A New Lady Biker

[Brighteagle]

Hello to all. I am 49 and had never ridden on a motorcycle until about 2 1/2 yrs ago. I rode as a passenger on a Honda VTX 1300 with my husband driving. He's a good driver. My first ride was to Thunder Beach in Panama City Beach, FL. I had so much fun that my husband decided to buy himself a VTX 1800C for us to ride with our friends. After only a few rides, I decided I wanted to learn to drive myself. I took a MSC, and found a 2008 white VTX 1300R, with hard bags and trunk, super-charger, sound system, lots of chrome. A big bike with allot of extra weight for a beginner, I know. But I didn't want to get a smaller bike that I would soon want to trade for a bigger one. I mean, why not just get what you want the first time? It's a lot cheaper to get a used bike with everything you want already on it than to have to add all that stuff later. Took me awhile to get the hang of it. But with allot of help from my husband and friends, I gained enough courage to come out of the driveway! Practiced in empty parking lots. Got the friction zone down. It's all about safety. Now we ride regularly. Lovin' it!

[Johnj]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Show us a picture of your VTX, we have to see.

[totalmotorcycle]

to our community! We have quite a few lady riders here and they will all be chomping at the bit to help you out with any questions you have.

I'm going to try not to say "you should start on a smaller bike" as you seem to know that already (must have got an ear full I'm guessing). The only thing I will say is to answer your question of "But I didn't want to get a smaller bike that I would soon want to trade for a bigger one. " is small bikes are a heck of a lot of fun, they are overall more fun than a big bike (and I've rode small to huge bikes). Ask me why and I've be happy to explain.

Regardless, welcome and ride safe on your VTX!

Mike

[mogster]

hi &

Wow you sure did start with a big bike!

Glad you are enjoying it.

Pop into the Ladies Lounge sometime soon for a cup of tea

[sunshine229]

Hi and welcome!

Yep, definitely a big bike to start on but as long as you are careful and take your time you should be alright.

Have you hit the point yet where you wonder why you didn't start sooner?

[Brighteagle]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Show us a picture of your VTX, we have to see.

Thanks for the welcome.

I have to clean my bike up before I take some pictures. Been riding it, so it stays a little dirty all the time. But I will submit pictures soon.

[Brighteagle]

Mike,

Thanks for the welcome.

And thanks for the input on bike sizes. I guess it all depends on what kind of riding you want to do. A good friend of ours who has been riding for years and has had many bikes, advised us that the heavier bikes are safer and handle better out on the road. We ride with other couples, all on cruisers or touring bikes, and I just like the comfort and the way mine handles and the weightiness of my heavier bike. I like my bags and trunk for shopping and traveling and just carrying stuff.

I'm sure there's just as much to be said for all other kinds and sizes of bikes.

I never knew there were so many different kinds of bikes until I got interested in bikes. There's as many different kinds of bikes as there are people personalities. There's something for everybody. I guess the most important thing is that we all find what we like and get out there and have fun. Glad to be part of the bike riding world.

[Brighteagle]

hi &

Wow you sure did start with a big bike!

Glad you are enjoying it.

Pop into the Ladies Lounge sometime soon for a cup of tea

Mog,

Thanks for the welcome and invite to the Ladies Lounge. I will check it out.

[Brighteagle]

Hi and welcome!

Yep, definitely a big bike to start on but as long as you are careful and take your time you should be alright.

Have you hit the point yet where you wonder why you didn't start sooner?

Andrea,

Thanks for the welcome.

And yes, I sure didn't know what fun I had been missing all this time!

Mary

[madjak30]

I guess it all depends on what kind of riding you want to do. A good friend of ours who has been riding for years and has had many bikes, advised us that the heavier bikes are safer and handle better out on the road...I just like the comfort and the way mine handles and the weightiness of my heavier bike. I like my bags and trunk for shopping and traveling and just carrying stuff.

I guess the most important thing is that we all find what we like and get out there and have fun. Glad to be part of the bike riding world.

I agree with this statement...one of the things that a lighter bike does help you with is the slow manouvers and when it starts to tip over you can catch it easier...but out on the freeway, the heavier bikes aren't buffetted around and track straighter...around town is much more fun on a smaller and lighter bike, but it sounds like you mostly tour on your bike...so yeah, buy the bike that suits your needs...although VTX1300 w/ supercharger is a bit of a beast for a first bike...but a level head and lots of practice (this only applies to the mentally mature)...

As for the "I don't know why I didn't start earlier..." thought process...that happened right away for me, but then I realized that if I had done it when I was 18 (like I wanted to but couldn't afford it)...I would have had a less smooth experience...I was into "fast" anything, and would have had an accident (almost a certainty)...so I'm glad I waited and bought as a (semi) mature adult...sometimes my inner child comes out to play, but he doesn't stay long

Enjoy your bike and welcome to the site!!

Later.