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How to convince the wife to start riding?

jh2586

jh2586

New member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Moto(s)
'16 Ninja 300
'17 Z900
'19 ZX6R
'20 Ninja 400
Name
Jeff
I got her some gear recently so we can ride 2 up on the FZ09. We finally managed to get some time together with our conflicting schedules. I proposed the idea of a Ninja 250 or something for her to start on, but she seems reluctant. It wasn't a definitive "no", but more like a "I'm not sure.." answer. I mean, I'm sure she feels intimidated.

She's pretty tall for an Asian girl. She's 5'6" so she can be on a Ninja 250 pretty easily. Also, not worried about the power being too much (obviously). Am I doomed to just let her get the itch on her own or is there a method to help someone make a decision towards riding?
 
Why would you want to talk someone into riding who wasn't really into it, particularly your wife? If my wife said she wanted to ride, I'd do everything in my power to talk her out of it.
 
Archimedes said:
Why would you want to talk someone into riding who wasn't really into it, particularly your wife? If my wife said she wanted to ride, I'd do everything in my power to talk her out of it.
Click to expand...

Why?
 
Archimedes said:
Why would you want to talk someone into riding who wasn't really into it, particularly your wife? If my wife said she wanted to ride, I'd do everything in my power to talk her out of it.
Click to expand...

Agreed/
My wife did the MSF training, and passed. But she said that making the transition to being an experienced street rider on the streets of SF made her cringe....me, too.

The first couple of years of riding are known to be the most treacherous, add the environment of SF streets and it's just didn't seem like a good idea. I was OK with her decision, too.

Even with 47 years of riding experience around the Bay Area, I feel I sometimes need every bit of my savvy, and riding ability to just keep from getting flattened by the maniacs in giant cars/trucks and SUVs.

As much as I love everything about bikes and riding, I don't encourage anyone to take it up. I don't want the responsibility...
 
How about a Grom?
 
I would not push her (or anyone for that matter) into riding. If she enjoys riding with you as a pillion she may eventually want to get her own bike. Everytime i was a pillion (before I started riding my own), I wanted to be in control of the speed so knew pretty quickly I wanted my own ride.

Good luck to you both with whatever she decides. :)
 
I agree with the things said above. As much as I love riding, I never encourage non-riders to start riding, although I never discourage the interested either. I think if you don't 100% just want to ride because you love to do it then you shouldn't be on a bike. Trying to push your wife into riding when she's not interested sounds like an accident waiting to happen.
 
Without reading anything.

She has to want to do it.
It is life threatening and dangerous.

Getting her to take the CMSP course is the right way if she is willing.
Don't force her. It is her choice completely and honor that brother.

Honor that and her.

Now. You could find threads on barf where women riding are enjoying it and thankfully loving it. Ask for links. Share that. Still her choice.

Good luck.
 
I went the scooter route with mine. A Vespa she thought was cute. Made her take the MSF course. I would putt around town with her so shed get seat time and build her confidence. Nice warm days she would commute to work alone. Not too long after getting the M1 she was sitting at a stoplight (in her car) on her way home when a woman in a BMW was texting and rear ended her. Totaled the car, got jerked around with the insurance. It really ended up scaring her. Me as well. If she was on a motorcycle or scooter instead, the impact could have paralyzed her or worse.

If someone wants to ride and shows interest I will do what I can to help and support them. But if they're not into it, Don't bother.
 
Is she competent on a bicycle? At least the balance and some steering skill is transferable as is dealing with traffic. Has she ever expressed interest in riding?

My wife is signed up for the MSF and even though I am supporting her, her life has not been oriented around motorcycles at all until she met me ~15 years ago. She's not good at balancing a bicycle, rarely rides it, rarely has. While she is a good driver, she has driver instincts, not rider instincts. So yeah, I'm scared for her.

But she expressed an interest and wants to learn. If she was someone other than wife, I'd attempt to talk her out of it, as I have in the past, but this time she's asked for my support, so I'm giving it. And if/when she passes, I'll buy her whatever bike she wants.

I talk anybody who has never shown an interest in motorcycles until late adulthood out of riding. I've seen it turn out bad too many times. I know, there are people who can and do become great riders late in life, and no, I don't know the statistics, but it seem the ones who become competent are the exception.

To make a long story short, make damn sure its what she wants to do.
 
Don't. It's her decision. Why would you want to manipulate someone's determination regarding something potentially lethal?
 
If your wife isnt the drivng force in wanting to learn to ride, dont force it.

My GF & I both got our bikes and did MSF at the same time. 2 years later ihave 15k miles under me, riding has become an obsession. She probably has 500 miles. :nchantr

The GF suggests going for a ride maybe once a month - I hate it as she hasn't ridden with enough frequency to have developed awareness/muscle memory/skills - and as a result I spend the whole time looking in my mirrors/riding defensively for both of us. I worry more about putting around the City with my GF than I do about myself hauling ass up Hwy1 on a Sat morning.

Unless your wife is motivated and will put the time in learning and always striving to advance her skills I wouldnt offer any encouragement at all.
 
If it doesn't come from her, it won't work anyway. Make sure if she DOES want to learn, that she understands the odds: 41% more likely to die on a bike than in a car for the same miles driven. And those are average; first two years are way higher. If SHE takes on the odds, then godspeed!
 
And need I/we mention the fact that you've got a new baby in the house?? Her focus is very likely going to be centered on that for a good bit of time. Don't push, if she wants to ride, then I'd go for having her ride cupcake to get her moto thrills for a while, then scooter, etc.
 
Or sign her up for a road race at Sonoma. Right before her start, tell her "sink or swim"
 
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