[Candice]

I nod when I can’t wave and sometimes I’ll catch a wave out of the corner of my eye but I was too busy with what was going on in front of me to reciprocate anything. That happened on Saturday, a guy on a scooter waved and I noticed too late plus I was coming to a stop so I wasn’t able to acknowledge him and I felt kind of bad because I don’t want the scooters to think I’m ignoring them! Oh well, I know it’s a little silly but….

[Candice]

I was very nervous just riding in my rather quiet neighborhood. For about a week I would ride my motorcycle everyday and anytime I came to a stop sign, I would stop of course, and then if someone was coming to my right or left I would just sit there and wave them through and then when it was all clear I would continue on my way. Finally, I told myself, if I don’t stop doing that then I should return the motorcycle so then I drove like a normal person after that and went on busier streets one at a time that encircled my neighborhood. Then I was still scared of traffic so I just started running little errands like to go get a lotto ticket at the gas station, or I went to the library and got a book, stuff like that. It gets easier pretty quick. Good luck!

[Candice]

I thought the class was well worth my time. I did find that after each day I was exhausted but I would suggest taking the class to anyone who has even the slightest interest in learning to ride a motorcycle.

One guy quit the first day because he fell off his bike and scratched his leg, another guy almost ran over the instructor going about 20mph, flipped over the handle bars and the bike crashed, he got up they gave him another bike and off he went like nothing happened. So, riding is for some but not others, just depends. If you are brand spanking new to motorcycle riding I wouldn’t suggest buying your bike and gear prior to taking the class that’s for sure.

[Candice]

My first bike is a Suzuki LS650 2002, had 700 miles on it, I bought it August 2008. It’s single cylinder and I’m not intimidated by it’s “power”. It’s pretty Tame. I sat on some other bikes that I was completely intimidated by but this one was perfect. I’ll ride it into the ground this coming season and possibly next and then get something with more power. Hopefully the snow melts soon.

Maybe I shouldn’t use the phrase riding it into the ground, well, you know what I mean.

[Candice]

If you have not taken the MSF class I highly recommend it before you decide if you like motorcycle shifting or not. I had no shifting experience prior to this class and it’s really quite easy.

I had considered a scooter but I went with the motorcycle and I am soooooo happy!

Candice

[Candice]

Have a few beers, then go rollerblade backwards around some orange cones lined up about 10 in a row about 3 feet apart or if you never did that before you might have to do 6 feet apart, you know in and out, you will hit almost all of them. I tried it a few years back and when not under the influence I NEVER hit a cone. Made it REAL clear that drinking reduces your abilities A LOT!

[Candice]

In regards to riders over 40, I read that those riders are buying the very large bikes, like Goldwings and the heavier the bike was in the accident, the more likely that the accident was FATAL.

[Candice]

I was completely against myself getting anything bigger than a 250 when I was looking for my first bike this summer. I couldn’t find a 250, got fed up, bought a 650 and I am SOOOOOO GLAD that I got a 650. It’s a beginner 650 cruiser style, it is perfect for me, I’m very happy.

[Candice]

I was worried about the wind yesterday also because I drove my bike to work. I was advised by another rider here at work to slow down about 5 mph and that should help so sounds like you did the right thing! I didn’t have too much trouble until I got on the highway, that was ridiculous. I felt like I was fighting the whole way.

[Candice]

Congratulations! I was on a nighthawk, nice little bike. I am only 5’7″ 135lbs so I really liked the size of the Nighthawk and I was going to buy one but I couldn’t find one for sale in my area. Have fun looking for a bike!

[Candice]

Hey Andrew, I filled up my tank in Joliet just this morning! I love this weather! I even went on a ride for my lunch time today. You are suppose to have a full gas tank when you winterize your bike and then you add stabilizer. So fill er up and get riding before it turns cold and rainy on Thursday!

[Candice]

Sign up! If you decide the first hour you are on the bike you don’t like it, they respect your decision to drop out. Their view is that you learned you didn’t like riding a motorcycle and that’s ok. BUT, if you like it, you will be so glad! It’s a win win situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and I think if anyone has even an inkling of an interest in riding a motorcycle, they should take the class, it’s a really good experience. I mean, you might take the class, pass, and still decide you don’t want to ride, that’s ok too. I think you will regret not signing up, you’ll always think about it.

[Candice]

I always switch one lane at a time in my car and on my bike but I see cars crossing over lanes like that 2 or 3 at a time all the time, I’m scared of those people in my car and on my bike! I’m glad that it was only a close call for her, geez. Scary.

[Candice]

I will keep all these ideas for future. I didn’t end up going because the forecast called for showers and t-storms but in the end it was sunny and warm. Oh well. My friend said it was probably good I didn’t go anyways because there were hundreds of bikes there and I may have felt overwhelmed due to my inexperience, I agreed with her because I was already feeling nervous about that. My other friend has invited me to go riding with her small group next time they ride, so I’ll definitely do that.

[Candice]

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suzuki_ls_650_p_savage_2003.php

I have only been riding since August and I bought a single cylinder. I love it! It rides great, it performs well, and is easy to maneuver. I would say single cylinder is good for a beginner.

[Author]

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