It was time. After 3 years of riding my Blackjack all around Illinois, I finally purchased my first motorcycle. What a blast! Just wanted to drop a note here to all you friends and enthusiasts that I met here along the way and say thank you for your thoughts, suggestions, and guidance in the scooting world. I can only hope that my new forum and future buddies are as great as all of you! Cheers to everyone, and continue enjoying your rides! Keep it safe!
Signed,
Your riding cohort,
Scotty Blackjack
Adios, friends!
Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff
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Scotty Blackjack
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- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 5:25 pm
- Location: Chicago
Adios, friends!
Scotty Blackjack
"Floored."
"Floored."
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jrsjr
- Moderator Emeritus
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Scotty Blackjack
- Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 5:25 pm
- Location: Chicago
-
Scotty Blackjack
- Member
- Posts: 38
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 5:25 pm
- Location: Chicago
The whole she-bang...
Ok, everyone.
Here we go...
I was a scooter guy specifically because I didn't want to shift. I wasn't scared of it, persay, more like just enjoyed the simplicity. It was however, a goal of mine to graduate up to a motorcycle someday. After 3 years of riding my blackjack, this day finally came 5/6.
I bought a gently used 2007 Yamaha Virago XV250, the classic starter bike. Not only was it a bit more powerful than the introductory Honda Rebel, but a much roomier ride, and the comfort that was simply put: unmatched. (I sat/felt out both...) I sold my Blackjack for 2k cash. And talked down a Craigslist seller for the Virago down to a steal of 2k. I literally transferred funds. It was a deal I couldn't pass up, and the motorcycle barely had over 1k miles. It's a beaut! LOVE THE THING!
Let me first say that not a day goes by that I regret a thing about this deal! I took a 3-day motorcycle course from RideChicago.com, and I can't tell you how happy I am that I did. One night of classroom, 2 days of hands-on range work. I attribute the ease of the course to my previous riding experience, and it let me concentrate on the reason I was there: TO LEARN HOW TO SHIFT! Quite frankly I was worried. It was the 300lb gorilla in the room for me for sure... Took literally two hours before I was wondering why I was so scared. After riding less than a month, It really has become habit, and something I actually enjoy adding to my rides, minus rush hour of course. (Ouch my clutch hand!) I'm sure that'll fade as I develop muscles in the hand more, but it's really not that horiffic after a while...
My advice to you about the prospect of shifting is: DON'T WORRY! It will come to you so fast, and it's so easy!
Within 2 hours, I was flying between gears like I had been riding my whole life. Not to mention the techniques they used to teach were condusive to actual learning. After day 2 on the range, I was confident, and definitely ready to buy/ride. I did just that.
Storage space, obviously an issue. No helmet storage, but a helmet lock on the side of the bike that does the trick. Front as well as side saddlebags are possible, though some side bags would require the remounting of the rear turn signals to accommodate. Pick and choose your battles I guess. My backpack to and from work seems to be just fine.
And that's it so far. I use it just as frequent as the scoot, love riding even more, and hope that some of my worries put your mind at reast.
Any other Q's?
SBJ
Here we go...
I was a scooter guy specifically because I didn't want to shift. I wasn't scared of it, persay, more like just enjoyed the simplicity. It was however, a goal of mine to graduate up to a motorcycle someday. After 3 years of riding my blackjack, this day finally came 5/6.
I bought a gently used 2007 Yamaha Virago XV250, the classic starter bike. Not only was it a bit more powerful than the introductory Honda Rebel, but a much roomier ride, and the comfort that was simply put: unmatched. (I sat/felt out both...) I sold my Blackjack for 2k cash. And talked down a Craigslist seller for the Virago down to a steal of 2k. I literally transferred funds. It was a deal I couldn't pass up, and the motorcycle barely had over 1k miles. It's a beaut! LOVE THE THING!
Let me first say that not a day goes by that I regret a thing about this deal! I took a 3-day motorcycle course from RideChicago.com, and I can't tell you how happy I am that I did. One night of classroom, 2 days of hands-on range work. I attribute the ease of the course to my previous riding experience, and it let me concentrate on the reason I was there: TO LEARN HOW TO SHIFT! Quite frankly I was worried. It was the 300lb gorilla in the room for me for sure... Took literally two hours before I was wondering why I was so scared. After riding less than a month, It really has become habit, and something I actually enjoy adding to my rides, minus rush hour of course. (Ouch my clutch hand!) I'm sure that'll fade as I develop muscles in the hand more, but it's really not that horiffic after a while...
My advice to you about the prospect of shifting is: DON'T WORRY! It will come to you so fast, and it's so easy!
Within 2 hours, I was flying between gears like I had been riding my whole life. Not to mention the techniques they used to teach were condusive to actual learning. After day 2 on the range, I was confident, and definitely ready to buy/ride. I did just that.
Storage space, obviously an issue. No helmet storage, but a helmet lock on the side of the bike that does the trick. Front as well as side saddlebags are possible, though some side bags would require the remounting of the rear turn signals to accommodate. Pick and choose your battles I guess. My backpack to and from work seems to be just fine.
And that's it so far. I use it just as frequent as the scoot, love riding even more, and hope that some of my worries put your mind at reast.
Any other Q's?
SBJ
Scotty Blackjack
"Floored."
"Floored."
-
Drum Pro
- Member
- Posts: 1163
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:03 am
- Location: Victorville, Ca.
Well done to you. For me, I never was afraid of shifting. I got into scooters because of the uniqueness of scooters. There aren't that many where I live and being me I had to be "different". Now and again I get the, "Why don't you get a real bike" from some bikers that don't get my point of view. in which I reply, "Don't you think that if I wanted a Harley or something similar I would have bought one".