- This topic has 4 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 6 months ago by owlie.
You are only a beginner once!
-
AuthorPosts
-
September 21, 2009 at 4:27 am #3447Bob HarleyParticipant
In April I took my MSF course after my wife finally persuaded me to take up motorcycle riding. I figured she would ride with or without me, so I suspended my belief that motorcycles are “Dangerous!” After I completed the MSF, which I HIGHLY recommend, I have since then been filled with an exhilarating desire to ride. At first I wanted to go out and buy a bike by June or July, but for financial reasons I have held back. Reluctantly in August I decided that if I want to ride, I would have to ride her bike, a Suzuki S40. I have since named him Samuel, after the Samwise Gamgee. Much like the heroic little hobbit, the S40 is neither powerful or graceful, but rather a reliable and trustworthy sidekick that never lets me down.
Since the beginning of that MSF class I have been on the journey of learning how to become a motorcyclist. While reading the maintenance schedule for “Sam” I came to the conclusion that riders are like motorcycles. The first 500 mile break in is the most critical time, because it sets the character of both the rider and the bike. Sadly, bikes can be replaced or even repaired. But based on the number of people who ride with minimal safety gear (you know, just a helmet because its the law in California), I have concluded that many riders are bad stereotypes before they have even started.
I joined this website because I have thoughts that I want to share and questions to ask. But above all because I only get to be a beginner once and would like to write these thoughts down, so I can look back someday and remember how it felt in the beginning.
Brian V.
September 21, 2009 at 11:03 am #22450MunchParticipantNice intro….and welcome. It’s funny, me and my daughters have a running joke around here. “don’t piss off a Hobitt!” They always thought it was funny how small and non dangerous they are til you get them riled up. Then they are 3 foot furies.
September 21, 2009 at 3:25 pm #22455Bob HarleyParticipantI hadn’t thought of “Sam” as being pissed? Whoa, maybe he has some attitude…
My take on it was that despite of his “injures”, he still carried me home safely!
Thankyou on the compliment. I was worried my first two posts were too long and that no one would want to read my ‘essays of introspection’.
September 21, 2009 at 4:00 pm #22456wbsprudelsParticipantI enjoyed reading your tome on your first motorcycle. I don’t know what my next bike will be, but I enjoy learning about rider’s bike shopping experiences.
September 23, 2009 at 1:59 am #22485owlieParticipantI’m so glad to have another gregarious person on the forum. Now I don’t feel so bad posting my short dissertations on my experiences with my own S40.
Welcome to the group!
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.