Tweet
First Ride!!!
Alright, I figured I better check in since it's been a while. I've been home on leave now for right around three weeks, but my internet has been mighty inconsistent, hence the lack in postings!
I passed the motorcycle safety course with flying colors and got my permit/license/endorsement in the same day. Had a couple problems with the ol' XJ, though, which REALLY made me wish for some steady internet. I could of used you guys' help, that's for sure!
The ol' gal didn't wanna start! I figured it was the battery so I took it off and charged it overnight. Reinstalled it the next day - lights, horn, and electronics worked just fine, but she didn't wanna kick over. I had my sis's boyfriend take a look at it and he determined that my ignition button had some dirt and crap in it. He knocked it out and was able to get it started and took her for a spin around the neighborhood. He said he tested the battery when he got back and said that it was holding a charge well. I had him do this while I was away visiting some friends.
When I got home, she didn't wanna start right away again. I wiggled the ignition button and still nothing. We had to jump her to get her started. Well, when I did get her started, I tossed on my jacket and helmet and went at it ALL AFTERNOON!
I LOVE THIS DAMN BIKE!!! It isn't too heavy or large at all. It fits me very well. I was even able to set it back up by myself after laying it over (gently) in the grassy yard for taking a turn too slowly and not counterbalancing correctly (the only time I've laid it over). Now, I may be 26 (almost 27), but to humor my dear mother, I haven't taken it out on the "real roads" yet. She wanted me to "get familiar with it" before I took it out in traffic.
So, after an afternoon of riding around the neighborhood practicing U-turns in culdisacs (sp?) and stop-go's at intersections/stop signs, I finally took it out of the development to fill her up with gas and take her in a giant "all right-hand turns" loop on some old country roads around the development. I was able to get her up to 55 and realized just how much power this little rocket has inside! Boy oh boy did it feel great! All in all, I only put about 20 to 25 miles on the bike, but it was enough to get me HOOKED! My mother even said that she thinks I'm gonna be just fine on my bike (as if I didn't already know this) and that she thinks my bike fits me very well.
I did all this the day before I left to visit another friend and just got back tonight. I'm headed out again tomorrow, hopefully, as long as she'll start. If she's dead again or won't start, you can bet I'll jump her anyway but be back on here as soon as I can to ask for some possible troubleshooting solutions.
So if I wasn't before, I am now officially a biker... and XJ biker!
I passed the motorcycle safety course with flying colors and got my permit/license/endorsement in the same day. Had a couple problems with the ol' XJ, though, which REALLY made me wish for some steady internet. I could of used you guys' help, that's for sure!
The ol' gal didn't wanna start! I figured it was the battery so I took it off and charged it overnight. Reinstalled it the next day - lights, horn, and electronics worked just fine, but she didn't wanna kick over. I had my sis's boyfriend take a look at it and he determined that my ignition button had some dirt and crap in it. He knocked it out and was able to get it started and took her for a spin around the neighborhood. He said he tested the battery when he got back and said that it was holding a charge well. I had him do this while I was away visiting some friends.
When I got home, she didn't wanna start right away again. I wiggled the ignition button and still nothing. We had to jump her to get her started. Well, when I did get her started, I tossed on my jacket and helmet and went at it ALL AFTERNOON!
I LOVE THIS DAMN BIKE!!! It isn't too heavy or large at all. It fits me very well. I was even able to set it back up by myself after laying it over (gently) in the grassy yard for taking a turn too slowly and not counterbalancing correctly (the only time I've laid it over). Now, I may be 26 (almost 27), but to humor my dear mother, I haven't taken it out on the "real roads" yet. She wanted me to "get familiar with it" before I took it out in traffic.
So, after an afternoon of riding around the neighborhood practicing U-turns in culdisacs (sp?) and stop-go's at intersections/stop signs, I finally took it out of the development to fill her up with gas and take her in a giant "all right-hand turns" loop on some old country roads around the development. I was able to get her up to 55 and realized just how much power this little rocket has inside! Boy oh boy did it feel great! All in all, I only put about 20 to 25 miles on the bike, but it was enough to get me HOOKED! My mother even said that she thinks I'm gonna be just fine on my bike (as if I didn't already know this) and that she thinks my bike fits me very well.
I did all this the day before I left to visit another friend and just got back tonight. I'm headed out again tomorrow, hopefully, as long as she'll start. If she's dead again or won't start, you can bet I'll jump her anyway but be back on here as soon as I can to ask for some possible troubleshooting solutions.
So if I wasn't before, I am now officially a biker... and XJ biker!
Comment