Well, here's my baby!! It's a semi-miserable day here (for riding), what with the wind blowing at about elebenty-lebben mph... I rode the entire way back from Clovis at about a five degree list and (almost) made a couple of "unprogrammed" lane changes in the process.Thank GOD it warmed up before I made the ride home. It was 47 degrees when the oh-so-kind Bike-Lady picked me up this morning; it probably was near 60 when I hit the highway between The Big(ger) CityTM and P-Town. I was just a wee bit chilly, but nothing serious.
It runs well. I haven't taken it above 6,500 rpm yet; I hit 85 once or twice on the way home but mostly held it at an indicated 75 mph. I love the riding position! Just frickin' perfect, it is! It's a bit of a bear to push around, but once I get used to it things should be fine. Under way it feels light and "flickable." Just how flickable remains to be seen, tho. Commend me on my restraint, please. The red line is 10,500 rpm, and I held it to no more than 6,500. I think I'm growing up.
I had to go to three bike shops to get a lock...none at the Suzuki store, ditto Honda. Finally found one at the Harley store, and that's a good thing...coz there was only ONE other possibility (in Clovis). So I now have an H-D logo-ed Kryptonite brake rotor lock, which probably cost me ten bucks more just for the Harley logo. And I bought a pair of Tony Lama boots from Joe's Boot Shop (That would be the "world famous" Joe's Boot Shop, thank you very much ). I got my old Red Wings (boots) out of the basement storage last evening and they were covered with mold...which is nature's way of telling me I really ought to replace boots I've owned since 1978.
Tomorrow will suck worse than today (weather-wise)...cold and rainy is the forecast. It'll be a day or two before I put any serious miles on it. But, Hey! It is what it is. No matter... the bike is parked right under my window so I can stare at it in the way a 14-year-old boy stares at the cute blonde in English class...with one key difference: she's mine. All mine.
Yaaaaa Hooooooo.....
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ReplyDeleteTrying again...
ReplyDeleteYeehaw! As we say in the South. The bike looks great.
Here's to good riding weather.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on securing the cute girl in english class, er, um, I mean the new shiney scooter!
ReplyDelete"I think I'm growing up." and "...so I can stare at it in the way a 14-year-old boy stares at the cute blonde in English class..." Pretty funny!
ReplyDeleteI need to thank you, Buck, for helping me to see what a man sees in a motorcycle. A couple of days ago, you said in a post, "I looked at the pic Lou posted and thought “Man! Toby sure looks happy!” Isn't that what it is all about? I needed that reminder. Sometimes I let my womanly fears block my sight. I had been dragging my feet for a while on this motorcycle thing, but you are right, it does make him happy. You be happy too, but safe.
Have fun with your new toy! Glad Wendy was able to help you out.
ReplyDeleteBlue Wasp? Chrome(less) Strom? Cobalt Cheval?
ReplyDeleteThanks, all y'all!
ReplyDeleteLou: Ya, being happy IS what it's all about. OTOH, I understand the "womanly fear" about bikes (or anything dangerous, for that matter). I have/had similar fears about my kids and bikes. In that case, however, those fears are left unsaid -- who needs a hypocrite? :-)
No name as yet, Anon. Someday she may speak to me and reveal her name. But we're still getting to know one another, yanno? :-)