hey y'all there are three of us over here in muskegon.   maby we can meet and ride to the bleassing of the bikes in may,there are tons of all kinds of bikes that go.  see y'all.

This cold crap is killing me. Can someone please make it get warmer out???  I was going to get a heated jacket liner so I could ride when it was a little colder out but the transmission on my car convienently just crapped out so there goes my tax return money.

I've heard and lived the term "Chillin" but four months of it is a bit much.  I'm with you -- even 45-50°F looks good right now.

Been riding to work for the last two days -- can handle the 15 minute trips, but these 24°F mornings bite. 

Hey everyone,
I agree with you on the "chillin" aspect of f---ing Michigan!  I rode my bike to work last sunday (about 29 degrees outside) coldest I've ever rode in!  Before I attempt a temperature like that again I'll wait for my new Teknic Sprint jacket!  I'm up for going riding virtually anywhere in the "general" S.E. michigan area.  Heck maybe we can try to organize a ride up to Traverse City I'm sure there are some great roads up that way!   

Good roads near Traverse City -- you got that right!!    

Spent a weekend up there and drove up into the Leelanau peninsula, then down the Lake Michigan side.  Sweet -- 22 is a twisty two-lane road, lots of scenery and very enjoyable all the way down to Frankfort.

You'd be hard-pressed to make it there, ride it and head back in one day.  Would be fun, just a very full day.

As a possibility we could try to organize a 2-day ride, one to get up there and ride around and then stay over at a camp ground or a motel and head back down the next day.  The cherry festival will be approaching as well.  Oh yah and as a side note I noticed one of the other members goes to Central, I graduated from Western in 2004, GO BRONCOS!!

Western SUCKS! Fire up Chips!!!

Sorry had to do it.

A Traverse City trip sounds cool. I like the camping idea. I stayed at a pretty nice campground in that area last year. Interlochen (sp?) I think it was, real nice place right on a lake. One question tho, being a new rider and all, how do you transport camping gear when you're on a bike?

Quote from: st8racin on March 23, 2006, 02:46:20 PM
... One question tho, being a new rider and all, how do you transport camping gear when you're on a bike?

Traveling light, strapping down bigger things with Bungie Cords, a Backpack for clothing and other light stuff and Motorcycle Luggage for all the little stuff.

Quote from: RedShift on March 23, 2006, 04:12:55 PM

Quote from: st8racin on March 23, 2006, 02:46:20 PM
... One question tho, being a new rider and all, how do you transport camping gear when you're on a bike?

Traveling light, strapping down bigger things with Bungie Cords, a Backpack for clothing and other light stuff and Motorcycle Luggage for all the little stuff.

I C. I guess my first time doing this is going to be one hell of a learning experience. 

Another option for the possible T.C. trip is to find a camp ground that offers cabins for relatively cheap then you wouldn't have to worry about a tent.  Just a thought....

Quote from: st8racin on March 23, 2006, 07:23:42 PM

Quote from: RedShift on March 23, 2006, 04:12:55 PM

Quote from: st8racin on March 23, 2006, 02:46:20 PM
... One question tho, being a new rider and all, how do you transport camping gear when you're on a bike?

Traveling light, strapping down bigger things with Bungie Cords, a Backpack for clothing and other light stuff and Motorcycle Luggage for all the little stuff.

I C. I guess my first time doing this is going to be one hell of a learning experience. 

There's always a chance to plan, purchase and practice. 

I've never had a need to do more than a day trip, so I can't be too instructional.  All I've got for luggage is a tail pack:



that's normally used for a 1/2 cover and my lunch bag for trips to work.  But others have packed the back end for camping, most noteably ManOfTheField (in his Upcoming Trip... pics! (warning, lotsa pics) thread):



Now that's a bike packed for camping!!

So this is a bit off topic but...

YAY I passed my riding class this weekend. Going to the SOS tomorrow to do the written part and I'll be good to go. 

Props to Sarah!  Good job!  Did you take the weekend long MSF course?  April 3rd will be the one year anniversary for me since I passed the MSF course.  (Even though you go to Central) CONGRATS!!     p.s. i'm just playin about the "Central" part....good job though!

Ok so I officially have my endorsement now but I'm a bit nervous about actually going out on the roads. At least by myself at first. My neighbor had been helping me with everything but just had to move for a job so I don't really have anybody to help me out now. Anybody have any tips for the trip on the road?

My brother in-law helped me out and took me to a school parking lot to practice U-turns, braking, and slow manuevers in general.  I plan on practicing all of those again this summer....start off slow.  Go to a school parking lot and practice for an hour or so.  When you feel comfortable enough stroll around your neighborhood then when you're ready try more traffic.  I also recommend reading some books on motorcycling I'm reading "More Proficient Motorcycling" buy David Hough (reading doesn't improve your skills but opens your eyes up to new possibilities and does teach you things).  It's then up to you to practice what the book teaches.

I recommend starting off by riding around your neighbourhood.  Usually not busy on the roads.  You practice clutch, throttle and brake control and don't travel more than 30 MPH.  Another benefit is low-speed control and plenty of opportunity for countersteering.

When you feel comfortable with that, head out onto more busy roads and do a lot of Right Turns until you get comfortable with traffic.  Use your mirrors a lot, get used to the movement of traffic.

Progress at your own pace.  Don't be in a hurry.  It's a jungle out there, but the Riding class has given you have the basis to survive.  Just practice and get used to your bike.

Agree that reading will help give you strategies.  David Hough't books are great -- have both. 

Yah i agree with the comment about David Hough so far....I also have Lee Parks "Total Control" book which I enjoyed quite a bit.  Not to mention the "binding" on the David Hough book is practically falling apart on me!  But, I do recommend the "Complete Idiots Guide to Motorcycling".  There are a few sections you'll already have knowledge of (i.e. the type of bike you like hence you have a GS500) but there is ALOT of good info in that book.  I'm still a Novice when it comes to actually riding a motorcycle but I've been exposed to MANY safety tips that I feel I will benefit from down the road.

I have both the Proficient Motorcycling and the Idiot's Guide so if you wanna borrow them, I have no beef with that.  (note they might have been chewed a little by the resident chinchillas but they are in good shape).  Anything I can do, let me know.

Interesting coincidence.  I also have the "Idiots Guide". 

Got it before my bike & explained a lot of stuff to consider about riding.  Good book, but in browsing it a copule of weeks back I came to the conclusion that I'm not an idiot anymore. 

Quote from: RedShift on March 29, 2006, 04:11:40 AM
Good book, but in browsing it a copule of weeks back I came to the conclusion that I'm not an idiot anymore. 

Well that would make one of us.