I am paranoid about riding two wheel bikes!

[dancogan]

I won't argue with those that do not want to ride a 2 wheeler - for whatever reason. But I don't think we should feed a feeling that it's a difficult task. If you can ride a bicycle, particularly one with hand brakes and shifters, AND take a beginner's course taught by good instructors, you'll find moving about on a 2 wheel motorcycle really isn't that difficult. Sure, it takes a while for things to become instinctive, such as pulling in the clutch when coming to a stop, or downshifting while slowing, but the actual act of riding a motorcycle isn't that difficult, and should not cause fear to most people. I just don't want to see new riders unnecessarily frightened away from taking the test on 2 wheels. JMHO

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Last time I rode a bicycle I crashed in a ditch - I guess that has something to do with me not wanting to ride a 2 wheel motorcycle.

 

[bruisersbaby]

I do agree with you, Dan, and I think it's good that the requirement is on two wheels. However, I was not comfortable and was very stressed most of the time I was taking the course. I did enjoy weaving and a couple of the other exercises, but just could not get the hang of some of the turning and coordination of the hand brake and clutch. But, I have to practice more on the Spyder to get the hang of stopping as well. I gained a lot from this course, but will stay on 3 wheels from now on. Guess it just all depends on your comfort zone and what your abilities are. I wouldn't want to steer anyone away from two wheels, either, but it's a matter of choice.

 

[bruiser]

I do agree with you, Dan, and I think it's good that the requirement is on two wheels. However, I was not comfortable and was very stressed most of the time I was taking the course. I did enjoy weaving and a couple of the other exercises, but just could not get the hang of some of the turning and coordination of the hand brake and clutch. But, I have to practice more on the Spyder to get the hang of stopping as well. I gained a lot from this course, but will stay on 3 wheels from now on. Guess it just all depends on your comfort zone and what your abilities are. I wouldn't want to steer anyone away from two wheels, either, but it's a matter of choice.

Yeah, she wouldn't steer anyone away from two wheels. Especially since I just bought a '07 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 LT :shemademe_smilie:

(BB's hubby)

 

[CJ/johnnyg]

I figured if Bruisersbaby can be paranoid about stopping on their :spyder2:, I can be paranoid about riding a regular (AKA 2 wheel) motorcycle. We live in the Panhandle of Florida, and the only way I can get a motorcycle endorsement here is to pass the motorcycle safety course on 2 wheels. :yikes: I've got balance problems when I'm walking, so I sure didn't feel comfortable trying to take a 2-wheeled course with 7 other riders (doing figure eights, etc) when I was petrified that I'd (a) run the instructor over, (b) crash into another rider or (c) end up with a major injury! :yikes: Needless to say, that course didn't end too well. Erags thought I called it quits too soon and should have hung in there, but I was glad to go home in one piece. :thumbup: I couldn't see the sense in having to pass a course on a 2 wheeled bike when I will NEVER drive a 2 wheeled bike. (He blames my defeatist attitude for my unwillingness to stick it out on 2 wheels...I blame it on my medical knowledge of what I could seriously injure!) I aced the written part of the course but I'm basically a MSC dropout. (That sure gave my type A perfectionist personality fits for awhile!) Did the rest of you riders have to get your endorsements on a 2 wheel bike? Are most of you "newbies" to riding, or converts from 2 wheels? I love riding on the back of our :spyder2: taking pictures and enjoying the ride, but there are times when I'd like to legally drive! hyea: How did you guys (oops, girls) get your motorcycle endorsements in your states? Do you even need an endorsement to drive where you live? Any tips for me, or should I just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride from the back seat?

I just got my license in April and I took the trike riding course in Eustis Fl. I'm restricted to three wheels only, however like you I will not be riding anything but the :spyder2:. They only do it on Mon and Tue. But it is well worth taking it. I too, did not want to take the two-wheel test. We called them to see if I could use the spyder for my testing and course being that is what I would be driving. The were tickled to see me and the spyder. They do have their own trikes that you can use, Auto & manuals What ever you are planning on using is what they recommend you train on. They are really friendly and go out of their way to help you in any way you might need. I believe Eustis is the closest course to you. I will give you their web site and I believe you can get discounts on the motel just by telling them you are taking the course. The course cost $245. I have always ridden behind my husband many many many years don't get me wrong I really enjoyed it. However when I got my license I wasn't content sitting in the back anymore and now I have my own RS. We have so much more fun now riding together. He is on his RT and me on my RS with G-4 headsets and can talk like we our on the same spyder. Enough said here is the web site http://saferide.com/ If you decide to come down this way look us up. You will not regret getting your own license and riding free. Best of Luck CJ

 

[CJ/johnnyg]

I'm with you on just saying no to 2 wheels! MI has a 3 wheel endorsement (CY with a restriction) and I took the road test on my Spyder. I would have liked to take the Safety Course but like you I didn't want to do it on 2 wheels. No one offers a 3 wheel course near me. I rode illegally for several months last year and racked up several thousand miles until I finally had a chance to schedule the road test when my husband was home.

I wonder what FL would do if I moved there. Would they give me a CY endorsement or tell me sorry you have to test on 2 wheels. When I moved there in 1995 they gave my husband a CY endorsement because he had one from NC. I wish all states had uniform rules for licensing. I feel that testing is necessary for Spyder riding and I don't agree with CA letting you just get on one and ride it but it makes no sense to require you to know how to ride a 2 wheeler.

Have you written any letters to your state legislators?

Florida does have a three wheel endorsement. I believe if you move to Fl with a motorcycle endorsement from your state they will grandfather you in. In Fl if you have a MC license you can operate a three wheeler, if you don't have a MC license and want to ride a three wheeler you will have to take the courses.

 

[chickridin]

I'm with you on just saying no to 2 wheels! MI has a 3 wheel endorsement (CY with a restriction) and I took the road test on my Spyder. I would have liked to take the Safety Course but like you I didn't want to do it on 2 wheels. No one offers a 3 wheel course near me. I rode illegally for several months last year and racked up several thousand miles until I finally had a chance to schedule the road test when my husband was home.

I wonder what FL would do if I moved there. Would they give me a CY endorsement or tell me sorry you have to test on 2 wheels. When I moved there in 1995 they gave my husband a CY endorsement because he had one from NC. I wish all states had uniform rules for licensing. I feel that testing is necessary for Spyder riding and I don't agree with CA letting you just get on one and ride it but it makes no sense to require you to know how to ride a 2 wheeler.

Have you written any letters to your state legislators?

Never had ridin a motorcycle in my life, I took the MSF class a year before I even bought a 2 wheel motorcycle. Although I passed, two wheels just weren't for me. Before I took the class, I searched for info on some kind of 3 wheel restrictions for MI and found none. I didn't think to ask at the DMV, probably because I already took the class. Can I ask where you got your information about the 3 wheel restriction? Obviously not for me but, it'd be nice to know to pass on to propective Spyder buyers that I meet, I have been asked by people that I talk to about the Spyder. I've just searched the SOS web site again and found nothing. BTW....I'm in MI too.

 

[NavyChiefEd]

No Worries Mate

I have just finished my 2nd of 3 days of the ABATE motorcycle safety course. I have a 2011 Viper Red RTS SE5 Spyder and it is the first street bike I have owned. The instructors I have are super. They will not allow you to do anything dangerous. We have 22 beginners in or group with little to no experience. They gave me a Suzuki 250 to ride and it is a challenge but I am getting the hang of it. I have already passed the written test and still have some more riding exercises and then the road test. No one will make fun of you for being afraid but I think once you get started you will settle right in. I haven't been on a bike in 30 years and my Spyder is not even close to what I am riding there but I am glad I am taking the class. It was good to polish up on the basics again and if an old fat man can ride a two wheeler, you can too. Go get em.

 

[Shewhoprays]

I agree with Dan about the 2 wheels. I rode with my husband on his Harley and loved it but wanted to take the Riders Edge course for the "knowledge". Then I saw so many lady riders I thought I wanted one of my own. He bought me a 500cc Buell but I hadn't been on it much before the class. I had a crash in the class. Don't remember the actual crash(thank God, because the recovery has been painful enough-broken ribs, blown tendon in right hand, stitches in my mouth, bone contusions both legs from knees to ankles, bruises from head to toe) The dealership told me the "good news" was I could retake the class at no cost to me as long as I did it in the same calendar yr. After a few days, scared as Heck I got on mine and my husband helped me do the same things we did in class-minus the crash. Ha! I retook the class several months later and passed. I had a goal and forced myself to meet it because it was something I really wanted. I had seen a couple spyders while I was out and decided that would be my eventual ryde. A month later - I bought a 2010 RT Deluxe. I ended up selling my Buell to a gal I work with so she could learn to ride. The Riders Edge course is a great one and I'm sooooo glad I took it. I think it has made me a better driver-car as well. So many things to look for. Missouri will let you take a trike license on your spyder. My daughters are much happier with my on 3 wheels- they just couldn't "understand this motorcycle phase". So I promised to wear my helmet and leathers. Although now with the spyder I really don't wear my chaps unless I'm cold.

 

[dancogan]

I thought the Rider's Edge was a great class ... with one exception. I really don't think the Buell Blast is a great bike for many beginners. It's a bit big and heavy. So am I, so it didn't bother me, but I think a 250 cc bike would be a much better bike to use for that kind of class. Of course with Buell gone, I'm not sure what Harley will do in the future. The smallest bike in their lineup is now the Sportster with over 883 cc's, and not a lightweight for a beginner.

 

[DocRags]

Gold Wing Road Rider Association (GWRRA) http://fla.gwrra-regiona.org/index.html offer FREE riding courses. You would be able to take the Trike Riding course and that should get your license.

GWRRA is a family friendly group and I highly recommend the Trike course. I took it back in July and learned a lot. Click on the link above a find a chapter near you or contact the chapter educator about when the next Trike course will be.

Keep us posted on getting your license.

I talked with the President of the local Gold Wing Club. They don't offer any basic motorcycle safety courses, which is what Florida requires for a motorcycle endorsement (unless you grandfathered in). You can't take any of their classes unless you already have an endorsement. No one locally offers three wheel safety courses (yet, anyway). I don't think I'll get over my fear of crashing on a 2 wheel bike so I don't think I'll feel any safer trying the 2 wheel class again. It would just be a waste of another $200. You either feel comfortable on 2 wheels or you don't...and I most definitely never felt comfortable on one (even though I can ride a bicycle and had cars with manual transmissions for most of my driving years). I've seen plenty of patients over the years with injuries from bicycle accidents so 2 wheels (of any type) can be a problem for all sorts of folks, depending on the road conditions, weather, etc. (That brings up another unrelated topic...Florida requires helmets on bicycles but not​ motorcycles...crazy!)
I talked with a :spyder2: rider the other day that passed the written test at her local driver's license bureau and then got her 3-wheel motorcycle endorsement without any driving test, but that was in Alabama, not Florida.