And I'm (finally) shifting!

[Tspinning]

Hey all,

New to a real bike, living in Medford, MA and was told this is the forum to jump on for cool heads, kind discussion, and slow rides down Comm Ave

But for real, I just picked up a 2012 Monster 696 on Friday (was a GOOD Friday indeed) from a member here who encouraged me to join. Went right to the local school complex and practiced for a few hours, then around the backstreets of Medford on Saturday. Sunday morning I got up early and went Rt 28->Memorial Drive -> Storrow and back... and I am LOVING my first 60 miles!

Came from riding a 125cc Buddy scooter for the past 3500 miles for commuting over two winters and one summer, and am so happy to have made the switch to gears, real brakes, real tires, and usable power.

Looking forward to meeting folks and picking up knowledge and joining the community here.

Cheers and keep em' spinning,

Tom aka Tspinning

Oh and a pic of course!

[MoXzilla]

Welcome! SEXY BIKE.

[maxim_X]

Welcome to NESR! Enjoy the summer and new bike

[Pigman]

Welcome and lots to learn on here....

[GingahNinjah]

Whats the over/under on whether or not he is doing track days by the end of the season?! lol Welcome aboard

[daman]

That's a sexy bike right there! Congrats and welcome from another new guy! Take her to the track!

[Stoneman]

I can't possibly be the only one that read that as 'shitting'...

[carsick]

Spring cleaning and such, Stoneman. Welcome new rider!

[OneCheekRider]

Welcome, fellow Medfordian

[TIMMYDUCK]

Greeting and welcome to the group.

I only have one question for you .

Can I ride your bike ?

[dontpanic]

Dibs after TimmyDuck. Welcome!

[Tspinning]

Sadly MA plates don't allow length for my desired: NORIDES

Seriously though, thanks for the warm welcome!

If anyone wants to meet up and do some parking lot/low-speed drills or practice (or give me pointers) I think the school in that picture might be prime. Should note there were some LEO's hanging around when I went on Friday afternoon although they did not bother me. If anyone knows other good (or preferable) spots feel free to clue me in! Gonna pick up some cones in the next couple days and work toward buttery smoothness.

[PhilB]

That's a great all-around bike. Fun, fast enough, yet versatile and useful.
Also durable and very reliable IF properly maintained.
Speaking of which, it is just old enough that if it still has the cambelts it came with, they should be changed right about now.

PhilB

[Tspinning]

Good to know, I'm bringing it in for the first offical service on the 21st and will ask about that. But wait for it... she's just turned 800 miles!

[7UPyours]

welcome and enjoy your ride (nesr not your actual bike)

[PhilB]

Good to know, I'm bringing it in for the first offical service on the 21st and will ask about that. But wait for it... she's just turned 800 miles!

The cambelt replacement has both a mileage component, and a time component. With that few miles, I would definitely get the belts changed. That means those belts have spent a lot of time sitting, drying out and taking a set without moving; they will have parts that are used to be straight and parts that are used to being curved, suddenly forced to do both. I think the time component is more important than the mileage -- I change mine very two years regardless, even though for me that's between 22K and 33K miles.

PhilB

[The Snowman]

was told this is the forum to jump on for cool heads, kind discussion

Then you were lied to. Welcome anyway.

[Chippertheripper]

I'm way nicer now than I ever was, chuck.


Enjoy the show.

[scottieducati]

So you mentioned getting up early, but there are some really great roads near you that are well-lit at night. Some of my favorite riding around Medford is after 10 pm, you'll have decently lit roads and them mostly to yourself.... perhaps a good reason to keep the stock mufflers on that thing

[SwiftTone]

Welcome to NESR!

That's a pretty bike. I also bought a red air cooled Monster over the winter. I'm over in Watertown and up for putt anytime.

Looks like you're off to a good start with practicing and all. I commend you with practicing. We should always be learning and advancing our skills.

[audi]

Congrats, that's a great looking Monster!

As a relatively new rider myself, I second the track suggestion. My first track day was the season-ender last year, and that one day gave me such a huge leap in confidence on the bike, I'm already signed up for 7 track days this season I wish I started track days at the beginning of last season instead of the end.

Plus, you'll have a blast.

[breakdirt916]

shifting is overrated!!

I just roll in neutral with the engine off!!