In the Balance

[Cubtestdummy]

I set myself the challenge this year of gaining my class 2 heavy goods vehicle licence and my partner decided to learn to ride a motorcycle...

She can ride a bicycle and has done since learning as a child but motorcycling isn't coming to her.
To be able to ride on the road she needs to complete her CBT (compulsory bike training), this is basic bike control, slow speed manoeuvring plus some supervised road riding. As we all know riding a bike at speed is easier as the balance just happens but currently the balance at low speed won't come.
After a couple of lessons under professional supervision and countless sessions in an empty car park with me on the Super Cub I'm running out of ideas.
So what would you suggest, keep persevering or get a new girlfriend... erm I mean buy her a trike?

 

[dmonkey]

Do you have access to an electric bicycle with a throttle rather than just pedal assist? When Zero (electric motorcycle company) set up demos their requirement is that someone has ridden a pedal bicycle before. They then put people on an ebike with a hand throttle and send them around a small oval track, a few laps later they move them up to their FXE model motorcycle governed to very low speeds. Similar to the Super Cub and Trail the FXE does not have a hand clutch. It's a very successful transition from bicycle to motorcycle that happens in less than 30 minutes for most riders. Safe enough that they do it indoors at motorcycle shows in lawsuit happy USA. Seems like it might be worth a try to see if she can get comfortable riding an ebike without pedaling as a transition step.

 

[Cubtestdummy]

Do you have access to an electric bicycle with a throttle rather than just pedal assist? When Zero (electric motorcycle company) set up demos their requirement is that someone has ridden a pedal bicycle before. They then put people on an ebike with a hand throttle and send them around a small oval track, a few laps later they move them up to their FXE model motorcycle governed to very low speeds. Similar to the Super Cub and Trail the FXE does not have a hand clutch. It's a very successful transition from bicycle to motorcycle that happens in less than 30 minutes for most riders. Safe enough that they do it indoors at motorcycle shows in lawsuit happy USA. Seems like it might be worth a try to see if she can get comfortable riding an ebike without pedaling as a transition step.

That is an excellent idea, I'm sure I can track a twist grip ebike down from somewhere. Thank you.

 

[SneakyDingo]

That is an excellent idea, I'm sure I can track a twist grip ebike down from somewhere. Thank you.

You can probably rent one too if you live near an urban area. Renting one for a bit might end up being less costly than purchasing one.

 

[SneakyDingo]

So what would you suggest, keep persevering or get a new girlfriend... erm I mean buy her a trike?

Additional option: some people aren't meant to ride, and that's OK too. My girlfriend is superb at chess and I like things with wheels. I'm terrible at chess and she sucks at things with wheels; we could both make for passing ability in either if we dedicated a lot of time and effort to it, but it's not something that we're passionate about. However understanding what makes that task impressive/difficult/exciting etc. brought us closer together. Just a thought.

 

[Cubtestdummy]

Additional option: some people aren't meant to ride, and that's OK too. My girlfriend is superb at chess and I like things with wheels. I'm terrible at chess and she sucks at things with wheels; we could both make for passing ability in either if we dedicated a lot of time and effort to it, but it's not something that we're passionate about. However understanding what makes that task impressive/difficult/exciting etc. brought us closer together. Just a thought.

This has crossed my mind and I'm ok with that outcome if that's what it is. She is still determined to do this, I think time will tell. If the worst comes to the worst I got a spare Hunter Cub.

 

[Cpd419]

If I ever want to bump my wife off I will put her on anything with a motor and two wheels.

 

[Cubtestdummy]

Do you have access to an electric bicycle with a throttle rather than just pedal assist? When Zero (electric motorcycle company) set up demos their requirement is that someone has ridden a pedal bicycle before. They then put people on an ebike with a hand throttle and send them around a small oval track, a few laps later they move them up to their FXE model motorcycle governed to very low speeds. Similar to the Super Cub and Trail the FXE does not have a hand clutch. It's a very successful transition from bicycle to motorcycle that happens in less than 30 minutes for most riders. Safe enough that they do it indoors at motorcycle shows in lawsuit happy USA. Seems like it might be worth a try to see if she can get comfortable riding an ebike without pedaling as a transition step.

Turns out twist grip e-bikes are illegal in GB, counts as a motorcycle too so bit of a Catch-22 situation...

 

[hambone]

My wife rides pretty well for a 58 year old woman driver.