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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1214526211 Message started by Blissing on 06/26/08 at 17:23:30 |
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Title: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by Blissing on 06/26/08 at 17:23:30 Long story short: Six month ago, biker bf helped me buy an '04 Savage with only 600 miles on it. I've put maybe 150 on it since then. First it was too cold and rainy, then I got sick, then the breakup last month made me sad every time I even thought about riding. Oh, and he's also a bike mechanic, to top off how wretched the whole thing is. I'm a new rider at 45 years old, and whenever I ride now I feel like I'm freefalling. Like something's gonna happen and I won't know how to handle it. And even though everything about riding still hurts, it's still fun and I want to do it anyway, so enough gory details! I have questions about really basic things, like what do I do if I get a flat tire (can't call the ex even though he has a van w/ramp and everything--wah!). I have AAA for my car--is there something similar for bikes? I'm pretty mechanical and I've purchased the Clymer manual, but are there repair classes anywhere? I live in the East Bay (San Francisco). Is the best thing for carrying things saddlebags? I have a sissy bar--should I start with some bungee cords? I have more questions but more than answers I'd appreciate some encouragement on how to keep riding on my own, your own stories about that, even how to get myself out more--what types of errands do you run on your bikes, when is it too much hassle or not? Thanks, I like the atmosphere in this forum! |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by serowbot on 06/26/08 at 17:52:30 Ride around and enjoy yourself and you'll meet other guys and gals with lots of connections, trailers, and knowledge. He's not the only biker boyfriend on the block. As for bags, well mounted saddle-bags are very practical if you like the look. I don't, so I take an over the shoulder man-bag if I plan on shopping,.. if I'm caught off guard, I still find a way to get it home. I've ridden with two loaves of bread stuffed under my t-shirt. ...It's like an edible airbag. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 06/26/08 at 18:13:37 Riding is good therapy so the sadness should dissipate in short time. Between the Clymers and this forum, you'll be in good hands. I think my wife recently asked AAA about motorcycle tows, I think the answer was negative, but you should double check, sometimes whatever underpaid clerk that answers the phone will have a different story everytime. Ride every day it aint raining. Got to go to the store?, take the bike. Ride to work. The more you ride, the better you get. I just started two seasons ago, 54 now, and I'm having more fun than I could ever imagine. Rode home from work last night, changed clothes then took a big loop out to the beach and back, about 2 hour ride. Was perfect. 8-) |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by Charon on 06/26/08 at 18:33:39 I have an "RV Roadhelp" plan sold through Allstate Motor Club. It covers every motor vehicle we own, including motorcycles. The phone number on the card is 800-786-2277. It claims to pay for the tow to the nearest facility qualified to work on whatever vehicle you are driving. It paid to tow my old motor home over 50 miles. When my KLR 650 developed a flat, the nearest open motorcycle shop was something like 60 miles away. In due time two guys with a pickup truck and a motorcycle trailer, and tiedowns, appeared. They took the bike and me to the dealership, and there was no charge to me other than the repair. I'd have to ask my wife, but it seems to me the charge is something like $100 per year. We have kept that policy specifically because it covers the motorcycles. Every so often we get offers from one or another auto club, but we haven't found another that covers bikes. I understand others do exist. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by zilla on 06/26/08 at 18:33:54 One of the things I carry on my bicycle as well as the motorcycle is a musette bag. A cycling musette bag to be spicific. http://www.imadm.com/for_sale/items/musette_bag_maxxis/maxxis_musette_side1-b.jpg It's very light weight and can be folded up into your back pocket. But it's spacious enough for 4 bottles of wine and then some. It's used by road racers for the team manager to hand up food and fresh water bottles to a team domestique who in turn schleps the goods up the peloton to his team mates. (4 bottles is the most I've carried in one) I take one along always because I never really know when I'm going to want a fresh bottle when I get home. As far as knowing who to call if you have troubles. You need to just meet some people to ride with every now and then. And keep thier numbers handy. Same with cycling for me, when someone is in trouble with a flat they can't fix or a broken bike, it's off to the rescue. Honor code, you do it for them, they do it for you. NO money, just appreciation and maybe a beer. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by thumperclone on 06/26/08 at 18:56:00 think if you have AAA for your cage you can get bike policy get a bungie net or two =more better than cords then decide on bags if you know which end of a screwdriver to use you can peform basic maintaince with your clymers and a good set of tools..i can do it but i pay the dealer to adjust my valves.. do my own oil changes as far as the ex: "cows may come and cows may go but the bull goes on forever" < translate(edit) as you wish take a nice ride to a senic spot come home and toast his departure with a double shot and move one(ride first double after bike is put to bed) edit/p.s. take a scoot up to napa valley and spend the nite at a winery with a b&b |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by verslagen1 on 06/26/08 at 19:06:06 I don't know where you're at but AAA in Calif offer an RV/Motorcycle upgrade to the car membership. Just peace of mind. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by T Mack 1 on 06/26/08 at 19:46:47 Blissing, Did you take the Motorcycle safety course??? If not, take it, it will help a lot. You will also meet other new bikers that would probably be willing to go on some rides with you ( if you don't go too fast for them .... ;) ) T Mack |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by mick on 06/26/08 at 23:02:06 I use a back pack,if you adjust the straps correctly you will find the weight sits on the pillion seat. Another tip, if you can put new tires on at the start of the season do so,or at least change the worst one,next year the other one,and so on. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by Paladin. on 06/26/08 at 23:15:20 1A34312B2B31363F580 wrote:
Steered you to a rather nice bike -- if you ever run into him, back up and run over him again and thank him. http://paladin.savageriders.com/images/AAA.jpg When I went on my little 2300 mile putt the Wife added me to her AAA. In Texas I pulled up to a MacDonalds, opened my laptop, got a WiFi signal, went in for lunch and to update the internet. About a hour later a gentleman mentioned I had left my lights on (key in ignition, on position, SIGH!) Called AAA, got a jump, all the guy wanted to see was my AAA card. They also fix things, if they can't fix they'll tow upto 100 miles. Free of charge. I have Leatherlyke saddlebags -- panniers actually since they are hard cases that only look like leather. 18 quart / 20 pound capacity each side. Can be removed and replaced in just a few seconds. And they LOCK, which is a pretty big deal in the city with Light-Finger-Louie walking past. $430, but I've had them 3.5 years, have laid the bike on it's side and they held the bike up, and they still look good. A bag will hold a five-liter box of wine. ALSO have a couple of bungie cords hooked to rear fender lip up across around sissybar, across to fender lip. (makes an XX.) For things too bulky for the bags -- such as a case of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. For touring I have a 21" carry-on suitcase that slips onto the sissybar: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1177262289 The MC makes a FANTASTIC shopping cart. At Ralph's I pull up onto the sidewalk beside the door, assuming the employee with the 'Wing isn't there. Other places use the painted triangle at the end of the parking lane, next to the cart corral, etc.. None of this hunt for a space nonsense. Only one complaint in over three years, and I'll not go back to Wallmart due to one of their underpaid employees with delusions of authority. p.s. Also have a Laptop Backpack -- my laptop doesn't fit the saddlebag. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by FreeSpirit on 06/26/08 at 23:22:50 Hi , When I first got my bike I knew of some Motorcycle Clubs in the area and went to some of their meetings,rides,etc. If you can find some in your area,just hang out awhile and get to know new people. Also bike events,go hang out,buy stuff,talk to people.There are lists online. Bikers are around,just start up a conversation and maybe even meet some to ride with! Go to local bike shops,you'll meet people there.Do whatever it takes to build up your confidence. As someone said take the MSF course. There are local tech/vocational schools that sometimes teach Motorcycle Maintenance or Repair. The options are endless really! And probably when you learn to ride,or gain confidence and venture out further ,you'll meet more people! As far as carrying stuff,I use/ and like my saddle bags. And hang out here ,there could even be people here that are in your area. You never know :) And I think someone mentioned,the more you ride the more comfortable you get. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by Blissing on 06/27/08 at 00:00:36 Thanks, people! I will look into AAA and see what they say about towing help. Also get a bungee net and look into those saddlebags. I will pick up liquor and wine on my bike. And my toast will be "good riddance". I've taken the MSF course, and I want to take the more advanced one, just need to rack up the miles. (The hardest part) I will try to meet people! I'm really such a loner. And I haven't been on the freeway yet! Thanks again. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by PerrydaSavage on 06/27/08 at 00:47:46 Welcome aboard Blissing! Sorry to hear about your personal woes ... but if buddy didn't stick around, then he ain't worth havin' around IMHO ... check out some local Bike Nites ... usually Thursday evenings at a popular local coffee shop or other watering hole ... usually lotsa Bikes to meet and people to oogle! Good Luck ... and ENJOY Ridin' that Savage! |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by ALittlebird on 06/27/08 at 02:00:23 Hey Blissing I am a new rider at 50. But I got mine after I broke up with my ex. ;) I joined Motorcycle Towing Service - the AAA of motorcycles - since KY AAA doesn't do motorcycles. In California you have it better than we do. I have saddlebags but right now I left my Dowco overnighter bag on the bike and I think I like it even better! I can thrown in my work clothes and other stuff just fine without the risk of getting them dirty. it also holds plenty of groceries for just me. In my saddlebags I also carry a cargo net that I can throw on stuff on the pillion seat if I need to. I was really nervous about the freeway until I did my trip last week. Now it's not big deal - unless of course I'm here at home. KY drivers are the worst ever! 2000 miles on interstate and no problems with drivers until I got 15 miles back outside of Louisville. just be careful and know that there are loads of people here for help and support. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by youzguyz on 06/27/08 at 02:04:20 Welcome to the site Blissing! :D This place is full of good information on all aspects of the Savage, and riding in general. My .02. For hauling things around, the first "bag" I would recommend is a tail bag. Easy on, easy off, makes a nice backrest at times. Just make sure you don't get one that is too big for the pillion seat. For local socializing and meeting other riders, you might want to check out http://www.meetup.com/ . I belong to a couple groups in San Antonio, and made some great friends! |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by rpgpgmr on 06/27/08 at 05:45:55 Blissing, I'm a member of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club (SCRC) and we have chapters all over the country ... even abroad. We have 13 chapters in California alone. If you'll go to the national website www.southerncruisers.net, browse the chapters and find which chapter is closest to your area. I'm sure there is one within reasonable distance. I'm a member here in West Virginia so I'm not familiar with Cali at all. We are motorcycle "riding" club, not a motorcycle club. Which means no membership dues and we won't try to off ya if you don't want to ride with us anymore. :o It's a family-oriented atmosphere and I'm sure your local chapter would be happy to help you any way that they can. Anyway, just check out the website. Hope this helps. |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by Savage_Rob on 06/27/08 at 08:14:30 2E322F372A3F28393635343F5A0 wrote:
If you have AAA Plus, it already covers your bike. There are also similar programs available through the AMA (http://www.ama-cycle.org/) and MRF (http://www.mrf.org/). |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by SimonTuffGuy on 06/27/08 at 08:42:20 Welcome to the site and congrats on picking an S40! :) I still need to make biker friends too... My first one is actually another Savage 650 owner in my little hometown. I met him this past week when I went to put a note on his bike to tell him about the forums! Get out and ride! |
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Title: Re: My Biker Boyfriend Dumped Me! Post by drharveys on 06/27/08 at 16:02:13 Magnetic tank bag -- there's an expansion gusset in this one, it holds more than you'd think, and it has a shoulder strap like a purse for when you leave the bike. http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/DSC02122.jpg Dowco "Overnight" tail bag. Can fit on rack or pillion: http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/Suzuki/DSC02410.jpg Fork bag, too: http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e204/drharveys/Suzuki/DSC02411.jpg And if you're really shopping, you can get a nylon backpack to keep in your other luggage! |
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