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For those of you that don't like reading stories I'll sum it up: I got my license, got my bike, and experienced more than I ever imagined in my first 2 days of riding.
For those of you that DO like to read, well, look on.
I was never on a motorcycle before my MSF course, in 1 weekend (2) 8 hour days I went from Obtaining my paper permit, to getting a waiver for my Motorcycle license road test. I proceed to the DMV and got my license, then finally made my purchase of my 1979 Suzuki GS550L. Got that legalized and headed out on the road alone to get a feel for my new hobby and bike.
I took back roads to start with since less traffic usually means less trouble right? Not so much! The first day was good I did some mountain roads and got used to a steady 50mph on county road 519. 80 miles later I found myself on the way home when it actually started to snow flurry. Not what you wanna see on your first day of riding a motorcycle ever. But I made it home safely and stored the bike away.
The clouds moved out, and the sun appeared in the western sky yesterday, so I polished up my chrome and went out for another ride. To make this long story shorter I will make a list of what I experienced yesterday (every single thing I was warned about in the MSF course happened on the road, it was worth the $250.00 to potentially save my life.
- Box fell off the back of a truck in front of me, practiced my swerve 4 times before dodging all the pieces coming at me.
- Bike actually stalled on the highway due to clogged air filter and I coasted to safety on the shoulder before removing it and re-starting.
- Tar-snakes.. boy are they slippery on turns.
- Vehicle cut me off with in inches, I quickly downshifted and tapped my brakes to alert the driver behind me. (luckily they saw this and backed off quickly.)
- Sun goes down, had to drive in the dark to get home but decided not to go home, instead hit some country back roads in PA.
- Opossum runs out in front of me (MSF course teaches about which animals are squishable) I took this opportunity to rid the world of a rodent, and gain some real life experience by raising up on my pegs and taking the obstacle in stride. (All went well for me, not so much for the opossum.)
- Had to cross a metal grate bridge (basically I just held on kept my balance and tried not to be nervous with the bike changing direction every split second from the grates.. what a terrible thing to deal with on a motorcycle.)
- Finally on the way back, I guess my clutch springs are tired being stock from 30 years ago and my clutch had begun to slip at a traffic light I thought maybe I screwed up.. nope it was really slipping bad then with a jolt, into gear and off I went. This happened at 3 traffic lights in a row until it wouldnt grab and stalled a few times trying to get the bike moving.. traffic was less than pleased but I had to press-on so I made it home and parked the bike.
In 2 days I managed to encounter things I wouldn't have otherwise been prepared for had I not taken the MSF basic skills course. I logged about 150 miles so far and burned up almost 2 tanks of gas. This bike is a real screamer on the highway, I do not like driving it over 50mph because it's just not got the horsepower to efficiently maintain 5,500 rpms at 65 mph.
I hate the tall slanted "L model" handlebars, but everything else is fairly comfortable and operates smoothly. The bike gets a lot of attention and people are always surprised when they find out its 30 years old with low miles on it.
No good story would be complete if I didn't tell you that an 18 year old punk kid came up to me and said "is that a harley?"
To which I replied: "It's a Suzuki."
Kid says: "Oh, I knew it didn't sound American.. pshh."
I smiled, and asked: "Then why did you ask me if it was a Harley?"
Kid pauses for a moment, looks at the bike and says: "Jap crap!"
Ignorance is bliss in the minds of the omnipotent and naive I guess, maybe someday he will grow up. Well no need to let one bad apple sour my day, I had a great 2 days thus far - plan to have many more once I fix my bike.
For those of you that DO like to read, well, look on.
I was never on a motorcycle before my MSF course, in 1 weekend (2) 8 hour days I went from Obtaining my paper permit, to getting a waiver for my Motorcycle license road test. I proceed to the DMV and got my license, then finally made my purchase of my 1979 Suzuki GS550L. Got that legalized and headed out on the road alone to get a feel for my new hobby and bike.
I took back roads to start with since less traffic usually means less trouble right? Not so much! The first day was good I did some mountain roads and got used to a steady 50mph on county road 519. 80 miles later I found myself on the way home when it actually started to snow flurry. Not what you wanna see on your first day of riding a motorcycle ever. But I made it home safely and stored the bike away.
The clouds moved out, and the sun appeared in the western sky yesterday, so I polished up my chrome and went out for another ride. To make this long story shorter I will make a list of what I experienced yesterday (every single thing I was warned about in the MSF course happened on the road, it was worth the $250.00 to potentially save my life.
- Box fell off the back of a truck in front of me, practiced my swerve 4 times before dodging all the pieces coming at me.
- Bike actually stalled on the highway due to clogged air filter and I coasted to safety on the shoulder before removing it and re-starting.
- Tar-snakes.. boy are they slippery on turns.
- Vehicle cut me off with in inches, I quickly downshifted and tapped my brakes to alert the driver behind me. (luckily they saw this and backed off quickly.)
- Sun goes down, had to drive in the dark to get home but decided not to go home, instead hit some country back roads in PA.
- Opossum runs out in front of me (MSF course teaches about which animals are squishable) I took this opportunity to rid the world of a rodent, and gain some real life experience by raising up on my pegs and taking the obstacle in stride. (All went well for me, not so much for the opossum.)
- Had to cross a metal grate bridge (basically I just held on kept my balance and tried not to be nervous with the bike changing direction every split second from the grates.. what a terrible thing to deal with on a motorcycle.)
- Finally on the way back, I guess my clutch springs are tired being stock from 30 years ago and my clutch had begun to slip at a traffic light I thought maybe I screwed up.. nope it was really slipping bad then with a jolt, into gear and off I went. This happened at 3 traffic lights in a row until it wouldnt grab and stalled a few times trying to get the bike moving.. traffic was less than pleased but I had to press-on so I made it home and parked the bike.
In 2 days I managed to encounter things I wouldn't have otherwise been prepared for had I not taken the MSF basic skills course. I logged about 150 miles so far and burned up almost 2 tanks of gas. This bike is a real screamer on the highway, I do not like driving it over 50mph because it's just not got the horsepower to efficiently maintain 5,500 rpms at 65 mph.
I hate the tall slanted "L model" handlebars, but everything else is fairly comfortable and operates smoothly. The bike gets a lot of attention and people are always surprised when they find out its 30 years old with low miles on it.
No good story would be complete if I didn't tell you that an 18 year old punk kid came up to me and said "is that a harley?"
To which I replied: "It's a Suzuki."
Kid says: "Oh, I knew it didn't sound American.. pshh."
I smiled, and asked: "Then why did you ask me if it was a Harley?"
Kid pauses for a moment, looks at the bike and says: "Jap crap!"
Ignorance is bliss in the minds of the omnipotent and naive I guess, maybe someday he will grow up. Well no need to let one bad apple sour my day, I had a great 2 days thus far - plan to have many more once I fix my bike.
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