Hello! I am a new woman rider and new Triumph owner! I am slightly older (don't feel it) at 48 years old in Tennessee, USA. Husband and I are newlyweds, with grown kids from prior marriage. My husband bought a Harley this past winter (Street Glide) after not having had a bike in about 10 years (he was in the Air Force, had sold bike with the plans to get another and it didn't work out, has since retired from military). The idea was that I would likely ride on the back of the Street Glide and then eventually get my own bike. Well, I have found so far I do not really like riding on the back and have been on the search for a bike of my own. I have been keen on Triumphs after visiting multiple dealership and sitting on a lot of bikes. I found a like-new 2016 Bonneville T120 with 1800 miles on it and purchased it last week!
As far as learning how to ride, I took the MSF course in October and my husband re-took it with me. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not pass the MSF skills test. I had never ridden a motorcycle before that class and it was very hard for me. Just too much with no experience riding and I failed on the figure eight box turn. At the time, I knew I needed to spend some time practicing to get comfortable and wanted to retake the class, so did not try to retest.
Before you get too worried about me, I do not plan on riding on the road until I retake the class. I have also found a nearby deserted parking log and this weekend started practicing with my bike and plan on practicing the MSF exercises (there are some good youtube resources out there on them). I have to say, I was very apprehensive that the bike would be too powerful for me and had done a lot of research on whether it was a good idea to purchase or not as a new rider with mixed results. I had considered getting a $2000-ish used low-powered bike to begin on, but I am happy to report that it is so far very easy for me to ride this bike and I feel fairly comfortable at low speeds, shifting, and stopping. It seems much easier to ride than the Harley Street that I took the MSF course on! It is a very fun bike and I am so excited to learn to ride!
Thanks for reading this! Let me know what advice you have for me!
As far as learning how to ride, I took the MSF course in October and my husband re-took it with me. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not pass the MSF skills test. I had never ridden a motorcycle before that class and it was very hard for me. Just too much with no experience riding and I failed on the figure eight box turn. At the time, I knew I needed to spend some time practicing to get comfortable and wanted to retake the class, so did not try to retest.
Before you get too worried about me, I do not plan on riding on the road until I retake the class. I have also found a nearby deserted parking log and this weekend started practicing with my bike and plan on practicing the MSF exercises (there are some good youtube resources out there on them). I have to say, I was very apprehensive that the bike would be too powerful for me and had done a lot of research on whether it was a good idea to purchase or not as a new rider with mixed results. I had considered getting a $2000-ish used low-powered bike to begin on, but I am happy to report that it is so far very easy for me to ride this bike and I feel fairly comfortable at low speeds, shifting, and stopping. It seems much easier to ride than the Harley Street that I took the MSF course on! It is a very fun bike and I am so excited to learn to ride!
Thanks for reading this! Let me know what advice you have for me!
Welcome, from Northern California. Nice intro; you're doing all the right things. We are a pretty supportive bunch, though we are mostly guys. So we do respect the lady riders as much (maybe more) as the guy riders, but remember we're still guys and we may mistakes. 
TO TT from Mississippi, nice bike the HD too. You live in a area that has plenty of beautiful places to ride!!!!!
