David Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Nate, our youngest, turned 21 last week. About 3 years ago he expressed an interest in riding. The first step was the BRC, a basic riding course. He'd never operated a clutch before, so that was a good place to learn. The second step was getting him a used Buell Blast. What a POS that thing was, but he didn't know better. The third step was spending time in the neighborhood, parking lots, and dissecting racing on TV. Particularly helpful were the braking drills I created for him, as he was an eager student. The fourth step was selling the worthless Blast and buying a KLR, which he was given use of after a trip to Mexico. The fifth step was just letting him ride and ride. He's put nearly 5,000 miles on it, including several solo cross country trips several states away. The sixth step was today, when I felt like he was ready for a different experience. He's been responsible, listened well, and I'm really proud of him. So I handed him the key to the 12GS and said... Three things, man: a) This thing has brand new tires. There's not even 1 mile on them, so be careful with power, braking, and leaning. b) This beast weighs about 170 lbs more than the KLR, and it carries it up high. Watch your step at stops. c) Unlike your KLR, this bike has brakes. So off he went, using the clutch perfectly and executing excellent shifts. Eventually he came back, hopped the curb, and rode confidently across the lawn with a huge grin on his face. "Man, I felt like I got out of my old Marquis into Mom's Q45. I expected it to be more difficult to ride, but it was much easier. Everything is tight and precise and smooth." This is my own version of graduated licensing. Next up? A 3 day road trip together (with a friend of his tagging along) with some video work to talk through line selection. Link to comment
Tasker Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Sounds to me like he's ready for Gunnison... Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 A new BMW rider is born! Congratulations on the tiered approach. Wish that we had more like you out there! Perhaps some of the idiot comments we all here about the dangers, etc. of motorcycling would dissipate. Good job Dad!! Congratulations son! Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Well done, David and Nate. Shows what a concerned and involved parent who communicates with his offspring can do. If only that were the case for the rest of the country. Just one question. Where do you hide the keys for the Priller, now??? Link to comment
Art.. Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 This can only mean one thing.................David's gettin' a new bike and the KLunKer is for sale Link to comment
David Posted May 21, 2006 Author Share Posted May 21, 2006 Just one question. Where do you hide the keys for the Priller, now??? Well, nowhere, actually. He's been told that he is free to ride that, too. Only he'll have to wait until later in the week, as I'm off to VIR for a day of hooning and it's all shiny and prepped. Link to comment
David Posted May 21, 2006 Author Share Posted May 21, 2006 This can only mean one thing.................David's gettin' a new bike and the KLunKer is for sale Oooooh, no. The current stable is perfect. Riding a KLR will keep you humble. Nate is working at Nashville's public radio station this summer, and that's his commutting tool. Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 off to VIR for a day of hooning and it's all shiny and prepped. Ooooo! Lucky you. Great place to take it out and wring its neck. Your gonna have a blast!! Lucky Nate as well. Having a Pop's who is willing to share his toys. Link to comment
Lone_RT_rider Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Nate is working at Nashville's public radio station this summer, and that's his commutting tool. I would love to hear more about NPR (Nates Public Radio) experiences in other topics sometime. I did radio in college as an on air DJ and also some time in the editing department as an assistant PD. It would be interesting to hear what he thinks of it. /hijack Shawn Link to comment
David Posted May 22, 2006 Author Share Posted May 22, 2006 I'll ask him to share some thoughts in a new thread in Other Topics. The coolest part is that he gets to produce two stories (7 mins each) for on-air broadcast. Link to comment
Ponderosa Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 My son is in Baghdad right now and when he gets home I plan on getting him started on a bike. He has ridden a dirt bike but needs a street bike. Not to hijack your thread but what about the Blast was not to your liking. I always thought it would be a good starter bike. Link to comment
GelStra Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Congratulations on the tiered approach. Wish that we had more like you out there! Now, before I say this, everyone understand that THIS IS A JOKE! I'M NOT REALLY SERIOUS HERE!!! NAHDBT!!! It's just that my twisted brain thinks this way. Disclaimer out of the way, too bad that the fathers of most first time HD buyers are too old to do this type of rider introduction! It would sure eliminate some embarrasing videos! Link to comment
David Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 Not to hijack your thread but what about the Blast was not to your liking. Barely enough power to keep up on the interstate. Shitty build quality. Troublesome vibrations, even above idle. Nasty transmission. Grabby clutch. Brakes that are difficult to modulate. The only real advantages: Cheap to buy. Very low. Very light. Link to comment
steveknapp Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Now I want to take one for a demo ride. I was looking at one for a friend who was looking for his first bike. My Buell sales guy all but refused to sell him one. "If you don't outgrow it tonight, you'll outgrow it tomorrow morning". Having said that, when we were up in the UP with the BRAG folks there were 4 Blasts. They had no problems keeping up, even did OK on the dirt. Seemed to be having plenty of fun. Link to comment
David Posted May 23, 2006 Author Share Posted May 23, 2006 Now I want to take one for a demo ride. Knock yourself out. I don't think the Blast is any reflection on Buell as a whole. They make some good stuff. But hte Blast is just a really nasty bike. Link to comment
steveknapp Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Curious, any non-nasty MSF/learner bikes? Link to comment
Joel Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Riding a KLR will keep you humble. And honest. IMHO, the Blast and the KLR are key parts of your equation. Not to put the tool ahead of the craftsman, and not that they are the "be all and end all," but it wasn't until I rode some BMWs that I realized how many imperfections and faults a good bike could cover up. As nice as it has been, I'm grateful to have learned on machines that weren't so forgiving. If you can ride a lesser bike well, you can certainly ride (and enjoy) a good bike better. Kudos to you and Nate. Link to comment
Shawnee Bill Posted May 24, 2006 Share Posted May 24, 2006 A most wonderful thing, watching your offspring take flight on their own. Link to comment
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