We're Taking the Ups and Downs of Life on Two Wheels ...
For those of you who are Facebook friends of mine, you already are aware of this revelation. Last week, I bought my first motorcycle.... It's a 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom. It only has 3600 miles, is loaded to the gills, and I got it dirt cheap.
The hard part of course, is now I have to learn to ride it responsibly, and that will take a while. The first lesson with my brother went very well - I learned taking off (no picnic, because the clutch is MUCH tighter than on a car), stopping, U-turns and shifting gears. Well, the turns are still a lot of work, especially at slower speeds - and we learned it yesterday.
I made a tighter than 90 degree turn on from a dead start on a downhill grade - and the bike had no momentum, so it stopped and leaned left. I planted my left leg to support it, and my thigh pretty much blew out and pulled.. Before you get worried, everyone drops a bike at one point or another, especially when they're first learning. More importantly, I know what I did wrong, so I know not to do it again...
Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun, and I'll be doing everything to do it safely: training courses, staying off busy roads, and not trying to do too much. It may take a while to get up to speed, but that's how it goes. Next year, I hope to be able to go on mini-trips with the rest of the band for lunch or to see stuff. Can't wait..
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6 comments:
Congrats, Reino. For educational purposes, you should rent Every Which Way But Loose and Any Which Way You Can. You can't get better instructors than the Black Widow Motorcycle Club...
OH MY GOD!! Now Reino has a reason to come to back the SC for BIKE WEEK!! I never thought I would see the day that Mike would be on much less own a Harley. What's next democrats and republicans working together in Congress??
Seriously--that is a sweet looking bike Mike. Be careful,'cause you know if anything happens to you Miss June will be worried....teg
maybe you can take to to the beach and watch Irene come ashore.
Nice Bike Mike.
wear yer leathers boy, you don't want raod rash where the sun don't shine.
BTW righteous ride dude!
Mike,
She's a beauty. Please be careful and especially watch out for the "other road Hawgs". Also, you might want to find a safe place for her this weekend. Looks like we're sending Irene to you. Stay safe....so I won't have to "worry about you" as teg so aptly stated.
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