201 miles ridden and counting

[Jthmeffy]

Well, after a week of letting the bike sit in the garage waiting for my father, my impatience got the best of me. My dad was planning on taking me out and teaching me the basics and everything in a parking lot.. but he until it gets dark (around 5pm here right now) and it has always 'too cold' when I ask.

So, on tuesday (which was a beautiful day), I got the guts, geared up, and rode. I must say, the first turn was the scariest. I thought as soon as u leaned or turned a little bit, i was going down. I put 20 miles of town driving on that day. I must admit i have been a bit squidly in the fact that my riding gear consisted of my helmet, jacket, jeans, running shoes, and thin cotton gloves. All of my other gear is in the mail.. it should have been here awhile ago, but kneedraggers.com really took forever to ship it out. I got free shipping out of it because i called and bitched, tho.

I've ridden around my area a whole lot and taken the bike to my grandparents (about 30 miles) away with no adverse effects. I am being very cautious and watching for everything, but i am having a blast. I do want to thank all of those who have given advice on this site because it has helped a lot. I've read through some of Proficient Motorcycling (wife took it back cause all of the pages were falling out... before i got halfway through it!) and all of the The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles (2nd Edition), so i know some learners techniques and whatnot. Looking through the corner as I go and counter steering are wonderful to actually be able to use and see it in action. The first time i was going down a 35mph road, i tried the counter steering 'test'. I pushed on the right grip and watched myself dip the right. It was awesome!

Also, yesterday, i saw my first biker on the road when i was riding! I gave him just small wave and got the same, but i was giddy as all hell after that!. lol

I plan on spending a lot of time in parking lots soon here, though. I know i need to be practicing figure 8s and more.. any suggestions on what i should practice (in parking lot, on the road, whatever works good for me)? I would really appreciate anything you've got!

Also, my insurance (Farmers) messed with me. I got a quote for $58 a month for a $500 deductible (on collision and comprehensive) and was all excited about it.. Got a call back from them "Oh, we're sorry.. we dont cover Sportbikes. They are too dangerous." So, now im looking at three options: Liability for $32 a month through progressive, $118 a month for $1000 deductible through progressive, or re-title the bike in my dad's name and get about $400 a year with $250 deductible through Dairyland. I will most likely go with option #3! lol

Alrighty, thats enough from me, sorry this post is so long!

[Dichotomous]

remind them that suzukis GSXR line is their sportbikes, you happen to be riding a standard bike, not a sport bike. but then again they could call it whatever they want cause it COULD be a sport bike, or a sport touring bike....
I'm glad you got out there, some people follow the advice to not touch a bike till they go through the course, and thats fine, but you can also use some common sense and a carefull attitude. take it easy and likely, you'll be fine, if not, well then you've learned a lesson.
anyways great that you enjoyed the ride, and try other angles with the insurance company

[Jthmeffy]

bleh, seating position on the SVS and the grip location (along with the fairing), dictate this as a sportbike.. the gixxer, by what the insurance go off of, is a Supersport bike. anything sport and bike, and they run away!
I plan on taking the MSF BRC next spring.. I can take it in March or April for about $80 around here... Or i could drive to the nearest military base that has it and i could take it for free.. either or, im taking it.

[Locopez]

some insurance companies will give you a small break...after you take the MSF course or other similar courses...if you provide them proof of completion......ask them about it?

[Jthmeffy]

oh, i plan to

[Apitoxin]

Hmm.. You left your motorcycle here. And i have a key to it.

If you weren't my brother, i could have made this interesting.