First Ride!

[roncg41677]

Finally took my 02 GZ250 out for the first time the other day. I was able to run home for a few hours from a fireworks tent my wife and I had been running for our church. My friends had installed a new battery for me, so it was finally running. I rode it down to the gas station and then took the "really long way home" . Only went about 6 miles, but I was loving every minute of my first ride on MY bike. Couldn't stop smiling.

Couple of things I realized:
~ All of the things I thought would be difficult really weren't bad; steep entrance into the gas station, bumps on the road, bit of gravel. As long as I took it slow, it wasn't too bad at all.
~ Even in July in central Florida, jeans, boots, a jacket and full face helmet are not bad at all at 30+ mph . Relieved.
~ I have a hard time remembering to shut off my turn signal .

Once my office hours return to normal I'll start commuting regularly on it, weather permitting.

Just wanted to share.

[Brackstone]

Congrats

The turn signal will come in time. Just remember that you forget!

I flipped off a guy who almost cut me off but I forgot to turn off my turn signal

I realized later and I felt like a jackass

[Gunslinger]

Good job Ron! The first time is always the toughest. It will get easier with practice. Riding is pretty cool isn't it?

I still forget to turn off my turn signal. Just make it a habit to glance at the controls after you make the turn/lane change to make sure it's switched off.
I'm proud of you Ron! Welcome to the club

[follow]

fun isn't it!!

[bikernana]

Congratulations! It's a great feeling being out on the road, isn't it. I forget too about the turn signals, but now I try to remember to look down every time I turn or do a lane change. Take care and be safe.

[Thumper]

Lots of riders forget their turn signal. I refer to the Spouse Thingy as Blinker Boy quite often...he'll go 30 miles with it blinking and not realize it unless I signal to him.

Create a nice little mantra for yourself for a while. <i>Turn, shift, blinker</i>--say it every time you make a turn, and pretty soon you'll remember it 95% of the time.

The other 5% will be spent with teenagers in a car behind you, honking and pointing, and laughing when you have no clue what their problem is.

Not that I would <i>know</i> that...

[Brackstone]

Lots of riders forget their turn signal. I refer to the Spouse Thingy as Blinker Boy quite often...he'll go 30 miles with it blinking and not realize it unless I signal to him.

Create a nice little mantra for yourself for a while. <i>Turn, shift, blinker</i>--say it every time you make a turn, and pretty soon you'll remember it 95% of the time.

The other 5% will be spent with teenagers in a car behind you, honking and pointing, and laughing when you have no clue what their problem is.

Not that I would <i>know</i> that...

Hah it's funny you mention that I used to try to make a song out of it

[roncg41677]

Create a nice little mantra for yourself for a while. <i>Turn, shift, blinker</i>--say it every time you make a turn, and pretty soon you'll remember it 95% of the time.

Thanks for the tip . I'll try it.

And yes, it is lots of fun ! I took a 20 mile ride with some Harley riding friends yesterday on the rainy Florida roads. Tried to get a feel for riding on wet streets. All local roads, nothing faster than 45. Found out my tires were 6 lbs under inflated. Once I fixed that up there was a fairly noticeable difference in the response of the bike.

Later this week I'll start riding daily to work. I'm really having a blast. The hardest part is supressing the urge to ride every minute of the day .