For those of you who are a little nervous about getting started riding on a larger bike than the ones they let you use during the safety course, or if you have someone in your life who is, especially, maybe, some new lady riders, I have a suggestion for a great video. When I took the training and safety course, they didn't really teach some things that I think are important. The scariest things for me were keeping my balance and low rates of speed, and turning from a stopped position. On the smaller bikes it was cake, but the larger bikes were a little more scary. After I first started riding, my biggest fear was giving too much gas on a turn, and so I had a tendency to give too little. The end result was I laid my boyfriends big V-Star down twice while trying to make turns; albeit in really sloooooow motion. For my birthday, he bought me a video - it's called How to Ride Like a Pro (for the ladies) - and it is specifically for women riders who are trying to overcome those types of fears. It touched on all the areas that women (typically not men) tend to have more difficulty with on the larger bikes. The first thing it taught you is how to stand the bike up by yourself if you let it go down. Then it worked on turning and riding at very slow speeds, while keeping a steady balance. It gave exercises to practice that really improved my riding confidence. I think it was an excellent gift, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has a timid lady rider friend, wife, or significant other. Even my boyfriend learned a little from the video. Here is a net link for more information. http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_ID=0&Category_ID=22&manufacturer_ID=231&product_ID=10784

I hope this is something I can share on this site. :o If I shouldn't have done this, I truly apologize, but I got a lot from this video, and I wanted to share.

this would be great for my wife!!! Trying to get on the scoot so I buy another Sporty 2 is always better than 1

Thanks Bonnie, It's gratifying to see people like yourself concerned with safety and riding technique. Few realize that the mark of a skillful rider is usually in their low speed technique. Without it, we're lost at higher speed panic situations.

I wish my wife would ride. I wouldnt mind 2 bikes in the garage =) But that is ok, she does her thing. I do mine. I bet despite the title lots of new riders would learn a few things from the video.

I bet despite the title lots of new riders would learn a few things from the video.

Like I said, my boyfriend even got some learning from the video. The best part is it stresses low speed maneuvers and control, and once I realized I could do all that without worry, the rest was gravy. As we all know, it's easier to ride fast than slow. I hate to admit it, but I was very nervous; especially after laying the bike down twice, and ending up in the neighborhood cop's flowerbed once simply because I was too afraid to turn sharply for fear of laying down again. :wonderlan The video dispelled my nervousness and gave me the confidence to ride. I've watched it again since becoming a better rider, and I am still picking up tips. :smoke

I watched the original "Ride Like a Pro" by the same guy and picked up MANY pointers that still serve me well!!!

I dilike being redundant BUT what we don't know about riding fills many books, vdeos and MSF courses.

I've helped enough people learn to ride in the past, I wish I had something like that to help at the time.

I have a DVD from the same person "Ride Like A Pro 3". It's great. My son has borrowed it twice.