First Motorcycle Choice

After the course and many hours of discussion and shopping, I narrowed down what I wanted as my first motorcycle.

At first, the discussion was whether or not we would purchase a new bike or something used.  If we went used, we could save some money potentially by getting something previously owned by a woman or short rider that would be low to the ground and we would not mind as much if it took a couple of falls as I learned to ride.  We looked at a few options but ultimately the resale value would not be as good either and I knew I would want an upgrade soon.

If we purchased new, then if I decided I really did not want to ride on my own, then we would lose money.  Or worse, if I damaged the bike, we could stand to lose a lot more.  What we figured was that either way, it was going to cost money to get something and there were risks either way.  I wanted to pick something that was small and light enough for me, and that I could learn on, but also something that I would still want to ride a year from now.  So we decided we would purchase something new..

And on to the selection...

Having ridden touring and sport touring bikes with Darcy, there are certain aspects of that style of riding that was important.  I didn't have any intentions of riding off road, but did need something I could be comfortable on for hundreds of miles each day.

Since we are a BMW family and with a K1600 in the garage, a few models of BMW were on the list to consider.  I always liked the looks of the Kawasaki Concours and the Honda ST1300.  The seat on the Norge was unbelievably comfortable - nothing like a Guzzi seat!

Unfortunately some of those were just too tall or heavy for the novice rider.  The Norge was too bulky and heavy.  The bigger BMW's are too top heavy; the other dual sports were way too tall.

I then focused on the style of bike.  I didn't feel like I would be comfortable with my feet out in front of me and avoided the cruisers.  I really didn't want a sport bike with my feet behind me and my knees jammed up against my chest.  So I narrowed to those with an upright sitting position with a seat height that would allow me to touch the ground. 

Bikes on the shortlist:
1. Honda CB 500X
2. BMW F700 GS
3. Honda CTX 700

I tried out many models and styles - Triumph, Suzuki, KTM, Ducati, Honda etc.  The bike that felt the most comfortable to me was the F700 GS.  The sitting position was really nice.  The arm reach was comfortable.  I could touch the ground..

The local dealer had two in stock.  Next was the discussion if I wanted to lower the suspension.  I really would be more stable if I could flat foot.  But after reading reviews and the feeling that everyone said - that after a couple of months, I wouldn't be concerned about it, we didn't want to modify the bike (and because the center stand would not fit if the bike was lowered - making chain maintenance a pain) and so I kept the regular suspension.  The stock suspension offers some adjustment and that little bit of adjustment was just enough to get me started.

This is the one -

Now the options...

The comfort seat felt a lot more cushy so opted to order that, a V-stream Medium shield for wind protection and the BMW Vario cases for the side saddlebags and the BMW soft bag for the top. 

Once I can practice in the parking lot - I am going to be ready to hit the road (hopefully only figuratively) with my new machine!

Day 2 of BRC

The Last Day of the Basic Rider's Course

After sharing my experience of the first day with my friends, there were many Congrats and tips offered - and appreciated!

The day started again in the classroom and everything went fine up until the Figure 8's in a box.  With 11 of us in the class, there were only a couple of opportunities to try before we moved on and I definitely did not get the hang of it.  I rolled on the throttle by accident, swerved much to large, couldn't counterbalance.  Wow was that hard and I could not do it.  

I had tears in my eyes.  I knew it was going to be on the test and I wouldn't have enough time to practice or obtain the skill needed to be able to do it with ease.  Others picked it up so quickly and I really struggled with it.  I wanted to leave.  The thought though of giving up just wasn't worth it.  I was going to complete as much of the course as I could, or until the coaches said, "This isn't for you."

The coaches were really great.  They offered many tips throughout the day (keep your head up, don't turn when stopping, look where you want to go) and kept reminding the students each time.  They didn't give up on me, and thankfully I didn't give up on myself.  I did not get the points for the figure 8 in a box, but I did manage to get all the points from all the other exercises which allowed me to pass the test to obtain my license waiver.

Now I see a lot of parking lot practice in my future.  My husband is soooooo happy I did it.  I think he was more nervous than me.  He said though, "How many figure 8's do you see in the middle of the road?"  Someday I will master that.

Now I need to get a bike.

First Time Riding

First day of the motorcycle course...

I'm fairly new to the motorcycle world.  After meeting Darcy I started as a passenger.  I never thought I would ever ride on my own, or that I would want to. 

The experience as a 'professional passenger' was great.  We went on so many long trips, and many more day rides looping around the north GA mountains.  The things that you see, smell and are a part of are so different than being in a car.

I really started to enjoy the leaves changing colors and the views from the highest mountains.  We always take 2-lane roads instead of the highway when we can and had a lot of fun in the twisties.  

Packing for our trips was a challenge.  I joked that I would have to get my own bike if I ever wanted to take an extra pair of shoes.  I did get very good at packing everything for a week in a tiny saddlebag (well the saddlebag wasn't tiny, just small in comparison I had ever packed in the past)!  

I joked when I registered for the Basic Rider's Course, that I needed to learn how to ride so that I could have more packing space.  That wasn't the real reason.  I wanted to see if I could do it.  I wasn't sure if I would like it, or if I would pass the test and get my license, but figured at the very least I would try and at the end I would be a better passenger.

The course I attended was at the Honda facility in Alpharetta, GA.  A group of 11 soon-to-be-hopeful- riders gathered in a training room and we were introduced to our instructors.  I was one of 3 women taking the course which did put me a little as ease.  I really wasn't nervous about riding..  or falling actually.  I was more nervous about what my husband would think if I failed.

After learning the basics inside the building, we were paired with our bikes outside.  I was lucky enough (I'm being sarcastic here) to get a Honda Rebel 250.  What a piece of shit that bike is!  It is so small and low to the ground.  After getting some feel for the clutch (and what it was there for), I managed to breeze through the exercises with only a couple of stalls.

The weather was beautiful and I had experienced something new..  Jury is still out if I'll be able to get through tomorrow!