hello world

I'm Tom, up in Albany NY.  I am a beginner rider, and really looking forward to a ton of practice.


I have my permit, and got registered for the earliest BRC I could get, which is mid August.  I had no intention of even thinking about getting a bike until after the course, until I walking into a local dealer and almost being blinded

I just happened to stop in with my girlfriend (after being there the day before with my buddy) to see a delivery that they moved to the showroom floor just a few hours prior.  It was meant to be

1998 Savage, bright orange.  They had 2 new S40's right next to it, but this one bike stood out in the entire showroom, bar none.

I talked to the dealer, and cut the deal at about $2500, including a helmet

I did the paperwork, and dropped of the deposit.  They have been closed for the holiday, and I have to go back on Tues. to truck it home.  I have a few friends to ride with, but don't intend on riding much until after the course.

I'm glad to have found you guys, and have been reading through the forums for the past few days.  So far I only see one problem: I like to tinker, and can already see a few projects that I'd love to do to make her my own.

I'm sure I already have a ton of questions that I just don't know I should be asking, but for now, thanks for all the info I've already read, and I'll see you on the road (in about a month)

Tom

treyes wrote on 07/06/08 at 17:51:16:


Hmmmm  ... you may have found the right bike.

Fm another Tom on the East-side of PA

the same kind of thing happened to me once...

you'll love the savage

treyes wrote on 07/06/08 at 17:51:16:

no  no  you have it wrong.   It's "Hello World, I'm your new Target!"

Said it before, will say it again and again and again...  They will look straight at you and not see you.  Do not assume anyone sees you until and unless they react to your presence.  Watch the road ahead of you, a minimum of 15 seconds travel time ahead.  Check each incoming path for incoming vehicles.  Watch your rear.  Keep track of all moving objects within fifty feet of you, and as far forward as you can see.  Crashing a bike is not good, will likely cause bodily injury and much pain.

Dropping the bike is, however, rather common, especially low speed.  Choke on a low speed turn, stall, it's surprising how heavy the Savage can get.  Stop and forget to put the kickstand down.  Wet steel (rr tracks very bad).

Riding free, wind in the face, nothing between you and the world.  Aromas.  Fields of flowers, fresh mown hay, horse pasture, bakery, brewery (you can almost get high riding past a brewery).    The fuel economy of the best econoboxes with the performance of the best sports cars.  The best parking spaces (I was eight paces from the entrance of Lowes Hardward this morning.)  You have a lot of pleasant memories to create.....

Enjoy your Savage. +1 on the MSF course. I would suggest only practicing beforehand if you have someone to help/observe. Otherwise you may be reinforcing bad habits that you'll spend your whole course trying to unlearn before you can learn.

Here in South Carolina the course is three days. A Friday night of classroom work then Sat-Sun riding in parking lot with one off parking lot excursion late on Sunday. Since it happens in such a short time I feel it is best to have a bit of riding experience in a controlled environment so you can really absorb the lessons.

Hey Tom, I'm also a newbie in your area.  (Just north, in southern Saratoga County.)  I'll keep my eyes open for you out on the streets!

Just got back from Seymour's, but the bike's not home just yet.

The ramps that we have for the pickup are a bit too steep, and probably too slippery when wet to take it off at street level.  There's an unloading area at work, so I left it there, locked up in the garage for the night.

So I don't quite have it home, but it's officially mine.  Hopefully tomorrow won't be rainy, and I'll get to take my first ride around the parking lot