Ok…u want the long or short version? Long you say…

After all the money was counted and the paperwork complete, I went to leave on Nigel my new Sprint ST. Ok…i have been riding a V Star for the last year and prior to that a 250 rebel…i was a “cruiser babe” or “biker chick” or whatever but certainly not speed racer or a sportbike gal. Well, things change. I wanted more…more power (power is a ominous thing) more ability to hone in on the twisties and more more more….so, I found this 03 sprint and got it all threefold.

Now, back to today. I dropped the bike leaving the driveway. Mind you, this is a bike that has only 9K on it…it has never seen rain nor anything but a spotless garage, that I could have had a picnic in. And I drop it…in less that two minutes. Actually, the fault was all mine. The bike was parked across the driveway, and I decided to jump on and take a very tight right when the bike was facing left. I locked the steering all the way right and gave it some throttle…hahahahahahahahah This bike has 120 HP……need I say more…gotta get used to the throttle control and the fact there is a TON of friction zone compared to the zero of the V Star. As I went over the curb of the driveway, I know I had no control and decided to give myself even less and squeezed the FRONT brake…whoops…hehehe, a blonde moment…no offense blondes but it is a cliché. Down went Nigel…cursing me as he fell.:swearing The previous owner…luckily for me is one buff dude :strong and picked that bike up in less then 1 sec flat…but still pavement and plastic are not friends and Nigel has his first scar. Damn…did I feel like a freakin’ newbie. But damn it, that is what I am, a newbie to this machine. I have to remember that.

Well after that…i am sure this poor ex-owner is thinking….sheesh, so much for that bike!:stooges Gee, glad I sold it to her so she could destroy it!!!!

Ok….i’m over it. I got right back on and rode him and we talked and he said, “girl, get a clue, I can be your best friend or your worst enemy”, your choice. We decided to re-introduce ourselves and set a friendlier bond. He was dreamy.

Hot as the ride was, I was wishing for my camelback all the while. I stopped a couple of time for water, each time carefully applying the rear brake as I came to a stop to stabilize the bike. We had no more problems. He is a bit tall for me…31.7 inches to be exact, so I can get my feet on the ground with a 30 inch inseam…but just my toes, no flat foot unless I lean…and I need to be aware of that lean!!

I rode up to Hwy 4 and then to my favorite, Pool Station Road, which I figured would give me a workout, both mental and physical. And that it did…in a big way. One spike jumped into the road I responded with some quick breaking and this time remained up-right!! 😀 He ran along side of the bike and then back in front of me to his original side. It was rather exciting. The bike handled exceptionally and Nigel applauded me for my not exiting my seat!

From the pan into the brushfire. As I was really beginning to feel pretty good, I rounded a corner at about 65 and there in the middle of Mokelumne Hill was a brushfire nearly jumping the road. There were fire crews trying to get up the slippery hill and a CHP stopping traffic. No warning…just “here I am in the middle of the road!” He was trying to move traffic only one direction at a time as emergency crews were trying to get firefighting equipment into the site. Moments later, we were moving forward and from that point until after Drytown, the highway was filled with emergency vehicles. I assume they kicked that fire’s butt…there were certainly enough responders.

Well….there it is. My first ST ride. Nigel is tough, tall and powerful and I am a newbie again…expanding my riding vocabulary, defining new horizens and seeking clarity as I push the envelope. I am reborn, as a sport-tourer…now let me see what that really means. :hmm

Now for a couple of bike pix…he is rather handsome…