Finally got my wife excited about biking!

Message
Author
User avatar
Andrew
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 521
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 11:53 am
Sex: Male
Location: San Antonio, TX

#11 Unread post by Andrew »

We looked at HD, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, and BMW. After which she insisted that if I was going to get a bike, it should be a BMW. Like you said, who am I to argue?

Problem is finding a beamer that won't overwhelm me...

User avatar
jmillheiser
Legendary 2500
Legendary 2500
Posts: 2515
Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:27 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Cheyenne, WY

#12 Unread post by jmillheiser »

Andrew78108 wrote:We looked at HD, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, and BMW. After which she insisted that if I was going to get a bike, it should be a BMW. Like you said, who am I to argue?

Problem is finding a beamer that won't overwhelm me...
if size/power is the issue look at the F650GS.

My wife has several relatives in her family that ride, so me riding was never an issue. It was actually her family that finally got me to learn to ride and get a bike (I had wanted a bike for years but never got around to getting one). My wife has ridden as a pillion on her cousins bike a few times, but now wants her own bike, and is signed up to take the MSF in august, she already has her gear (got her gear when she started riding pillion).

User avatar
Andrew
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 521
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 11:53 am
Sex: Male
Location: San Antonio, TX

#13 Unread post by Andrew »

That's all a matter of priorities, and as much as I want a motorcycle, my wife comes well before that.

Moto150s approach is the recipe for a very short or a very unhappy marriage.

User avatar
NorthernPete
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

#14 Unread post by NorthernPete »

didnt his wife leave him?
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F

User avatar
TeamONEinc
Elite
Elite
Posts: 207
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:27 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Southern Cali

#15 Unread post by TeamONEinc »

My girlfriend bitched and moaned about it even after I took the MSF course.....so instead of buying her Tiffany diamonds and Versaci...I bought her a pair of Joe Rocket gloves.

Now she wont shut up about getting a jacket and helmet either....but at least its not as expensive as jewelry.
2003 Yamaha R6.

User avatar
Andrew
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 521
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 11:53 am
Sex: Male
Location: San Antonio, TX

#16 Unread post by Andrew »

Back to topic...

Any other suggestions, ideas or experiences in turning around an extremely reluctant or just plain anti-motorcycle wife?

User avatar
NorthernPete
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3485
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 4:24 pm
Real Name: Pete
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 11
My Motorcycle: 1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Location: Northern Ontario, Canada

#17 Unread post by NorthernPete »

If shes against it, you probably wont be changing her mind. I remember one person asking the same thing about mothers against their kids riding. Just point out that you ride carefully, and you save money on fuel and wear on the cage (more money to spend on her, if shes that type (or to spend on yourself :laughing: ) people have mindsets, and its difficult to change them sometimes.

Side note - My wife sat on my bike with me once in the driveway, thats it, and thats all... but I rolled our quad on us once, so I am sorta starting out badly... :laughing:
1988 VN1500
2009 GS500F

User avatar
Andrew
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 521
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 11:53 am
Sex: Male
Location: San Antonio, TX

#18 Unread post by Andrew »

I thought the same thing until mine did a 180. I think it's just a matter of getting them invovled and feeling like their part of the process. Asking for their input, ect.

User avatar
ofblong
Legendary 2500
Legendary 2500
Posts: 2638
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 6:51 pm
Real Name: Ben
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 4
My Motorcycle: 1996 Honda Shadow Deluxe VLX
Location: Michigan

#19 Unread post by ofblong »

Andrew78108 wrote:Back to topic...

Any other suggestions, ideas or experiences in turning around an extremely reluctant or just plain anti-motorcycle wife?
I just keep pushing and pushing and pushing. I finally got my wife to agree to the bike I want but she says I have to pay cash for it. ok no biggie ill just take my bonus check and my income tax return and buy it :D. that will cover bike/clothes/helmet :D. HEck she even said to me yesterday "If you really want it go get it". Of course I know that she really means "if you go get it your dead meat" lol.

oh and I finally got her to come to the dealer with me :D. I think that helped alot :D. especially since the kids were just as excited as I was about all the bikes/4wheelers/scooters available and the kiddie dirt bikes lol.

blues2cruise
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10182
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
Sex: Female
Years Riding: 16
My Motorcycle: 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia

#20 Unread post by blues2cruise »

Andrew78108 wrote:I thought the same thing until mine did a 180. I think it's just a matter of getting them invovled and feeling like their part of the process. Asking for their input, ect.
The style of bike and the riding style can either help or hinder.

I am a woman who rides....and who will ride pillion...depending on who the driver is.

I used to date someone who although was a skilled rider, was also an aggressive rider. It was scary sitting behind him. Even though he knew it, he didn't change his style. I would never ride behind him again.

My friend, dr_bar is a skilled rider, but his riding style with a passenger is much more laid back...I would ride as a passenger on his bike anytime.

So, your wives need some reassurance that you are careful, skilled, won't take chances, will have respect for the fact that you and she are vulnerable....especially she if she is too ride behind you at some point.


It is less scary if there is a back rest and floorboards. Maybe you could get someone you trust who is an extremely competent rider to take your wife for a ride on his bike. Maybe if she gets to experience a nice, smooth, easy ride it could change her outlook.
Image

Post Reply