New rider from Berkeley

[BerkeleyMonster]

Hi Guys,

Wow, I had no idea there were so many Monster riders in the bay area! I just got my first bike a 2006 S2R 800 Monster. Being such a newb, I hope to learn as much as I can and get out to meet everyone for a group ride!

[desmoquattro]

Welcome!

And nice ride

We should be getting together for drinks this Friday night at Zeitgeist in SF. Come on out and say hi!

[mostrobelle]

Shiny new member, and a shiny new bike.  Nice!  [moto]

[r_ciao]

welcome.
nice bike.   
ride safe.   [moto]

[Itsasickness]

Welcome, and nice bike    If you want to come over to Marin tonight, we are having our monthly Marin Bike Night, just see other list under Ducati Mob for info.  You can meet some of the crew.

Cheers

[Spidey]

It's purty.  Can I ride it? 

A newb, eh?  Have you taken MSF?  And do you you have gear yet?

Bring it across the bridge.  We'll do something about those mirrors and fork reflectors for ya.   

[BerkeleyMonster]

It's purty.  Can I ride it? 

A newb, eh?  Have you taken MSF?  And do you you have gear yet?

Bring it across the bridge.  We'll do something about those mirrors and fork reflectors for ya.   

I took the MSF in San Leandro. I am thinking about getting bar end mirrors but am wondering if they will vibrate less then the current ones I have. As for fork reflectors, can I just take them off?

[desmoquattro]

I took the MSF in San Leandro. I am thinking about getting bar end mirrors but am wondering if they will vibrate less then the current ones I have. As for fork reflectors, can I just take them off?

You can take 'em off, but save them...just in case a cop gets picky.

Bar end mirrors, especially the CRGs, tend to vibrate a lot less. They take some getting used to, but I liked them a lot more.

[Spidey]

As for fork reflectors, can I just take them off?

They'll pop right off.  They're held on by double-sided tape.  Some folks have reported using dental floss or a hairdryer to help them.  I've just always popped 'em off by hand.  +1 on keeping 'em around in some box, in case you need 'em.

I also prefer bar end mirrors.  You can get cheapie ones which work fine or shell out the $ for CRGs.  Getting CRGs have always paid off in the long run for me.  

[TCK!]

It's purty.  Can I ride it? 

Since you're new I would like recommend against letting this gentleman ride your bike

Please take note of his title.

[BerkeleyMonster]

Since you're new I would like recommend against letting this gentleman ride your bike

Please take note of his title.

No one's gonna ride my baby but me

[Labbedds]

First bike?  Congrats.  Put frame sliders on, get good insurance (full coverage), buy good boots (sidi,alpinestars), leather jacket.  Ride safe man and congrats on the s2r.  I love the 800's.

[Michael Moore]

Fishing line also works great to get the reflectors off.

CRGs are great mirrors, I've got 'em on both my bikes. Only thing to be aware of is the mirror is more convex than the stock mirror, so you get a wider field of view (good for knowing who's around and next to you) but cars appear smaller behind you, so it's a little hard to tell a black Mercedes from, oh, say, a black Crown Vic. 

I'm in Berzerkely on Tuesdays and Thursdays for work, but usually on my Vespa. So if you see somebody in a full Aerostich suit on a red scooter, wave hi.

Oh, and be sure to stop by Zeitgeist when were having our get togethers.

[BerkeleyMonster]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Got more questions for ya!

I've got most of my gear already, but still wearing hiking boots (really tough and thick hiking boots). Anyone know a good store in the east bay where I can pick up some real riding boots?

I've also been searching for a place to pick up some basic maintenance item (oil, chain wax, bike stand, battery charger, etc.) do normal auto part stores like Kragen carry stuff for motorcycles or do I need to find a specialty store?

Also what is this "Zeitgeist" I keep hearing about? 

Thanks a ton! 

[mostrobelle]

I've got most of my gear already, but still wearing hiking boots (really tough and thick hiking boots). Anyone know a good store in the east bay where I can pick up some real riding boots?

There's Berkeley Performance Yama-zuki-ha, but don't bother.  Plan on driving a bit to get good stuff.  Go to Scuderia West in the city or Road Rider down in San Jo.  You buy the stuff once and unless you're Spidey you don't really need to buy it again for a while.  You want someone to help you get fitted.  Bring the socks that you'll be wearing when you ride--and I suggest something a little heavier like a hiking sock with some padding in the ball of your foot.  

As for maintenance Berkeley Honda/Yamaha has all the supplies you'll need for really basic stuff.  After that I go to Desmoto in SF.  They have all the Duc stuff and you get a 10% discount if you tell them that you're with us.  If you're interested Enzo and I will be doing a 6K on my bike for the gazillionth time soon.  I used to host big tech days whenever I did this, but it's too much of a pain trying to do valves when I'm getting bugged every five minutes.  So now I just invite one or two people to come over and watch.  I make you clean things on my bike while you watch.  And my bike has a lot of crud on it--juss' sayin'.