I took Martina for a ride today. She has ridden as a passenger before; her dad used to take her on motorcycle rides.
We rode the twisties to the outlook in Schenley Park (Route). In some parts of our routes, we had to ride on Forbes Ave., but she told me that I could ride in Schenley Park the whole time. I tried out this new route.
The second helmet I ordered from Competition Accessories arrived at noon today. Finally, I can give people rides on Kat.
Ruthie has first dibs on the ride, but unfortunately she is got a cold while traveling from Santa Barbara this past weekend. When I arrived at school, I asked Erin if she wanted to ride and she emphatically said “yes”.
Before we started the ride, I told her some rules about being a passenger on a motorcycle: (1) Hold on tight to my body and not my arms or shoulders; (2) keep her feet on the foot pegs at all times; and (3) to stay in a neutral position with the motorcycle, e.g., stay parallel to the angle of the bike (no counterbalancing or leaning more than the bike). We also established tap signals for her to tell me to slow down (1 tap) or to stop (2 taps).
We practiced on the parking lot first with two loops. She said she was comfortable and we continued onto the streets.
Rain delayed getting my motorcycle. But today’s respite from the downpour allowed me to pick up the motorcycle . My friend Gary gave me a ride to Jack Maggs Agency (notary) to transfer the title.
After I picked up the bike, I had enough sunlight to head over to Schenley Park to get this picture.
I planned to look at multiple motorcycles today (in order): 1983 Honda CM250, 2004 Kawasaki Ninja EX250, 1986 Suzuki Intruder VS700, and a 1985 Honda Rebel. I ended up getting the second one I looked at.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t take the motorcycle home today because we need a notary to transfer the titles. The owner said I’ll have to wait until Tuesday.
Here’s one of the advertised pictures of the motorcycle I got.
Today, I checked out the first motorcycle I found on Craigslist. The motorcycle is a 1989 Yamaha Radian YX600. The Radian appealed to me because it was within my price range and it reminded me of Elle (a 1989 Kawasaki Eliminator EL250). I know the EL250 is a cruiser-type motorcycle while the YX600 is a standard, but there was something about their looks that appealed to me.
Ruthie joined me to look at the bike. We drove to Bethel Park, PA. The family who owned the bike greeted us warmly. The owner bought the bike for his middle son, but the son did not like how the motorcycle looked. Too retro, he said.
I was better prepared to check the bike than I was the first time I bought one. I talked to my friends, asked questions on internet forums, and read motorcycle facts online. The motorcycle looked great, but it was priced over the Kelley Blue Book value. The deal did not happen, but I’m glad I looked at it. It helped that I talked to Ruthie, Gary, and my brother Robin for advice on how much I should pay. I was too excited to own a motorcycle and they helped me think about the purchase more objectively.
Here is the problem with leaving Elle in California. As Pittsburgh approaches the Summer, I cannot participate in the annual ritual of preparing bikes out of storage for the first taste of hot asphalt. Instead, I can only watch motorcycles come out of their winter hibernation.
To not miss the summer biking season, I started looking at motorcycles on Craigslist last week. I should have done it earlier because there are better deals during winter. But during the winter months, I did not know I would miss motorcycling so much.
I sold my motorcycle today. I had to sell it because I am finishing my internship and moving back to Pittsburgh. I could ship the motorcycle, but it costs about $700; more than half the price of the motorcycle!
I’ll miss the bike a lot. I’ll miss putting on my gear to ride. I’ll miss the hours riding in the hills.
I think the motorcycle found a good home. The buyer just got his motorcycle license, like me when I first bought the motorcycle. It’s nice to have a fellow new rider to join the club of motorcyclists.
The motorcycle at the car wash after washing and waxing it.
These are my notes on resources for anything related to motorcycles.
Websites
Stores
Just installed new taillights.
