Hi guy's
I started riding in 1979, kawasaki Z2 750,I was in the navy at that time and my motorcycle day's were over when I was shipped overseas in 1984, I decided to get another bike in 2007. and bought a 2004 suzuki intruder (805 cc's), thought I needed moore power annd speed and traded it in for a 2007 vulcan 900, kept it until 2009...there weren't very many accesories available for my bike, I like them with what my friends call bling, so I traded her and decided it was time for a harley, japanese bikes are ok but I really wanted a bike built in the good old USA...I test drove at least 8 or 9 different harley's and fell in love with a 2008 FLHTC (electra glide classic), I thought this would be my forever bike because she had everything I had wanted (almost) LOL.. I added a few extras but hadn't counted on the weight of the bike when I laid it down, I am 6' tall and around 180 lbs. the bike outweighed me by 681 lbs, I really hated to ask for help picking it up especially after I dropped it in my neighbors azaelas, it took 3 of us about 45 minutes to untangle it from those darn bushes (LOL), that was really funny when I look back and think about it...so I got out my tools and removed the tour pack (more cussing this time) along with almost a case of beer, the repair manual was mostly useless for this process...it was a little lighter but I finally gave up and traded her in on a 2005 softail deuce, a beautiful bike with lot's of chrome but if you have a bad back it's really hard riding, I got my tools out again and took off the shocks and added a lowering kit..more cussing and beer!!!!the first set uf shocks bottomed out, I guess I lowered it a little too much, I got on ebay and purchased a used set of shocks, took the old set off, took the new(used) shocks apart and added another lowering kit again, not quite as low this time but the ride was still hard and painful..well to make a long story short (er) I traded her in after test riding 8 more used harley's.
I found my forever bike**a 2007 road king police interceptor, 8200 miles and in pretty good shape after being ridden by the NOPD (new orleans police dept) for 2 years, I haven't had to bring out the tools again and I drink less beer, the guy's really look hard when I pull up at a stop light, my bike looks great for it's age and I don't look bad at 52...my advice to all of you ladies is to not let anyone keep you from riding a bike if you want to, please take a training course, harley has a great riders edge course available, it's worth the price and peace of mind, I also joined ABATE of Louisiana inc. (american bikers active towards education), I have made so many friends there and hardly ever riding alone unless I want to, bikers on the whole are a lot more friendly than cagers and I have yet to see a biker on a cell phone while riding, I have even seen women cagers applying makeup while driving talking on the phone or texting while trying to remain in their own lane
keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down

best wishes

Hello out there...I don't know if it'll help in your situation, but I can tell you my "back in the saddle" story. I've been riding on my own since I was 15. My dad taught me how to ride a little Harley 125 dirt bike someone had given him because he got tired of me begging him to take me for a ride after the first time he putted me around a dirt track out in the North Carolina wilderness. I got married in '81 to a guy who wasn't bad looking, but had a sweet '75 Harley XLCH Sportster (that's what sealed the deal ;-) I was proud & content to ride behind him, but after the divorce (he was a jerk!) a few years later, I was single and wanting to get out & about again, but BOY did I get sick of the "Ass, Gas or Grass, Nobody Rides For Free" attitude of so many guys. I mean really, can't a girl go for a ride just for fun? Anyway, after awhile, I went out and bought myself a cute little '85 Honda Rebel and relearned how to ride by myself again. Loved it! Rode the hell out of it for 2 years, then I got into a bad accident on the Las Vegas freeway, hit a pickup truck at 75 mph. Not my fault (as in most cases) but I broke my pelvis in 4 places and was messed up for about 6 months. I swore off bikes for about 4 years,but my beloved mother (God rest her soul) could tell that something was missing from my life. I was moody and depressed at times, but I didn't know why. One day, she finally asked me point blank: "So when are you gonna get another motorcycle, because you know down inside that's why you're unhappy." Of all people, I never figured my Mom would be the one to see the obvious cuz she was very old fashioned and introverted, a housewife and mother practically all her life, yet she loved to feed the fire of her kids living life to the fullest even if she didn't get to. So with her blessing, I went out and bought a used '86 Honda Rebel and took baby steps just riding around the neighborhood and rural desert roads till I got my confidence back. My Mom taught me that if something really makes you happy, you can't be afraid of a few downfalls. There's risks involved in many things we do, but if you don't take the risk, you'll never know what you're missing! I'm 52 years old now, and still in the wind. If the love of riding is still with your wife, she'll come around when she's ready. Just let her know that accidents happen, it wasn't her fault. Just be as prepared as you can just in case with proper riding gear and be aware at all times. Hope this helps! Stay Safe!

Look me up if your ever in Southern GA. 

Practice, practice, practice! I got my first bike, 1982 Yamaha Virago 920, before I even learned to ride or got a permit (a friend test rode it and helped me load it, my son-in-law unloaded it for me at home and gave me my first lesson). I put 400 miles on (at under 45 MPH...lol) before taking the safety course and getting my endorsement...and haven't looked back since! After putting over 15,000 miles on my first bike, I traded up to my present bike, a Honda VTX 1300. I have put over 60,000 miles on it in under 4 years, including riding to work every day in heavy traffic in downtown Phoenix. The more you ride the better you get. I agree with what several others said here, ride at your own pace with someone you trust, where there isn't much traffic, and practice the basics constantly until you are comfortable. In no time at all you will wonder why you were ever nervous!

Ok if I had a bike my size ready right now, I would so learn to ride. Tired of commuting in a car!
Problems:
Money for the bike!
Time for Richard to finish the one he has started.. arg!!

Well Deb, good things come tho those who wait. I'm sure you will get on a bike one day, then you will never want to stop!!!

Rex is on the money there - I got my wife back on track much the same way.

After many years of her not riding (even though she had a license), I sent her to the safety course - An Excellent Program for anyone to take. The bikes at the course were of course small lightweights. After she finished the course, I took her to an empty parking lot on a quiet Sunday morning and had her running the same basics they did in the course on my Softail (*brave soul I am) - after about 30 min of running around the lot, she felt ready for some back roads...then the comfort level climbed quickly.

* I was only brave because I told her if she dropped my bike I was going to buy a new one and she could have mine...she didn't drop the dang thing

good idea bulldog.. I am not scared anymore.. used to be, not anymore. I just need to get ahold of a small bike to start out with,, then when I am more used to it,, I will just take the ole mans.. hehehe..Ok, maybe I shouldn't have told you guys that..

I wish you luck HD Beech, it's gets scary out there but well worth it. I just got my HD for my 50th birthday. I seem to start everything later in life. Me, my husband and son ride dirt bikes but this is my first street bike. I took the riders safety course and found it to be the best thing I could have done. I still hear the instructors voice in my head when I'm faced with a challenge on the road. (too bad I didn't listen like that during school) My first ride was to a local famers market in our area (Toms' Farms) right after the rains. Learned a lot on that ride, mostly I wanted a windshield. But also to remember to zip up your jacket after getting gas. It's makes a good parachute when it catches the wind, almost blew me off the bike. If I don't expand my horizons and venture out I won't progress in my skills. There's times when I have to just tell myself "it is what it is", like with the wind and tire grooves. The grooves I try to move away from, the wind......well, it's unpredictable and it always seems to be blowing when I ride. Believe in yourself, be aware of your surroundings and don't put yourself at risk if your not comfortable. But above all else, have fun. Good luck, look forward to hearing about your riding adventures.

Good luck with riding. If you really enjoy it you'll find your place. Don't ride for others ride for yourself. when I started I was to stupid and stubborn to be afraid. now I think back at all the shit I did and it scares the hell out of me. Always repect the bike, and yourself, you know what you can do. Don't rush it, it will happen when it happens. I found that others advice only made me try to live up to their expectations. enjoy the wind. Ride safe
Lisa

I had never driven a motorcycle and had barely been a passenger but I've always wanted one.  Got divorced and decided to start living. Took the safety course, got my license, and bought a 2010 HD Super Glide Custom.  I have a lot of friends who ride so they have encouraged me to ride with them on short trips to start out with.  I dread the interstate because of all the traffic. I have put 1900 miles on my bike since June 6th when it came home.  I am definitely more confident but I still have the "fear" of the other vehicles and dangers on the road.  Start out slow and just ride around the block every day until you can get to the grocery store and back with a gallon of milk.  Be very careful on loose gravel - almost lost mine 10 miles into a ride!  I even had someone ride with me on his bike from my house to my work 20 miles away before I would drive it to work so I could get comfortable with the trip.  Enjoy the ride!

i started riding when i was 10. on bikes that were all way to tall for me, to stop, i had to roll up next to a fence or a wall, slide to a stop and fall against the building or whatever so i wouldn't drop the bike. bear in mind, at 42 i am 5'6", so i was a little turd back then. i always realized my limitations, that was key to my continued riding. so my advice is, for one, stay within your limitations, with time and experience, those limitations will get better, you'll lean a little further in the corners, throttle a little harder on take off. but always remember, a timid rider is a danger to themselves and others around them. so find your groove, and when you are comfortable, you will naturally push the edges of the envelope, and you will let you know when you have gone far enough. screw what the bike in front of you is doing, do your thing, the bike behind you can wait, or pass, their choice. you ride your pace, and in time, you will be cruising right beside them.

Gonna revive an old thread.

GO LADIES!

When I started riding i knew absolutely nothing. Took the MSF class 3 times before passing.( I actually could have passed on the 2nd try but thought I had made too many mistakes.) I knew no one who rode. Took this venture on all by my self.

My first ride was almost 300 miles of well planned easy roads. (Except for the fact I had never ridden more than about 20 MPH in a parking lot at the class!) I bought the bike in Napa, CA & lived in Truckee, CA at the time. I figured I bought the bike to ride so let's ride it home! To be honest I didn't think that was that far and this was normal.

Anyhow to make a long story short, I have since taken Streetmasters Advanced Turning Clinic 2 x and have ridden almost 200K since 05.

I've gone 1/2 way across the country alone to meet up with other riders on our Victory forum and met the nicest people & seen some of the best America has to offer.

I chose riding because it's something you can do on your own or with friends. (I'm a long time skiier ~same thing).

Any lady (or guy) that wants to ride I highly suggest taking the MSF class as has been suggested in eariler posts. Practice practice practice. Go slow if you need to but do it safely. Find some local roads with little or no traffic & go ride them back & forth.

Get some good gear. There's lots of nice ladies gear available nowdays. (I'm a gear nazi so always wear protective gear aka ATGATT ~ All The Gear, All The Time)

I also go out sort of regularly to a huge open parking lot & practice my skills I learned in MSF . I'm still real crappy at U-turns so I go around the block a few times! LOL )

I ride mostly with guys but don't care to ride as fast as they do. I always catch up. The big joke with me is I organize the rides & set a route & lead from the rear. I don't like getting my britches in a twist by racing around. I like to enjoy myself. We all meet up at certain spots.

Good to all you Lady Riders & don't be afraid to DO IT!

Oh ya, YOU pick your bike. Find one YOU like. Don't let hubby/ SO say this one is good for you. Only YOU know what you feel comfortable on. Go shop around at all the bike stores then go look for a deal on one you like.  I started on a Yamaha V star 650 & now ride an 05(6 months later) Victory Kingpin which I love.  Don't let the guys persuade you. GET WHAT YOU FEEL FITS YOU. Trust me, you will know.

Ride on!!!

Just thought I would update this since I now have my bike.  I took it around the local area (25mph or less),  since I live on a dead end road I could practice things I learned in the motorcycles safety course.  It helped to rebuild my confidence and was still fun even tho I was still a bit on the nervous side.  But it towards the end of the first day I had so much more confidence and could not wait to get back on the next few days.  After a week of this I went on a (35mph) road, ran up and back a few times because the traffic is just as bad on it as any others in this small town.  After 2 days of that I was on the main roads with a permanent grin on my face.  But you may be faster then me or slower, just take your time,  be safe,  get your confidence,  then enjoy the ride!

Seakers

with FISHWITCH: 

Absolutely!!  Although I learned to ride in jr. high, there is always room for improvement regardless of how long one has been doing anything I believe. 
I took the riding course after I bought my first HD and had my husband take it also (even tho' he didn't think he needed but now glad he did); I have been wanting to take the advanced riding course soon.  Excellent points you have stated. 
I, too, tend to ride solo most of the times, and have gone cross crountry twice.  Although I hunger for solitude, there are times when I would like to go on a bike trip with just female riders but many aren't as confident and/or don't want to leave their husbands/SO too long, and/or 'not allowed' ........don't have to be told just 'understood' (that's what I'm told).  Anyway, I have met some wonderful people on my trips, HD riders and others, have seen parts of the country from a more interesting perspective, and have become more self-reliant/resourceful, and definitely gained a deeper and wider appreciation of life in general, less jumping to assumptions towards different 'cultures', less judgemental and in the end, feel the joyous anticipation of seeing my family again. I know I can take care of my family (and friends) much better when I am in a healthy & peaceful state of mind, body and spirit.  It's contagious!! 

THANKS!!

Hey girl: I took the course 2 years ago and believe me I was scared to death, but I wanted to ride so bad. My husband has a bike and I was always asking him to take me riding, but he works 3rd shift and I work 1st shift, so it was hard getting him to take me riding, so I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to ride then I had to take myself. I showed up at the class an hour early just so I could talk to the instructor and explain how scared I was. He was very patient with me. After I passed the class I was still scared to ride in traffic, so I started off slow by riding the back roads as often as I could and always with my husband (he lost a little sleep when I was learning). Now I ride all the time and mostly by myself. My husband can sleep all he wants now as I just get on my bike and ride. We need more women riders out there so get on your bike and ride. The feeling is awesome. Good luck.

I remember years ago when I started riding, I was always holding my breath and gulping. I gripped the bars and did not relax, so worried I was about making a mistake. Small victories and fortunately small bad things happened to me all the time while learning. The first curved road I made down a mountain was exhilarating. The first time I dropped my bike was at a stop sign, and it was an embarrassment, but I simply stepped away from it. But the tenseness and nervousness eventually melted away with practice and gave way to confidence BUT caution. Always caution. Never let your consciousness take you away from the road. So it is I never understood how people can listen to music while riding. Guess I can't multiplex when I am on the bike!

And training courses. No matter how good one thinks they are, no matter how many roads one rides, an official training course every year is the key. My spring riding begins like this: I make my own training course in a large empty parking lot, and practice 3-4 times each week in April. I will not ride anywhere on that bike until I have at least accomplished a few weeks of my private training course. Then in May in my region is the official training course. The main principle when you have a problem is to understand WHY you had a problem or made a mistake. And then work on that problem. Example: you know you took a particular curve too wide. Go out that day or the next day and practice doing it right. All this has given me the confidence. But it did not begin that way. It takes time to be a good rider. It is not enough to ride.
I have a girlfriend who tried hard to ride her own, but her mistakes gave her so much anxiety she never could continue. It is that way with some people. You need to recognize where your fear comes from. If it is from unfamiliarity, you can get over that. If it comes from lack of self-confidence, you might never make a good rider. Sorry for the harsh words, but that is how I see it. I am a person who spent most of her life with low self-esteem, and motorcycles, skiing and extreme sports got me over that. But it is not for everyone. Good luck, and as the previous writer indicated, if you get there, the feeling is awesome!

Keep working at it! I have been a passanger for years(on a Harley). Long story short had a bad breakup with boyfriend in 2010 and I took my training course last spring (2011) Got my license and, Purchased a 250 Honda Rebel, I wanted a small bike to start out with. I did not want to be overwhelmed by the power of the larger bikes, like so many women are. I spent the month of May in the high school parking lot getting used to the bike and started short trips after that. I knew local back roads where I could practice corners and sharp turns with out much traffic. Over the summer I started venturing out further and further. Keep working at it,you will get more confortable. Now I am planning a long trip. I put 5000 miles on my bike this last year and I am now looking to purchase a larger bike. Just keep at it. You do have an advantage of having someone to ride with you. I did this all on my own. I put up with a lot of dirty looks and smart remarks (it did not help that all my ride gear says Harley and I ride a Honda, I refuse to get new gear) but I am riding and that is all that matters. When you get comfortable you will love it !!!!!!

  Once you finish a "long trip" ......... you will also wonder why you waitied ......... but timing and preparation are keys to treasured memories of a bike trip.  I get alot of "dirty looks and smart remarks" too because I have a V-rod but the guys in my chapter are very supportive and impressed of my long trips and the confidence of riding with them ........... I ride and as you say, "that is all that matters" ......... GOOD FOR YOU!!! 

My Questions is Ms, HD now that 2 years has passed have your ridden? have a great one "T"