First ride

[Ivan]

Finally got the Special up and running Thursday Night. Weird Al was in concert in Wichita, so I had a small jaunt up the gravel road and back just to see if it really would move under its own power.

Last night, Wife and I had a very nice ride around the country side and to Sonic. Even blew away a punk in a Focus ZX2. He probably didn't know my engine is bigger than his. LOL

Anyhoot, prior to this I had probably less than 10 miles riding experience, now I have laid down 45 according to the trip meter. I had bugs in my hair, and it was good.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Ivan,

Glad to hear you got it up and running well. Thankfully you're out in Ks, hopefully where it's not too crowded in a metropolitan sort of way? If you are saying that you've had only 10 miles of previous motorycle riding in your life, then "we" would like to highly urge you to find a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course offered ANYWHERE you can, and take it BEFORE you take your SWMBO on any more rides! Look up the statistics, you'll see that MC accidents with the Baby Boomer crowd is up quite a bit.

We just want to be able to hear about you turning your 1st 1000 miles without incident, instead of about a "RIDER DOWN" report!
T.C.

[Ivan]

Well, Hutch is about 40k people, and we live outside of town proper. An annex of sorts. It is very spread out, and there is no "metropolitan" feel to it at all. It is like a small town, just lots more people. Wichita is about 40 miles away, which would be the closest metropolitan area. West of here is what was called the "Great American Desert" in the late 1800s, flat dry and boring, kinda like a democrat politician. places you can drive 70 miles between small one horse towns. My biggest fear is oncoming combines. some of those custom cutters figure they own the road and everything within 20 feet of each side. All in all I am taking it easy and avoiding high traffic. The JuCo here has a rider course, I'll take it soon. Also not going to do much more riding with out a helmet. Just need dollars. They went to parts in our last "fiscal period". Helmet is next.

Speaking of democrats, there is a river in Kansas called the Republican, supposedly since it is shallow and twisted.

[Montreux_Blue]

I grew up riding dirt bikes, the XS11 is my 4th street bike. I ALWAYS wear a helmet, jacket depends on how far (15 miles +) or if I get on a hwy. It took me a good couple hundred miles to get used to the XS before I felt comfortable and got everything adjusted the way I wanted. I now have had it for several months and over 1,000 miles on it, yet I still haven't taken it over 120mph yet. If I was just learning to ride, a helmet, jacket, boots, and at least blue jeans would be a must. I admit that I didn't wear most of that the first few years. Usually you get in an accident early in your "learning to ride" experience. I got lucky and didn't have one until about 6 years into riding street bikes. Jacket and helmet saved me from a lot of injuries and at a 70mph tumble down the street, I was able to get up and ride home with only a couple scratches. Don't mean to act like your mom, just giving my experience and opinion.

[Montreux_Blue]

I lived in Wichita (McConnell) for a while, small town of 300,000 when I was there 10 years ago. Besides it's not just other people you have to worry about, also road conditions. The accident I was in was because of some gravel on the road in a turn and nobody was around. You never really know when it will happen.

[Bigfoot]

I had bugs in my hair, and it was good

I know it isn't a requirement in kansas but I would recommend a helmet, especially for a novice rider.

[mitch]

riding

Been riding 40 years now and always wear leather ,helmet,and gloves, sliding down the road without these is no fun. I learned that many years ago.I have had two major accidents in my life and both times it was because of drunken people operating cars. I also was down because of gravel washed onto the road in a tight corner.... my fault going too fast!! That said the leather and gloves saved my butt . Take your time ,take a coarse and please be careful. All that being said welcome and enjoy your new ride.
Doug.

[Ivan]

Originally posted by Bigfoot


I know it isn't a requirement in kansas but I would recommend a helmet, especially for a novice rider.

I picked up a helmet today. I usually wear leather boots, since tennis shoes don't last in my line of work. Working on the leather gear.

I can honestly say I haven't busted the speed limit by more than 5 on my bike, and that was unintentional. This is a new feeling for me, since I am a habitual speeder. I reckon that it'd hurt plenty dumping it at 5 mph, so I'd rather not add the extra when I am up to speed. All that being said, I guess if you play the game, at some point you are gonna loose one. Same way with cars, aircraft, chain saws and gummi worms.

[Bigfoot]

Good move man.

[mason79]

gloves help on any fall, hands shield first as a defensive reaction