Teaching newbies to ride.

[the chi]

Ya know, while I recommend the MSF to everyone, I dont understand this automatic response everyone has to the dreaded teaching a loved one the basics.

Im the kinda person who appreciates knowing how the damn thing works before Im expected to just do it so I cheated and learned ahead of time on my own, but I have taught a couple boyfriends and my current hubby how to ride, the basics if you will and never had a single issue with it as well as giving some newbie friends some pointers before MSF. Never once have I had the poor reactions "everyone" talks about. Granted im not the woman being taught, but if you are level headed, patient and manage to hammer the important bits in her head before letting her take over I dont see why you'd have an issue.

Teaching my hubby was as easy as taking him to a parking lot, telling him what everything did (tho he already knew), explaining how much of him would be smeared if he decided to get froggy and not gently cltuch, brake and move and letting him practice a few lil things like finding the friction spot, slowly moving forward, braking, moving forward, harder braking, and mostly alot of the stuff the MSF teaches. After he was good in a straight line and slaloming slowly I explained the "you go where you look" process and let him loose riding huge circles in the parking lot. He did great and immediately went to the MSF the happier for having at least some basic usable knowledge.

Granted, the females I've helped out tend to be slower on the uptake usually but I've done the same with a few friends and they did fine. Obviously they arent ready for street riding or getting out in a group, but ya gotta start somewhere.

If she refuses to take the MSF and wants to street ride, get her out in some VERY quiet neighborhoods and let her lead you around at her own pace till her skills improve and she's ready for a more fast pace.