It's June 11. I've been riding to school nearly everyday, and I've put 110 miles on her since I brought it down. I dropped my helmet by acident with my new Joe Rocket tank bag in it. I busted the visor, so I ordered a mirrored smoke replacement to act as my sunglasses more or less and it does good. The bike acts better going from a cold start. I do let her warm up a minute or two.
I found a backway with curves and little traffic on the way to and from school. Also, it's pretty much a straight shot. My class is in the building the motorcycle parking is attached to, so I practically walk very little to get to class and work. Don't worry...I play racket ball to make up for it :D.
Overall, Im doing good. Kyoko is holding her own, and she gets to park with the big boys. Specifically a ZX-9R, SV650s, and a beatup TL1000. I told her Im not delivering the babies when she gets pregnant, but I'll gladly sell the litter off :P.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
A week of riding in a glance.
So it's been a week since I've been riding Kyoko (the name of my bike) on real roads in real traffic. I must start by saying that the mobility and accessibility with her is simply amazing. I can park right next to where my classes are, and I can park at Northgate (bars, food, and social center of College Station) without paying. In addition, I can park close to the REC center and work. It encourages me to go work out, and anything that does that is worth its weight in gold.
Traffic has been pretty quiet. I'm getting better at following a vehicle. I either was lagging from a start or was riding too close for a stop. Friday's lunch traffic was the first congested traffic I've been in, and it was fierce. Regardless, I managed to get home just fine.
I've noticed that the brakes, while good, are not rated for my weight. I could use bigger discs/calipers, but we'll worry about that when I graduate to a 600SS in a few years :D.
I really want to go try riding some local twisties, but I have to finish a Maymester course (cramming 1 semester of class into 2 weeks.)
Later
Monday, May 12, 2008
Finally Licensed and Ready to go
This is going to be a long post.
After about an exact year of waiting, I have my license. I would have had it sooner, but college sucks. The licensing went easier than expected. I went and did the written test Wednesday, and took the driving test Thursday. Basically it was about 10 minutes of riding down a 50mph road, turning to a neighborhood, getting back on the fast road, and parking at the DPS. No hard U-turns that I was expecting. Comparatively, getting the license was 10-20x easier than taking MSF, but I still intend to retake it.
Brought it to college Saturday, and I've been doing easy riding. College Station is a ghost town after semesters and during summer. Sunday: I rode a couple miles to work, then went to the REC to work out. I didn't have a parking pass. The violation would cost $40, but ironically, the permit till August was $11.
The bike does good. I might like a bit more power in first and second gear. I have to be in 4th to be moderately revved @45-50 MPH. When I launch, to be swift enough, I have to race and shift fast to get to speed. I've learned that I need to allow more stopping distance as well.
I was sitting at a light for a good 5-10 minutes waiting to make a left turn. I guess there wasn't enough weight to signal the light to change :D. Now here's a pic of my babies:
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Finally over the 100 mark!
Sadly it was only a trip around the block and back. I was forced to do some lawn maintenence <_< so I knew that I wouldn't have time for some good riding today. I took her around the block and reached 100.2 miles. Woohoo!
I've noticed that riding with jeans is limiting my ability to move. The pants feel great, but maybe the bottom cut is too big or something. They catch on my footpegs.
It then proceeded to rain enough that I did not want to ride anymore. I want to keep my baby pampered... Believe me, she gets kisses.
My Saturday morning ritual revolves around my ninja. First, condition the leather with leather conditioner from Armour All. Next, use tire black conditioner to protect the sidewalls and look oh so sexy, and finally take a microfiber cloth and clean every bit of the bike.
I've noticed that it has become more argumentative with choke. Took twice as long today as a few days ago to get going. Needs choke more and loner. I heard that these bikes need to be choked the shit out of, but oh wells. I like looking like a pimp in the driveway with my gear on waiting for her to get ready.
I've noticed that riding with jeans is limiting my ability to move. The pants feel great, but maybe the bottom cut is too big or something. They catch on my footpegs.
It then proceeded to rain enough that I did not want to ride anymore. I want to keep my baby pampered... Believe me, she gets kisses.
My Saturday morning ritual revolves around my ninja. First, condition the leather with leather conditioner from Armour All. Next, use tire black conditioner to protect the sidewalls and look oh so sexy, and finally take a microfiber cloth and clean every bit of the bike.
I've noticed that it has become more argumentative with choke. Took twice as long today as a few days ago to get going. Needs choke more and loner. I heard that these bikes need to be choked the shit out of, but oh wells. I like looking like a pimp in the driveway with my gear on waiting for her to get ready.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Near the 100 mile mark!
I am a member of sportbikes.net and have been quite active lately. It is a nice forum and full of information, picture, help, and all types of riders. I suggest that forum to anyone.
I have 98 miles on the bike! I decided to open throttle on a straight in third gear and omfg! I read that the seals in street bikes break-in after a few minutes of riding so I went ahead decided to get it over 6k rpm. I was going 50 and needed to get over a speed bump. That is what sucks about where I can do my riding. There are so many of these damn speed bumps. Luckily the one I was approaching had a open space in the middle.
I am thinking about getting a sticker made for my helmet that says something to the effect of "Is 20 years in 'pound me in the ass' prison for manslaughter worth proving something to me?" There is a thread on sb.net that is all about the annoyances of cagers and ragers tailgaiting. One person said that ice bombs-into-the-windshield would work well. Some say stickers that say "f*ck off" or "get the f*ck off my ass" would work, I thik that would enrage them more. I am not the victim of a tailgating for my bike yet, but assholes do that to me in my truck.
On another note, I was looking into getting a riding permit (not license), but in Texas a licensedd rider must be able to see you. I dont know anybody with a bike that could go group riding with me, and my licensed dad doesn't have a bike.
Oh wells. Gonna go to the huge parking lot and practice curves and getting up to 60mph fast for road travel. I was itchn' for a GSXR600 recently until I goosed my 250. Holy shite. I think I nearly pissed my pants. The downward pointing peg-thing on the foot pegs catches my pants. I wanna know if that is necessary or if I can remove it.
Ohwell, if it doesn't rain I'll finish my 100 mile goal finally breaking in the tire and go get some gas.
Bye for now. It's kinda hard to ride and do new things while unlicensed and father on the jobeveryday of the week outta town.
I have 98 miles on the bike! I decided to open throttle on a straight in third gear and omfg! I read that the seals in street bikes break-in after a few minutes of riding so I went ahead decided to get it over 6k rpm. I was going 50 and needed to get over a speed bump. That is what sucks about where I can do my riding. There are so many of these damn speed bumps. Luckily the one I was approaching had a open space in the middle.
I am thinking about getting a sticker made for my helmet that says something to the effect of "Is 20 years in 'pound me in the ass' prison for manslaughter worth proving something to me?" There is a thread on sb.net that is all about the annoyances of cagers and ragers tailgaiting. One person said that ice bombs-into-the-windshield would work well. Some say stickers that say "f*ck off" or "get the f*ck off my ass" would work, I thik that would enrage them more. I am not the victim of a tailgating for my bike yet, but assholes do that to me in my truck.
On another note, I was looking into getting a riding permit (not license), but in Texas a licensedd rider must be able to see you. I dont know anybody with a bike that could go group riding with me, and my licensed dad doesn't have a bike.
Oh wells. Gonna go to the huge parking lot and practice curves and getting up to 60mph fast for road travel. I was itchn' for a GSXR600 recently until I goosed my 250. Holy shite. I think I nearly pissed my pants. The downward pointing peg-thing on the foot pegs catches my pants. I wanna know if that is necessary or if I can remove it.
Ohwell, if it doesn't rain I'll finish my 100 mile goal finally breaking in the tire and go get some gas.
Bye for now. It's kinda hard to ride and do new things while unlicensed and father on the jobeveryday of the week outta town.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
So it Begins
Introduction
Somewhere in the years of waiting for something new and exciting to happen, I finally discover and execute my plan of action. Since my first viewing of American Chopper and the look on my dad's face when he rode our ex-neighbor's Harley Softail several years back, I have wanted to ride motorcycles. Until now I have been the computer -savy fatass that spends hours on end on a damn computer wasting away good time while building up the pounds surfing the addictive web of information that we so call "the internet". I figured it was about time for me to pickup a new addiction and one that I could enjoy life better with.
Pre-Ownership
For 2 months I have planned the MSF Ridercourse, but after spending a day with the two instructors and a bit of confusion later, I was asked to leave as the basics were not learned and their was much to be learned. I understood that they were in a crunch, but the bikes we had were made for children (I mean a Honda Rebel 250 for my dad and the Suzuki GZ250 for me...) or small people. I have a size 14 foot and shifting on that 3/4 scale cruiser sucked horrible trying to get my foot in....(my new Ninja 250 is so easy to shift with in comparison). After a bit
of tears, I realized that I needed practice and their was only one way to do that: buy a bike and practice in my neighborhood.
Getting the bike
Monday I got the bike new outta the crate at the dealer for OTD pricing of $3500. Nothing much to it. The salesman tried to talk me into a CBR600 or Ninja 650 but I was like "wtf no....I'm a noob...this is a training bike". So I got it and I don't owe no money.
The longest wait
The sad part is that it has rained since Tuesday and will for another few days. I had a ninja in hiding for a few days, but with the break in the clouds and the drying of the road, I have finally gotten to ride a good deal.
Riding 7 miles and loving every bit of it
Since it was dry, today was my day to figure out the friction zone and get goin with the bike. I was stupid and got used to it without my gloves on. I popped the clutch a few times and not all at the beginning. Luckily this bike is not that powerful. I was thrown forward and my wind knocked out a tad, but 330lbs vs 310lbs (bike) = my win I guess as I was still on the bike.
What was funny was, I took a break and got my gloves and by that time all the kids are out on their golf carts and bikes after noticing that somebody had a new motorcycle and was riding it. This is funny because I had just learned how to smoothly release the clutch barehanded, but gloved is completely different. After a few people passing by like the little turds that they are, I tried getting out of a stop and stalled 5 times in a row....HOW embarrassing. I got better though.
My first exercises was to ride to the end and the street and back (dad's the licensed coach..) several times. This is where I was getting into the clutch problems, however once I did that 20 times, I progressed to going around the block. I realize that this sounds like a big "wup", but for someone like me...this is a big deal. I practiced some things that I was going to do in MSF such as: Obstacle avoidence (crappy/choppy plastic speed bump), dogs, children, idiots blocking one side of the road for party parking, and shifting to third gear.
Anyway, after a big 7 miles of practice and not revving more than 4500 RPM I am extremely pleased. I only got to 25 mph, but it was fun! I am glad to see that such a bike can carry my weight and preform so well. I am impressed and looking forward to doing it again.
Plans for the blog
This is more of a progress blog for me to show what I am now and what I am to become. I am still a noob, but by summer's end I hope to have enough under my belt to get my license and feel comfortable and competent about my skills. I will talk about other things that just "today's ride". I hope to get an Aiptek PV5800 and an external helmet cam to do vlogs for youtube when I get my license.
Till then, I bid you adu, but please RSS subscribe to my posts!
Somewhere in the years of waiting for something new and exciting to happen, I finally discover and execute my plan of action. Since my first viewing of American Chopper and the look on my dad's face when he rode our ex-neighbor's Harley Softail several years back, I have wanted to ride motorcycles. Until now I have been the computer -savy fatass that spends hours on end on a damn computer wasting away good time while building up the pounds surfing the addictive web of information that we so call "the internet". I figured it was about time for me to pickup a new addiction and one that I could enjoy life better with.
Pre-Ownership
For 2 months I have planned the MSF Ridercourse, but after spending a day with the two instructors and a bit of confusion later, I was asked to leave as the basics were not learned and their was much to be learned. I understood that they were in a crunch, but the bikes we had were made for children (I mean a Honda Rebel 250 for my dad and the Suzuki GZ250 for me...) or small people. I have a size 14 foot and shifting on that 3/4 scale cruiser sucked horrible trying to get my foot in....(my new Ninja 250 is so easy to shift with in comparison). After a bit
of tears, I realized that I needed practice and their was only one way to do that: buy a bike and practice in my neighborhood.
Getting the bike
Monday I got the bike new outta the crate at the dealer for OTD pricing of $3500. Nothing much to it. The salesman tried to talk me into a CBR600 or Ninja 650 but I was like "wtf no....I'm a noob...this is a training bike". So I got it and I don't owe no money.
The longest wait
The sad part is that it has rained since Tuesday and will for another few days. I had a ninja in hiding for a few days, but with the break in the clouds and the drying of the road, I have finally gotten to ride a good deal.
Riding 7 miles and loving every bit of it
Since it was dry, today was my day to figure out the friction zone and get goin with the bike. I was stupid and got used to it without my gloves on. I popped the clutch a few times and not all at the beginning. Luckily this bike is not that powerful. I was thrown forward and my wind knocked out a tad, but 330lbs vs 310lbs (bike) = my win I guess as I was still on the bike.
What was funny was, I took a break and got my gloves and by that time all the kids are out on their golf carts and bikes after noticing that somebody had a new motorcycle and was riding it. This is funny because I had just learned how to smoothly release the clutch barehanded, but gloved is completely different. After a few people passing by like the little turds that they are, I tried getting out of a stop and stalled 5 times in a row....HOW embarrassing. I got better though.
My first exercises was to ride to the end and the street and back (dad's the licensed coach..) several times. This is where I was getting into the clutch problems, however once I did that 20 times, I progressed to going around the block. I realize that this sounds like a big "wup", but for someone like me...this is a big deal. I practiced some things that I was going to do in MSF such as: Obstacle avoidence (crappy/choppy plastic speed bump), dogs, children, idiots blocking one side of the road for party parking, and shifting to third gear.
Anyway, after a big 7 miles of practice and not revving more than 4500 RPM I am extremely pleased. I only got to 25 mph, but it was fun! I am glad to see that such a bike can carry my weight and preform so well. I am impressed and looking forward to doing it again.
Plans for the blog
This is more of a progress blog for me to show what I am now and what I am to become. I am still a noob, but by summer's end I hope to have enough under my belt to get my license and feel comfortable and competent about my skills. I will talk about other things that just "today's ride". I hope to get an Aiptek PV5800 and an external helmet cam to do vlogs for youtube when I get my license.
Till then, I bid you adu, but please RSS subscribe to my posts!
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