get my motorcycle license...and a motorcycle

and reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has reminded me of that. Freedom of being in the wind, inches from the asphault, at the mercy of the weather… Not to mention saving on gas and parking in places inaccessible by car.

After my husband’s two year employment at Harley Davidson, I know I don’t want one of those—not that there’s anything wrong with them, it’s just a personal preference (although it does bother me that they claim to be “made in the USA” but they’re actually only assembled here).

I prefer something small and lightweight, fast and highly maneuverable. Hubby wants a Hyabusa, but I would rather not become a widow!

So… I’ve had the desire for a bike since… forever, basically. Unfortunately, due to paranoid parents and the lack of friends who rode, and a couple riding uncles who “won’t have any beginner dropping their bike,” I had never been on any two wheeled, motorized anything until today. Through the graciousness (and utter ballsy-ness) of an army buddy with a two week old yamaha, I finally got to start learning today.

Lessons learned? Handling a cruisers clutch is far easier than I expected. The shift pattern really isn’t that confusing once you play with it for a minute. And turning something with that much weight 180 degrees on a narrow street requires far more control than I have right now. Sorry to the guy who’s front yard suffered my wide turns.

Will hopefully be heading out later this week to a nice spacious parking lot to get a feel for controlling the beast a little better.

Big props to my ballsy buddy for letting a novice on his new wheels. Minor props to me for not dumping the thing and making him regret it.

I have wanted to do this for SOOO long.

I have always wanted to get a motorcycle and I am seriously thinking about buying one. I need to look into how to get a license in North Dakota and start looking at different types of bikes.

My husband just got a motorcycle in June and we love riding, but now I’m thinking it would be great to have my own. Def. want to take the class though.

My hubby just sold his motorcycle today, so I don’t think I’ll be getting one any time soon. This goal goes on hold. :(

...8 days :D

I got my license and bought an 883 Harley-Davidson Sportster a couple years ago. I love it. Riding up in the mountains is a really awesome feeling, and I it saves gas too. :)

I have my dad convinced, it’s just a matter of my mom, and I’ve already done hours and hours of research, and have a powerpoint ready to convince her.

3 weeks ago i looked at a bike i saw on craigslist out of town for the hell of it and bought it from the guy cash!i had no intention of even looking at it let alone buy it. i hadnt ridden in like 10 years(im 26) and never rode a street bike.

i hadnt brought a helmet so i drove home and went to the DMV and passed the motorcycle temporary endorsement that afternoon. the same afternoon i had my friend dump me off at the house (where i was that morning) and i used my older work friends helmet which was falling down over my eyes every 10 minutes.

so i jumped on the bike-1996 katana 600 (with ONLY 9000miles), my buddy goes “uhhh, dude i know your capable but are you gonna make it?” started it up, and took off!! i drove around this little weird town for 20 minutes just getting a feel for my new 430 pound machine in between my legs if you know what i mean ;/

then i jumped on the highway home.i had a 50 minute ride ahead of me.

it was probably the happiest moment of my life because at that moment i realized i had accomplished something ive always wanted to do. i screamed home on the beast and threw 4 quarts full synthetic amsoil in it and now it runs really good

anyway thats my story. i have a full suit and a helmet that fits now so dont worry. i figure ill roll the katana for a year and buy up. ive put 3000 miles on it in 3 weeks!