OK you guys with all the wisdom
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Jag
Living Legend
Just tell her it's a MAN,S bike!!
End of story! Let me know how that works!
End of story! Let me know how that works!
1olbull
Riding Motor Since 1950
scot in exile
Living Legend
As a current MSF instructor my input would be to tell her to get some more miles under her belt on the 850 could she handle the Rocket probably as the bike will only go as fast as your right wrist will allow it, 4500 miles a year on a bike is not much at all I for one average between 13000-16000 miles a year-but the studies do say the average is 3000 a year.
Anyone with riding experience would never touch the front brake when the wheel is turned doing slow speed maneuvers does not matter if you are riding a Honda 50pass thru or a rocket the bike does not like it, and going all the way back to riding 101 do not ever grab the front brake at any speed squeeze do not grab.
As long as she can be flat footed while sitting on the bike is one very important factor if you can not flat foot the bike it is to big for you.
Anyone with riding experience would never touch the front brake when the wheel is turned doing slow speed maneuvers does not matter if you are riding a Honda 50pass thru or a rocket the bike does not like it, and going all the way back to riding 101 do not ever grab the front brake at any speed squeeze do not grab.
As long as she can be flat footed while sitting on the bike is one very important factor if you can not flat foot the bike it is to big for you.
sweettennbabe
Living Legend
OK. My opinion for what its worth. The rocket is heavy to maneuver at slow speeds. I was tip toed on mine and there were plenty of times I needed help moving it around. I loved the power it had but I don't think its for her with little to virtually no experience. She should wait. Ride awhile longer say like a year. Maybe go with a vtx or something. She should work up to it. The rocket is not for Tue inexperienced for sure. Some of you may remember Redrooster at Maggie valley. He was afraid of it for sure and he went down. Wasn't hurt but he didn't ride the rest of the weekend.
Well you have answered your own question right here.
This is from my perspective as a rider for 40 odd years and as a Funeral director, my family owns the business and I, from a very young age have worked alongside my father and I can't tell you how many times we have heard "if only they hadn't been on the bike" or "I never thought it would happen to them they have ridden all their life". Now I know this can happen to anyone! but when you said "she is still a little afraid to lean in a turn" that in itself says NO don't do it!. The second statement also rang alarm bells for me and it was "you hit it hard and she laughed and said I need somthing like this" even said in jest, the power is still there and who can resist it, I know I can't
but even if she says she wouldn't use the power she would be kidding herself, even if she only uses it once, that's all it takes!I know you care for her that's why you posted, so to minimise the chance of hearing those words I have heard all to often and avoid the grief that goes along with it, try and convince her to stay on a smaller bike or one with a lot less power until she has the skills, don't let her rush it she has her whole life in front of her, then buy a bigger bike.
Bob R
Living Legend
And comfortable shoes!!!!
The way I see it is pretty simple, she is an adult, she has money to spend and desires to spend it on a Rocket. Let her spend it. One of a few things may happen;
1. She will be scared after a ride or two and trade it in. Not Likely from the sounds of her.
2. She will drop in in a parking lot or somewhere and get the help she needs to pick it up and keep on going. Or you can teach her the proper way to pick up a down bike and she should be good to go.
3. She will hit the gas when turning a corner from a stop and will swap ends and go down, kind of controlled, and will learn much respect for the beast.
4. She will ride the tires off of it, getting more proficient with every ride, eventually tiring of the stock Rocket and send it off to Carpenter for an upgrade because like so many of us, she loves POWER.
But, the bottom line for me is would it be my place to try and talk someone out of buying a bike I know they want? I don't believe so, as an adult she knows what she wants, probably is keenly aware of the risks involved, and has the money and the desire to step up to a Rocket. You should encourage her, along with a lot of "please be careful", etc.
bob
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scot in exile
Living Legend
He did not ride it any more but I sure of hell did, when I told him how fast I had it up to I thought he was going to cry, plus that stupid little rooster thing he had strapped to his seat ended up being a butt warmer for me plus who can forget the ants in his seat.
Watcher
It's about the journey not just the ride
Thank you all I have went back and forth in my head just about what was all said here the pros and cons and I'd love to see her on it but knowing her for so long hell seems like last year she was 12 I don't want her hurt can she handle it the weight yes I'm sure she can and she might do really good on it but if she don't I have to live with it I just talked to her dad and told him he has to take her or she has to do it on her own she's 21 now but I can't handle or want to think how I'd feel if she got hurt or worst if I took her up to get it
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