How do you get your spouse interested in the motorcycle scene?

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Permalink Reply by Rdcnslr on March 18, 2009 at 9:01am

Johnny, thanks for the feed back. As for Kevin Harvick's idea, I did that 32 years ago! Currenly Susan and I have been happily married for almost 26 years. Not going to give up now! As for the bike: new 2008 V-Star 1300 so there is a very comfortable seat and sissy bar for her. She sat on it about a week ago and admitted it was much more comfortable than the Honda Sabre 1100. Your suggestion for the short trips is good. We do have some friends that bike so maybe I might try to get together with them for short trips. Again, thanks for the ideas.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on March 18, 2009 at 9:08am

Okay from a spouse.. grinning.. Questions to ask her.... What are her views on motorcycling? Has she been on a motorcycle before. if so what type, and how long ago was it? Is she scared to ride as a passenger? Or is she scared all together? You can not assume why she does not want to ride unless you talk about it. hint.. hint.. Now does she mind if you ride? Have you always rode, while the 2 of you were together?

The first bike I was on (with MIke) was a little 250 thing when I was in high school. I was a passenger. It was not comfortable, I felt like I was out in the open ( waiting to be blown off). As on the bike twice. We moved got married. In 2001 Mike came home with a shit eating grin. LOL. Sorry for the language. Saying a Put a deposit on a motorcycle... Hmmm my gears are turning.. anywho.. getting to the point.. We went down to see the bike.. Thinking hmm I be heis looking at a bike where there is a tiny seat for me to sit on. We will see.

There it sat.. a bike.. WOW a large bike.. almost as big as a VW. SO I sat on the bike.. then in the passenger seat. I was all ears listening now. He actually thought about me when looking at a bike. Go figure. Men. LOL.

What I am getting at is think if she would like sitting on the back of the bike. Does she feel safe while she is on it. If not well find one she will feel comfortable.

Or does she want her own bike. So she can feel in control?

Just some of my 2 cents. And more questions?

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Permalink Reply by Rdcnslr on March 19, 2009 at 11:18am

Judy and Johnny, I want to thank you two for your time to write down your ideas about getting my wife to ride with me. We have already begun a discussion about the places I want to go this summer. We will continue to work on all this!

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Permalink Reply by Judy on March 19, 2009 at 2:41pm

Having to laugh...... "We have already begun a discussion about the places I want to go this summer." Not really being funny... think of it this way......... About the places we want to go this summer. Have her choose too. Where would she like to go? Hint Hint

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Permalink Reply by Kilroy on March 19, 2009 at 12:58pm

I took my wife with me when I went to buy my bike. I let her sit on each bike until we found one she felt comfortable with, Electra Glide Ultra Classic. After the purchase she would follow me to a shopping mall after business hours and she would get on the bike with me and practice. After a few trips she felt comfortable enough to start taking short rides and now she loves it!! We're planning several road trips this spring and summer with some of our friends.
Good luck,
Kilroy

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Permalink Reply by Judy on March 19, 2009 at 2:34pm

Sweet, It is alway the little things that really help. Kilroy, that was so cool to do that. Have fun riding this spring. The both of you.

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Permalink Reply by Larry Walther on March 20, 2009 at 11:16am

Just to add a new perspective ... some S.O.s (significant others) just don't have the desire. Like golf, bowling, swimming, camping or any other activity, there are cases when your discussions might reveal that (s)he loves to see you happy, and knows that the bike trips you take do that ... but is happy knowing that you are happy, and may never want to actively participate.

My wife of 35 years used to ride her own, and later rode with me as the navigator - when we were younger. She doesn't ride now due to a painful hip, but even when that is fixed (hopefully next month), I doubt that she will want to go on long trips with me.

BUT ... if I want to ride the Deal's Gap area, for instance, and said ahead of time that I was going to "trailer" my bike, I think there is a strong possibility that Kris might want to go along. She might want to spend my "riding time" meeting new people and/or shopping and sightseeing with the truck (a half-ton Dodge Dakota R/T 5.9 "muscle truck" that is equipped with everything in the way of creature comforts).

It is okay to have separate interests, and sometimes, trying to force-feed your favorite activities on your partner might be the worst thing to do. My 2 cents ...

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Permalink Reply by Jim Strickland on March 26, 2009 at 8:45am

Take her to Bruce Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona (or similar HD shop) and cut her loose in the HD Motorclothes/Jewelry/Shoes department. When she's properly attired and outfitted, she'll feel much more a part of the crowd. It doesn't matter what bike you're on, the quality of the clothes cuts across all that.

Also, remember while you're piloting your machine and having to stay alert and on top of things that are occurring in split seconds, she can get bored back there PDQ. A headset communicator so you can chat, an Ipod with her favorite tunes, responsibility as navigator with the maps and routes (handheld GPS?) or even a book to read can go a long way to preventing her boredom on a long ride.

My bride wants more frequent rest stops than I care for. When alone I stretch it out to as far as my gas takes me, usually 125 miles or so. On a 500-600 mile trip, that can be painful for her so I make a point of not waiting for her to ask...we pull over every 70 miles whether I need the break or not.

We've even decided there are some destinations she wants to ride at, just not to. A couple of Christmases ago we went to the Florida Keys/Miami for the holidays. I rode down from Georgia and met her at the Miami Airport the next day. I had a great touring ride, we had a super vacation riding together in the Keys and I dropped her at the Miami Airport a few days later for her return. Everyone wins!

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Rdcnslr on March 26, 2009 at 10:28am

Jim, Thanks for the great ideas. Interestingly enough, the trip where she meets me has been our latest discussion focus. She likes to get there and I like the trip. We are beginning to talk more about the different ways we can do a vacation together but just differ in our approach to getting there.

Everyone that has left ideas, thank you. Your ideas and suggestions are being very helpful and are helping to open some new avenues for future trip planning!!

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Permalink Reply by W Carroll on March 29, 2009 at 9:58am

I'm in the same situation. My wife feels riding around town is safe enough, but out on the highway is too dangerous. I'm thinking of trying to get her to go with me down to Natchez, MS to ride the Natchez Trace to Nashville. This is a Federal Park, so the 200-300 mile ride is thru beautiful country and VERY limited access. No large trucks are allowed and I've heard the spead limit is 50 mph...... about as safe a ride as there could be as the road is well kept and there are very few intersections. Natchez has some beautiful mansions to go thru also.... Sounds to me a be a good idea, but I'll let you know how it turns out. I plan on trailering my VStar 650 down there, spend a couple nights on the Trace to Nashville and back, and come back home to Missouri. My thoughts are that if she gets on the bike with me and I try to make it a good experiece then we have a chance of doing that again.

Here is the site for the Natchez Trace: http://www.nps.gov/natr/

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Permalink Reply by Jim Strickland on March 29, 2009 at 1:56pm

I've been riding since 1970 and have touched 2 wheels in all the lower 48 states. I was taught and it's always been my personal belief that the Interstate highways are a lot safer for bikes than any other road. It may *feel* riskier due to the higher speeds involved, particularly if you aren't on a large bike that cruises effortlessly at 85 MPH with a load of luggage and a passenger.

But if you think about it for a moment, on Interstates there aren't any cars backing out of driveways, no school buses stopping every 50 yards, no dead-man curves where people are trying to pass the slow guy on a yellow line and no dogs and deer jumping out in front of you. There are fewer dump trucks slinging gravel. I also think the Highway Patrol of most states are a lot more professional and better trained than the unfriendly Barney Fife clones in the tiny towns.

The big trucks are the ones I like the best. The 18 wheelers are friendly and protective toward bikes. I've run across a handful of them who tote their own bikes in their trailers and if they have the opportunity, they ride at a destination before getting the next load. In blinding rain, an 18 wheeler is a blessing when you can ride behind him and track all his lights while you can't see anything else.

I don't know that there's any science behind my feeling of relative safety on the Interstate but it makes sense to me. I've come way too close to hitting wildlife in national parks and such and it scares me half to death. I'm a lot more afraid of a deer than a truck.

Anyone else feel that way?

Good luck!

Jim

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Permalink Reply by Rdcnslr on March 29, 2009 at 3:47pm

Jim, good to hear from you again. Your perspective on the Interstate driveing is shared. I do like the state and federal highways that are not as busy but the hazards are there. There is a stretch along the McKenzie River in Oregon that is a beautiful drive from Sisters, OR to Eugene but due to the shadows and the poorly maintained road along the lower parts of the river, I have found another route to my parents home in Cottage Grove, OR that is just as beautiful and a great deal more safe to drive. I know what you mean about the 18 wheelers and their courtesy for the bikers. They always seem to be aware of the rock hazards for us and get well down the road before pulling back in the outside lane. That is something else I feel about traveling the interstates, not as much junk on the roads to worry about coming back at you as someone passes. Also, there is always service opportunities along the interstates if needed, gas, service, rest-stops, bike dealers (a big one on a long trip). If you choose wisely, you can also travel through very beautiful areas. President Isenhauer (sp?) had a good idea in mind with the interstate system in that it offers quick ways in and out of cities and still keeps the flow going if you want to make time with plenty of signs to make the senic diversions. Again, thanks for your insight and inspiration.

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