MY wife coleen wants to learn to ride?

Question

Are there any companys that sell training wheels for bigger bikes? She wants to get a honda rebel.

Answer 1

there's no such thing as training wheels on a motorcycle. if she cant even ride a bicycle, she has no business on a motorcycle. btw, the msf expects u to be able to ride at the very least, a bicycle. get her signed up to an msf class.

Answer 2

Hey Coleen! Forget the training wheels...I learned to ride on a Honda Rebel, without training wheels (at 50, 4 yrs ago) and I took a certified riding course. It was not easy for me to learn, because I was so affraid of falling, but it was the best thing I ever did. I am inseam challenged at 5'3" and it fit me perfectly. I moved up to a VLX600 a year later and on to a Shadow 750. I am currently waiting for my new Ducatti Monster to arrive complete with a lowering kit and I'm enrolled in an advanced rider training course. I think that she should just take a course where she will learn properly and develop lifelong skills. PS. knowing how to ride a bicycle is absolutely irrelevant - perhaps knowing a little bit about manual shifting might but it's also not crucial....I'm editing my response because I've had a chance to read other answers. I couldn't agree more with Alan and Scooterd..Self-taught/spouse taught is not a really good idea. To Gretch16, no it's not an LOL and I wish that all you testosterone-heads would stop with your stuuuupid,duh answers. This motorcycle site is for women riders also who have legitimate questions. They may not be the questions a guy would ask but then who cares. They don't call them donor-cycles for nothing - Did you know that 87% of donated organs come from male motorcycle riders between the ages of 16-35??? I guess Gretch's rise to stratosphere cc's will ensure that someone will soon get the organ they need.

Answer 3

Enroll your bride in an AMA riders course and forget the training wheels. If she TRULY wants to ride, and your not just pushing her, she will come out of the course with the knowledge and the confidence to ride. The Rebel or similar sized machine is a fine starting bike. As her skills and experience improve she will know when to move up the bike chain. Be patient with her and above all DO NOT push her to ride over her skills and confidence level. Sadly I have seen too many who at the least, lose all desire to ride again after a mishap that should not have happened except they got pushed into a ride they could not handle. Worst case, a funeral. Your wife will be a fine riding partner, mine is, but at their speed and level, not yours or mine. In fact you both should take the course. I love the look on the new riders faces when one of us "old timers" screws up and runs over a cone or drops a bike. You will learn a thing or two also. Good luck, ride safe.

Answer 4

I didn't read everyone else's response as I am in a bit of a rush. What I recommend to all beginners, and this is what I wish I did when I started, is take a training course from a community college or private company. They start you off on 250s from my knowledge and they teach very good techniques. Now this may just be the one I went to here in Charlotte, NC, but it was worth it. Even if you can't shift, as long as you understand the concept of shifting this is perfect way to learn to ride, shift, maneuver, brake, and ride as a group or solo. Training wheels I've only seen for dirt bikes. Plus they would look really goofy, hehe. Good luck!

Answer 5

The closest thing would be one of those kits that make it look like a trike. I don't think they are available for something as small as the Rebel. To build her confidence: Ride a bicycle for a bit. Find a place where it's possible to coast for a distance. Experience the feeling of motion, and just controlling the bike with no exertion. This is the major difference between riding a bicycle and a motorcycle. You just control it, as easy as driving a car. It will take practice at first, just like learning to drive a car did. When she feels good with that, then take the MSF approved course. They provide a small motorcycle for the class.

Answer 6

A Honda Rebel is really low to the ground. Why training wheels? If she truly wants to learn to ride, teach her to ride right the first time. Send her to a motorcycle safety course.

Answer 7

I taught my GF to ride on an older Honda, on a grass covered athletic field. Once she had the shifting and general balance of the bike under control we moved her onto the asphalt.
After 6 years of riding and a couple of "stepping stone" bikes ,she's on a custom Harley .
I don't think training wheels are a good idea,but if you can find a grassy field, I recommend it.

From there on to a safety coarse.

Answer 8

It sounds like your a little jealous that she wants to ride. A Honda Rebel is a great bike to learn on, its light, low to the ground and easy to handle. You should be happy she wants to learn.

Answer 9

Training wheels??? You can put sliders on the side of the bike to protect it if she falls, but training wheels would be dangerous. Remeber that you lean a bike to make it turn?
Sign her up for some classes.

Answer 10

I'm with them above. Why would you want to have your wife learn the wrong way? If she can't balance the motorcycle then maybe she isn't ready to ride on streets yet. And I agree always, that everyone should take a course.