Sunday, May 6, 2012

New Post


The beginning is only a starting point marking the beginning of something.  The purchase of your first bike is definitely a beginning.  Maybe the beginning would be when the seed was planet.  Or, maybe the beginning is when you buy your Harley Davidson.  Well, I chose last week to post a blog in tribute to the man that started it all for me.  The story wasn’t about him, but it was for him.  I should have posted this last and let notice that my regular post would be one a week and on Monday.  I didn’t realize my oversight until late today and didn’t want to leave you hanging.  I don’t have my next post ready and will post it on Monday evening. 

  I also wanting to write a short post to keep you informed.  I have very few traffic now, but these aren’t about how many people, but that people do come, whether it’s none, one, or thousands.  I hope to get more interest as time goes.  I don’t want any post to be a wasted one.  I have a lot to write about and some material that has been written long ago.  I just wanted to use this brief opportunity to inform you.  I have also created a Facebook page and will continue, as time permits to continue to work on it and to maintain it, and if you like my blog all Likes are welcome.  Write each weeks post is important and I look forward to my next post tomorrow.  Last piece of business is I want to let you know that all photo’s that I use in my post are all mine, because I don’t want to use, take, or steal other peoples work.  I have seen some great pictures and would love to post them but don’t think its right to use other without permission.
It was great weather this weekend and hope everyone got a chance like me to get out and ride.  Take care and I will see you tomorrow.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The Beginning

Everyone has to start somewhere and I think that to start my blog I have to start at the beginning.  My first real post will be about my first bike and first ride.
  I had finally reach a point in my life that I was able to financially afford to purchase a motorcycle.  I had talk to several of my friend whom had owned bikes and had been riding for years and everyone agreed that the first one should be a Japanese bike.  Their rational was the first one is going to be the bike you make all of my mistakes, so it has to be cheap and durable.  At the time I couldn't believe that all my friends, who only owned Harley's, were telling me to buy anything but a Harley.  With my friends advice in mind I kept talking to my new co-workers and one happen to be a big bike fan.  He had been riding for some time and was a big on the sport bikes.  He had done some checking around and told others to start to look out for a bike that would suit a beginner.  In no time he had a friend that located a great deal  and sent me to take a look at it.  Wow, I couldn't believe my eye's when I saw it, it was truly a beautiful bike.  It was a bright red Ninja 600cc.  To cut the boring details, I bought it and was ready to pick it up and start riding, but that is where the real story begins.
  This was the day to pick the bike up, but little did I know I wouldn't be dropping off the check and taking off on the bike.  It turned out to be my first lesson and my introduction into the bike owner community.  The sales person could care less if I had a license, or could even ride, so I thought for sure I was out the door soon.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous since I hadn't been on a bike in 15 years and never had rode one on the road better off a highway/interstate.  The salesman took me to the garage and introduced me to the mechanic who was setting up my bike and getting it ready for me to take it home.  After the salesman left, to this day I'm eternally grateful to him, but can't remember his name.  The mechanic started going over the bike, where everything was located and the features.  He then started questioning me and with every answer I could see the apprehension build and build in his face.  After many questions and not very good answers he informed me that I wasn't leaving this lot until he felt comfortable with my riding.  First, when you're riding, don't care if its an American bike, or a Japanese bike, he said, you wave.  Being a motorcycle rider is a community and we're all in this together, so you pay your respects, even if they don't wave, you pay you're respects and wave at all motorcycle riders.
  The second lesson was to begin.. He said we're getting ready to close the shop here in about 30 minutes but we're not leaving this lot, thankfully the shop was located on a large parking lot, until I feel comfortable you can ride safely.  I said, really, don't you have other things to do then hang out after work to make sure I can ride.   He said the only thing I have to do is make sure that you get home safe and I will not let you leave this lot until you can demonstrate to me that you can ride this bike home safely.  So, he gives me a few pointers on how to find the clutch sweet spot, as he called it, and how to shift gears.  I was really nervous now as he talked and his friends started showing up.  Clearly he had plans but after meeting me, they would have to be put on hold, until I passed his test.  The first lap around the lot went OK, but my trouble was not driving or getting from one gear to another, it was taking off.  I laugh now, but I struggled with that one for a long time.  I knew that I had to do it well enough to satisfy him.  Lap after lap I got better and better and it got later and later and darkness was approaching.  His friends were getting a little nervous that they and I would be here for some time to come, but he wouldn't let anything deter him, and they're would be no short cuts.  Lap after lap I would stop and he would give me pointer in something he saw I was doing wrong and I would take off and put it to use.  I was really starting to get the hang of it and was really starting to love it and becoming less and less nervous. His friends were even cheering me on and would make helpful suggestions.  I'm not sure how much time had gone by but I was there for a better part of a couple of hours, riding around and around this lot.  As time went on I didn't think, was this the lap I get to go home, I was just looked forward to his next suggestion and little tip he would have for me after each lap.  Then to my surprise I stopped after going around, what must have been the 100th time, he said you're good to go!  What?  Really?  He said you're good, just remember what I have taught you, take you're time, don't be rushed, don't be scared, and always pay you're respects to you're follow bike riders.
  I don't know if he did this with everyone he set up a bike for, but I'm eternally grateful for what he did for me and the time he took to teach me how to ride.  It was the beginning for me and the start of a wonderful adventure.
So, we all have to start somewhere, just like in life..  I'm not going to make some length post here today,but will be posting on a regular basis.  I have simiular post but this time it's true, but that will only be believed if the post come.  Time will tell.. Hope all are well and looking forward to doing be blogging.  Ride safe..