Hello, I am Ren, US Army Soldier currently stationed in Newport News, VA. I have wanted to ride motorcycles for the past 12 years but due to my career I could not do it for all that time.
When I arrived in Virginia last year one of my priorities was to get a motorcycle endorsement, and buy my first bike. I took the MSF course, loved those two days of riding a Kawasaki Terminator 250 (such an appropriate name for a trainee bike!), and then set out to buy my first steed. I considered a few different bikes, was looking for an upright, between $2500-3500 price range. I saw a R110RS, a K75RT and a K100RTP, but ended up buying a 1997 R850R, with little less then 40,000 miles. The bike had been well kept and loved by its former owners (I am the third), came with BMW system panniers, Corbin seat, Stebel horn, Dart fairing, loading ramps, maintenance records, Clymer manual, fresh clutch, etc. The former owner said the fuel tank had some scratches when he bought it, and he wanted to have a paintjob that would be scratch resistant, so now the bike is painted bed liner black! It looks unique and is quite striking yet understated with the silver on black motif.
I went for the 850 versus the 1000 for the more upright sitting position (R versus RS), the 850 motor (more newbie-friendly, and less prone to FD failures), as well as that superb Corbin seat.
The bike has now 43,000 miles, I have ridding over 8,000 miles since last July, and I try to make the point to ride the bike in all kinds of weather: rain, night, wind, fog, etc. I figure that's the quickest and best way to become proficient.
I am looking forward to making friends here and perhaps someday meet some MOA members on the road to happiness.
Without further ado, here is Die Schwarze Sau :
Happy me:
When I arrived in Virginia last year one of my priorities was to get a motorcycle endorsement, and buy my first bike. I took the MSF course, loved those two days of riding a Kawasaki Terminator 250 (such an appropriate name for a trainee bike!), and then set out to buy my first steed. I considered a few different bikes, was looking for an upright, between $2500-3500 price range. I saw a R110RS, a K75RT and a K100RTP, but ended up buying a 1997 R850R, with little less then 40,000 miles. The bike had been well kept and loved by its former owners (I am the third), came with BMW system panniers, Corbin seat, Stebel horn, Dart fairing, loading ramps, maintenance records, Clymer manual, fresh clutch, etc. The former owner said the fuel tank had some scratches when he bought it, and he wanted to have a paintjob that would be scratch resistant, so now the bike is painted bed liner black! It looks unique and is quite striking yet understated with the silver on black motif.
I went for the 850 versus the 1000 for the more upright sitting position (R versus RS), the 850 motor (more newbie-friendly, and less prone to FD failures), as well as that superb Corbin seat.
The bike has now 43,000 miles, I have ridding over 8,000 miles since last July, and I try to make the point to ride the bike in all kinds of weather: rain, night, wind, fog, etc. I figure that's the quickest and best way to become proficient.
I am looking forward to making friends here and perhaps someday meet some MOA members on the road to happiness.
Without further ado, here is Die Schwarze Sau :
Happy me:
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