Got rear-ended sitting at a stop light a few years ago with the wife on the back. She bent backward over the passenger backrest and messed up her back, but not seriously. In the exact same situation myself, so this is one that I can say that I know exactly how you feel. Was one of the things we both enjoyed together.

 

+1, totally agree






+1 here too, very much agree. Just don't try to be too pushy about her taking a class. Women tend to dig their heels in even harder when they feel like they are being prodded too much about something.

After having my bike license for 13 years now I will admit that I'm a terrible passenger. I'd much rather be in control of my own bike.

I also wonder if there is any outside influence causing her fear, such as a relative, friend or coworker who is anti-motorcycle telling her horror stories about how bikes kill. I get that sometimes, "aren't you afraid you'll be killed" well not anymore afraid than me dieing by slipping in falling in the shower. (Slip and falls account for over 20,000 fatalities per year in North America. It is the second leading cause of accidental death and disability after automobile accidents.)

 

Here's another thought; you sir are an idiot. Which part of my post where I said "I totally support my wife" didn't you understand? The " not too serious" statement was a reference to not sustaining extreme injuries; obviously this was traumatic to my wife and myself, but we were relatively lucky.

Belittling? Where did you get that from? I never have and never would do this to my wife, and never wrote or implied this happened. I suggest you get a better grip on the english language, choose your words much more carefully and stop fabricating **** to make your opinion seem relavent.

I'm a very easy going guy, but when you start making crap up on how I treat my wife you've crossed the line and have pissed me off.

For the rest of the armchair "Dr. Phil's" out there who question my riding experience and bring up "lack of trust issues", I've been riding for over over 25 years, taken the MSF course, ridden tens of thousands of miles and have never wrecked till this one. If she didn't trust me she never would have gotten back on the bike for these last few post-accident rides. That is a fact. I know my wife. If she didn't trust me, she'd just flat out say so.

Thanks to all the other posters who expressed intelligent opinions, and best of luck to those in a similar position.

 

I'm in the same boat; I bought my Electraglide for me and my wife. If she decides not to ride for any reason (including she's just not having fun) then the bike goes and we'll find something else to do together.

I've been riding for almost 40 years and I'll always have some sort of bike but a full blown touring bike wouldn't be in the cards if my wife didn't want to join me; probably just ride my dual sport or buy something more suitable for the around town stuff that I'd likely do myself.

To the OP, my advice would be not to push or even ask; she'll let you now when (or if) she's ready to ride again.

Dave

 

My feeling has always been since I truely love to ride I'm willing to take the risk that goes along with it. My wife on the other hand tried riding and decided she didn't like the wind, sun and traffic next to the bike. I decided not to try and get her to ride anymore because I would feel terible if something happened and she got hurt doing something she really didn't want to do. Sometimes it just works out that couples don't share the same passion for riding. It's to bad when that's the case but it shouldn't be the end for the person that has the passion.It's kind of funny I have four buddies I take yearly road trips with and none of their wives like to ride.