Triker Wannabe UPDATE

[John Luciano]

Listen to what they say. If you don't follow their ruls they will get mad and may not pass you. Don't look down , look at them always. And use that clutch.

[HeartSleeve]

Thanks, Friends...

Tomorrow night is the classroom part, then Sat/Sun are on the pavement -- hopefully not literally! :banghead:

I'm going over the manual I downloaded this afternoon. Just praying I remember to relax -- my biggest fear is fear itself! I know I can learn what to do, I just have to relax and do what they say.

But you can't know how much I appreciate the show of concern and advice I've gotten here... I've told all my friends about this wonderful community and what a shot in the arm you have all been. Thanks soooo much. :yourock:

I'll check back in after class tomorrow night with any impressions I have as to the group etc.

Thanks again.

[Ironhorsepilot]

You'll do fine in the classroom. I found that to be real easy. You will also do fine on the bike. Have fun!!!!

[Gorilla]

Good Luck but remember to have fun.

[John Luciano]

Wellllll what's the word How did u do?

[HeartSleeve]

I am sorry to say I took myself out of the class after about 3 hrs.

I was the only newbie - 9 guys, 3 women, all but one younger than me.

And I did manage to stay on this little 2-wheeler without mishap and ride it around the track for for the first 3 exercises. But the class was moving faster from lesson to lesson, before I had a comfort/safety level with what I was doing. By the 5th lesson, I could barely keep the last two in my head, and I could feel my stress and BP rising... :eek: and rather than hold everyone back, I went to the next starting gate and excused myself. The very good instructor, a man my age I would guess, said I was probably making the right decision.

The other instructor, a younger guy, had ridden me all morning about not giving it enough consistent throttle, and while he was right, I could feel myself getting overwhelmed. So I dropped out. This instructor also told me to come back and take it again, but what's true for me is, I could have spent 4 hours getting the first 2-3 parts down, and we had about 30 mins... I felt like I was "over-riding" my abilities and comfort level, and the faster we got into each new lesson, the more I could feel myself shake. He also told me to look into the Honda Silverwing, which he said has an automatic trannie, but at this point, I'm just happy to have tried it and been able to ride around the DMV parking lot several times without falling or looking too stupid.

How did your Lowes interview go, John? I hope you had better success than I did?

[spiritdream]

Heartsleeve, you didn't fail - you simply found out that you need to take it slow. I know there's an MSF school here in MA that has private lessons available - maybe that one does too? Although I think I'd specify that you DON'T want that instructor! You could also look into finding a mentor to help you - ask the dealership if they know of any other riders who might be willing to help you. Another thought is to contact your local GWRA - they might be able to put you in touch with other riders who can help.

Believe me, there were times on that range that I thought they went to quickly too, and while I did manage to complete & pass, I knew I was in no way ready to hit the road!!! And 2 seasons later, I am a bit ashamed to admit but I still have "issues" with shifting, but I'm riding (fortunately on a trike or I'd have been road kill LONG ago!! :yes!!

The SilverWing is a nice looking scooter - my friend's husband rode one for about 2 seasons before switching to his Yamaha, and he loved it!! And I believe they can be triked (someone correct me if I'm wrong please). Ridley (automatic motorcycles) also makes a trike now, although they're a bit pricey (but then again, it's around the price of the HD TriGlide, so that may not be an issue for you).

The point I'm trying to make is that there are options available if you really want to ride. If that's your dream, don't give up - you just might need to find a way to "modify" it, temporarily at least. Speaking for myself, I'm here to give you all the support I can, and I'm sure everyone else is too.

[HeartSleeve]

Hi Cheri

Thanks. He mentioned the Ridley as well. I looked it up online when I got back from the class yesterday.

Unfortunately, my bike riding friends here in DE seem to be very much relieved that I've "come to Jesus" after yesterday, so there isn't exactly the level of support here I was anticipating, or what got me thinking along these lines in the first place. They got me clued into the HD Sportster trike in the first place, but once they saw how skittish I was the first time out, they sorta washed their hands of it all and pulled way back on the enthusiasm level. That I have to admit made me doubt what I was beating my head against a wall for, since they are the primary reason I wanted to learn to do this.

I know they dont want me to hurt myself, nor do I ! But I got more support from this group here than I did from my friends here who ride. That was disappointing. And since I have no one to ride with here other than these folks, and they are very luke warm about adding a newbie to their group (which I guess I can't blame them for), I'm kinda wondering if maybe I went into this for the wrong reasons.

At this point, admitting I'm conflicted is an understatement.

[spiritdream]

You aren't alone, trust me! Yes, you definitely do need to figure out if you want to continue. Consider this - did you enjoy being on the bike in general? Was it the whole riding concept that freaked you, or just the shifting control? Now that you've had a sample, do you think you could completely give up the idea of riding with no regrets? Do you find yourself looking at bikes/trikes with longing, or just a passing "Wish I could-oh well" attitude? As for your friends lack of support, sounds like it's their problem, not yours - if you do want to do this for yourself, then by all means find a way and they'll come around. If not, you'll find new friends to share this particular hobby with!

I don't know what you're like, but for myself - I'm used to being alone. My husband is a truck driver, over the road usually, and my kids are.....well, kids, plus they're grown now. I'm also a bit on the shy side (believe it or not ), so I don't have a lot of friends. I learned a long time ago to pursue my own interests, and to do things or go places alone, or I'd be housebound and lonely forever. My best friend is an instructor and was thrilled that I wanted to learn to ride, but has been a bit "under"supportive since I got the trike. So for the most part, I ride alone now. I'm discovering though, that 1) Alone isn't always bad and, 2) I'm "meeting" more people and starting to find riding partners. I just make sure to let them know my limits and confidence level before hand.

[HeartSleeve]

Well, I'm def used to being alone, because I live alone with two corgis. Have most of my life and I just turned 59. I have many hobbies that I pursue solo and some in small groups -- golf and photography being two of them, wine-tasting and getting together with friends over good food and wine another. So I know how to entertain myself and I enjoy my space. But I got into boating in 2002 thinking it would be a fun hobby to share with friends, and that proved not to be true. I had never boated nor did I know how when I bought my first boat. It took me about 2 years to learn and get comfortable on it, but realized it just wasn't the type of hobby I enjoyed solo.

The bike would be a similar hobby. A big investment up front and a steep learning curve. I can learn it at my own pace, but as far as getting behind the wheel and feeling the wind in my hair on a nice curvy country road, I have a Honda convertible I can do that in. I was really thinking of the bike as a hobby I could do with local friends who have bikes. We do many other things together that we all enjoy -- I was hoping I could add this to the mix.

I tried to enlist the help of one of the MSF class instructors who is a trike rider, but he never called back - and I was told unless I had a bike or trike I could use for the instruction, no one is going to let a newbie learn on their machine. Can't blame 'em. But nothing about this adventure seems to be coming easy -- and on a spiritual level, I'm wondering if that isn't a sign this isn't for me???

To answer another question some have posed: if I had access to a little 250cc that was already a little bit beat up, that I could take across the street to the big empty church pkg lot on a nice day and putz with at my own pace, I'd give this a run. But do I want to put out $1000 to do it? Probably not.

And yes, when I finally lifted my feet off the ground and stayed on the pegs going around the track, that was tons of fun. But the relief I felt when I got off was almost as great. So I guess I need to give this some serious thought, or some really good luck or local help has to come my way at this point, before I could say I'd be back in the ring any time soon.

But I very much appreciate your advice, Cher. And everyone here has been super supportive. I'll always be grateful for that. I just don't want to make another $15-25k mistake.

[John Luciano]

Well In Conn. U can't ride a trike until you pass the TEST on a std shift motorcycle . If you do it on a scooter they will stamp it for use on a scooter only. So I tried to get a Bill passed for people such as yourself that could ride a trike but not a 2 wheeler. The bill is stuck right now with no vote for or against. So unless the state you live in lets you test on a trike I guess you are correct this is not your cup of tea. My best friend died 1 1/2 years ago and left his widow a $23,000 trike . She experienced the same as you got too nervous. All tho she drives the trike fine, she may never get to ride it. BTW my interview went fine I have my 3rd interview on Fir. This may be good . I have my fingers Xed

[HeartSleeve]

John -- CONGRATS on the interview. I'll be pulling for you on #3. I didn't realize a job at Lowes would require 3 interviews but I guess it's a sign of the economy. Good luck!

In Delaware, they treat a trike like an ATV, so I dont need a special license. However, I do need to insure it, and passing the MSF safety cert does reduce the insurance I'd pay considerably... but the class only teaches on a 2-wheeler.... so I'm kinda stuck. No way I can see to learn on a trike - and no trike rentals anywhere close. See what I mean by nothing about this falling into place? AT this point, I don't know if my expectations are just really unrealistic or not. If I lived in a metro area, I'd probably have more options, but here in East Podunk, I'm limited in what's available as far as classes and bikes/trikes to learn on that don't go at warp speed.

Pity it's not the type of object you can pick up at a yard sale!!!!

[Ironhorsepilot]

HeartSleeve, Cheri is right. You did not Fail!!! Do you know how many people don't finish the course? Lots and Lots and it is nothing to be ashamed of. IF and only if, you are still wanting to try a Trike, check with the MSF about Trike/side car courses. You can use their trikes. We have 2 a year here in my area at the local college. Trikes are becoming very popular and courses are starting to crop up everywhere. I would think it would be much more laid back then the two wheel course, plus not as many participants which could get you more individualized attention. Just a thought.

By the way....I have a corgi, too!!

[Juju]

Heartsleeve, I just want to echo most of what the others have said--you've had the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson about yourself, and it sounds like you are honest enough with yourself to really learn from it.

I also thought the class moved along a little more quickly than I would have liked, BUT the instructors kept telling us that if we felt we needed more time, we should say so and they would work with us until we were comfortable. I guess I could've taken advantage of that, but I know myself, and I knew that all I needed was time on my own to work on the concepts I'd learned until they sunk in. Like you, I just needed some me-time in an empty parking lot with a little bike.

I guess the difference is that I was able to stay in the class and it was pretty clear to me that I enjoyed the riding--even if the lessons were sometimes nerve-wracking--so I knew I wanted to ride. As Cheri said, that's the question you need to answer for yourself. But you should also consider that it's hard to know whether you WILL like riding until you feel more comfortable on a bike. And even when you DO finish the class, an honest instructor will tell you that now you are qualified only to ride around a parking lot, and only a lot more practice and time in the saddle will make you a rider. Just some things to think about--as if you didn't have enough already!

Other than that, I have no words of wisdom--just want to suggest that you shouldn't give it up yet. I wish you lived nearby--I'd let you take a spin on Goldie, and I just KNOW you'd love it. A sweet and generous person (whose name I won't mention but whose initials are Nana ) did as much for me before I had my own trike.

Hoping you can find a way, if it's what you really want.

[HeartSleeve]

Thanks, JuJu

I wish that had been the situation in my class, but both instructors made it clear, as did others who have taken this class before me, that "keeping up" is part of the test. There was NO option to "take it at my pace" or to get special instruction -- there were only 2 instructors and 12 riders (broken into 2 groups of 6). No time to baby a slow learner. And he DID make it clear that even when we pass the course, the parking lot is the only real place we are qualified to operate in.

I havent given up entirely. I'm trying to see if the T R I group - who I believe sponsor MSF-trike instruction classes around the country (and at Americade) have anything scheduled for any where in a 75 mile radius of my location.

But I also don't want this to become a major stresser - I dont learn ANYTHING when I feel like there's a clock ticking or a gun to my head. I CAN learn if I apply myself and I'm given time to absorb and get comfy with everything step by step, but I just felt horribly overwhelmed yesterday by mid-morning. I could feel my my arms and hands just turning to jelly, which was pretty much my state of mind by then. But cruising around in a circle was great fun. Even if I never got outta 2nd gear!!!

And the fact that I know of NO trike owners here abouts only complicates or thwarts my attempts at a work-around. A lot to ponder. And I dont want this to become a chore - that defeats the whole purpose. Right now, it's hard not to feel like a round peg in a square hole.

[Juju]

I havent given up entirely. I'm trying to see if the T R I group - who I believe sponsor MSF-trike instruction classes around the country (and at Americade) have anything scheduled for any where in a 75 mile radius of my location.

But I also don't want this to become a major stresser - I dont learn ANYTHING when I feel like there's a clock ticking or a gun to my head. I CAN learn if I apply myself and I'm given time to absorb and get comfy with everything step by step, but I just felt horribly overwhelmed yesterday by mid-morning. I could feel my my arms and hands just turning to jelly, which was pretty much my state of mind by then. But cruising around in a circle was great fun. Even if I never got outta 2nd gear!!!

Right now, it's hard not to feel like a round peg in a square hole.

Oh sister, I can relate! For me too, the stress just turns on the sweat pumps and turns off most of my learning ability. :eek: It sounds like you did the right thing for yourself, until you can gain some perspective and consider alternatives. Maybe with some time and space, that square-peg-round-hole thing will diminish too. I've got my fingers crossed for you.

There was a woman in my MSF class who couldn't seem to get out of 2nd gear on Saturday morning either. She left the class after the morning session, but I've heard that she has since gone back and ... passed! Proof positive that there is hope yet!

I hope the TRI classes will work out for you, or some viable alternative. You might also look up S/TEP, which I think stands for Sidecar/Trike Education Program (or words to that effect). Just a thought.

Keep us updated!

[Nana]

Heartsleeve.... I agree with Juju, Ironhorsepilot, and Spiritdream on this. No way a failure! And as with many things in life, even if you decide to never ride, it is never a failure--just a redirection. As long as you continue to feel a true interest, take the time to find the way, as it is there. If you don't feel a true interest, let it go and find the right option for yourself . Just don't run away from all of us! We like you around here .

PS. Juju, your trike's "sash" cracks me up!

[spiritdream]

HeartSleeve, just a thought here.....do you have a Harley dealership nearby? If so, talk to them abut their Riders Edge course. They cost a bit more than the MSF courses, bu from what I understand they generally give more individualized attention. You may also have more luck with them finding a one-on-one instructor opportunity.

If you DO decide to go back to the MSF course, I would definitely ask for different instructors!!! No way should they have made you feel like you had to "keep up" in order to pass!!!! (Don't mean to beat a dead horse - that just burns me that they'd even insinuate that!! :machinegun I remember in my course, more than one time the instructors pulled a person aside here and there to help with a problem....granted they can only do that for so long because there are other students that need to move on, but still!! That particular class you were in (hopefully it wasn't the school itself! :eek sounds more like a "license mill" - weed 'em out, pass 'em, and get home. I'd ask if you spoke to the school itself, but I know how they work - all the instructors need to do is say the word "unsafe" and the school will back them 100%.

As someone else said, do what's right for you, just don't run away!! We enjoy your company too much!! :yes:

[HeartSleeve]

Thanks, Ladies...

I have two "local" HD dealers within about 30-45 mins of me, but neither of them offer the Riders Edge class... I checked that first thing, because I had read they were more comprehensive courses, which sounded GOOD to me! The closest RE course/dealership is about 2 hrs from me, and with that kind of a drive, I'd probably have to get a motel room for the 3-4-5 days they run the class.

I can tell you tho, that the DE state MSF class I took, at least at the location I took it, they made it very clear up front that there was NO individual instruction or time for stragglers/slow learners. In fact, they said slow learners have taken the class 5-6 times before they had passed it, and I was invited to "try again" as many times as I needed.

But at 50 bucks a pop, and a 2-3 week lag time between classes, if they are gonna bounce me every time I feel I'm in over my head (as opposed to just letting me slip off to the side and practice what they already taught me) I'd have to take it several more times before I got it all where I felt comfortable. That's not realistic from either a financial or a time standpoint. Especially since I don't have one at home I can practice on between classes...

So it's a lot to think about: to bike or not to bike; try to find a trike to practice on; consider going to an automatic transmission trike; find someone who can offer personal instruction; the possibilities seem almost endless.

I promise I won't disappear. But I think I've looked at all the various permutations and short of a miracle or something coming out of left field to save the day, I'm kind of at a dead end here. I'm going to let it marinate and see if my interest bubbles up enough to want to retake that MSF class... or see if something else wonderful falls into place.

Thanks for the votes of confidence... makes me grin from ear to ear! :yes:

[John Luciano]

Heart sleeve I am trying to contact a Triker in your area. I will let you know if I get any bites on it.