I'm gettin' my bike tomorrow!

Thanks guys! I'm definately going to be on the defensive--my Dad, husband, and sister's boyfriend all ride, so I have horror stories like crazy about other drivers causing accidents because they didn't even see the bike. It's not whether or not your paranoid--it's whether or not you're paranoid enough!

 

Ok, so here are the pictures I promised!

The actual bike in my driveway:



Me on the actual bike in my driveway:




Not quite what ya'll were hoping for I'm sure, but bikinis aren't for riding in....

 

Nice bike, nice price, great on gas. It looks like it's perfect for you.

 

Bike looks like it fits you perfect. Good luck with it and stay safe!

 

Thanks guys!

And if I'm ever in Jersey mjp2, I'll definately wave! Already, trusting my instincts (which say "trust no one") has saved me from somebody running a stop sign AND someone pulling out of their driveway in front of me. And I've only been on the bike for three days on sidestreets! So I'm definately going with that advice!

Congrats hodge! Sounds like a cool ride!

 

You sound like you have the mindset. Noticed all the proper gear in your picture. Helmet, boots, long pants, and jacket. Please don't forget the gloves even when it warms up. God forbid you do have to bail it's just human nature to put your hands out first to cushion a fall, ect.. Also find you a big parking lot like a church that's not busy and practice emergency stops and turns. That front brake can be your friend but under the wrong conditions it changes sides.

 

Thanks 4x4! The gloves are there--just in my pockets for the picture! I've heard horror stories about grabbing a handful of front brake too--to the point that I'm fairly paranoid about doing it since I have no desire to fly! As soon as school is out, I'll be hanging out in the high school's big ass parking lot, but right now its full of cars.

 

Congrats on the new bike! There are more & more women riding now & I think it's cool.
A lot of people have made valid points & I'm sure that your hubby & friends know the ropes too.
It looks like you're going in the right direction with gear & taking it easy on side streets. You will learn a lot each time you ride. I think the most important in the beginning is getting used to counter steering, how to properly brake, knowing when to brake & not to brake i.e. in a corner etc...

The bike looks great & it fits you well. Enjoy your bike for a long time to come. Once you get some time under your belt you can trade in your horse for some more giddyup.

 

CONGRATS!!!!!! be careful and keep the rubber side down they look better standing up than they do laying down.

i hit a curb on my yamaha the second day i had it.... only doing about 10 mph, but it sure hurt my pride

 

you 2 look good together. i can see you rollin' up to your english class on it. have fun and be safe. thanx for sharing

 

Thanks guys!

I'll get there someday--after I master hills...lotta hills on the way in to work! LOL! I have all summer before the next semester, so we'll see. Funny you should mention that tho--Hubby ran into one of my former students at the drugstore and told her about the bike. He said her response was "She was the coolest english teacher ever, and now she's even cooler!" ROFL! Made me blush--I don't think of myself that way!

 

Charli, do ya ever sleep? Every time I log on it seems like you're on too. I guess that must say something about me also. I love TacomaWorld.

 

Not nearly as much as I would like to! I was up late grading final papers, and now I'm up early to get my son off to school. I probably could have gotten slightly more than five hours of sleep last night if I hadn't stopped by TW, but what fun is life without sleep deprivation? I mean, I just put coffee creamer in the little one's milk cup, and heaven help those kids whose papers I still have to grade today....LOL! Only 11 more (110 pages total!) to go!

 

Just be safe out there and don't forget to ride like you're invisible. ATGATT (all the gear all the time), don't be a squid! Here's a photo of my black beauty:

 

Thanks Gorilla! Very nice bike! Black is good too!