Need Encouragement

Need Encouragement

by Veronica
(Chicago, IL)

Hey ladies,

Look...I am a bit frustrated and I need some moral support from 'my girls' for two seasons. I had a 250 Rebel. On a scale of 1-10, I was comfortable with 'Betty' at an 11. About three days ago, I traded her in for my 'dream bike', a 650 Yamaha Classic. I LOOOOVVEEE 'Mona', yet she is NOT Betty. I am back to learning all over again! Her clutch almost needs to be all the way for it to 'engage' (different then Betty). She takes off much faster AND I am not very comfy in making those tight turns. (I went all the way around the block to avoid one particular turn by my home). Now..I love her and all but it is frustrating to stall (at a stop) and jerk (when I switch gears) all over again! I was sooo good on my 250; will I ever be comfy on a 650? I know it's been only three days, but I am very hard on myself and I need some moral support....

Thanks much!!

Veronica

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Need Encouragement

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May 12, 2011

Need
by: Anonymous

I ride a Yamaha v-star 650, and love it, it fits me perfectly, but choosing a bike is like a choosing a pair of Jeans, get the bike that fits you and don't feel bad if the bike is not right for you, get the one that is. The first bike I bought was a Honda VTX 1300, gave that bike to my husband and bought the V-Star 650, the VTX was not a good fit for me.

Nov 08, 2010

650 Mods
by: Ruth

Here is a fantastic site for 650 modifications. Including the Clutch mod with does work. Check it out.

Oct 28, 2010

THANKS TO ALL!!!!
by: veronica

Hey girls,

Thanks soooooo much for all of your well wishes, when I originally asked for encouragement on my Vstar 650...'Mona.' Well, I have tried and tried and as 'Yolanda' said, 'sometimes its just not a good fit.' Sadly, Mona is not a good fit for my body. Just like men and shoes, no matter how pretty and how much you want it to 'suit' your 'body', sometimes those 'men and shoes' just were not meant for you. If I keep 'Mona', I know I will NOT ride her. I am even dreading riding her the 2 miles BACK to the motorcycle dealer on Saturday when I trade her in for a much more body conscious Kawasaki Vulcan 500. (Interestingly enough, in the back of my head, the Vulcan was screaming to 'get her' before I even purchased the Vstar. I guess I should listen to my woman's intuition more often huh?)

So thanks to you all. I will let you know how everything is progressing.

Much to you all,

Veronica

Oct 27, 2010

Give yourself time to practice on it!
by: Debbie Lawson

Don't give up and don't be so hard on yourself. I was hard on myself Started with a 650 Honda Shadow and went to a HD 883 Sportster. Love my bike. Once you get used to the bigger bike, you will be so happy!!

Oct 27, 2010

Ride It
by: Anonymous

I took the class to, on a Rebel. Then listened to the wrong people and bought what I eventually wanted a Nightster 1200. Let the clutch slip out in my back yard. it shot across the yard. While trying to lean I leaned too much and clipped a tree and shattered my wrist. Finding out I had severe Osteo a neg. 4.7 on the brittle bones scale.

I had pins and bars in my arm all summer then a cast. Kept the bike for a year. And sold her to my best friend for her bubby's Christmas present BUT not before I rode her again.

I then bought a rebel last year and put over 6000 miles on her after July. This summer I sold her and bought a Suzuki Blvd s40 and have put over 6000 miles on it this year. I plan on taking baby steps back up to my dream Harley.

Hang in there. The sound of the Harley and the power still scare me but I will have one. Don't know that I want the Sportster series as they are top heavy and I'm a petite woman

Oct 26, 2010

Don't Give Up
by: Melita

I started with the Rebel as well. I soon went to a Harley Deluxe which frighten me too. I took it one step at a time with a lot of practice. I did my share of dropping the bike. I was determine to ride that bike without any fear. You will overcome your fear, just keep riding.

Melita

Oct 26, 2010

Need Encouragement & A Modification
by: Anonymous

I also learned on a V-Star 250. Went straight to an 1100. One thing you might want to consider is buying a "Clevver". This helps reduce stalls and gives you a bigger friction zone. Improving your takes offs and slow speed riding. The V-Star line was had a ton of complaints about the friction zone and clutch. This product helped me a great deal. Just Google "Clevver" and read the reviews. You will see what I am talking about.

Oct 25, 2010

Go Slow
by: Mariellen

Take your time adjusting, you will be happy with your new bike.

Oct 25, 2010

Keep at it!
by: Sharon Thomas Buettner

You'll be riding like a pro in no time. In a short while, you'll look back at this post and laugh!

Have fun and enjoy the ride!!

Oct 25, 2010

Just like a new car...
by: Sandra

except riding a bike is so much more involved! Getting a new car and just taking off, you can have a small panic attack when you can't find the headlights or the dimmer switch or the windshield wipers, and when you go to slow down the brakes are REALLY touchy and you throw your passenger into the dashboard...

Same scenario w/a new bike in a way...you need to take the time to get used to how Mona responds. Definitely get the clutch adjusted if it bothers you...your problems w/killing her upon taking off from a stop will go away instantly. Or you can just keep riding this bike until you get used to her individual reactions to your commands.

Just remember this experience if you ever feel the urge to jump on a friend's bike and take it for a spin around the neighborhood! They all have a different feel, and you shouldn't just jump on and take off! Get to know her before you ask too much of her...typical female! LOL

Oct 25, 2010

Does it fit?
by: Yolanda

I also started on a Yamaha 250, loved the fit, not the power. Hubby is a car dealer and found a 750 at an auction. I really can't remember if is was a Kaw a Yam, but it was a 4 cylinder. He didn't pay much attention to the four pipes, thought it was for show and noise. When he did the test drive, he took the front tire right off the road. Reason was the hair trigger throttle and massive clutch. Even though I had 2,000+ miles on my 250, I felt a little intimidated by the weight of this beast and the height. I couldn't exactly go flat footed even with my thick-soled riding boots. the arm reach left me extended even with the bars adjusted. I rode it around the neighborhood to get used to it on Saturday, so I could ride the poker-run on Sunday. The story gets better, but the short of it is, even after 100 miles that day I had to admit the bike didn't fit. I ride my Honda 600 Shadow VLX and love that bike. It weighs 500 pounds, and I can pick it up on my own (I'm 5'1", 145 lbs). I put some pipes on it and I ride to hubby's store on the weekend, alone. The first ride by myself was a bit intimidating, but that didn't take long to get over. Bottom line, does the bike fit you like a glove?

Oct 25, 2010

It's just a matter of time and feeling in control.
by: Wendy - Sydney AUS

I started on a Yamaha 250cc Virgo called Vicki.. I loved her so much and could do anything on her and she would respond in a flash. After traveling over 5,000 km on a single trip... on night after having a long hot shower in the hotel room and discovering I had bottom blisters.. I went out to Vicki and told her I didn't like her anymore.. it was true.. So I went and got the BMW F800ST (Pink) called "Barbe". Going from a 250cc cruiser to the 800 sports tourer..SCARED ME TO DEATH, so much so I would get public transport rather than ride Barbe. It wasn't until I did an Advanced Braking and Cornering course - that I started to feel confident and now I do one of these courses every year to refresh. Don't be hard on yourself or "Mona" - it really just takes time like any relationship ! Lots of love for you both and I assume she's brand new.. so give her time to wear in just like a new pair of shoes. Hope this is of some comfort. cheers and happy riding!

Oct 25, 2010

Hang in there ;)
by: chiqbiker

I started out 14 years ago on a 1978 Honda CB550 K. It was tall and I am short. Needless to say, it was not a good match for me. Some time later, I got a Rebel 250 and it was GREAT for me. The greatest drawback for me on 'Skeeter' was the fact that it was too small for me to be able to safely keep up with others I rode with. We eventually changed the sprockets to get me higher top end, which made the starts slower. However, the top end (easily 70mph) was too much speed for the size of Skeeter, as it made it too easy to drift in the curves. A little over a year ago, my sweet hubby found me a 2002 Shadow 600 VLX. I LOVE 'Haze' and she is perfect for me! I have had to make no adjustments to her from 'Skeeter' and she is much better than the CB550. I believe we all simply have to find the right ride for us as individuals. Stick with your new ride and you will become more comfortable with her as time goes on. I ride Haze to work each day (20 miles one way) and have taken her on a couple of 300+ one-way trips. She has been great on the trips. Just remember, with more time and experience on your new ride, will come more ease and comfort. Ride safely :)

Oct 24, 2010

Encouragement
by: Anonymous

I went from my starter bike, a Ninja 250, to a HD 883 Sportser about 3 years ago. Not only bigger engine, but really even different riding style (the Ninja was a little more lean forward, where I sit up straight on the Sporty.) Hang in there, if you are really committed to "Mona", you will find a way to make the relationship work! I fell in love with my little dragonslayer the moment I saw it at the dealership (it looked just like the one in the HD ad I had open on my bedside table for a few months), and after we got to know each other, I can't imagine life without her!

Oct 24, 2010

re: Need for Encouragement
by: New Lady Rider too

I too learned on a Rebel...in a two day course...started looking for my own bike :-) Went straight to a Honda Areo Shadow (750)...it was /is tough at time handling the turns BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Beauty! My sis-in law and also other lady co-rider have your bike BOTH had to adjust the clutch...find someone to adjust ASAP...YOU will find the love in the speed and feel really soon. I like having a bike that goes when I want it to...safety...and they just LOOK great! Keep up the practice-you will love her too soon :-)

Oct 24, 2010

Moving Up
by: Anonymous

I went from a 500 to a 1200 at a point when I still felt the 500 was a big bike ! Perhaps a mistake :/ But I have persevered .. after riding the 1200 for 2 yrs I still am intimidated as you said by fast start and awkward turns .. this summer I went back to the 500, to and from work, and when I got back on the 1200 I felt more at ease... it just takes time ! persevere !

Oct 24, 2010

Don't give up!
by: Anonymous

I went from a Vulcan 500 to a Harley Softail. It was scary at first, but as the miles went by, it got easier. The clutch is adjustable. Ever hear of "Ride Like a Pro"? Great resource! The more you practice the better you will feel!

Oct 24, 2010

Encouragement
by: Donna

Although I learned on a 250, I started out on a 500. I started in August, and I am getting some confidence now in regards to turning and shifting gears. I think it just takes practice. I've been riding my bike to and from work, about 25 miles each way, most days, but I give myself a break every now and then because it's pretty darn cold in the mornings on the way to work. Hang in there! You'll grow to love Mona soon.

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