Hello from MI
Posted: Sun May 20, 2018 8:24 am
Hey everyone, I'm Ryan. I live in Laingsburg MI. I'm a new Rider (as of April) and I ride a 97 VS1400GLP. So far I've learned much about my bike and have done a good bit of wrenching on it. I've jetted the carbs, installed pods, rebuilt calipers and forks. New fuel pump and (used) relay. My resistance test on the old relay was inaccurate and come to find out the used relay I purchased didnt give accurate readings as well. Relay doesn't seem to be an issue so I kept my old relay as a spare.
My first ride was quite the learning curve, puttering around a school parking lot and after making a few laps I got it in my head that (I got this!). Coming around a bend I thought I was slow enough not to counter steer well I was wrong and I experienced target fixation. Turned the bar into the bend and the bike went opposite then I couldn't stop looking at the sign I was headed straight for. Grabbed front brake before hitting the curb and caught the edge of the sign with my shoulder and stalled the bike. My friend came running over laughing hysterically and says "It's Lesson time!.....Do you know what you did wrong there?" Being a smartass I told him...." I must have zigged when I should have zagged. Lesson learned and I went for a few more laps. I'm 32 and this is the first time I've rode a motorcycle. Sad but it is what it is.
After much practice in my subdivision I finally decided I was ready for the open road. My buddy comes over with his girl and we take off for my first ride. It was an experience, everything was going well for the first few miles then I notice a Harley rider behind me and shortly after I'm assuming he got the vibe that I was green and passed me. He gets in front of our group and throws up a sign and my buddy and his girl throw there blinker on. I'm like wtf is going on and I look down and I'd left my blinker on for quite some time. LESSON LEARNED. We get to the state park and park the bikes and my buddy is giving me advice and laughing which is totally understandable. Heading back to the main road my bike acts like it's starving for fuel and then dies. Fuel pump took a poop. Called my wife to bring my truck and luckily where I broke down there was a bunch of boy scouts camping out and when my wife got to me there were more than enough guys to load it into my truck. Of course my wife is taking pics of the whole process.
Before I even get 20 miles on my bike I've learned a great deal about the bike and myself as a rider. After the breakdown I made a list of parts and ordered them. I spent a few days after work replacing parts and syncing carbs.
Since replacing parts Ive put almost 200 mi on the bike and I'm feeling much more comfortable all together. On one ride I had a kid talk crap to me in a parking lot which I thought was hilarious. He said my bike sounds like shit and I waved him over but he pussed out and drove off. I'm by no means a pro and I still get nervous at times but I am learning alot. My kids absolutely love the bike and can't wait to go for a ride with dad. I don't plan on taking them till I'm 100%. They are less patient than I am.
Glad to have found this site and there's much info on here that makes my life easier.
Thanks everyone!
My first ride was quite the learning curve, puttering around a school parking lot and after making a few laps I got it in my head that (I got this!). Coming around a bend I thought I was slow enough not to counter steer well I was wrong and I experienced target fixation. Turned the bar into the bend and the bike went opposite then I couldn't stop looking at the sign I was headed straight for. Grabbed front brake before hitting the curb and caught the edge of the sign with my shoulder and stalled the bike. My friend came running over laughing hysterically and says "It's Lesson time!.....Do you know what you did wrong there?" Being a smartass I told him...." I must have zigged when I should have zagged. Lesson learned and I went for a few more laps. I'm 32 and this is the first time I've rode a motorcycle. Sad but it is what it is.
After much practice in my subdivision I finally decided I was ready for the open road. My buddy comes over with his girl and we take off for my first ride. It was an experience, everything was going well for the first few miles then I notice a Harley rider behind me and shortly after I'm assuming he got the vibe that I was green and passed me. He gets in front of our group and throws up a sign and my buddy and his girl throw there blinker on. I'm like wtf is going on and I look down and I'd left my blinker on for quite some time. LESSON LEARNED. We get to the state park and park the bikes and my buddy is giving me advice and laughing which is totally understandable. Heading back to the main road my bike acts like it's starving for fuel and then dies. Fuel pump took a poop. Called my wife to bring my truck and luckily where I broke down there was a bunch of boy scouts camping out and when my wife got to me there were more than enough guys to load it into my truck. Of course my wife is taking pics of the whole process.
Before I even get 20 miles on my bike I've learned a great deal about the bike and myself as a rider. After the breakdown I made a list of parts and ordered them. I spent a few days after work replacing parts and syncing carbs.
Since replacing parts Ive put almost 200 mi on the bike and I'm feeling much more comfortable all together. On one ride I had a kid talk crap to me in a parking lot which I thought was hilarious. He said my bike sounds like shit and I waved him over but he pussed out and drove off. I'm by no means a pro and I still get nervous at times but I am learning alot. My kids absolutely love the bike and can't wait to go for a ride with dad. I don't plan on taking them till I'm 100%. They are less patient than I am.
Glad to have found this site and there's much info on here that makes my life easier.
Thanks everyone!
