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Post by WindSister on Jul 5, 2017 11:05:11 GMT -5
Is it a mid-life crisis thing to want to get your motorcycle license in your 40s? Maybe, but I don't care what it's labeled, I am excited!! I have been talking about doing this for the past 4 years. Yesterday my husband and I went for a great 220 mile trek on his bike. It was just one of those perfect days - clear blue sky, fresh air. The route we took had VERY LITTLE for traffic, avoided all freeways. We just kept going and going. It was honestly the BEST 4th of July I ever experienced and we didn't do one thing that was "Fourth of July"-ish. Infact, every restaurant/bar we stopped at along the way was dead. (we don't drink booze while on the bike, FYI, soda only). But hitting the open road like that? So loved it. Anyway, my co-worker is selling her bike and I mentioned it to my husband yesterday at a rest stop because we mentioned we would do this a lot more if I also had my own bike. That's all it took -- now, BAM, we are making this happen! I have to go through the course and such, but I am excited and I think I can do it. I really do. I drove some interesting and challenging rigs in the Army, I think I can handle the whole downshifting, upshifting thing. I didn't expect to get a Harley, but that's where we are headed.... This isn't the exact bike, but it's the year, make, model and color 2006 Harley Sportster 883 Low. I can't wait to start the course!! Just had to share. Never stop trying new things. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!! (yes, I am a little nervous, but will rock this!)  best image hosting free |
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Post by hopingforachange on Jul 5, 2017 11:24:15 GMT -5
Riding is fun, don't skimp on the protective gear. I am covered from head to toe when I ride. Mesh gear is cooler then even bare skin because the mesh keeps the sun off of your skin
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Post by beachguy on Jul 5, 2017 11:42:53 GMT -5
Mid life crisis: You take the advice of your fav SM site and get a hobby  You know it's true |
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Post by WindSister on Jul 5, 2017 12:23:51 GMT -5
Riding is fun, don't skimp on the protective gear. I am covered from head to toe when I ride. Mesh gear is cooler then even bare skin because the mesh keeps the sun off of your skin Yes, will be getting gear. 😊 That's half the Fun! |
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Post by greatcoastal on Jul 5, 2017 12:43:26 GMT -5
Don't ride with your cell phone in your back pocket! LOL!
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Post by WindSister on Jul 5, 2017 14:27:19 GMT -5
Don't ride with your cell phone in your back pocket! LOL! ha! No kidding. I will definitely need to accessorize with some saddle bags. |
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Post by ironhamster on Jul 6, 2017 0:34:08 GMT -5
Be careful and have fun. There are only two types of bikers: those that have gone down and those that will go down. I'm the former, and if I ever get another bike I'll be in both categories. It's best if I enjoy my freedom in a climate controlled cage with a cheeseburger in one hand and a shake in the other.
If you have a chance, take a motorcycle safety course. I knew experienced bikers that learned good potentially life saving things in the one our community college has.
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Post by worksforme2 on Jul 6, 2017 8:34:35 GMT -5
You're gonna love it. You already know a lot of us here are bikers. I was what you might say "between bikes" for 3 decades but following this last divorce I got my old a** back aboard a Harley Sportster. It was my 3rd Sportster. Man have they changed over 30 yrs. But I'm rambling. An 883 is nicely sized for a woman. Welcome to the club awakeforthedance.
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Post by WindSister on Jul 6, 2017 8:42:36 GMT -5
You're gonna love it. You already know a lot of us here are bikers. I was what you might say "between bikes" for 3 decades but following this last divorce I got my old a** back aboard a Harley Sportster. It was my 3rd Sportster. Man have they changed over 30 yrs. But I'm rambling. An 883 is nicely sized for a woman. Welcome to the club awakeforthedance. I did some research and there are some mixed thoughts on it actually being a good starter bike or not. It looks like the size is right where I want it, but it may be a bit too much bike - so we are thinking on it, I may go with something less powerful, but first I am going to take the safety course and see how confident I am. I have read it's a good bike for confident newbies. Glad you got to get back out and enjoy!!! |
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Post by ironhamster on Jul 6, 2017 9:49:53 GMT -5
The sportsters used to shake like hell. They were kind of the starter bike, to encourage you to trade up to the full size Harley. I hope Harley has changed its product strategy. I know they've made some great improvements elsewhere. Even their full size bikes back in the day had three design flaws, in that they could not go, could not stop, and could not turn. The saving grace was that you could not operate a bigger vibrator without a federal license.
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Post by WindSister on Jul 6, 2017 10:48:29 GMT -5
The sportsters used to shake like hell. They were kind of the starter bike, to encourage you to trade up to the full size Harley. I hope Harley has changed its product strategy. I know they've made some great improvements elsewhere. Even their full size bikes back in the day had three design flaws, in that they could not go, could not stop, and could not turn. The saving grace was that you could not operate a bigger vibrator without a federal license. Yikes!!! Well, I sure don't need a raging vibrator that can kill me. Thanks for your assessment of the bike. We haven't test-driven it yet so we will see. It's a 2006, so not super new. I am thinking I may want to stick to something even smaller. I was reading on WRN (Women Riders Now) about different bikes and may just stick to a Yamaha like my husband has, well, not his, but smaller, much smaller - Yamaha V Star 250 if I can find one. We don't have to be Harley riders. I will need to go, stop and turn... lol. www.womenridersnow.com/pages/beginners_guide_motorcycles_to_get_started_on.aspxIt's all new, having fun exploring options and I don't "have to" buy my coworker's bike, it just got us actually moving towards making this reality now. The next safety course isn't for a few weeks so I don't have to rush right this minute. I want to see how I actually do on a bike. Yeah, my ego has no problem signing up for a safety course. I thought we had to, actually. Our laws might be different from other state's, though. |
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Post by worksforme2 on Jul 6, 2017 11:09:09 GMT -5
The sportsters used to shake like hell. They were kind of the starter bike, to encourage you to trade up to the full size Harley. I hope Harley has changed its product strategy. I know they've made some great improvements elsewhere. Guess what? Sportsters are still considered as starter bikes to get a rider on the road in the expectation they will be back eventually to trade for a larger bike. This is SOP for all motorcycle mfgs. The older (pre belt drive) Sportsters did have a lot of vibration. But most of that is long gone. Now Harley (IMHO) builds one of the best, most reliable bikes on the road. Having been away from bikes for so long I was really surprised and pleased with all the improvements Harley (and I assume others), have made to their product. |
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Post by worksforme2 on Jul 6, 2017 11:17:58 GMT -5
The sportsters used to shake like hell. They were kind of the starter bike, to encourage you to trade up to the full size Harley. I hope Harley has changed its product strategy. I know they've made some great improvements elsewhere. Even their full size bikes back in the day had three design flaws, in that they could not go, could not stop, and could not turn. The saving grace was that you could not operate a bigger vibrator without a federal license. Yikes!!! Well, I sure don't need a raging vibrator that can kill me. Thanks for your assessment of the bike. We haven't test-driven it yet so we will see. It's a 2006, so not super new. I am thinking I may want to stick to something even smaller. I was reading on WRN (Women Riders Now) about different bikes and may just stick to a Yamaha like my husband has, well, not his, but smaller, much smaller - Yamaha V Star 250 if I can find one. We don't have to be Harley riders. I will need to go, stop and turn... lol. www.womenridersnow.com/pages/beginners_guide_motorcycles_to_get_started_on.aspxIt's all new, having fun exploring options and I don't "have to" buy my coworker's bike, it just got us actually moving towards making this reality now. The next safety course isn't for a few weeks so I don't have to rush right this minute. I want to see how I actually do on a bike. Yeah, my ego has no problem signing up for a safety course. I thought we had to, actually. Our laws might be different from other state's, though. Nothing like a Harley to get you moving in the right direction. There are a # of smaller bikes that are lighter, have fewer cc's, but still have enough power to move you down the road and get you out of trouble if needed. Somethin in the 500 to 650 cc range would probably do the job for you. Triumph used to make a really great 650. I think all the major brands have something around that size. The main thing is for you to feel comfortable and "confident" in your ability to handle the bike. |
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Post by ironhamster on Jul 6, 2017 11:46:04 GMT -5
Truth be known, all bikes are vibrators. Harley is just the most popular. I used to have a Honda CB750, and loved to hear the scream from the girl on the back when I'd downshift and crank the engine.
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Post by WindSister on Jul 7, 2017 8:49:31 GMT -5
Step one: Download Manual to study for permit test -- Done. Now to study. Step two: Permit Test (will take in next couple weeks) Step three: Safety class, hopefully pass and get my endorsement. Hoping to get that in mid-August. Step four: Get a bike and start riding! I think this year I am going to get a tiny little one just so I can get on it and ride. My coworker said she has seen it happen so much, women get their permit, take the class and pass and then don't ride, losing all confidence. She said to keep my confidence high, I just need to get out and ride, ride, ride. So it's not in the budget for a super nice one this year, but I think we can find a cheap used one, something little to get me out there and getting used to it. I will take her advise. Next spring/summer we could work it in to get a "real" bike then. I have read so many stories from women riders who started in their 40s - fairly common! It's inspiring to me. Of course, I am very much against stagnation in life, so learning a new skill thrills me. I think that's the stuff that keeps us sharp and young. Plus, I know it will be a great activity for us with us each having a bike. I love nature, he loves speed (bless him, he TRIED kayaking and still does it, but it's not his favorite thing). With a bike we can just get on and ride -- enjoy the fresh air, nature and still visit state parks, hike, etc. It's less restricting than a boat would be, less hectic. (don't have to store it, pick a lake and hope it's a good one, etc...). Yup, excited!! One of the "kids" (she is 23 now) I used to be a nanny for (when she was 2-6), got her licence last year and bought a little bike she used to trek across Brazil. Her stories on Facebook are awesome. She had her last day yesterday. I am sure she'll write an actual book on the experience. It was fun to watch her. Anyway, just sharing because I am too excited to contain myself. Manual downloaded, I will pass that permit test! |
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