Originally Posted by Macster

Well, cost restraints kept me from getting the new 250r but alas, I found on Craigslist a 2001 Ninja 500r in good shape for $1900. It was fun and nerve wrecking as hell to ride it home though.

It has a little over 25,000 miles on it, he changed the oil religiously at every 3,000 miles on the dot. It has some minor damage on the exhaust and a tiny bit on the front fairing but over than that, she is a clean strong runner. Has a new chain, need to look at new tires within the next month or so (maybe sooner) and needs to be washed.. has some tree sap on it.



(Nice looking bike.)
I'm looking forward to this weekend - calling for 60-75 degrees here in Seattle! (prays it holds)

Now the only thing I need to do is get some better mirrors... the stock ones are horrible and can't see a thing. I heard the 650r mirrors will work on the 500 so I'll most likely go that route. Also need to get a cover for it since I'm at an apartment complex.

Some things I learned on the way home though -

Do not be scared to ride in traffic or out on the road, period - being stiff as a board isn't safe at all and made riding the bike difficult. It took me a good 30-45 minutes with a few stops to regain myself and slap my mind into shape to really ride safely, not to mention doing the speed limit; My only prior experience was at the MSF course and less than 25mph. ( Go and screw around in a secluded area like sloloming between 2 stripes at a time and so on. It get you used to the bike an much more relaxed for normal riding.)

Getting used to and finding the shifter is still some what difficult. I'm not sure if it is because of the side stand location and I'm clicking down on that then realize what I'm touching and shift or if it is the motorcycle boots I got. That also brings me to another thought - I need to get a new spring for the side stand. . . . (There should be an 8mm or 10mm bolt that holds the shifter on, loosen it and move the shifter up and down until you find a place that works for you. It takes a bit.)

Painted crosswalk stripes suck when wet. ( Ahmen brother, scared the S out of me the first time around.)

Raining in rain - not fun. Windshield wipers are not an option on a motorcycle. Rain-X? Nah... Hand is your best friend. ( For skiing and snowboarding they have mini squeegees the hook on you thumg to clear you goggles. works great for visors. just a tip.)

Girls like guys on bikes ( Depends on the bike, each style of bike brings different styles of girls.lol)- Case example was when I stopped at Des Moines Marina and not even 5 minutes being there, I was chatting with a couple of ladies.

You have a much, much, different prospective riding vs. driving. There are some real serious idiots out there. (That is true, they will look you in the eye as the pull out in front of you. But at the same time a good ride out on a long stretch of road with trees and views and just nature is unbeatable. The sites and smells and just feeling free.)

Lasik or contacts would be better than glasses.... ( Preaching to the chior. If you know you gonna ride for a while put 1 drop of dish soap on the inside and outside of your glasses and rub them clean, and you won't have a fogging isssue. It works on goggles too.)
And finally for now... It's really, really, really windy at 55mph... Kinda wish I didn't have to take the highway but it's less than a mile and the easiest to get home but it was empty so that was good. Ear plugs would have been good but I wanted to get used to the engine. ( sounds like you might need a better helmet, check this joint out. I like the KBC helmets, good price and some pretty wicked graffix.)

All in all, after 18 miles of riding, I'm hooked, locked, and excited. I normally go to bed around 8pm, couldn't fall asleep until almost 11pm.

Now about those ferries......

Brian