Triker Wannabe

[Juju]

On the tat issue.... I have a daughter w/ several, but haven't talked myself into one yet! LOL.

Come on, Nana! Get on the bandwagon. I have two, relics from my early 20s, though they're not for *ahem* public viewing.:no:

Apparently, getting tats is the new thing for women in their 40s--I was astonished to learn how many of my students' moms are getting them! Who knew?

 

[HeartSleeve]

I'd try it, but I'm severely allergic to PAIN!!!

 

[katfish16]

Cathy has a butterfly on her right shoulder :yes:

She got it at 52 and her mother got one on her ankle and she was 79


WOMEN

 

[John Luciano]

JUJU Rules are rules , right NANA ?:yes:

 

[Ozarkryder]

On another subject entirely, does this mean I will have to break down and finally get a tat?

I am what is known in the ink'd world as a "blank". Haven't seen anything I haven't gotten tired of after looking at it every day for 3 months. If it's going to be on forever, I want to like it.

My sister and B.I.L. have some nice art- other than the Bar & Shield (So what do you think they ride?) sister has a pretty new group of lillies starting just above her left knee and ending with the flowers on her lower back. Very well done piece, it is really striking. She had it done a few years ago, and plans on touching up the color in a few years if it fades too much. About 20 years ago she got a red rose complete with thorns and leaves on the stem on her, um, chest area. She says over the years it has become a long stemmed rose.:blush:

 

[tis]

Welcome to TrikeTalk Heartsleeve, you look like the 1200 fits you well, don't worry about a thing everything will come natural to you. Just sit-back and enjoy the ride. tis....

 

[Gorilla]

MJ has 3 tats, turtle on her shoulder, braclet art on her wrist and paw prints on her ankle. Me: I have no desire at all. Love the art work though. Ted

 

[HeartSleeve]

Don't know that I'm ready for a tat... but I went and sat on a Tri-Glide yesterday -- too big but quite the beauty!!!

 

[grey_ghost]

Gat a VW trike it has 4 foward and 1 reverse.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Or, like The Blue Trike was, an automatic - 3 go, 1 backup. I do think HeartSleeve is set on that beautiful Sportster, though.:yes:

 

[Trikerjim]

Heartsleeve, that IS one goodlooking ride that you're looking at. Just get it, ride it, and have fun. Don't worry, if you have any problems, we'll put Nana on the bus and send her over to help.

 

[HeartSleeve]

Jim
That sounds like a plan! I'm going back to see it Thurs... altho the tri-glide I saw yesterday sure did turn my head!!! A little big for my purposes, but it was a black beauty fully loaded.... only $34k BEFORE the HD "tax" - probably $38k out to the curb.

That sportster is just my size! :yes:

 

[ROAD DOG]

Heartsleeve you really out to ride both of them before you buy, the tri glide may be a lot bigger but some time there a lot easier to ride a bigger bike. Im only 5.6 i would rather ride a two wheel dresser than a sportster or dyna any day i find them much more balanced & just plain easier to ride, the tri glide has so many more xtras fairing & windshield ,tour pack, cruise control, big huge comfy seat, raked trees, reverse ????????? Take em both for a whip .:d:d

 

[John Luciano]

100% agree. Big is not always harder to ride. Especially since you don't have to pick it up. Or hold it up

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Hey Mary, If you do decide you like the TriGLide check out Rocky Mount HD in Rocky Mount, NC. They have one on the floor and I bought mine cheaper than your dealer from them. It has reverse and smart alarm. It was less out the door than your dealers before tax.

 

[Juju]

100% agree. Big is not always harder to ride. Especially since you don't have to pick it up. Or hold it up

When people say something to the Chief about how big a bike/trike I ride, he says "She doesn't CARRY it, she rides it!"

 

[John Luciano]

I see a 5' tall 110 lb woman drive a 1957 Chevy looking BOSS HOSS TRIKE with 454 Chevy V8 motor up at Americade every year. I do have a picture of it for proof.

 

[HeartSleeve]

Well, friends, I had a very inauspicious maiden voyage (if you could even call it that) today at the HD dealership.

The sales guy took me out into the pkg lot and told me what was what as far as clutch, brake, throttle and switches go. My right temple was throbbing a bit before I put the helmet on, and it proceeded to scream in my ear for the rest of this practice.

I am embarrassed to admit that were it not for the death grip I kept on the clutch, I probably would have plowed into the brick wall of the shop. Needless to say, I was paralyzed with anxiety and embarrassed at this pathetic attempt.

I still intend to take the MSF class next month, but I surely was hoping my day today would have helped my confidence rather than dash it.

Mary

 

[John Luciano]

The way I do it , and he should have too. I sit on the back and actually hold the persons hand and let them feel what the clutch and brake etc should feel like. I have had no problem. Well except JEN the first time she twisted the throttle full on the 1500 and the front wheel came up.

 

[Trikerjim]

Ok Mary, don't make me send Nana over there.... No, don't worry too much about it right now. Go ahead and take the MSF course, and that will help you a LOT! Whether you're on 2 or 3 wheels, the controls will still be the same, so that will get you used to gas-brake-clutch-shift ect.. You had a lot of info coming real fast today, and it needs to be taught in stages rather than all at once. After you take that course, you'll be a lot calmer trying those new trikes....DON'T PANIC......

 

[HeartSleeve]

Thanks, John and Jim --

I'm trying like.... well, you know.... not to let this poison my outlook, but I can tell you, this evening is pretty quiet here between my ears. I didnt expect to be a natural right out of the chute, but I didnt expect to feel so panicked when the throttle roared -- I basically froze when I felt the bike go a tad faster than I wanted, and once I panicked, I forgot everything he told me that would have halted my forward progress. He said to come on back when I'm feeling less anxious.... he's a brave soul!

Not having any muscle memory to fall back on, I'm sure I was barely breathing when I popped the clutch. Definitely did not want the bike to rear up at me, but totally forgot about the Xill/switch to get me outta trouble!!!

How disappointing....

 

[Ozarkryder]

Now that sounds familiar. The Blue Trike had an automatic transmission, a foot accelerator with the brake pedal next to it, just like on a car.As the engine on a VW trike is usually in the rear, the back end is heavy. The first time Gloria rode it she gave it too much gas, and up came the front end, dragging the engine cage on the ground. She got out of it and managed to find the brake, ending up about 2 feet from a chain link fence.

I drove it home.

Soon after we moved to the Ozarks where they just don't make straight roads, and she practiced some. She rode into work a few times, then took a trip to a rally down the Pig Trail. This is a very twisty road in a national forest. On the way down we didn't go more than 45mph, on the way back it was riding at the speed limit. Every time we rode I could see her confidence rise.

As far as your ride goes, I think most here have had a bit of an inauspicious start sometime or other. Having the sales guy point out the controls in the parking lot isn't even close to training, and you were on a type of machine that was strange and new to you. You have the "OH S--T!!!" moment behind you, now the safety course will teach you the right way and build up your confidence.

 

[HeartSleeve]

That sure is music to my ears. I hate to be a ..ssy about this, so I'm trying to hold off passing judgment on myself until the class.

Two friends showed up for moral support, and I could tell how horrible it was - in part - by watching the anxiety on my friend's face, every time I panicked.

The salesman was nice, but I like the idea of someone getting on behind me, like John suggested, to allow me to feel the movement and synchronization without fear of killing myself.... not to be overly dramatic. Licking my wounds and hoping tomorrow is a better day!!! That class can't come soon enough!!!!!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Way to go Mary ! !

You got on and gave it a try and that was the hardest step. I'm very proud of you as I know we all are. The next time you will remember some more do's and no-no's and it will be easier.

Way to go ! ! :yes:

 

[HeartSleeve]

Way to go Mary ! !

You got on and gave it a try and that was the hardest step. I'm very proud of you as I know we all are. The next time you will remember some more do's and no-no's and it will be easier.

Way to go ! ! :yes:

From your mouth to God's ear, Dave!!!! Thanks for the vote of confidence!:blush:

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Left fingers go
Right fingers stop
Left wrist hold on
Right wrist goes faster
Left elbow goes left
Right elbow goes right
Left foot goes up and down
Right foot slows ya down


Zooooooommmmmm Zooooooommmmmmm

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Yes Mary, way to go!! Actually, I really feel like the dealer should not have let you do this by yourself. When you were a teeny bopper learning to drive, did your parents take you to the car dealer and let you loose? I bet you would have taken out half the cars on the lot!!! Learning to ride a bike is just like those days all over again! Hang in there. If I can do it, you sure can!!!

 

[HeartSleeve]

To provide a little back story.... which may explain my trepidation today.....

I bought a new boat in '02, and had NEVER owned or operated a boat before. Just a tuna can, taken out once as a rental.

First time I took it out my new boat, I was so fine in open water.... geee this is easy!!! Then I tried to get it back in the slip, and suddenly, that 25 foot slip looked like it was 2 inches wide, and my 20 foot boat felt like an ocean liner.... needless to say, I banged that boat on every immovable object I came close to, a few were ear splitting smacks.... and the more feverishly I tried to correct, the more trouble I got into. Felt that same sinking miserable feeling today.

SO I took 3 onboard hands-on boat navigation classes over the course of the next summer, including a full day on my own boat alone with a USCG instructor. I learned so much that day, I was piloting that boat solo from there on it. But the first year I had it, I was a nervous wreck.

That memory (or nightmare, as the case may be) came flashing before my eyes today, when the throttle roared and the bike started to get away from me.... I was paralyzed because I had no clue what I had done wrong, and no clue how to correct it. I can do this if I can get over the paralyzing anxiety the first time something goes wrong... and the second time.... and the third time I'll know what to do!!!



Gotta be better days ahead!!!

 

[Nana]

Mary! Thank you soooo much for trusting your new friends with this tough day! You have so much courage!!!! Wow! To go buy a 20' boat on your own, to try out a trike all by yourself (salesman should have handled it very differently knowing you were a bike/trike newbie).... WOW, again!

Don't worry, gutsy lady. The motorcycle safety course was the best thing I ever did years ago when I started riding. It gave me all the basics I needed and all the confidence I needed to get out and get started riding.

But even then, I practiced repeatedly around my neighborhood, even going into an empty shopping center lot after hours to get comfortable with turns, stopping, starting, weaving, etc. Just take your time and progress at your own pace. It will become second nature and be such a pleasure and a joy for you! (in a few months I'll say I told you so ).

 

[HeartSleeve]

Thanks, Nana, for the wonderful salve to my very bruised psyche. I am loathe to commit such a rash impulsive mistake again, like I did with the boat. It was an education in getting ahead of myself and spending alot of money before I really knew whether it was something I had the sustained interest and ability to master. As much as I love the idea of me mastering this trike, I am not gonna buy the machine until I am much more comfortable in the saddle than I was today. (And as far as finding a parking lot to practice on, there's one right across the street from my house - ironically, a FUNERAL parlor!!!) How's that for gallows humor!!!

In fact, it dawned on me after I wrote that little history lesson above, perhaps one of the MSF instructors, who I learned today owns and rides a trike, will allow me to hire his services for a full day, or however long it takes until I "get it" or we both throw our hands up in frustration!!!

It worked for the boat -- I gotta believe it would work for the bike/trike.
This would be AFTER the MSF class, of course.