Another bike in the garage

[iowabeakster]

Here is Amy with her new (used) ride. She had just pulled in after a soggy 60 mile ride to bring it home.

She is the one with two bikes...and her new one is faster than mine.

She is wearing the typical German expression for: This is as happy as a person can get.

[Ves]

Cool. I didn't know your wife rode. What is that, a 650R?

[iowabeakster]

This should help her to ride more. She has had a 1980 KZ250 for about 4 years. Obviously that bike is fairly limited in capabilities.

I met up with Mark and Vickie last weekend and they were talking about going to Spring Green over Memorial day weekend. Amy showed a lot of interest and wanted to ride her KZ. I wasn't crazy about the idea of taking the KZ that far.

So now we can do some more longer rides together.

Yep, It's a 2008 650R. I kid her and call it the "girl's ninja". It's top speed will bury my R though.

p.s. We are not married. Boxer called her my wife in another thread. Customers always call her my wife too. Maybe it's time I made this relationship legitimate?

No, I better not...the next step would be to make her a mother...YIKES!!!

[mnnden]

Congratulations, I think she is really going to enjoy the Kawi, Yes those Germans know how to Laugh it up!!! (just kidding)
She shouldn't have any Final drive problems (not kidding) Den

[bobw]

Two riding friends bought the 650R's when they first came out. They howl when cranked up and just kick butt in the tight stuff. Congrats to her!

Safe travels

Bob

[Buckster]

I.B.,
Just wondering on how high the insurance was on that bike. I was looking at one and the dealer wasn't sure if they looped in as a sport bike or not because after all, it is a "Ninja".
Give us a report on how she likes the new ride.
Thanks, Buck.

[iowabeakster]

I think it is considered a "sport". Her insurance company, which covered her old bike and her car, refused to cover it. She got coverage from Progressive at $178/yr. She said it was one step up from the legal minimum of coverages and with $1000 deductible.

She loves the bike, but it is only the second bike she has ever ridden. So...whatever that is worth.

I've ridden a couple of short errands around town on it. It has mild vibes (no worse than a R1150R) below 4K with mild power. It's super smooth by 5K and comes alive at 6K. It is SUPER LIGHT and easy to handle. Riding position is more of a standard than an agressive forward lean, but the pegs are more rearward than our R's. Brakes are mediocre, but I have yet to inspect or play with them. Suspension has limited adjustment...only preload on the rear. Firm ride, "sporty" if you will, but not harsh. I'll have more feeback after this next weekend after we take a ride up to Wisconsin.

[iowabeakster]

Amy seems to love the bike more and more all the time. "It's fast, it's fun, college boys like it, and I can fit on it," says Amy. It's true, everywhere she stops, she has a 20 year old boy drooling on it and asking questions.

The three days of riding to Wisconsin and back went great. Amy was pretty nervous about riding curves at highway speeds. She goes out riding by herself quite a bit now. She's been asking me questions and reading about riding technique, and practicing on local roads. She is gaining confidence and getting better.

She says that she is totally comfortable on the longest rides we have taken. On the day trip to Des Moines we rode over 350 miles (then came home and worked for 10 hours). It was all superslab over 70-80 mph and gravel under 15mph. No sore butt or anything.

She asked me, "What's a Ducati?" (she was looking over my shoulder one day). We looked at Ducati's website. Then she suggested that maybe we could get one and share it. I think it's now time to marry this wonderful woman.