Hi from sunny Florida

[Breezin]

Hi and nice to meet all of you. I'm new to motorcycles. Started two years ago with a scooter and just moved up to a Honda Rebel 250. Figuring if I practice hard, I'll make another move in June for my birthday. We'll see, but I'm already looking around. This is a world I never knew existed until I moved to Fl five years ago. Living near Daytona Beach, you can't beat 'um - you just have to join 'um. Wish I had done this years ago but better late than never! I'm sure I'll have lots of questions in the future and am so glad you are out there with the answers. If any of you are in my area, give a shout. Or if you get to bike week, let me know. Thanks all and stay safe!

[SFW]

Oh there will be ladies to ride w/ from here. Not me, I'm in NV. Cute - can't beat em join em.
I started on a Rebel and felt very confident after a year and a few months. Then went to a VLX. I am ready to upgrade, but don't have to my VLX takes me anywhere I want to go for now. Took a little while to get comfy on the VLX, really comfy took another 9 months (didn't highway ride w/ my rebel). And now its been 10,000+ miles for me and 3 years later...(I work close to home so the miles don't rack up that fast! I do take the long way home though! )

Welcome!! We are glad to have you.

[Wyomom]

Welcome from Wyoming! Glad you're here!

[amethaelf]

Welcome from Queensland. Glad you joined us. The very first bike I rode was a Rebel, it was a very sweet ride and has enough get up and go to see you through for quite a while. Looking forward to reading of your riding adventures.

[sportygrl]

Welcome from Maryland! You've definitely come to the right place. Any question you have, you are sure to get some answers here. I've found this board to be invaluable, and just a fun place to chat. Have fun with your Rebel!

[tkt2ride]

Welcome from Georgia, glad you joined us!

[DaisyMae]

Hi and Welcome from Colorado!! I started on a scooter a couple of years ago, but that didn't last too long. Had a little more need for speed. Went from there to a VTX (600) and now just a newer 2009 Honda Shadow Spirit (750).

[Breezin]

[/b]Thanks for the great welcome! I am having fun with my Rebel and it's a great learning experience too. I know that I'm going to want to move up to something bigger and am already checking out the 650s. Might as well do your homework. Love to research! Anyway, I do have a question that I know you can answer. There is a great ride close by that I have to do in pieces because it involves a bridge with a grate. Just a short bridge, no big deal, but it has a grate! I just don't know what to expect, although I've had people tell me. Just want to hear more opinions and I need a little push. I'm sure once I go over it a couple of times, I won't think of it again. What do you think? Thanks.

[PIPEDRMZ]

Welcome from Southern California! I too had a Rebel and loved it - I went to the 600cc for a while and then to a 750cc and now I ride a 900 Kawasaki Vulcan! Little by little and everything in it's own time is the safest way to go about it!

"It's always better to grow out of a bike than to try to grow into a bike"

Ride Safe!

[amethaelf]

I'm not sure what a grate is, but I have a feeling they're like cattle grids which we have here, and which I ride over fairly often. The trick is, come into them in a straight line, nice and slow, no braking, look ahead to where you're going and before you know it, its behind you!!

[SFW]

One thing I leanred on my smaller rides is not to fight the wheel. Kinda loosen up on the handlebars and let the bike go into the groove or grate as it wants to and gently guide it. Darn thinner front tires have that same problem no matter bike size (cc) even the sportster and spirits come with 3" or 3.5" front tires.

[malteseyo]

Hi Breezin, and welcome to the forum! At this point, I plan on getting to Daytona in October if nothing happens. I'll let you know.

[Kim]

Welcome Breezin from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Will be headed your way sometime next month. My youngest Daughter lives in Titusville. However, before I arrive at her house, Daytona is always the first stop. JP Cycles, Harley, etc. but this time I am headed to Roar Motorcycles I want them to do my Bike this Winter!!! I also have a 250 that I learned on and just love it. She was really good to me and taught me a lot. I am actually bringing her down for my Son-In-Law to learn on. He is taking the MSF Course when he gets back off deployment. I tackled Bridge Grates within the first couple of weeks of riding. My 250 wobbles going over grates but it is nothing to worry about. Just do not fight it, relax and maintain a safe speed. The best way I can describe it on my 250 was the front shook. But it really was nothing. My first time I did it early on on a Sunday morning when I knew there would be no traffic. I was scared -that I would fall over from the wobble and some cage would go right over the top of me. It is a main Bridge here and very busy. I was so concerned over that dang bridge that I actually drove to it park my car and walked the bridge so I could get a close look at how the grates were made. I stressed over grates for nothing (atleast for me). I ride the same bridge all the time on my 1100 and do not even feel the grates.

[Petcop]

I lived in Port Orange for years until moving out here 3 years ago. I still prefer Florida

I might know what bridge you're talking about to let you know if I've ridden over it or not I'm in agreement that the grooved bridges are best approached head on, but stay relaxed and let the bike "play" a little. Kind of like letting a horse have a bit of lead, if you've ridden. And don't worry about it, if you don't feel comfortable trying it for awhile. I lived in Orlando for awhile, and it took me a LONG time to get brave enough to take one of the tight curves that the entrance ramps to the East/West Expressway are known for.

Lots of beautiful rides around Daytona...enjoy that bike

[88shadow]

Welcome, from N Calif. Grates can be scary at first but do as the ladies said and go straight at it and you'll be fine. You'll wonder ehat the stress was all about (like with everything when we first learn it on our bikes). have fun and send pics if you can.

[Breezin]

Thanks for being such a friendly group. I made it over that bridge a week or so ago. Just decided that "today is the day." Headed out to the "Loop" and as I approached the bridge tried to remember all of the good advice. Well, I must have hit it just right because I crossed the bridge and that was the end of story. Felt nothing! I will admit that the next day when I crossed it for the second time, there was just a little "wiggle" but no big deal at all. Kim, Roar Motorcycles is such a unique place. Their custom motorcycles are beautiful. They do really good work. I'm on their email list and get notified when they put on a ride. Haven't done one yet as I didn't think I was ready but probably will next time. You and Malteseyo will hopefully let me know when you come to daytona. Yes, Petcop, there is a lot of good riding in this area. Guess that's why there are so many motorcycles here. I need to get out of my comfort zone and head out to places like St. Augustine, which would be a great day trip and such a pretty ride on A1A. Thanks again for the nice welcome. Glad we're all riding! Think what we would have missed!

[softail02]

Welcome Breezin.

So happy for you to be getting out on that 250.

Riding the Loop, ohhhh yeah, love that ride. Been camping at Tomoka State Park for years, so on a little bit of the loop almost every day. Full loop at least once of twice during Bike Week. Lots of nice easy roads to ride in the area.

Don't worry about those grated bridges. You've probably tackled them by now. The first drawbridge from I went over, ughhhh, hated that feeling. After that first time, didn't bother me at all. Just like the others said to do. Still don't particularly like having to come to a stop on a higher grated bridge. Can't remember which street that is, I think the one that goes turns into Main Street in Daytona. Not any real problem, just more feeling, and,,,,I don't like seeing the water under me, lol. Fortunantly that doesn't happen very often. Loooooove, the Granada bridge from US 1 to A1A. Don't feel like I'm on vacation until I cross that bridge, then I'm feel at home for Bike Week.

Hopefully, Roar will have a beginners ride soon that you can go on. At least there is someone to ask about what rides might be good for a newbie.

Keep putting those miles under you!

[Breezin]

Yes Softail, I love the Granada bridge as well. I live off of A1A near Granada and even after 5 years, the view coming over that bridge is just beautiful. It's still like seeing it for the first time and I too feel like I'm on vacation. It amazes me how far people come for bike week! That is true love. Hope to see you crusing out there on A1A! We all need to meet up!

[CieBme]

Welcome, Breezin, from too hot VA ...

Grated bridges - yuck - I'd rather look at bridges from the river banks! And grated ... the first time Hubby took me over one it was in the dark in the pouring rain - rain and wind coming up under the decking and lightning striking in the river! I can still remember that wooob-woooob-wooob feeling in the tires when the wind pushed us over toward the centerline. Course, like everyone, once you've experienced it all the scaries goes away. Unknowns put fear into the equation. You knocked that one out of the ballpark - and you have great riding weather all year round to boot!

You're on your way, so be safe and ride w/ a smile!

Cie

[Breezin]

Cie, I know about that VA heat. Lived there off and on for 30 years. Middleburg/Upperville, 35 miles east of Winchester. Beautiful countryside but the last time I shoveled snow was when I made the decision that I would not retire there. Where are you? Great places to ride especially if you are close to the Skyline Drive or Blue Ridge Pkw. Didn't have a bike then but saw a lot there when I went with my RV. Beautiful!

[softail02]

Breezin, did you get the e-mail from Roar about their Confidence Building Class on 8/19? (it's free)

It is really geared towards those that haven't taken the MSF class yet. Still never know what might help to make you more comfortable and/or meet some lady riders, even future ones.

[CieBme]

We are south central - not too far from Richmond, since early 90s. Gone from hating it here to tolerating it. My heart is in SWVA near Bristol.

[Breezin]

Yes Softail, I did get that email and that is a good idea. I was thinking it was just for those getting ready to take the class but I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I joined in and as you said, a good way to meet some other gals. Cie, I understand your love for the Bristol area. Beautiful there and, I would think, great places to ride.