAS last year and bought a spanking new Triumph Daytona 600 as her first bike. I think she actually bought it before she passed!!

The DAS course was 125cc for the first day then 500cc for the rest of the time with test at end. Usual set up I think. I'm all up for more girls on bikes - better than looking at a bloke from behind. ;)

Ade.

She made a good choice, Ade. What colour? Yellow I hope. :devil:

Why have a 620 monster? Get a 900 or 100DS, you can still restrict it and you won't end up wanting to get a bigger one after 6 months!

I know it's all down to the ladies confidence but I can't stand this thing with women having to have short arse bikes.
I'm 5'4 and fat and I ride a jacked up 748 and before that a 750SS, both tall bikes which I could not comfortably touch the floor on.
The way I deal with it is to shuffle over to one side and just put one foot down rather than tiptoeing on two. And push the bike around car parks rather than trying to paddle it around.
Anyway, 99.9% of the time you are on the bike you have your feet on the pegs!!! :eureka:

I'm still for not doing the test on a 125 and then buying a bigger restricted bike. Much better to start off with the heavy and learn to control it.

Good points Jen but not all women are confident, or strong enough, to make the choices you did. Being able to plant both feet firmly on the ground and being able to pull the bike out of parking spaces or paddle it into a convenient spot to start the engine are things that made me a more confident rider early on.

We've met, remember. You're racing. You've definitely got balls. (that's intended as a compliment, of course). Not all women feel the same way. Many are timid when starting out and it doesn't take much to put them off. It's a step by step thing. There's plenty of time to go out and buy a 1000cc bike, or a 748, or whatever other bike they fancy once the riding has become second nature. Lisa (Kwikbitch) is another confident woman rider but not everyone is endowed with the same determination and confidence and early discouragement can lead to disillusionment.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by Redruth]

so am I (well, bit more than 5'4 and male, but rest is the same!!) But I know how to plan ahead and what to do when I stop (shuffle over seat,. leave in gear, look for a kerb or check the camber etc). Teetering on tiptoes when not experienced, male or female, will lead to a drop at some point and that bangs confidence. I still feel wary when i get on and off because I have such an issue - but as yoiu say keep moving and it ok:)

You're right Ruth, I didn't mean to come across all ranty but it does annoy me that everyone just assumes and goes straight to the short option.
Don't go thinking I'm confident either, because lack of confidence is a constant bugbear to me, just ask my hubby!
It's more of an attitude thing I think, I wanted a supersport so I got one! Never one to think about practicalities me
:D

Just as an aside, I tried a K5 gixxer thou on the other day..........that's pretty stumpy!! :D

I did my CBT then bought a road legal dirt bike and rode that for a few months before having a few incidents that stopped me riding for a year or so.

Eventually had to redo my CBT (they expire after 2 years) did three lessons on a big bike and took my test. Didn't ride for 5 months then bought a CBR6 then went straight onto 748r.

As has been said it really does depend on confidence, general driving ability and natural ability.

ie, if she is confident in a car, has good awareness, has ridden pushbikes and is confident in general then she could effectively ride any bike straight away.

Given an option I would suggest to anyone that they ride a 125 on the road for a while, at least to get the experience of how little car drivers notice you and get used to handling a bike in general. But I would then go for direct access test so she is not limited to what she rides when she is ready.

Passed my test last july, did CBT then Direct Access. Before meeting Rockhopper my only experience on a bike was when I was 17 and got on the back of a lad that was trying to kill or impress me, one of the two. Put me off for a long long time and it was only after riding pillion on the back Rockhopper for a while that I started to think maybe I could do this for myself. Heard about a woman teacher which also gave me the confidence to go for it.
Now got a 600 monster and I love it but I'm still not confident. Truth is I came to riding too late in life. Have not been around bikes most of my life to give that easy feel like a lot of blokes have.
But I do love it and am chuffed to bits that I have proved to myself I can do it. Got my first Track Day at Cadwell in July and am scared to death even now!!! But I will be there and I will do it. Lifes too short not to try everything you can

Silver, I'm afraid. It's a cracking bike though, so comfy I could ride all day and never know it. Nippy too once you get it past 7k rpm. Although it hasn't got the soul that my 748 has, sort of leaves you a bit empty if you know what I mean.

Ade.

hi I did Direct Access and straight onto a 748Bip
6 months later got a 748R

And its mad it still gives me the grin factor!!

sam

I'm happy to be corrected, but if you go the Monster route, I believe the older carbed versions are easier to restrict than the newer injection jobbies.

I passed my das and went out and bought a cbr6 - then bought a 600 monster cos at least i could touch the floor on it.
Now i'm bloody racing it :o
Each to their own ;)

Thanks everyone I'll see how it goes from here.
looks like direct access is the way to go though.
ian

I did CBT and rode a 125 for a year, but only 600m due to battery problems. Then did DAS on a cCB500, 2 days then test. Bought a M620 a week later - absolutely great first bike, very stable and forgiving. Now a year on have got the MTS620, which is at my limit height wise, but ok due to being more confident.

DAS was definitely worth it. However, if you do choose to go the restricted route, I have been told that twins are better than IL4's - probably down to the low rpm torque.

I'd go the CBT direct access route which is what I did.
DO NOT under any circumstances allow hubby to watch or try to teach you.:P
I don't think that it matters whether it's a woman or male instructor as long as you are comfortable with them.
My instructor was an ex Para...and once he'd got your personality he then either taunted you into passing or nurtured you into it...I had the former, I dropped it on a U turn and he told me i'd lost my bottle and walked off leaving me to pick it up! I was so angry but he knew that I was not about to let it beat me!!! He was ACE. The girl I took my test with needed lot's of TLC which he gave her, explaining in detail about EVERYTHING (much to my impatient annoyance)Still go and have a cup of tea with him some Sunday's if I'm about!
I did my CBT, had a Cagiva Mito delivered 3 weeks later, and did my direct access about 6 weeks after that. I'd never been on the back of a bike, let alone rode a pushbike confidently! I've never looked back!
I can agree with what Ruth and Jen say. It's not about confidence tho'...I'd just say it's about practice...listening to people, not taking advice but storing info, and riding as often as you can.
Please dont go the scooter route...That's what people expect from women...If you want it to pootle round town then that's fine, but dont just go for scooter because you dont think you "ought" to!
GO FOR IT!:D

do the direct access course as the few pounds yuo save doing the 125 test you lose straight away paying over £200 for the restrictor kit

buy a 400 or a monster to start with, plenty quick enough and if he loves you enough he'llw ait for you to catch up :P:P:P:P