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· Registered
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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I've always wanted a motorcycle and when I saw the Kawasaki Ninja at its debut in 1984, I knew it was the one I wanted. However, circumstances made it impossible for me to own one at the time. Fast forward with me 20 years now to the last weekend in March 2004 when the time was right and I took the MSF course. Less than a week later, I found and purchased a used 2004 Ninja 500R. (The original owner put 715 miles on it before having to sell for personal reasons. I was happy to help him out!) It's a dream come true! I've put just over 4k miles on the bike since April, making several day trips to nearby cities like Nashville, TN and Birmingham, AL. I purchased a full set of Nelson-Rigg soft touring luggage for the bike and look forward to a weekend trip sometime this Fall. Otherwise, I ride (to work, etc.) every day when there's no threat of rain.

It's also really cool to have found this forum where there seem to be quite a few other 500R riders and *gasp* girls riding sport bikes, too! :) I've been a member of the BMW Car Club of America for over 4 years and only three times have I ever come across girls driving. So, you go, girls!
 

· Motorcycle Momma
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839 Posts
Neo,

Welcome to the best motorcycle forum around!!! :D you are in GREAT company up here!!!! We have alot of fun, learn a lot and swap stories.
Send us a picture of your new ride!!!! There is a section on the index for showin' off your ride!!!!!

There are more ladies up here than I have ever ran into on the road. Its great!!!!

Have Fun, Ride Safe and Come Back Often!!!


Heather
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Thanks for the welcome, everyone. Photos of my 500R dressed in full tour gear have been posted on the pics board under "Neo's New Ride".
 

· I miss you, Deron
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I'm new to the board, too. I love it; you will, too.

As for women riding sports bikes, not only was my MSF course instructor a woman (55 years old), but she's been riding sports bikes for years. I have other women friends who ride Harley cruisers, but she's the only woman I know personally who rides a sports bike.
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
jukief said:
As for women riding sports bikes, not only was my MSF course instructor a woman (55 years old), but she's been riding sports bikes for years. I have other women friends who ride Harley cruisers, but she's the only woman I know personally who rides a sports bike.
Yeah, I was very surprised to find that my MSF class was about half men / half women. I figured it would just be a bunch of guys. The youngest student was a 14 year old girl who rode dirt bikes!
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
kyhick1 said:
Heather

_________________
1981 Kz550a
1982 KZ750 Spectre
1984 BMW R80RT
Heather
Hi, Heather,

what is a BMW R80RT? I didn't know BMW made anything under 650cc. I'm already a BMW automobile owner and my dream tour bike is a BMW R1150RT, which I plan to get sometime in the faraway future.
 

· Motorcycle Momma
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Neo,

The R80RT is the 800 CC boxer engine (old style boxer that is) here is a picture of it. I bought it new from the Factory in Germany while I was in the Navy. It is still my first love!!! 8) (2wheels that is)

I love BMWs but I can't afford a new one. I have been watching EBay for a good deal....found a mint condition bike just like mine for $3500. I am saving up the money to restore mine.

Anyway welcome to the forum. There are a lot of people up here who are into sport bikes...I guess that cruisers are a minority!!!! :D
 

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Discussion Starter · #14 ·
500R Mileage with Tour Luggage

ZX-2R said:
Have to let us know how great the biek rides and wha tfuel mileae you are gettting fully dressed!
Hi, I loaded the luggage with everything I'd need for a 5 day trip and made a 120 mile ride from my house to Barber Motorsports Park / Museum. I got 55 mpg, which is about average for me. The main differences I noticed were increased stopping distance and slower response to my steering input.

The fact that highway mileage remained the same, even with the load, is not too surprising since the saddle bags are aerodynamic and almost completely out of the wind stream. The tail and tank bags are out of the wind altogether. You can see a profile of the bags in the photo forum under the post "Neo's New Ride." Here, I've attached rear and head-on views of my bike with the luggage. You can see how big the bags are from the rear, but also how well they're hidden from the wind in the head-on shot. By the way, these shots were taken with the bags loaded just before I pulled out of my driveway for the trip. Note the generous tailpipe clearance.
 

· Motorcycle Momma
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Neo,

Very sharp looking set up. 8) I am planning on taking both of the Kawis on a long trip in the spring...I am shopping for some nice saddlebags that will work on the 550 and the 750.....There will be me, Mack and the two kids traveling!!!

I am hoping on getting the BMW up and running. I will need a replacement set of bags for it....looking for a used set.

Heather
 
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