09-08-2009, 11:00 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Mid Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 21
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Just Started Riding Again This Year After a Few Decades
I learned to ride about three decades ago on a Honda 350 CL. I then bought a new Suzuki GS550E which was very smooth and quiet. I then had a few close calls but no accident and stopped riding. I am now 53 years old and I wanted to joy ride. I should mention that in my prior riding years I used the bike for everything, including commuting to work. I considered a scooter (for current use). The inexpensive scooters have a low top speed that I would consider dangerous. The scooters capable of 65mph cost way too much. I looked around and saw that the GZ250 was exactly what I wanted and in the right price range if I purchased a used bike. I shopped and waited and got a great deal on a 2002 with under 1500 miles with a new 3/4 Fulmer helmet that fit me perfectly and a jacket with back and arm armor.
So, I am now back on the road, but not for commuting (promised the wife I would not commute). I am having a blast discovering the county that I live in. In my four wheeled vehicle I always took the main roads for the shortest, quickest route. Now I go out of my way to discover what I had always been missing. Google maps helps me a lot, switching between the map and terrain views lets me get a sense of what roads night be more interesting. I am getting 68 mpg so I don't have to worry at all about the cost of a fill up. Currently, at 230 lbs, I am a little heavy for the bike but it does a great job of hauling my carcass over hills. I like to go out on weekend mornings , leaving at about 7:30am and taking 3 hours or so for riding. I never really appreciated the county I live in until I cruised it on a motorcycle. My bike is stock. I have a small cloth saddle bag set on the tail and I bought a stick-on clock for $3 from an auto parts store. I check the bike before every ride and I have adjusted the chain tension and checked the front brake pads so far. I have downloaded the service manual from this site (and Thanks for that!) and the parts manual too. My other hobby is pinball machines and I have a pinball friend that rides a big ol' HD. Well, that's all for now. tahnk you for this resource. Don Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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