New rider and new VFR owner

Hello all,

I'm a new rider in Chicago. I just finished my MSF course a couple weeks ago.
I picked up a 96 VFR actually a week or so before I started my class, I had a buddy ride it home for me because I had no intentions of getting on it until after I finished my class.

I'm very glad I took the class, it was far more than I expected. I went out riding with my buddy for the first time a few days after finishing the class. On my first day out riding, I put 60 miles on my bike including driving around my residential neighborhood and other more crowded neighborhoods, getting stuck in gridlock downtown, getting stuck in expressway traffic, riding at full expressway speed, dealing with the more free flowing suburban areas.... just a wide range of situations. I was immediately able to employ just about ALL of the material that I learned in the class in one afternoon.

If any other new riders are reading this and haven't taken the class, do yourself a favor and sign up because I guarantee you that on your FIRST day out riding, you will encounter situations where you will NEED to use some of the stuff you learned in order to keep yourself out of harm's way.... especially if you live in a larger city like I do where you will easily encounter many types of riding situations and drivers in one afternoon.

Anyway, I didn't mean to plug the class, I just wanted to introduce myself. Like I mentioned, I picked up a 96 VFR, so far I love it.... but it's my first bike so I don't really have anything else to compare it to. I'm a big guy, 6'2", 230lbs, and this bike seems to fit me like a glove. It was that reason, and the Honda reliability factor that sold me on this bike. Oh yeah, and it looks good too. I'm looking forward to riding it and maintaining it at least for this season and probably next season. Afterwards I'll probably upgrade to a newer model Interceptor.

Right now, I'm just happy to be riding, period.

 

Hi Keb, welcome aboard. Glad you thought the MSF class was useful. Sounds like you have the right attitude. Take your time and get use to your bike. Try riding some nice mountain roads away from traffice also. There are lots of people here ready to help you and answer any questions to get you on your way. Good luck. Bob (former MSF Chief Instructor).

 

welcome and enjoy your bike,but you have a very unique engine design on that bike you give that up with the v-tec so i would sit tight ,unless body style is more important to you.the v-tec is more stylish than its predecessors.i like both ,but its up to you .my 2 cents.

 

Great job taking the class! Leaving ego at home helps insure you will return! Nice choice of bike. If Chicago is anything like DC you will need your training, enjoy the ride.