How to Ride a Piglet

A number of people have asked me how  my motorcycle classes are going, so I thought I’d write a post talking about my experience. Yes, I am fully endorsed now so I have commuted to work a couple of times this week!

I began this whole journey towards motorcycle riding because of DH. He has a way of getting me excited to do things that never would have entered my mind. Like triathlons. Or two-day bike rides. Or riding motorcycles.

It all started when he rode his motorcycle to the U.P. for a brewing weekend. When he came back from his trip, he said that he would love to go touring with me. Except that we are both large people so I would have to learn how to ride. Never fear, though, I could learn to ride a Spyder which wouldn’t require much balance – it’s a three wheeled cycle.

Unfortunately, when we went to look at said Spyders at the dealership, he test drove a new Concourse. Looking at the price tags of the Spyders and the Concourse, he said, “sorry honey, you’re going to have to learn how to ride a real motorcycle.”

And so I signed up for the local MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) class on what turned out to be the hottest weekend of the year – right after the 4th of July. Classroom time was Saturday and Sunday 8-12, and the range portion was from 12-5. When I started the Saturday range portion it was 105 degrees (hotter once you take into consideration the asphalt, heat from the bike, helmet, full gear) and I became dizzy and dumped the bike. So embarrassing! I ended up rescheduling the range portion but finished my classroom time. Since I knew it would be a few weeks before I could take the range portion I stopped by the Secretary of State to get my temporary instruction permit so I could at least ride in a parking lot with DH to get my bearings.

In the meantime, DH traded his old Concourse for the bike at the top of this post. It reminded him of a baby Harley (hog) so we named it Piglet.

Luckily, the balance was not an issue as I ride pedal bikes regularly. Also, I was at an advantage because I drive a car with a manual transmission, so I was familiar with the whole shifting concept. The tricky part was learning to multitask. When riding a motorcycle, you work the clutch with your left hand, the front brake and throttle with your right hand, the shifter with your left foot, and the rear brake with your left foot. Whew!

This past weekend I was able to finish the range portion. I was not the only woman, there were 3 of us out of the 11 in the class. There was also a wide range of ages – from 16 to I’m guessing a guy in his late 60s. You might wonder what you could possibly do in a parking lot for 8 hours. The answer is a lot of drills!

We practiced starting, stopping, turning, riding over 2x4s, changing lanes, and other maneuvers. The weekend culminated in the dreaded test that would tell us if we were able to get our endorsement. I was super nervous since I didn’t know exactly what would be on the test, and how many points you could get and still pass. Every mistake you make counts as a point.

The first test was two u turns in a small box. Unfortunately I put my foot down and went a little outside the lines on the last u turn. The second test was swerving to miss an obstacle. The third test was stopping within a certain distance. The final was going through a curve. Unfortunately I was docked points for not going fast enough.

I was so relieved when, after all the results were tallied, the  instructors announced that everyone had passed! So I went to the SOS on Monday with my card and now have my cycle endorsement.

I can’t explain why I like riding so much, only to say that I do. When people used to tell me motorcycles gave such a sense of freedom I totally didn’t get it, but when it’s just you and a bike stopped in traffic, or taking a nice smooth corner, there’s nothing like it.

The only irritating thing is that everyone–and I mean everyone–feels the need to tell me to be careful. Duh. DH used to race motocross so he makes me wear full gear all the time. Unless we’re just putzing around the neighborhood and then I can wear jeans without the armored pants. Yes, I ride defensively. Yes, I wear a full face helmet. My piglet doesn’t go very fast so no street racing for me!

It’s an enjoyable hobby, and I encourage anyone to give it a try if you are so inclined. Don’t worry about being a woman – girls ride too, although I’m surprised at how many people are surprised that I have my own bike and don’t just ride on the back of DH’s. In fact, I bought this t shirt:

See you on the road!