Veteran cager, brand new biker

[brylishehers]

G'day barfers!! My pronouns are she/hers. Been lurking for a couple weeks, read some great threads including brief history of BARF. I want to ask questions but want to be polite and do an intro first.

I've only been riding motorcycles since July 2020. Pandemic got me bored and I remembered the only reason I don't have a bike is my ex told me she'd divorce me if I ever got one, and well, she's my ex!

So I told my little brother I was thinking about renting a sport bike then a cruiser back-to-back to see which I liked more. He's been riding bikes for years and said absolutely not, you have to take the safety class first before you do it. So I found a beginner safety class from Bay Area Motorcycle Training at the Solano County Fairgrounds. I took it, it put the fear of god into me but made me want to immediately get a bike at the same time.


It was a two day course. After the first day I started looking for bikes in earnest, my brother recommended a ~2010 SV 650. I found a 2014 Aprilia Shiver 750 for only $4,500 and FELL IN LOVE. On the second day of training I showed up with a motorcycle trailer, that night I picked up the Shiver in SF and took her home. I spent three short beautiful months with her. Isn't she sexy?


Sadly in September someone tailgated into my gated apartment building garage in Santa Clara and stole her. I was heartbroken, I felt physically really sad for two weeks. After chatting to a number of local bike shop owners I decided to try out a CBR500R because I hope to be commuting up to SF for work a couple days a week post pandemic and Honda’s are so reliable and inexpensive to maintain.

I ended up picking up a 2017 CBR500RA from SF Moto that had some miles on it but had never been sold so I’m the first official owner! She’s got nowhere near the umph of the Shiver 750 but for a new rider she’s got plenty of power so she’s my girl for the next couple years at least.
I took a pic of her recently at Sunset at the beach.


Currently on the lookout for a riding buddy that’s happy to be patient with a safety-conscious n00b to show me some good places to ride within an hour or so of the South Bay. I've read some excellent advice about staying away from group rides until I've got more experience.

[budman]

Bryleigh

Intro well done!

Welcome to the world of two wheels and the community that embraces it.

Hope you enjoy your journey and find many smiles with your miles..!










GOHohoLD

[Pushrod]

welcome

Is your brother a BARFer? If not, make it so. If he is, whuts his handle? He needs a thumbs up for bringing you into the party.

[Caddywumpus]

Congrats!

I hope you are having a blast!

[ejv]

Welcome to the forum! I second Budman, that's a pretty good intro.

Your second photo shows you know at least something about where to ride in the South Bay so you must be doing something right. There are times I ride by myself at a new rider friendly pace and would be willing to show you other places to ride in the area. I am also in Santa Clara.

Sorry to hear about your Shiver. Moto thieves are such a headache in the Bay Area. It would take me a while to get over the theft of my Tuono.

[Butch]

Big welcome. Good for you. Etcetera.

[cheez]

Glad you found BARF Bryleigh! Welcome aboard.

[greenmonster]

Welcome, there’s a lot of knowledge to be had here. I know from my own experience! I would suggest you type in a few key words into the search bar and see where that takes you. Also don’t be shy with questions of your own, and dive into some ongoing threads.

[Butch]

Wait.
What does “veteran cager” mean? Do tell us a story. I’ll try to come up with one in response...

[brylishehers]

Originally Posted by Butch

Wait.
What does “veteran cager” mean? Do tell us a story. I’ll try to come with one in response...

I've been driving since my grandpa taught me how to drive in his 1981 Toyota Hilux 2L Diesel 😁 that bad boy could get up to 65 if it was down hill. I think that was 1990? I've done driver training (excuse for a race day) in my 02 Subaru WRX at Sears Point raceway or whatever they call it now. I couldn't stop grinning for 30 mins after my session it was epic. I guess I've just been driving for 30yrs.

[brylishehers]

Originally Posted by ejv

Welcome to the forum! I second Budman, that's a pretty good intro.

Your second photo shows you know at least something about where to ride in the South Bay so you must be doing something right. There are times I ride by myself at a new rider friendly pace and would be willing to show you other places to ride in the area. I am also in Santa Clara.

Sorry to hear about your Shiver. Moto thieves are such a headache in the Bay Area. It would take me a while to get over the theft of my Tuono.

You're on, you free Sunday Jan 17?

[brylishehers]

thank you so much to everyone else for the welcome!

[W800]

Welcome!

OMG - hate to hear it about the bike. Thieves suck.

I use Pewag 1/2 chain and an Abus 37/70 lock. You can't really carry it around with you - it's more for locking at home and then locking your bike to it.

https://www.westechrigging.com/chain...-padlocks.html

Literally can't be cut with human powered tools. Only angle-grinder. Or cutting torch. They use that as snow chains for those big earth movers that have 20 foot tall tires and stuff. It's crazy chain.

I also keep a cover on my bike (not sure if you do, but it helps a little).

Sending good thoughts your way! (And bad thoughts to those evil thieves, LOL).

[Butch]

So you driven Sears Point in a hot Suub. That garners you some cred.

Group rides are cool, just better with groups of two or three that are familiar with each other's riding habits.

I live at the bottom of Mt Hamilton road. I'd do a ride with ya.

[Eric B]

Welcome to barf. There are plenty of fun roads here in the South Bay. Happy to show you a few.