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Update: From Dream to Fear

by Kim
(Canada)

Hi Ladies.

I wish to thank you all for your wonderful and inspiring feedback.

I made a decision to pursue getting my license for a motorcycle. I found a wonderful smaller bike to learn on, and get confident on: a Yamaha Virago 250cc in excellent condition. And made some great friends while I was at it. The Seller is a lady, whom bought the bike last year after completing a safety course and has bombed around on the lovely bike for riding season since last may, till now. She is ready to move up to a bigger bike and tearfully passed on her "Baby Beast" to me.

My new friend, delivered the bike to me, and it was with warm excitement that she came down the drive way along with 2 other motorcyclists and I knew in my heart, when they removed their helmets, they would be ladies. And so they were.

They came to meet me and shared their stories with me. I showed them my Yamaha V Star 650 in its amazing color of purple and all three ladies told me to keep it for myself for next year, not to sell it. The bike, though a 2003, has not a scratch on it, as 11,000 km on it, and is such a vivid purple that they have never seen such a color before. All three ladies told me that this bike was such a find and that it is hard to find such nice bikes.

The lady whom I bought the virago from did ride my purple v star and she is enamored with the bike as well, because of its color. The lady will buy the bike from me if I did decide to sell it.

I am looking forward to getting myself registered in a different motorcycle safety riding course, (as recommended by my 3 new friends, whom met themselves at the course), and in learning to ride and be confident on "Baby Beast".

I don't think I will be wanting to ride the v star 650 this year and so I do question the logistics really of keeping the bike, for another year until I am ready. It will be 1 year older and unused. What makes the bike so special is it is true that it is in very good condition, but it is such a nice purple...

I am once again, open to your thoughts on whether I would be best to sell the v star for now as I don't plan on riding it this year.

I had such a bad experience, too many falls on the bike in my previous course, that I am very intimidated by the size of a big bike. However, my feet sit nice and flat on the V Star....

Thank you once again for all your wonderful support.

Warm Regards,

Kim

Comments for Update: From Dream to Fear

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Apr 29, 2010

Similar Story..Keep the V Star
by: Robin

Your story is very similar to mine, I too dropped my class bike, fell over during maneuvers and actually flipped it when my foot slipped off the rear brake during an emergency stop. I had repeatedly told the instructors I was having issues with the bike, I couldn't reach the ground, the pegs were too far off the levers for the length of my feet (my toes would slide off the brake unless I took my foot off the peg to apply it and shifting was difficult as I had trouble reaching the shifter) I was scared to death and had just purchased my first bike a few weeks before, a absolutely gorgeous V Star 650 Classic. After my class I was terrified. I ended up going to a different class. 2 weeks later I had my Cycle endorsement, and was scared to death to get on my bike. I loved looking at her, polishing the chrome, starting her and listening to her, but riding her was scary. I finally decided that I needed to just get on and go, and I did. I rode thru our little village for about an hour, by myself, at 25MPH, just getting used to the feel of it. I loved the way that even though it looks like a huge bike, it is so well balanced that it is very stable. I have never felt the insecurities that I did with the bikes in class. She is so long and low, and completely balanced. One day you need to just get on and go, swallow down the fear and go for a slow easy ride somewhere you are familiar with. You will fall in love with that bike. I am 5'2", 100lbs, and 42 years old. This is my very first bike, I have never even ridden a dirt bike. The 650 is big enough to keep up with the big boys, my husband has a 1600 Roadstar, but small enough for to handle confidently and easily. You will end up happy that you kept that pretty Purple bike!!

Mar 31, 2010

re: Super Newbie
by: Marsha

Hi,

Congratulations to you for marking this one off your bucket list ( of sorts ) !! You shan't regret it !! The weight of your first bike shouldn't be very much, because what you do not want to have happen is for you to become afraid of it / intimidated by it - sure Some of that is normal at first - say for the first season (that depends on your climate = how much you get for 'seat time' ) before your riding season comes to an end for the Winter . Much of your answer lies in your inseam length, as in a lower seat height equals more ability to balance your bike ,'specially if you can flat foot your stance whilst straddling your bike. I'm approx. the same build as you , my opinion is after you finish the beginner class on their bike - whatever that may be - let's say a Honda Rebel 250cc , that is a cruiser style - meaning you sit down In the saddle , not On top of the seat - hopefully That makes sense, then you can get the idea say if you Like a Cruiser style , or you do not, maybe you're a Sportbike girl - the seat where you sit atop it - vs- down In it., That'll give you a point of reference from which to go looking for your first bike, which IMHO should be Used,as you prolly will not keep it very long , ( mine was two summers, that's me, seems like all my bikes are two years before I start considering other options ) and you don't want to start off as a brand new rider on a brand new bike - again just MHO as it puts way too much pressure on you that you have to keep it all pristine - like you can't have anything happen to it - which means no fun = no place to go from there. I like stepping stones. Consider a Honda Shadow if you like cruiser style bikes, a 750cc Aero would be great for a coupla years after you pass the class. Depends on what you want to do with it - do you want a daily commuter ? do you want to travel to other states via riding your bike ? Lotsa decisions. Thankfully you have plenty of time to put your ducks in a row.

All the Best to you!

Marsha in CT

Mar 30, 2010

A Super Newbie!
by: Anonymous

Hi Ladies!

I just registered for a motorcycle safety course - it's been a lifelong ambition and I am very excited to finally be realizing this dream. I am (a young :-)) 54 yrs old, 5'6" tall, 150lbs. Everyone talks about seat height for women, but I haven't seen much discussion about the weight of bikes for women. What can you experienced riders tell me about what I should be looking for, when I'm ready to buy?

Mar 24, 2010

Great Update!
by: Rene L.

Great to hear that you have decided to go forward and that you found a smaller bike to practice on. If you keep riding after finishing the course, trust me, within 6-12 months you will be ready to ride a bigger, more powerful bike, so since you already have one that you like, why not keep it? Certainly, this is the kind of decision that you have to make for yourself, considering your finances, space to house the bike, etc., but if the question is strictly a matter of whether or not at some point soon you will be ready to ride the 650, you will.

Let us know how the class goes!

Ren'e

Mar 23, 2010

Picture
by: Margie

Take a picture of that Purple bike and share it with the rest of us..

Mar 23, 2010

I Did Something Similar
by: Fiddler

In January of '09 after my MSF class, I purchased a bike that I fell in love with. I mean I loved everything about it. However, when the first year was up I had to admit to myself that it was just too heavy for me to be comfortable with. My riding wasn't improving - I'd do great for a while, but then some little thing would happen and mess up my confidence. The bike was beautiful but it wasn't the bike for me, not yet, so after a year of finding excuses not to ride it was time to move on.

In January I purchased a little Ninja 250 and it's the was a great decision. I'm having so much fun and my confidence is soaring! Now I ride at every opportunity, and hey, I think I accidentally discovered I'm more of a sport bike gal.

Mar 23, 2010

The Purple Bike/Class
by: Judy

I also vote for keeping it. There are tips on storing a motorcycle that is not in use. Check with the local mechanic or someone that is knowledgeable. I know when you get you confidence you will be ready for that purple bike. This will give you a goal to move toward. Purple is the colour of royalty and you are royal so you deserve it. I had a difficult time in my first motorcycle class. There was a girl who dropped her bike 3 times and they asked he to leave. She was in tears. Me they told me I was too slow. None of the class felt that I was holding up the class at all. I was ask not to leave but sit out because I didn't understand what was going on. I didn't understand weaving in & out of the small orange cones or squares. It was the instructors birthday and she was very anxious to leave that day. I didn't fall I was just a bit slower. I loved the Honda Rebel that I was on. The instructor said she would work one and one with me. I took the written test and passed . I decided that this particular instructor was not someone I wanted to work with. I took another class and received my endorsement. Some of us have our class stories others just go and get their endorsement without any incidences. I think we all learn differently and at different paces. I had never ridden a motorcycle before but I had been a passenger on and off road for several years.

So keep that beautiful bike and get yourself a good class and practice, practice, practice. A friend of mine started with a 125 cc Suzuki and now she has ridden cross country on a Harley Softail. So stages of learning is a process.

Good luck to you,
Judy

Mar 22, 2010

Keep Your 650
by: Marsha

Hi, Yep, I'm in agreement, keep your 650 , because quite possibly by this Fall you'll be riding it with a much renewed confidence , simply because now you have local riding ladies to pal around with who will motivate you even more than you thought could happen , in fact I will wager on it !! If you can afford to keep both for this year, I would do that, so what if it is another year older ? You've already said how the color is so captivating - if it did that to you - it will do that to someone else - should that be your decision. " Ride Like A Pro " .com , you will find a free practice guide to print out that'll help you, plus other info!

Best of Luck, Marsha in CT

Mar 22, 2010

Keep the Other Bike Also
by: Velvet

Keep your purple bike too! Because in the near future you are going to want a bigger bike, and you already have one, so when your ready all you have to do is go get on it...no shopping around.

And my favorite color is Purple also. I have had 2 bikes that have been Purple, mine right now is PurpleHaze.

Mar 22, 2010

Keep It!!!!!
by: lisa

I think you should keep it. I have a Suzuki Boulevard S40, it's a 650 and I love it. There are times I would like a bigger one but it fits me perfectly!!!! I rode a Rebel for a while but you will see if you start riding that it's hard with a 250 to keep up. Once you get your license and ride, your confidence will go up and you will want the wind in your face every chance you can!!!!

Good luck and keep that pretty purple thing!!!!

Call her plum crazy!!!

Lisa

Mar 22, 2010

MY VOTE: KEEP IT
by: Margie

I vote for keeping it, once you get in some practice on the smaller one you will be more confident and ready for the larger purple bike. (I might be a bit biased about the purple as purple is my favorite color). Although in this case, it's not the color, its the need for comfort.

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