Life has it's stresses. They come in the form of incompetent co-workers, city traffic, allergies, screaming children, lacking finances, or a cheating partners. Without a doubt, no matter what we do, life has a way of throwing more and more things in our path. And we often compensate for the added tasks by multi-tasking; we whine about our co-workers to our cheating spouse, while driving to pick up the screaming kids in crazy traffic, with blurred vision from not being able to afford allergy medicine.
As a result, driving has no longer become a task in and of itself. It has become a necessary evil, one which we never respect anymore. When cars were new to the world, they had to be respected; driving automobiles was a completely new task, one which was uncomfortable and dangerous. Now, everyone is comfortable with the task of driving, so they don't mind multitasking in their living rooms on wheels. That coupled with the fact that automobiles have so many safety features, means that people don't care if they wreck.
Cars have gotten faster and quicker, they constantly handle better and stop shorter than their predecessors. But with these advances came automatic transmissions, cup holders, CD/DVD/mp3 players, TVs, and a number of things that make driving less of a task. As E. F. Schumacher said,
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction."
I guess that's what I've recently rediscovered in motorcycles. There is a direct connection between the motor and the rider; the bike responds to your every input instantly. Everything has been pared down to it's most basic nature. No music is necessary, I'd rather listen to my bike. It is a great experience when you start to become one with the bike, completely ignore the destination, and just take the journey.
Motorcycle Addiction
Wow. This sport is addicting. After Steve and I decided we were going to get out bikes and ride back to work, we recruited two more people. Asking a motorcyclist to ride into work is like asking a crack fiend to smoke rocks- it doesn't take much to get them to do it. :)Now the motorcycle parking lot went from a lonely cruiser meet to Frankfort's own sport bike fest.
What the Hell was I thinking?
I rode to work today.
I had lunch at my favorite little Puerto Rican restaurant, and imagined the how much better the day would be if I rode back in to work. I took the small access road and various other connecting roads to the shop I store my bike at. After the recon mission was complete, I knew the road was clear, and that traffic was not tooooooo bad. I had butterflies as I mounted the bike and rode it out of the shop.
The ride back was uneventful, although I did try to get a truck to drive around me at the first major intersection. I didn't stall it once. It felt great getting up to speed, but my throttle control is still choppy. This is amplified by the fact that the SV exhibits significant engine braking. (That is, when you let off the throttle, it slows down QUICKLY, as if I put on the brakes.) This upsets the balance of the bike, and is never advisable. I know this because Keith Code told me so. :)
The strange thing is, I felt an adrenaline dump after I got off the bike and walked into the building. You get such a rush on the bike that when the ride is over, your body doesn't know what to think. God I love riding.
Now I just need someone to ride it back. C.O.B. traffic sucks. :)
I had lunch at my favorite little Puerto Rican restaurant, and imagined the how much better the day would be if I rode back in to work. I took the small access road and various other connecting roads to the shop I store my bike at. After the recon mission was complete, I knew the road was clear, and that traffic was not tooooooo bad. I had butterflies as I mounted the bike and rode it out of the shop.
The ride back was uneventful, although I did try to get a truck to drive around me at the first major intersection. I didn't stall it once. It felt great getting up to speed, but my throttle control is still choppy. This is amplified by the fact that the SV exhibits significant engine braking. (That is, when you let off the throttle, it slows down QUICKLY, as if I put on the brakes.) This upsets the balance of the bike, and is never advisable. I know this because Keith Code told me so. :)
The strange thing is, I felt an adrenaline dump after I got off the bike and walked into the building. You get such a rush on the bike that when the ride is over, your body doesn't know what to think. God I love riding.
Now I just need someone to ride it back. C.O.B. traffic sucks. :)
Sonic BOOM
Street Fighter.Cafe Racer.
Naked.
Call it what you want, but I've already replaced the front fairing on my SV650s with some driving lights, and made the whole thing look evil. I still need to finish my rear cowl cover and paint the bike, but I'm on the way to creating my dream bike...
Here are some quick pics of the changes...
More gear on the way.
Poke all the fun you want, but more gear is on the way.
Icon Field Armor Vest, Icon Field Armor knee guards, and Alpinestars compression shorts to help protect my broken pelvis.
The total value of my gear just went up to a hair below $1k.
Icon Field Armor Vest, Icon Field Armor knee guards, and Alpinestars compression shorts to help protect my broken pelvis.
The total value of my gear just went up to a hair below $1k.
The Fork in the Road
I've been out riding only a handful of times; I'm waiting until I take the MSF course I'm signed up for. Even then, it's only been in parking lots, with the exception of one time. Well... technically twice, but I crashed the bike within a block, and stood by Steve's bike while he rode mine back to his house. So I'm waiting for the course to go on roads again. As Steve so candidly put it, I'm taking a chance until I take the course. In the meanwhile, I've been pacing, both literally and figuratively.
One day, I went over to the shop where I store the bike to ride it, and I was caught in a downpour within five minutes of practicing.
Rains sucks on a bike.
Now that you know the circumstances of my situation, I'd like to tell you about the figurative fork in the road I've encountered since purchasing the bike. But first, I need to tell you a bit more about myself. I am at heart a tinkerer. I like to take take things apart, and I enjoy modifying things to my ideal. So what do you do when you don't feel comfortable on streets yet, but have to see a new bike sitting there?
You take it apart.
Then you plan the transformation from rough first bike, into your ideal street machine. Exposed wires hang from the front of my bike, the result of my recent headlightectomy. My bike is going from stock, to something... meaner. So am I a cycle customizer, or a motorcyclist? I'm not sure, but I know which path I went down first. Expect a two wheeled demon to hit the streets in the next couple of weeks.
Now I just have to learn how to ride the damn thing...
One day, I went over to the shop where I store the bike to ride it, and I was caught in a downpour within five minutes of practicing.
Rains sucks on a bike.
Now that you know the circumstances of my situation, I'd like to tell you about the figurative fork in the road I've encountered since purchasing the bike. But first, I need to tell you a bit more about myself. I am at heart a tinkerer. I like to take take things apart, and I enjoy modifying things to my ideal. So what do you do when you don't feel comfortable on streets yet, but have to see a new bike sitting there?
You take it apart.
Then you plan the transformation from rough first bike, into your ideal street machine. Exposed wires hang from the front of my bike, the result of my recent headlightectomy. My bike is going from stock, to something... meaner. So am I a cycle customizer, or a motorcyclist? I'm not sure, but I know which path I went down first. Expect a two wheeled demon to hit the streets in the next couple of weeks.
Now I just have to learn how to ride the damn thing...
The Gear
How much is your hide worth?
Right now, mine is worth $792.74. I know it sounds expensive, but a wise rider once told me that anything between you and the road is money well spent. Chicks dig scars, but they don't dig skin grafts...
I think I'm still going to have to invest in some hip protection, and maybe some leather overpants. Until then, this is my gear:
Icon Hooligan Denim
Alpinestars Octane Riding Shoes
I know, I know, it's alot of gear. You'll recognize me on the road though. I'll be the one dressed looking like George in "The Dinner Party".
Right now, mine is worth $792.74. I know it sounds expensive, but a wise rider once told me that anything between you and the road is money well spent. Chicks dig scars, but they don't dig skin grafts...
I think I'm still going to have to invest in some hip protection, and maybe some leather overpants. Until then, this is my gear:
Fulmer SS Helmet
Icon Motorhead Jacket
Icon Pursuit Gloves
Icon Motorhead Jacket
Icon Pursuit Gloves
Icon Hooligan Denim
Alpinestars Octane Riding Shoes
I know, I know, it's alot of gear. You'll recognize me on the road though. I'll be the one dressed looking like George in "The Dinner Party".
The Bike
I found a bike on SVrider.com that seemed to be everything I wanted. It has some damage, so I don't have to worry about dropping it (it's already happened twice). Here's the post from that site:
Lexington, KY, yellow 2004 sv650s, 25,000 miles and counting...
The bike has been down, front forks were replaced with 05 barely used forks and front rim was replaced with new from factory.
Front fairing is plastic welded together... quite a few cracks in the front fairing. A front fairing runs $240 from dealer. http://www.oneidasuzuki.com
The gas tank has a 3x2 inch dent in it, and paint inside that dent is scraped. I'd guess its probably $250 to fix... comparing to work a friend had done.
I have ridden the bike alot... took it across the country and back. I take good care of it mechanically so I dont get stranded. I replaced the sprockets, chain, air filter, all fluids last season. And, of course, the oil has been changed on schedule with Rotella, every 3k miles and before and after storing for winter.
The bike has a fairly new (bought end of last season) Leo Vince SBK exhaust (mean sounding, $300 new), Frame sliders, swingarm spools, really nice Corbin seat ($260 new).
Spares: stock seat, stock exhaust, 04 yellow front fender (almost new)
These pictures are up to date... I tried to show the front fairing and the dent in the tank on the left side.
Lexington, KY, yellow 2004 sv650s, 25,000 miles and counting...
The bike has been down, front forks were replaced with 05 barely used forks and front rim was replaced with new from factory.
Front fairing is plastic welded together... quite a few cracks in the front fairing. A front fairing runs $240 from dealer. http://www.oneidasuzuki.com
The gas tank has a 3x2 inch dent in it, and paint inside that dent is scraped. I'd guess its probably $250 to fix... comparing to work a friend had done.
I have ridden the bike alot... took it across the country and back. I take good care of it mechanically so I dont get stranded. I replaced the sprockets, chain, air filter, all fluids last season. And, of course, the oil has been changed on schedule with Rotella, every 3k miles and before and after storing for winter.
The bike has a fairly new (bought end of last season) Leo Vince SBK exhaust (mean sounding, $300 new), Frame sliders, swingarm spools, really nice Corbin seat ($260 new).
Spares: stock seat, stock exhaust, 04 yellow front fender (almost new)
These pictures are up to date... I tried to show the front fairing and the dent in the tank on the left side.
The Itch
I've always wanted a motorcycle. Maybe it was Top Gun, or some other form of brainwashing that planted the seed in my psyche as a young boy, but I longed for two wheels. Living at home while going to college prevented it from becoming a reality for a while, although I was always too scared to get a bike anyway. I had a bad car crash in 2003, which made me completely abandon the idea. I guess there's something about laying in a bed for three months with a shattered pelvis that makes you second guess such seemingly unnecessary desires.
The truth is, my body is more fragile than most people; I still have 14 screws and two plates holding my pelvis together. It's been five years, but after some friends at work bought motorcycles, I once again had the itch. This time I wasn't going to let anything hold me back, so I hunted for ride- one with two less wheels than I was accustomed to.
The truth is, my body is more fragile than most people; I still have 14 screws and two plates holding my pelvis together. It's been five years, but after some friends at work bought motorcycles, I once again had the itch. This time I wasn't going to let anything hold me back, so I hunted for ride- one with two less wheels than I was accustomed to.
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