Greetings from FNG

[trippeee]

Greetings all

Been lurking here for a few months so I figure it’s time I finally say high. I’ve owned my brand new blue ’06 for close to a month now. I started checking into this board a few months back when I started thinking about getting the S3. I finally test road the bike and hated it. Bought one anyways just so I could banter with you lunatics. :-D

Got a pretty good deal on mine through Ebay from North Coast Motorcycles in Holy Toledo. They are going out of business and liquidating all there bikes and stuff. I had to drive ~700 miles round trip to pick up the bike. I ended up doing a couple 360s on the turn pike in a snow storm and hitting the jersey barrier with the ass end of my truck on the way there.

I had to kick and pry my tail gate off to get the bike in the truck. Then with the bike in the back, my mushed up fender was rubbin against the rear tire. I talked the guys in the shop into crinkling my fender way up under there with a fork lift so I could get home. Those guys were great. Shame they’re shuttin down shop.

Lovin the bike so far. I just went over 300 miles. I’ve had the false neutral between 5th and 6th 5 times, it does make an UGLY sound when that happens. No other real issues with the bike so far. I’m roughly following the sticker break in. I haven’t had the bike past 6500 RPM except for those missed shifts.

As far as mods - I heated and bent my mirror posts about 10-15 degrees lower. Now they are functional and don't stick up so stupid lookin. Painted them black and they looked like new, but I got to anxious to check them out and when I put them back on and slid the rubber boot down, it marred the paint (guess it was still a little soft). Still have to tuck my arms in just a tad to see directly behind me. Ripped the reflectors off the forks and stickers off the tank, that’s it. I’m cheaper than Cheap!

On the mod priority list is a fender eliminator. Can’t decide if I want to fab something myself and find some flush mount LED blinkers to mount or go with the Clear Alternative. I also want to get rid of the clear plastic brake fluid reservoir, but understand the company that made the billet style went out of business. I’m looking for a blue seat cowl if any one wants to sell theirs. I can’t spend a whole lot on it right now. Mama’s still pissed about me fn up my truck going to pick up my bike in a snow storm.

I’m curious about folks’ opinion about Clinton Cycles in DC. Those guys are the closest dealer for me. I’m just a week or two from getting my 500 mile service (can't wait to ride WITHOUT a snow suit!). I’m leaning towards doing it myself if they are going to charge more than $100. I couldn’t find any where in the warranty manual that says the dealer has to do it.

Wow I’m rambling. Sorry for the long post, just trying to lay it all out there.

[B_Naked]

welcome tripeee! i bought my bike at clinton cycles, although i've never had it serviced there, so i can't comment on their work. my suggestion would be to buy the service manual and have fun with it.

[Limey]

Welcome. :-D

[Catenaccio]

Trippeee

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you joined this lunatic asylum for all the right reasons! Enjoy!

[Goffe]

Welcome. You are obviously dedicated, and completely insane. You fit right in.

[ThePope]

Sacrificing your truck for the sake of a speedy? Classic decision, your an asset to this forum and I'm happy to welcome you to the team. Now go, spread the word among the peoples my son :chug:

[BUCKET]

Welcome trippee,what's FNG? :-D :hammer:

[dr_gallup]

Welcome! Do the service yourself, it is just an oil & filter change and check all the levels and adjustments. Things you should be doing every week anyhow. Just keep receipts so you can prove the work was done.

[BillT]

Welcome trippee,what's FNG? :-D :hammer:

F**king New Guy :-D

Welcome, FNG!

[trippeee]

On 2007-03-05 11:45, B_Naked wrote:
welcome tripeee! i bought my bike at clinton cycles, although i've never had it serviced there, so i can't comment on their work. my suggestion would be to buy the service manual and have fun with it.

That's where I did my test drive on a yellow '06 they had. I wasn't terribly impressed by the sales staff, but the one service guy that prepped the bike looked like a knarly old hippy from the '60s about 3 joints into his day. But I kinda like that - he looked like he knew and respected the bike.

I down loaded the service manual and I'll end up doing it myself. The Mobile One oil can be had at Walmart for under $9 and I'm sure I can find the filter for around $10. Add in the price of a 6 pack and that's a first service for around $50 vs. the $200+ I've been reading about.

Thanks for the welcomes from everyone.