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DeltaFoxtrotZulu · November 14th, 2012, 10:52 PM

Sure I'd seen them out there. I'd always admire their sleek lines, the sound of their engines, thinking one day that might be me. But time passed and dreams were put on hold or forgotten.

Whenever I heard one of them roaring by, my eyes would almost certainly seek for the source of the siren song. I knew where all the local dealers were and I'd often find my routes would lead me past one or another. Sometimes I'd work up enough courage to go inside. "Please sir, can I sit on this one?"

I'd drive the curves in my car. It was fun, but not as fun as it should be. I'd end up at famous motorcycle haunts and feel like an interloper. I didn't belong here. I wasn't one of them. Ooh look at that one!

One day I'd had enough. No more excuses. I took a class. My first taste of what was to come. That two days of riding was exhilarating. For two days I thought I was finally one of them, but on Monday morning I had to admit I wasn't. I was just still a pretender.

To become a real member of the group I needed bike of my own. I asked around. I went to dealers with courage now. I know how to ride now. I'm almost one of you. But they knew, they knew. I was more confident now. I'll sit on this one and this one. My heart said get the red one, get the fast one. Damn the cost. Damn the safety. But my brain finally won the battle and chose the right bike for me.

She arrived early in the morning. Just waiting there on the street begging to be ridden. But I failed her. I wasn't ready yet. I'd rushed out to greet her before I was properly dressed. I wheeled her into the garage. Shaking my head at my temerity. I had a bike, but I wasn't one of them yet.

Finally properly dressed I threw my leg over her and begged for forgiveness. She fired up and purred in response. A twist of the grip and we were off. I was finally riding my own bike on the streets. I was finally one of them, right?

Then there it was. I wasn't expecting it. I'd heard about it. I'd used to do it to people that drove the same car as me. I could see him coming from the opposite direction. His hand came off the grips and he waved. Without hesitation, without even a conscious thought, my hand came off the bars and I waved back.

There it was. The confirmation I'd been seeking. I really was one of them.

(Originally posted this on Reddit. How does one decide what to split between 3 different Ninja 300 forums and other motorcycle groups?)

November 14th, 2012, 10:52 PM	#1
DeltaFoxtrotZulu ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: North Hollywood, CA, USA Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Posts: 53	My First Wave Sure I'd seen them out there. I'd always admire their sleek lines, the sound of their engines, thinking one day that might be me. But time passed and dreams were put on hold or forgotten. Whenever I heard one of them roaring by, my eyes would almost certainly seek for the source of the siren song. I knew where all the local dealers were and I'd often find my routes would lead me past one or another. Sometimes I'd work up enough courage to go inside. "Please sir, can I sit on this one?" I'd drive the curves in my car. It was fun, but not as fun as it should be. I'd end up at famous motorcycle haunts and feel like an interloper. I didn't belong here. I wasn't one of them. Ooh look at that one! One day I'd had enough. No more excuses. I took a class. My first taste of what was to come. That two days of riding was exhilarating. For two days I thought I was finally one of them, but on Monday morning I had to admit I wasn't. I was just still a pretender. To become a real member of the group I needed bike of my own. I asked around. I went to dealers with courage now. I know how to ride now. I'm almost one of you. But they knew, they knew. I was more confident now. I'll sit on this one and this one. My heart said get the red one, get the fast one. Damn the cost. Damn the safety. But my brain finally won the battle and chose the right bike for me. She arrived early in the morning. Just waiting there on the street begging to be ridden. But I failed her. I wasn't ready yet. I'd rushed out to greet her before I was properly dressed. I wheeled her into the garage. Shaking my head at my temerity. I had a bike, but I wasn't one of them yet. Finally properly dressed I threw my leg over her and begged for forgiveness. She fired up and purred in response. A twist of the grip and we were off. I was finally riding my own bike on the streets. I was finally one of them, right? Then there it was. I wasn't expecting it. I'd heard about it. I'd used to do it to people that drove the same car as me. I could see him coming from the opposite direction. His hand came off the grips and he waved. Without hesitation, without even a conscious thought, my hand came off the bars and I waved back. There it was. The confirmation I'd been seeking. I really was one of them. (Originally posted this on Reddit. How does one decide what to split between 3 different Ninja 300 forums and other motorcycle groups?)