Psycho-Babble Social Thread 1093590

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Motorbike

Posted by alexandra_k on December 21, 2016, at 1:01:10

I brought a motorbike, yeah!!! So happy :-)

Just a little one. Kind of ugly one, truth be told. But it's my motorbike yeah!!! So happy!

I didn't even test drive it. The mechanic said it was alright... I will have to get up at 5am and learn to ride it on the roads (in the right lane at the right speed) when the cars aren't around and then work from there. It's really hilly some parts around here with those curved high top roads about the place... And we have the steepest street in the world, even (or so they tell us).

I got a really good deal on it because he just wanted some cash before christmas. And because he's got a car and I think he got tired of how much it costs to keep it registered and so on. I got a manual and a basic tool-kit. I'm going to me one of these and learn how to adjust the chain:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beam-Style-Torque-Wrench-Digital-3-8-Inch-Metric-0-75-lb-1-ft-lb-Graduated-Tip-/141915176811

(actually a 1/2" one for the axle wrench and a 3/8" one for everything else)

He said it can be easiest to give it a kick-start when it's cold. I guess I'll figure it out...

So happy :-)

 

Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k

Posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2016, at 21:19:54

In reply to Motorbike, posted by alexandra_k on December 21, 2016, at 1:01:10

Way cool, Alex. I can picture you tearing around, the look in your eye, and the smile on your face.

Lar

 

Re: Motorbike

Posted by baseball55 on December 24, 2016, at 20:25:59

In reply to Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k, posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2016, at 21:19:54

Is a motorbike a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle?

 

Re: Motorbike » Larry Hoover

Posted by alexandra_k on December 28, 2016, at 21:11:45

In reply to Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k, posted by Larry Hoover on December 23, 2016, at 21:19:54

> Way cool, Alex. I can picture you tearing around, the look in your eye, and the smile on your face.

> Lar

Haha, might take some time for that. I had good fun kick starting it this morning, ha, and then I nearly dropped it twice. I keep forgetting that it isn't just a heavy bicycle that I can manhandle around. It is 130+kg and if I lean it too far I really will have to drop it.

 

Re: Motorbike » baseball55

Posted by alexandra_k on December 28, 2016, at 21:17:22

In reply to Re: Motorbike, posted by baseball55 on December 24, 2016, at 20:25:59

> Is a motorbike a motorcycle or a motorized bicycle?

Ah. I meant a motorcycle. I'm used to hearing people talk about 'motorbikes' but I suppose they really mean dirt bikes or farm bikes or some combination thereof...

It's a proper motorcycle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw1ihEitncs

It's supposed to be small and agile but it feels big and heavy compared to a bicycle. I think my experience with bicycles isn't so helpful, actually, because I keep expecting it to handle the same way and it really just doesn't.

I'm lucky that where I'm moving to (back into a residential hall, actually) is empty at the moment. Not many people around and only the occasional service vehicle. I can practice on the small carparks and service roads. It's a bit tricky to get it into first gear once I've stopped and if it's in second it will stall when I move off... Need to practice more off road before I'm ready to deal with cars and people and road rules, too. Apparently it is the finicky handling skills that really are the hardest. Once the controls and handling are fairly automatic then I can worry about other things...

I'm surprised how exhausting it is. Not at all like that episode of 'House' where he just buys one on whim and goes off free as a bird... I got a good jacket with some built in armour and a full face helmet... It's very hot and constricting. Apparently it will feel different once I get to go more than 20ks/hr ha.

 

Re: Motorbike

Posted by hiddenhurt on December 29, 2016, at 16:34:16

In reply to Re: Motorbike » baseball55, posted by alexandra_k on December 28, 2016, at 21:17:22

Congrats! Be safe.

 

Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k

Posted by baseball55 on December 29, 2016, at 18:10:22

In reply to Re: Motorbike » baseball55, posted by alexandra_k on December 28, 2016, at 21:17:22

Oh, a motorcycle. In the states (or at least the state where I live) you need a special license for a motorcycle, which generally means taking lessons.

 

Re: Motorbike » baseball55

Posted by alexandra_k on December 29, 2016, at 22:06:33

In reply to Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k, posted by baseball55 on December 29, 2016, at 18:10:22

> Oh, a motorcycle. In the states (or at least the state where I live) you need a special license for a motorcycle, which generally means taking lessons.

Yes. And I did.

I think you guys have some all-day affair of basic handling skills... We have this test that you have to progress through... I paid for 2x 1 hour lessons and then managed to get through the (5 minute) test in 1 hour...

That means I'm okay to learn to ride on the road...

But I didn't grow up around dirt bikes or farm bikes the way that most people who get into motorcycles did... And I don't have a boyfriend or husband or whoever who is encouraging me so that I can follow them around / tag along on road trips... So it's a bit of a steep learning curve.

Apparently I really am good to ride on the road...

Or, more to the point...

The guy who passed me trusts me not to be an idiot. He said I should practice more, of course. The trouble is that I actually need a licence in order to buy and register and insure a bike... I suppose many young guys would just get out there on the roads, already... I'm going to be cautious in working on my moving off (in particular) so the car behind me won't accelerate into me at the lights when it didn't notice me stalling in front because it was too busy perving at it's gps...

anyway... i can practice off road for around a week. and then i can get up early in the morning and beat the light traffic. have a couple months of that before classes start up / things get back to normal / normal commuter traffic.

 

Re: Motorbike » hiddenhurt

Posted by alexandra_k on December 29, 2016, at 22:19:36

In reply to Re: Motorbike, posted by hiddenhurt on December 29, 2016, at 16:34:16

> Congrats! Be safe.

thanks! I will do my best.

 

Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k

Posted by baseball55 on December 30, 2016, at 18:14:49

In reply to Re: Motorbike » baseball55, posted by alexandra_k on December 29, 2016, at 22:06:33

I'm impressed you're doing this. My husband had a motorcycle and I wouldn't even ride on the back. They terrify me.

 

Re: Motorbike » baseball55

Posted by alexandra_k on December 31, 2016, at 0:46:36

In reply to Re: Motorbike » alexandra_k, posted by baseball55 on December 30, 2016, at 18:14:49

Ah. Needs must, I'm afraid. If I wanted to drive a car by myself I'd need to progress to a restricted car license and to get to that I need to spend a lot of hours driving someone around when that person has their full license. I don't have anyone to drive around. So... Motorcycle license is basically the only way I can have an independent mode of transport.

I am scared, truth be told. But... Needs must. So I'm telling myself it is exciting. And just like riding a horse (and I'll learn to be a lot better at it with practice) etc...

The best thing about it so far... Is that I think I'm starting to make progress on the clothing situation...


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