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Teaching my girlfriend to ride my motorcycle (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by mjxii2001 Ninja EX250 | 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R

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[–]e36bimmer 38 points39 points ago

Read the title and glanced at the little thumb nail on my phone and was like wow his girlfriend looks like a little boy. lol

[–]Remember5thNovember 3 points4 points ago

It's Jerry Sandusky. I didn't know he rode motorcycles; I just thought he rode underprivileged children.

[–]femaiden -1 points0 points ago

Penn State Senior here. Assholes actions ruined my schools reputation, at least in the public eye.

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 34 points35 points ago

I spent 2 days trying to teach my girlfriend to ride a 50cc twist-n-go scooter. Gave up and bought an MSF course for her. Basically just pawned off the whining on some other guy for 3 days. Best $200 I ever spent. Sorry, MSF instructor, I owe you a beer or two.

[–]jehoshaphat1995 Ducati 900SS/SP / 2001 Suzuki GSF1200s 7 points8 points ago

If you lived in Michigan that would have been the best $20 you ever spent haha.

[–]chips922001 Buell Blast 4 points5 points ago

$20? When did you take it, it's now up to $25. Not that it makes much of a difference, still the best $25 I ever spent.

[–]jehoshaphat1995 Ducati 900SS/SP / 2001 Suzuki GSF1200s 2 points3 points ago

I took it probably 3 years a go, might have gone up since then. Still a steal.

[–]scx_tyler2011 DR200SE 0 points1 point ago

Is that ever a steal, it cost me $500! The few hour long "intro" class which just sits you on a bike for a few hours and keeps you in first gear costs $60 and there is another part that you can take to get your full license that will cost another $440.

[–]zaqu12BC, 1989 ex-500, 93 rd350 0 points1 point ago

what a steal! its 800 over here(okanagan)

[–]Specken_zee_Doitch2008 Vulcan 900 Classic 1 point2 points ago

May as well fly to Michigan and back.

[–]zaqu12BC, 1989 ex-500, 93 rd350 0 points1 point ago

first a quick ride down seattle to get an affordable ticket

[–]mactox2001 Suzuki Bandit GSF600S 0 points1 point ago

damn, over here it's mandatory in order to get your license and it cost me about $970 (8 hours course + exam with bike from school). In 2013 their upping the minimum requirement from 6 to 12 hours course + you start with a limited license (max 35kW) ... after 2 years you can do another exam to get full license.

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 3 points4 points ago

Seriously?!? You know how many riders in Texas "chance it" because they don't want to drop $200 to take a class on something they've been doing "since I wuz a kid"? If it were $20, there'd be no excuse.

[–]tasslehawf07 Ninja EX250 5 points6 points ago

Now required. They administer the road test portion of the endorsement test at the end of the class.

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 0 points1 point ago

I should've been a little clearer. The riders I'm talking about are riding without an M license. Most missed the window when we could just take a test at the DMV and get the license. So now the price is a roadblock to getting a proper license.

[–]tasslehawf07 Ninja EX250 0 points1 point ago

Nice. I assume they ride without insurance as well.

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 0 points1 point ago

Of course! If you're gonna fly naked, might as well go all the way.

[–]jehoshaphat1995 Ducati 900SS/SP / 2001 Suzuki GSF1200s 4 points5 points ago

Yup. Its subsidized by the state here, to make sure as many people will take it as possible.

[–]esrevinuUnited States 2 points3 points ago

If someone has been riding for years they don't need the $200 course. The intermediate beginner course is not appropriate for someone that already understands the basics of motorcycling-

Motorcycle Course Requirements for Students

Beginning Class (BC) Minimum of 15 years of age Able to ride a bicycle Available to attend Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday

Intermediate Class (IC) Motorcycle Learner's Permit for at least 60 days or valid motorcycle license Capable of good clutch/throttle control on a motorcycle Can provide a street legal, insured an fully registered motorcycle (NOTE) - Scooters are permitted if properly licensed as a motorcycle. Mopeds are prohibited. Available to attend Friday evening and all day Saturday OR Sunday

Experienced Class (EC) Must have a motorcycle license, endorsement or leaner's permit. Learner's permit must show proof of a prior course completion Must provide street legal, insured, and fully registered motorcycle.

***EDITED-- the second sentence was intended to say the beginner course is not appropriate for someone that has ridden dirt bikes or motorcycles for years. The intermediate course is all you need. The beginner course covers what levers do what and how to use a clutch. That's stuff my 9 year old daughter already knows.

In some states passing the IC is enough to get the M endorsement on your license. That's what I did, I can't stand the DMV and didn't want a non-mc rider judging me on how I ride a mc.

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 0 points1 point ago

But, to get that M endorsement you have to take the beginner's course. Some have been riding around without an M endorsement on their license in hopes they never get pulled over. Usually guys that start in motocross and then move to street in college and missed the window on getting their M endorsement by taking a riding test at the DMV. Now you can't get an M license without taking MSF.

[–]alheim1989 Honda Hawk GT 0 points1 point ago

Not cool that people are downvoting you. You even gave backup to your argument. Sure, Beginner & Intermediate MSF is great - if you have no idea what you're doing. But it's really basic. You can read everything discussed in the handbook online in 15 minutes. You learn just as much from talking to motorcycling friends (providing they're not total squids). Most importantly, you can learn way, way more online and in books if you dig a bit.

$200 is a lot of money, and a whole weekend is a lot of time. How much of that time is spent on useful discussion for someone who has been riding for years? Most of the time is spent teaching people like the OP's girlfriend how to use the clutch & how to shift gears.

All, do a quick search for advanced motorcycle tips and you'll find a wealth of information that goes far beyond the basic MSF classes.

[–]esrevinuUnited States 0 points1 point ago

I had an error on my original comment, maybe I was downvoted for that. Edited now.

[–]mjxii2001 Ninja EX250 | 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R[S] 4 points5 points ago

Looking into courses in my area...her birthday is approaching. Thanks for the advice :D

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 0 points1 point ago

Good birthday gift. If she's truly interested in learning she'll have fun. My girlfriend was scared to death of that little scooter. But, at the MSF the instructor convinced her to learn on a 150cc motorcycle. She did great, rides the scooter as her full time transportation, and is looking to upgrade to a 250cc motorcycle soon.

[–]mjxii2001 Ninja EX250 | 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R[S] 1 point2 points ago

We did have a 50cc scooter and she rode that a few times. We have since gotten rid of it and she is trying to make the transition to the manual transmission motorcycle. She has never driven standard either, I suppose I should start there...

[–]ActionAxson 0 points1 point ago

I took the course and it seemed super easy to learn (I sort of know how to drive stick). I think its important for people to really be comfortable with the Friction Zone. They had us sit there and rock back and forth with the friction zone for a long time and that just seemed to make the transition easier.

[–]herewego111 2 points3 points ago

Free in PA! Taking it right now.

[–]Elmder 1 point2 points ago

Literally one of the only perks to living in PA

[–]grampa_joe 0 points1 point ago

I came here to recommend this. I would never try to teach my girlfriend to ride a motorcycle.

[–]cr0ftTriumph Rocket III 0 points1 point ago

Yeah situations where you teach your SO stuff are to be avoided, especially if said SO is going to suck at it. Said SO will blame you for the suckage even though it's the SO's fault, and you'll be pissed off at being blamed for the suckage and do a bad job of teaching and somewhere there somebody is sleeping on the couch and looking up divorce lawyers (if there is marriage involved.)

[–]GracanaMZ Skorpion Tour 18 points19 points ago

Teaching is difficult. It can be a blow to your ego to find that you're unable to train someone in a skill that you feel you've mastered. It's frustrating, and it's all too easy to blame the student.

In the case of teaching SOs to ride, it's especially bad. You're pissed that they aren't getting it, they're pissed that you're being an asshole... All because you wanted to share someone you enjoy.

It can be done... but it's often painful.

[–]mjxii2001 Ninja EX250 | 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R[S] 4 points5 points ago

Yeah, it's also painful physically and to the bike. She dropped it standing still in the parking lot, hurt her ankle/foot and bent the gear selector. Luckily I had a spare as I was planning to replace it already but still...definite blow to her confidence.

[–]jehoshaphat1995 Ducati 900SS/SP / 2001 Suzuki GSF1200s 5 points6 points ago

Its never a good idea to start someone on your main bike. It is far better to pick up an old beater and have them learn on that.

[–]Baby_Food'04 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport | '01 Suzuki TL1000R 2 points3 points ago

I think he meant he had a spare gear selector. :)

[–]jehoshaphat1995 Ducati 900SS/SP / 2001 Suzuki GSF1200s 1 point2 points ago

Ahh, you are right, I only read his Daytona portion of his tag. I thought he was teaching her on his main ride.

[–]mjxii2001 Ninja EX250 | 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R[S] 4 points5 points ago

Oh god, I just had a mini heart attack at the thought of someone else riding my baby. No, was teaching her on the beater 250.

[–]specbebopTexas: 2010 Bonneville T100 1 point2 points ago

Whew! I just glanced at your flair and pictured your girl dropping that Daytona. Gave me the heebie jeebies.

[–]TreesACrowd2010 Triumph Street Triple, 1975 Yamaha RD350 0 points1 point ago

I guess a downvote's all the answer I needed. Enjoy your 'Daytona' ;-)

[–]TreesACrowd2010 Triumph Street Triple, 1975 Yamaha RD350 -1 points0 points ago

Why does your flair say 2013 when Triumph hasn't released the 2013 Daytona yet and there are no announced plans to release a 2013 675R?

Do you have any pictures of your 2013 Daytona 675R? You posted a picture of your Ninja but there aren't any of this Daytona. Seems like something you'd want to show off, no?

[–]snaggletoothSuzuki DL1000 0 points1 point ago

I read only the 2nd part of your flair and thought you were teaching her on the Daytona.

[–]AleaMinerva1999 Suzuki VL125 Intruder, 1979 Honda CG125, Cagiva W8 6 points7 points ago

If anyone's curious, that's Simon Pegg from a british sketch show called big train. Worth a look if you like your comedy slightly off-kilter. Here's the clip the gif is from.

[–]JimmyHavok 0 points1 point ago

I thought I'd seen all of Big Train, but I don't remember that. Time to watch it again, I guess.

[–]IAmABeesKnees-AMA 12 points13 points ago

http://imgur.com/gvAvs

[–]Dtrain5 0 points1 point ago

dont let her become a better rider than you lol

[–]mjxii2001 Ninja EX250 | 2013 Triumph Daytona 675R[S] 0 points1 point ago

I wouldn't mind that at all actually. But she is inheriting the slower bike, so she would have to be pretty good to beat me :)

[–]Fauropitotto2008 GSX-R 1000 2 points3 points ago

I've seen some guys at the track riding a 250...that had better laptimes than some guys on a 1000.

[–]down_vote_city__ 2 points3 points ago

I completely lost it when he threw the kid/bike combo into the bush.

[–]peenkfloeed2013 Harley Street Glide 0 points1 point ago

Cant.. Stop.. Watching...

[–]Gnarnar05 600RR 0 points1 point ago

That's Travis Pastrana doing a 360 at the age of 3!

[–]JimmyHavok 1 point2 points ago

....she's awfully young....

[–]goldstarstickergiver 1 point2 points ago

You left out the bit where he bursts in to flames!

[–]digbus -1 points0 points ago

Wonder whats on reddit today? oh just reposts..

[–]ssublime23VT750DCA, Ninja 500r 1 point2 points ago

Learned long ago not to try to teach the basics of anything to my girlfriend. Spend the money on an MSF class then work with her has a novice.

[–]thyhorrorcosmic 0 points1 point ago

my gf took my moms bike off into a ditch the first time i rode on the back with her lol

[–]honda_kitty81 Honda CM400C 0 points1 point ago

I took the safety course in my state and it was AWESOME. There were lots of other females and a few couples too. Overall, a great experience and got me really excited to ride more :) Hopefully she checks it out.

[–]jimi-j-jam2006 BMW 1150GS Adventure 0 points1 point ago

After making this attempt three times with three different girlfriends over the years, I've decided, never again. The simple fact is that some people simply don't belong on motorcycles, and even if they make it to the street are an accident waiting to happen. I don't want to have a part in any of it. If someone really wants to ride, they'll make it happen.

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