Hello. New, and terrified

[carox]

Hi everyone. After 30 years of riding pillion, and never having even ridden a push bike before, I just happened to spot a lovely red Suzuki 125 GZ in the local showroom, fell in love with it, and decided to learn to ride. I started out a few weeks ago in a car park on my son's old 50cc "twist and go" scooter and now, not really even comfortable yet with being on two wheels, my husband has BOUGHT the Suzuki and everyone tells me I should ditch the scooter and actually get on the bike. I'm terrified at the thought of not only staying upright, but actually getting to grips with gears as well. All those things for my hands and feet to do! But hubby and friends say if I want to learn to ride a bike, I should learn on a bike, and that persevering with the scooter will not ultimately be much good to me.

What do you think - should I stick with the scooter for a while, or use the bike? It's really comfortable, and lightweight, and even at 5'2" I can get my feet on the floor. I'm just terrified of it!

Thanks in advance, and also for the great info I've found on here so far.

[Gadjet]

before you even swing your leg over the Suzuki to try to learn how to ride it, get yourself booked in to a local MSF class and learn from professional instructors. You will drop the bike, probably several times while learning to ride, and it will be far better to drop theirs and not yours. They will teach you everything you need to know.

And welcome to riding. You're going to love every minute of it.

[ShawnKing]

What do you think - should I stick with the scooter for a while, or use the bike?

You said you were "not really even comfortable yet with being on two wheels". There's your answer. Stick with the scooter (which is a perfectly fine little machine) until you get your confidence being on two wheels. Riding is *all* about confidence. You sound like you need to build yours up over time and there's nothing wrong with that.

The "boys" will try and push/rush you but don't let them. You're a perfect example of "Ride Your Own Ride".

[Loonette]

I think it's all good and fine to get used to "two wheels" on the scooter; however, I do agree with the point of a bike being different from a scooter in enough ways that it's just not quite the same. I would not suggest just getting on the bike without solid training - that's a good way to ruin a perfectly good new bike. As Gadjet has said, please consider taking the MSF course. You will learn so much and be able to take it in small steps. And if something were to happen, it'll be on their bike - not yours! Once you're done with the course, you'll have lots of confidence to practice, practice, practice on your own bike.

Welcome to the forums - enjoy your new venture and your new ride!

Cheers,
Loonette

[sportbikechic]

congrats on the purchase and welcome...i agree with taking a MSF course. i had been riding bikes for years and learned so much from this course. there were also many male riders in my class that felt the same way. there's no rush to jump into the new bike...good luck!!

[whisper15]

No need to be terrified take the MSF course. You will learn so much and be able to take it one step at a time. I was surprised how much I learned and how comfortable I was after I took the course. You will wonder why you didn't do it in the first place and you will love riding afer that....

[carox]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Unfortunately, there is no MSF here in England. I watched the video on their site - looks good. How much does it cost? There are private courses here but I don't know how good they are, and they seem terribly expensive.

We've talked about it again, taking into account what you all said, we're going to stick with the scooter until I at least feel comfortable on two wheels. Hubby says to regard it as my substitute for riding a push bike as a kid (which I never did).

[joolz]

If you can get a couple of lessons booked with a local instructor. Once you're used to the bike it'll be a breeze

[motorbike.ventures]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Unfortunately, there is no MSF here in England. I watched the video on their site - looks good. How much does it cost? There are private courses here but I don't know how good they are, and they seem terribly expensive.

We've talked about it again, taking into account what you all said, we're going to stick with the scooter until I at least feel comfortable on two wheels. Hubby says to regard it as my substitute for riding a push bike as a kid (which I never did).

I don't know how it works in the UK, but here we learn with an instructor on the back and this is how I first learned to ride. Better I think then having friends teach you as it is an instructors job to teach people how to ride.

So stick to the scooter and then grab yourself a course before you hop on your motorbike

[Teek]

If by "push bike" you mean one with pedals, go get one as close to the Suzuki's configuration as possible (maybe what we call a beach cruiser here in So Calif., or just one that feels comfortable to you) and ride the snot out of that as well as the scooter. Get some books on how to ride motos, here's one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Total-Control-H ... 53&sr=1-20

and another

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sport-Riding-Te ... 53&sr=1-21

that are top notch and explain how things work when you ride on two wheels. Practice on the scoot and on the bicycle.

Since I started riding mountain bikes seriously, I found that practicing stuff I need to do better with on my MTB helps me out tremendously with my 500cc sportbike, compensating for the weight even, and vice versa, so I am now better on both, with more confidence in my ability. Drpping a bicycle doesn't do nearly as much damage as dropping a motorcycle.

And NEVER let a guy push you into something you're afraid of, but do figure out what you are afraid of, and then work on it, and ask for help if you need it.