New Cycle, new Owners

[hdkidder]

My wife and I have both taken & passed the MSF course and got the 'M' stamp on our licenses. After several months of researching and much decision/discussion, I finally got her to go to a dealer "just to look" this past Saturday. Well, the dealer saw her coming, played to her and tried to steer her toward new cruisers (1100cc +). In between corralling the kids, I got her to look at some of the used cruisers several 650cc & a couple 900cc. She kept going back to the larger ones, cause she only wanted to get one bike that we could both ride. She also found a used 1100cc (a VT1100, I think). I used the kids against her & the salesman, using the "I'm hungry!" tactic and got her to leave the store for lunch.

Over lunch, I once again explained to her about the starter bike concept and that we didn't need all the accessories, or the ability to both be on the bike at the same time. We agreed that inexpensive was better, used if possible. She insisted on accessories and both of us riding at same time.

After lunch we went back and found a used low-mileage(2000miles) 2007 Suzuki S50 ( not the 650 that I was looking at) for a decent price [at least some of my research paid off]. However, she went ahead and purchased all of the accessories that she had wanted.

This weekend will be the first of many rides around the neighborhood.

[Marilee]

Congrats!!

[Scoutmedic]

Congrats! I'm looking forward to seeing the accessories she picked out. Mine's still petty stock. Added the windshield before picking it up. Saddlebags shortly after getting it. Electronic deer alert. Flag holder (homemade). Saddlebag supports. And (hopefully tomorrow if they come), my newest addition will be some National Cycle handguards.

I'm still debating between headlight and tail light modulators or a set of case guards and highway pegs for my next set of accessories.

A word of advice; Watch where your saddlebags rest. Mine were resting on the shocks and will need repaired. It wore a hole through one and nearly through the other.

Stay Safe Out There!

[hdkidder]

I'm looking forward to seeing the accessories she picked out.

It already had a windshield on it, when we purchased it, as well as a passenger back rest.

She added:
- Mounted/Fixed Saddlebags w/ support braces, the non-frilly ones
- Luggage Rack
- a Day Tripper bag for the luggage rack, big enough to store a Full-face helmet.

Everything was from some Suzuki Accessories catalog. What we saved buying used and haggling, she blew on accessories that we won't need for a while. Oh well, ya live and learn. I thought their jacket prices were majorly steep, so we didn't buy them their. Have found a couple on-line motorcycle clothing stores and they are cheaper than the local store. Will buy the jackets from one of them. We have a leather jacket that barely fits me, so we will use that circling thru the neighborhood.

I am concerned that the S50 may be too much a bike for our first bike. I'm 6'0"/235 and she's 5'9"/1xx. We both did quite well in the MSF course, her [perfect score] better than I [lost half a point for slowing down in a turn]. We'll see how it goes...

Thanks for the welcome... Will be posting in the Suzuki forum, once I get the camera out and take some pics.

[/quote]

[MicheleZ]

Congrats! Women are all about accessories..you should have known!

Um, I am assuming you won't go two up until each of you (especially the one who is in control of the bike (not pillion)) get some experience riding? Going two up with two inexperienced riders is a *VERY BAD IDEA* (said in my booming voice of doom). VERY VERY bad idea.....

[IcyHound]

Good thing you are man enough to ride behind her, eh?

[hdkidder]

Um, I am assuming you won't go two up until each of you (especially the one who is in control of the bike (not pillion)) get some experience riding? Going two up with two inexperienced riders is a *VERY BAD IDEA* (said in my booming voice of doom). VERY VERY bad idea.....

Yup. You are correct. Two up will not happen for a long while, most likely next year.

The suggestion they gave at the MSF was strapping a 5 gallon jug/bottle/drum on the pillion and filling in with water up to 2/3 and practice like that for awhile BEFORE getting a second person on the bike. We're not to try that until we get more a lot of solo-time in. Can't remember actually what they said tho, will research it BEFORE we do it.

Good thing you are man enough to ride behind her, eh?

I don't fit behind her. I've been 9 months pregnant for almost 8 yrs now.

[Scoutmedic]

The S50 was/is my first bike and I don't regret it. I don't think it's too much as long as you can control the urge to crank the throttle all the way...

I think it handles really well. I can corner with the rest of the cruisers and I don't have any trouble keeping up on the interstate. I've had it up to 85 mph with throttle left. Mine is the next to smallest bike in a group of 15+ and the only complaint I really have is not enough storage. If I'd break down and buy the backrest/luggage rack set that problem would be solved but, my wife doesn't like the looks of it.

[MicheleZ]

Yup. You are correct. Two up will not happen for a long while, most likely next year.

The suggestion they gave at the MSF was strapping a 5 gallon jug/bottle/drum on the pillion and filling in with water up to 2/3 and practice like that for awhile BEFORE getting a second person on the bike.

on the pregnancy - congrats!

Sounds like both of you are extremely level headed and taking this whole thing very seriously - good for both of you! You are going to make fine riders Never heard of the 5 gallon trick but it sounds like it would work.

[KarateChick]

Congrats on the bike, enjoy!

Did you figure out who gets to ride it when yet...