Today’s number: 17
Here’s my bike:
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In case you haven’t been reading my other motorcycle blogs, it’s a Suzuki V-Strom 650 ABS (affectionately referred to as a “Weestrom” in reference to the larger 1000cc version of the same bike). In case you’re wondering, it’s considered a “dual sport” bike, but it’s mostly built for road (as opposed to dirt) use. Its a fuel-injected, chain driven bike with a 2 cylinder 650cc engine. Its also got ABS brakes which should, hopefully, prevent wheel lockups and endos (see video below for definition): |
So, Ive been riding now for about a week and a half or so. Ive put in about 120 miles during that time. Alot of this has been around my neighborhood, but Ive also ventured out to work and out to some faster country lanes where I could go 45 mph or so. Ive yet to make it to the highway.
At this point, I feel pretty comfortable dealing with the mechanics of the bike: shifting, braking, turning on (and off) turn indicators. I can take a ride and focus on traffic and crash avoidance instead of the operation of the bike.
I am still working on being smooth: shifting well, taking turns with a good apex, stopping effectively. I know that I still need to work on slow-speed maneuvering. Last weekend I dropped the bike while trying to perform slow-speed figure eights inside a 20′x40′ rectangle. I know the broken parts cost $50 but Ive yet to hear what my dealer will want for labor. Although Im bummed about dropping the bike, Im glad to have gotten it out of the way as everyone ends up dropping a bike sooner or later.
Tomorrow, I get the rest of my bikes accessories installed: grip heaters, hand protectors, a centerstand and a touring seat. Ill give it a couple of weeks and then Ill order my crash bars and luggage system (maybe a skid plate, too). Finally, somewhere down the line I want to add some electronics (tunes + communications).
I take my safety class this week and hope to have my endorsement next week. This will mostly mean that I can ride at night without breaking any laws and that my insurance company will be happy.
My next challenges are highway driving and taking some longer trips. That and, of course, slow speed figure eights.