[Andrew]

Could anyone have backed into it with a car? You deductible won’t go up put your premium probably will a little. You will probably have to file a claim as fairings get expensive fast.

[Andrew]

I’m at 950 but the IL weather has had me side linded for a a full week now. Looking like Sunday and Monday are my last chances.

[Andrew]

My Ninja rides best at around 7K rpm when I’m cruising around town.

[Andrew]

Practice doing circles in a parking lot at slow speeds. That will get you used to the lean and to using the clutch and rear brake to regulate your speed. When I say back brake I mean get used to ‘feathering’ it. You can use it to trim speed if you have too but it must be very lightly done.

[Andrew]

I indicate with my turn signals. My hands stay on the bars. Slowing from speed is just something you have to practice. Start out at stopping in 20 ft from 20 and then go up. Don’t forget to keep adding distance. Remember that you can stop faster than a car but if you grab the brakes too hard you will lock them up.

[Andrew]

I was worried about those turns but once I had some parking lot practice under my belt I trusted my ability to turn faster than a car. You may feel like you take a turn slow on the bike but if you have ever been behind a driver who practically stops their van or suv to turn you know how slowly some cars turn. I can now make one of those turns easily in 3rd at 20 mph.

Check your tires since thats an older bike. New tires can do wonders for your grip on the road.

[Andrew]

I didn’t buy a Sport bike to race. If you haven’t taken the MSF then you should. It will help with your skills and your confidence. I started on a smaller bike and I don’t have to temper my enthusiasm to ride at all. I don’t ride in the wet but I’ll ride in the cold as I like it.

[Andrew]

I’d want a water cooled engine in that climate.

[Andrew]

Going slower means less lean in turns which will help.

[Andrew]

Some of the extreme (?) cruisers with the real long wheel base and the high/long handle bars look like they would be uncomfortable and only go in a straight line. I can admire the art involved but don’t consider them very functional.

[Andrew]

A head wind is annoying but a total cross wind is a problem if it’s strong enough.

[Andrew]

Some of those cruisers/hoggs look like they would suck from the riding pov.

[Andrew]

For reference the rectangle is 20′ by 60′ for the evaluation. They give you an extra 4 feet with the dotted line when you first do it.

[Andrew]

I filled her up. Gives me an excuse to try and ride as much as I can. Cost me $6.60. Gotta love that.

[Andrew]

Thats what the guy who sold me the bike does.

[Author]

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