Sportbike!

[Lindsey]

For as long as I can remember I wanted a motorcycle. My dad used to ride but sold his bike while my brother and I were young. His brother (my uncle) kept his though, and my dad would take me for rides on that every so often and I LOVED it. Then I got the idea in my head that I would get a sportbike, but never really thought it would actually happen. Then my brother got one, and I really wanted one! Then my ex had one and I went everywhere on the back of his bike. I finally worked up enough courage to try riding his and my brother's last year but I was so scared of dumping one of their new bikes that I didn't really get far.
Sooo fast forward to this year... before we broke up, my ex was like "Don't just get a sportbike because you think i'll like it, because I'm going to do my own thing anyway when we're on group rides and if you want to hang back I'm not going to always hang back with you" and i was like "It's not for you, and I doubt I'll be on group rides. I just want to ride for me!" But he never believed it. Now that it's over, I'm still going for it! I will be getting my learner's as soon as possible, and I've been scouring for bikes because it's just before riding season and they're cheap right now. I'm looking for something older, so it's not going to be a huge deal if I dump it which is pretty much inevitable while starting out.
Tonight I found this one http://usedsportbikes.ca/_image.php?...976&original=1 Aaaaaand I might take a little trip next weekend to check it out! I am so excited right now I don't know if I can sleep tonight!

[Mandy]

That IS a neat bike!!

[rivermom]

We call those types of bikes "crotch rockets" here. My husband and I ride. Well, let me rephrase that. I ride on the back. We love it and it's a free feeling out there on a windy countryside road.

I grew up riding dirt bikes. Our family would camp every other weekend and take dirt bike rides that would last for hours. We loved every minute of it.

Worst fall I ever had was hitting a large hole and flying over the handle bars. Broke a couple ribs but I survived. (Thank goodness)

Our rule then and now is to ALWAYS wear a helmet, safe shoes, and pants never shorts or sandles.

I hope you decide to wear a helmet too Lindsey. My Dad's neice fell off the back of a bike a few years ago by a vehicle hitting the bike. She rubbed most her face off and has never been the same. She has had endless plastic surgery to try to restore her face. The helmet I use now has a full face sheild.

The dangers just go along with owning a bike just as do the pleasures. I am guessing that goes w/ any activity in life.

Enjoy your bike search and when you get one, please do post pictures. I think it's great you are following your passions.

[Lindsey]

I'm glad to see someone else here enjoys it too!
It feels so liberating to be able to do this on my own without any guy pointing me in the direction of which bike to get. I've asked my brother for his opinions on certain bikes, and I'm taking him with me to look at it because he knows what to look for, but in the end it's my decision.
I am definitely all about safety. I already have a protective jacket although it was a hand-me-down and I'm going to go find another that will fit me better, as well as a helmet and protective gloves. I also have a pair of steel-toed boots I'll wear, with the laces tucked in! I've heard from a few people that they've had their laces get stuck on the pegs and they've fallen right over!

[rivermom]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

I'm glad to see someone else here enjoys it too!
It feels so liberating to be able to do this on my own without any guy pointing me in the direction of which bike to get. I've asked my brother for his opinions on certain bikes, and I'm taking him with me to look at it because he knows what to look for, but in the end it's my decision.
I am definitely all about safety. I already have a protective jacket although it was a hand-me-down and I'm going to go find another that will fit me better, as well as a helmet and protective gloves. I also have a pair of steel-toed boots I'll wear, with the laces tucked in! I've heard from a few people that they've had their laces get stuck on the pegs and they've fallen right over!

Lindsey, I am so glad you are keeping your safety in mind. We have a bunch of "bike riding" friends and most don't wear their helmets. It's not my place to give them a hard time about it, but it clearly fills my heart w/ dissapointment when I hear my girlfriend say "the helmet messes up my hair". UGH!

This is a picture of my hubby and my Mom on his bike. My Mom has been riding on the back of motorcycles for gosh I don't know how long. ( many many many many years. Just recently she stopped because of hip/leg issues. She says it sucks to get old!)

Let us know Lindsey when you get your new bike. And...don't forget the pics!

[Tink]

Greg and I used to ride with a group of a couple dozen other bikes. We had a 750 Honda with a fairing, windshiled, etc. It really was fun! We've been talking about getting one again now that the kids are grown and we have the chance to do things without worrying about them.

I too think it's great you're doing this for yourself. We all need to have some fun in life, and it sounds like you'r e heading in that direction!

[Marilyn]

Lindsey, this is so totally cool!!! The bike you are looking at is so cool. I ride a 2000 Harley Davidson Fatboy. This is my 3rd bike. I had a Kawasaki 464 to learn on, and then moved to a Harley 883 Sportster, but it was too top heavy and I kept dropping it, plus I'm just over 5'1", so I got the Fatboy. It's really low and I had a lowering kit installed.

Here's a pic of me a few years ago with my bike in Daytona. I've changed the paint job since this pic. It's now red with ghost flames.

I think it is so cool that you want to ride. Be very careful!!! You have to drive very defensively on a bike. It's not if someone is going to change lanes into you, but when. You have to be ready at any time to take evasive action. I've had some close calls, but there is nothing like riding on a pretty day with that engine between your legs and a throttle in your right hand. Quite a rush!!!

MARILYN Daytona.jpg

[Lindsey]

I'm getting more and more excited every day. I am also looking at a year old suzuki GSF500F at the same place. It looks just as sporty but it's small enough to learn on. My brother told me I should go with the kawasaki and just use his bike to learn on, but I think even his GSXR 750 is too powerful for me! Luckily I'm tall and have crazy long legs so the height of the bike isn't a big deal. On some dirtbikes I can just put my toes on the ground but they're a little lighter to balance! I love the color of your bike Marilyn!

[Marilyn]

Here's a pic of mine with the current color. The ghost flames don't show up much in the picture, but they are there. I just bought a different tank and fender set. The originals are boxed up because they were a special edition paint job for 2000 Harleys. Each dealer got just one bike of that color scheme. I liked it, but after a while, you just need a change.

IMG_0032 Reduced.jpg

I'd really recommend the smaller bike to start. I felt much more comfortable on the smaller bike until I got used to it. One day, when I was first learning, I started off in the drive way, and popped the clutch, gave it way too much throttle and shot across the street into a vacant lot and hit a dirt pile. My front wheel was on the pile and my feet were dangling, unable to reach the ground so I fell right over. It scared me half to death. I almost hit a brick mail box, but after it was over, my husband almost died laughting. He said I looked so hilarious with my feet dangling and the bike slowly falling over. Thankfully I was not hurt, only my pride. I would hate to think what would have happened on a larger bike. Be careful, but enjoy!!!

[Lindsey]

Wow that's a great color! My ex always told me that if I got a bike, don't look at the color or condition of the paint job because he would take it back to his dad's autobody shop and paint it however I wanted, so I said PINK! He said he would do whatever I wanted, but he really wanted to put ghost flames on it. Maybe eventually after I'm done with feeling hurt and angry, I'll ask him if that offer still stands.

[Marilyn]

With a sport bike, it's probably a little different. There is so much painted area compared to a Harley, but I bought my tank and fender set on E-Bay from a woman in New York who paints them and sells them. I liked the fact that I bought it from a woman. How cool is that???

Hope your ex's offer does still stand. It would be awesome to be able to pick any color you want & any design. I originally wanted to get a set painted with a dragon on the tank and a castle on the rear fender with the tip of the dragon's tail curled around the castle, and flames from the dragon's mouth on the front fender, but alas, I found the red flame job and went for that. It was much less expensive. Maybe I'll get the dragon sometime in the future. My fear was that with such a complex design, no one would paint it exactly like I envisioned it, and I would be disappointed after paying a lot of money. My license plate is "dragen". Dragon was taken, so I had to alter the spelling.

[Lindsey]

That dragon design sounds cool! I love girls who are into "guy" stuff! I went to school with guys, work with guys, and hang out with guys a lot of the time, so sometimes I just want to scream "I'm FEMALE!" But hey, girls on bikes are hot

[Lindsey]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! Today I was "just looking" until i ran into this HOT bright blue 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 636. They said they had four left, and it was super super cheap, I'd never see one that cheap again. So I might as well apply and see what payments are like, right? So I applied and went out shopping some more, got a call back, I'm approved. Two are already gone. So I went back in, and just in the time it took me to get there, another went. The last one was left. I jumped on it! I also got a white Icon Jacket, blue and white gloves, and they're ordering in a blue and white helmet! I'm so excited I want to squeal! The bike will be ready to pick up next Saturday! Looking for a pic right now...

[Lindsey]

http://www.kawasaki.com/ImagesMain/P...03_A.scale.jpg

There it is! Well, a year older, this is a different model but the only real difference in looks is the seat. Where this one is a full seat, mine has a break between the driver and passenger seat.

[rivermom]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

Here's a pic of mine with the current color. The ghost flames don't show up much in the picture, but they are there. I just bought a different tank and fender set. The originals are boxed up because they were a special edition paint job for 2000 Harleys. Each dealer got just one bike of that color scheme. I liked it, but after a while, you just need a change.

Attachment 1002

I'd really recommend the smaller bike to start. I felt much more comfortable on the smaller bike until I got used to it. One day, when I was first learning, I started off in the drive way, and popped the clutch, gave it way too much throttle and shot across the street into a vacant lot and hit a dirt pile. My front wheel was on the pile and my feet were dangling, unable to reach the ground so I fell right over. It scared me half to death. I almost hit a brick mail box, but after it was over, my husband almost died laughting. He said I looked so hilarious with my feet dangling and the bike slowly falling over. Thankfully I was not hurt, only my pride. I would hate to think what would have happened on a larger bike. Be careful, but enjoy!!!

Marilyn ~ Your bike is gorgeous. I even had to show my hubby, LOL. He says "Niiicccee Bike, Nice bike!" Of course he commented saying "They even have a shop to store their bikes in". LMAO - My hubby is working on a shop/barn future plans. Oh, hubby also read your "crash/hurt pride" story and says "Damn! Someone got carried away". LOL!! He's sooo goofy.

Much prettier with the paint job! Good job!