theraphosa
Active member
When I pulled up to the dealership, they were expecting me, and she was the only bike they had pulled outside. A 2006 "AE" with only 3k miles, already lightly farkled with a bra, driving lights and a topcase. When I took her out, I knew right away this was the bike for me.
I had been a little apprehensive about trying out the AE, but after much searching and reading of more than a few key threads here on the forum, I was able to avoid the feared "clunkiness" after only a few miles. I really owe it to the forum folks for supplying so much info in so small a space. Like one poster had said, the key was not making a huge roll off the throttle, just barely and quickly twitching the throttle back. She shifted as slick and as efficiently as any bike with a manual clutch. ...and let me add, on a day in the 50's the heated grips rocked. I never knew what I was missing!
When I brought her home, I pulled in to the garage grinning like the traditional "******* eating briars". My wife just smiled, shook her head and went upstairs, leaving me and my new mistress to be alone. Few downsides so far; the biggest annoyance with the bike is the fact that it has two sets of keys. One for the ignition (which was replaced by the dealer), and the other set for the bags. I wonder if it would be easier in the long run to see if I could get the bags rekeyed instead of the ignition. Either way, it's not a huge deal, just an annoyance. Also, the PO had "decorated" the bike with some Yamaha stickers and lettering, so that has to come off, I like the clean look. After an hour and a half in the saddle, my butt was starting to itch a bit, so maybe that could use some looking into... (the saddle, not my butt).
The worst part of the day was removing my license plate from the Connie. She had been a great bike, pliable and forgiving. We'd been together for a couple of years and over 10 thousand miles, much of it my daily commute. There had also been a trip to FLa, the Dragon, and through the Smokies. Knowing it was going to be the last time I sat on her made for a poignant moment, ...and then I turned and threw a leg over my new ride.
Every bike I've ever ridden has been a thrill (sometimes a good one, sometimes a scary one, rarely a bad one). Words fail me for the feejer, it is absolutely the finest machine I've ever had the pleasure of riding, ...let alone owning.
Thanks guys for all the prep work!
I had been a little apprehensive about trying out the AE, but after much searching and reading of more than a few key threads here on the forum, I was able to avoid the feared "clunkiness" after only a few miles. I really owe it to the forum folks for supplying so much info in so small a space. Like one poster had said, the key was not making a huge roll off the throttle, just barely and quickly twitching the throttle back. She shifted as slick and as efficiently as any bike with a manual clutch. ...and let me add, on a day in the 50's the heated grips rocked. I never knew what I was missing!
When I brought her home, I pulled in to the garage grinning like the traditional "******* eating briars". My wife just smiled, shook her head and went upstairs, leaving me and my new mistress to be alone. Few downsides so far; the biggest annoyance with the bike is the fact that it has two sets of keys. One for the ignition (which was replaced by the dealer), and the other set for the bags. I wonder if it would be easier in the long run to see if I could get the bags rekeyed instead of the ignition. Either way, it's not a huge deal, just an annoyance. Also, the PO had "decorated" the bike with some Yamaha stickers and lettering, so that has to come off, I like the clean look. After an hour and a half in the saddle, my butt was starting to itch a bit, so maybe that could use some looking into... (the saddle, not my butt).
The worst part of the day was removing my license plate from the Connie. She had been a great bike, pliable and forgiving. We'd been together for a couple of years and over 10 thousand miles, much of it my daily commute. There had also been a trip to FLa, the Dragon, and through the Smokies. Knowing it was going to be the last time I sat on her made for a poignant moment, ...and then I turned and threw a leg over my new ride.
Every bike I've ever ridden has been a thrill (sometimes a good one, sometimes a scary one, rarely a bad one). Words fail me for the feejer, it is absolutely the finest machine I've ever had the pleasure of riding, ...let alone owning.
Thanks guys for all the prep work!
