Intro & Welcome back

[Lacessit]

Hello STN, good to see you guys back. I joined the previous version
right before you dropped off the 'net, but hadn't made much of an impression.

'bit about me:

After 15 years of desire, I finally decided it was time to either go out and do it, or flush the dream. Which led to me buying my first bike 28JUN06.  Best decision I've made in a LONG time. I picked up an '06 Kawasaki 500R. Thought my first bike should be a bit user friendly, so I went with light & low impact on the wallet. Now that I've been out on her a bit, I've discovered the little one's are plenty fast (for me at least).

I'm currently working on converting my "Sport-bike" (that's what the insurance co says at least) to a sport-tourer, and trying to improve my skills as a rider. I'm a classic chicken: corners are the most fun, but it's been hard for me to sum up the courage to lean her over.

[edit] here's a quick pic of my baby:

[BlueRidgeKat]

I've discovered the little one's are plenty fast (for me at least).

Yes, the Ninja 500 is plenty fast. Great bike, its been around for a while with its bullet proof enigine. Hard it to beat what you get for the money with this little sport bike.
 
Consider taking a MSF class if you have not done so already.

[forester]

Cool.  Have fun, ride carefully.

[Black Ice]

Welcome!    The Ninja 500 is a very competent bike, great as a starter.  Just ask Corbeau--he started on one before he turned to the Dark Side.

If you'd like to overcome your fear of leaning, you have two choices:  ride a twisty road with a bunch of utter fucking maniacs who will hassle you for years if you don't keep up(not wise), or find a fairly deserted series of curves and spend a day going through them, just a bit faster each time.  You'll know where the sand/gravel/rough spots are and you can relax for the most part and increase your lean bit by bit.  Trust your tires, Padawan!!

There's lots of STn folks in WV, many of whom would be glad to hook up with you, I'm sure.

[Alsworld]

The most important thing is to have fun, and enjoy motorcycling safely.  That's a great bike to start on, and then keep for a long while.  A fellow biker commuter at work has a 500 he bought new, in the '80's!  Still runs great, gets fantastic gas mileage, and he really enjoys it.  He knows everything about it and it runs top notch to this day.  It does everything he's ever asked of it and he can't see forking out any more dollars for a new bike.  "Why?"  he ask. " This one runs great".
 
Enjoy that bike.  Good to see you back on the new STN board.

[Lacessit]

Thanks for the welcom folks, I look forward to picking brains and improving my skills. I have already taken the MSF course; first thing I did. I was given the "Weaving wonder" award in my class as I was the only one to drag pegs. Which isn't all that impressive at ~20mph on a Buell 500cc around cones. I think I'd also like to take some advanced rider courses, but think I need to get a bit more comfortable in the saddle first.

I think your second suggestion is the better course Black Ice, and to a limited degree is what I've been doing. One of the problems I have though is trying not to go so darn fast I get into trouble with the law and still be able to lean it over (I've been taking pretty easy roads I'm comfortable on so far).

I hope to be able to meet and/or ride with some of you in the future. My work schedule is a bit hectic, but I'm trying to plan an eleven day cruise west around May/June.

-Dan