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Not Feeling It

by Melissa

I took a safety class last year and got my license and then went out a bought a brand new motorcycle. The problem is.....I don't love it, not the bike, I don't think I like riding as much as I thought I would. I bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 that I was told was a great starter bike but for some reason I am just not feeling the "love" like I thought I would. Did you have this feeling when you first started out and do you have any advice for a novice who is thinking of selling?

Melissa

Comments for Not Feeling It

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May 05, 2010

Kawasaki Vulcan 500
by: Joanne

My first bike was a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 500. I rode it for 3 years and put 22,000 kms (I'm in Ontario, Canada) on it. It took me several months to really get comfortable. The more I rode, the more I loved riding. Initially, I had to force myself to get out and ride. The more miles you put on the better. This is my 5th riding season. Last May (2009) I traded my Vulcan for a 2009 Triumph Street Triple R. It is a completely different ride than the Vulcan. The first week of riding the Triumph, I thought what have I done. By the end of the first month of riding it, I was in love with this bike and the new riding position. I now have 9,500 kms on my Triumph. The Vulcan was a great first bike, and it really is a bike that you don't have to outgrow/trade-up. Bottom line, I believe, is just get out and ride. I would find it hard to believe that you don't eventually get the bug to ride when ever possible - unless you generally don't enjoy driving.

Apr 30, 2010

Maybe it's your bike?
by: Ali

Did you enjoy the class? Because if you did and you don't enjoy riding now, it may just be your bike that you don't love. I've been riding for 3 years. I took the rider course and bought a brand new Kawi ex650. The first time I rode it was in a parking lot and dropped it! I was devastated...and scared. The bike was too tall for me. I had it lowered but still felt uncomfortable. It took me a month of parking lot riding to finally get out on the road.

Last summer I barely rode. My fiance said I would like riding better if I had a different bike (he's been riding for 25 years and knows his bikes). About a month and a half ago I traded in the ex650 for a 2009 zx6. I LOVE IT. The bike is a lot lighter in weight than the ex650 and it's a 4 cylinder. It's a completely different experience for me. It's only April 30th and I've put almost 600 miles on the bike in just a few weeks. I live in CT and we have had a few nice days so far this spring.

So, perhaps it may be that the bike is just not the right one for you.

Good luck.

Apr 10, 2010

Expectations?
by: Barb

Hi,

Maybe your expectations were a bit high? I found that the more I rode, the more I wanted to ride. In the beginning, I wanted a bike because it was cool and a guy magnet in high school. That was about a million years and miles ago, and and I still ride---and still think it's cool and a guy magnet! Well, seriously, it's like any relationship--it is the memories, and the experiences that bind you and a machine together. Huge thunderstorms on Interstate 15 in southern Utah, looking at the fantastic rocks off the Oregon coast, smiling as you pack groceries away in a sidecar, pulling up to a high-school reunion on a bike...it all adds up to a relationship.

And just like any relationship, it takes time and effort. There are lots of flat tires on the road to loving your bike, but it's worth it in the end. And if you find you just don't like it, chalk it up to experience and move on to hang-gliders or scuba-diving! 8^)

Mainly, enjoy!

Barb

Mar 28, 2010

Not That Into It
by: Sharon S.

Ride as often and as many miles as you can to get comfortable with your bike. I didn't like a wide tank when I started, so started with an S40. (I bought this bike at age 50, by the way). I turned it over coming out of the gas station parking lot the second time riding it, but got back on and kept going. I put 2500 miles on mine the first summer, riding after work and as much as possible on weekends, and the second summer, I really began to love it. I just upgraded my bike, and plan to ride as long as I can. But if you hate putting on the gear, having smashed hair, taking care of/covering the bike, etc., and can't get over it, sell the bike and chalk it up to experience.

Mar 22, 2010

Not Loving It
by: Lynn - SW FL

I always tell prospective women riders that they have to really "love it" or riding motorcycles just won't be for them. Some women love the image, outfits, etc. associated with riding a motorcycle, but when it gets down to it, it's either too hard/stressful/uncomfortable. Yes, it is very scary in the beginning, but I still loved it. I think you either love it or you don't period. I can ride alone or with friends, it doesn't matter to me. At least you can always chalk it up as an accomplishment if you decide not to continue. Sometimes we never know until we try.

Mar 21, 2010

Scarey???
by: Anonymous

I remember not feeling the love because I was scared.....After I got more confident, and rode more with others after time it grew on me. My love for riding grew with time, and now you can't keep me off my bike. I am the proud owner of HD 2007 Road Glide. Keep riding girl!!!

Mar 21, 2010

Do You Need a Friend to Ride With?
by: Alystar Mckenneh

Do you have friends to ride with? Or a club to join? Keep the bike for now and see if you can find a friend to inspire you. I have found quite a few folks who get all hyped by people and then when riding comes, there is no one to ride with.

I'm a loner by nature so I love to ride. I need to ride off and not return for a while or I go crazy but perhaps you just need people around.

Mar 18, 2010

Keep On Truckin'
by: Anonymous

Keep trying.... I think it has to do with confidence and the right bike......

I had a little trouble adjusting...then I started taking longer and longer trips.....

I love it now!!! you will get there. but, if you don't, you tried something you always wanted to do
and that is courage..

You should be proud...

Mar 18, 2010

Keep Riding
by: Anonymous

I had the same issue with my first two bikes and then I bought my current wide glide and you can't keep me off of it! I just wasn't feeling the other two bikes the same and I didn't ride as often because of it. Now no opportunity to ride is passed up and better yet I make my own opportunities!! Keep trying and you will find the right fit, and if not, you gave it a shot, something to be proud of!!

PS: Maybe you have some friends who will let you try out a few different bikes :-)

Mar 18, 2010

Not That Into It!
by: debbie

If the bike doesn't fit you, too heavy, too tall, etc...that may be why your just not that into it. I have known some women that was a passenger for years, thought they wanted to ride their own, only to discover it was just not for them...but keep riding, maybe try out some other bikes. Good luck. And remember,,,keep the greasy side down...

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