Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
How long to learn to ride? How long to learn to ride?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ottawa, On
Posts: 1
How long to learn to ride?
Me and my girlfriend want to do a N.A. & S.A. trip starting summer 2008, but she has never ridden a motor bike. Is it reasonable to assume she will be able to learn to ride a bike well enough in one summer (can't ride in winter here) so we can start the trip the next summer? Anyone with similar experiences who can comment?

Thanks for any input!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 1 Nov 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 39
learning to ride
Hi there, before I get shot down for this, I would have to say that obviously the more experience you have the better. However, I had about two weeks riding experience before I started my trip in South America and so far everything is going fine (famous last words) One thing I would recommend your girlfriend do is an off road training course. I did a day´s off road riding with Yamaha off road training in Wales and it definitely increased my confidence and ability. Also try to ride in all types of weather. The wind over here caused me a few problems at first but slowly getting used to it.

Christine
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Nov 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 48
Hi,
I decided I wanted to start biking six years ago, so I bought a bike with the intention of touring around Europe almost as soon as I got it.
Three weeks after I bought the bike, I passed my motorcycle test and got my license. Three days after that, I boarded the ferry to France.
(Having said that, a lapse of concentration in Berlin resulted in a low-speed collision with a car.)
It's unassailable that more experience makes you a safer rider, and I would strongly advocate extra training above and beyond the minimum required to obtain a license, but to answer your question: yes, you should have enough time to learn to ride.
Just be sure your girlfriend is very vigilent and cautious.

Regards,
Ken.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Nov 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nantes, France
Posts: 392
Smile
Hi, I am another one who learnt to ride in order to do the trip.

For me, it was hard work - I don't drive a car - so it was all a bit much I reckon, looking back. Hitting the new driving modes of Pakistan and India did my head in for quite a while. The regular automotive assaults on our lives were hard work.

She has you, which is a big help (would she pose it this way I wonder ). And I guess she can drive a car yeah? So the two cases are not the same

And the americas are less demanding than the subcontinent - still hard though. Plus, your whole trip is on the same side of the road.

It is a matter of personality among other things. It is a question of her knowing herself.

Later on the trip my non-driving/non-riding pillion got herself a bike, then rode around Australia, and from San Francisco to Argentina - more or less - and enjoyed it fine.

Last thought: riding is a lot better than being on the back. For most anyway.

A summer, lots of care and go easy. Sounds alright.

Simon
__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Nov 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: winnipeg, MB, CDN
Posts: 71
That all depends on how comfortable you girlfriend is riding a motorcycle. Remember, riding a motorcycle is not for everyone. A couple of things your girlfriend would want to do are. Enroll in a motorcycle training course with the Canada Safety Council as early as possible next year. Sign up now for next April. A two or three day course will not develop the skills needed to stay alive on a bike, but it will give her a good idea of what skills she needs to develop. After that, it is just time in the saddle. One summer of riding 10,000 kilometers in all conditions gains a lot more experience than one summer of riding around the neighborhood on sunny Sunday afternoons.
__________________
1 LIFE
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 1 Nov 2006
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
Thumbs up
Check out http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/coates/

Go for it!
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 2 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Edmonton, AB, CA
Posts: 18
Do It !!!
Schermy

If you really, really want to go and your girlfriend is willing to drive lots of K's next summer (road and gravel), I don't think she/you will have any more "problems" than guy's with years of experiance. Take the courses, ride, build up some experiance, take the more advanced course, ride, enjoy!
In the fall of 05, after not ever having ridden a street bike and many years away from my dirt days on the farm I took the NAIT basic course, great basic lessons. Two days later I bought an '03 R1150GS, my learning curve with the big bike was steep but mostly sucessfull. (lots of minor wipe-out's in the sand/mud around Edmonchuck) Rode 10 000+ Km before winter and in spring of 06 I took advanced rider, again from NAIT, and this summer I went to BC, WA, AK, YK, NWT. Reached both Inuvik and Prudoe Bay, what a farkin great trip!!
In late '07 or early '08 I'm planning on putting my back wheel in the Artic ocean and a few months/years later putting my front wheel in the Antartic ocean !!!! Then ? RTW ?

Don't let a lack of skill get in the way of your dreams! Lots of family and friends will naysay your plan telling you how dangerous the world is and all sorts of UFI. Nod politely, thank them for their advice and then promptly IGNORE their negative attitude.

Best of Luck.

Tango six zero
__________________
Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Nov 2006
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Posts: 17
No Sweat
Hi Schermy,

I'm sure by now you know that its possible. I always had a love for motorbikes but never had the opportunity to ride or to own one. Anyway, I saw a R1150GS about six months ago and i just had to buy it. I got one of my friends to test ride it, and all was fine. I bought it and my friend had to ride it home for me as i had no idea. This was on a Tuesday, by the Saturday I was riding in town, no sweat. Planning a trip to Timbuktu in December. Its been six months and no accidents yet, touch wood. More experience always better, but no excuse to keep you home.
Dont think about it too much, just go for it.

All the best,

Camps.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Continental Divide Ride Kpick Travellers Seeking Travellers 10 21 Jul 2006 23:37
Everest Base Camp Ride: Nepal & Tibet hanif23 West and South Asia 0 9 May 2002 20:05
World-wide "memorial ride" - PLEASE READ ME Photog Rob Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 26 Aug 2001 23:47
World-wide "memorial ride" - PLEASE READ ME Photog Rob Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 18 Jul 2001 05:15
Word-wide "memorial ride" - PLEASE READ ME Photog Rob Route Planning 0 18 Jun 2001 04:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

  • California: April 18-21
  • Virginia: April 25-28
  • Germany Summer: May 9-12
  • Québec: May 17-19
  • Bulgaria Mini: July 5-7
  • CanWest: July 11-14
  • Switzerland: August 15-18
  • Ecuador: August 23-25
  • Romania: August 30-Sept 1
  • Austria: September 12-15
  • France: September 20-22
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 31-Nov 3

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top