quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
I did 3 hrs on the Vulcan S & had to stop about 1/2 way. The seat on it is not overly conducive to extended time in the saddle.

The Small Airhawk Cruiser R Seat made a noticeable difference in ride comfort on my Shadow.

Thanks, will have to check that out. Curious how well it'll fit on the Vulcan seat, it's [the Vulcan seat] fairly narrow.

quote:

Originally posted by fwbulldog:
That looks like fun! Kind of v-max'ish.

I don’t see that. Lol.

As others have said, ATGATT, head on a swivel. Very nice bike! Enjoy and be safe. 650 is a perfect combination for a new rider, as well as keeping an experienced rider entertained.

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
650 is a perfect combination for a new rider, as well as keeping an experienced rider entertained.

I'll agree here. The Kawi 650 P-Twin has enough power to be a ton of fun, but not so much that it's too much for a less experienced rider.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
Welcome to the club. Assume every car is driven by an ex wife and the checks are late.

Also assume all roads are under construction.

^^^

Assume all roads have fresh “oil and chips”.

Hopefully this is just a PA thing, instead of repaving a road, they put down tar and chipped gravel. Not only is it extremely messy, it’s pretty dangerous on two wheels. A lot of loose gravel at intersections and road shoulders. They even do it to roads that don’t even need it.

Other than riding invisible. I find my horn to be invaluable to get motorists attention when there is any doubt they see me. I have surprised a large number of the unaware that way.

You mean all roads AREN'T always under construction?

Gravel and grooved roads are the natural enemy of the biker. People who blow their lawn clippings into the street, especially in curves, should be beaten with bags full of broken motorcycle parts.

Welcome.

Be safe and ride like everyone is trying to kill you, because they are.

Advanced class as was recommended.
Also, on YouTube is a guy named Motojitsu.

He has some very good videos.
Like low speed turns.
Pre ride checks.
How to do basics videos.

Information is your friend.

+1 for Motojitsu, some informational stuff.
Fortnine has a few good ones too.

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
^^^

Assume all roads have fresh “oil and chips”.

Hopefully this is just a PA thing, instead of repaving a road, they put down tar and chipped gravel. Not only is it extremely messy, it’s pretty dangerous on two wheels. A lot of loose gravel at intersections and road shoulders. They even do it to roads that don’t even need it.

Chipseal is used extensively in AZ. On smaller county roads (such as the roads in our development), it is only chipseal. On the highways that have a really good asphalt (most cases rubberized asphalt), they do a chipseal as an interim measure in between full repavings. Chipseal done professionally (as they did in our development) is packed well and leaves very few chips loose, if any.

So far I've logged in over 2200 miles since I got my bike in July.
It really helps having a couple of riding buddies and such close access to the kick-ass twisty canyon roads of the Colorado Front Range.
I'm planning on getting a Corbin seat by next season to keep feeling in my ass during rides over 3 hours and a new set of tires. Other than that the bike is perfect and has an extremely fun and usable power to weight ratio. Unlike a 4 cylinder or a liter bike I can really have fun wringing it out without having so much power that I get myself into trouble.

Corbin is a great seat company, the seats tend to be "firm" if you are close to their location in CA or Daytona you might be able to have them put it on the bike and you can sit on the seat to know if it's what you want.

Also ask around if you have a local motorcycle seat guy, we have a couple here, had him repair my RG seat when it tore, did a great job.

There are also custom seat makers who can add gel, or better foam.

Lots of options, glad you're getting to put miles on!

as some mentioned...i would take the Beginners Safety Course in your area even if been riding a bit. It not only can save you on insurance it will teach you something you didnt know...I promise. I had been riding most my life and never knew about counter steering for sharp corners and idea of threshold braking. I just sold my last bike a month ago after riding since I was 16 (57 now). I miss it but did not have the time. Started on dirt bikes, then crotch rockets, then cruisers. Last three were Indians... Ride to please yourself and expect everyone to hit you. Good luck and congrats on the bike...

Please, just don't ever say you have the need for speed...

A friend with a new bike told me that once...
...right before he jumped on his bike and took off, he got 1/4 mile up the road and misjudged a curve. He went airborne when he hit the curb and hit a telephone pole straight on about 6 feet in the air. Most of him and the bike were laying at the base of the pole. His head, still in the helmet, was found up the road in the ditch.

Wasn't a good day.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and the reminders and advice on safety.
I do want to point out that this is not my first bike however. I have many track days under my belt on an R6 and have had a couple of other street bikes back in my 20's.
I also grew up on dirt bikes and riding on the back roads by my grandpa's farm in the middle of nowhere, Nebraska and spent 6 seasons racing motocross as well.
I did finally take the MSF course this year in order to get my license endorsement and insurance break. It was a little remedial but I did discover that I really lacked a lot of basic low speed skills so I feel I got my money's worth out of it and had a lot of fun.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Always remember,never forget
96% of drivers don't know you exist
So they are not seeing you,
Enjoy

You could make a Haiku of that:
Always remember
Drivers don't know you exist
So they don't see you

flashguy

Depending on how bad/hard/uncomfortable the factory seat/saddle might be some people choose to either have theirs re-shaped/refilled or replaced with aftermarket replacement which sometime was close to $1000 depending on what your backside prefered . Personaly put 77,000 mile on factory seat == 2005 Honda VTX1800 F2 v-twin power cruiser . Several time considered replacing but did not to spend the money. Still sip on a cup of USED motor oil every morning to keep from squeeking when I move. .............................................. drill sgt.

quote:

I did finally take the MSF course this year in order to get my license endorsement and insurance break. It was a little remedial but I did discover that I really lacked a lot of basic low speed skills so I feel I got my money's worth out of it and had a lot of fun.

It's amazing what you'll pick up there. I still have fun telling people about playing chicken with an elk up in some park in western Canada.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
So far I've logged in over 2200 miles since I got my bike in July.
It really helps having a couple of riding buddies and such close access to the kick-ass twisty canyon roads of the Colorado Front Range.
I'm planning on getting a Corbin seat by next season to keep feeling in my ass during rides over 3 hours and a new set of tires. Other than that the bike is perfect and has an extremely fun and usable power to weight ratio. Unlike a 4 cylinder or a liter bike I can really have fun wringing it out without having so much power that I get myself into trouble.

Not bad. I'm a little over 1k on the Vulcan since June.
Houston summer heat is abating & prime riding weather is upon us (when the rain cooperates). Luckily we have nearly year round riding weather when you can dress appropriately for it.

I've acclimated to the seat a bit more. A couple hours yesterday & I was fine post-ride. A Corbin may be in the future, but a windshield & better mirrors will come first.

Nice bike. I got a 2015 Honda CTX700 DCT a few months ago with 75 miles on it. Couple had bought it and then separated/divorced and it had been in storage. I put on new tires and changed all fluids. I had not been on a a cycle since 1992, but still had MC endorsement on license. Safety courses been closed but I found free MCrider.com for lessons. I have only been practicing for 400 miles so far. I do not know how to post pics.