[ScottyJ]

Hi all. I found this board by doing a search on the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD which led me to the review which led me to the board and here I am. I am brand new to motorcycles, having only rode a very few times about 25-30 years ago. But I have had the bug for a couple of years and I have decided to take the MSF course the weekend after next and hopefully buy a motorcycle soon after. I have been reading a lot about the Vulcan 900 and the Suzuki C50 but finances may make me settle for a smaller bike, which may be a good thing. Anyway, there you have it.

[megaspaz]

Hi Scotty! Welcome back to the riding world.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[ScottyJ]

Thanks, spaz.

[uncle_bernie]

To start out on, even though Texas is a mandatory bigger is better state, go with the smaller bike and move up once you feel comfortable doing so. For a friend of mine here in Houston, who is a 5′ 6″” woman, that desire to move up to a 750 happened in a month, for me it took three months to want to move up to the Suzuki S50. Everyone’s different…

~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…

[ScottyJ]

Yeah, bigger “seems” better but it’ll be useless if I’m afraid to ride it. In all likelihood, I’ll get something in the 500-650 range and I’m sure it’ll be plenty for me. And hopefully, I can keep it in good shape and when I’m ready to move up, it’ll have some resale value.

[ScottyJ]

Day 1 of the MSF course was today and it was a lot of fun. Because of the size of our class, we had to break up into groups and my half did their riding in the morning hours today but tomorrow we’ll be riding in the heat of the afternoon.

They had mostly Suzukis and some Kawasakis and Hondas. I chose a black Kawasaki Eliminator with a dent and scratch on the left side of the tank and a missing left rear turn indicator light. Okay, maybe it wasn’t new or perfect but I thought maybe since there was already damage, I wouldn’t make it any worse.

I was actually a little nervous going into the class because it’s literally been 30 years since I rode a motorcycle and those few times were very brief. But almost the whole class were motorcycle virgins so I was definitely not alone in my fears, I’m sure. The instructors were really good and in no time, I was feeling fairly confident, or at least fairly competent. I came away wanting more, more, more.

It’s going to be hell sitting in class tomorrow since I really want to do more riding. My girlfriend asked me a little while ago when I wanted to get my motorcycle and without hesitation, I said Monday. Anyway, I can’t get it Monday but definitely the sooner the better.

[Ben]

Congrats

The MSF course is a blast, and it really teaches you a lot of good techniques. Post up some pics of your bike when you get it

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[ScottyJ]

Ben, I’ll definitely post some pics when I get a bike.

[ScottyJ]

Hey all, I finished the class yesterday and today I took the DPS written test and got my license. So I am street legal. Now I just have to get a bike.

[megaspaz]

w00t!!!111

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[ScottyJ]

I got home a couple of hours ago with my very first motorcycle. I bought an ’07 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom in Candy Plasma Blue. It had .8 on the odometer when I got it and now it has over 20 miles of neighborhood riding. I am so happy I was able to ride it. I know it may sound funny, but I was pretty nervous before that initial takeoff. I obviously have tons of things to practice but a couple of immediately obvious things are making tighter turns from a stop and canceling my turn signal sooner while shifting and accelerating. That multitasking while remaining aware of everything is tough stuff.

Here’s a picture of me “posing” on my bike…

http://i27.tinypic.com/2dmfrqu.jpg

[hawkeye206649]

Wow nice bike looks like you should have plenty of good times with that one. I like the candy blue paint job. Grats on the new bike!

[ScottyJ]

Thank you, hawkeye.

I read your thread and saw your looking at Ninjas. I can’t help you with your search for a dealer with a first time buyer plan but I do wish you luck. I financed mine through Kawasaki at 6.99% for 24 months. I take it you did not qualify for that. Anyway, best of luck.

[ScottyJ]

I wanted to check in and share a big milestone with the good people here. 1000 miles! Yea! LOL. I never thought I’d ride a thousand miles in the first 26 days but I did. No big trips. Just some fun solo cruises and a decent amount of commuting to and from work. I am totally in love with riding and I love riding that Custom.

A couple of pics from 7/16/08…

http://i35.tinypic.com/bfl4pu.jpg

http://i33.tinypic.com/29crslu.jpg

[ScottyJ]

I hit 2000 miles today on the way to work. Also, I recently rode two-up a couple of times. It is definitely different but I have not encountered any problems yet. Oh, and yeah, I’m still loving it!

http://i38.tinypic.com/33w8niu.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/nx12mc.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/33jjxnr.jpg

[Author]

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