I guess it is getting on toward late February instead of mid-February. Sponsorship is turning out to be a good thing, especially since just about all of my riding gear is very close to completely worn out. I just ordered a replacement for my four year old Shoei, a new pair of boots and a new pair of gloves. The new helmet is just like the old one. It didn't need any upgrading, but the boots and gloves will be huge improvements. Both are Alpinestars and a step down from top of the line. For a $100 premium, I don't need top of the line as long as the armor is all pretty much the same. Tires are going to be a huge expense, probably the biggest expense in the whole season. Even with a good discount, I expect to get through somewhere between $2000 and $3000 worth of tires.
The bike is painted now. This is the bike with its final paint:
http://www.triumphrat.net/memberalbu...ted_Gixxer.JPG
It doesn't have a number yet, with the exception of a 9 on one side of the tail. My number will be the WMRRA standard 9xx novice number, so I won't have to peel off the 9 unless I graduate from the novice ranks early. Rattle can turned out pretty well, although I have to say I am not too impressed with Hotbodies plastic. It fits OK, but not great. The original stuff fit better, but it was pretty chewed up and the paint didn't take very well. The old stuff will be my spare plastic, since it doesn't look as good although it fits better.
02-21-2008 06:07 PM
