Ok, I'll say hello and stop lurking

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Hey all!
Thought I'd stop lurking, after a year or so on here, and introduce myself and ramble a bit about this darn 900 of mine

I'm a "returning rider", having grown up on bikes, but not owning one for many years. Finally decided enough was enough and last May bought my 900 Classic after all the usual "much research". It was just the right bike for the price, the right size, fit, feel, sound, etc. Sounds familiar to folks here, right? LOL!

Some random thoughts and comments as they occur to me:

-- You folks are a great group! Can't tell ya how much I've learned from all of ya in the past year! For paybacks, I can be found in Hot Springs Arkansas if and when (you KNOW you WILL, right?) ride through... Yell at me when in town or whatevers!
-- The FIRST week I had the bike, a teenager in a SUV came out of the lane to my right, in town traffic, turned left in front of me, and scared the be-be-jebus oughtta me... I did the Emergency Swerve as best I could, with cars all around and pants filling up, but still laid it down at ~ 25 mph.... Got some pretty good road rash up and down my left arm, but I was wearing heavy-duty Carhart bib overalls and they just slid great down the pavement. Only damage to the bike was a busted left front turn signal (as seen in the photos) and the darn bike slid famously right ON that Vulcan tank emblem! Dented the tank a little behind the emblem.
I got up bleeding, but mainly mad, and this HD rider stopped to check I was okay.
I thought about fixing the tank, but decided, "No... every time you walk out the door and get on that bike, it's gonna remind you of these lessons..."
1. Don't get out into traffic, as a new or returning rider, before you're really ready.
2. All autos are out to kill you.
3. Those that AREN'T, ARE.
4. A T-Shirt doesn't stop road rash.
5. Carharts are pretty good bikin' britches...
6. Did I mention that, if you see a car, it wants to kill you? LOL!

-- Bought the Classic because I wanted a straight paint job and buy stuff for it as I went, vs the LT. and added the Willie and Max saddlebags and Memphis Shades windshield at the dealer. All together cost was right at 8K. No bling since, but am waiting this week for delivery on a Cobra sissy bar and a Kuryakyn Ultra Tour bag.
That Memphis Shades shield is great. With the quick disconnect tabs? On and off in seconds. I DID make a mistake, I think, in that I got a 21" and probably needed one shorter. I'm looking through it, which is ok, but feel I'll probably cut it down a bit at some point. Great shield though. The bags are great too... Don't know that I'm crazy about throw-over style lace-up bags on that nice back paint, but... they're detachable and hold an 18-pack in one side and a grunch O groceries in the other

Good starter bags, if nothing else...
-- Rode most of this winter, down to 25F. But I started thinking about how different life is now that I'm 40-something and not 20-something... Back then I didn't even BLINK about it... just went out and rode... Today it's like this: I can take darkness, I can take real cold. I can take rain. I can handle being bewwy bewwy careful cause there's critters about out here like deer and possoms and things. But I only WANT to take, maybe, two of them at a time

Wait. Freezing fog at 4 am with deer along side the road? Naw.... I reckon I'm just not as bold as I once was

-- That flip-up helmet is pretty dang nice in the winter, but get's hot in the summer. But I like the faceshield thingy. Except when I take my helmet off and strap it on the seat. 5% of the time. Sorry... caint he'p it...just have to do it sometimes...
-- That bike has been absolutely a jewel, and just gets better as I roll over 5K on it.

-- Haven't tested this, but yeah...black might be the fastest color

Here's the requisite pix, and again a welcome to any who might find themselves riding through my area!
Skeet

Teamlopez1 · 03-31-2008

Welcome and thanks for sharing your story. There are some scary cagers out there for sure. Enjoy your 900 and if i ever make it that way I will give ya a holar!.

Fyrfytrfil · 03-31-2008

Welcome Skeet, glad to have you aboard! Nice job on having those pics already posted!

**Spok** · 03-31-2008

hi howdy welcome from the shadows

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Good deal!

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrfytrfil

Welcome Skeet, glad to have you aboard! Nice job on having those pics already posted!

I KNEW better than to NOT have pix at the ready! LOL!
Thanks!

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spok

hi howdy welcome from the shadows

Hey Spok,
Thanks... don't know where in WA ya are, but a friend of mine outside Woodland just told me of 10" of snow. They live up in the mountains somewhere though.
Stay dry!

Hoyett · 03-31-2008

Welcome Skeet... Be careful out there...

Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic...

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoyett

Welcome Skeet... Be careful out there...

Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic...

Thank you!

*trikebubble* · 03-31-2008

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you on board.

Now someone give this man a star for posting pictures right off the bat!

Miralcos · 03-31-2008

Welcome to the forums and thanks for sharin' yer story and pics. Nice lookin' scoot ya got there neighbor. I'm goin' through Hot Springs all the time it seems. Me and a couple of friends from Pine Bluff ride that way a bit. Maybe we can hook up and get in some mileage.

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikebubble

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you on board.

Now someone give this man a star for posting pictures right off the bat!

Will work for stars!! Thanks...

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miralcos

Welcome to the forums and thanks for sharin' yer story and pics. Nice lookin' scoot ya got there neighbor. I'm goin' through Hot Springs all the time it seems. Me and a couple of friends from Pine Bluff ride that way a bit. Maybe we can hook up and get in some mileage.

You bet! Nice ta meet ya! We're just around the corner...

Skeet

skewterdewd · 03-31-2008

Welcome Skeet-
apparently you live somewhere that the sun comes out. What must that be like, I wonder?

Hope you're enjoying the 900..

fretbuzz · 03-31-2008

Welcome, skeet. Nice bike and excellent post.

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

Welcome Skeet-
apparently you live somewhere that the sun comes out. What must that be like, I wonder?

Hope you're enjoying the 900..

LOL..Thanks, actually, I was working most of Dec-Jan just south of ya down in Albany, so I know what you're feeling, man

Nice to get home and see the trees buddin' out, I must admit...

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

Welcome, skeet. Nice bike and excellent post.

Thank you!

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

Welcome, skeet. Nice bike and excellent post.

BTW... OT, but I know well what fret buzz is....

Just worked over an Ibenez hollow body and made it mo' bettah

Be safe out there!
Skeet

insolentminx · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeet

1. Don't get out into traffic, as a new or returning rider, before you're really ready.

Hahaha, i love that!
Now if only there was no traffic in London, maybe more people would be on bikes

Good to hear you weren't badly hurt
Welcome to the forum. You sure got a purdy lookin bike there.

If you're ever across the pond, lemme know

Skeet · 03-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by insolentminx

Hahaha, i love that!
Now if only there was no traffic in London, maybe more people would be on bikes

Good to hear you weren't badly hurt
Welcome to the forum. You sure got a purdy lookin bike there.

If you're ever across the pond, lemme know

Thanks! I will!
I actually have a friend or two working up in Carlisle next week, but... they won't be on bikes

Skeet

03-31-2008	#1 (permalink)
Skeet Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 81	Ok, I'll say hello and stop lurking Hey all! Thought I'd stop lurking, after a year or so on here, and introduce myself and ramble a bit about this darn 900 of mine I'm a "returning rider", having grown up on bikes, but not owning one for many years. Finally decided enough was enough and last May bought my 900 Classic after all the usual "much research". It was just the right bike for the price, the right size, fit, feel, sound, etc. Sounds familiar to folks here, right? LOL! Some random thoughts and comments as they occur to me: -- You folks are a great group! Can't tell ya how much I've learned from all of ya in the past year! For paybacks, I can be found in Hot Springs Arkansas if and when (you KNOW you WILL, right?) ride through... Yell at me when in town or whatevers! -- The FIRST week I had the bike, a teenager in a SUV came out of the lane to my right, in town traffic, turned left in front of me, and scared the be-be-jebus oughtta me... I did the Emergency Swerve as best I could, with cars all around and pants filling up, but still laid it down at ~ 25 mph.... Got some pretty good road rash up and down my left arm, but I was wearing heavy-duty Carhart bib overalls and they just slid great down the pavement. Only damage to the bike was a busted left front turn signal (as seen in the photos) and the darn bike slid famously right ON that Vulcan tank emblem! Dented the tank a little behind the emblem. I got up bleeding, but mainly mad, and this HD rider stopped to check I was okay. I thought about fixing the tank, but decided, "No... every time you walk out the door and get on that bike, it's gonna remind you of these lessons..." 1. Don't get out into traffic, as a new or returning rider, before you're really ready. 2. All autos are out to kill you. 3. Those that AREN'T, ARE. 4. A T-Shirt doesn't stop road rash. 5. Carharts are pretty good bikin' britches... 6. Did I mention that, if you see a car, it wants to kill you? LOL! -- Bought the Classic because I wanted a straight paint job and buy stuff for it as I went, vs the LT. and added the Willie and Max saddlebags and Memphis Shades windshield at the dealer. All together cost was right at 8K. No bling since, but am waiting this week for delivery on a Cobra sissy bar and a Kuryakyn Ultra Tour bag. That Memphis Shades shield is great. With the quick disconnect tabs? On and off in seconds. I DID make a mistake, I think, in that I got a 21" and probably needed one shorter. I'm looking through it, which is ok, but feel I'll probably cut it down a bit at some point. Great shield though. The bags are great too... Don't know that I'm crazy about throw-over style lace-up bags on that nice back paint, but... they're detachable and hold an 18-pack in one side and a grunch O groceries in the other Good starter bags, if nothing else... -- Rode most of this winter, down to 25F. But I started thinking about how different life is now that I'm 40-something and not 20-something... Back then I didn't even BLINK about it... just went out and rode... Today it's like this: I can take darkness, I can take real cold. I can take rain. I can handle being bewwy bewwy careful cause there's critters about out here like deer and possoms and things. But I only WANT to take, maybe, two of them at a time Wait. Freezing fog at 4 am with deer along side the road? Naw.... I reckon I'm just not as bold as I once was -- That flip-up helmet is pretty dang nice in the winter, but get's hot in the summer. But I like the faceshield thingy. Except when I take my helmet off and strap it on the seat. 5% of the time. Sorry... caint he'p it...just have to do it sometimes... -- That bike has been absolutely a jewel, and just gets better as I roll over 5K on it. -- Haven't tested this, but yeah...black might be the fastest color Here's the requisite pix, and again a welcome to any who might find themselves riding through my area! Skeet Attached Thumbnails

03-31-2008	#2 (permalink)
Teamlopez1 06 Nomad and 06 900LT Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tri Cities, WA Posts: 1,289	Welcome and thanks for sharing your story. There are some scary cagers out there for sure. Enjoy your 900 and if i ever make it that way I will give ya a holar!. __________________ "Better to be an Open Sinner then a False Saint"

03-31-2008	#4 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 34,534	hi howdy welcome from the shadows __________________ In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed.

03-31-2008	#10 (permalink)
trikebubble RIP Brother Deron Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Okanagan Falls, BC Posts: 18,541	Welcome to the forum, glad to have you on board. Now someone give this man a star for posting pictures right off the bat! __________________ 2005 V2K Ltd "I'll ride the wave where it takes me, I'll hold the pain release me"

03-31-2008	#11 (permalink)
Miralcos Behind the 8ball BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sheridan, Arkansas Posts: 1,821	Welcome to the forums and thanks for sharin' yer story and pics. Nice lookin' scoot ya got there neighbor. I'm goin' through Hot Springs all the time it seems. Me and a couple of friends from Pine Bluff ride that way a bit. Maybe we can hook up and get in some mileage. __________________ aka: Butch Heatware Live long and prosper..... '06 V2K Standard '07 1500 Classic (sold)

03-31-2008	#3 (permalink)
Fyrfytrfil Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aurora, Nebraska Posts: 82	Welcome Skeet, glad to have you aboard! Nice job on having those pics already posted!

03-31-2008	#5 (permalink)
Skeet Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 81	Good deal!

03-31-2008	#8 (permalink)
Hoyett Enjoying the Ride BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Joliet, Illinois Posts: 301	Welcome Skeet... Be careful out there... Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic...

03-31-2008	#14 (permalink)
skewterdewd Team Zissou BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 1,535	Welcome Skeet- apparently you live somewhere that the sun comes out. What must that be like, I wonder? Hope you're enjoying the 900.. __________________ 01 Nomad FI • Did I reset my odo back there?

03-31-2008	#15 (permalink)
fretbuzz Non Omnis Moriar BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Heart o' Texas Posts: 7,785	Welcome, skeet. Nice bike and excellent post. __________________ I'd rather you offend me with the truth than appease me with a lie.

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