Friend considering a motorcycle

spyderbret · Oct 31, 2008

So I have a friend who is thinking about getting into motorcycling, which I think is great of course! But he is asking me to give him a ride to see what it is like and if he would be interested in persuing his motorcycle license.

I'm not sure why but this seemed to be an unusual request to me. He asked me last night in an email and I havent really responded yet, I"m not really sure what to say. On the one hand I cant remember the last time I have given a guy a ride on any motorcycle I own. On the other hand I am all for someone getting into the sport.

I think the problem is that being a passenger does not properly portray the whole motorcycling experience. For me, I wouldnt want to be a passenger, I like the control factor. Of course I am going to encourage him to take an MSF course to experience more and to help get his license, but what would you all do in the same situation?

I know it's Friday so I expect some funny comments but seriously, it just seemed like an odd question....

Your thoughts?!!

GunMD · Oct 31, 2008

First of all, you're correct in saying that being a passenger just isn't the same as being a pilot. (Then again, I don't ever recall having been a passenger).

Second, this sort of 2-up riding violates man-law.

Two men should never:

Share an umbrella.

Sing along together with the car radio at a stop light.

Ride a motorcycle together (unless it's at a race track and it's a victory lap w/ your crew chief of giving a crasher a ride back to the paddock).

He's better off taking one of those Beginner Rider Courses from the MSF that supply the bikes.

Geezer · Oct 31, 2008

Well, I would explain to him that being a passenger is not at all like riding solo. Find out what kind of bike he is thinking about and then tell him how that would be different, or similar to, the one you ride. Then, if he still wants to go, give him a ride. All of the safety precautions for you and the pillion that have been discussed here in the past would apply.

fjrchooser · Oct 31, 2008

How good a friend is this guy, maybe motorcycling isn't his real interest ? Just sayin...

johnny80s · Oct 31, 2008

I think he just wants to snuggle. Not that there is anything wrong with that if you go that way...

v65 · Oct 31, 2008

I don't think I would post that ride report ...

Tyler · Oct 31, 2008

v65 said:
I don't think I would post that ride report ...

You guys are silly... why not give the guy a ride? He obviously trusts you and wants to try it with someone else taking the initial responsibility. Doesn't seem like that big a deal to me... I've taken a couple of my girlfriends for a ride cause they couldn't find a male rider to take them. What's the big deal?

Niehart · Oct 31, 2008

If you ride with the HD guys, you would be use to having some one ride ***** with ya. You know, to the closest town to buy loctite, bolts, gas, hospitals, batteries, etc. That's why the corbin smuggler is so nice, no back seat

dkbellga · Oct 31, 2008

Tyler said:
v65 said:

I don't think I would post that ride report ...

Click to expand...

You guys are silly... why not give the guy a ride? He obviously trusts you and wants to try it with someone else taking the initial responsibility. Doesn't seem like that big a deal to me... I've taken a couple of my girlfriends for a ride cause they couldn't find a male rider to take them. What's the big deal?

But do be gentle, it's his first time. :yahoo:

BTW Tyler, you taking your girlfriend for a ride (neato) is very much, not at all like, in fact the opposite of a dude taking his friend for a ride.

200cs · Oct 31, 2008

I had to give my brother in law a ride recently because he went down and totalled his bike in the middle of nowhere Arkansas. 120 miles from the hotel and pretty much anything else... He was ok but the bike was not rideable. I had two rules:

1. keep your faceshield down so everyone will think you are a big girl but no one will know you are a dude. (my wife got a big kick out of that one)

2. look into the turns and dont move at all at high or low speeds.

It worked ok but is not something I want to do regularly.

monk69 · Oct 31, 2008

Tyler said:
v65 said:

I don't think I would post that ride report ...

Click to expand...

You guys are silly... why not give the guy a ride? He obviously trusts you and wants to try it with someone else taking the initial responsibility. Doesn't seem like that big a deal to me... I've taken a couple of my girlfriends for a ride cause they couldn't find a male rider to take them. What's the big deal?

Give the guy a ride,and tell him to hold you around the waist(so he'll feel stable the same as you'd do for a girl).

Tell him for the beginning part that you,ll take it easy,and for him to tell you if he wants you to pick up the pace(so you don't scare the hell out of him).

Gunny + 1

Tyler · Oct 31, 2008

dkbellga said:
BTW Tyler, you taking your girlfriend for a ride (neato) is very much, not at all like, in fact the opposite of a dude taking his friend for a ride.

Yeah... two chicks on a bike is hawt... two guys on a bike is ghey... at least to guys. Makes no difference to me though. Sharing the love of the ride with a friend is cool in my book, don't care if you're an innie or an outtie.

GunMD · Oct 31, 2008

Tyler said:
Sharing the love of the ride with a friend is cool in my book, don't care if you're an innie or an outtie.

There's a visual I coulda lived without!

Checkswrecks · Oct 31, 2008

As long as he's not so big he lifts my front wheel, I'm secure enough to give a friend a ride. But since you're in Vegas, why not just have him rent a scooter or moped and ride around with him for an hour or two?

dcarver · Oct 31, 2008

Factory SuperCross riders give their mechanics a ride back to the pits after every moto.

Folks learning to parachute often get kinda snuggly.

If on the other hand, you feel a hand on each shoulder and something, ahh, bumping your posterior.. you had better wheelie, and quick! :wub:

johnny80s · Oct 31, 2008

Tyler said:
v65 said:

I don't think I would post that ride report ...

Click to expand...

You guys are silly... why not give the guy a ride? He obviously trusts you and wants to try it with someone else taking the initial responsibility. Doesn't seem like that big a deal to me... I've taken a couple of my girlfriends for a ride cause they couldn't find a male rider to take them. What's the big deal?

Please post pictures. Please, please , please

cougar8000 · Oct 31, 2008

Stop being a fegala and give your friend a ride.

Chee, you guys are way too uptight.

radman · Oct 31, 2008

03HiYoSilver · Oct 31, 2008

Well we asked for pics and that's what we got....completes the big picture.

Friend considering a motorcycle

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