shawallapea
Full Member
Posts: 108
Jun 28, 2014 21:28:33 GMT
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Post by shawallapea on Jul 11, 2014 23:32:48 GMT
My SO and I ride often together (I am a passenger) and I've really been toying with the idea of going through training and getting my endorsement so I can start to ride my own.
If you ride, what do you ride? I am short (5'1") so that's a major consideration.
Tell me what you know!
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 11, 2014 23:40:07 GMT
I don't ride, by my best friend did for a while. She had a Honda Shadow, I think? There are smaller models of many makers, so you just have to find something comfortable enough to ride that also has enough pick-up to keep up with your SO's bike if it's larger. Can't hurt to go through the training and see how it goes, right?
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61redhead
Full Member
Refupea #1938
Posts: 456
Location: South Carolina
Jun 28, 2014 11:27:52 GMT
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Post by 61redhead on Jul 12, 2014 0:24:32 GMT
I am a passenger too, but would love to have my own bike!
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Post by joylynaroundthebnd on Jul 12, 2014 0:45:43 GMT
I have a red Honda Goldwing Trike. I have not ridden often, but really enjoy it. DH wants me to ride it to work, I work 33 miles from home and do not have covered parking while at work. Also concerned about going into work hot and smelling like I've been on a motorcycle.
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shawallapea
Full Member
Posts: 108
Jun 28, 2014 21:28:33 GMT
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Post by shawallapea on Jul 12, 2014 0:48:01 GMT
I would love to ride to work but then I'd have helmet hair and that just wouldn't do!
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Post by whipea on Jul 12, 2014 0:50:12 GMT
Rider here, usually ride alone. Have an 2006 Harley Davidson Fatboy Scream'n Eagle factory custom. Only 100 made, Willie skull paint job, black, red and metallic pearl. All the hardware and accessories are Willie skulls, eight-eight spoke wheels instead of the standard Fatboy solid. Pretty bike, but do not ride as often due to the bad traffic and stupid drivers in my area. I am 5'6", bike fits great but weighs a ton.
My first bike was a HD Sportster, great for the height challenged but I wanted something bigger. After having it six weeks I sold it (by some miracle broke even) and bought the above bike from a dealer 1300 miles from me. Flew up to the dealer and rode it home - alone. Had never ridden a bigger bike or on major highways. I was a bit scared, but got over it pretty quick and it was an incredible adventure.
If you get a bike, please make sure you take the course even if you know how to ride. It is very helpful. In my state I think it is required if you are under 25 to be able to test for the motorcycle license.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,451
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 12, 2014 1:25:19 GMT
I took the class, passed and have my M1 license. I only wanted a scooter to commute the 2.5 miles to work and to do some run around town errands. DH and my instructor talked me into a real motorcycle. So I have had a motorcycle that I am afraid to ride. I've ridden on the back many times with no problem. But honestly thinking about driving it scares me. So it's best I don't drive.
BTW ~ It's a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250. I'm 5"3".
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shawallapea
Full Member
Posts: 108
Jun 28, 2014 21:28:33 GMT
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Post by shawallapea on Jul 12, 2014 1:35:09 GMT
I'm really appreciating all the input! I will definitely take the class before shopping. I need to know how it really feels to ride alone before I make such an investment.
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Post by moosedogtoo on Jul 12, 2014 2:06:09 GMT
My SO and I ride often together (I am a passenger) and I've really been toying with the idea of going through training and getting my endorsement so I can start to ride my own. If you ride, what do you ride? I am short (5'1") so that's a major consideration. Tell me what you know! I'm 5'-2" and I have a Harley Sportster 883L. It's the lowered version of a regular Sportster. I love her so much!! I don't get to ride much now that I have kids, but it's great to get out once in a while.  I took a class at the Harley dealer to learn to ride. They had "ladies only" classes, which was nice. |
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Post by onlywork2scrap on Jul 12, 2014 2:14:16 GMT
I am a passenger too. We have had a Honda Shadow, 1300 and 1800. We bought a Harley 2013 Street Glide last year. I almost kept the Shadow to ride, but decided I would rather be a passenger because I love taking pics while riding and it's more relaxing for me to be the passenger than drive. I also think taking the course is something every rider needs to do.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 12, 2014 2:18:36 GMT
*sigh* I really miss riding! I got my bike licence in about 1990 when I was 21 or 22, much to the dismay of my dad. He was so worried that I was going to get killed. Now that I am a parent I feel really bad about putting him through that worry! I sold my bike after my DD was born because I didn't want to risk leaving my baby without a mother. My bike was a Honda VT 250, I think it was a 1985 model. I am also short, about 5'2", and the 250 was a perfect size for me. Over here you can't ride anything bigger than 250cc while you are on your learners permit and when you have your probationary licence. I'm not sure what the laws are now, but back then you held a probationary licence for one year. It might be longer now. My dream was to one day buy a slightly bigger bike, about 600cc, and of course it had to be pink and purple to match my helmet! This is me on my bike:  |
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Post by turangaleela on Jul 12, 2014 2:31:34 GMT
I have the endorsement on my license, but have never ridden since taking the test (I took it through the local community college). I don't know if it's the case everywhere, or even if it's still the case here now, but in 2000 in Wisconsin if you passed the class you didn't need to take the field test at the DMV, just the paperwork part.
I'm 5'4" and had my heart set on a Buell Blast back in the day. My husband has a 1977 HD Sportster that is a very lovely bike, but heavy. I was always terrified that I'd let it lean too far and not be able to bring it back up.
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,871
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Jul 12, 2014 2:32:38 GMT
No, but I did see a bulldog riding in a sidecar today. It had a huge smile on its face |
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Post by shevy on Jul 12, 2014 3:01:39 GMT
Me! I have a Harley1200 Nightster because I'm not a fan of shining up chrome. That's me in the signature photo with my bike. I've ridden all over the US with it.
My hubby encouraged me to ride after riding on his. He got me the riding class from Harley one year for Valentine's Day. And I have to say that it's one of the most powerful things that I've done as a woman. It's the best therapy, riding in the wind with myself and seeing the things I miss while in a car. I've dropped it going down a steep incline at the Lake of the Ozarks and almost totaled it, but I still love it.
My hubby rides a Road King and pulls a trailer that folds out for camping. Our dog rides in a reinforced kennel on the back of my husband's bike. The dog loves riding too.
It pulls like this:
And unfolds to a camper that holds a queen sized bed, a 4'x8' dressing area and has an attachment that we pull both bikes into each night (garage).
View into the garage area:
My bike is set up as a chopper, but after my accident, I added a bigger tank so I could go more than 90 miles at a time, I added a more comfy seat because my butt was sore after 90 miles and I added speakers that I hook an mp3 player to. I'm 5'7", but I had shorter legs so it was important to find a bike I could control. I do want to upgrade and will look at a Heritage or a Softail for my next bike. |
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Post by shevy on Jul 12, 2014 3:05:04 GMT
I would encourage anyone who is a passenger to take a class and get their license, even if they don't want to ride. It's important that the passenger has an idea of how the bike works, what it takes to be a safe rider and passenger and that they could help if need be if something happened to the driver/rider.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 16:19:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2014 3:08:00 GMT
Love seeing these pics. I've never ridden a street bike...but I'd love to. (but around here...no thank you) The thought of having a bike that could pull a trailer and to take a tour of the US that way...sounds like heaven.
I've ridden dirt bikes and trail bikes. (and while riding trails in MI, we did end up having to use real roads at times...so I've driven a trail bike on the roads)
Edited to add...the dog in a reinforced kennel...and loving the ride...makes me smile. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 12, 2014 3:23:18 GMT
Shevy that is SO AWESOME!!!
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LouWho
Full Member
Posts: 109
Jul 9, 2014 0:52:15 GMT
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Post by LouWho on Jul 12, 2014 5:00:08 GMT
That bike camper thing is neato! I have my motorcycle license but I only have a 49cc scooter. Life in the slow lane  |
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macksmom
Shy Member
Posts: 11 
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Post by macksmom on Jul 12, 2014 5:19:23 GMT
I used to have a Harley, but it HATED me. A few years ago I bought a Vespa and I love it. I ride it everywhere running errands around town. I can get 4 bags of groceries in the storage compartments. It's a 150cc scooter, which is a bigger engine than my first motorcycle that I bought in college. Most people think scooters just putt putt along, but my Vespa can hit 70mph! Here's a pic of my baby  |
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
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Post by azredhead on Jul 12, 2014 5:30:27 GMT
I come from a family of Harley riders. We did Sturgis/Mt Rushmore about five years ago as with my siblings mom/step dad. One SIL, sister and brothers and step dad all ride. One sister and DH and mom don't. My mom doesn't love it, but she loves the trips. I LOVE LOVE riding back. I don't drive. One SIL is afraid to ride she said she has habit of watching her feet and the yellow stripe on the road whiz by and it freaks her out. We've had one near accident where my sister wiped out on hers. She lost her short term memory. Yes she was wearing her helmet. We all have helmets, chaps etc! I LOVE going and the sound! There's nothing like a huge bike run!
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shawallapea
Full Member
Posts: 108
Jun 28, 2014 21:28:33 GMT
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Post by shawallapea on Jul 12, 2014 5:38:47 GMT
Great photos and stories! My SO rides a Road King and we have a great time together. I do have a great desire to have that autonomy that I haven't had in years. I am a horse person too but I can't park a horse in the garage when I can't ride lol.
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