Hello Everyone,
My husband and I are new owners of a 2002 Fat boy. It was delivered to us yesterday. The bike for now is my husband; I own it as well but do not plan on riding with him until spring next year. My husband rode bikes he was in his 20’s, and didn’t ride for years. We are both now 37 years of age. My husband took the Riders Edge safety course that is 5 days of classroom and hands on riding, he passed the class and the test with DMV, he now has his license. For years I said NO WAY to a bike, I was always so scared. You hear about accidents all the time and bad ones. My husbands name is Mike so I will stay his name going forward. Mike will NOT ride at night, he will not drink alcohol while riding, he will not ride in the rain and will not ride on the highway and he will follow all safety and wear his gear. So, I said yes and I believe he will follow this. We have no kids, just two kittens so I said finally, lets do it. Well, I am nervous, I am nervous as all hell! I have a few friends that ride and even family members. But still, it’s my husband we are talking about. So, I fear death, what’s sad is I feared death even before the bike. I am thinking maybe getting into some counseling but first wanted to try a forum. I thought chatting with experienced riders would be better for me; I have some friends that think we are insane and some that think its great. We plan on being the weekend warriors and hitting the country roads next spring. We want to do some charity runs and things like that, we have been going to fun bike things all summer and both are familiar with the scene. Now we just have a bike to ride. Mike has been riding it to work starting this morning, I was a wreck, he called me when he go to work which is about 2 miles from our house. Last night I followed him in my car around the block a few times, he wanted me too, we are going to do the same for the rest of the week, for about an hour a night. He won’t ride alone for a long time unless it’s to work and back. I know I might seem a bit much but its just the start of this, as time goes on I am sure I will be better, Mike wanted this so bad and I wasn’t going to keep his dream from him forever. That’s not a good wife. So what do you think? What kind of support can you offer me?

 

It will get better.Welcome to the forum.

 

You ride by faith... I've been riding Harleys for 42 years and have never laid one down... I could wreck today ... but so far I've ridden many thousands of miles and in all types of traffic and never dropped my bike.

I rode all over southern California in the 70s and recently rode 34,000 miles on my newest bike in the last 20 months.

My wife rides with me some... and we just trust that God will watch out for us.

 

so is this common for a wife to be so worried at first???

 

howdy from Arkansas and welcome to the forum..

JoJo,
understandable to be concerned about riding a bike, especially if he or you have never been involved in that before. I was without a motorcycle for 29 years and before that my wife and i rode all the time with our 2 year old setting on the gas tank..after i bought my first harley about 3 months ago, she said she wanted her own which is ok with me (trike) but i finally got her on back with me a few weeks ago... The more he rides the better he'll become...experience is the best teacher.......enjoy being together and enjoy life...

 

Thanks everyone, Guess with more practice and time on the bike I will worry a little less. Its funny because the people that KNOW nothing about bikes are the ones that are negative but the ones that have bikes and ride are so positive. Even though I have fears for him, I still want to take the Riders Edge class next spring and get my own bike, maybe a used Sportster to start or something like that. Right now I need to concentrate on getting him practice and comfortable before I even get on the back, which I am thinking next spring I can get on the back. With winter coming the bike will be put away so come spring he will have to practice all over again but maybe it will be easier too.
I just worry about those other cars. They don’t see riders it seems. Let me ask this, the more safe you ride, the safer it is and you can see the idiot drivers?

 

Welcome to the forums from Eastern Kentucky.

 

Jojo, riding a motorcycle is as safe as you the rider make it. Defensive driving vs. offensive stupidity. There are many motorcycle safety courses out there which provide you with tons of great info and will open your eyes.

Enjoy what the bike will bring you, scenery, smells, sound... You can even stick your tongue out if you choose.

 

Welcome Jojo! When it's your time it's your time so enjoy the open road with your husband. You can make wonderful memories togetherenjoying the good ol USA!

 

thanks everyone again, I am excited - believe me. I am happy his dream came true and that we TOGETHER can enjoy this journey. I just think of the WHAT IFS right now and I think because its all NEW to me. And him too, he is a new rider ya know.