OK you guys with all the wisdom

[R3T-Too]

Just to set the record straight he did not drop his bike it was on a easy bit of road he just rode off the side and about 15 feet down the side, it took about five of us to get it back on the road and by that time he had lost his bottle so he left the bike about 40miles from the motel then myself and his Lordship Steve Cowherd went back for it that is when I had some fun.

Another bit of a learning experience to be had there.

Riding very slow around a lake taking some brief glances at the deer in someones yard I had a deer from the other side of the road jump in front me.
I ended up riding in the gravel ditch for 20 yrds or so before I could get it aimed right and back on pavement. Again, not sure how I would have fared on the Rocket.

(lesson there is: deer; don't trust em)

I'm guessing Rooster doesn't ride a Rocket anymore? Went too big too fast maybe?

Scott

 

[TRIIICK]

JMTC.. As long as she can handle the bike and be able to react to the potenial dangers that pop up or await her ,i'd say go for it. She sounds like a spirited gal, it doesn't seem fair to break her spirit if her hearts in it. Woman seem to be a lot more cautious than men, unless she's reakless , then i'd say not a good idea.

 

[MikeDeY]

I went from a C50 to a R3... but I'm 6'4'', 225 pounds... But honestly, the R3 handles better. Just with a WHOLE LOT MORE POWER.

 

[TOMCAT]

Were we discussing a male .. rather than a female would concerns be so great ? Young inexperienced riders are buying R1's , V-Rods and plenty of other really potent bikes every day. R3T maybe not that bad a choice for a larger built female when you think about it... just my thoughts.

 

[CanberraR3]

I wouldn't recommend a Rocket for any inexperienced rider. At the end of the day it's his or her choice.

 

[forklift]

Were we discussing a male .. rather than a female would concerns be so great ? Young inexperienced riders are buying R1's , V-Rods and plenty of other really potent bikes every day. R3T maybe not that bad a choice for a larger built female when you think about it... just my thoughts.

Agreed. Lots of young riders thinking they are better riders then they really are because the bikes are so much better then they are. I'm sure lots of members here rode in the days of bikes like the Z1 900. Bad handling and brakes that required a grip that could crush a coconut to bring them down from any serious speed. Even in the days of the Honda Magnas and Suzuki Maduras that were so top heavy they just didn't feel right. I was suprised when I got on the Rocket for the 1st couple rides and wondered how such a heavy bike was so manageable.

 

[R3Tex]

Give the best advice you think you have and then let her make up her own mind...it's part of the whole being an adult in the free world thing. You can't live someone else's life. If she's already hit the ground once and has no fear there's probably not a lot you're going to do to change her mind anyway

 

[1olbull]

First large word I taught my two kids, starting about 5 years, was hypocrite!
I ride motor - you don't, unless it is with me!
Worked well until my son hit 35 years and now I love riding with him on his Wing.
My daughter, having lived through all my "adventures" motor, work and sports, for her entire life, made me promise not to "encourage" my grandson to ride or play football - no problema, sweetheart!

 

[cr0ft]

Young inexperienced riders are buying R1's , V-Rods and plenty of other really potent bikes every day

That's true. But then again, they're all young diots making choices based on their testosterone level, too. Comparing an R3T to an 800 makes it a lot murkier, since the 800 is already too heavy and powerful for a rank newbie. An R3T isn't really that much more scary so if one is fine with the 800, going to the R3T isn't that huge a step.

But even though one can survive buying an R1 as ones first bike, it's pretty far from a recommended approach to learning, in my opinion.

Not to sound holier than thou or anything (because there was no real choices made, it was just how things turned out) I started on 50 cc mopeds because that was all that was legal here at that age, and then went up to a 125 after a year or two, which was the next legal step. That let me learn to ride on bikes that weren't apt to rip my head off if I screwed up and got a bit frisky with my right hand.

I have no doubt whatsoever that if I had gotten on an R1 instead of that 125 I would have been in severe trouble; I broke one 125 utterly and broke myself a little bit around the edges while on it, as it is. Add 150 hp instead of the 15 and it would probably have been bad.

 

[Wrecka]

Tell her to put a car tire on it 1st , that fixes everything...........