Hello, from new GS500 Owner

[RedShift]

Always wear your gear.  Think about what would happen if you fall off at 20 mph, 40, 60.  Ever fall off a bicycle at 10 mph and fall on pavement.  Scaped my palms, elbows, and knees.  That was 40 years ago and I never leave home on a bike without my gear on.

It's the What If game.  Play it every time you ride.   

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

1) Ride around the neighborhood a bit
2) Think to yourself, "This isn't so bad.  Not that much scarier than the MSF bikes."
3) Decide to actually crack the throttle and see what she can do.
4) Poop your pants.

Aaron, were you following me when I took my bike out the day I passed my MSF?

[fodder650]

God's honest truth

On the way to get my bike I stopped at Ray's Yamaha in Exeter, Pa. This was to buy a new helmet. Because I was going to get myself one of those cool full face helmets that the whole chin piece opens up on. Since I get really claustorphobic in normal full face helmets. And I was set to get a one of those jackets with the spine protetion because i saw two of them in the NE PA Meet thread. Plus a new set of gloves.

I was going to be prepared for the top half of my body.

Then even the full face that opens up made me feel bad in it. So i went with another open face helmet with a bigger shield. And they had no decent jackets. So I gave up and grabbed the bike. Hoped that the ride would be safe. Planned out my route to wear I could keep the speeds down and not be harrased by trucks and other cars to much and set out. This was going to be the last chance to get my bike moved for a couple more weeks. And i hated leaving it outside when i had  garage for her.

So outside of that one time i touched 70 and the bit where i acted stupid on a  backroad and opened it up to 8000 rpm in first and second. I tried to ride very conservative. Since I was still rusty and I was sure my bike was to.

So yes this is a long way of saying that I was thinking about what I was doing. I live in a state without helmet laws. Where I see more people on harleys and sportbikes with their skulls out in the open

[Kerry]

I live on the edge of the mountains and i have some great roads to ride around within 10 miles of my home.

While I might disagree about calling them "mountains" (highest point in Pennsylvania is 3,213 feet )  I bet your terrain has many more paved "motorcycle roads" through them than the Wasatch Front that runs past my place.

Kinda like the Ozarks in Missouri / Arkansas, or the Smokies or Appalachians.  More deer than out here, but more motorcycle "Nirvana" too when it comes to curvy roads.

[fodder650]

Actually there are some proper skiing mountains out here. But yes its mostly tall hills. Plus being out towards the Lebanon/Lancaster area of Pennsylvania gives me a lot of roads going through farms. You have a wide view on both side of the roads and great scenary beyond it. As long as you keep an eye out for horse and buggies of course.

I've lived in Southeast PA all my life and believe me I know to look for Deer.  Thats why I like these roads wide enough to see those white tails grazing or coming towards the road.