Hanging up the keys.... it's time for the car to go in the garage for the summer

I couldn't wait any longer to get out on the bike. At 7:00 AM this morning I got the wheels rolling for the first time. Nothing like having to ride a dirt/ mud road for a mile the first time you actually get a bike out onto the road... Made it about a full hour before I had to stop and dip my fingers into the oil reservoir to warm them up. Turned around to head back the way I came and all of a sudden the engine started to cut out on me. Lesson 1: It's helpful if there is gas in the gas tank. Managed to flip it to reserve and get it to a gas station. Coming out of the gas station, almost dropped it. Lesson 2: if you're looking at the ground, you're likely to end up on it. Rode for roughly another hour before I realized that I have some real responsibilities I actually have to take care of. The moral of the story here is that I never want to sit in a cage again.. oh and that the best thing you can do when learning is to feel the controls, not look at them. That's a surefire way to make friends quick.. when they stop to ask if you need help picking it up :tongue:

Here she is at the finger warming stop

 

Sounds like your learning curve is steep!!! Always look where you want to go. You are very correct that if you look down you'll more than likely go down. If you haven't yet, take the MSF course. It is the best money every spent. I take refreshers every 2 - 3 years (Navy makes me) and it's always well worth the time spent. Have fun and be safe!

 

I've taken the MSF. It's awesome! The biggest issue I'm having is that there is too much play in the throttle. Specs recommend a max of 1/4 inch. I'm just a tick over 1/2 inch which means I have to roll on the throttle for ages before I get anything out of it, or at least it's feeling that way.

 

Nice! First ride for me was today so I know exactly where you are coming from.

 

Totally hear ya. Did my first real ride of the season today. About 150 miles in the Snohomish valley today. A couple 10 mph switchbacks.... Ummm... Look up stupid fucker, you're on a 600 pound 1000R. What a great ride today. Look where you want to go.

 

Yeah, that big of throttle play will definitely make it tricky!!!

My first ride will probably be in August. Sometimes the US Navy doesn't understand my needs and that I'm a much better sailor if I can ride my motorcycle at least 100 miles a day. Oh well.

 

I hear that everyday from my Brother. He's currently stationed in Groton CT and won't be riding until probably July at the earliest. I make sure to send him a picture every time I go out for a ride. :tongue:

 

What part of Vermont? I used to live about half way between Bennington and Albany, NY. I don't miss the winters!!

 

I live in the big city! And by that I mean the 7 or so blocks that make up Burlington. Winters here are all right as long as you can find something to do. As the saying goes, we've got 9 months of winter and three months of crappy sledding. :biggrin:

 

C'mon. Burlington is at least 9 blocks long.

I'm in Jericho, and haven't ridden yet this year. We should hook up sometime and do AppGap or Smuggler's Notch.

Vermont's 4 seasons:
Mud Season (1 month)
Road Work Season (2 months)
Foliage Season (1 month)
Winter (9 months)

 

Sounds about right. I'd love to ride through the Gap or Smuggs but I'm still getting my road legs underneath me so might be a while on that one. Took another quick spin around town today. Got home and had coolant everywhere. Turns out, rubber doesn't hold up well after 20 some odd years. Little duct tape and zip tie as temporary fix and we're back in business.

 

That hose should be a standard size, and you can buy it at any auto parts store.

We can get together and take a mellow ride, too. My bike is still in pieces right now (had to replace the HID ballasts under the tank/in front of the airbox). Replacement of these two parts START with 'remove the entire tail fairing'...

Hit me up in a couple of weeks!