Some Motorcyclin'

Got the motorcycle up and running today. Took a piece of paper, wrote "Contact Info" in big letters across the top and put some phone numbers on it, stuck that in my wallet, grabbed my riding boots, gloves, sunglasses, and helmet (oh, yes); and off I went onto the open road.

Like I said before, it has been a while since I have spent a lot of time on a gasoline-powered, two-wheeled vehicle; so I am a little ungainly. But, I managed. Because of my lack of comfort, I have a hard time keeping track of everything -- cars around me, if my turn signals are on, the color of the stoplight ahead of me... Yea, so at one point, I was approaching the light, got a little zealous with the brakes, and locked up the rear tire. Oops. Be it luck or instinct from riding dirt bikes and enduros for the better part of 8 years of my life, I was able to correct with steering and more uniformly apply both the rear and front brakes coming to a safe stop. But, a moment after that, I got the shakes. Because I am uncomfortable on it, I am pretty nervous whilst riding. But, I view that as a good thing. It keeps me ultra-attentive.

The current hypothesis of why the battery is not charging is that the electrical system does not reach a charging equilibrium until 3000 or so RPM. So, other than at neutral idling, I kept it in a gear that would keep the revs at 4000. I rode around for about an hour, and then stopped at a friend's place to chit chat. After about 20 minutes, I went back and the bike fired up. I rode around, again, for about 10 minutes; and now the bike is sitting in the garage. I am going to leave it there for a half hour or so, and then try to fire it up and do some more riding.

Let me tell you what, my gentle reader, there is nothing like it in the world. If you have ever thought to yourself, "gee, I might like to ride a motorcycle"; go and get one. You will be happy with your newly acquired toy.