My newest midlife crisis

I'm a new rider and I've been really having a lot of fun with this lately.

I picked up this motorcycle earlier this winter for real cheap. It was surplussed from the state of MN motorcycle training program and was used as a trainer for many years (it's a 2001 Suzuki GZ250) Yes, it was dumped a number of times so there are many dings and dents and scratches but it's still basically sound. I had to replace and few parts, the fender extension was shattered and the rear blinkers were broken off. I'm not much of a mechanic but it's been a fun learning experience, and there are plenty of other things that I'll need to replace so I should get to know this bike pretty well. It's not real big, but it's perfect for a newbie like me and I've been having a blast cruising around town lately. Besides, what good is a midlife crisis if you can't get a shiny red motorcycle out of the deal??? :D:D:D

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...psde33bfad.jpg
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Anyone else here a new rider? Any advice from the more experienced amongst you? How about some pictures of whatever it is you're riding these days?

Lucky! I grew up riding dirt bikes everywhere. Since becoming an adult ive been waiting to afford a bike :( everytime I get close my house says "Hey Nick, remember responsibility? Im gonna break something so expensive to replace, you'll spend a year paying for it!"

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I'm "new" in that I took the MSF about a year ago, didn't ride over the winter, and just started up again this season. I have a 1985 Honda XL600R and even though it's little and nimble, it'll get up and scoot. It's too light IMO to ride on the interstate but for back country roads and light off-roading its perfect.

My husband has been a rider for a long time and encouraged me to give it a try. He has a Harley roadster and Kawasaki KLR650. I'm also over 40 so I guess just learning to ride does count as a mid-life crisis.

I don't have a pic of my bike so I'll post one of my husband's. His is all pretty and chromed-out anyway.
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...t/IMG_8277.jpg

I had a Kawasaki Ninja 500R for a couple of years, but finally gave it up because I never seemed to find the time to ride enough. It was soooo much fun, though!! Have a blast and stay safe!

Congrats!
I have been riding for a little over 3 years now :) 50k+ miles.

Those first 2 years I didn't have a car, winters were Hell.
Always watch for people turning left, they love to try and beat you. Stay away from people on cell phones and moms with a ton of kids.

Never ride when you are so drunk you pass out while going down the road :o

They are a blast!! Ride safe!

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...ps269927b1.jpg

Remember that people think a bike stops faster than a car and have no clue the danger they cause when they cut you off or pull out in front of you.

Never use tire shine products on your tires. It can make them super slick. If you most use it do some slow serpentine to get it off any part of the tire that makes contact with the road.

A motorcycle can drive itself fast. True skill is riding it slow. Learn how to perform tight circles as slow as possible. This will give you the ability to do tight u-turns and keep you from looking dumb doing 11 point turns in parking lots.

The most important thing. Wear a helmet. I don't like them but have seem to many low speed wrecks that were survivable if they only had a helmet.

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Originally Posted by KMG

The most important thing. Wear a helmet. I don't like them but have seem to many low speed wrecks that were survivable if they only had a helmet.

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Helmet and armor, but I occasionally venture into one of the worst traffic areas in the country (DC metro). ATGATT, some days I swear they're out to kill me.

Yeah a helmet is definitely a requirement. Since I only have a permit I have to wear one anyway but even when I get my license I won't stop wearing it. My wife and kids wouldn't let me out without it anyway. ;)

Awesome, I just got back into riding myself. I rode dirt bikes all the time when I was in high school, but never got back into them. My wife and I had been talking about getting a Harley for awhile and just 1 month ago, we purchased a bike and I took the Rider's Edge class to "re"teach myself and get legal. Here is a picture of my new baby... had 6 miles on it when I brought it home. :)


http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...h_956F2B19.jpg

http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/...h_15F0610E.jpg

2013 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Classic

The best advice I can give you is to keep taking courses, always wear your safety gear and to resist the temptation to go out an buy the biggest, heaviest, most powerful bike you can. Save that until you have mastered your first bike.

MSF has a series of "Improving the Ride" courses and these can be supplemented by local courses out on by local clubs. It's an easy way to pick up little tricks and tips that may take years to learn on your own.

I've been riding bikes since I was a kid, started off doing dirt bike racing. Then as soon as I turned 18 I got me a street bike and I've had them on and off since then, I'm 28 now. I can give you different tips and stuff depending on what you would like to know, maintenance wise or riding skill wise?

Congratulations! I've been riding motorcycles and atv's since I was a kid, and took to streetbikes in 1995 at age 21. Sold my last streetbike (the last of 9 I've owned lol) in 2006 and have been riding atv's exclusively since 2007. I'm hoping to get another streetbike in the near future, but I refuse to do so until I move away from Las Vegas. I had way too many close calls due to unattentive drivers in this town, which is what prompted me to sell the last bike. Best piece of advice I can give you is to watch out for minivans, girls on cell phones, and cars where all you can see is blue hair and knuckles above the dash lol.

Welcome to the bike world! I also started at the young age of 10 on dirtbikes, then at 20 I got the Harley in the pictures below. that was 3 years ago, still have the Harley and NEVER plan on getting rid of it.

As mentioned before me, a lot of good advice.
-try to keep away from other motorists, either get ahead from a light or fall back so you are kind of by yourself or "have a empty pocket"
-wear protective gear, the more the better
-watch other drivers like you would in a car, look for swerves, people who look lost, cell phone users ect.
-When on back roads stay towards the center of the road (granted no cars are coming and by center I mean closer to the yellow line) that way you can avoid fallen limbs, deer ect
-Avoid riding in the rain at all cost. it can be done, but its not safe at all. (im personally very scared of it)
-learn where pot holes/ seperations and rises in the asphalt are so you remember to avoid them.
-yes you can accelerate faster than a car, but if you have to pull infront of someone, if you wouldn't do it in a car, don't do it on a bike
-take parking lots slow and stay towards the center, so you can have more room to swerve away if someone is pulling out
-9 times out of 10, I love being towards the center of any road, because I like having more room to adjust either way
-When pulling in a parking spot, be observant of oil spots, most bikers park in the center of the parking spot, and most cars leak oil from the center of the engine, therefor if you don't pay attention your tire could sit in an oil leak and get very slick.
When stopped at a redlight (I personally, somebody else may have a counterargument to this) I personally like to be slightly closer to the car next to me (if im in the left lane I like to be closer to the right side of the lane and visa versa BECAUSE when most people realize they aren't going to stop in time, they like to swerve either into the median, or the shoulder, not towards the car next to them, so that way as a biker you get alittle more breathing room should a situation like that arise)

My baby...

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p...890/Harley.jpg

Thanks everyone. Some very good advice here. I took the MSF Rider course a few weeks ago and the one thing they stressed over and over was protective riding gear. I've been a lot more observant of other riders since then and noticing what they're wearing. The other day I saw a guy in a T-shirt, shorts, no helmet and sandals. Sandals... I couldn't believe it. During my course I was riding around and took a tight corner and I ended up dragging my heel a little bit. Kind of startling but it didn't hurt. My instructor told me that it's not an uncommon occurrence and is why you need to wear boots. I can't even imagine what it would have felt like in sandals.

This is kinda off topic.

I Just renewed my motorcycle insurance and though they have never asked before this year they asked if I had a motorcycle enforcement on my license. I have had one since I started riding but have never been asked about it and assumed they knew I did because I'm supposed to. As it turns out having the endorsement gets me a discount on my insurance. While I was happy I got a discount I was upset because that means I have been over paying for years.

If yall have never been asked about it you might check it out to see if you can save some money too.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Thanks everyone. Some very good advice here. I took the MSF Rider course a few weeks ago and the one thing they stressed over and over was protective riding gear. I've been a lot more observant of other riders since then and noticing what they're wearing. The other day I saw a guy in a T-shirt, shorts, no helmet and sandals. Sandals... I couldn't believe it. During my course I was riding around and took a tight corner and I ended up dragging my heel a little bit. Kind of startling but it didn't hurt. My instructor told me that it's not an uncommon occurrence and is why you need to wear boots. I can't even imagine what it would have felt like in sandals.

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Mark, I used to ride my old Honda to high school in shorts with no helmet during the summer. Different times..............no distracted drivers and texting and cell phones.

In almost 30 years of riding, I've only gone down once (knock on wood).

Back before helmet laws and back before I was married, I used to live in Los Gatos. On Friday nights during the summer, I'd buzz down Highway 9 to Santa Cruz to meet some friends at Positively Front Street. I'd then bomb up Highway 1 to San Gregorio to Highway 84, Highway 84 to Highway 35 and Highway 35 back to Highway 9 (Bay Area folks will know this route). Most of the riding was done between 9 PM and midnight.

I used to love the smell of the ocean and the feel of the wind in my hair (I have no hair now) and my normal riding attire was those baggy army surplus cargo pants that I made into shorts, a tank top and Vans with no socks.

.......and no helmet.

One night, I pulled into a gas station in Davenport up the coast from Santa Cruz to get gas. It was not uncommon to have drifts of sand spread across the highway in windier weather. As I turned right back onto Highway 1 and accelerated I hit a thick layer of sand and went down.

I was probably only going 30 miles per hour and once I knew I couldn't keep the bike sunny side up I dismounted as best I could. The amount of road rash I got on my left leg and arm was amazing. I also scraped the beejezus out of my prized Bonneville.

I picked myself up and rode back home.

Up to that point, I never saw the bike as something that could hurt me. After that I saw it as something that could kill me.

I'd like to say I ATGATT it 100% - but I don't. There are still times when just the helmet goes on when I need to run to the store to grab something real quick.

Somewhere along the Natchez Trace.
We hit 6 states that week and close to 2000 miles.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/27/5ezymapa.jpg

Good times :)

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Thanks everyone. Some very good advice here. I took the MSF Rider course a few weeks ago and the one thing they stressed over and over was protective riding gear. I've been a lot more observant of other riders since then and noticing what they're wearing. The other day I saw a guy in a T-shirt, shorts, no helmet and sandals. Sandals... I couldn't believe it. During my course I was riding around and took a tight corner and I ended up dragging my heel a little bit. Kind of startling but it didn't hurt. My instructor told me that it's not an uncommon occurrence and is why you need to wear boots. I can't even imagine what it would have felt like in sandals.

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As far as riding gear goes, here's it all sorta in a nutshell.

Armored Mesh is great because it's mesh so you get air flow so you stay cooler then you would in a leather jacket and the armored mesh jackets have armor where you would most likely need them should you fall off the bike or get thrown off(shoulders, elbows, hips(some, not all) and complete back. I wear this and one thing I will tell you from first hand experience is that you need to make sure that it's tight fitting around your elbows. I never wanted mine tight because it felt awkward and when a car pulled out in front of me and I tried to avoid and I ended up laying down my bike I hit elbow/knee first and because I didn't have the snap fitting things tightened how it should of been when my elbow hit, the armor in the elbow section rotated towards my forearm so I slid on with no protection on my elbow. I had regular jeans on as well, and they were ripped from my hip to my knee and where I hit with my elbow, I now have a nice scar that was to the bone. It's not exactly on my elbow but slightly towards my forearm but had I had the fitting where it should of been I wouldn't of had it at all. So this lesson is to always make sure your stuff fits you, it may seem a bit uncomfortable but you'll get used to it and it'll save your hide.

Leather Jackets are hot yes, but a true leather jacket offers one hell of a protection. I've watched people at the drag strip(requires full leather for racing) go down with full leather and get up with nothing more then a bruise. One accident I'll never forget is a guy on a Hayabusa laid it down doing around 120-130 and ended up doing tumbles. He got up and all he had was a quarter size bruise on his elbow. Leather definitely makes a difference and it protects you more then mesh.

As far as pants go, you can get stuff like double denim from motorcycle-superstore that provides good protection, but leather pants are the best bet, though I would never wear them even after being in my accident.

Then we have boots. Best Boots Ever. I've always used those and I've tried on many, many different ones and those by far are my favorite. They have a slip resistant sole which is good in case you ever have to stop at a red light and you put your foot down in a oil spot(it's happened to me). They have the little nobs on the toe to get better grip and they're also padded more right there so it's easier and less pressure on your toe. You cannot go wrong with those boots, plus it's leather.

Also, this was my last bike. I had everything to it add on wise except lowering it and stretching it(both of those hit you're cornering ability hard). This bike was seriously bad, I smoked quite a few Hayabusa, a lot of R1's, CBR's & GSX-R's.

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@ the OP sweet wheels my man. Little advice always make sure the kickstand is down. Lol I have parked my bike and started to walk away thinking I'm cool and heard it fall over.......fail ;) I have had everything from a little 600 to a busa to a road king.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/27/4ytyze6u.jpg

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Originally Posted by Rob

@ the OP sweet wheels my man. Little advice always make sure the kickstand is down. Lol I have parked my bike and started to walk away thinking I'm cool and heard it fall over.......fail ;) I have had everything from a little 600 to a busa to a road king.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/27/4ytyze6u.jpg

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Ahaha, no crap. I swear I was delirious one day and I have no idea what I was thinking at the time.

I pulled into Taco Bell parking lot drive through to order and then I realized I was on a motorcycle so I went to park to go eat in and I got off the bike and started to walk away only to realize I forgot to put the kickstand down so I hurry and ran and caught it right before it fell, but this was a ZX-12 which was top heavy and at that point it was too late for me to prevent it from falling, I could only stall a few seconds then I had to let it finish dropping. What ticked me off the most was the Blue Pearl Paint, man that was expensive paint.

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Originally Posted by Neal

Ahaha, no crap. I swear I was delirious one day and I have no idea what I was thinking at the time.

I pulled into Taco Bell parking lot drive through to order and then I realized I was on a motorcycle so I went to park to go eat in and I got off the bike and started to walk away only to realize I forgot to put the kickstand down so I hurry and ran and caught it right before it fell, but this was a ZX-12 which was top heavy and at that point it was too late for me to prevent it from falling, I could only stall a few seconds then I had to let it finish dropping. What ticked me off the most was the Blue Pearl Paint, man that was expensive paint.

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Lol ahhhhhhh that sucks! I only scuffed my fall peg

I want Harley Fat Boy for cruising. But, like everything, that costs money.

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I had a motorcycle in high school. I was a daddy's girl, and all I had to do was say "Daddy, I want a motorcylce" and it was done. I did have to make the payments, but my dad's good credit helped me get the financing on it. It was fun, but eventually I moved off to college and had nowhere to park it, so I had to sell it. It was a Honda Rebel 250cc. It was enough for me to get around town.

Haha. I lost my car and needed a way to get to work. The dealership was walking distance an they approved me for a loan.
I had been on a bike for less than 5mins and never got it out of 1st gear.

I had to wait a week for them to get my bike in so I read how to's online, and watched some YouTube videos.

That first night I put on 100 miles.

I'm just glad I got it off the lot :o

I started riding as a gas saver. Got a new Harley Sportster. I trucked it home, practiced making turns for about 30 minutes and hit the road. My buddy and I rode over three hundred miles through the country and state parks that day. It was great.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I started riding as a gas saver.

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I'm seeing a lot more commuters on motorcycles in the lot at work this year. Last year it was 1-2 over the summer, this year there are at least 6 every day and that's after we had a big layoff in January.

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Originally Posted by 3skulls

Haha. I lost my car and needed a way to get to work. The dealership was walking distance an they approved me for a loan.
I had been on a bike for less than 5mins and never got it out of 1st gear.

I had to wait a week for them to get my bike in so I read how to's online, and watched some YouTube videos.

That first night I put on 100 miles.

I'm just glad I got it off the lot :o

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I've seen people wreck the bikes before getting it off the lot. So yea, I'm glad you made it off the lot as well.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

I'm seeing a lot more commuters on motorcycles in the lot at work this year. Last year it was 1-2 over the summer, this year there are at least 6 every day and that's after we had a big layoff in January.

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The only bad thing is with all the new technology and the smart phones, many people don't pay attention while they're driving and this results in a lot of motorcycle fatalities.

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Originally Posted by Neal

The only bad thing is with all the new technology and the smart phones, many people don't pay attention while they're driving and this results in a lot of motorcycle fatalities.

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Sadly this is one of the biggest problems where I live. We have a car vs motorcycle accident every week it seems. On Monday my dad came and showed me his new harley an he watched a biker get rear ended at a stop light.

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Originally Posted by carlson

Sadly this is one of the biggest problems where I live. We have a car vs motorcycle accident every week it seems. On Monday my dad came and showed me his new harley an he watched a biker get rear ended at a stop light.

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I've seriously considered installing cameras in my car to 1) catch the sheer idiocy of other drivers on the road, and 2) protect myself in case of an accident, there's no "he said she said".

Otherwise, these are his-and-her midlife crisis toys (mine's the cage...):http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...6242011238.jpg

Very nice!!! I highly suggest taking the motorcycle safety course as well. I had been riding on the road for 3 years before I actually took the class and got my license (I had my permit and rode with a licensed rider, most of the time). Even with the experience I had riding, the class really helped me to learn what I was actually capable of doing on the bike. You don't need to use the quick evasive maneuvers that often, but when you need to, it's nice to know you can. The class definitely gave me a lot more confidence as a rider.

Not a midlife crisis, or expensive by any means, but here's my little bike :)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...60538970_n.jpg

It was red though ;)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Ninja/064.jpg

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Originally Posted by KMG

I started riding as a gas saver. Got a new Harley Sportster. I trucked it home, practiced making turns for about 30 minutes and hit the road. My buddy and I rode over three hundred miles through the country and state parks that day. It was great.

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To be honest that was my original reason too. I can ride the bike to work and back for an entire week for the same cost of driving my truck once. But once I started riding it I realized how much fun it was and now I'm wondering why I waited so long.

I was driving a lifted truck and as gas continued to rise I found I could pay a bike payment, insurance, and gas for less then I was paying for just gas in my truck.

After I started riding I found that I really enjoyed it. It made the road a whole new place.

If you ride two up or with a regular buddy these are awesome. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1&s=automotive My fiancé likes a 3/4 helmet and between that and the exhaust talking was near impossible. I bought us those and life on the bike was changed forever. They have a great range which we use mostly at gas stations. I will be filling up and we can discuss drinks and snacks without a problem, no more popping your head out with "they don't have that, what do you want."

It also connects to your phone which for me is great. I have the Lumina 920 and it speaks text and tells you who's calling. I can get a text, listen, and reply completely hands free. While I don't think talking on the phone is a good idea I do like to be able to hear my text and respond, especially on longer rides.

You can also buy several mounts and different types so all you have to do is clip in the unit to the mount and you can still have it on. I Mostly ride with a half helmet but do have a 3/4 and a full for cold weather. I bought extra mounts and it is no problem to switch things up.

I saw the icon boots but I never can find a pair that is the style I wanted. I ended up going with these
and for the money they can not be beat. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

Very nice!!! I highly suggest taking the motorcycle safety course as well. I had been riding on the road for 3 years before I actually took the class and got my license (I had my permit and rode with a licensed rider, most of the time). Even with the experience I had riding, the class really helped me to learn what I was actually capable of doing on the bike. You don't need to use the quick evasive maneuvers that often, but when you need to, it's nice to know you can. The class definitely gave me a lot more confidence as a rider.

Not a midlife crisis, or expensive by any means, but here's my little bike :)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...60538970_n.jpg

It was red though ;)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t.../Ninja/064.jpg

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Awesome, I love Ninja's. That plasta dip or reg matte paint? Looks badass either way :D One my friends has a matte black busa and another friend had a black plastic dipped ninja for awhile (had been green but he had to conceal it for... uh reasons). Looks so batmanesque. Love it.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/05/yjatu2y3.jpg

This is my most recent purchase as far as bikes go. It is one of the most amazing bikes I have ever rode before, but definitely is not for beginners.

My advice is to start small, drive in areas that you know well and practice turning slowly. And make sure you always have safety gear.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/05/a7yname5.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/05/3e3e4yga.jpg
I loooove motorcycles. The sport bike is my cb 919 aka hornet. Uber torquey and so much fun to ride. Designed to be naked so wind isn't so bad. I'm thinking ab painting him gun metal silver soon.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/05/gu7any6y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/05/egysa9ub.jpg
Honda 650 dirtbike. So much fun, took it on an enduro trail last weekend and snapped a mirror off eating it in a turn tho lol.

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I just got my first bike today! All black honda shadow 500, its an 83 but clean an runs good. Went for a ride after buying it. Way fun but had some sketchy moments lol all while turning. Guessing with some more pratice I'll stop taking them too wide an over thinking. But didn't feel like I was gonna make myself crash so I would say first 70 mile drive was a good one!

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Originally Posted by carlson

I just got my first bike today! All black honda shadow 500, its an 83 but clean an runs good. Went for a ride after buying it. Way fun but had some sketchy moments lol all while turning. Guessing with some more pratice I'll stop taking them too wide an over thinking. But didn't feel like I was gonna make myself crash so I would say first 70 mile drive was a good one!

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Sweet, congratulations. I've gotten into the habit of riding mine just about every day now, especially to work and back. Makes the commute a lot more fun.

I highly recommend the rider training courses put on by the MMSC, best money I've spent in a long time..

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/mms...s/default.aspx

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Sweet, congratulations. I've gotten into the habit of riding mine just about every day now, especially to work and back. Makes the commute a lot more fun.

I highly recommend the rider training courses put on by the MMSC, best money I've spent in a long time..

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/mms...s/default.aspx

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Yeah the classes are filled till next year. Only two left. Im going for a ride tomorrow morning, work on turns. Its the mental part of you should turn the handle bar if you wanna turn ha so then I argue withself an realize I am now making way to wide a turn. Jus gotta get my experience back, used to own face on a dirt bike. Granted I did dump that dirt bike more times than I enjoyed. Don't wanna dump the shadow that would suck!

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http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...psebde8826.jpg

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...ps85bf888a.jpg

Traded up. Got this new 2013 Victory Vision Tour last week. It rides like a dream!

I feel like I'm riding a floating Cadillac when I'm on it. It just glides down the road. Plus it has some nice features like cruise, stereo, heated seats and grips, electronic adjusting windshield (its like I have A/C), 29 gallons of storage and a 6 gallon tank. I can not wait to stretch her legs on a good ride!

Safety courses, and alot of seat time are about the best thing you can do. Depending on what kind of riding your into there are tons and tons of really cool roads down in southern mn, and southwest WI. I gave up riding on the street a few years ago, got into roadracing. Not sure if you have ever heard of MSTA, but they have a mn chapter which MN-MSTA.com i believe. They put on some pretty cool rides, everything from beginner to advanced riders. Some day i might pick up a cruiser, i do enjoy just going out and putzin through the country side enjoying the scenery.

Still riding MarkS?

Anybody else change or mod their bike?

I know its winter for some of yall but I get to ride all year, just wondering what yall are up to. My new heated accessories are great.

A little too much snow at the moment for riding, unless it's a one-horse open sleigh...

No snow here. I'm still wearing shorts most days. I like the Texas winter, you may call it summer.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Still riding MarkS?

Anybody else change or mod their bike?

I know its winter for some of yall but I get to ride all year, just wondering what yall are up to. My new heated accessories are great.

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Not right now, it's subzero temps with snow and ice, though I was still riding in early November. However I DID just pick up a new motorcycle. The Suzuki is great and I put over a thousand miles on it over the summer but with a maximum speed of around 60-65 mph it's not really suitable for freeway driving. (I still drove it to work every day taking back roads) The NEW bike is a 1982 Yamaha 750 Maxim that I picked up on craigslist really cheap. It needs a little fixing up, but the motor seems in good condition, I'll get a chance to work on it over the winter and get excited about riding again in the spring. I hope it's not too much bike for me, it's almost twice as heavy as the Suzuki.

http://i986.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfd1b5ae6.jpg
I am a relatively new rider also, 2 summers now. Here is a crappy cell phone pic of my 2001 Road Glide Screamin Eagle

I've taken a break from riding... for obvious reasons. :rolleyes:

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But I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to hold out. Hopefully, I can stay busy Herping. hahaha :gj:

My new Victory weighs over 800 lbs but handles like a dream. It is really well balanced. I find the heavier the bike (for cruisers) the better they handle. It has a 106ci motor and does a bit over 65.

I like those riding shorts Schmee123. Atleast you have a helmet. Lol! Ur nuts!!!

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Originally Posted by KMG

My new Victory weighs over 800 lbs but handles like a dream. It is really well balanced. I find the heavier the bike (for cruisers) the better they handle. It has a 106ci motor and does a bit over 65.

I like those riding shorts Schmee123. Atleast you have a helmet. Lol! Ur nuts!!!

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well that makes me feel a bit better, the yamaha is only around 550 but it made me realize just how light the suzuki really is. I need to replace the throttle cable, the tires and do some electrical work, hopefully I can do some of it myself. The guy I bought it from told me had had just broken the throttle cable but drove it up and down the road through all gears by wrapping his finger around the cable and pulling. :rolleyes: He asked me if I wanted to try it but I think I'll feel more comfortable fixing the cable so I can keep both hands on the handlebars. I did drive it up the trailer ramp but then the next day it snowed so that's as far as I've gone on it... :rolleyes:

Schmee123, aren't you supposed to be wearing flip flops and a wifebeater while doing that? :O

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Originally Posted by KMG

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http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...ps85bf888a.jpg

Traded up. Got this new 2013 Victory Vision Tour last week. It rides like a dream!

I feel like I'm riding a floating Cadillac when I'm on it. It just glides down the road. Plus it has some nice features like cruise, stereo, heated seats and grips, electronic adjusting windshield (its like I have A/C), 29 gallons of storage and a 6 gallon tank. I can not wait to stretch her legs on a good ride!

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Wow, nice bike. That back seat almost looks like a throne.