Bought My First Bike!

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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited August 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Nice Ride Nik!!

    Be safe, and Congrats!!

    Larry.



    Thanks!

    Try to be as safe as I can be.;)


    At least until I get my all my riding gear. Then its wheelie up first, second, third gear doing 90mph down the highway standing up.:eek::D





    j/k...



    I take it very easy for the most part..



    Nik
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited August 2009
    So I was going to purchase the jacket and gloves today from new enough. But. Since I am very impatient. I thought I would go to my local bike shop and see what they had before I ordered anything on line.

    Well. I paid a little more. But I got to get it today and I think its much better quality than the Joe Rocket stuff. At least she said it was. She said the JR jackets weren't made as good and tend to fall apart in a short period of time. The jacket also looked more substantial when held beside the Joe Rocket Jacket..

    I got a Speed and Strength Jacket and pair of matching first gear gloves. She gave me 10% off on the jacket and threw the gloves in for free...

    Total came to $197.00

    A little more than I wanted to spend. But I like it and seems like its well built. Its full of armor and couple of back pads. And it came with a inner liner for rainy days.

    Its a mesh jacket and its amazing how well it breathes. Not only that. Its extremely comfortable. It amazes me how much of a difference it makes riding with gear. I wouldn't ever want to ride with out it. It didn't seem to matter what I wore. Shirt wise or jacket wise. There all uncomfortable. They flap in the wind and hurt or balloon and throw me around.

    Not now. This jacket doesn't move. No flapping or ballooning. Makes the ride MUCH more enjoyable. After seeing how much of a difference it made. I felt like it was money well spent. And I like knowing I have a decent amount of protection in case something was to happen..

    So I'm about there. I've got a new Helmet, New Gloves and New Jacket..

    I think the only thing left is a pair of pants and some boots and I'll be set...


    I'm lovin it.:)


    [URL="[IMG]http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj162/nikolas812/Bike005.jpg[/IMG]"]Bike005.jpg[/URL]
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited August 2009
    Bad A$$ jacket bro.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited August 2009
    Now find your local racetracks and see if they have similar events we have here. I went for my first track day in a bike and they had pretty good classes in between sessions for beginners.

    To our Texas riders:

    https://www.ridesmart.info/

    One of my first ever laps around a track:

    http://www.hart-photography.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=819207
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited August 2009
    Highly recommend track days when possible. I also went to few classes as you have. Keith Code has been out to Japan a few times to teach those in Japan. Awesome experience.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • TSWisla
    TSWisla Posts: 446
    edited August 2009
    Please be careful. I had a GSXR-750 until I had my daughter...
    Zu Soul Supreme
    Coincident Frankenstein mkIII
    Esoteric K-07
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited August 2009
    You know. Taking the bike to a track never crossed my mind when I bought it.

    But you just can't safely ride the bike on the street the way its intended to be rode. Or at least the way it can be rode.. I want to open it up and take some turns.

    So I'll be looking into it. We have a road course in Indy I can take it too. About and hour and a half away. And I have a Drag strip I can take it to about 45 minutes away...

    I'll be looking into both very soon..






    Nik
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2009
    Nik - Don't let the inclusion of good riding gear go to your head. A lot of people feel like the gear makes them invincible if they fall or get hit. You still have to ride just as sensibly as before.

    My jacket is too hot for 80+ degree days, so I usually don't ride with it on those days. I know I take it a lot easier when I don't have my jacket and gloves on than I do when they're protecting me. I know I shouldn't, but it happens.
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited August 2009
    nadams wrote: »
    Nik - Don't let the inclusion of good riding gear go to your head. A lot of people feel like the gear makes them invincible if they fall or get hit. You still have to ride just as sensibly as before.

    My jacket is too hot for 80+ degree days, so I usually don't ride with it on those days. I know I take it a lot easier when I don't have my jacket and gloves on than I do when they're protecting me. I know I shouldn't, but it happens.



    Yeah I hear ya. I don't get crazy just cause I have some gear now.

    But its peace of mind that I like. Plus the added comfort. Just makes the ride that more enjoyable.


    The reason I went with the mesh jacket is so I can wear it 90% of time during the riding season. Riding in temps anywhere from 65-100 degrees. Its amazing how cool the jacket is. It never gets hot. And if its too cool. I can throw the liner in it.. I don't intend to ride in any temps lower than 60...








    Nik
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited August 2009
    77651_260301.jpg

    Nik, this seemed only fitting. Congrats on the new hobby and gear.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited August 2009
    Here's my POS when I first picked it up -

    100_3823.sized.jpg
    1983 Yamaha XS400K

    Here's my new toy, which has not yet been fixed up and put on the road -

    100_4774.sized.jpg
    1980 yamaha XS850SH triple. Still needs carb shaft seals, rear brake work, front fork work, a good cleaning, a title (my brother holds it), registration, inspection, insurance, and many other $$$ items. But, it'll be so much nicer for 2-up riding than the 400!
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited August 2009
    What do you need? I might have some parts left over. I sold mine a year ago, a 1980 also.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited August 2009
    nadams wrote: »
    Nik - Don't let the inclusion of good riding gear go to your head. A lot of people feel like the gear makes them invincible if they fall or get hit. You still have to ride just as sensibly as before.

    My jacket is too hot for 80+ degree days, so I usually don't ride with it on those days. I know I take it a lot easier when I don't have my jacket and gloves on than I do when they're protecting me. I know I shouldn't, but it happens.

    The same exact thought I had when I high sided off my 04 R1, and ended up with hole in my elbow and road rash on my back and chest. Wear that gear, hot or cold it helps and works. Had I worn the Joe Rocket I would have been fine. I still have a contusion in my right leg that bothers me sometime.

    Track days will definitely get you the speed you want and use that bike as you supposed. Its always more fun and you don't have to worry about cars. I've done 168mph on the road and yeah it was fun, but the track kick a$$.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited August 2009
    nadams wrote: »
    Here's my new toy, which has not yet been fixed up and put on the road -

    100_4774.sized.jpg
    1980 yamaha XS850SH triple. Still needs carb shaft seals, rear brake work, front fork work, a good cleaning, a title (my brother holds it), registration, inspection, insurance, and many other $$$ items. But, it'll be so much nicer for 2-up riding than the 400!

    nadams,

    I have (had... I still technically have it but it's not exactly "on the road") an '81 XS850 (the Midnight Special trim). While it was a pain in the **** just due to age, that bike had a GREAT ride to it for something so old. Lots of balls and decent handling.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • Bigherm
    Bigherm Posts: 13
    edited September 2009
    Nice bike, you made a good buy. If you can take a track day you will be amazed at how it will build you confidence on the street.
    Ride safe and watch out for the cages.
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    If you're still wanting a track leather jacket: http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/fieldsheer/track_paddock_ii_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,771
    edited September 2009
    Sami wrote: »
    If you're still wanting a track leather jacket: http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/fieldsheer/track_paddock_ii_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

    That's a steal! I paid $400 for my Fieldsheer track jacket 16 years ago, I may have to get one of these, wish they had all black. Hmmm...
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    Although I bought my full suit, I'm thinking about it. Too bad matching pants they have are sold out on my size: http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/fieldsheer/tracker_leather_motorcycle_pants.html

    $290 for pants & jacket.
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  • nikolas812
    nikolas812 Posts: 2,915
    edited September 2009
    I was just looking at my title. The bike had 15,791 miles on it when I bought it, about three weeks ago.

    It now has 17,052.:D

    I think that comes to about 50-60 miles a day every day for three weeks.:eek:


    I'm.... Still lovin it!


    Peace.





    Nik
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited September 2009
    nikolas812 wrote: »
    I think that comes to about 50-60 miles a day every day for three weeks.:eek:

    Good for you! If I count out the rainy days I have put close to 100 miles on average on my new bike. I'm sure that will come down to a more reasonable number but for the last 3 months I have barely started my car.
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