'allo from Arizona...

[Sterling]

Hello, my name is Ian... and I'm a bikeaholic.

Okay now... collectively... "Hi, Ian."

Step 1:  Share Your Name
- Check!

Step 2:  Share Your Location
- Check!  (Check topic subject... remember?  Good!)

Step 3:  Share Your Bikes
- 2009 Trek 2.3 - Highly Modified
- Lots of other road and mountain bikes...
- Wait... no motorcycles?!  WTF... I thought this was a motorcycle forum...

Step 4:  Share Your Riding Experience
- Road bicycles... YEARS
- Motorcycles... None... 

Step 5:  What Else Would You Like to Share?
- I love long walks on the beach
- Puppies...

... in all seriousness.  I love things with two wheels, and I want to expand my riding to those with motors.  I love Ducatis and I plan on picking up a Monster soon.  Anything you can share would be spectacular!

Cheers,
Sterling

[El Matador]

Awesome intro, you'll fit right in.

Tell us more about your riding experience, might help us recommend something for ya.

[somegirl]

Welcome Sterling, nice to have you here.

Make sure you post up your Trek here: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1537.0

Also don't forget to check in with your local board, AZDRA.

Have you signed up for an MSF course yet?  That's a great place to start.

Also, check out our Monsters For Sale section.  Look for something along the lines of a used 620.

[Sterling]

Thanks for the responses!

I am signing up for a MSF at the end of this week.  I hope that gives me some good direction.  I just need to find me a good set of over-the-ankle boots, and I'm set.  I am open for suggestions.  Budget is not really an issue, but comfort and something I can walk in are paramount. 

Motorcycle experience?  Other than a few scooters and the friendly round of Tourist Trophy, I cannot say I have had a go with a proper motorcycle.  Friends have offered, but the fear of harming someone's pride and joy have always lead me to gratefully decline.

Back to the question of gear... What is acceptable in this community?  Are Monster owners elitist brand whores like road bikers?  In the continual battle of remaining unique, does everyone end up with the same stuff?  Monsters require a unique owner, in my humble opinion, so where should I look to adorn myself with protective gear?

Signed,
Your newly registered, former lurker, me.

[baazigar]

Sterling, I signed up for the Ridesmart MSF course for the 20th, 22nd & 23rd in Phoenix.  They're offering a $100 discount and it's the cheapest one I've found of all the MSF courses.

I think there are some spots still available for the Thursday, Saturday & Sunday course this weekif you wanna get in on it and at least I'll have one person I know there.     I'm signed up for the "B" course, which basically means that Saturday & Sunday classes are from 12:30-5:30 and are cheaper.

The website is:
http://www.ridesmartmotorcycle.com/index.php

[Sterling]

That sounds like a great deal!  I will look into it.  Those dates unfortunately do not work for me, so you will be by yourself...   

Full-time work and full-time school makes the 3-day courses hard to schedule!!  Why can't they just do FRIDAY, SATURDAY and SUNDAY?!  What is up with this Thursday stuff?!