Buying a newgen as an anniversary present?

[Floki]

I think it is a good idea. Anniversary is in October so I have plenty of time to save for her gear as well. Worst case scenario is she is scared, and I sell the bike right back. I was planning on teaching her how to ride a clutch dirtbike over summer and taking the MSF with her after to see if she liked it. If it was too much and she couldn't pass the MSF then obviously it would be a no go.

But then there is the thought that what if she does like it and gets in a wreck. I don't know if I want her to ride because I know that it isn't safe on the streets. That is my biggest worry about buying her a bike.

We've have gone on multiple road trips on my 250 together and she loves the feeling of being on a bike. She says that she sees everything differently and it is very fun. I think that's a promising signal that she would enjoy her own motorcycle.

[allanoue]

I think it needs to be her idea.

[Sirref]

just because she enjoys riding pillion doesn't mean that she'll enjoy actually riding and working the controls. It's a very different experience. I'm with Al, don't do it unless it's her idea. If she genuinely expresses want to ride then by all means go for it, as it is you could very well be giving her a gift that she may not want.

You could try taking the msf with her (yes, you retake it but whatever) and see how she reacts to actually controlling a motorcycle. If she's loving it then she may well like getting a newgen otherwise don't do it. Because it's an experience where she's actually riding it makes more sense to guage off of it to know if she really wants one or not.

[ForceofWill]

Agree with the others. I would at least start with an MSF with her.

[rojoracing53]

This has so much potential to be epic in ether a really good way or a really bad way.

I'm totally against borrowing bikes but If you can borrow a bike for a day then you could let her ride your 250 while you follow her. After a day of that then the choice would be obvious. I don't know your background but if your like most 250 riders and on the inexperienced side then don't borrow anything bigger then your 250 because half your attention would be on her and you don't need that handicap along with learning a new more powerful bike.

[DEFY]

What they said, she has to want to do it on her own. Its a responsabilty on one's self.

[Floki]

Lots of good perspectives on this one guys. I mean if she doesn't like it, 250s hold there value really well, or It could be my track bike.

[ForceofWill]

Originally Posted by Floki

Lots of good perspectives on this one guys. I mean if she doesn't like it, 250s hold there value really well, or It could be my track bike.

If you have the means and space for two bikes I would do it then. Worst case is you have 2 bikes. Or you could do the same thing but get yourself another bike, 300 or something and have her take the current 250.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by Floki

Lots of good perspectives on this one guys. I mean if she doesn't like it, 250s hold there value really well, or It could be my track bike.

like buying your girlfriend that bowling ball you always wanted so when she doesn't like it, it all yours.

[ForceofWill]

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

like buying your girlfriend that bowling ball you always wanted so when she doesn't like it, it all yours.

Best strategy IMO. When I want something new, use the old "get a new one and give the old one to the wife as a present excuse."

[oblivion007]

Originally Posted by allanoue

I think it needs to be her idea.

This. I wouldn't surprise her with it as it might pressure her to ride and to accept all the things we as riders have to accept such as responsibilities and such.

[csmith12]

The answer to this is simple. I know... I went through this myself with my wife who loves to ride 2up. Have a plan B ASAP but sometimes people just need a little nudge. The keyword here is "nudge". Don't force it!!! Has she ever expressed interest in riding her own?

Let it be known now that she still doesn't ride solo and.... it's my fault for whatever reason at hand. lol "Your 250 is in race plastics" or "the r6 is too much to learn on" or "the dirt bike is a POS with crappy brakes". The list goes on and on... The biggest reason is, "My bike's engine is STILL on the bench". Yea... yea... my fault.

Anyway....
Go ahead and start saving but buy NOTHING! Oct. is the very early start of the selling season, you will get a better bike deal AND gear deal then.
Gauge her interest level in riding her own bike and perspective on gear.
If it's good, take the MSF with her and regauge feelings and perspectives.
Take her dirt riding and let her further build the foundation and if she likes it, you will know. Camp while your at it, it's FUN!
If it's all good and she wants this... then buy the bike BUT hide it at a friends and take her shopping with you to buy gear, you need her sizing anyway. And you will never please a woman's taste in gear anyway... save yourself and make it a bonus shopping experience TOGETHER!
The gear is "the present" you present to her, she will think it is for riding together with you.
While your out shopping, have your friend take the bike to your home and have it sitting out with a LARGE bow on top. And it will be a 2nd surprise upon arriving at home.
PROFIT!

Also somewhere in there, she will need to go take the riding permit test. This will be a key step and let you know her intentions to ride solo or not.

If she wants no part of riding her own bike, you can have one hella vacation on the paper you save or the plan B present. And good luck keeping 3+k hidden from a woman.

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by csmith12

If she wants no part of riding her own bike, you can have one hella vacation on the paper you save or the plan B present. And good luck keeping 3+k hidden from a woman.

four words: off-shore bank account
or just hide cash inside a chair somewhere, just be wary of house fire bs and the potential to lose a couple grand in that situation.

aside from that, your plan is genius

[Floki]

Chris is a genius!

[greenaero]

I gotta agree with the others, It needs to be her decision about wanting to learn to ride. I would just ask her about riding without the surprise of just getting the bike.

"Surprise Hon! " She opens wrapping; stunned by new Colt AR15, " don't you just love it!, Happy Anniversary!"

[EternalNewb]

Originally Posted by greenaero

"Surprise Hon! " She opens wrapping; stunned by new Colt AR15, " don't you just love it!, Happy Anniversary!"

I'm not seeing the problem here, unless a case of ammo isn't readily available.

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by greenaero

I gotta agree with the others, It needs to be her decision about wanting to learn to ride. I would just ask her about riding without the surprise of just getting the bike.

"Surprise Hon! " She opens wrapping; stunned by new Colt AR15, " don't you just love it!, Happy Anniversary!"

Either of those will go over about as well as the four tires for prettywife's 40th birthday. (I did get her a couple of other nice little things, too, but she really needed the tires).

[allanoue]

How about a nice Singer sowing machine

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by allanoue

How about a nice Singer sewing machine

Or maybe a vacuum cleaner...

[LilMiss]

Originally Posted by greenaero

I gotta agree with the others, It needs to be her decision about wanting to learn to ride. I would just ask her about riding without the surprise of just getting the bike.

"Surprise Hon! " She opens wrapping; stunned by new Colt AR15, " don't you just love it!, Happy Anniversary!"

I'd be ecstatic about the Colt! Lol. Also car parts. Always a plus. But I'm a rare breed. I'd rather work on my cars and get an oil bath than go to a salon.

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by LilMiss

I'd be ecstatic about the Colt! Lol. Also car parts. Always a plus. But I'm a rare breed. I'd rather work on my cars and get an oil bath than go to a salon.

If you got the Colt for your anniversary, you know you'll be getting a couple boxes of .223's for Mother's Day!

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by allanoue

How about a nice Singer sowing machine

singer is a good brand of sewing machines actually. I own one and use it often.

[LilMiss]

Originally Posted by dcj13

If you got the Colt for your anniversary, you know you'll be getting a couple boxes of .223's for Mother's Day!

I'm currently in the market for a pump action 12 gauge. Doubt it'll happen soon considering he just bought me a bike. Sigh.

[alex.s]

first world problems

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by alex.s

first world problems

Has that become cliché?

Rhetorical question.

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by alex.s

singer is a good brand of sewing machines actually. I own one and use it often.

I know. I bought one for the ex in 1986 and she still has it.

[alex.s]

my grandmother has one from the 1940s and still uses it. why can't they make engines like that?

[dcj13]

Originally Posted by LilMiss

I'm currently in the market for a pump action 12 gauge. Doubt it'll happen soon considering he just bought me a bike. Sigh.

True love!

Mossburg pumps are the cheapest (at least they were back in my day). I have an old '70's Winchester pump (works nice), but the Remington pumps (used to be model 870, dunno these days) are (were?) the cat's meow as far as pumpers go.

[Kscreations08]

Mossberg 500A custom... with a birdshead pistol grip handle, 6 shot 590 A1 magazine, and 14 inch barrel from the 590 shorty to sit flush with the mag. Finish it off with a Weaver rail at the top, Sidesaddle shell holder, about 5 inches of sawed down heatshield and a short strap (just cuz). Estimating total weight is under 6 lbs and total length would be 26 1/2" or just over 2 feet. That will toss a 2.75" shell of 00 buckshot at 403 m/s (just over 900 miles per hour) 40 meters (130 feet) before accuracy is an issue. The red tape and tax stamp to make one legal is almost not worth it... almost. Alas, only dreams.

Edit: some humor for you guys. This is the first time I've ever put that in writing, after years of ranting about it... I just realized that both the magazine and barrel are the 590... My next letter to santa will not have this much writing

[Kscreations08]

[allanoue]

Topic

[MR2Aaron]

Originally Posted by Floki

I think it is a good idea. Anniversary is in October so I have plenty of time to save for her gear as well. Worst case scenario is she is scared, and I sell the bike right back. I was planning on teaching her how to ride a clutch dirtbike over summer and taking the MSF with her after to see if she liked it. If it was too much and she couldn't pass the MSF then obviously it would be a no go.

But then there is the thought that what if she does like it and gets in a wreck. I don't know if I want her to ride because I know that it isn't safe on the streets. That is my biggest worry about buying her a bike.

We've have gone on multiple road trips on my 250 together and she loves the feeling of being on a bike. She says that she sees everything differently and it is very fun. I think that's a promising signal that she would enjoy her own motorcycle.

Whether or not this is a good idea depends on whether or not she wants to ride herself. Also keep in mind that a motorcycle requires maintenance, insurance, registration and so forth. It's the gift that keeps on taking.

That said, if she does enjoy riding as a passenger she might like riding herself. In my experience, though, my girlfriend enjoyed riding in my sportscars primarily because it meant she got to spend the whole day with me, and had zero interest in driving herself. I'm not saying yours will feel the same way - just that she might, and you should think about why she enjoys riding with you before you commit.

[Kscreations08]

Originally Posted by allanoue

Topic

I was simply offering an alternative idea for a nice present lol