Ninja 250R/500R

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

I want to go to Laguna Seca at the end of September for the Superbike finale (it's my birthday weekend then!) but we haven't gotten tickets yet and I can't pin Tony down this far in advance. I may buy the tickets anyway, and hope we can ride down.

There are a couple of conflicts with the May event at Infineon, so I'm guessing we won't go to that race, but I'll keep you posted. Are you going to either of the events?

Laguna Sega FOR SURE (nice ride to get there). 50/50 on Infinion. I just joined ROK, so it will be nice taking advantage of some of those member benefits.

[lilredridingliz]

What's ROK? Are you going to camp at Laguna Seca, or find a motel in town? Have you camped at LS before? I'm not very fond of group-type camping.

I love Monterey; it's one of my favorite places in California.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

What's ROK? Are you going to camp at Laguna Seca, or find a motel in town? Have you camped at LS before? I'm not very fond of group-type camping.

I love Monterey; it's one of my favorite places in California.

ROK is "Riders of Kawasaki". Check our Kawi's web site and you can read all about it. I live close enough to Laguna Sega to easily ride there and back in the same day (another reason it's a FOR SURE that I'm going). I'm not fond of any kind of camping, so I'm a regular at Motel 6 when I travel (LOL).

[lilredridingliz]

I'll check that out (ROK). If we end up coming down in Sept., we'll have to be sure to meet up somewhere. Will your wife come with you, or does she have any interest in the bike races?

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

What's ROK? Are you going to camp at Laguna Seca, or find a motel in town? Have you camped at LS before? I'm not very fond of group-type camping.

I love Monterey; it's one of my favorite places in California.

We go to Monterey for vacation every year. We rent a place on the Monterey Dunes for a week (check out their web site). I love your part of the coast, too. I spent my honeymoon in Mendocino and went to Fort Bragg for a day, rode the Skunk Train (I think it was called that?). Our best friends live in Huntington Beach, right on the ocean, and we try to get down there once a year. The CA coast is great.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

I'll check that out (ROK). If we end up coming down in Sept., we'll have to be sure to meet up somewhere. Will your wife come with you, or does she have any interest in the bike races?

My wife is terrified of bikes (rider or passenger), so she won't be there. I'm going to the regular season race, I think it's in July. If I like it, I'll for back for the finals in September.

[Oldone]

Originally Posted by messer00

My wife is terrified of bikes (rider or passenger), so she won't be there. I'm going to the regular season race, I think it's in July. If I like it, I'll for back for the finals in September.

I wish your wife was not terrified of riding ( although I can understand and sympathize ) for mine was also and my regret is all the good times that we could have had, are now gone forever, so I hope you can overcome this somehow.

I am also jealous of the fact that both of you live so close, as to be able to attend those races, but am very glad that you can.

[messer00]

Here's a pic of my 2007 500R with the Pyramid mid-fairing. I'll post more later. All of the others I took didn't turn out (too dark).

Attachment 17947

[lilredridingliz]

Originally Posted by messer00

Here's a pic of my 2007 500R with the Pyramid mid-fairing. I'll post more later. All of the others I took didn't turn out (too dark).

Attachment 17947

Chuck! The bike is beautiful, but man, does it need a bath! hahaha! Must be bug-hatch season down there in the Central Valley!

Hmmm, how can we get your wife on a bike? What about having her read the Ladies Only section of this forum? What about hypnotherapy? That's such a tough one; living in fear is not the best way to live your life, and I know she's missing out on what could be some really fun times with you on the bike. What about if she chases you on your bike over to Monterey in her car sometime? Maybe she can come to the April dinner in the city and meet all of us cool biker folks!?

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Chuck! The bike is beautiful, but man, does it need a bath! hahaha! Must be bug-hatch season down there in the Central Valley!

Hmmm, how can we get your wife on a bike? What about having her read the Ladies Only section of this forum? What about hypnotherapy? That's such a tough one; living in fear is not the best way to live your life, and I know she's missing out on what could be some really fun times with you on the bike. What about if she chases you on your bike over to Monterey in her car sometime? Maybe she can come to the April dinner in the city and meet all of us cool biker folks!?

I just rode from my place up Hwy 33 (which runs next to Hwy 5) to Tracy to check out Tracy Motorsports. There was a TON of bugs out that afternoon. My helmet and jacket were absolutely covered with them. It was like I was a human bug zapper or fly paper or something.

You're not going to believe this... I traded-in my 500R for a (new, red, 2007) 650R today. Modesto Kawasaki had a great deal on it and I went for it. Even though I'm not a fellow 500 rider, will you still talk to me? (LOL).

I know, my wife is missing out on so much fun. I'm also a road cyclist, and I've been trying to get her on one of those for years without any success. She's not unsocialable, but not very socialable (if that makes sense), so I don't think she'll be joining us in San Francisco.

[lilredridingliz]

Chuck, of course I will still talk to you, although where now in the forum will I find you? Does this mean I have to now read all the posts under the 650 thread?

I admit to being surprised that you would trade your bike away after making it look so darn nice. And especially since you have only been riding since December. (Am I under the wrong impression about that? Maybe you've only been riding a Kawi since December? It sounded like you are still in your first year of riding.) They must have made you a super-duper offer!

Okay, so where are the pictures of the new bike? Huh, huh?

And no worries about your wife; I really do understand that. It's difficult for a lot of people to come into groups of folks they don't know. Perfectly okay.

[purplefreak60]

Thought I would jump in here. I started riding last September. Prior to that I had ridden on the back of my best friend's bike a handful of times for a couple of years since 2004. When I was 16 a close friend was killed on his motorcycle. It was 1976 and he wasn't wearing any gear, cager hit him, end of story. I had been on the back most of the days just prior to the crash. It freaked me out about bikes for decades.

When I was on the back of my BFs bike my eyes were closed on most of the corners. I was scared. Then I reunited with my HS first love last May. Motorcycles are a HUGE part of his life as he had been riding daily for 30+ years.

I started riding on the back of his...again pretty damned scared. In September he bought me a 2006 EX250 for a wedding present. I was thrilled. Practiced in a large College parking lot (with hills, stop signs, etc) for over a month until I felt comfortable enough for the streets. The day after my 47th birthday I took my maiden voyage. WHAT A BLAST! Being in control is important to me and all that I needed. Sure I was scared for about a month as I continued to 'learn' to ride. All our friends are surprised how quickly I took to it. I absolutely LOVE it...and bug my husband to ride just about daily http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ies/tongue.gif
Of course I took the local MSF course (a requirement of the group of friends we ride with).

For Valentine's Day he bought me a Silver/Red 2006 650R. It didn't arrive until late February. I was concerned that it was too early to move up. We do a lot of riding on Hwy 1 between Santa Cruz & Monterey. In the winter the wind was throwing me & my 250 all over the road which scared me the most. We plan to do a lot of long rides/trip this summer so I agreed to a new bike. I figured I'd ride in the College parking lot for awhile until I was comfortable. I only made 1 trip there...Its actually easier for me to ride which surprised me.

I didn't think it was possible, but I love to ride EVEN more. The 650r is a dream. We are now selling the EX250 (2,250 miles).

So, for all the spouses (doesn't have to be women) who are afraid to ride or on the fence....GO FOR IT. At least give it a try. You'll never know if its right for you if you don't at least try. I would have bet $1M a year ago that there was no way I'd be a rider, much less own 3 bikes of my own (also Honda CRF150). You can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

Take care
Lynn

[lilredridingliz]

Lynn, what a great story! Thanks for sharing that and a big welcome to the forum! What a great thing for you to have made friends with your fear and worked through it. I still fell a little fear is healthy on the bike. My bf just got his ZX10 running and says it scares him (136 hp) and that that's what keeps him safe! I also used to ride on the back in high school all those years ago, even got my endorsement at age 23, but just now am becoming a competent rider at age 48! Woohoo!

I find the best thing for being safe when I am riding is to be hyper-aware of traffic and to be especially mindful of traffic around intersections and traffic areas such as around Starbucks (I know, even in our small town!) and Safeway, where people are not paying so much attention.

On another note, several of us may be planning a northern California group ride for this summer. I will keep you in the loop if you and your man might be interested in joining us!

Ride safe!!

[purplefreak60]

Hi Liz,

Don't worry...I'm not overly confident. I still get scared just not terrified. I always expect the cagers to do the unexpected, prepare for it and then when it happens (and it does), I'm ready for it.

Actually both bikes in my last post are mine. The blue one is the EX250 and the Silver is my 650R - with fender eliminator.

My husband's latest bike (he's had 40+ over the years & 3 since we got together last May) is a 2005 BMW K1200S. His previous bike was a Kawasaki ZRX 1200 which he LOVED. I'll post a picture, its not a great one but will give you an idea.

Definitely keep me informed of future NorCal rides! Thanks!

Lynn

[messer00]

Originally Posted by lilredridingliz

Chuck, of course I will still talk to you, although where now in the forum will I find you? Does this mean I have to now read all the posts under the 650 thread?

I admit to being surprised that you would trade your bike away after making it look so darn nice. And especially since you have only been riding since December. (Am I under the wrong impression about that? Maybe you've only been riding a Kawi since December? It sounded like you are still in your first year of riding.) They must have made you a super-duper offer!

Okay, so where are the pictures of the new bike? Huh, huh?

And no worries about your wife; I really do understand that. It's difficult for a lot of people to come into groups of folks they don't know. Perfectly okay.

I love the 500, but the 650 was my first choice. I just didn't want to spend the extra money, plus I found the majority of people said the 500 was a better starter bike. Now that I've riden both, I think a new rider could EASILY start off with the 650 and be just fine. The power doesn't really start to kick-in until 4,000 RPM's, which is freeway speed. I'm a big boy (5'11, 240), so the extra power is nice to have. - Yeah, I lost a fair chunk of change trading it in, but I didn't think the bike-bug was going to bite me as hard as it did. They gave me a great OTD price when I bought the 500 and the 650 (because they were trying to clear out the 07's), so that helped ease some of the pain in my wallet. - I am new to riding a motorcycle, but not 2-wheels. I was a professional cyclist, so there are so the crossover was easy. - It's still stock. For now, the only thing I'm going to do is throw on a fender eliminator kit from Targa that I ordered this morning. I'm sticking to my rear turn signals for safety.

Any date set for our get together in San Francisco?

[purplefreak60]

The picture in my last post is his BMW....this was his ZRX

[messer00]

Hello Lynn,

Jump right in... Liz and I have been hogging the thread for awhile (LOL), so I guess we need to share and play with others !!!

Nice pictures. I'm like Liz, I love pictures and video (check our her video on MySpace, it's cool).

Chuck

[tely]

Hey Lynn!! Welcome to the forum!
Read your story and its great!...I am real happy that you faced your fear and learn to ride! and the rejoicing of you and your first true love...that is wonderful!.

Lynn..I was reading that you are 5'2 and have a 650R...In the future I would like to get one of those....but was wondering, does it fit you good?? do you reach the floor ok??...the reason I ask, is because I am also short 5'3. Anyhow, the bikes are all beautiful!

Welcome to the forum!!!

[V2K_CCTX]

Tely my wife is 5'3" or so nad I just lowered her CBR600RR a little till she could just flat foot it. She loves it and is more confident as she doesnt worry aboult falling over when she stops

[purplefreak60]

Hi Tely,

No...I can't flat floot the 650R like I did with the EX250.

We had my seat shaved down and it wasn't enough. We found a place that just came out with a lowering link for the 650R. It arrived the other day. My husband will install it on Friday (I hope). I'll report back if it made a difference ($104 better make a difference!!).

I was very upset at the beginning about not being able to flat foot with my new bike. I've only had a couple of situations where it really caused a problem tho not a serious one. I've been riding it for a little over a month. I hope the lowering link does the job!

Lynn