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Posted by John M. Stafford from ? (146.135.43.232) on Monday, April 08, 2002 at 8:59AM :

In Reply to: how did you learn to ride? posted by madsociety from 221.los-angeles03rh15rt.ca.dial-access.att.net (12.80.52.221) on Sunday, April 07, 2002 at 1:12AM :

"Coast to Coast" starring Robert Blake and Dyan Cannon. There was a scene in that movie where Blake taught Cannon to drive a truck: "Clutch…Shift…Release…Clutch…Release…" When I got my first bike, I of course released right under the back of a parked car. DOH! But I got up, and kept practicing. And have been riding for the last 15 years.

My ex-wife already knew how to drive both a stick and a bicycle, and she's reasonably tall, so it took her about 5 minutes to pick up on riding a scooter.

But assuming your girlfriend knows none of those things…

1. Buy her a full face helmet and GLOVES (I'm amazed at how many people forget gloves). Making her wear the proper safety equipment shows you care.
2. Have her read your state's motorcycle handbook.
3. Make sure she has a driver's license, and if Cali uses 'em a learner's permit for motorcycles.
4. If possible, teach her to drive a stick car first.
5. If possible, let her practice balance on a bicycle.
6. Sign her up for that MSF class, she'll learn more in that class than any of us could ever think to tell you to tell her, especially basic safety stuff and how to behave in traffic. (I know in Virginia that the basic rider's course also subs for the DMV license road test, dunno if that's true for Cali).
7. On the scooter:
   • Find a nice big open area with no obstacles like an empty parking lot, car and curbs tend to introduce stress, and it helps to be able to learn to turn and shift gears in a place to safely do so.
   • Show her where the controls are and let her practice using 'em while the bike is still on the stand.
   • Let her use the controls while walking the bike (and you walking on the other side just in case), she should be able use the clutch and brake just a little, and get some confidence before parking her butt in the saddle.
   • Start her off in second gear. Second gear ensures that the leaner gets used to using the clutch and prevents them from accidentally riding injury inducing wheelies. In second you're major problem is stalling. And if you can learn to overcome stalling, you'll be much more fun in a group ride.
   • Encourage her "Good job" "That's great" "You got it." "You're doing fine." "I love you." to build her confidence.

Good luck.

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