Some people really shouldn't ride..

[MsBehave]

At least that's my opinion.

Andrew and I have a friend that insists on tying to do EVERYTHING I do, just bigger, better, faster, etc. :badday: Now she insists on buying a motorcycle. No problem, except she has never ridden before and doesn't know when to say when....she drinks heavily everyday. :cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

At first she wanted "that bike Lara Craft rode"...yeah, good luck with that. Yamaha TRX850's are quite rare. When she realized just how hard it was to find that bike, she moved on to a tricked-out $8,000 Honda Magna. This woman hasn't even taken her MSF and she's about to buy a muscle cruiser!!:omg:

Andrew called her and, for now, has talked her out of it. After a few days/drinks and/or the next time she sees me on my bike she'll be more determined than ever.

She's been warned & counseled repeatedly by friends, siblings and her husband. She is a grown-ass woman and should be able to care of herself. I don't know what else I can do to dissuade her. I am to the point now that I wish she'd get the bike, have a nice, scary (but not life ending) crash & get over it... :hiding:

Any suggestions?

[motochica]

some people just need to learn the hard way :shrug:

[Lady of the NightHawk]

(some people just need to learn the hard way)

:iagree:

[ImaSoftT]

Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. Remember you don't automatically get smart on your 21st birthday. So in essence you very well may be dealing with a child here. Continue to try and guide her in the right direction, and like a child, she might actually hear you after you have told her about 100 times. Good luck to you and your friend.

[tarzan77]

Uggh...those situations are no fun at all, I'm not sure what I'd do but like everyone has agreed - some people learn the hard way. I also hate the situations where boyfriends/husbands insist that their girlfriend/wife who has never ridden should be on a bigger bike because a smaller one won't be able to keep up. I have a girl I work with who is all of 5'0" and her husband is insisting that a Ninja 250 or something similar is too small to keep up with him and that she needs a 600cc sportbike...she's never ridden for crying out loud!! I hope everything turns out ok for your friend.

[ridingAK]

Do you think your friend would listen any better to msf instructors? Sometimes friends and family are too close and it is easy to disregard what they say, but when you hear it from someone who has no relationship with you it makes you think. I guess the scariest part for me would be the idea that she wants to ride, but drinks a lot. I have nothing against drinking. I like my wine too, but not when I'm going to be on the bike, and I certainly don't want to come across a newbie with a hangover who is riding a big bike! :eek:

[Astir]

I am in a grouchy mood so here is my grouchy mood answer...

Suggest to her husband make sure the insurance is paid, and do not under any circumstances allow her to ride with you. (until she has taken the MSF and survives the first year.)

People like that are exceptionally frustrating... I sincerely hope she doesn't become a statistic.

[Unforgiven]

I agree with Astir and I'm not grouchy. Sometimes you have to be brutally honest with people. I would let her know upfront that you appreciate she wants to ride but unless she takes it serious, realizes that riding is not a pissing contest and goes about it the right way, she won't be riding with you. It's one thing to risk her own life but any rider you ride with puts you at risk also. Just ask my wife how many people we ride with on the street. Right now zero. We do have a couple of friends that are learning and have listened to us and take our advice so we will probably ride with them when they get a bit more experience.

[Follow]

Well if she has been able to do everything you have perhaps she will be able to ride, life is living try everything once....sorry had to look from the other side of the window. Looks like she wants to be you, she wants the same adventure and fun as you.:confused2::confused2: sorry just saying. BTW you dont have to ride with her and if she does this, how long do you honestly think it will last. she may end up with cold feet.:brr: Besides the truth may wake her, just tell her drinking and riding is what you do not do and that is something that she will have to realize they don't go hand in hand, with that said where is it you live so I can avoid it for a while.:D:

[Luna Tique]

I may be over thinking this but here is my http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/smilies/2cents/467530989_ecVAj-O.gif (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/smilies/6394670_NAmsS#467530989_ecVAj) riding may be the answer for her.
It may be the spark that sets her life back on track and gets her out of the bars.
Replacing one drug with another but hey riding is my drug of choice.:thumbup:

In our marriage a purchase of usually anything over $500 is something we talk about so if her husband is the "reasonable one" in the relationship he might be the one to guide when they start seriously looking into a riding course and bike for her.

[kari-star]

I agree with LT - maybe this will be a positive influence in her life. I have had new riders in my life, and I've taken it really slow with them, and hammered at each point as I go along.

First I start with the MSF, and every time motorcycling comes up I talk about how easy the course is and how you don't pick up any bad habits and how it's just the easiest way to get your license, hands down. I emphasize that they shouldn't worry about getting a motorcycle until they at least experience riding a learning bike to compare to. Then when they're hooked I move to gear, and I talk about how comfortable my textile armored gear is in the sun, and how it keeps my skin from dehydrating when it's a zillion degrees out there, and how if I could be confident that EVERYONE was as good a driver and rider as "you and I" ;): then it would be easy to leave off the extra impact protection but because I can't control Bob SUV and his habit of texting while driving, well, it's full gear for me. and there is always a quiet rejection of drinking and riding, because I am super uncomfortable with that.

but through the whole thing I keep it helpful and kind of boringly reiterative. hopefully MereBear didn't think I was a huge PITA when she and my brother started riding! But they are both on smartly sized bikes and wear good gear while riding, so I'm ok with the possibility that they might have secretly rolled their eyes at me.

And you know, there ARE people who shouldn't ride. mostly those people haven't had the course and thoughtful instructors. But some people are too distracted on the road and can't focus while riding, and are a danger to themselves. I guess I'm just hopeful that your friend will surprise and impress you!

[MsBehave]

Thanks to all - very thoughtful answers:thankyou:

She is easily distracted & with any kind of luck, she will move onto the next obsession.

Alas, having her husband say it's a bad idea, just seems to motivate her more...plus, theirs is a rather unstable union - his opinion doesn't mean much to her most days.

I'm not a fan of riding with anyone, so no chance she'll be riding with me. I enjoy the open road & going where ever I please. The best rides of my life have been solo.

If she does get a bike, I'll keep you posted.

[demenshea]

I enjoy the open road & going where ever I please. The best rides of my life have been solo.


Uh...ya, nothin' wrong with that!!! hahahaha.

What they said. I believe you can't dissuade someone from a bad decision. It has to be their choice. Free will and all that. I'd steer clear, myself. You have said what you can. Now you can only stand back and watch the other shoe drop. :hug2: