Soooo...there's this motorcycle...

[soldiergrrrl]

I got for Christmas. This one:



and I'm finally out and about on it a bit.  I'm nervous as hell, lemme tell you.  NERVOUS.  She's bigger than my last bike, and has a fair amount of power, but I love her.  (Her name's Rook, in case anyone wants to know.)

(God, this is sooooooo disjointed.)

I've taken the basic rider's course, and did pretty well.  Slow speed stuff makes me wibbly, but I'm getting better.  I took her to the gas station to fill up and got in and out okay, although it took me a lot longer than it should have to actually feel like I had enough room to make the turn, and the subsequent right hand turn to get home. 

Liam has been out riding with me, and we've got headsets, so he's been wonderful about keeping me focused and steady.  :-)

The only thing that makes me nervous is that he's a much better rider than I am and he's way more comfy on his bike.  See:  Much better rider.  :-)  He's apologized for seeming like a hard ass about getting me out and around, and if I feel like he's pushing me to go faster or on bigger roads than I feel ready for, I'm supposed to tell him. 

This is going to become my commuter bike, although that's a bit off in the future.  Getting to work is one thing, since traffic is pretty light at 0600, but 1630 is a whole different animal and the idea of stop and go on an overpass makes me want to barf. 

Headsets are charging, and we'll be heading out again after dinner to make the inner loop, and whatnot.  We'll see how it goes.

Comments

[tashabear.livejournal.com]

Try taking the Experienced Rider Course -- similar to the BRC, but on your bike. Getting input from the RiderCoaches on how to do those exercises on your own bike can only be helpful.

ETA: Also? BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

The ERC that I'm going to take requires a year of riding, or 3000 miles. I'm going to start keeping track and do it ASAP.

As for Best Present Evar? I know, right?

[tashabear.livejournal.com]

That year doesn't have to be on that bike, though -- surely you have a cumulative 3000 miles from your previous bike plus this one?

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh man...I *might* have had that much time. My last bike and I didn't have much time together before it was stolen. :-(

[tashabear.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, that just BITES. One of my friends had his Hayabusa stolen from outside his house... I can't even imagine.

[montieth.livejournal.com]

Nice.

[mcd000.livejournal.com]

Rook?

You didn't name your bike after the female red cyclone pilot from Robotech (GC:Mospeada), Rook Bartley, did you?

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

You get a geek cookie, my dear.

[mcd000.livejournal.com]

YAAAAAY!!!!

A geek cookie? Yer lucky I'm not trying to ship you a whole SDF-1 Ice Cream Cake!

Which, you know, I used to have the layouts for... >.>

[cenliamgordon.livejournal.com]

Want layouts for SDF-1.... Want them... LOL

My bike is named Rand...

[dracphelan.livejournal.com]

I love what you named your bike because of this. Though, I might have named it Miriya, since she flew a red veritech fighter.

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...I mostly named her Rook for the Cyclone part. :-D

Although it sounded cool too.

[dracphelan.livejournal.com]

BTW, did you know that all of the US Robotech episodes and the sequel movie are available on Netflix download?

[unteins.livejournal.com]

I didn't see this post soon enough to ask that same question, but it seemed pretty likely :)

[ladytwnks.livejournal.com]

oh how lovely!! and yes, the more you ride the more comfortable you'll be. i know i'm terribly uncomfortable driving anymore since Himself does most of the driving.

enjoy the good weather! enjoy the bike! and i agree, that's a pretty darn spiffy gift!!

[thatpotteryguy.livejournal.com]

OMG, that is a *sexy* bike.

"(Her name's Rook, in case anyone wants to know.)"

Of course it is. How could it be anything else? But I see someone else caught the reference first.

[pancua.livejournal.com]

yay for getting out and riding!

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

Wow that's a beauty of a bike. Cool that you've got someone to help coach you while you get comfortable with it.

[moropus.livejournal.com]

Very pretty.

Bike

[sappersdad.livejournal.com]

Pretty. Is Dekarch getting one?

Re: Bike

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Probably not. The requirements to ride, if you're active duty are just...nuts.

That and he's just not that interested, although he's cool with being married to a biker babe. :-D

[malkinallardsen.livejournal.com]

the bike, eet is BEAUTIFUL!!

Mine is named 'James' ..... as in .... "Home, James"

makes me giggle a lot.

riding .... ROCKS!! just sayin.

requirements to get on base with one just plain suck.

and

riding .... ROCKS!!

oh ... I already said that!

semi-sorry!

just a little jazzed for you is all