New Rider and Rebel Owner

**katiedaugherty** · 06-24-2010, 05:24 AM

I bought my 1999 Honda Rebel 2 weeks ago and have put around 100 miles on it. The first day I had it, within 1 hour of getting it, and within minutes of purchasing insurance before riding, I layed it over! Thank god I was in a parking lot! I decided to take the Motorcycle Safety Course. I JUST completed the course as top scoring student in my class...AND YES, I am a female!! HAHA!! Anyway, I rode on the highway and around for about an hour and a half and love it. My boyfriend however, doesn't care (is scared) for motorcycles, any ideas on how to talk him into learning so we can eventually ride together?

And any suggestions of windshields? I have one on it right now, but there is a small crack in it.

Thanks,
Katie

**fastpakr** · 06-24-2010, 05:42 AM

I had a National Cycle Street Shield on mine and was pretty happy with it. It's $90 or so online.

JunkyardDog · 06-24-2010, 05:49 AM

Welcome Katie. You certainly made a good choice for a first motorcycle. They are one of the best beginners bikes out there. Sorry to hear about the accident, but you also made a wise choice in attending the safety course.

Best of luck changing your boyfriends mind. It may not be possible, at least for some time. I started riding dirt bikes at age 8, and my mother was scared I was going to get seriously injured or killed. But that was nothing compared to her reaction when I got my license at 16 and started riding on the street. She had already written me off, she was so sure I was going to get killed. After a couple of years went by with no accidents, she started accepting the fact that I might not get killed after all. I am now 51, and have not had any accidents so far.

I have 2 daughters, and I got them started riding dirt bikes as soon as they were old enough. Their mother, who I was already seperated from, was horrified and had a fit, but didn't forbid them to ride. They are both grown now, and are both accomplished dirt riders, though neither one has expressed any interest in riding on the street, which I can't say bothers me. Their mother still hates motorcycles. With all the cell phone wielding drivers out there, the streets are a lot more dangerous than they were when I started riding back in the '70s

If it were me, and I wanted to ride, I would do so, and he will likely come around. He may never feel good about it, but he will probably accept it as part of who you are. Some people are so deeply ingrained with the dangers of "murdercycles" that nothing will change their mind.

And make no mistake about it, riding on the street today is dangerous, but it can be done. I have racked up over 400,000 miles without a single injury.

As for windshields, many here like the Slipstreamer Spitfire. I don't have a windshield on my Rebel, but I have a Memphis Shades Shooter on my Vulcan 750 and like it. I don't believe it is available for the Rebel. Another nice, inexpensive windshield is the National Cycle Deflector Shield. Jerry.

**flitecontrol** · 06-24-2010, 12:02 PM

Congratulations on doing so well in the MSF course, which is always a good idea for new riders. I suggest all riders read David Hough's book Proficient Motorcycling, every year. It is loaded with suggestions, tips and techniques to keep you safe on the road. The internet is another good source of safety tips. Here is one such site: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/str...ety/index.html

Read the Hurt Motorcycle Report Summary; http://www.clarity.net/~adam/hurt-report.html, with an eye to how you can reduce your odds of being in an accident. Taking the MSF is just one of the ways to do that.

Finally, ride as if every other vehicle and every animal along the way wants to harm you and have an escape plan in mind for every situation. Never assume that a driver sees you, always assume they don't and ride accordingly.

I have the Slipstreamer Spitfire shield on my Rebel.

**Twister** · 06-24-2010, 10:27 PM

Katie: Welcome to the forum. Proud for you for not quitting after your accident. MSF course might safe your life on the road. Follow up on the reading that Flite mentioned. Stay alert and assume you are a super heroe with the super power to be invisible, not only that, assume people around you WILL do stupid things, granted they will.

I also have the spitfire on Miss Triplehorn instead of holding it against the headlight can; I mounted mine against the speedo and like it very much. Works pretty good. I had the same issues with my GF. Remember you can bring water to a horse, but can NOT make it drink the water. I started by making her buy her own gear (Helmet, boots, etc) I knew if I purchased it for her, she would go for a ride around the block, and then say "I don't like it", and never ride again. There is a little bit more commitment when you are burning doe. Started with short rides on country roads (no stop lights, no traffic, no high speed interstates) Little by little made the rides longer and longer, while her butt got use to the not so comfy rear seat of Miss Triplehorn; who by the way is 24 years old (86) and looking HOT! , my GF is 35 and also looks sexy with her gear on. All this started when the weather was a lot cooler. Lately (yesterday) we had a "difference in opinion" regarding her gear. She wanted to ride on sandals & shorts on a ride to the lake (Arkabutla dam) we are both stubborn. Even with this weather 100 F + 85% humidity, I ride every day to and from work with a FF helmet, jeans (dropped the chaps around mid 90s F) very light gloves (but full fingers) armored jacket, and construction boots. "I rather sweat than bleed" I have seen road rash, burnt ankles on pipes, stuff that could have been avoided. Any way, it took a while to get to this point, she was very fearful at the beginning, she wouldn't lay on the sissy bar, she would hug me so strongly that it hurt (it hurt good) You can try all sorts of things to lure him or like Jerry said, it may not be possible, so don't try too hard, it will be frustrating to you and it would drive him away. Do NOT let him read stuff like the Hurt report 'till after he is "hooked"

As you will notice the more you read Jerry (JYD) is not the most optimistic person around the forum, can't label him as pessimistic, I would call him "seriously realistic".

Enjoy your rides, stay safe, and stay cool.

**SMLE** · 06-25-2010, 03:31 AM

Welcome to the forum! +1 on David Hough's books. "Proficient Motorcycling" and "More Proficient Motorcycling". Also, consider taking the MSF Experienced Rider Course in a couple of months. I did, and it was a great class. Now that you have your bike and (I'm assuming here) your license, get out and RIDE. There is no substitute for miles under your butt. But just remember, practice only makes PERMANENT. It does NOT make perfect unless it is perfect practice. The BRC taught you some good habits to start with, read and learn more good habits and apply them every time you ride.