My grandpa just signed the title of his 1999 Honda Shadow VLX over to me yesterday. I'm excited, though discussions of personal injury are always humbling. I hope to use it in place of my enormous Ford Club Wagon and the Metro Transit bus system to commute to work during the warmer months. I've never ridden a motorcycle, so I am planning on getting my permit and taking the 14.5 hours course to get licensed.

This is not mine, but it is the same make/model/year:

Germ War wrote: I've never ridden a motorcycle, so I am planning on getting my permit and taking the 14.5 hours course to get licensed.

Just take it nice and easy and don't do more the you are comfortable with. Take the course and pay close attention and practice practice practice.

Most accidents happen to riders within the first 6 months of them ever riding. Not that it can't happen after that but that is the statistical result. Be aware and be defensive and most importantly be safe. Riding is one of the most dangerous things you can do so don't ever forget that. It is also one of the most fun.

And for fuck's sake wear a helmet, wear gloves, wear boots and wear either a leather or armored jacket. If you only pick one to wear then pick the helmet.

hey Code,
You interested in selling the Batavus?
I've been kind of looking for a cafe.

No pictures, but I have:
2002 Kawasaki Eliminator 125 (that's 125 cubic centimeters, folks.)
1978 Garelli Eureka Moped, modded with a 70cc speed kit, 19mm racing carb and some whitewalled tires. Oh yeah, it's glow in the dark green too.
can go +50.

At first I thought about getting a Vespa but I needed something that could take me out of town and the Vespa's that have that kind of power are just as expensive as an H-D Sportster, so I got the Sportster instead.

El Protoolio wrote:Just take it nice and easy and don't do more the you are comfortable with. Take the course and pay close attention and practice practice practice.

Most accidents happen to riders within the first 6 months of them ever riding. Not that it can't happen after that but that is the statistical result. Be aware and be defensive and most importantly be safe. Riding is one of the most dangerous things you can do so don't ever forget that. It is also one of the most fun.

And for fuck's sake wear a helmet, wear gloves, wear boots and wear either a leather or armored jacket. If you only pick one to wear then pick the helmet.

Definitely.

I told my grandpa and all my friends who've expressed concern about this latest venture: I'm easily the LAST person who wants to see me get hurt, so naturally, I am going to take all the precautions to help insure that it doesn't happen.

This is also why I want to take the course instead of getting instructed by friends, etc. 4.5 hours of classroom training followed by 10 hours of on-bike action.

Sock OR Muffin? wrote: I plan on getting a Vespa later this Spring.

So I got a 2006 Vespa LX150 in April. I'm signed up for the MSF this Friday. Can't wait.

And for fuck's sake wear a helmet, wear gloves, wear boots and wear either a leather or armored jacket. If you only pick one to wear then pick the helmet.

I wear all of the above, full face helmet too. Peoples in the cars is crazy.

My new baby, she's a rocket!