A little update for everyone...
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 2:31 pm
In likely case most of you forgot, I recently bought an SV650S as a beginner. I guess its been close to a month since I got it, but I have been taking the learning process in slow, calculated steps. First I was around my parking lot for 30 minute sessions. Then I moved up to larger business parking lots, also for about 30 minute sessions.
Riding in parking lots was a tad tricky because you are always going slow and making slow turns. It was nonetheless an important step, though I did have a standstill drop. There were only scuffs on the end of one handlebar, thank god. Heh, I knew I would drop it before I ever got the bike, but it is still suprising when it happens. The bike weighs enough that it just threw my 230 pound butt right off as it went down. Also I was suprised at how heavy the bike was when I picked it up. The first attempt ended in shock, as I realized it wouldnt be easy. The second attempt was slow and tedious, but I got it up in a few seconds.
Anyway, I am now driving around the local rodes, which almost all of them have a speed limit of 50mph. The bad thing is that I dont like to go over the speed limit, but everyone else does. I was always a safe cager and havent gotten a ticket of any kind in 10+ years. Its just a bit different on a bike, I can actually feel people as they pass me now. Dont you love the people who will go 20 over the limit to pass you up, just to see you at the next light? People in SoCal are always in such a hurry.
Had my first cager cut me off today. I saw it coming a mile away, but it was nonetheless a little suprising that I was so invisible. I had to fumble around to find the horn, but I gave her a little beep.
One thing I didnt expect, its that speed can be intoxicating. Though I always try to keep it under the limit, the temptation is ever present just to open up the throttle and let er go. I am trying hard to keep those urges in check until my skills catch up.
Safe riding everyone!
Riding in parking lots was a tad tricky because you are always going slow and making slow turns. It was nonetheless an important step, though I did have a standstill drop. There were only scuffs on the end of one handlebar, thank god. Heh, I knew I would drop it before I ever got the bike, but it is still suprising when it happens. The bike weighs enough that it just threw my 230 pound butt right off as it went down. Also I was suprised at how heavy the bike was when I picked it up. The first attempt ended in shock, as I realized it wouldnt be easy. The second attempt was slow and tedious, but I got it up in a few seconds.
Anyway, I am now driving around the local rodes, which almost all of them have a speed limit of 50mph. The bad thing is that I dont like to go over the speed limit, but everyone else does. I was always a safe cager and havent gotten a ticket of any kind in 10+ years. Its just a bit different on a bike, I can actually feel people as they pass me now. Dont you love the people who will go 20 over the limit to pass you up, just to see you at the next light? People in SoCal are always in such a hurry.
Had my first cager cut me off today. I saw it coming a mile away, but it was nonetheless a little suprising that I was so invisible. I had to fumble around to find the horn, but I gave her a little beep.
One thing I didnt expect, its that speed can be intoxicating. Though I always try to keep it under the limit, the temptation is ever present just to open up the throttle and let er go. I am trying hard to keep those urges in check until my skills catch up.
Safe riding everyone!