| I've said it before: women learn differently than men. | | | | could show you how to start the bike.) Don't forget |
| My personal feeling is that we're more cautious, more | | | | insurance. |
| studious, and less "just do it." We're also pretty | | | | You need some safety gear. A DOT-approved |
| supportive of each other in general, but when serious | | | | helmet, leather or armored textile jacket, and sturdy |
| questions arise about how, exactly, one gets started | | | | riding boots that cover your ankles and have solid |
| riding motorcycles, that can lead to inadvertant | | | | gripping soles are necessities. Some type of gloves, |
| sugar-coating and very vague answers given in such | | | | at least the fingerless style that cover your palms, |
| a round-about way as to be completely meaningless. | | | | are also a good idea. |
| So here is an attempt to bust through all the | | | | You need instruction. You can learn from a trusted, |
| nicey-nice... you can still get that elsewhere... and just | | | | experienced friend or spouse, but you run the risk of |
| answer some questions directly. We'll take it in small | | | | picking up bad riding habits. The Motorcycle Safety |
| chunks because, well, it's just easier to write it that | | | | Foundation (MSF) offers courses at venues across |
| way. | | | | the country, and some insurance companies offer a |
| The first question for a new rider always comes | | | | discount if you train with MSF. |
| from that place in the woman's heart that wants to | | | | You need a practice area. Just because you pass |
| be practical, yet take a risk, yet not have any nasty | | | | your MSF doesn't mean you'll feel comfortable |
| surprises as she's getting started down a new road. | | | | enough to cruise out on the highway immediately. A |
| The question is, "What do I need to get started?" | | | | large parking lot, preferably empty, is ideal. |
| It's tempting to try to pass this question off with | | | | Finally, you need support, or at least encouragement, |
| something really vague and diplomatic like, "That's | | | | preferably from an experienced rider. Tackling a new |
| different for every person." But since this isn't the | | | | skill is always easier if you have someone to cheer |
| nicey-nice Beginner's Guide, I'll take a stand and say | | | | you on or even help you learn and practice. At a |
| you can actually boil it down to a short list of five | | | | minimum, you need a person who will speak |
| things you need to get started riding. Here they are: | | | | encouraging words and who won't constantly berate |
| You need a practice bike. Borrow or buy a small-cc | | | | you for trying or blather on about the horrible |
| brike from someone who can show you the proper | | | | accident their friend's cousin was in. |
| start-up procedure for that bike. (They're not going | | | | So that's it, the bare necessities if you want to learn |
| to teach you to ride, but it would be helpful if they | | | | to ride. Don't skimp on 'em! |