Wife not that cool with the bike

[egb1108]

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

[tsiratiug]

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

My wife is almost the opposite. She loves bikes and wants to ride with me all the time. She's not too happy with the Ninja though - not a comfy ride for a passenger so we're getting a bigger ride.

Sign her up for an MSF class. Learning about motorcycles from a professional and how to ride them gave my wife the bike bug. I was worried she wouldn't like it either - she's a convert now.

[egb1108]

thanks for the tip. I actually had to take one of those myself so that I could ride on base. I would really like to get her interested. she's my best friend and it would be really cool if we had another thing to do together.

[SSR]

Originally Posted by tsiratiug

Sign her up for an MSF class. Learning about motorcycles from a professional and how to ride them gave my wife the bike bug.

This is spot on. Could be your wife is secretly afraid of them (or something else like that). Having her take the motorcycle safety course will eliminate that and show her how fun it is.

Make sure you go with her.

[Big John]

My wife has been supportive for the gas savings. She has always understood there are risks associated with it and has expectations of me to reduce those risks though attitude, training and protective gear. She as never liked riding with me. She does like my 77 beemer better than my GSXR or my 1100 Shadow, but doesn't like the lack of control in being a passenger. I bought the ninja for her and she is signed up for the class. I am looking forward to being able to ride with her. She is my best freind and life is too busy to have too many independent activities and still get to spend time with her.

[egb1108]

Thanks Big John. My wife is the same way, just scared I think. I'm gonna see what I can do. Riding would be a million times better if she were into it as well.

[bluepoof]

+1 on the MSF class!

[Renx30]

For the Record !! NIICE BIKE hehe I got the same one being delivered june 20th : ) Cant wait.

My wife had the idea randomly 2 months ago she wanted a Ninja.. Amazed i at this i said Yeah lets do it . 2 days later we walked out of the dealership with 2 brand new 2011 ninja's. One White and One Black

Since we are in canada and specificaly quebec we require to take a Riding school.

3 days in classroom 3 hours each then we wrote the Written theory exam = Both passed.

Now we have 22 hours of riding with the school in a parking lot learning all the basics. 4 days of 4.5 hours. Currently completed 2 of those days and we are having a blast. Learning to ride 5 different types of bikes. GSX 500 . Shadow 650 cruiser ( HEAVY lol ) and Buell 500 and more

Once the 4 days completed we have 2 days of 2.5 hours of riding on the roads with the school. The we have the official closed circuit test both on june 28th.

Now that part that really sucks. For 11 months we have a temporary license and can only Ride if there is another experienced rider with us.

Sorry for the long post but to get back on TOPIC : ) Have the wife take the MSF course

One all this is completed riding together with the wife on weekends will be amazing and fun

[egb1108]

thats crazy. 11 months. i don't know what i would do always having to depend on someone else just so i could ride my bike. I took a four hour MSF course and had my motorcycle license the next day. I did take the advanced class because I have previous riding experience. I'm gonna try really hard to get my wife interested though. thanks for your input and congrats on the bikes!! stay safe and have fun.

[Jinx250]

happy wife = happy life. Good luck.

[slolane]

Education is key. If you can get her into a class that is great, also talk to her about safety aspects and show her that your taking it seriously... ATGATT, proper maintenance, reading books on riding (continued learning), etc. This will bring her closer to you and the sport of riding and hopefully once she is closer to it and more knowledgeable she will feel more comfortable.

[egb1108]

Jinx250 you couldn't be more right about that. Slolane thanks for the advice. I've got a bunch of riding books and I'm always on the internet looking at riding tips and other peoples experiences. I think the key is just trying to get her involved and have her give me her input on the situation to try and get her interested.

[kamikaze]

how does your bike feel about your wife?

[kkim]

yep... wouldn't it be easier to just change out the wife??

[CZroe]

Just be sure to demonstrate that you are a safe and responsible rider.

[Xoulrath]

Originally Posted by Renx30

Now that part that really sucks. For 11 months we have a temporary license and can only Ride if there is another experienced rider with us.

Some of the states have a similar program, though I believe if the rider has taken the MSF in some (or even all) of the states that have this law, you are given a waiver and get a license.

I understand what they are trying to do, but if I had to ride like that for my first year, I would have put less than 500 miles on my bike, and only about half of that would have been in corners. In addition, if the person you are riding with isn't all that good, or is a bad teacher, then it adds insult to injury and potentially harms your riding experience.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by kkim

yep... wouldn't it be easier to just change out the wife??

Yes I agree. A bike will never complain, or b*%#h at you, and it wants you to ride it..all day long.

[coondog]

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

Never!! because her money is her money and your money is "our" money.

[nebraskan]

buy her a moped!

[Live2ride]

Originally Posted by coondog

Never!! because her money is her money and your money is "our" money.

This is so true...

[kevheads]

I was surprised when I got my bike last Saturday, she wasn't to excited about me getting one but now she wants to ride everytime I go out. I told her she has to wait till monday when we get her helmet and jacket in the mail. Her best comment when she saw the bike for the first time was "what it doesn't have a radio".

[Flashmonkey]

Have sex with her on the bike. That should fix it. Unless you're bad at sex.....

[TXJ]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Have sex with her on the bike. That should fix it. Unless you're bad at sex.....

Or just buy a HD pre rubber mounts and let it do your job for you.

Seriously though. Never tell her motorcycles are safe, because they're not. My wife was the same way way back when, she wanted me to be happy but was always worried about me riding. I never denied the fact to her that bikes are dangerous, but reassured her that I take every precaution to be a safe rider with continual rider education through books, classes, ATGATT etc. Fast forward and she is a rider as well, has her own bike and loves touring.

Take her to a MSF class, go with her on the riding days for support (the instructors shouldn't mind if you stay out of the way / offer to help set up the next coarse etc). I'm sure she will understand why you ride fairly quickly.

[Reddoak]

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

What's her problem with it? That she doesn't want to ride one, or that she doesn't want you on one? Maybe she's just worried about you getting killed and her being left alone... Depressing stuff, but she probably actually cares!

Anyways... just be safe on it. When I got my 250 my wife had me call her everytime I got somewhere alive. Quite frankly, she was driving me nuts with it. Go to work; "call me when you get there!" Go to the store; "call me when you get there!" And the other way, too; "call me when you leave work!" After a few weeks, she chilled out.

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Have sex with her on the bike. That should fix it. Unless you're bad at sex.....

You need help with this, you pay the plane ticket, I'll do the convincing. After I have sex with someone's wife, they'll never complain about their husband again.

[Cab305]

You already have the bike.... what's the problem?




lol, coming from a single guy.

[demp]

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

You don't talk to your bike in-front of her do you?

(or am I the only one who does that?)

[Boom King]

Distract her with a new pair of shoes or promise to do a yoga class with her.

[Blackwidow]

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

Absolutely- get a new wife. duh.

lol

i'm kidding! sorta

EDIT: Damn it, i'm always late on these posts, everyone has already posted the same witty comment I posted. lol

Eli, she is probably scared of it, thats why she doesn't want to ride it. Usually when you educate people on the real bike riding experiance, they understand it and become more comfortable with it. Maybe having her go to the MSF class and maybe getting on a bike might help calm her nerves while you ride. I use to hate bikes too until my fiance educated me on it.

[almost40]

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

A large club?? lol OH wait not that kind of light right??

[Liber]

Serious answer: like everyone else said, get her to take the MSF course.

Better Answer: keep a log of how much money you save on gas, and buy her jewelry/ take her out to dinner/ go on a trip with the savings. Win Win imho

[ally99]

Originally Posted by Liber

Better Answer: keep a log of how much money you save on gas, and buy her jewelry/ take her out to dinner/ go on a trip with the savings. Win Win imho

Wow! Nice!!

[almost40]

Originally Posted by Liber

Serious answer: like everyone else said, get her to take the MSF course.

Better Answer: keep a log of how much money you save on gas, and buy her jewelry/ take her out to dinner/ go on a trip with the savings. Win Win imho

GOOD CALL.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Liber

keep a log of how much money you save on gas, and buy her jewelry/ take her out to dinner/ go on a trip with the savings. Win Win imho

Going to such lengths to justify something so trivial makes you look like a chump. Lose your skirt and tell her to deal with it.

[almost40]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Going to such lengths to justify something so trivial makes you look like a chump. Lose your skirt and tell her to deal with it.

Got woman Cynical??
Life is full of compromise brother

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by almost40

Got woman Cynical??
Life is full of compromise brother

Yes and agreed. But if throwing money (jewelery, fancy dinners) at the problem makes it "better", sorry to tell you but you've got bigger problems to worry about.

It's been mentioned, the smartest way to go about it would be to get her educated and make her realize that bikes aren't all that bad. But that's completely different than trying to justify a bike with "look how much money it saves us" (it doesn't, by the way) or some other half-assed excuse. now you're just back-peddling, and she'll see right through it.

[Liber]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Yes and agreed. But if throwing money (jewelery, fancy dinners) at the problem makes it "better", sorry to tell you but you've got bigger problems to worry about.

Since when did you have to be in the dog house or want something to take your woman out to a nice dinner or buy her something?

[Big John]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Yes and agreed. But if throwing money (jewelery, fancy dinners) at the problem makes it "better", sorry to tell you but you've got bigger problems to worry about.

It's been mentioned, the smartest way to go about it would be to get her educated and make her realize that bikes aren't all that bad. But that's completely different than trying to justify a bike with "look how much money it saves us" (it doesn't, by the way) or some other half-assed excuse. now you're just back-peddling, and she'll see right through it.

I would have to disagree about the saving money part. I commute between 50 and 100 miles a day, buy cheap used bikes, and buy higher milage tires when discounted. Buying lighter weight bikes tends to help with the tires as well as fuel. There was a time when gas prices were low enough a bike would not be an overall savings, but with fuel reaching near four bucks a gallon (an only going up) a cost conscous rider can do pretty well if commuting enough miles and lives in a climate they can ride most of the year. I saved a pretty good chunk of money riding last year (over 10,000 commuting miles on the bike last year).

To get back on topic, My wife starts riders training in a half an hour.

[csmith12]

Something is amuck here….

Your wife is one or more of the following
Afraid of bikes
Afraid of your riding environment
Afraid of your actions
The combination of bikes and your actions

I WAS in the same boat as the OP. My wife had issues with me and the ninja. My wife is educated about bikes both pros and cons, she loves them and loves to ride (passenger). She has no interest in driving them but will go with me just about any time I ask her to.

She knows me and the capabilities of the machines I ride. It’s this combo that scares her to the point of wanting the bikes gone. Because she already knows “she isn’t going to change me” (no skirt here) 110% all the time.

So if education about the machines we love will not help with your situation, maybe education about the combination will prove a better solution to your issue.

I tell my wife up front; I ride hard, but keep it safe as possible (gear and good habits), obey the laws and always watch out of the other guy. I know she don’t like the “I ride hard” part, but it is something she has come to accept it as a SKILL/FEAR difference between cruising along at 30mph (what she likes) vs. leaning into a hard corner at 55mph (what I like). I take a lot of risks in my life, it’s part of what my wife likes about my personality. Ride the line…. But don’t cross it. Be safe and good luck.

Also, it’s to be commended that your wife is open minded enough to go through the rider training to support you even though she may not like it much. That is the part that deserves a dinner for her!

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Big John

To get back on topic, My wife starts riders training in a half an hour.

That's awesome. Gf and I are taking the msf together next month.

Originally Posted by Liber

Since when did you have to be in the dog house or want something to take your woman out to a nice dinner or buy her something?

You're right and that goes with what I said... You shouldn't be making trade pacts as a 'peace offering'.

[CThunder-blue]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

You shouldn't be making trade pacts as a 'peace offering'.

Only a person who's never been married and never compromised would be able to say this with a straight face. Any married person, male or female, knows that compromise helps keeps the marriage flowing smoothly down the river. Peace offerings are part and parcel of any marriage. You don't need to understand every woman, just the one you're married to. Everyone reacts differently to vehicles. My dad thinks my bike is cool and just wants me to be safe. My mom thinks it's a death machine. My wife loves my bike, but is too lazy to gear up all the time to ride with me. She took the MSF but her instructor failed her for something. I don't know what it was, but she still wants to ride or own her own bike some day.

Here's something that the OP should have considered before buying the bike though. Any time you make a decision that will have a significant impact on your family life, you should discuss it with your spouse first. Even though I've loved bikes since I was 4 and always wanted one, I still took the time to make sure my wife was ok with me getting one. If she wasn't ok with it, I either would have convinced her to be ok or just not get one. It's not about who wears the pants in the family. It just shows your spouse that you respect and consider their feelings.

Are you sure that she doesn't like the bike because she's afraid of what you might do on it? Are there other issues involved? Is she insecure about you? Is she thinking "What if he goes out and girls flirt with him?" There could be other reasons she's not telling you.

Originally Posted by egb1108

So my wife is supportive in the fact that she likes that I'm happy with my bike, but at the same time she doesn't like the fact that i have it. Is there any way I can help her see the light?

I'm not sure if she really likes that you're happy with your bike. She may act that way because she doesn't want to make you upset. If she doesn't like the fact that you have it, I doubt that she likes that you're happy with the bike. Your wife is most likely compromising her true feelings to make you happy. Good luck.