Wednesday, August 29, 2012

The other day, when I was at Mountain Motorsports picking up my light bar and I saw this motorcycle on display in the showroom. It is in great shape, I like it's cafe racer good looks. I'm pretty sure it is just on display for all to enjoy and not for sale!

HONDA OEM Chrome Light Bar Shadow Aero - first look inside the box

Monday, August 27, 2012




I was thinking, for anyone such as myself who was wanting to own and ride their own motorcycle that I should talk about the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) classes. Specially, for new riders that would be the Basic Rider Course (BRC).

While Bill and I were out perusing a lot of different motorcycle shops in our area and beyond, I met many fine sales people whose goal was not just to help me realize my dream of motorcycle ownership but to make sure I did it safely and skillfully!  They all recommended the MSF classes.

Over the next couple of months, all the while still checking out motorcycle shops, I logged onto the MSF website http://www.msf-usa.org many times.  Finally, I pulled the trigger and scheduled a class for early April.  The BRC is a 2 1/2 day class, either a full weekend or Tues-Thurs.  I chose the weekday class, it saved me $25 and I thought it might be more low-key and might be people more my own age.  

So, first day of class rolls around.  There were nine of us in my class; I believe the max is twelve.  We were a cross section, one woman motorcycle rider -me, two women scooter riders, a husband of one of the scooter riders who was an experienced rider but felt he could learn from this class, a young military vet, a man who had raced cars and now wanted to ride with his friends, an older retired vet who had flown helicopters, a young guy planning to buy a sport bike, and another retired man who just wanted to ride - like me!  They were all a bunch of very nice people.

The two instructors were absolutely great.  We had instruction in the classroom and outside on the course.  We were assigned loaner motorcycles, CBR250's I think.  They would also loan you a helmet, I brought my own. 

So what makes this such a great class and why do I think everyone should take it?  

You will learn mental and physical skills and tactics to be a safer motorcyclist.   There is a wealth of information and discussion in the classroom that was invaluable.  You will practice riding and learn maneuvering on the outside course. I learned many things that hopefully will keep me safer on the road.  

The first time you drop your motorcycle as many new riders do, it will be theirs and not yours.  I did this and I learned why I did it and hopefully I won't do it again.

Upon passing the written test and the riding test, you will receive a certificate. Here in Georgia this certificate allows you to waive any road or written test at the DMV to get your motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license.  Just walk up to the counter and show the certificate, pretty slick.  Show your certificate and many shops will also give you a discount on your first accessory purchase from them.

In hindsight, am I glad I took this class - absolutely!  I don't think my early days of riding would have gone as well without this class.  It was a lot of fun.  It was also a personal challenge (I love a challenge).  My son's friend's wife had just completed the class with a 100 on the written test and a 95 on the riding test and I wanted to at least match that and I did!






Friday, August 17, 2012


I am a lucky one.  I have a great husband who was happy to have me riding two up with him on his bike.  However, I sensed that he was kind of stressed with me back there, concerned about my welfare.  I think he imagined me falling off or falling asleep so I decided it was time to really concern him and get my own motorcycle.  Don't worry, he is fine with this.

I did a lot of internet research and we visited many local dealerships and shops.  So, after quite a few weeks of thinking and planning, I took the next step.  I enrolled in a msf, motorcycle safety foundation, beginner rider's class.  I'll go into more depth, as well as other topics, about the class in a future entry. I got my motorcycle endorsement on my license.  

We shopped for my first motorcycle.  One choice recommended to me, was the Vulcan 500, no longer in production but the prices we found for a used one seemed a little high.  I ended up with my first bike, a Suzuki S40. I chose to start with a smaller bike and I am glad I did. The S40 only weighs about 380 lbs. so easy for me to maneuver but it felt too light at high speeds.  The aftermarket mods available for it are pretty much nonexistent. 

Which brings me up to the present, 4 months later, and my second motorcycle which I am really crazy about.  It's a Honda Shadow Aero VT750C.  It is a 2011 model, brand new, so the price was right especially after trading up just 4 months later. It's bigger, 560 lbs., fits me great and has a beautiful solid candy dark red color paint job.  I have some mods already in mind and look forward to making my Aero very much mine! 



Ride safely!