[pixiedust]

Hope you love your new ride! I have a Monster 695, it’s my first bike, but I was lucky enough to find it “gently used” with only 200 miles on it! It was a steal.

[pixiedust]

I was one of those people in class who didn’t get the hang of the clutch until the morning before the test. Suddenly, I had my AH-HA moment, and passed with flying colors! Hopefully, your classmates will too. Have fun and good luck.

[pixiedust]

I’m a helmet talker too. Sometimes I even sing.

[pixiedust]

Hi Korny,

I found it helpful to ride with another woman. Luckily, my friend/neighbor rides and has a couple more years of experience than I do. It was a very different experience riding with her vs. my husband. We found all the gentle, quiet roads and it really boosted my confidence.

Not saying all women ride for the same reasons, but I feel like we may appreciate the ride differently than men and can be each others best allies.

Good luck!

[pixiedust]

I’ve been out a few times this year. On the first outing, I encountered dirty, gritty spots on the roads with salt and sand residue left over from winter. After a good rain, that was gone and the ride was much smoother on the second ride.

My little monster seems to have come out of hibernation quite nicely. We cruised around the WI countryside and enjoyed the 60 degree temps. Lucky for me, I can leave my neighborhood and be in the sticks in about 5 minutes. Very rare to see another car out there. I used the opportunity to remember and practice all my MSF skills. I was less rusty than I thought I would be.

I was looking forward to a ride with my husband this weekend, but the forecast is for rain both days…April showers bring May motorcycle riding!

[pixiedust]

Ladies, when trying on jackets, make sure you crouch over into your riding position and look in the mirror. Don’t just stand up straight and admire the short jacket you pulled off the hanger like I did. Sure, it’s really cute, (**cough, SAFE, I meant to say SAFE**), but just make sure you’re not going to be showing the world things you might not want exposed.

I am now the owner of 2 jackets, one is longer in the back to provide a little modesty. And the other is cropped at waist length and requires an undershirt be carefully tucked into pants to avoid a “wardrobe malfunction.”

[pixiedust]

Ok, I think I’m ready for the Sporty. I’m starting to think one of the things I’ll like best about motorcycling is trying out lots of different types of bikes.

Elwood, I’ll be in Seminole County.

[pixiedust]

I’m pretty sure it is an 883. I plan on keeping it off the highways and staying under 60 mph. I’m just excited to try something new and different. Luckily, the house is near some old orange groves that have a few gently curving “country” roads. Not much country left in FL though!

Now, as for flying with my helmet…is it carry on? Do I need a special case for it?

Thanks for all the good tips!

[pixiedust]

Otherwise, I love the helmet. I’m going to try washing the pads one more time and maybe that will get rid of whatever I’m allergic to…what a bummer.

[pixiedust]

Scorpion EXO700

[pixiedust]

I love your posts.

I had a good ride today too. Only about 20 miles, and they were easy…mostly 35 and 45 mph and mostly straight or very gentle curves. It was the first time that I was out in a foursome. My three riding partners are all more experienced than I, but very patient and safety focused.

It was the first time that I felt real “muscle memory” kick in and I had no butterflies bouncing around in my stomach. Don’t get me wrong, I still had my usual nerves at the start, but they seemed to evaporate quickly out in the late summer country air and I actually got to enjoy my bike. It was so satisfying to approach curves and corners confidently. And Owlie, looking through the turns is the hardest thing for me…but it SO works! Sounds like you came to the same conclusion.

Congrats on all your learning moments from a fellow beginner who also skipped the 250.

[pixiedust]

Forgot to mention that I also did my first “destination ride.” My husband was so bored riding around with me but never really going anywhere…he’s not a beginner. He convinced me to ride to a restaurant for lunch yesterday with him and it was great! We sat outside and ate our sandwiches and got some fun comments from other riders who had the same idea since the weather was so nice.

[pixiedust]

It is the manufacturers warranty and the dealer honored it. They actually said any dealer of that brand would honor it, not just where it was purchased. Thanks for the input.

[pixiedust]

You know you’re a motorcycle geek when you “tuck your bike in” at night when closing the garage.

[pixiedust]

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I would just ask for a bit more feedback on the Ninja 650. I have been shopping for a few months now and haven’t purchased anything yet but seem to be leaning toward the Ninja 650. Most of my riding experience has been on a borrowed 2006 Ninja 250 and I’m feeling pretty comfortable and confident on that. I would like to buy something that I’ll have for several years and I like the ergonomics of the 650. Sat on one, but didn’t have time to ride it.

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