Newbie from the SC

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MonkeyMaw · #1 Unread post by **MonkeyMaw** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:36 pm

Greetings from South Cakalacky,
After 14 years of wishing, daydreaming, dating guys with bikes, reading, researching and saving, I FINALLY have acquired a motorcycle of my own. I have very little riding experience, because few people would ever let me try to learn on their babies (which I now totally understand), but that never stifled my desire to own a bike. Now my dream has come true.
This is the biggest thing in the world to me. I bought an '85 Yamaha FJ600, which I affectionately refer to as Ya Mama-ha, because she's already showing me an attitude!
She's not street-ready just yet as she needs new tires and front brakes and the speedo is not working. But you know that didn't keep me from trying her out as soon as she arrived at my house! I was full of 14 years of pizz and vinegar right up to the moment I tried to walk her around in my driveway. I wasn't quite prepared for the feeling of pushing 450 pounds around.
I was further humbled when I threw a leg over and tried to start her for the first time. Like I said, she has no front brakes and, of course, I was on an incline, so I had to ask my BF to hold the bike so I could have both feet off the ground to step on the brake pedal and shift into neutral. Then I never could seem to keep the throttle open long enough to keep her from stalling, so every 3 feet BF had to come hold me again so I could start her.
By this time I was sweating and my neighbor across the street had stopped mowing his grass and was watching me, his chin in his hand, with the biggest grin I've ever seen. I decided to quit right there. I was nervous and sweating, wearing no gear at all (for shame) and now I had an audience. My clutch hand had also developed an insane cramp, so I had to get BF to help me push her back down to the garage. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew by getting a 600 as my first bike.
I'm signed up for a Riders Edge MSF course September 29. In the meantime, I am getting the bike road-ready, collecting the necessary gear and joining a gym! It seems I will have to build some muscles before I can command any respect from this beast. My sister has already gotten me GRIP STRENGTHENERS as a gag gift. Oh, the humility.
I am so excited I could throw up. I'm looking forward to the MSF course. I really could use the confidence and skills. The fact that I'll be learning on, and possibly dropping, one of their bikes instead of mine is even better.
I hope to chat with some equally excited folks on the forum here. Maybe I'll even meet some riding partners. It'll be a while before I'm ready to hit the road as part of a pack, but I'm confident that day will come. Even if takes 14 more years, there is no stopping me!
I'm trying to post pics, but the IMGspot site is not co-operating. I guess everyone else is spending their Labor Evening the same way I am, ha!
Stay tuned.

VermilionX · Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:40 pm

and good luck.

it think BigChickenStrips is also from SC... dunno what city though. he enjoys going to Deal's Gap. does your BF also go there?

MonkeyMaw · #3 Unread post by **MonkeyMaw** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:42 pm

BF doesn't ride...yet. His hobby is vintage air-cooled German 4-wheelers.
He might be taking the MSF with me, though. Hey, it's a start.

VermilionX · Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:45 pm

MonkeyMaw wrote:BF doesn't ride...yet. His hobby is vintage air-cooled German 4-wheelers.
He might be taking the MSF with me, though. Hey, it's a start.

good luck to both of you!

MonkeyMaw · #5 Unread post by **MonkeyMaw** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:50 pm

[img]http://img15.imgspot.com/?u=/u/06/246/2 ... 417179.JPG[/img]

VermilionX · Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:52 pm

MonkeyMaw wrote:[img]http://img15.imgspot.com/?u=/u/06/246/2 ... 417179.JPG[/img]

you need to use the direct link to your pic...

use this one instead... it;s the direct link to your pic.

http://img15.imgspot.com/u/06/246/20/P8 ... 417179.JPG

MonkeyMaw · #7 Unread post by **MonkeyMaw** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:56 pm

MonkeyMaw · #8 Unread post by **MonkeyMaw** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:57 pm

There we go! Thanks, CR.

307T · #9 Unread post by **307T** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:12 pm

Welcome to the group MM. That's a nice looking bike you have. Tell your BF that he might want to consider getting a bike to ride with you. Tell him that as another owner of vintage, air-cooled 4-wheelers, I love my bike. Have fun in your MSF class!

MonkeyMaw · Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:16 pm

I'm hoping that he'll get bitten by the bug on his own after he takes the MSF with me. But if he doesn't, that's okay. I've deferred my dream long enough!
What vintage cage(s) do you have?