Forum Replies Created
Kymco Vitality 50
-
AuthorPosts
-
JtownJJAParticipant
I guess that answers the question about what they were going to do as far as providing bikes for their Riders Edge course. Maybe they took some heat and are backing off a bit?
JtownJJAParticipantI don’t know much about your Oregon questions, but I can whole-heartedly recommend the Suzuki GS500F! I used to “like” it a lot, but after my first long group ride yesterday, I absolutely love it! It is awesome. It handled the freeways, highways, coutry roads, and twisties wonderfully! And I’ve only been riding about 3 or 4 months.
September 11, 2009 at 2:39 am in reply to: My Gladius (largs pics inside for those who demand pics!) #22294JtownJJAParticipantGreat pics of the new Gladius. They are starting to grow on me as well, but I hope to see another color choice with the 2010’s.
If you haven’t seen it already, you should check out the site http://www.gladiusstyle.com. It’s quite a hoot. It even has special MP3 music downloads, 1 for each bike color featured. I do like the look of the green/black model.
Keep us updated on how you like it, Stu, as you cover more miles.JtownJJAParticipantI had no interest in motorcycles while growing up. I actually used to think “I would never get on one of those dangerous things!”. Then within the past 2 years, my thoughts started to change. I moved out of the city, into the country. My new neighbor got his first motorcycle. I was passing motorcycles on the road a lot more than I used to when I lived in the city, and everytime I passed one, I started thinking “That looks soooooooo fun!”. Finally, last summer when gas prices went over 4 dollars a gallon, and I was filling up my car, something snapped in my head, and I said, “I’ve got to get a motorcycle!”. If it weren’t for the high gas prices, my wife would never had agreed to it. (OK, maybe reaching the age of 40 this year had something to do with it as well.)
I signed up for the BRC, and a few months later, I had my “M” endorsement. Then I became obsessed with looking at Craigslist and cycletrader.com. I always wanted to go to the dealer and sit on bikes, even though I knew I couldn’t afford one yet. I had thought I would really be into the sportbikes, but after one sit on a ZX6, I knew I would never get into the super sport category. I still like the sporty look, though. About 9 months later I got my Suzuki GS500F. I’m sure that I surprised a lot of people, because I tend to be a really quiet, shy person. No one imagined that I would get a motorcycle, especially a sport model.
It has been a lot of fun riding this summer. I’ve been riding to work on sunny days when there is ZERO percent chance of rain. I’m looking forward to my first group joy-ride this weekend.JtownJJAParticipantYep. Same thing here in Ohio. You pass the test at the end of the class, you’ve passed the skills test for your “M” endorsement. Just have to take your paperwork from the class to the BMV.
JtownJJAParticipantI wouldn’t buy a bike before taking the BRC. Don’t worry too much about trying to get practice for the class the first time. All I had going for me was I could ride a bicycle, and I drove a 5-speed manual shift car all the time, so I was used to shifting gears. However, I had absolutely no motorcycle experience or knowledge other than my online research, and I still passed the first time.
The best part of the BRC is that they supply just about everything: motorcycle, helmet, instructors, materials, etc. You just need to have long sleeves, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots. It’s a great way to see if you even like the feel of riding a motorcycle without making the financial commitment of a purchase.
As rb said, if you can take the class, then go make your purchase, the things you learn there will be fresh in your mind as you start riding.
BTW, when you start looking into taking the BRC, keep in mind that it fills up very quickly, at least around here it does. You may have to schedule it months in advance.
Hope this helps. Best of luck to you.JtownJJAParticipantGreat News, Stu! Always good to hear when someone passes the class. Congratulations!! Does that mean it’s time to enter the “shopping” phase?
JtownJJAParticipantYou’ll probably hear that from most of the people here. The Beginner Riders Course is definitely the best first step you can take.
JtownJJAParticipantI’m amazed you got back on and drove yourself to the hospital!! That’s incredible! It’s great to read through your comments and see your attitude toward it all. The best part is that your here to share the experience with the rest of us. Glad you are ok!
I’ve done all my riding alone so far, but I have my first planned group ride coming up in 2 weeks. Between you and Eon, I’ve got a lot to think about and some insight into what to look out for. Especially my own attitudes of having my own ride and not trying to keep up with the other more experienced riders if I’m not comfortable doing so.JtownJJAParticipantI cringed when I saw the title of the thread and who wrote it. Then I saw the pictures and it almost made me sick to think about. If Eon could have a fall, I could, too. It’s definitely a good reason for me to be extra cautious.
Glad to hear you escaped unharmed and was able to get back on and go again!JtownJJAParticipantGlad to have you here! I really liked the ER-6n when I was shopping around. I sat on one at the Cycle World Motorcycle Show in Cleveland, and really liked how it felt. Unfortunately, it being a new model this year, there weren’t any used ones out there, and I couldn’t afford a new bike. I was wondering how windy it feels. That was my only concern (other than the price), no windshield.
JtownJJAParticipantGreat news. You got over the financial hill quicker than I did. It took me about 10 months to get from the BRC to bike purchase.
JtownJJAParticipantYep, I agree with the others! The BRC by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is the place to begin. I had no experience whatsoever before I took it, and I was able to pass the test by the end of the class. Only takes a few hours of classroom on a Friday evening, and half a day of riding each on Saturday and Sunday. (At least that’s the way it’s scheduled here.) One weekend, and boom, you’ve learned enough to drive a motorcycle. It’s great. Also, it lets you know if it’s not for you before you make the financial investment. They supply just about everything. The only problem around here is the state-sponsored classes open up in February, and by March the entire summer schedule is full. The same basic course is offered at most Harley Davidson dealers, but at a much higher cost. They call it the “Rider’s Edge” course. Still, it’s worth it for everything that you learn in a very short time.
JtownJJAParticipantI grew up in an a south-eastern Ohio town called Pomeroy, which is right on the Ohio River. I was just down there this weekend to visit my parents. Wish I could have had my GS500F with me, but had to take the minivan for the whole family. There are lots of good roads with great views in Southeast Ohio along the river as well. I’ll have to check out your area of Indiana there some time.
JtownJJAParticipantI also took my BRC on a Nighthawk. Same problem, very difficult to get into neutral!!! When I got my GS500F, I was amazed at how easy it was. I still occasionally don’t pull up hard enough when switching from first to second, and end up in neutral by mistake.
-
AuthorPosts