New Member introduction

[joppabell]

Hi I'm a 73 year old General Electric jet engine designer retired since 98. Lost my wife of 53 years back in Oct of 2008. I've owned a Tomos moped for 5 years and January of this year I bought a 2009 Suzuki gz250 at my sons bidding. He, my son, did not like the idea of my riding on the side of the road on a moped. My hobbies and likes are Bible study at the assisted living place where my wife spent her last few months as an alzheimer patient, clock repair, woodworking and RC model airplanes. I live in the seaport city of Newburyport, Mass.

[Fish Baseball]

Welcome aboard, and yes, I agree with your son on this, the GZ will take better care of you than the scooter. Enjoy the bike, and keep it upright! Nice looking ride too.

[patrick_777]

Welcome to the board!

[blaine]

Welcome to the fourm.Your G.Z. Will give you plenty of injoyment.

[Water Warrior 2]

Welcome joppabell. The GZ is a great bike. You will find yourself venturing further from home as you get comfy with the bike and it's abilities.

[Maggie]

Welcome Joppabell! Have fun reading through the archives to learn a lot about this wonderful little bike!

[alanmcorcoran]

Jop,

I rode a moped in college and it was what got me interested in getting a motorcycle. Finally got one (about 32 years later!) and then a second one. Even though you've got the experience on the moped, I think there's at least a year of natural "ramp-up" time on the motorcycle (until you really get the hang of it.) Many of us have benefitted from reading Proficient Motorcyling (perhaps you can switch that off with studying The Good Book.)

Take your time, stick to familiar, lightly travelled roads in the beginning. Assume no one can see you and be especially vigilant in intersections. After a while you will develop the habits that help avoid many common mishaps. A helmet, armored jacket, pants, boots and gloves are also a good idea.

Sorry to hear about your wife. Alzheimer's is tough.

Enjoy your new adventure. It's a lot of fun.

[alantf]

Hi there, & welcome.


I notice that you haven't got an engine guard fitted. I've sort of got a bee in my bonnet about NEVER riding without one. It's not so much about protecting the engine, as protecting your legs if the bike goes over. Last year I got sideswiped, & the bike went down. only thing that saved my leg from being trapped (& burned) under the bike was the engine guard (or crash bars as they're known in England) It's a 5 minute job to fit them, so PLEASE give it some thought. :2tup:

[joppabell]

Thanks for all the replies. When I bought the bike in Jan I also sign up for MSF course (motorcycle safety foundation) which here in Mass has a course consisting of one day of classroom and two days of range sessions. If successfully completed I will receive my license without taking the test at the RMV. I understand the instructor is like my old drill sargeant. I'm glad about that. Thanks and keep me in your jprayers

[mole2]

Welcome aboard joppabell. I'm a newbie also and took the MSF course in January. Like your class it was one evening classroom and two days of training on the bike. I think it was very worthwhile. We had a small class so it was even better for us in that we got some real attention. The two instructors were great. Good luck with the class and I'll keep you in my prayers.