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I also learned that my driveway slopes downhill into my garage, nesscessitating turning the bike around in the garage. I tried to back it out but couldn't back it uphill, the downside of a tall bike as im nearly straight legged when my feet are down on this bike.

I'd just back into the garage then. Use that slope to our advantage

my driveway is pea gravel, im not about to try backing down it. Its bad enough going forward in my driveway.

Hmmm....

I'm sure you can do it.

jmillheiser wrote:Only thing that is a pain is turning this bike around in the garage, then all of those 471lbs make themselves known.

If you're like me, as you handle the bike more and more, over time it will seem lighter and less ponderous. Your body subconciously learns little tricks for managing the machine, and you will learn just how far you can lean the dead weight. My wife's Trophy weighs 550 lbs and carries the weight high. When it was new I was intimidated moving it around. It's still a heavy pig to move when its not running, but more a nuisance than an intimidating thing, and my Bonneville at 450 lbs now feels like a minibike!

Congratulations on your first ride.
Jonathan

Went out today for about an hour. Fought my first crosswind (crosswinds suck). Ran to a gas station first (went to the one over by where I work, less traffic that route), that route entails about 5 miles on a 55mph two lane road so I had the bike up to 55 for a bit, definately stable at that speed but the revs seem awful high, 5th gear and turning 5000rpm at 55mph, got to and back from the gas station without incident fighting a 25mph crosswind the whole way.

After that just rode around the neighborhood for a little while, found a nearly deserted street and rode up and down that for about 20 min, and practiced a few U-turns and emergency stops (checking mirrors for traffic first of cousre). Need to find an empty parking lot to practice more low speed stuff.

25mph winds... i'd probably pull over at that point. that's a lot right?

Thats not uncommon around here. In wyoming you either get used to riding in the wind or you dont ride. It was a bit annoying in the crosswind but had no problems keeping the bike going straight, just kept it leaning into the wind slightly.

jmillheiser wrote:Thats not uncommon around here. In wyoming you either get used to riding in the wind or you dont ride. It was a bit annoying in the crosswind but had no problems keeping the bike going straight, just kept it leaning into the wind slightly.

oh well it's not that bad then, i have had crosswinds that pushed me so i lean slightly to counter it.

i thought 25mph winds can push you to the other lane already but probably on my bike though since it's lighter than yours.

If you pay attention the crosswinds aren't a problem. You just need to be ready to react to them.