Rebecca "Squeaky" Nelson - Houston (SW Side)

[Squeaky]

I can't even control my excitement - I GOT A BIKE!!!
:mrgreen:
After all these months of being envious of all of you, I am now an "official" Two-Wheeled Texan! (ok, I wasn't born in TX but I got here as fast as I could...)

I got an '03 Suzuki SV650S in Copper (puuuuurdy)
[links fixed by your friendly neighborhood admin :-P ]

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/squeakSV650S/Mine2.JPG

http://twtex.com/linkfiles/squeakSV650S/Mine3.JPG

I picked it up yesterday afternoon with the help of Chris "homermacleod" to get it home. Other than the MSF course, I hadn't ridden at all so I didn't think it would be wise to get right on the road. I rode it around the parking lot at the dealer first just so I could say I was the first to ride it.

After getting it back, I took it around the block a few times - I was VERY nervous, but all went well and I was eager to get out on the "real" roads. Unfortunately, I had to go to work so it sat the rest of the evening...

But only until I got out of work at 10. I couldn't resist - despite the dark and the fact that it was a Saturday night in Houston, I took her it out and showed it off to a few friends, then three of us went for a ride around town. Down Memorial Drive, and over to Starbucks for a fill-up (me, not the bike), not that I needed any more energy than was already flowing through my veins :eek: :eek: :eek:

This morning, it was up and at 'em bright and early (despite losing an hour with the time change) and down to Bob's in Rosenberg for the Sunday Morning Breakfast. Only three of us made it, but we're hoping for more next time.

After breakfast, we headed out to some simple country roads down off SH36. I don't know any of the names/numbers of the roads, but thanks to Paul's knowledge of the roads, (dont know his username, he's got a Ducati Monster) they were easy enough for a beginner without making me feel intimidated or like I was dragging everyone down to a slow speed. Chris and Paul were both aware that I was breaking in the bike and couldn't rev over 5k rpms, and they were very understanding. Thanks Paul and Chris! :chug:

We rode until about noon, then went our separate ways. I tried to take a nap to recouperate from all the lack of sleep, but the excitement of finally having a bike of my own didn't allow for many ZZZZZs. I headed out to different corners of town to show my friends my new toy, and although I didn't want to, I actually got on 610 near the Galleria! NOOOOO! It wasn't so bad, but I definately proved to myself I could be alert for stupid drivers making bad decisions on the road.

There, in a nutshell, is the first 24 hours of my biking life.

[Shortline]

Congrats! I love that color, and, it's one of the best looking bikes out there now! I'm going to have to come to Houston, to see it in person sometime, and hit a Starbucks...those are few, and far between out here!
TR
Brady TX

[buck000]

Congrats, Rebecca!

You're braver than I, to get anywhere near the Galleria in your first 24 hours ;-)

Gorgeous bike, too...

[Tourmeister]

Dead links for me :angryfir:

Now come ride with us.... said with swirly hypnotic snake eyes... :-P

[Vee Dub Nut]

Pics no work..

Thats awsome Rebecca! If I were to buy a new bike the SV would totaly be the one I would get. Congrats on your purchase, may you have many fun filled miles. Man I wish my bike was running, Im anxious to get out and ride.

Adam

[Dirtrideroader]

No pictures for me either. I can't believe it, a group of people get together for breakfast and riding, within 10 miles of my house, and I am in Kemah at the time. Something is so wrong with that.

Hope you guys enjoyed the food. I hope to make it next time.

Congratulations on the bike. I know you are having fun, but PLEASE be careful. Don't get too confident.

Welcome to the addiction.

[Squeaky]

Chris, I think you were the one who set it up on HSN, weren't you?

I'll get the links and add them to this page - they are from my yahoo album

[Tourmeister]

Howdy Squeaky,

First congrats!! Cannot wait to see the bike in person.

Second, Proficient Motorcycling - The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well by David Hough (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1889540536/qid=1081142811/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-3350444-4396855?v=glance&s=books)

I cannot recommend this book enough!! Get it read it, several times minimum. Think about what he says when you are riding. It will really do wonders for your confidence and riding skills. I preach this stuff when I am out riding.

Adios,

[Squeaky]

Scott - Looking forward to your next Newbie ride!!!
The MSF course is still very fresh in my head, and after 2k miles or so under my belt I'm going to take the Experienced Rider COurse.

I looked up the book - it looks good, I'll be getting a copy.

I've adjusted the images yet again. I guess yahoo only lets you share from your briefcase, not your photo album...

[Tourmeister]

I just made sure to "share" the album I linked the pics from - can you guys see them now?

Nope. Just a broken link. :-(

Can you provide a link just to the album itself instead of to the individual images?

Adios,

[HotChickenStrips]

Nice bike Rebecca (actually, one of my favorites), the excitement of the first bike..ahhh..sweet memories. what about the Galeria area??/ I ride thru there all the time, always in rush hour traffic, makes for pretty good sense of survival.. :roll: ....If you live/work close, maybe we can ride together after work, or on Thursdays we can go to a Bike Night down in Montgomery to meet all the gang.

Scott, nice avatar man, you couln't wait huh?

[Squeaky]

Bandito - I'm on the Southwest side /Alief. I work nights, so Thursday bike night isn't possible. I've been tempted to sneak out though...

[VFRinAustin]

Congrats on the SVS Rebecca, welcome to the cult. Check out svrider.com. Its agreat site for us SVer's, lots of info and good people.

Enjoy (like there was any real doubt) and be safe

[Dirtrideroader]

Chris, I think you were the one who set it up on HSN, weren't you?

I'll get the links and add them to this page - they are from my yahoo album

I didn't set it up, I just made a suggestion about where to eat in Rosenberg besides Texas Grill. Like I said in my post, I haven't eaten at the Texas Grill in over 20 years. There is a REASON I quit going there. I'll tell you next time I see you.

[scratch]

Nice choice, Rebecca! 8-)

That's a bike that you can be happy with for a long, long time. Now, what pipe are you going to put on it? Gotta let that V-twin rumble, ya know. ;-)

Stay safe!

[Tourmeister]

So am I the only one that cannot see her pics?

[Vee Dub Nut]

I can see them know :-|

[Mustang]

You're not alone Scott.. I can't see the pic either.

Mustang.

[Chirpy]

No habla pictures either...

[Squeaky]

Anyone want to host two pics for me so Scott can quit whining?

hehehe

Paul - Don't know about an upgrade on the exhaust just yet. If I'm going to spend the money on anything right away, it'll be gear.

[Tourmeister]

Anyone want to host two pics for me so Scott can quit whining?

hehehe

Email them too me ;-)

Paul - Don't know about an upgrade on the exhaust just yet. If I'm going to spend the money on anything right away, it'll be gear.

Excellent!! And After you get good gear (including a decent rainsuit if your gear is not waterproof, spend the money on suspension before the exhaust. You won't sound as cool or win big poser points, but the bike will handle sooo much better and you'll have much more confidence in the bike's handling and what it can do. The pipe just makes more noise, it won't make you go faster in the twisties ;-) Then if you still have money to burn, buy a pipe. You won't regret it :mrgreen:

Adios,

[Squeaky]

Great advice as always, Scott.

I just tucked her into bed - since I don't have a disc lock yet I rolled her inside the gate rather than leave her under the carport (I live in a townhouse), but since the rain is coming I threw a tarp over her and secured it.

[Tourmeister]

:tab Hmm... you know what might be a prudent first accessory? Frame sliders!! Extra long ones. Just in case you have a parking lot tip over or something. That way you will be much less likely to scratch up that nice fairing. Talk to Patrick or Susie at Motorcycles Unlimited, they can fix you up nicely. Sorry, not trying to be negative, just trying to get you some cheap insurance ;-)

:tab So how does the bike fit you? Reach to the ground and bars okay? Seat comfy? Clutch feel good? You could ride up here Saturday and hang out with us. By the time you get back home, you'll be quite close to your 600 miles ;-)

Adios,

[texas919]

Way to go Rebecca!

Excellent bike in a killer color. Welcome to the rest of your life! Be safe out there and forget trying to get rid of that perpetual grin you'll have ;-)

[kurt]

I love that bike and that color. I REALLY want an SV 1000 (and a GS and a....well you get the idea). Practice up and then come ride with us in the Hill Country, there is no finer time to be had so close to home.

[VFRinAustin]

Now that is a nice loking ride (now that I can see the pics) congrats.

Tourm wrote:And After you get good gear (including a decent rainsuit if your gear is not waterproof, spend the money on suspension before the exhaust.

As a current SVS owner I think the first thing to get would be a Suzuki Gel Seat for your contact point :oops: . If you go to Ron Ayers.com you should be able to get a great deal (usually around $80-90) and it will be money well spent. Then the frame sliders might be the best idea.

Once again, congrats and enjoy. :chug:

[Red5]

Cool bike.

Get the suspension upgrade before the exhaust purchase.

On Sunday morning, saw what looked to be three sporty standards pass by me on Crabb River. You wouldn't have happened to be in that group, would you?

[Tourmeister]

As a current SVS owner I think the first thing to get would be a Suzuki Gel Seat for your contact point

:tab Softie!! I actually liked the stock seat on the 01 model. However, it did not have those funky sharp angles on the seat either :roll: We put a Sargent seat on the SVS. Beth loved it. It put a lot of pressure on my fellas :shock: I never tried the Gel seat but have heard good things about it.

Adios,

[Squeaky]

On Sunday morning, saw what looked to be three sporty standards pass by me on Crabb River. You wouldn't have happened to be in that group, would you?

I think I was - 10:00-12:00 Sunday down in Ft Bend off 36 and around there. I don't know where Crabb River is, but it sounds familiar. :-)


The frame sliders are already being looked into, as is a gel seat (those angles on the seat really just get 'ya! :moon: ). My new jacket is being delivered Thursday, so is the disc lock, and I'm shopping for better fitting gloves and new boots.

I was thinking of adjusting the rear suspension first to see what that will do for me. I don't really think it feels "soft" the way ppl say, but I really don't know what it "should" feel like.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab The first thing you need to do is set the sag on the suspension. You'll need help as this is hard to do alone. But basically, you are setting the amount by which the bike settles down when you sit on it with all your gear, luggage, etc,... This is done by adjusting the PRELOAD on the front and rear. I don't know if your front is adjustable or not, but the rear should be. This is what we did to Chris's bike when he was up here for the Butt Burner ride right before ya'll left to go home. Maybe someone here on TWT that lives in your area can help you get it done.

:tab Once you get the preload sorted out, the next thing to do is just go for a ride. If you hit bumps and the rear feels really harsh, like the shock is not absorbing any of the bump, then the DAMPING is set to high. You'll want to back that down. If you feel like you are bouncing up and down after hitting a bump, like those old smoking cars you see bouncing down the road, then you need to crank up the damping. You want to be in the range where a bump makes the bike go up and down maybe 2-3 times at most before it settles back to normal. This is a feel thing to some degree and you may just have to fiddle with it. Normally, there is a little dial on the side of the rear shock with a slot for a flat blade screwdriver. It will often have the letters H and S on either side of it. H for hard, S for Soft. Turn it all the way to one side, then turn it all the way to the other and count how many full turns it takes to cover the entire range from one end to the other. After that, set it in the middle of the range and go for a ride. Adjust it in half turn increments either way until you get the bike feeling like you want.

:tab Once you have done all this, you really won't need to mess with it anymore. I had to mess with it on the VFR all the time because I rode with such a wide range of loads ;-) Having it set correctly will dramatically improve the feel of the bike. This is why I made the previous post about getting the suspension done before the exhaust.

:tab A word of warning about the disk lock. It is convenient to carry around and use, but if you ever get on the bike and forget to take it off... Well, it is a common source of bikes being dropped, and also of rotor damage. So just be real careful! I have a cool litte "Remove Before Flight" banner like the ones used on airplanes. I'd be happy to let you have it. YOu can put it on the lock so you are less likely to forget about it.

Adios,

[Squeaky]

Wow, that's a lot of great info.
I'll see if Chris can help me out since he did the preload on his.

[Snoopster]

Hey Rebecca,

Congrats on the new bike!!! :lol: I can't wait to see it in person. You are soooo brave to riding around so quickly. Scott & Beth had to practically drag me out of the parking lot. I don't even like riding 610 in a cage. I haven't had any riding experience w/ heavy traffic yet but I guess it probably doesn't bother you as much living in Houston. Looking forward to seeing ya soon.

[Dirtrideroader]

Scott & Beth had to practically drag me out of the parking lot.

I remember someone having to coerce you into riding the ETBB ride. And, you smiled the whole time...

But, I avoid driving into Houston when ever possible. TOO MANY idiots.

[Squeaky]

I think my enthusiasm has taken over and the fear is all but gone.

The way I see it, if I don't get out there and do it now, I'll never build up the nerve to do all the twisties and stuff that I got the bike to do.

I am bored at 64mph on an empty freeway! Breaking in a bike requires soooooo much patience!

[scratch]

Howdy,

...I have a cool litte "Remove Before Flight" banner like the ones used on airplanes. I'd be happy to let you have it. YOu can put it on the lock so you are less likely to forget about it.



Better yet, put it on your throttle whenever you use your disk lock so that you can't avoid it.

P.S. I agree that you should get good gear and a bunch of other more practical things before you get a pipe, but you should still treat yourself to a nice-sounding pipe like Chris has on his SV ...someday. ;-)

[Squeaky]

I'm also trying to negotiate with Chris for that sweet pipe - he's contemplating a different one, and who better to get that one (cheap) but me!

[scratch]

Well, I think Chris' pipe would make a fine gift, don't you? :-D ;-)

[Squeaky]

ABSO-SMURFLY!
And what do you know... My birthday is right around the corner!

[scratch]

Your b-day is coming up? How conveeeenient! :mrgreen:

[buck000]

Howdy,

...I have a cool litte "Remove Before Flight" banner like the ones used on airplanes. I'd be happy to let you have it. YOu can put it on the lock so you are less likely to forget about it.



Better yet, put it on your throttle whenever you use your disk lock so that you can't avoid it.

My Kryptonite disc lock (http://www.kryptonitelock.com/inetisscripts/abtinetis.exe/PublicArticleDetails@public?artid=2744&atf=product s_item&pgrp=20) came with a nice orange coily plastic cord with a loop on the end:

http://www.kryptonitelock.com/articles/2744/630340x2.gif

I used to just hang the loop off of the clutch lever, but after forgetting about it (twice :oops: ), I now wrap mine around my left grip, as a definite reminder to not try to go anywhere with the lock still attached...!

[STrider]

...Wilbur???

[Squeaky]

...Wilbur???

Ok, fair enough. Here is an update to my TWT profile...

Throughout the miles, Ally performed outstandingly. Arkansas, Hill Country, Austin, and many parts in between visited along the way. Two flat tires, one a nail and the other what seemed like a piece of a razor blade. No mechanical trouble. I learned how to change my own oil, install (and uninstall) Helibars, chain and sprockets, frame sliders, and I managed to strip a screw on the easiest mod around - putting on a gel seat. I learned how to ride on this bike, and I learned what I loved about it and what I would look for in my next bike...

A big Thanks to everyone that allowed me to take their bikes for a spin over the last year. I got to ride (whether for minutes or hours) about 15 bikes (and most of them included shoes :oops: ). I got to feel things about how the bike and I "fit", and I learned that I really liked the upright riding position that I got on Scott's GS. So there I was, bitten by the bike bug at the tail end of 2004. I found and bought a bike, and put my dear SV up for sale.


And so Wilbur was born - a gently used 2003 VStrom 1k. I had the most fun I could have possibly had going out to Austin to pick up the bike. The Austinites got themselves gathered and we made a fun day of it:
http://img135.exs.cx/img135/9743/groupatrock0gh.jpg

The name Wilbur is a throw back to the movie/book Charlotte's Web. It was suggessted that I call the bike a WIDE array of things - pork chop, Earl, Grumpy, piggy... because I'm supposed to take the bike through the mud like a pig :shock: . Well, I could never call a bike piggy and I'm not going wallowing any time soon. So a clean pig... and Wilbur came to mind as a clean 'lil pig that was, as the spider put it, "Terrific". It also has a great memory of watching the movie with my big sister, so that helps. :-D

[Tourmeister]

Hmm... should she change her name from Squeaky to Squealer? :-P

Adios,

[Tx Rider]

Well for a clean pig it could have been Arnold, wasn't that the pigs name in Green Acres?