Howdy - Part III, subtitled - I did it!

["Jeff Jenkins" <jeff.jenkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<The latest installment in my quest to buy an ST and not puke all over it.)

I woke up and called the bike shop, the bike was indeed ready, washed, and
gassed up awaiting my arrival.  My older baby brother drove me out and
walked around the bike a while, didn't say much but just kind of chewed on
his tongue a while.  That means he likes it and wants it himself, otherwise
he'd criticized the hell out of it.

I grab the key and take it for a spin to see if I still want it.  Did the
same short loop I had ridden before, though this time a little more
comfortable with the bike since I'd ridden one before.  Coming back I
detoured onto a state highway and got it up to around 50mph.  Not bad....
not.... bad....at....alll!!!!

After much shuffling of papers, signing on the x's, and hugging the BMW
mechanic that advised me to check out the Sprint, I walked out the proud
owner of a brand new black 99 ST.  The store owner sold me the carbonfiber
tankpad cover for $20, I stuck it on, and rode off to try and get the bike
up to the 100 mile mark and 5000 RPM.  (When I first touched the keys it had
7 miles on the odo.)

134 miles later and all I can say is wow, and occasionally ow.  I love the
bike....  even  keeping it in spitting distance of 3500 rpm it was a blast
to ride, though the riding position does kind of bother me.  Sore elbows and
wrists, numb hands, and the back is letting me know it's still down there
somewhere.  No worries where this is concerned, gonna get a pair of gel
gloves and replace the barbaric grips it came supplied with.  If a week or
three of riding doesn't ease the discomfort then I think the genmar risers
will. It's not terrible but it isn't something I want to have to suffer just
to ride, I feel sure it will work out with a little muscle-building and
proper padding.

Tranny is nice, though it's hard to find neutral sometimes.  Fuel guage
seems a bit deranged, but I was allready warned to expect that.  Brakes and
lighting are fantastic, just need to adjust the light beams up a tad and
that will be perfect, maybe get a pair of PIAA superwhites for it.  The seat
is indeed nice, no pain in the rear whatsover.

Next additions will be luggage.  Anybody have the 3-piece set, and if so are
you happy with it?  I think the 2-piece will do me but might as well go
whole hog if I'm gonna do it right.  Might also get the seat cowling, though
I can't see spending that much just to cover the seat.  But then again....
it looks preety cool.

Can't wait to ride it more tomorrow and see if I can hit the 300 mark and
take it to 6000 rpm!



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