May be buying the GF a motorcycle...

McHaven · #1 02-07-2010, 12:30 PM

EDIT: Situation resolved. See 2nd page.

SBassman · #2 02-07-2010, 12:35 PM

I like those bikes. I wish they were still in production.

MakiSupaStar · #3 02-07-2010, 12:39 PM

Buy it as a gift for her, but don't expect to get paid back. That way if she gives you any money you'd be pleasantly surprised. If this is unacceptable to you, don't do it. Sweet bike though.

Snakeman1066 · #4 02-07-2010, 12:40 PM

money arguments can kill a relationship faster than just about any other topic save cheating...

I say go for it! IMHO there are way more pros then cons to this deal if you can afford to spend the money then do it....

NEVER EVER GIVE A GIRL A GIFT WITH CONDITIONS/STRINGS ATTACHED!

let her pay you back when she can and agree that it is yours until she does (but don't threaten to sell it out from under her that's just kinda well.....a mood killer)

besides have you thought about the benefits that buying her a bike might bring for you?....lol

6jase5 · #5 02-07-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Buy it as a gift for her, but don't expect to get paid back. That way if she gives you any money you'd be pleasantly surprised. If this is unacceptable to you, don't do it. Sweet bike though.

Took the words right out my mouth. Same goes with "helping" friends.

If for some odd reason it goes south (hope not) and you end up selling, I get first dibs.

Steve · #6 02-07-2010, 02:07 PM

I would never under any conditions buy another person a motorcycle. There's just too much potential for bad stuff to happen.

tomd999 · #7 02-08-2010, 06:37 PM

Hiya,

I've been in your shoes. Girl I was dating got the idea, after about a summer riding on the back of my Harley, that she knew everything there was to know about riding motorcycles and wanted her own.

Well, I found her a Suzy GS 550 for short money, got it running good and promptly began the nightmare of helping her learn how to ride a bike.

There are some people in the world you should never try to tell how to do something, girlfriends trying to ride motorcycles are those people, especially when they are trying to pickup their motorcycle after dropping it on it's side.

To set the scene, she was pushing "her bike" into the garage after a "long training ride" ( A slow, under 20 MPH 10 mile ride on very rural roads because I wasn't going to be charged with negligent homicide for taking her into traffic.) So, she loses her balance and drops the suzy on it's side. After watching her struggle trying to lift it and offering my help, I sat on the retaining wall and said "When you get tired trying to pick it up let me know and I'll show you how" Took her almost 30 minutes to give up. "Fine Mr Biker, you show me how easy it is", I walked over, turned the forks the other direction and lifted up on the barend with one hand and it was up. She screamed and drove away in her car leaving me standing there with the bike in one hand. I let it drop on the other side, went inside and cracked a cool one and reflected on what I learned. Two weeks later my buddy wanted the engine for a gocart, down the road it went.

Lesson learned, GF's go on the back of your bike, not on their own.

Tom

BurningSkies · #8 02-08-2010, 06:42 PM

Just buy it for her.

Refuse to take payment even if she thinks you've got a 'deal'.

tycobb73 · #9 02-09-2010, 06:38 AM

When will I be seeing you 2 fight over it on Judge Judy?

RWP · #10 02-09-2010, 07:02 AM

About 10 years ago my best friend and the singer in the band bought his wife a Harley Sportster, he had a hog. They were riding together down a two lane road when she lost control and struck a mini van head on. He watched her die right in front of him. Don't mean to be a bummer but just be sure she takes it seriously.

iamlowsound · #11 02-09-2010, 07:11 AM

Those old Honda's are amazing bikes. I say go for it it you can afford it. Although I would much prefer to have my girlfriend on the back of my bike.

lowsound

Yerf Dog · #12 02-09-2010, 07:21 AM

How long has she been your girlfriend?

How reliable will that bike be? I have a '72 SL100 that runs occasionally.

L-A · #13 02-09-2010, 07:58 AM

I think the best advice has been said. Buy it as a gift. Appreciate what she gives you in return when it happens.

Better yet, offer her a decent bike driving/handling course. Owning a motorcycle can be a frustrating broken dream if you don't know how to use it. Enough to give up biking altogether.

FL Knifemaker · #14 02-09-2010, 08:05 AM

No comment on the relationship. IMHO, how anyone can see into your situation and pass judgement here seems odd at best................

As far as the bike itself........

I would be hesitant to buy that bike if the intention is to ride it on the street. It would be a great trail bike but for ANY road use, I'd prefer something newer with more power, MUCH better brakes and street tires. Having an underpowerd bike in traffic can be more dangerous than an overpowered one. My feeling is, it would be better to pass on it now and wait untill you can afford a good first STREET bike.

nortonrider · #15 02-09-2010, 08:33 AM

Buy it for yourself and let her ride it.

MakiSupaStar · #16 02-09-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomd999

Hiya,

I've been in your shoes. Girl I was dating got the idea, after about a summer riding on the back of my Harley, that she knew everything there was to know about riding motorcycles and wanted her own.

Well, I found her a Suzy GS 550 for short money, got it running good and promptly began the nightmare of helping her learn how to ride a bike.

There are some people in the world you should never try to tell how to do something, girlfriends trying to ride motorcycles are those people, especially when they are trying to pickup their motorcycle after dropping it on it's side.

To set the scene, she was pushing "her bike" into the garage after a "long training ride" ( A slow, under 20 MPH 10 mile ride on very rural roads because I wasn't going to be charged with negligent homicide for taking her into traffic.) So, she loses her balance and drops the suzy on it's side. After watching her struggle trying to lift it and offering my help, I sat on the retaining wall and said "When you get tired trying to pick it up let me know and I'll show you how" Took her almost 30 minutes to give up. "Fine Mr Biker, you show me how easy it is", I walked over, turned the forks the other direction and lifted up on the barend with one hand and it was up. She screamed and drove away in her car leaving me standing there with the bike in one hand. I let it drop on the other side, went inside and cracked a cool one and reflected on what I learned. Two weeks later my buddy wanted the engine for a gocart, down the road it went.

Lesson learned, GF's go on the back of your bike, not on their own.

Tom

Thanks for this post. There is so much truth here it's practically oozing out of the screne. I've had similar experiences with surfing, golf, snowboarding, scuba diving, and mountain biking. Soooooo true.

FL Knifemaker · #17 02-09-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomd999

Lesson learned, GF's go on the back of your bike, not on their own.

Tom

Personally, I hate riding two up. Having a relationship would require my mate to be able to ride on her own. There are plenty of good riding classes out there like the one HD offers.......If that doesn't work, I'd fall back on the plenty of fish in the sea theory

McHaven · #18 02-09-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

No comment on the relationship. IMHO, how anyone can see into your situation and pass judgement here seems odd at best................

As far as the bike itself........

I would be hesitant to buy that bike if the intention is to ride it on the street. It would be a great trail bike but for ANY road use, I'd prefer something newer with more power, MUCH better brakes and street tires. Having an underpowerd bike in traffic can be more dangerous than an overpowered one. My feeling is, it would be better to pass on it now and wait untill you can afford a good first STREET bike.

I agree its a small engine. That photo isn't the exact bike either. Just the same model and paint scheme. The bike's been restored to be a little around town sort of bike, which is all she needs.

However, we've already passed on this bike, since its a tad too collectible for a first-time rider. New riders drop bikes, and I don't want her dropping a bike that I can't find parts for cheap.

Of course, she was quite upset, as she was already attached to this bike somehow. But she understands its my money, and it'd be my time to repair whatever she broke. Too many people thrashed these bikes into the ground back in the 70s to allow parts to be cheap and plentiful.

Now she's saving up her money, and once she has it,she can buy whatever she wants. (but I'll still get to fix it :/ )

FL Knifemaker · #19 02-09-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

I agree its a small engine. That photo isn't the exact bike either. Just the same model and paint scheme. The bike's been restored to be a little around town sort of bike, which is all she needs.

However, we've already passed on this bike, since its a tad too collectible for a first-time rider. New riders drop bikes, and I don't want her dropping a bike that I can't find parts for cheap.

Of course, she was quite upset, as she was already attached to this bike somehow. But she understands its my money, and it'd be my time to repair whatever she broke. Too many people thrashed these bikes into the ground back in the 70s to allow parts to be cheap and plentiful.

Now she's saving up her money, and once she has it,she can buy whatever she wants. (but I'll still get to fix it :/ )

You might consider having here take the HD riding program. The Buell Blasts they use are a very rider friendly bike. I know several female riders that took the class, then bought one. After one season on the Buell, they're ready to move up to bigger and better

If you buy one used, after a season you can recoup your money. The guys at the shop say they're durable as hell!!

iamlowsound · #20 02-09-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

I agree its a small engine. That photo isn't the exact bike either. Just the same model and paint scheme. The bike's been restored to be a little around town sort of bike, which is all she needs.

However, we've already passed on this bike, since its a tad too collectible for a first-time rider. New riders drop bikes, and I don't want her dropping a bike that I can't find parts for cheap.

Of course, she was quite upset, as she was already attached to this bike somehow. But she understands its my money, and it'd be my time to repair whatever she broke. Too many people thrashed these bikes into the ground back in the 70s to allow parts to be cheap and plentiful.

Now she's saving up her money, and once she has it,she can buy whatever she wants. (but I'll still get to fix it :/ )

Ninja 250. Hands down the best starter bike ever built. Plus it can easily handle commuting if you are less than 180lbs. Cheap, reliable, easy to fix, great on gas (70mpg easy), cheap insurance and not powerful enough to kill yourself by making a small mistake.

lowsound