[owlie]

I’m going to have to use this if someone gives me grief about dinging up my new bike:

“yours just looks like you use it! No problem. A couple of scratches only gives the bike character anyways.”

Fantastic!

[owlie]

Cool! I’m a hooligan! Maybe I should get that for my personalized tag instead of “Thumper”.

[owlie]

Thanks for the tip.

And I have to say it is a relief, even if it is totally embarrassing. I guess that the good thing is that I am embarrassed and not upset/afraid/scared.

I can see the Craig’s List post now:

“Brand New Suzuki Boulevard S40, Less than 20 miles. Great beginner bike. Ladies go crazy over the two-tone magenta/white paint. I just don’t want to store it for the winter and am looking to get a bigger bike in the spring. A few minor scratches in the mirror and exhaust from where it got dropped in my driveway. Nothing a good buffing can’t get. Barely been ridden, so $4500 firm.”

Nope. I’ll get some more gear before I go riding again, but that was too much fun.

As for riding it home, the major reason for that was that I wanted to get a feel for it on concrete first rather than gravel. My driveway is a 200ft gravel drive that inclines up to the road at about 13deg. The drive from the dealership is mostly back roads that I am really familiar with, so I wasn’t too concerned about that.

[owlie]

I should also mention that we have the whole snowbird phenomena; Eon may see it also. I’m sure you see it on the other end. Retirees who come to Alaska for the gorgeous summers, then go to Pheonix, Florida, or Hawaii for the winter….

[owlie]

Thanks.

I think Suzuki is putting belt drives in all of their bikes also. Out of curiosity, what is the benefit of belt drives over chains?

[owlie]

Wow that is beautiful. I’ll have to drag my friend up that way next time I’m in Seattle.

And yes, Elwood, 30 degrees. We’ve already started closing up the house at night…

[owlie]

The Ride Like a Pro video is mostly low speed techniques like you learn in the BRC. Some of what he shows are the exact same thing, some are a little different, but the skills are the same.

I’d also suggest looking at Crash’s videos. They are somewhere between Ride Like a Pro and what Proficient Motorcycling would be if they made a video. Some riding technique, some safety tips.

[owlie]

The F&I manager was razzing me about it because she “was thinking about buying” the bike come spring, just for the color. I have to admit, I love it.

[owlie]

Welcome to the group, Josh.

For helmets, you would be better off buying a new one. It only takes a couple of drops from waist height to compromise the integrity of a helmet, and on alot of surfaces, there wouldn’t necessarily be any sign of damage.

Happy hunting!

[owlie]

I think that the blast is a belt drive too.

[owlie]

That is kind of what I figured. That and Christmas in October is coming up (It’s an Alaskan thing…). I figure that people will have to sell their bikes to help pay for their new snow machines.

[owlie]

You know you’re a motorcycle geek when wearing black leather to your favorite vehicle dealership is socially acceptable and even stylish.

[owlie]

The other thing, be sure to have her take the MSF contemporaneously (or after) the butt testing. The first time I tried the blast, I thought that the regular seat was too high, but it was because I didn’t know how to relax into the the seat. Not really afraid of the bike, just not comfortable on it. After I took the class, it was a whole different story.

I’m not much taller than your lady, and I was really surprised to discover that most of the bikes that are listed as “beginner bikes” actually fit me pretty well from the flat-foot point of view.

[owlie]

Up here it is moose, not deer. I’m not sure which is worse. At least with moose, when they start going in one direction, they tend to keep going that way. I see them frequently, but I haven’t heard of a bike hitting one (yet).

[owlie]

Honestly, don’t you think the name “stoppie” would have given him a clue?

[Author]

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