[Curtis Paul]

Had a great day today. I bought my grom back in January, but due to Chicago weather I have been unable to ride. Today, 39 degrees and sunny I went for it. I have not ridden a motorcycle since I was about 13 (I think ), I am 41 now. Picking up the bike, I have to admit, I was nervous. The roads were wet from melting snow and filled with Chicago traffic. Fortunately, the dealership I purchased the bike from was really understanding and drove the bike over to a nearby church parking lot and let me ride around to get comfortable first. I have to say, it did not take long for me to get going. As a new rider with very dated experience, I was up an running in minutes. I put 43 miles on the bike today and was comfortable the entire time. The engine power is just perfect for a new rider. Outside of finding neutral issues (I posted a different thread on that), the bike performed perfectly. On two separate occasions, people asked me about the bike.

I have to be honest, I really did not want to put the bike away. I really wanted to drive across country and leave it all behind LOL I finished the day meeting my wife at a nice mexican restaurant. What a good day!

 

[dlakerguy]

Sounds like fun! I got mine a few weeks ago with only 2 miles on it. Today it has 12 miles. I have been itching to ride it but am still waiting on getting gear and finishing my license stuff. I have only been able to ride it around the neighborhood a few times. I can't wait to finally commute with this thing on a daily basis! It will make me look forward to going to work almost haha!

 

[Curtis Paul]

Sounds like fun! I got mine a few weeks ago with only 2 miles on it. Today it has 12 miles. I have been itching to ride it but am still waiting on getting gear and finishing my license stuff. I have only been able to ride it around the neighborhood a few times. I can't wait to finally commute with this thing on a daily basis! It will make me look forward to going to work almost haha!

I know what you mean about work! I need the weather to improve as well as my skills before commuting to work, but I do not think it will take long. My commute will be 14 miles each way into downtown Chicago. I think I will adjust my schedule to as off peak traffic as I can.

 

[dlakerguy]

Mine is 11.5 miles each way and I too need to get a little better with the clutch before I start. Plus get the gear I need. The last thing I want to do is stall at a traffic light and annoy drivers behind me.

 

[Curtis Paul]

Mine is 11.5 miles each way and I too need to get a little better with the clutch before I start. Plus get the gear I need. The last thing I want to do is stall at a traffic light and annoy drivers behind me.

So, I stalled a couple of times and was able to recover very quickly. It is embarrassing, but honestly, I was so focused on restarting and going that I did not have time to worry about the people behind me, then after I got going, I was proud of myself and did not care LOL.

I have a helmet, gloves and jacket. Because I did the rear fender eliminator I would add rain pants. My butt got soaked today and covered in black sludge from the melted snow on the streets. Sun glasses and also, I am going to invest into riding boots, something like these: Dainese Street Biker D-WP Shoes - RevZilla

 

[Dadoo]

I got out on mine a little today. Its been in the 20's or lower for weeks in southern ohio so i had to get in some today since it was over 40. My first street bike so i kept it slow. did get 21 miles in though

 

[dlakerguy]

I want to get boots to protect myself but I have 2 issues. 1- I need some that look decent enough to wear to work as well. I dress up for work everyday. That or they need to be easy to take off and on a lot so I can quickly change into work shoes I leave there.

2- The grom is pretty small and the distance between the left side peg and shifter is small. Most boots look so big! I don't want my shifting to be really clumsy because of giant boots.

 

[Mainjet2001]

I want to get boots to protect myself but I have 2 issues. 1- I need some that look decent enough to wear to work as well. I dress up for work everyday. That or they need to be easy to take off and on a lot so I can quickly change into work shoes I leave there.

2- The grom is pretty small and the distance between the left side peg and shifter is small. Most boots look so big! I don't want my shifting to be really clumsy because of giant boots.

You can rotate the shift lever up a serration or 2 to help with bigger shoes or boots. Also look into longer shift levers (after market) to help with fitting it all to your shoes or boots.
PS....also your good shoes...... won't like shift levers. LOL

 

[Gotwake424]

Mine is 11.5 miles each way and I too need to get a little better with the clutch before I start. Plus get the gear I need. The last thing I want to do is stall at a traffic light and annoy drivers behind me.

I know it's embarrassing!, but everyone stalls even experienced riders. Just clutch in and restart

Did a little over 100 miles today with my friend who just got his ninja 650r it was a BLAST can't wait for more warm weather!

Blackberry 10

 

[dlakerguy]

I had to take mine out tonight when I got home from work. Hit 55 for the first time. It has 20 miles on it now. At 55 mph the tach is at about 7000 rpm. Is that about normal for everyone? I don't want to redline it, especially during break in. How are people getting to 60-65 mph? I only weigh 145 too... Does it start to go faster after break in?

 

[iluvgroms]

better make sure you wash all that salty sludge off or it will rust the frame I would have loved to ride today but too much crap on the roads and way too many potholes I can wait until it is a bit drier and roads are cleaner but glad you all had fun it was tempting

 

[Curtis Paul]

I got out on mine a little today. Its been in the 20's or lower for weeks in southern ohio so i had to get in some today since it was over 40. My first street bike so i kept it slow. did get 21 miles in though

I took it slow too. 40 mph was as fast as I went. Too much congestion anyway.

 

[Curtis Paul]

I know it's embarrassing!, but everyone stalls even experienced riders. Just clutch in and restart

Did a little over 100 miles today with my friend who just got his ninja 650r it was a BLAST can't wait for more warm weather!

Blackberry 10

100 miles! very nice

 

[Curtis Paul]

better make sure you wash all that salty sludge off or it will rust the frame I would have loved to ride today but too much crap on the roads and way too many potholes I can wait until it is a bit drier and roads are cleaner but glad you all had fun it was tempting

Yah I know! It wasn't my best idea, but I could not help myself. I washed it off when I got back.