Sportbike!

[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!!!