Welcome to The Motorcycle Journal Forum, New Member introductions welcome here.

[si-lo]

Was searching the web and ran across this site, thought I'd drop in and say hello.

[inspiron]

Hi lo

[oldfart1958]

Welcome newbies.. oh wait, that includes me.. well welcome to all newbies besides me..

[GMR64]

I am a newbie rider, just took the MSF course last weekend. 41 year old "girl" biker, and still a little nervous. Purchased a GZ250 a couple of days ago. I'm going to go slow since I hear the first six months are the most dangerous, I want to have as much control over my bike as I can.

[Trapper]

Welcome G. Glad that you joined us.

[MagnumForce]

Welcome to all new members who posted since my last post. May your rides be blessed with bug-filled smiles.

[MickED]

Originally Posted by EZridr1

Welcome to all new members who posted since my last post. May your rides be blessed with bug-filled smiles.

Thanks.
This is one of the more active and fun Suzuki cycle forums I have been able to read and enjoy. Thus me joining.

Lots of info out there and I plan on using as much as I can.

History: Have not ridden motorized two wheeler for over 25 years!
Why you may ask? A number of issues, the formost was a rather dramatic spill on me last ride. Cause? Glad you asked: a lethal combo of high torque, high speed, low intelligence, high testosterone, and a nice outside banked (bank away from radius of turn) turn. Sold the bike as soon as I got the parts and made the repairs. Other causes included graduate school, marriage, kids, jobs, home ownership, (you know the rest).

Now kids away, job is stable, marriage is as well, and now have the maturity, experience, judgement to treat meself to a bit of fun.

After much research and self study on what I truly wanted, I settled for and recently purchased a new C-50, blk/silver. Awaiting delivery in next week or so. i knda felt like a male version of Goldilocks with this choice: not too big, not too small, not to fast, not too slow: Just right! HAH

Took refresher course, got me "temp" license, been reading and relearning all of the safety tips.

Spent close to $1K on new: full face helmet, textile riding jacket with "armor", light bar, bags. May go with a windshield after I review some of the pros and cons from others.

Goals? Near future is getting back into good riding form. This will also coincide with the break in period for the new bike. Then longer trips. This will be a daily commuter as well (after last frost and quit with the first. So hoping to get in 8 good months, with an occassional leisure drive on nice clear dry winter days as conditions allow.

So there you have my confession, my ambitions and goals.

Mick

[BigD]

Welcome to the forum MickED and GMR64. I hope you enjoy your stay and ride safe.
I have something in common with the both of you.

1st: I also took an extended LOA from riding, about 30 years. How could this be from such a young guy?? Beats me!
I work evenings and commute on my bike so I can tell you through experience that a light bar is a wise investment. As far as windshields go a lot of folks here do not like them but in my opinion it is a MAJOR improvement. I bought one that can be removed in minutes but once I rode with it, it has not come off yet.

2nd: GMR64... Howdy neighbor. I live just down the road in Rio Vista.

[MickED]

BigD, thanks for the welcome, appreciated.
Lemme ask ya' this: after 30 years did you find your learning curve to be less than that of a true noob? Not sure how much riding you did prior to your lapse. I can't help but think that much will come back quickly (stance, balance, awareness, handling) but much will take time (emergency maneuvers, hard braking).
Windshield? You got yerself an aftermarker ?shades? kit?
Thanks,
Mick

[MagnumForce]

Hello Mick, and welcome to the forums. I'm happy to hear that you got back in the saddle. The C50 is the perfect platform for two-wheeled adventures. I have taken extensive leaves of absence from riding, although not as long as you or BigD. Being in the military, I tend to move a lot and my moves took me overseas FOUR times. Factor in deployments to Southwest Asia (and other locations) and you can see why I couldn't ride as much as I desired to do so. Now, I'm in Kansas and life is stable enough to afford me that opportunity. Although I was a tad shaky at first, I mastered clutch control and slow speed maneuvers in short order. MSF put the icing on the cake, and got rid of some bad habits. As far as windshields go, I would recommend one if you spend a lot of time on the super slab. Windshields provide the chest protection I need when I am at freeway speeds, otherwise I become the "human kite." Many have quick release mechanisms that allow removal in 1-2 minutes if you want to regain the wind-in-your-face feeling. Again, welcome and enjoy your stay.

[BigD]

Riding came back very naturally to me because I was riding motorized stand up scooters for fun the last few years prior to my return to bikes. When I rode the first time around it was before there were any MSF riding courses. You just got on and rode.
I played it smart this time, I swallowed my pride and took the MSF, Beginners Riding Course. I found out I didn't know as much as I thought and admit I learned a lot. I've had a couple close calls where if I hadn't taken the course I wouldn't have known the proper way to react and more than likely they wouldn't have just been close calls. Sure, a lot was repetitive but much more was gained. Money well spent.
Another good resource is a great book called "Proficient Motorcycling, The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well" by David L. Hough. This book compliments the MSF course and goes into the fine details. Then practice, practice, practice until it is second nature again.
I have a National Cycles, Switchblade windscreen but I'm not sure if they fit the C50.

But most importantly... Thank you EZ for your service and sacrafice. It is very much appreciated. And also to the others serving in the Armed Forces. GOD Bless.

[MagnumForce]

You're welcome BigD. Appreciate your support, as well as the support of my fellow citizens. It is what makes serving worthwhile.

[Uncle Bob]

Welcome to you returning riders, nice to be able to place oneself higher on on our own list of priorities after years of putting everything else ahead of us isn't it ?.

(Oh well it made sense when I wrote it. lol)

[BigD]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Welcome to you returning riders, nice to be able to place oneself higher on our own list of priorities after years of putting everything else ahead of us isn't it ?.

(Oh well it made sense when I wrote it. lol)

Thanks U.B. It made perfect sense to me.
My wife was totally against me getting a motorcycle because she was afraid I would kill myself. It took a strategic planting of the seed then careful cultivation, add in some kind deeds, gifts and schmoozing too. I saw the walls weakening after the passing of many, many moons. The whole idea started to take root. When the time was right I finally struck a deal with the devil... err... I mean my wife. I had an off shore fishing boat that was getting very little use for a variety of reasons but was costing money. My wife kept bugging me to sell. I finally agreed... ONLY if I could get a bike. She knew how much I wanted to ride again, she conceded and the deal was made.
I have been back in the saddle for a while and she now has her own full set of riding gear and is no longer afraid.
Ahhhhh... Life is good!

[RC_SV]

After riding for a year on an old cm450e Honda, I've finally moved into this century with a 2002 sv650s! Love it.
Great web site. Will read and use it often!

[Jayfooey]

Hey!

been looking for a new bike, I'm liking the GSXR 600 alot, have my eyes on one at the local dealership... I'm a good rider, and like doing trackdays...

[Pinkbird]

Well, after drooling over ANY motorcycle for 10 years, I finally bite the bullet and bought one. Starting with the LS650, but will probably move up in a year or so. It's used and scratched, but I got it cheap!!

This is a great site with lots of helpful information for the newbie. Looking forward to lots of research cause I'm sure I'll have lots of questions!!

[Trapper]

Good choice. Welcome.

[tangoali]

Happy owner of an S50 here (5K on it), after getting my beginning zoomer thrills on an LS650 for 3 years. Just found out about this group - happy to have another place to talk shop on.

[rappidrabbit]

....enjoy