jacobhawkins

True, outgrow is the wrong word, I was actually eyeing the 300 as a fun bike for myself!

My wife will be taking the basic MSF course in the next couple weeks and is starting to hunt for a first street bike. I have some thoughts on helping her choose one and am curious what other folks think about a first bike. A little about her: 5'4", 115lbs, never owned a bike before, somewhat timid, wants to go to work 15 miles away on it and occasionally go on longer (2 hour+) rides with me, likes the styling of sport bikes, doesn't want something too wimpy that would be outgrown within a season. She wants to get a bike for fun around town for the most part. My thoughts were to look at a Ninja 300 or 650, or the new CBR500. I talked with a guy at Iron Pony last weekend and he thought the 300 would be fine but when I told Katie about that, she was concerned that a 300 would not be powerful enough to keep up on the highway. No way she'd keep up on a fast past no matter the bike, but screaming along at 11,000 RPM might not be exactly fun. Things that make sense to me are a low seat height, comfortable (upright?) riding position, low weight, easier to control powerband. Probably something gently used. Any thoughts? Key things I'm missing? STFU and let her loose?

I had a great time this afternoon as a spectator. Now to convince my wife that this is a good idea... Hoping to rent a bike on the 4th and give it a go.

Welcome, if you can swing it, come on down for the Epic Ride. If you can ride down with Nivin, that'd be cool too, he's a good guy to ride with!

Glad to see you'll be there, Heinrich.

If you're looking for a welder, look up Terry Neer.

Cool, l work until 11 on Saturdays, how late does the racing go? Probably get down there about noon...

I can lead or sweep a medium group. If somebody else wants to though, I'll ride in the med/fast group.

Looks sweet, can't wait to see it in a couple weeks.

Fuck man! Still?! What's going on?

When do you think you'll be getting to Loudonville?

I had a positive experience with the Cardo customer support folks a couple months ago. My Cardo Scala Rider Q2 Pro (no longer available) was having trouble about a year after I bought it. I thought I was hosed, but looked at the warranty and saw it was two years! I sent them an email explaining the issue (low mic volume, not picking up my voice nearly at all) and they suggested I try a couple things at home. Tried them, didn't work. Sent an email back a couple weeks after my home attempts and they issued an RMA immediately. Sent my whole system back and less than a week later I had my new one. Keys to my happiness? Fast and clear communication with the service people, real home solutions to try, fast shipping back to me, and a two year warranty! That was what really surprised me. I bought it on closeout as they were ending that model and it still was replaced. I'm a happy Cardo customer.

Slightly unrelated to the endurance race of the thread topic, but I rode past you guys racing last weekend in Circleville on my way to a big bike ride... I didn't get much of a look, but are spectators welcome at the next race (looking at the schedule, Sept. 13)? This looks like an absolute blast but I really don't know anything about it and would like to catch a race or two.

oh! did you hit that groundhog? Little guy had a death wish...

Hey, I think I'm paid up, if not, somebody else got my $15... damnit!

Naaa she was cool, called on the way up. Plus she has figured out that I never make it back on time anyway. Haha

great ride for me! 500 miles today and one "oh shit" moment when the front washed out in some gravel. There are some great roads down that way that I hadn't been on before. Thanks for leading.

Leaving Columbus at 10:30, should be down near Portsmouth 12:15-12:30. If you pick a gas station/other landmark, I'll plug it into the GPS on the way down.

About to head to work, but my number is 740-405-7009... hope to see you guys later on!

Haven't decided yet, I'll be getting down about the same time. My hope is that goose will post up/text where he thinks he'll be about 1 and I'll head that way.

Cool, I work until about 11, should be down in that neck of the woods by 1 if you want to post up or text me where you are headed.

This ride still happening? Would be late but I'd run the route backwards and meet up...

Sounds like you got off light! Glad it's up and running again.

Hey, Dennis, it was great to ride with you. Feel like I went to FJR school! You certainly know the good roads down that way, thanks for a great route.

Hey man, on your way over?