[owlie]

Hmm… You may consider that your 12 year old daughter is part of the problem. It could be that Mom is concerned about her little girl on the back of a motorcycle.

[owlie]

Welcome to the forums.

While I’m not much help on the finer points of sport bikes, I will say that Ninjas are considered to retain their value pretty well if you buy used. Frequently, you can resell it the same season or the next for about what you paid for it (and occasionally more).

Good luck!

[owlie]

Congratulations! That is fantastic news.

My suggestion would be to treat the first couple hundred miles like it was your first time to ride a new bike. You’re probably going to want to take it easy for the first few days anyway since it has been up for the winter, but do some extra PLP and take it easy in the corners. I honestly don’t know how much that kind of weight loss might affect your center of gravity, and all the fun stuff that comes along with it…

[owlie]

Okay guys, it is time to get you both down at the same table. NO ARGUMENTS!

I’ll be in town April 2 through April 5. My preference is for the 5th, but, hey, its my vacation, I’m flexible.

See y’all soon,
Owlie

[owlie]

Sounds like a great ride. I love the picture.

You should definitely check out the Arkansas rides too. Last summer, my mom and I drove to Eureka Springs, and the number of bikes on the road around there was incredible. There is even a motel that caters exclusively to bikers called “The Rider’s Rest” if I remember correctly.

[owlie]

Welcome to the group.

Just be advised that the S40 is a slightly larger bike that the other two that you are looking at (it is a 650 rather than a 250). I bought an 09 S40 for my first bike, and it was quite the learning experience. I sat on it before I saw the TU250 and fell in love. I didn’t seriously consider any other bike afterward, but I do like the looks of the TU250.

Also, it troubles some people (I think it is amusing), but the S40 is well known for backfiring.

Best luck!
Owlie

[owlie]

Hmm… Do you think that they make Snell approved bowler hats?

[owlie]

Welcome to the forums!

[owlie]

Wasn’t saying that I wanted to be like him, just amazed and somewhat awed that someone was that “dedicated”- for lack of a better word.

[owlie]

He was in the mid-town area, so firmly urban and no need to go over 45mph unless he just wanted to be stupid.

I actually seem to remember one of the guys at the HD dealership saying that there were a couple of guys that rode year round, but this is the first time I have seen one.

[owlie]

Okay, so, despite my declaration that spring is coming, mother nature sent another 8″ of snow our way last weekend. Given the sloppy condition of the roads, and the occasional flurry that I see outside my office windows, I do not think that it was strange for me to think “Wow, there’s a guy who is really looking forward to riding season” when I saw a guy in a well worn black leather motorcycle jacket and blue jeans at lunch.

Really, is it that strange? Its below freezing. The roads are icy. I passed at least five cars in the ditch during my commute yesterday morning.

I apologize for my indescretion right now in assuming that someone wandering around in the middle of an Alaskan winter in their biker gear, was not, in fact, riding a motorcycle. I so wish that I had my camera out, but by the time I saw him cruise by on his trike, it was too late.

I am not shamed by the fact that I am a summer bound, weekend warrior. However, while Elwood and Munch might think I have “grit”, I ain’t got nothin’ on this guy.

Humbled,
Owlie

[owlie]

Two suggestions that might help her out for longer rides:

1) change out the seat. The stock seat on the S40 isn’t great if you are riding more than 2-3 hours.

2) get a windshield. Getting the wind off her chest will probably make the ride much more enjoyable- whatever bike she is on.

As for a canoe… rent one when you get there.

In the end, trailer your bikes if you want to. Not all bikes are good for a long haul, and you should ride your bike the way you want to, when you want to. Some of us are weekend warriors, some of us ride full time, but the key, what we all have in common, is that we love riding.

[owlie]

That looks like it was an awesome ride.

So the question of the day, the twisties sign in the first picture says 25 mph… How fast did you really take it?

[owlie]

What eternal doesn’t know is that buying me drinks is generally pretty cheap. Unless y’all know of a good microbrew that does its own Root Beer…

No bike; I haven’t even really decided if I’m going to rent a car. I usually stay with one of my friends, but I’ll be in town six nights, so I might strike out on my own (her husband and I tolerate each other, but it doesn’t go much farther than that).

After Seattle, its on to San Francisco! Whoo-hooo! I’m so ready for vacation.

[owlie]

The new exhaust can is definitely a vast improvement. Glad to hear that time for studying is going to good use!

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