Motorcyclism - A sickness

I've wanted a motorcycle for a long time. Since I first realized that my feet couldn't pedal my bike nearly fast enough and going uphill was hard work. Since I saw Fonzie jump 14 garbage cans on Happy Days. Since my dad rode me around the back yard on his old dirt bike. It was an obsession at times. I bought a few motorcycle magazines, gawked at riders on the roads, and recorded a montage of motorcycle racing from TV. I disassembled the old lawn mower and attempted to rig it onto my BMX (at this point now devoid of brakes, cushions, and its original paint). No one who knows my level of handiness will be surprised that this failed.

So I settled for a moped. Whether I was unaware or just unperturbed at the public ridicule that comes along with moped ownership I don't know. To this day I don't understand why the word "moped" evokes a snicker. Anyway, it served me well in the pre-license days. I could tear through the neighborhood at a blistering 30mph - 35 on a good downhill run. But it was always a painful 30, with the engine straining with all its might just to maintain. It left me wanting more, and so the moped was passed on to the next victim.

So the other night I finally bought my first motorcycle. "Giddy" is probably an understatement when describing me for the past week. I researched, I emailed, I called, I rode, I wheeled, I dealed. And now she's sitting pretty in the garage. Sitting.... for the past 3 days she wasn't legal, but we took care of that this morning at the DMV. Now I just need a helmet and I'm good to go. We'll tackle that this afternoon. Oh.... and probably need a license too. Details!?

A big thanks to K-dawg and Sue for all the help!