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OK guys. I've been riding since late October and just hit 2200 miles on the '06 C50. I still feel like a noob but I'm feeling much more comfortable and confident with every ride. I still do stupid things like reach for 6th gear and sometimes let the clutch out a smidge to quick on a downshift but other than that, things have been gettin quite smooth. I know the learning curve is never ending and this is probably the time I need to focus even more when I ride so I don't do anything stupid. But what can I expect next?

Hi basshole, I'm maybe a noob as well. I got this bike just a year and put 15,000miles on him already. I have done stupid things countless time. I see you like Bass as well. Maybe we can do a ride trip to fish in future. I'm going to buy a 4pcs travel rod so I can pack in saddlebag and can ride to fish. LOL.

Let's Ride, & Let's fish.

James

Wow that alot of miles!!! I ride to work every day so I log about 25 miles a day. Too bad I can't tow my boat with my bike then then again I bought my bike cuz I was sick of filling my 2000 Silverado every two weeks. Now I mostly just use it for towing my boat. And yes, Bass season will be upon us very very soon!!! I've already dropped enough in new gear this year to have paid for a new set of pipes and a power commander!!! Lemme know when you wanna fish, I'm sure I could find space in my boat!

basshole wrote:I still do stupid things like reach for 6th gear

I do that all the time. I think it has to do with your V-twin engine, though, because I never once did it on my NightHawk with the I4 engine. My bike has so much torque that even at cruising speed on the freeway it feels like I must be running in 4th, so I sometimes give the shifter a quick tug to be sure.

Hey Zoo how ya doing? I feel like such a knucklehead when I do that. Almost like I'm not concentrating. Or, maybe it's because my focus is more on whats around me more than anything else.

Nah, don't even worry about it. The C50's engine runs a little hyper at freeway speeds and, coupled with the lack of a tach, I would probably tug on 5th all the time, too. Eventually you'll get used to the purr of the engine and will know by the sound of it what gear you're in. The more I ride, the less I do it on my bike. If I drive my [weak] truck around for too long between rides I tend to do it a lot more because my truck has NO power in 5th gear, so I'm not used to having twist-of-the-wrist passing ability and figure I must be running one gear too low.

I think part of my problem is I still have stock pipes and when I wear my Scorpion EXO 700 It really quiets things down and all the road sounds including my pipes tend to blend together. And, without a tach to glance at, if I can't hear it, I'm probably gonna pull on it.

Great to here you are puting so many miles on. What to expect next? You never stop challenging yourself on a bike so now you need some imagination. Plan a track day or a trip or a training session.

Thanks Paul. Sounds like a good idea. I actually had to use some of my evasive riding skills again today. Lemme fill ya in: I'm cruising down the road from the store on my way to work. The road is 3 lanes in each direction speed limit is 45 average speed is about 52 and I'm probably riding at 50 and traffic is free flowing and pretty light and I'm riding up in the center lane. I'm approaching an intersection I know all too well as it's the one I usually take on my way to work. This intersection has 2 right hand turn pockets. So, knowing how this intersection and the people who use it operate I see 2 cars looking to pull into traffic, one in each lane and the car that would go into my lane is in a more aggressive position in the turn pocket and I can just tell the driver is anxious to turn. I immediately scan for traffic in the lane next to me, it's clear so I have an escape route. Sure as "poo poo", this ladies pulls into traffic, but originally looks like she's gonna pull short and pop into the far right lane. I continue my path while starting to decelerate. So as my luck would have it, she doesn't pull short but rolls right into my lane! I quick glance again to the lane next to me, it's clear so i merge into it while braking hard. Now, there is a center median next to me now but I have plenty of space but still a good time to lay on my whimpy as horn because now I have no clue if this lady is gonna roll all the way over to the far left lane.
Oh the look on her face when she saw me 2 feet from her and my whimpy horn blaring in her ear! I'm waving my fist and screaming in my helmet at her and she mouths "i'm sorry" and keeps on going. The amazing thing was she didn't even have a cell phone up to her ear. Anyways, it's just another example of how my MSF course and SEE techniques have kept me out of harms way. This is the 3rd time I've had a similar scenario at this intersection and it stands to reason since it's the one I go through more than any other. I'm always on high alert on it and always prepared for the worst. I just hope the worst never happens.

glad to hear you're safe.

and good to hear the MSF works. im gonna take mine 2 weeks from now.