Motorcycling, in general.... 1st impressions - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

92Notch · 08-08-2005, 03:08 PM

So, I'm 29 years old, never owned or ridden a bike before (except on a parking lot in April at the MSF course.. and as a passenger when I was like 12 or something)... but since I was a kid on my first bike.... probably even w/ the training wheels still on longed for the real deal. I held off for various reasons.... mostly fear from all the "horror stories" of crashes and what not (I am not a risk taker, I'm very chill but I worry about killing myself or worse yet having some assclown run me over) .... But for my 30th birthday (next month) present I decided to say the hell with it and get a bike. I picked it up Sat.

I rode the bike around the neighborhood behind the dealer for about an hour... I know I passed the same old-man on a pedal bike about 6 times

.... I finally mustered up the courage to take the bike out on the main roads and back to my house (I was getting thirsty too, it was warm outside

) ... the main roads between my house and the dealer are 30 - 45 MPH roads.... anyways, I pull out of the neighborhood turning left on to a 40MPH road ..... WOW!!!!! I'll never forget that experience!!! brought her up to 35 or so and felt the air hitting me and the wind pushing me and the bike around a little bit.... holy-****, this is great I thought to myself.... I was a little worried (but not really), mostly is a state of wowness. There are no words to describe that experience; all I can really say to sum it up is that I was sporting an ear-to ear grin the entire way home. When I first got her up to 45MPH.... damn, there's just no words to describe it.... Definitely one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever encountered.

I rode around my neighborhood for an hour or so after I got home and chilled for a bit.... then I headed over to my parents house, then over to a friend’s house.... stayed at his house until afterdark. Ridding home that night solidified my guess that I made a great choice when deciding to buy a bike.... wow! That was awesome!

so, that my first impression of motorcycling..... words really can't describe it; it's just cool.

gerry2153 · 08-08-2005, 03:21 PM

word for word.... me too
I did the exact same thing....
It only gets better with time ...
5 mths and 8K+ miles later...
the smile is still there

mr_resistible · 08-08-2005, 03:25 PM

Are you my twin?

I got my C50 last September when I was 30 as a gift to myself. I'm not much of a risk taker either. I have always wanted a bike but never really gave it serious consideration. But then one day out of the blue I decided to sign up for the MSF corse. I had a 50cc mini bike when I was a kid and have always ridden BMX and mountain bikes. It just felt like a missing part of me. Being a good bycicle rider was a perfect transition to motorcycles and I ended up with the 2nd higest written test and the only one in the class to have a perfect score on the riding test.

I bought my bike a few weeks later, when I wasn't even really shopping for one. I had never even seen a suzuki cruiser before. But it had everything I wanted. So I bought it and have been very happy with it.

It took me about a week before I was comfortable enough to ride through town or up on the highway. But the first time you hit 30mph there really are no words to describe that feeling. 45 was even better. What is really cool is when you ride through cool pockets of air, and when you can smell the trees and flowers. Mildly intense is the only way I can discribe that smell.

JES883 · 08-08-2005, 03:45 PM

Kewl story

maniacmedia · 08-08-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_resistible

Are you my twin?

He's probably not, unless your mother went through one hell of a long labor.

Congrats on the new bike. And the sense to take the MSF before you hit the road. Keep your helmet on, your gear intact, and make sure you see the other guy (cause he isn't looking for you).

Embrace the paranoia.

blackie1491 · 08-08-2005, 06:30 PM

That grin never leaves.
Each ride is better than the one before.
Take your time, enjoy each moment, there is no rush.
In fact it can be a problem, taking the long way.
Ride safe

myturn · 08-08-2005, 06:59 PM

We all understand, i got my bike at the first of june, after about 20 year layoff. It was like starting all over. Did not get a chance to roam around after i bought it. I had to drive it home down the turnpike. its about 30 / 35 miles to the house. they asked me if i wanted loaded in the back of my truck. I said are you kidding me NO WAY. I got 6 miles north of the dealership and got hit by the biggest rain storm you ever saw.Rained on me all the way home. All the rain and me with the biggest smile you ever saw. I almost drowned.

bodie27 · 08-08-2005, 08:09 PM

You know I used to ride a little Virago 250. I can still remember the first day when I got my licence and took it up into the mountains near my place and opened the faceplate and just looked up at the trees, felt the wind.. my cheeks hurt from smilin! And its funny to hear you guys going on about it too coz I know theres lots of other riders out there but never really thought they were enjoying it the same as me...so there you go, we're a lucky bunch.

MagnumForce · 08-08-2005, 08:43 PM

That was a great story with yet more outstanding chapters to be written. My experiences with a motorcycle so far can be summed up with the following: A first time high that will last a lifetime!

blackie1491 · 08-08-2005, 10:01 PM

ks;
That's good. Maybe Uncle Bob will accept that as a positive.

MagnumForce · 08-08-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie1491

ks;
That's good. Maybe Uncle Bob will accept that as a positive.

I sure hope so.

md2lgyk · 08-09-2005, 12:23 PM

Good story! Mine is similar. I decided back in 1974 when I was 26 that I wanted a bike so I just went and bought one. Before that I'd ridden a friend's bike only a couple of times for maybe 10 minutes. I had the bike delivered to my house and just started riding. Back then, the state I lived in didn't even have a motorcycle endorsement - all you needed was a regular license. No training or special requirements to ride in on the Navy base either.

Thirty-one years later I'm still riding. Just bought a new bike last year.

92Notch · 08-09-2005, 05:46 PM

I knew I couldn't be the only one! ..... Damn, weather has been crappy lately.... I don't really care about riding in the rain, hell I took the MSF course in the rain, was on the bike of 8+ hours in the rain..... just worried about the bike. (hmmmm ... new thread idea) ..... I ordered draggin jeans and their nomad jacket today (I've been meaning to do that for a while)..... my time outside of work is limited and told myself I would not ride to work w/o them (I drive through DC to get to Arlington, VA everyday).... when they come in I'll probably ride to work and get some more riding in!!! (can't waite to get back on the bike..... I imaging the first time on the hwy will be an expirience to remember too!.... w/ all the crazy *******s tailgating and cutting me off and all

)

Thanks guys for all you comments and posting your memory as well!!!! makes for a good read!

-ride safe!

**Trapper** · 08-09-2005, 06:29 PM

Rain wont hurt your bike Notch. Just take it really slow for the first half hour until the road grime washes away and then just slow and deliberate. Washing it sux , though.

92Notch · 08-12-2005, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

Rain wont hurt your bike Notch. Just take it really slow for the first half hour until the road grime washes away and then just slow and deliberate. Washing it sux , though.

Thanks!

Rode again last night! .... Damn, I f'n love it. ... the only thing I don't like is cars on my ***, (I like to chill, usually at the speed limit, sometimes under, that's why I got the c50 instead of the 1300r

).... but most folks seem cool and stay back a ways, the ones that don't get waved around on the straight-aways. .... and if they don't go around they seem to back-off. Until I'm used to the bike some more I refuse to go any faster then I feel comfortable going (reasonably of course.... I'll do right around the speed limit, in most situations). Earlier this week (when I did not ride the bike) i was thinking "oh-man what did I do.... $7500 for a bike!" (I'm a tight-wad).... but after last night it'll be a while before that thought goes through my mind again.

ride safe everyone! .... may be taking my first long(ish) trip tomorow.... down to my buddies house like 60 miles away or so.... out to the "sticks" so that should be cool!!! .... my ride gear (Kevlar crap) arrived at the house today!

rednecktech · 08-13-2005, 02:41 PM

Wow. Had exactly the same first experience. I am pretty crazy but taking the bike home from the dealer was scary to think about since I'd never been on a bike. I rode up and down a frontage road in front of the dealer's place for about an hour. I got the same pump in my heart and butterflies in my gut as when I strapped on to my first bull.

The first road on the way home was 65mph. I didn't have the grin yet cause I was scared out of my mind. About 5 miles into the ride I relaxed. I've been grinning ever since.

It's been 3 months and 1500 miles later. I like to think back on my personal milestones like the first time I took it on the Interstate at 75mph, then the 500 mile round trip I took to Gillette WY (very close to Sturgis but I didn't go because it wasn't time for the rally). I'm going south on my next trip. It will take me through Denver and I thought I was ready until I talked to an experienced rider (30 years) and he said there's no way he would take the Interstate through Denver. I'm having second thoughts now but feel I need to do it anyway just to get over the fear.

MagnumForce · 08-13-2005, 07:05 PM

Welcome to the forums rednecktech. I had the dealer deliver my M50 because I didn't want to drop it on my first day of ownership. It was kind of scary when I first rode it due to windy weather in spring time, although it didn't take me too long to get used to it. The bike keeps itself in balance while in motion. If you do get around to riding the interstate at Denver, do let us know how it went. Ride safe!

MYC50T · 08-23-2005, 10:40 PM

I picked up the bike at the dealer at 11am, took about 40 min to do all the paper work and bike intro, the motorcyle dealer is on a 4 lane highway and my 1st stop was all 4 lane (16mi.) while keeping within the break-in parameters did 65 mph, this bike inspires confidence, I was comfortable with it in just a few miles (I am not new to motorcycling, but it had been 16 years since I last rode) Without a Doubt, had the "C50 GRIN" for the Entire Day!, I think I even have stretch marks around my mouth from smiling

all day, LOL

08-08-2005, 03:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
92Notch Birthday Boy Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05½ C50 Limited Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 860	Motorcycling, in general.... 1st impressions So, I'm 29 years old, never owned or ridden a bike before (except on a parking lot in April at the MSF course.. and as a passenger when I was like 12 or something)... but since I was a kid on my first bike.... probably even w/ the training wheels still on longed for the real deal. I held off for various reasons.... mostly fear from all the "horror stories" of crashes and what not (I am not a risk taker, I'm very chill but I worry about killing myself or worse yet having some assclown run me over) .... But for my 30th birthday (next month) present I decided to say the hell with it and get a bike. I picked it up Sat. I rode the bike around the neighborhood behind the dealer for about an hour... I know I passed the same old-man on a pedal bike about 6 times .... I finally mustered up the courage to take the bike out on the main roads and back to my house (I was getting thirsty too, it was warm outside ) ... the main roads between my house and the dealer are 30 - 45 MPH roads.... anyways, I pull out of the neighborhood turning left on to a 40MPH road ..... WOW!!!!! I'll never forget that experience!!! brought her up to 35 or so and felt the air hitting me and the wind pushing me and the bike around a little bit.... holy-****, this is great I thought to myself.... I was a little worried (but not really), mostly is a state of wowness. There are no words to describe that experience; all I can really say to sum it up is that I was sporting an ear-to ear grin the entire way home. When I first got her up to 45MPH.... damn, there's just no words to describe it.... Definitely one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever encountered. I rode around my neighborhood for an hour or so after I got home and chilled for a bit.... then I headed over to my parents house, then over to a friend’s house.... stayed at his house until afterdark. Ridding home that night solidified my guess that I made a great choice when deciding to buy a bike.... wow! That was awesome! so, that my first impression of motorcycling..... words really can't describe it; it's just cool.

08-08-2005, 03:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
mr_resistible Wants Better Weather Joined: Dec 2004 Bike: 05' C50 Location: Gering Ne Posts: 665	Are you my twin? I got my C50 last September when I was 30 as a gift to myself. I'm not much of a risk taker either. I have always wanted a bike but never really gave it serious consideration. But then one day out of the blue I decided to sign up for the MSF corse. I had a 50cc mini bike when I was a kid and have always ridden BMX and mountain bikes. It just felt like a missing part of me. Being a good bycicle rider was a perfect transition to motorcycles and I ended up with the 2nd higest written test and the only one in the class to have a perfect score on the riding test. I bought my bike a few weeks later, when I wasn't even really shopping for one. I had never even seen a suzuki cruiser before. But it had everything I wanted. So I bought it and have been very happy with it. It took me about a week before I was comfortable enough to ride through town or up on the highway. But the first time you hit 30mph there really are no words to describe that feeling. 45 was even better. What is really cool is when you ride through cool pockets of air, and when you can smell the trees and flowers. Mildly intense is the only way I can discribe that smell. __________________ ] Last edited by mr_resistible; 08-08-2005 at 03:36 PM.

08-08-2005, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
JES883 TurtleWax Taster Joined: Jan 2005 Bike: K5 GSX-R600 & 2003 HD 883 Location: MI Posts: 573	Kewl story __________________ JES883

08-08-2005, 08:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	That was a great story with yet more outstanding chapters to be written. My experiences with a motorcycle so far can be summed up with the following: A first time high that will last a lifetime! __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

08-09-2005, 12:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
md2lgyk Wants Better Weather Joined: May 2004 Bike: '03 Marauder 800 Location: Harpers Ferry, WV Posts: 665	Good story! Mine is similar. I decided back in 1974 when I was 26 that I wanted a bike so I just went and bought one. Before that I'd ridden a friend's bike only a couple of times for maybe 10 minutes. I had the bike delivered to my house and just started riding. Back then, the state I lived in didn't even have a motorcycle endorsement - all you needed was a regular license. No training or special requirements to ride in on the Navy base either. Thirty-one years later I'm still riding. Just bought a new bike last year. __________________ "The great object is, that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun." - Thomas Jefferson

08-08-2005, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
gerry2153 Where Am I ? Joined: Mar 2005 Bike: 05 C50 Black Location: Salem Oregon Posts: 35	word for word.... me too I did the exact same thing.... It only gets better with time ... 5 mths and 8K+ miles later... the smile is still there

08-08-2005, 06:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,333	That grin never leaves. Each ride is better than the one before. Take your time, enjoy each moment, there is no rush. In fact it can be a problem, taking the long way. Ride safe

08-08-2005, 06:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
myturn In Training Joined: May 2005 Bike: '05 C50T Location: right dab in the middle of OK Posts: 128	We all understand, i got my bike at the first of june, after about 20 year layoff. It was like starting all over. Did not get a chance to roam around after i bought it. I had to drive it home down the turnpike. its about 30 / 35 miles to the house. they asked me if i wanted loaded in the back of my truck. I said are you kidding me NO WAY. I got 6 miles north of the dealership and got hit by the biggest rain storm you ever saw.Rained on me all the way home. All the rain and me with the biggest smile you ever saw. I almost drowned.

08-08-2005, 08:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
bodie27 Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50 Boulevard Location: Australian Posts: 295	You know I used to ride a little Virago 250. I can still remember the first day when I got my licence and took it up into the mountains near my place and opened the faceplate and just looked up at the trees, felt the wind.. my cheeks hurt from smilin! And its funny to hear you guys going on about it too coz I know theres lots of other riders out there but never really thought they were enjoying it the same as me...so there you go, we're a lucky bunch.

08-08-2005, 10:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,333	ks; That's good. Maybe Uncle Bob will accept that as a positive.

08-09-2005, 05:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
92Notch Birthday Boy Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05½ C50 Limited Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 860	I knew I couldn't be the only one! ..... Damn, weather has been crappy lately.... I don't really care about riding in the rain, hell I took the MSF course in the rain, was on the bike of 8+ hours in the rain..... just worried about the bike. (hmmmm ... new thread idea) ..... I ordered draggin jeans and their nomad jacket today (I've been meaning to do that for a while)..... my time outside of work is limited and told myself I would not ride to work w/o them (I drive through DC to get to Arlington, VA everyday).... when they come in I'll probably ride to work and get some more riding in!!! (can't waite to get back on the bike..... I imaging the first time on the hwy will be an expirience to remember too!.... w/ all the crazy *******s tailgating and cutting me off and all ) Thanks guys for all you comments and posting your memory as well!!!! makes for a good read! -ride safe! __________________

08-09-2005, 06:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,192	Rain wont hurt your bike Notch. Just take it really slow for the first half hour until the road grime washes away and then just slow and deliberate. Washing it sux , though. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

08-13-2005, 02:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
rednecktech Newbie Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: Suzuki Boulevard C50T Location: Wyoming Posts: 4	Thought it was just me Wow. Had exactly the same first experience. I am pretty crazy but taking the bike home from the dealer was scary to think about since I'd never been on a bike. I rode up and down a frontage road in front of the dealer's place for about an hour. I got the same pump in my heart and butterflies in my gut as when I strapped on to my first bull. The first road on the way home was 65mph. I didn't have the grin yet cause I was scared out of my mind. About 5 miles into the ride I relaxed. I've been grinning ever since. It's been 3 months and 1500 miles later. I like to think back on my personal milestones like the first time I took it on the Interstate at 75mph, then the 500 mile round trip I took to Gillette WY (very close to Sturgis but I didn't go because it wasn't time for the rally). I'm going south on my next trip. It will take me through Denver and I thought I was ready until I talked to an experienced rider (30 years) and he said there's no way he would take the Interstate through Denver. I'm having second thoughts now but feel I need to do it anyway just to get over the fear.

08-13-2005, 07:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	Welcome to the forums rednecktech. I had the dealer deliver my M50 because I didn't want to drop it on my first day of ownership. It was kind of scary when I first rode it due to windy weather in spring time, although it didn't take me too long to get used to it. The bike keeps itself in balance while in motion. If you do get around to riding the interstate at Denver, do let us know how it went. Ride safe! __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

08-23-2005, 10:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
MYC50T Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Location: SE Minnesota Posts: 291	C50T & A Great Ride! I picked up the bike at the dealer at 11am, took about 40 min to do all the paper work and bike intro, the motorcyle dealer is on a 4 lane highway and my 1st stop was all 4 lane (16mi.) while keeping within the break-in parameters did 65 mph, this bike inspires confidence, I was comfortable with it in just a few miles (I am not new to motorcycling, but it had been 16 years since I last rode) Without a Doubt, had the "C50 GRIN" for the Entire Day!, I think I even have stretch marks around my mouth from smiling all day, LOL

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