February 22nd, 2011, 03:09 PM | #1 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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How old were you when you first rode motorcycles on the street?
My son turned 16 today and looks forward to the day he gets a motorcycle. He is still learning to drive a car so I told him as long as he continues to do well for the next year or two I will work with him on learning about bikes, I will take the MSF course with him and help him get a 250. We would then have 3 250's, maybe I get a newer 250 and he would get mine? Would have to see what is out then, that's a long time off so no biggie. He has ridden dirt bikes for 2 years but needs some time on the street to learn the rules of the road and how to avoid the crazies and continue to learn situational awareness before getting out there on a motorcycle.
So how old were you when you first rode motorcycles on the street? I was, well let's just say I was 16. |
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:11 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:12 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J.G.
Location: Austin
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959
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Do mini-bikes around the neighborhood while parents are away count?
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:18 PM | #4 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:19 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: John
Location: Atlanta
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 250 Posts: 333
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29
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:22 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:38 PM | #7 |
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.
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16 A Zundapp Sabre 200cc
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Ninjette, Sold. New Bike: 2010 Honda NT-700V/VA, 73 Honda 550, 74 Honda 550 |
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:39 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
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Howdy all - should I merge this thread with this one?
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=62883 Or is the topic separate enough to leave 'em be?
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Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered) |
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:41 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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I think it's different enough to stand on it's own... btw, how old were you?
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:48 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Mike
Location: Gladwin, MI
Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128
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I was 26. It was 2 years ago. I started on a CM250.
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:50 PM | #11 |
Bad-ass 250 racer
Name: Neal
Location: Minnesnowta
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r, ATK 605, Honda CR250R Posts: 91
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16
Got my driver license then MC license a week later.
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CRA #28. Just wave as you go by! |
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:58 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org dude
Name: 1 guess :-)
Location: SF Bay Area
Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 7
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26. Probably for the best that I didn't start earlier, I drove like a knob in my teenage years and a motorcycle wouldn't have helped the situation...
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Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered) |
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February 22nd, 2011, 03:58 PM | #13 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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Interesting... maybe I will let him start earlier and just make him ride with me for a while before letting him go out on his own... jeez I sound like such a dad right now, LOL. I just want him to be safe. Maybe I will let him pick out gear now and start the search for a good deal on a 1st gen 250 and let him have a 2nd gen to look forward to (what he wants) once he gets seat time logged.
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:04 PM | #14 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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Quote:
it really is a great outlet for riders who think they are the next supercross star (or are filled with no respect for the laws of gravity), only to have reality fill their face with dirt. gives you a new found respect on the power of a motorcycle and the skill needed to utilize that power without crashing. |
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:11 PM | #15 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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Actually he's nothing like his dad, he has a feel for mortality at a young age (he's a lot smarter than me). He's a good trail rider, no jumping or anything crazy, cruising really. We have a couple of CRF 100's that we ride on our property and some friends trails that he has done well on.
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:18 PM | #16 |
ninjee two-fiddie
Name: Chance
Location: Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 61
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17. Got my MC license exactly one year after I got my drivers license.
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:21 PM | #17 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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with that experience of being already able to handle the basic operations of a bike, being a sensible type of rider in the dirt, I think he'll make a great street rider if he can keep his hormones in check for the next couple of years.
That's where you come in... nurture his growth. sounds like you've been doing a great job so far. what does his mother think of the idea of street riding? |
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:41 PM | #18 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:53 PM | #19 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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sounds like you have a plan.
just be sure to solicit his input so he at least ends up with something that's on his list, too. gl... you can't protect them forever. the best you can do is prepare them for what lays ahead and teach them to approach anything with all the knowledge they can arm themselves with about the particular subject matter. |
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February 22nd, 2011, 04:59 PM | #20 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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16 on streets. 8 in the dirt.
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February 22nd, 2011, 05:01 PM | #21 |
Motorcyclist
Name: James
Location: Maryland
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.
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Good points, thanks!
I will get a short list of bikes from him and try to work that into the mix. He likes the new-gen Ninja 250, liked my WR250X, so we'll see. I wasn't planning on this until next year but maybe can do something sooner. |
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February 22nd, 2011, 05:07 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Carolyn
Location: San Carlos, CA
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250, 2002 Yamaha XT225 Posts: 597
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I was 22.
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www.bluepoof.com |
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February 22nd, 2011, 05:27 PM | #23 |
Ninja Dog
Name: Brady
Location: Sunset, UT
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 Posts: 186
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24 or 25 when I first drove a motorcycle. It was a Honda Rebel. Only drove it for 2-3 hours.
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ALL YOUR NINJA ARE BELONG TO US! |
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February 22nd, 2011, 05:32 PM | #24 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
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8 on a minibike on a country road, some time on dirtbikes in my teens, but into my early 30s before I got my first street bike. Good thing, too. I was an maniac in my '67 Mustang when I was 16 - its a miracle I didn't get into more trouble than I did. If I'd had a motorcycle I would have.
But it really depends on the kid and how responsible he is. You might think of getting him out onto the track early before he hits the streets. Give him in a good hobby and teach him safety and skill techniques, as well as a safe outlet to ride harder.
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"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
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February 22nd, 2011, 05:51 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: J.G.
Location: Austin
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 zx6r Green/Black, (ex-)Diablo Black '09 Ninja 250r Posts: 959
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I use to take my Dad's Shadow for a ride while they were out of town - it started around age 13.... just got me license this year (not a role model).
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February 22nd, 2011, 07:51 PM | #26 |
seeking twisties
Name: Bill
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): '07 Ninja 650R, '09 250R special edition Posts: 199
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20. I had a KDX80 when I was a teenager, so I knew how to ride. I went to test ride an old GS650 this kid was selling. He let me ride it. It was very heavy compared to the KDX. And I was on the pavement with crazy cagers. It was scary, but so much fun. I did not buy the bike-it had too many crazy cosmetic mods I didn't like. But a month later I came home with a '82 GS550L. That day I felt like I was SOMEBODY 'cause I had a street bike. Then 6 months later I decided it was time to get the motorcycle endorsrment on the license.
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Bill |
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February 23rd, 2011, 01:51 AM | #27 |
SLIME-R
Name: AMMOCAN
Location: Maryland
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): *SOLD* '10 Kawasaki 250R SE A.K.A. SLIME-R *SOLD* Posts: 596
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Well, I am in my 30's and I am just now finally in a position to fulfill my long awaited desires to ride and have a street bike.
Growing up, I lived in a, what was then, a small rural town, so dirt bikes and ATVs were a common everyday occurrence. I am in a way glad that the opportunity to get and ride a street bike hasn't happened until now, as I am a lot more wiser and mature to understand and respect the differences between dirt and street. I am sure that if I had this opportunity when I was younger then I would have paid dearly, as I just really never thought about the consequences involved or had any respect for fear. Thankfully, growing up through all my thrill seeking adventures I never sustained much if any serious injuries. Oddly enough though, the one time that I can remember sustaining a major injury, which was a leg fracture from my knee down to my ankle, it was when I was hit by a car crossing the street inside a crosswalk. The biggest difference I see with me now than when I was younger is that I have learned to think about things before doing them. I believe the biggest reason for this is because I now have responsibilities, priorities, and a family that depends on me. As a kid, I never thought about much, so I wasn't worried about anything. Now, I am thinking about my health, finances, family. etc. However, the kid I once was still lives strong inside of me, as I still want to have fun living life to it's fullest, as at any time it can be taken away, thus I try to make sure that what ever I choose to do that I leave behind no regrets. I just think more now then I did then, lol. |
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February 23rd, 2011, 07:09 AM | #28 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: D
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
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It was September last year and I was 48. Before that, I have never even ridden a dirt bike (and still haven't). I seriously regret not getting a motorcycle when I was younger. I think learning is easier when you are younger. I'm getting better, but I'm still having issues with some riding skills.
When I was growing up, motorcycles had a bad image and those that rode them had a tendency to be involved in crime. Not to mention the safety concerns. In fact, just a few miles from where I grew up, the Outlaws motorcycle gang got in trouble for nailing a girl to a tree and torturing her. Consequently, there is no way my parents would have let me have one growing up. |
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February 23rd, 2011, 07:38 AM | #29 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: war
Location: north chicago burbs
Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ducati Panigale 899 Posts: 325
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32 but I don't really know anyone that rides...
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February 23rd, 2011, 08:10 AM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Frugal
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.
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Illegally? When I was 15 or 16 on a very small dual purpose 4-stroke, way back when. Legally was 45.
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February 23rd, 2011, 08:26 AM | #31 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Franco
Location: Fairfax, VA
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2006 Ninja 636 Posts: 175
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21-- the bike bug didn't bite me until a few months before my 20th birthday. also, my parents weren't on board with the idea (didn't even let me get my driver's license til I turned 18 or 19) but then they were cool about it, so all's well that ends well.
I figure as long as he don't get too crazy and that he doesn't have any friends on any of them crazy ninjabikes, he should be fine do him a favor, get him a proper harley. like a real man. |
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February 23rd, 2011, 10:33 AM | #32 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14
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7 years old on a Cushman scooter in the neighborhood. It might have been illegal. 10 on a mini bike (same neighborhood). I might have still been underage. At 12 I was building motorbikes (Stringrays with a Briggs and Stratton). 14 was my first AMA race. Then I was finally legal when I got my motorcycle license the day I turned 16. Two days later I got my car license.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
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February 23rd, 2011, 11:13 AM | #33 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Barak
Location: South-Central PA
Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja EX250-J Special Edition Posts: 71
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20. Anything with wheels was highly frowned upon as I was growing up. Probably because my uncle almost killed himself in a 4-wheeler wreck before I was born. I honestly had very little desire to ride until my brother got his first ninjette. I'm so glad I let him talk me into learning to ride.
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February 23rd, 2011, 11:16 AM | #34 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Thad
Location: PA
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 GSXR 600 Posts: 55
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20
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February 23rd, 2011, 11:33 AM | #35 |
CVMA #74 WSMC #750
Name: Nemesis
Location: On the track
Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.
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I think I was 27 or 28 when I first got my bike (600cc). Passed the MSF and immediately took to the streets. Boy was that a mistake.
I should have practiced in the parking lot even after graduating from MSF for a couple months or so. There were numerous situations I was not prepared for or taught in the MSF course to handle the situation. I thank God for protecting me during those times. |
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February 23rd, 2011, 11:46 AM | #36 |
Go Pack Go!
Name: Jim
Location: houston-ish
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R, 07 XL1200L Posts: 39
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I was 16, started on 50cc back in Japan.
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09 Ninja 250R (commuter) 07 XL1200L (weekend fun) 02 SV650S (totaled by an idiot cager) & others |
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February 24th, 2011, 06:22 PM | #37 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: john
Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812
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20, bought a four stroke knobbed up 250 honda for the beaches, at that time the building moratorium was still on. two strokes still ruled the roost and I changed over to a yamaha 175 enduro.
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February 24th, 2011, 06:44 PM | #38 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Cody
Location: NoVa
Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.
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17, I decided to take the msf course before ever riding a motorcycle before, then rode the hell outta my step brothers 09 ninjette .(well besides a 5hp mini bike around age 11 that is ).
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February 24th, 2011, 06:50 PM | #39 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paulette
Location: .
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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sometimes I aim to please, but mostly I shoot to kill |
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February 24th, 2011, 07:10 PM | #40 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
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