Got my Motorcycle!

[wjmst]

Last week I picked up my first street motorcycle. It is a 2001 Honda Shadow with about 13,000 miles on it. The bike is in great shape and I think I got a pretty good deal on it as well. Riding it home was pretty nerve racking once I got to the main highway, but I had my brother following behind me to keep traffic back. I made it home successfully.

I got to go for a few more rides this past weekend as well.

The weather was sunny, but cool. Around 60 degrees with a 15 to 20 mph wind. My first stop was to get the bike inspected.

After the inspection, I decided to get some practice in on the back roads. It didn't take long to find the sweet spot on the clutch. I decided to cruise to a local county park. I did a drive through and turned around to head home using a different route. Round trip it was about 12 miles or so.

I pulled into the driveway and was telling my brother all about the excitement of the ride. He walked over to my bike and said "What happened to your cover?" I looked and the side cover that holds the manual was missing.

I was not too happy. I thought maybe I just left it off when I took the manual out to read it. So down to the garage. Nothing there. I decide to head back out and retrace my ride. I get to the park and turn around. On my way back I find my cover sitting in the middle of the road.

I pulled off and grabbed the cover. It was scratched up, but otherwise okay. As I am putting the cover back into place another biker approaches. When he gets to about 25 feet away he guns his bike and takes off. What an idiot.

I return home and tell my story to everyone, but I am sure they are already sick of hearing about my biking adventures! So my 12 mile ride turned into about 25 miles! The adventure continues.

 

[murphy1244]

Ride safe pretend every driver is a idiot. Watch for left on reds

 

[creekbend]

Congratulations. Freedom of the Road is relaxing, but please watch out for other drivers. It is difficult to estimate a Motorcycle's speed. Best wishes.

 

[DFB]

A good friend of mine rides a Honda Shadow. Piled a bunch of miles on a 750 model and then got herself an 1100

Good thing nobody ran over that sidecover before you found it.

That happend to my ex wifes favorite Harley girls rule ballcap. I took off and it went flying and before she got it back it was roadkill! Another time a passenger of mine dropped one of an expensive pair of riding gloves I had given her to wear and didnt say anything and by the time I learned what happened it was like 15 mile back track to find it!

Happy motoring!

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations on your bike, just can't beat the feeling. Since you are new consider looking into an approved motorcycle safety program.

 

[polo1665]

Congratulations on your new (to you) bike. Wear your helmet and ride defensive. I've been riding for about 15 years and have heard a lot of horror stories, but never have had any trouble (knock on wood).

Always assume that the other drivers aren't seeing you, and keep a close eye on them:thumbsup:

+1 on Tripple R's suggestion above, it's a good idea.

 

[TripleR]

Invest in some good quality riding gear including boots.

 

[mostly_gas]

Congrats on the bike.
+2 on the safety

 

[HarryN]

Thanks for the story and good out come. Bet it was a good feeling when you found the cover.
Nice bike.... enjoy it!

 

[wjmst]

Thanks for the replies. I have taken the basic MSF course, thinking about taking the advanced course as well. I am looking for a good pair of riding boots and saddle bags. Any suggestions?

I found some saddle bags that I really liked on amazon the other day and I was getting ready to make the purchase when the following statement caught me off guard "Good for trail rides or work." I thought who in the world would take their bike on trails? As I looked more closely at the bags, they were for a horse! I am going to go to a couple of local places this weekend and continue my search.

I am also wondering about anti-freeze/coolant for it. The manual says to use Pro Honda HP or equivalent high quality ethylene glycol antifreeze containing corrosion protection inhibitors specifically recommended for use in aluminum engines. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[TripleR]

I really liked the Krauser bags I had on one of my bikes, they were lockable and locked to the motorcycle. On my last bike I had leather bags, but rarely used them, just no way to secure the contents if you left the bike unattended.

I don't remember the brand of boots I had, but they had steel toes, hard inserts for the ankle plus padding and thick, non skid soles. They were pretty expensive, but worth it.

 

[brin]

wmjst....I rode a Harley Police Bike for 3 yrs....8 hrs. a day...I will make this suggestion....Have crash bars installed on both sides of your bike front and rear...they are chrome and look very nice but if you are ever confronted with an imminent front end collision you can lay the bike down and it will save your legs and side from being ground away...you may also go down for other reasons and it will save you there as well...If you go down , never let go of the bike...it weighs more than you and you want it between you and whatever is going to be struck in front of you...Be Careful.

 

[HarryN]

"I am also wondering about anti-freeze/coolant for it. The manual says to use Pro Honda HP or equivalent high quality ethylene glycol antifreeze containing corrosion protection inhibitors specifically recommended for use in aluminum engines. Any recommendations?"

Yes. Since it's a new bike to you, go to Honda and get what they recommend..... for peace of mind.

 

[bikerdib]

Next year will make 40 years riding for me. Been through motocross bikes, trail bikes, dual purpose bikes, sport bikes, cruisers, standards and adventure bikes; in other words I like it all!

No one else has suggested it so I will; take a beginning rider course. Also, if you have a friend with a dirt bike, ask to borrow it and go out in a pasture somewhere and learn to ride.

 

[Ken45101]

Congratulations and stay safe! That should be a good bike for many years if you choose.

I remember my first nerve wracking ride home from the dealer with my first bike.

Good deal that you already took the training class. They didn't have those back when I bought my first bike.

 

[TripleR]

Congratulations and stay safe! That should be a good bike for many years if you choose.

I remember my first nerve wracking ride home from the dealer with my first bike.

Good deal that you already took the training class. They didn't have those back when I bought my first bike.

Same here, I started in 1965 and I had pretty limited experience when I had to ride mine home, no motorcycle license even required then. The last mile to my home was on loose gravel too.

 

[Ken45101]

Same here, I started in 1965 and I had pretty limited experience when I had to ride mine home, no motorcycle license even required then. The last mile to my home was on loose gravel too.

OMG! Gravel still freaks me out except when I have the trike!

 

[Toyboy]

I started a long time ago on a Cushman Eagle motor scooter ( does that date me) and have been at it ever since. Been on a Harley for a whole bunch of years. Nothing beats two wheels and a sunny day. Enjoy!

 

[TripleR]

OMG! Gravel still freaks me out except when I have the trike!

Pretty scary on most street bikes, I know people who won't drive on it in a car if they can avoid it.

 

[DFB]

Just wait until you go over a steel grated bridge deck for the first time!