pwln 0 #1 April 30, 2008 Shiney is a word, right? Soo.. I've never really been on a motorcycle, It's 60.4 miles 1 way to the dropzone (69 on back roads (temp license prohibits interstate and night time travel)... I got a 2007 Honda Shadow VLX deluxe (1 mile on it). I figure with the 15 month old kid, my wife will need the car a little more this year, and with work putting a GPS in my company van, I can't "sneak" it down there so much anymore. Crazy, maybe. I've scoped out the different routes that I can take (2 lane and 4 lane limited access, state or US route). With fuel prices how they are this can't really hurt my pocket too much. I am a little scared, but I hope that never really goes away. So far I have 45 miles on it, 4 lane and 2 lane roads with a lot of curves. Maybe I wont kill myself on it this year, or better yet maybe someone else wont kill me on it this year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 April 30, 2008 Looks good! Now go do a MSF course and read "proficient motorcycling," it'll help you a lot. Keep the rubber down brother!--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #3 April 30, 2008 I plan on doing a MSF BRC if I ever get off of work or home long enough to do it. I know it takes less than a week but I'm always out of town. AND in my state, a completed MSF approved Basic rider course will waive the "test" for the license. Everyone that I have talked to that is a rider recommends taking a course. Most even said they took one after riding for years and learned quite a bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 897 #4 April 30, 2008 Sweet! Now...no stickers....no reflectors....smooth is groovy. Excellent choice of colors! Rider's course. Basic if you've never ridden before. Advanced if you have. Enjoy the gas mileage. Be careful, have fun. DO NOT LET CHUCK BLUE TALK YOU INTO SMOKEY BURNOUTS AT THE BAR!!!! oh wait....I think it was the other way around.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #5 April 30, 2008 Looks purty! Now do what Dave said, then go have fun. Bring it on down to Texas, we will have a group ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #6 April 30, 2008 I finally got a title, now I can get tags. With tags I don't need protection AND I can ride on the highway, right? Temp tags scream new rider, now don't they. Within 5 minutes of riding I learned "the wave"... (I'll stick to the back roads for now. and no drunken burnouts or "runway" rides.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #7 April 30, 2008 My "step" dad says I should winter it in FL. He would keep it in the bedroom at night. I told him that I may consider it if he never said that again. [shudder]. I may think about Texas when I go for a Iron Butt number. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mayberry 0 #8 April 30, 2008 *Wave* Nice! Have fun & be careful out there! Don Here's to friends! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 897 #9 April 30, 2008 I've always thought the "bike wave" was seconded only by the "boat wave". Make me smile everytime we do it. Even to mopeds. We should all be so friendly. Please....be careful....it's fucking scary out there on two wheels. Not that we weren't....but who said those burnouts were "drunken"?????? I wish I knew who took the pictures of Chuck and I doing a side-by-side, black and orange, Harley Fucking Davidson, Road Fucking Glide, Burnout in the bunker at Z-Hizzie!!!!!! I want that pic.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #10 April 30, 2008 Quote Within 5 minutes of riding I learned "the wave"... I ride a sportbike. I wave at everybody else but it's always funny how the "Harley" riders don't wave back!! Some "Harley" rider was in front of me the other day, and he was spitting! back full well knowing I was there...... I "cracked" my throttle and went by him almost supersonic.....yep. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conundrum 1 #11 April 30, 2008 Not my style, but congrats! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #12 April 30, 2008 I didn't know I should do it to mopeds. That reminds me of the 400+ pound woman that was "sitting" on a moped when I went back to the dealer. It made me think of a hover-round dealer. I tried not to giggle as I walked by. And I said that "I" wouldn't do drunken burnouts yet... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 897 #13 April 30, 2008 innacurate generalization. you must run into the "swooper" HD riders. or were you riding a wheelie or stoppie???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #14 April 30, 2008 I wanted a Harley but I convinced my wife that the Honda was cheaper and I did not want to scratch up a "good" bike learning to ride. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #15 April 30, 2008 Quote innacurate generalization. you must run into the "swooper" HD riders. or were you riding a wheelie or stoppie???? I was just out having fun!! Promise I didn't pick on the HD rider, swear!! On the flipside, I'll be picking up me a HD next year....or so I think. Keeping the Yamaha FZ1 though! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #16 April 30, 2008 Quote I wanted a Harley but I convinced my wife that the Honda was cheaper and I did not want to scratch up a "good" bike learning to ride. You did good. I love those Shadows. Great ride, smooth.....etc.. Plus, they don't break down like a Harley!Edit to add: Ride it like everyone is trying to kill you!! Cause they are..... Ride like everyone is going to pull out on you from a side road. Cause they do. Have fun! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #17 April 30, 2008 The Initial thought was cost of the bike and fuel to and from the DZ. Yeah 60-70 miles is a long way when you have never been on a bike before, but I (and my wife) thinks that I will be pretty conservative. I'm sure in the long run it will completely change my "style". It's one of the things that was never on my list of things to do and I find myself happy that I rented a locker at the DZ so all I have to do is ride down any chance I get to get a jump in. Pretty soon I'll be one of those retards that I see riding in the pouring ass rain with a rain suit on. I can feel it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #18 April 30, 2008 It IS really smooth. I took it out last weekend and rode it 18 miles 1 way (4 lane 55 mph US route) and only 1 person passed me to slow down and turn right. I drive my work van (2008 Uplander Cargo Van) like everyone is trying to kill me, so it's not too far to convert that over, just a little more scary when that semi passes me at 58 mph on my little 600cc (450 lbs) bike. I hope that is does not break down, they gave me a "tool kit" it is a baggie and a screwdriver. I guess I just find "someplace" to shove it if I breakdown. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #19 April 30, 2008 Tire repair kit ($30), is a must. Rain suit, etc..etc..... you can buy a tank bag to stow it.... Or there are many other types of bags to purchase. What kind of helmet did you get? Jacket? Pants? Boots? hmmmmmm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #20 April 30, 2008 I got a Vega Mach 1 (Full Face) DOT and SNELL approved, and a Nitro Racing? jacket (has the "CE approved protection") No pants or special boots YET. O have boots that are leather and provide pretty good coverage, but they are a hiking type of boot ($300) and have that groove in the middle that makes me have to move my foot out of the groove to shift (or maybe brake) I'll be getting some other type of boot to wear ASAP for that reason. I have no clue about leg protection and I really wouldn't worry about it if I'd ever been on a bike before. It seems like the Harley dealers are better prepared for newer riders, almost all of them offer MSF courses, the Honda dealer really could have cared less. I know Honda offers courses in 4 places in the US, one of them is less than 100 miles from my home, yet there are 3 Harley dealers in my city that offer courses. I am kind of glad that I got a full face for now. On my little ride I had a bug hit my faceshield at what would have been right between my eyes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #21 April 30, 2008 QuoteI have no clue about leg protection and I really wouldn't worry about it if I'd ever been on a bike before. Good armored pants for when you go down. ie. wreck. It's not IF you'll ever drop it, it's WHEN. It's been years since I wrecked a bike, I'm thankful that one was a dirtbike and I was geared up! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #22 April 30, 2008 When I got it I told the dealer to order some turn signals for me, I'd be in for them at some point. There were a few 20mph 90 degree corners (going down a hill) along my route to the DZ with nothing but cornfields around (extra dirt, mud or maybe gravel) on the road. I slowed down a lot in the car and thought about meeting the guard rail on my ass, bile first. Maybe I read too much into things but I think it is good to think about what could and "will" someday happen. I should always keep in mind my little kid, if nothing else I'd want to be around for her. I just don't know about getting the pants online. With as much as I travel I need to start checking in the places I go to. The guy that sold me the bike was telling me about a few of the wrecks that he was in, not that it was helping him sell it to me, I already knew what I wanted when I went there but really, did I need to know that? The possible wrecking was one of the reasons that I got a "smaller" bike. I'd be a retard to start on a 1200 or so. 600cc is more than plenty for now. So I only have 4 gears, I guess I wont be doing 150 mph in 3rd gear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #23 April 30, 2008 I'm sorry I wasn't clear. It's not about the speed. You can just as easy have a low speed accident. Pants/jacket/boots just keep you from getting "more" banged up than without. That's all I was meaning.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwln 0 #24 April 30, 2008 No, you were clear, my reply was just a ramble. I'll lay it down stopping, starting or on a corner (most likely). I was just commenting about NOT getting something bigger than my experience level. At this level I can use all of the protection I can get my hands on. Like, I have about 400 jumps, I DO NOT need something smaller than I have now (170). I have less than 1000 miles on a bike, I don't need a 1600cc bike or a custom chopper, a sport bike, or the like. Sure I can get killed on this just the same but... Risk management, right? I hope to have a BRC and a few thousand miles under my belt by the time it starts to get cold out. That is one of the best things that I can do for myself. (As everyone has already pointed out.) I do really appreciate anyones advice or comments (internet... instructor... take a class....) One of the things that scares me the most is low speed (sharper) turns, just because I have not done very many. I have looked a a lot of documentation (most of it by the MSF) and I don't know if I can do half of that stuff. That is the things I need to work on to be more confident AND not a danger to others on the road. I will be getting new boots and pants as soon as I possibly can, then a MSF approved course. (Maybe I need a tatoo first?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 4 #25 April 30, 2008 That's a good, informed choice for a first bike. I've had Hondas all my life, and I wouldn't take any two Harleys for it (well, I would, but then I'd sell them and buy four Hondas with the money). Have fun with it. Getting some extra running lights will make you more visible to cagers. 1) Ride like you're invisible to every driver on the road, 'cause one day you will be. 2) Watch for dogs 3) Watch for gravel, especially in curves. 4) Don't be afraid of riding, but don't fail to respect the fact that you're new to it. A class is the absolute best thing you can do. Don "When in doubt I whip it out, I got me a rock-and-roll band. It's a free-for-all." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
