Quote Originally Posted by Mike Chance in Iowa View Post
Last, but not least. Make sure you "courtesy wave" the bikes you pass. It doesn't matter if they are HD's, cruisers or street bikes.
Or scooters. If they're on two wheels, with no pedals, then give 'em a wave.

Get more protective gear ASAP. That means gloves, boots, and riding pants, in that order of priority. Boots are really the only one of the three where non-mc specific gear can be a decent substitute. Jeans provide slightly more protection than a t-shirt. Slightly.

Ear plugs. Use 'em. Your motorcycle may not be very loud, but the wind roaring by at 65mph will be.

Insure that the following are done, either by the shop or yourself:
  1. Linkage adjustment on the shifter.
  2. Change the oil. If the oil does *NOT* say "energy conserving" on the 'shield' then it can be used in wet-clutch bikes. Motorcycles with wet clutches (the vast majority) are picky about oil. Do NOT use a "high mileage" or "extended life" oil, they have additives which will disagree with your clutch. O'Reilly's Auto Parts currently has a sale on Mobil 1 synthetics, the one by me applied the sale price to the motorcycle Mobil 1 as well.
  3. Change the coolant (if it is liquid cooled).
  4. Change the brake fluid.



Strongly suggested.
  1. Add a headlight modulator.
  2. Add a brakelight modulator.
  3. Replace the pathetic stock horn with a Fiamm Freeway Blaster or equivalent.


Welcome to the road, enjoy, and beware. Motorcycling can be addicting...