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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> My First Ride In Four Years.
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Message started by Midnightrider on 08/15/09 at 18:15:51

Title: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Midnightrider on 08/15/09 at 18:15:51

Four years ago I had a stroke and I went blind in my right eye. I had ridden motorcycles all my life. With no vision in my right eye I decided it might be best if I quit riding. I sold my Triumph Trophy and Thunderbird. Several months later my vision started coming back but the best it ever got was 20/100 with glasses on. I'm a guitarist so I put together a rock n roll band to take the place of my bikes. Jan. this year I came down with Lupus. I got rhuematoid arthritus in my hands from the Lupus. A lot of days I can't play guitar so there goes the band. Depression set in and I decided the only way to overcome the depression is to get another motorcycle. I'm living off disability now and money is tight but I found an 03 Savage with 4,700 on the clock and I got it for $2000. I rode it home (about 30 mi) and it cut off twice. The second time I put the petcock on prime and had no more problems. I've been cleaning on the bike for about 2 weeks. The headlight bracket was broken, had to get another one. Replaced the vacuum line to the petcock, changed oil and basically went all over the bike. Today I decided to go for my first real ride. I had forgotten how much fun riding is. I climbed a couple of mountains with the Savage and she did great. I rode about 85 mi. Most of it was twist and turns, one of my favorite old runs. I was probably grinning from ear to ear the whole trip. When I go to bed tonight I'll probably still be smiling. No more depression. The Savage is a great bike and I'm extremely happy with my new purchase. I'm 5'7" and she fits me like a glove. At my age and my health condition she has all the power I need and she even does pretty dang good in the twisties. Today is one of the best days I've had in the last four years. Just had to share it with you guys and gals. Ride Safe! :)

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Toymaker on 08/15/09 at 18:44:06

Congrats..........

Well done

Glad to hear you are "back in the Saddle"

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by PTRider on 08/15/09 at 19:34:39

MNR,

Thank you for a very inspiring story.

It is interesting how Suzuki's low cost entry level cruiser from the mid-eighties had so much right. Our Savage/S40 bikes are easy to ride, fun to ride, perform well, and are very moderate cost.

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Midnightrider on 08/15/09 at 19:49:23

I agree PTRider. I was friends with the owner of the local Suzuki Dealership. I grew up watching him race. When I started racing he helped me with my bike and when my son started racing he helped with his bike. My friend passed away last year. The last bike he owned was a Savage. He told me once "Mike this little bike right here will do anything I ask it to. Its not great at nothing but its good at everything." That statement came from a man that could ride any Suzuki he wanted to. Thats why I started searching for a Savage.

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Pabst 2006 on 08/15/09 at 20:51:03

2D09040E090708141209040512600 wrote:

"... My friend passed away last year. The last bike he owned was a Savage. He told me once "Mike this little bike right here will do anything I ask it to. Its not great at nothing but its good at everything." That statement came from a man that could ride any Suzuki he wanted to. Thats why I started searching for a Savage.

That's an inspiring little paragraph there! Glad you enjoyed your ride in the twisties... keep the rubber side down

-Pabst

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Bear on 08/15/09 at 21:33:39

You are indeed fortunate to ride again. I have a good friend that had a stroke 10 years ago. He looks almost fully recovered, but walks slightly sideways. Barely noticable. He went on vacation to Long Beach, Washington where they rent scooters to run up and down the beach. He didn't know it, but something about his stroke affected his balance and he kept falling over in the sand. Luckily, a sandy beach is almost the perfect place to fall over on a bike. You never know what you can/can't do until you try. Keep testing the limits. Smile at your sucesses.

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Duane on 08/15/09 at 21:58:10

Good to hear ;D

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Skid Mark on 08/15/09 at 22:44:17

Way to go!!!! Good to hear you are enjoying life again. Life is short and we need to get the best we can out of it.

Ride safe.

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by PerrydaSavage on 08/16/09 at 02:16:41

Reading your post put a smile on my face midnightrider! Way to go man ... you are an inspiration! 8-)

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by drharveys on 08/16/09 at 04:13:42

Welcome back!

The best "therapy" is to get out there and live your own life!

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by cursal on 08/16/09 at 08:13:02

Great to hear you out having fun on the 'new' machine.

Even better to hear your enjoying life more fully.

Enjoy the ride!

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by Toymaker on 08/16/09 at 09:09:48

I like to call it...Asphalt Therapy

Title: Re: My First Ride In Four Years.
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/16/09 at 21:26:30

Ahhh...another good person comes to the forum! And a very inspiring story indeed.
May you have many happy riding days!!! :)