Hello from Dairyland

[Ansimp]

Zman those training wheels are really cool. Too bad they cost more than 2 of my bikes. Least there is hope in the future if health presents a problem. :good:

 

[dan filipi]

slabghost » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:00 pm[/url]":afpy3gwi]I personally resist lowering shocks and forks for several reasons. Lowering one or the other affects rake and handling. Also makes use of the center stand nearly impossible. Finally reducing ground clearance reduces the amount you can lean into corners before something scrapes. For these reasons I wouldn't reduce ground clearance more than 1 inch.

Agreed.
The only reason I suggested lowering forks is I don't think at 5 foot tall shaving the seat will give enough to handle the bike safely.

 

[mwbill37841]

welcome from tenn . and these little bikes are really heavy. and after a certian point of lean at a stop. unless you are hurcules it's going on over .. useally doesn't hert anything but your pride.and being embaressed. get someone to help right it.. i know from experance. three times now. but don't give up.

 

[slabghost]

dan filipi » Tue Jun 25, 2013 5:18 pm[/url]":2wgftaa3]

slabghost » Tue Jun 25, 2013 2:00 pm[/url]":2wgftaa3]I personally resist lowering shocks and forks for several reasons. Lowering one or the other affects rake and handling. Also makes use of the center stand nearly impossible. Finally reducing ground clearance reduces the amount you can lean into corners before something scrapes. For these reasons I wouldn't reduce ground clearance more than 1 inch.

Agreed.
The only reason I suggested lowering forks is I don't think at 5 foot tall shaving the seat will give enough to handle the bike safely.

Probably right but narrowing the seat also leaves you more leg to extend. Which is why I suggested adapting a solo seat. :moped:

 

[Ansimp]

+1 on the solo seat

 

[toytender01]

You could just carry a passenger with extra long legs that has quick responses on command :smilie_happy: JUST A THOUGHT :whistling:

 

[Omega Man]

Welcome to the forums(we said "hi" in PMs)! Great bunch a folks eh?

~O~

 

[Piper]

Ok, I'll play devil's advocate here and say that your thoughts of selling them and buying a bike that fits you makes the most sense to me. Strictly my opinion of course. There are dozens of great sport bikes out there that would "fit you" that could be had for less than you could sell the Goldwings for. We all love Goldwings or we wouldn't be on this forum, but as great as they are, they are not "beginner" bikes. When the discussion is about lowering the rear suspension or raising the forks there's something wrong. When you mention "Right now the TIPS of my toes just barely touch the ground" on a 600 pound (dry) bike there's something wrong.
Please don't read this as a gender issue as I have ridden on several GWRRA group rides where women have ridden their own Goldwings and they are probably better riders than I am. The differences are (1) They were not 5' tall and self-described as small, (2) They all had many years experience before they ever rode a Goldwing, (3) They all rode late model, perfectly maintained 1800's.
I certanly applaud your enthusiasm and your desire to ride your father's bikes but I hate to see anybody get hurt either.
My advice would be to get a lighter 500-750CC sport bike, ride it for at least a year or two and then ride a Goldwing and see how it feels to you.
I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion on this forum so let the arrows fly.

 

[Ansimp]

+1

 

[dan filipi]

Piper, I applaude your honesty and what you say is what I've been thinking all along.

I'm 6'2 and find if the bike starts to go down when stopped, you need flat footed stance to recover it.

 

[mcgovern61]

I DID lower my front end by loosening the triple tree and sliding down the forks 1 1/2".

Not only did I see an improvement in handling, but now I can flatfoot my feet all the time! For me, it was a terrific improvement. Mind you, I have a Standard with the Vetter faring and I do not know if the same would apply to an Interstate or Asp with the Honda faring. I only say that because those bikes needed a "faring weight" by design for some reason and mine does not!

 

[DaddysGirl]

Wow, you guys are great! The high heels I have, boots and otherwise, however probably not the best solution. :ahem: As far as the training wheels, can't say I like that idea anymore than I like the trike. Kinda feels like saying I "can't handle a real bike (cuz I'm a girl)"& I'm not ready to do that. Not that I'm judging any other trike riders out there, just doesn't feel right for me if I'm capable of riding a real, probably wrong word choice, bike. Never liked being told I couldn't do something, just makes me more determined! Not sure if that's an attribute or just hardheaded stubbornness. And tho I'm all girl, I don't want to be "girly girl". Not sure if you guys can understand where I'm coming from. Soooo, other than the 2x4's on my shoes, I can handle a nail gun...and a chainsaw....I'll stay here and just keep learning, AND being entertained. :smilie_happy: In the past I have looked at some of those "just my size bikes" the Rebel? Funny, that's how I was described back in high school. Maybe that's my destiny?!? Thanks for all the help and input guys. I'll keep you posted. :hi:

 

[Ansimp]

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[stanlw]

DaddysGirl » Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:24 am[/url]":1g2xulxm]Wow, you guys are great! The high heels I have, boots and otherwise, however probably not the best solution. :ahem: As far as the training wheels, can't say I like that idea anymore than I like the trike. Kinda feels like saying I "can't handle a real bike (cuz I'm a girl)"& I'm not ready to do that. Not that I'm judging any other trike riders out there, just doesn't feel right for me if I'm capable of riding a real, probably wrong word choice, bike. Never liked being told I couldn't do something, just makes me more determined! Not sure if that's an attribute or just hardheaded stubbornness. And tho I'm all girl, I don't want to be "girly girl". Not sure if you guys can understand where I'm coming from. Soooo, other than the 2x4's on my shoes, I can handle a nail gun...and a chainsaw....I'll stay here and just keep learning, AND being entertained. :smilie_happy: In the past I have looked at some of those "just my size bikes" the Rebel? Funny, that's how I was described back in high school. Maybe that's my destiny?!? Thanks for all the help and input guys. I'll keep you posted. :hi:

Just practice, practice, practice, low speed driving and turns in a deserted parking lot where there is less a chance of getting run over. Low and slow, starting, stopping and turning is where your really going to feel the weight. :moped:

 

[AlaskaWing]

My best suggestion is this:

Keep the GoldWings, see if you can lower your stance a bit by changing out the seat. If you want to try the suggestion of lowering the forks a bit as well, keep in mind that you are giving up a tiny bit of control, and cornering.

Find something smaller to ride, at least for a few days, yes a Rebel would be a good choice. Make sure your balance is steady, and you are comfortable making corners and such.

Then take the GoldWing to an empty parking lot and just drive up and down for awhile. In the class you took, remember the figure eights? After you are steady, work through cornering until you are confident enough to do figure eights. If you have access to a rider course that lets you use your own bike that would be perfect!

One of the most difficult things you are going to have to deal with are parking lots with cars in them. It can be a challenge to maneuver these big heavy bikes in really slow tight turns.

Yes this is pretty remedial stuff, but you have to set aside pride and work on making sure you have the basics before you venture out.

Practice, practice, practice.

Once you have confidence, take it for a ride. Make sure that when you stop, you dont make a couple basic mistakes that get even us tall riders in trouble. First, dont park on a side hill. You cant put down the peg, and will possibly lose your balance.
Second, dont park in a downhill tight space. These things dont have reverse and backing them up a hill manually can be a real pain.
Third, dont get lax and just forget to put down the kickstand. The only time I dumped mine over, it was because I forgot that basic step, once it starts past the balance point it quickly proves just how heavy it is.

Also, wear your helmet. Full face with visor, for long rides, open face if you want to be able to drink coffee.

And, if you are going to ride them, then you gotta know how to fix them. They are old and need lots of TLC. Its ok to get help with the complex systems, but for the easy stuff, do it yourself. If you dont know how, read here, there are very detailed instructions for just about everything, and if it still does not make sense, ask. If that dont work, get someone to show you how. Sounds like you 90 year old Dad may be a wealth of information.

Good luck! And most importantly...have fun!

 

[joedrum]

I agree with stan ...but you have to be serious and from your post I think you are ...as said ..have good rider help you as passenger for a few months of getting into all kinds of trouble and how to deal with it

 

[Omega Man]

Daddysgirl, you can do this. Like my daddy told my mother with a twinkle in his eye from the front seat of his 40 Merc, "when there's a will there's a way." :hihihi: But seriously and I can tell you're serious, motorcycles aren't for the faint of heart especially the GoldWing. But they are magical and riding is magical, after all your dad had two.

~O~

 

[mcgovern61]

DaddysGirl » Wed Jun 26, 2013 10:24 am[/url]":dnzznr52]Wow, you guys are great! The high heels I have, boots and otherwise, however probably not the best solution. :ahem: As far as the training wheels, can't say I like that idea anymore than I like the trike. Kinda feels like saying I "can't handle a real bike (cuz I'm a girl)"& I'm not ready to do that. Not that I'm judging any other trike riders out there, just doesn't feel right for me if I'm capable of riding a real, probably wrong word choice, bike. Never liked being told I couldn't do something, just makes me more determined! Not sure if that's an attribute or just hardheaded stubbornness. And tho I'm all girl, I don't want to be "girly girl". Not sure if you guys can understand where I'm coming from. Soooo, other than the 2x4's on my shoes, I can handle a nail gun...and a chainsaw....I'll stay here and just keep learning, AND being entertained. :smilie_happy: In the past I have looked at some of those "just my size bikes" the Rebel? Funny, that's how I was described back in high school. Maybe that's my destiny?!? Thanks for all the help and input guys. I'll keep you posted. :hi:

Personally, I would not have chanced the "high heels" as a suggestion......my Wife and daughters would have booted me especially since my daughters were the ones who helped rebuild and restore our Wing!! :hihihi:

A Rebel? Cute bike! You will have lots of fun (for about a week) until you realize you really wanted a bigger bike and the Rebel is really just a starter bike! The Wing is big and heavy and will take a lot of practice, but getting your feet safely on the ground is first! Gotta be able to hold the bike up at a stop, especially if there is a crown in the road when you stop.

 

[toytender01]

All good advice. Your turn. opcorn: opcorn: opcorn: :Egyptian: :Egyptian:

 

[C5Performance]

I live in Appleton, Wisconsin. Yes you should keep them. I have a good friend on here (GLWrench) who is also a tad on the short side and is an expert with Wings. I will have him contact you. If they can be lowered, we can help you get 'er done. We can also meet for a cold Leinie's and some cheeseburgers

Welcome to the forum...i am new here also. Consider the Vetesniks ride and the Wis GWRRA rally in Wausau. I'll be at both so we can go for a ride or hang out.