Not happy with GF's new purchase

[MacR]

Really quick background on my girlfriend (mentally  ). She loves speed; not the drug. And I mean, this girl gets turned on by triple digits. I let her drive one of my cars on the track once and I think I screwed up there. She went shopping for a safe car and came home with a Porsche. She also has a thing for one-upping me. 

Recently she's gotten into bikes. She know's I've always wanted an old beater Ninja, so she looks at them and likes. Then she looks at new ones. She wants a light bike, so I say "Awesome, I think you'd love a Ninja 250r." You know, small but zippy. She checks them out, "But a little more $ gets me a lot more engine." She talks me into the 500r. Whatever, I don't want her to have a bike anyways. I'd love to have another riding buddy, but knowing her recent obsession with speed, I don't like the idea.

ANYWAYS.... She just informed me she bought a pink Hayabusa.

I have no problems with girls riding bikes, or her for that matter, but I need her off this bike.

She's pretty decisive when she wants and I seriously don't think I can talk her out of it. She claims "You just don't want me to have a faster bike." That's not the thing..... oh wait yes it is, just not in the way she's viewing it.

Sincerely,
A little confused.

Discuss.

[BryanS]

Does she have any riding experience?  Has she taken the MSF course?  Does she own/use gear?

I've never been impressed by the busa, just as far as looks I don't care for them.  I believe them to be fairly heavy for a "sport" bike.  It's certainly not a beginner bike, regardless of whether I care for them or not.

I started off riding a '76 Honda 550.  That thing wouldn't do over about 50 without scaring me.  I had a '82 Honda Nighthawk 750 fall into my lap and traded up to that.  I dropped that a few times and it was a decent bike to learn on.  It was cheap to insure and I didn't care if I scratched it up a bit.  I moved up to a Monster 620 and eventually a Monster 1000, which is my current bike.  Along the way I took the MSF course and it was really helpful.  I'm glad to had those earlier bikes to learn on and I'm glad I took the MSF.  I think it's something everyone that wants to ride should do.

Gear is a must.  Enough said.

[snivek996]

Ditto to what Bryan just said. I have been riding since I was 10 - started off on a dirt bike (still ride one today) and then moved to the street on a 1976 Honda CB 360. Traded up to a 1978 Hawk 400 (rode it everywhere), then to a 1984 750 Shadow, then a Ninja 600R, Harley Heritage Softail Classic then to my 996 Duc. All of that saddle time has saved my ass on more than a few occasions.

That Busa is a whole freaking lot of bike that can get away from you in a hurry...this is even experienced riders. And like Bryan said, they are big and heavy. I agree that I wouldn't want her on that bike and you should do whatever you have to to get her to understand that you need to crawl before you walk.

[MacR]

I will definitely be getting her riding gear. But as far as experience... this is why I'm scared.

She only has dirtbike experience.  Plus she's the only person I know that has accidentally flipped a gocart.... multiple times.

This is seriously worrying me.

[FreeDuc]

 Sticky problem.
 
 Maybe (if money is an issue) let her know what it costs to insure one of those beasts.

 I know this isn't much help.
 
 Good luck, man.

[ToasterTank]

These guys are 100 percent correct.  I have started on mini bikes through 100cc and into 250cc through 650cc to 1000cc.  In between numerous rider safety courses.  I think she is biting off a little more than she can chew.  You have to crawl before ya walk.

[FreeDuc]

That kind of reminds me of what Oni was saying on some other thread about how in Europe you have to do so many kilometers on a 250 and then move up to some other displacement, so that when you get up to a full size bike you are experienced. Good idea.

 Long time ago I was bike shopping and this dealer had a used 600 Ninja with 36 miles on it. I asked him how he got a used bike with just 36 miles and he said he had sold it new to a first time rider and I guess the guy went out and scared himself shitless and came right back and sold it back to the dealer. Expensive lesson.

[GRUBBY]

If she insists on having this machine then you need to either take her for a ride or have somebody you trust with your own life take her for a ride and scare the fuck out of her with the kind of power and speed that bike can produce. I don't mean to nor am I trying to be derogatory or mean or cruel or anything, but that's A LOT of machine for anybody, much less somebody with not a lot of experience.

But if she insists on keeping it and she's that adamant about it, when she's not looking, take it to a tuner and dumb it down.

[DucLeone]

just surf some youtube and show her some newbs on big bikes

and its true in Switzerland you have to go on a 125cc for 2 yrs with a MSF mandatory then you can move up to bigger cc's and take the advanced MSF and riding test

[MacR]

If she insists on having this machine then you need to either take her for a ride or have somebody you trust with your own life take her for a ride and scare the fuck out of her with the kind of power and speed that bike can produce. I don't mean to nor am I trying to be derogatory or mean or cruel or anything, but that's A LOT of machine for anybody, much less somebody with not a lot of experience.

But if she insists on keeping it and she's that adamant about it, when she's not looking, take it to a tuner and dumb it down.

This is not a bad idea. I'll take it for a spin and give her a ride. Maybe I'll just wreck it .... just kidding.

I've talked her into at least taking the Abate classes, maybe more. And also that we have to go shopping for a full suit. I can't get her to shake the bike though. She's going to kill herself. I don't think she's driven it yet (I didn't ask) so maybe she'll change her mind when she feels how heavy it is. On the other hand, she even talked about turbocharging it. I don't think she quite understands the danger.

[DucLeone]

do the old fashion test
lay the bike on its side if she can put it upright by herself she is ready fo it j/k
must say she must have more balls then many of us or she is for sure speed addicted

[FreeDuc]

turbo charge it...

Sorry, but that is almost funny. She obviously doesn't know what she's dealing with.

[MacR]

turbo charge it...

Sorry, but that is almost funny. She obviously doesn't know what she's dealing with.

Meh..

I'm just going to have to lay the law down. 

[BryanS]

or take out some serious life insurance 

[ducatidoug]

nothing personal, but she is out of her mind to own such a machine. can she think in micro seconds. even at 150 mph in a playfull way the car a mile ahead of you is now a hundred feet away.it sometimes a little to easy to let the rush of speed get the best of even the most seasond rider. best of luck with that one.

[GRUBBY]

I kind of feel for her though. The guy down the road from me has a busa and I want to ride it one time just to see what 150-160 feels like. But I live by a relatively new highway with a great surface that's not heavily traveled unless it certain times of the day.

But - I'd only do it once and that would be it.

[Desmocrat]

Hey man,
I am suggesting that you take the mirrors, lights and plates off of whatever she gets, so that she can only ride it on the track until she displays proficiency.  Perhaps some performance riding schools following the MSF course.  The MSF course is a must, but I can attest from first hand knowledge that it doesn't make you immune from dropping a bike.  Explain the squid mentality to her and that a Hayabusa is the real nautilus of squid bikes, only useful at a drag strip and butt ugly.  Ninja 250 for one season and just let her stay in front of you all of the time.