First Ride Since November!

kazam58 · March 14th, 2009, 01:38 PM

So, as everyone is all too aware, it snows in the northeast during winter. A lot. Well it's pretty much gone now. My baby ninja has been hibernating all winter...until now! I came home early from ski practice this afternoon and looked outside, looked at the thermometer, and decided I had to ride. It's beautiful, not a cloud in the sky, and about 45* at my house, which means it was probably closer to 35* where I was riding. I put on a sweatshirt under my jacket, let the bike warm up for a few minutes, and took off. I took it easy, as I haven't ridden in 4 months, and I wasn't sure where I would meet up with gravel, but I fell in love with the bike all over again.
I took about a 60 mile ride through back country roads. They're not twisty, but they're almost never straight. They have smooth, sweeping corners and a few slower ones. It was perfect to wake me up from hibernation/cabin fever. This was my first time out with my new boots, Sidi Vertigo Corsa's, and I have to say, they are incredible. I can feel the shifter, brake pedal just fine, and I totally forgot they were on my foot. They held on tight, but I had plenty of flexibility, and I know my feet are safe.
I've also decided that I'm definitely getting a jet kit soon, or at least shimming the needles, because the bike gets the hiccups a lot more than I would like it to. And it's worse in this cold weather.
I just thought I would share this with you guys because there's no one else at home and I'm simply far too excited to be on two wheels again. I can't wait till it warms up a little more.

kkim · March 14th, 2009, 02:49 PM

ninjabrewer · March 14th, 2009, 03:06 PM

whoo hoo
Spring is almost here

kazam58 · March 14th, 2009, 03:29 PM

Yea, it's coming!

I almost forgot to mention one part that made me feel really good. Tons of people were giving me thumbs up, people coming the other way in cages and even those going out to get their mail, as if they were saying "way to kick winter in the balls, good for you" It felt good. And I must say, this baby ninja turns even more heads than I remember last summer.

OldGuy · March 14th, 2009, 05:10 PM

I love it - as the warmth spreads I think the posting is going to shift back to the night time and be about how sweet the ride was.

Wish I had some roads with curves but just about everything is + and not S.

Sailariel · March 14th, 2009, 05:51 PM

Andy, Real happy for you. Today was warm here as well and I saw a couple Gixxers screaming up Main Street. I still need to reinstate my insurance. The day was not a waste--wife and I found a super loaded Pontiac Vibe--same as Toyota Matrix for a great price. Only has 30,000mi and is a 2007 in pristine condition. Our Ford Escort was so rusted in the frame that it would have broken in half on a good bump. It will definitely not pass inspection this September. The dealer gave us $400 in trade. They really want to move their cars and have some great deals. Besides, we are massaging the economy.

BlueJeepYJ · March 14th, 2009, 06:03 PM

Sounds like a great time! I can relate all to well with cabin fever up here in Michigan!

Jeff

BlueTyke · March 16th, 2009, 07:52 AM

Hehehe. Sorry. Couldn't help myself! It sounds like a good day! I am glad you got out to enjoy it!

kazam58 · March 16th, 2009, 12:24 PM

haha, thanks everyone.
I would post pics, but I don't have any, as you may have guessed. I always go for rides alone because I don't know anyone else who rides, so I have no real reason to stop and I don't have a way of getting someone to take a picture of me. Maybe next time I'll drag along a little camera and take some pics of the view.
Alex, glad you found a victory that day, even if it didn't apply to bikes...

March 14th, 2009, 01:38 PM	#1
kazam58 Sarcasm: Yea that'll work Name: Andy Location: Essex Jct, VT Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: 330	First Ride Since November! So, as everyone is all too aware, it snows in the northeast during winter. A lot. Well it's pretty much gone now. My baby ninja has been hibernating all winter...until now! I came home early from ski practice this afternoon and looked outside, looked at the thermometer, and decided I had to ride. It's beautiful, not a cloud in the sky, and about 45* at my house, which means it was probably closer to 35* where I was riding. I put on a sweatshirt under my jacket, let the bike warm up for a few minutes, and took off. I took it easy, as I haven't ridden in 4 months, and I wasn't sure where I would meet up with gravel, but I fell in love with the bike all over again. I took about a 60 mile ride through back country roads. They're not twisty, but they're almost never straight. They have smooth, sweeping corners and a few slower ones. It was perfect to wake me up from hibernation/cabin fever. This was my first time out with my new boots, Sidi Vertigo Corsa's, and I have to say, they are incredible. I can feel the shifter, brake pedal just fine, and I totally forgot they were on my foot. They held on tight, but I had plenty of flexibility, and I know my feet are safe. I've also decided that I'm definitely getting a jet kit soon, or at least shimming the needles, because the bike gets the hiccups a lot more than I would like it to. And it's worse in this cold weather. I just thought I would share this with you guys because there's no one else at home and I'm simply far too excited to be on two wheels again. I can't wait till it warms up a little more.

March 14th, 2009, 03:06 PM	#3
ninjabrewer dirty old man Name: Chris Location: Hazel Green, AL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Blue '08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	whoo hoo Spring is almost here __________________________________________________ Death tugs at my ear and says, "Live, I am coming." -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) www.friendsofsanonofre.org

March 14th, 2009, 05:10 PM	#5
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	I love it - as the warmth spreads I think the posting is going to shift back to the night time and be about how sweet the ride was. Wish I had some roads with curves but just about everything is + and not S. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

March 16th, 2009, 07:52 AM	#8
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Hehehe. Sorry. Couldn't help myself! It sounds like a good day! I am glad you got out to enjoy it! __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

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March 14th, 2009, 02:49 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.

March 14th, 2009, 03:29 PM	#4
kazam58 Sarcasm: Yea that'll work Name: Andy Location: Essex Jct, VT Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: 330	Yea, it's coming! I almost forgot to mention one part that made me feel really good. Tons of people were giving me thumbs up, people coming the other way in cages and even those going out to get their mail, as if they were saying "way to kick winter in the balls, good for you" It felt good. And I must say, this baby ninja turns even more heads than I remember last summer.

March 14th, 2009, 05:51 PM	#6
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Andy, Real happy for you. Today was warm here as well and I saw a couple Gixxers screaming up Main Street. I still need to reinstate my insurance. The day was not a waste--wife and I found a super loaded Pontiac Vibe--same as Toyota Matrix for a great price. Only has 30,000mi and is a 2007 in pristine condition. Our Ford Escort was so rusted in the frame that it would have broken in half on a good bump. It will definitely not pass inspection this September. The dealer gave us $400 in trade. They really want to move their cars and have some great deals. Besides, we are massaging the economy.

March 14th, 2009, 06:03 PM	#7
BlueJeepYJ Lets go ride! Name: Jeff Location: Kennesaw, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 650 Posts: 234	Sounds like a great time! I can relate all to well with cabin fever up here in Michigan! Jeff

March 16th, 2009, 12:24 PM	#9
kazam58 Sarcasm: Yea that'll work Name: Andy Location: Essex Jct, VT Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: 330	haha, thanks everyone. I would post pics, but I don't have any, as you may have guessed. I always go for rides alone because I don't know anyone else who rides, so I have no real reason to stop and I don't have a way of getting someone to take a picture of me. Maybe next time I'll drag along a little camera and take some pics of the view. Alex, glad you found a victory that day, even if it didn't apply to bikes...