1st Cycle ride '07

[amd65]

Well, I started up my 1985 Kawasaki 454LTD today, and took it for a ride. Not far, just a couple loops around my city. It is sunny, 40-something and windy, with patches of snow still on the ground.
Bought the bike three summers ago for a whopping $800, and have put about 5000 miles on it over three years.
Ohio is a great place to buy used bikes, as they are only ridden a few monthes out of the year.
Earliest I've been out, and what a blast to open it up on a straight two-lane and get it up to 60 in seconds. I'm ready for the summer!!

[jlpskydive]

I fierd up my Triumph yesterday for the first time in a while also. We are spoiled here in NC and I have been negelecting her.

[Grasshopper]

I'm still looking at my 1998 suzuki Bandit 1200 under the tarp. I sold my first bike, well more of a trade. My old Honda cx 500c v2. I'm going to be 40 this year and I really appreciate driving a motorcycle. I havn't driven my bandit more than 10 feet. Going from a 500v to a 1200 monster is going to be interesting. Pray for me.:thumbup:

[amd65]

How did you like the cx500? thats a bike on the used market that interests me--especially the 650 silverwing version.

[texlurch]

Grasshopper, no worries! Just respect the old beast... they make lots of torque.

I have a 01 Bandit 1200, wayy too much fun. Wife has a Ninja 250 that we are fixing to upgrade to a 650, she said she wants a "grown-up bike"! LOL!!

[jlpskydive]

I'm still looking at my 1998 suzuki Bandit 1200 under the tarp. I sold my first bike, well more of a trade. My old Honda cx 500c v2. I'm going to be 40 this year and I really appreciate driving a motorcycle. I havn't driven my bandit more than 10 feet. Going from a 500v to a 1200 monster is going to be interesting. Pray for me.:thumbup:

You don't drive them you ride them and remember no matter how big the bike it will only go as fast as your right wrist tells it to. Enjoy and ride safe.

[MID]

You don't drive them you ride them and remember no matter how big the bike it will only go as fast as your right wrist tells it to. Enjoy and ride safe.

If its a dirt bike, you dont even ride them. You can hang on and let the bike do what its gotta do. haha

[jlpskydive]

My XR is an unruley beast also.

[DaCapster]

Got out a bit this weekend as well, It was only 90 F. The CB900F is mine....other a Duc 749~

[amd65]

While my 454 may seem small in displacement, it has big bike attitude. When Kawasaki built it, they took the 900cc Ninja four cylinder, cut it in half, and made a two cylinder. It is a street cruiser-style bike with kicked out forks and a step seat--looks like a mini chopper with it's teardrop tank.
Weighs less than 400lbs, and really gets up and goes. No problem cruising at 70 on the highway with brief spurts to 85 for passing. I love it!

[pigpen]

I think kawasaki renamed the 454 & called it a Vulcan. Used to have a Vulcan 500 but it needed a lot of work and I didn't have the cash so I sold it. One of the worst mistakes I ever made.

[WildBillCody]

I had mine out the past couple of nights, I ride it to work.. Saves gas money too. I can ride 9 months out of the year here, that is really going to change next year when I move back east.

[bullseye]

I learned how to ride on a CX500 custom. One heavy SOB, but rode so smooth. Next bike was a Honda Rebel 450 and loved it. So quiet the dogs didn't even hear me till I hit the door. :)

[jfowl31]

I pulled out my Diamondback the other day and peddled really fast down one of the long hills in my neighborhood. She gets infinity MPG, and is all of 1 MP (man-power not horse-power). But with the gear setup, Im getting at least 20 ft lbs of torque.

Life on the open road FOREVER!

[Darkwatch]

Nice rides guys! I have not had mine out this year yet...:icon_cry: here are some pics first is my Kawasaki KLR650
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j65/darkwatch70/2006_1105Image0002.jpg
and here is my suzuki bandit 1200
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j65/darkwatch70/18.jpg
The wife has a Yamaha FZR 600 and a 50cc scooter I'm in MN so it will be a few more weeks before regular(all be it cold) riding can begin.

[amd65]

Nice...I like the KLR650. 650cc's is about as big a bike as I want, though I would go for a nice classic Honda CB750 if I found one. A Goldwing is on my short list, as well. I rode an 1100 Goldwing a couple years ago, and it left a good impression on me. Made in Ohio, also.

[DaCapster]

Nice naked 1200..... I about bought one but my wife wouldn't have it at the time....(ex now)

[pidaster]

I've ridden every month of the year. Sometimes in as cold as the teens outside. Since last June I've put over 4,000 miles on the new bike. I have a 98 Kawasaki Police 1000 and a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Might get me an old Honda 250 dirt bike.

[Jagman]

Heres my Japanese Ducati, a Honda V-twin 996cc VTR superhawk.
I now ride mainly in the winter months down here in the swamp, just too hot in leathers stuck in traffic.........
Usually get up into the Smoky mountains once a year with my riding buddies, the Cherroholla skyway/ Dragons tail area for you Guys up that way.
Jagman

[Buelligan]

Rip up the road my Brothers and sisters,MOTO riding is one of our rights I dont think they can ever take a way from us. I ride My 93 Harley FXR and 2000 BUELL M2 all year intill the roads ice over. I still wish I dident sell my 78 BMW S 1000 last month, but a 1200 MONSTER is on its way.

[bataanboy]

I helped my Son push his GSXR 600 from the shed to the garage last Saturday. We put the charger on it for a few hours and it started right up. He's still young enough to ride in 30 degree weather. I'll drag my 74 Z1 out when the yard dries up. And it gets 20 degrees warmer.

[tanstaafl4y]

Hmm I think I have the shortest ride of the year so far. Back in January we had some warm weather (60's) so I changed the oil, checked tires, and charged the battery on my 76 Triumph bonneville.

I drove up and down the drive way a few times to check my brkes told the fiancee I was going on a short test ride (5 miles round trip) I rode 1/4 mile and pushed 1/4 mile back. Stupid 30 year old wiring harness.

(I have an intermittant short that I haven't been able to chase down yet.)

[jlpskydive]

Hmm I think I have the shortest ride of the year so far. Back in January we had some warm weather (60's) so I changed the oil, checked tires, and charged the battery on my 76 Triumph bonneville.

I drove up and down the drive way a few times to check my brkes told the fiancee I was going on a short test ride (5 miles round trip) I rode 1/4 mile and pushed 1/4 mile back. Stupid 30 year old wiring harness.

(I have an intermittant short that I haven't been able to chase down yet.)

Lucas electronics "The Prince of Darkness"