[IwakuniDiver]

My motorcycle experience started with a Honda XR80 when I was 12. During my teenage years I rode various dirt bikes in the Cascade Mountains and Columbia River Gorge even dabbling a little in mx. When I was 25 I finally got rid of my last dirt bike.

All my life I have always wanted to ride a sport bike. Pretty much ever since I saw Tom Cruise racing up that hill after Kelly McGillis in Top Gun (when it came out). My parents however were less than thrilled to say the least about me riding on the street since my dad lost a few friends over the years (rode HD's) and both my mom and dad were sick of seeing me in the ER from dirt riding and mountain biking accidents. So, I started racing cars instead.(Super Street Drag and Street Stock road course as well as copious amounts of street racing. (before it was "cool")

Through my 20's I never bought a street bike because I was too wrapped up in hot rods to buy a bike. Also, and more importantly, I knew I would be a danger to myself and everyone else on the road.

Finally at 32, I was talked into buying a bike by a good friend of mine who own a HD, thinks "loud pipes save lives", and thought I would be "bored" by anything less than a 600. Well, since I don't get into ANY new sport without researching the living tar out it, I set out to learn about bikes and riding. Most importantly riding well.

Needless to say, I didn't listen to my friend, and bought my VFR400R from another good friend for $1500 with matching gloves and jacket in March.

Since then I haven't stopped reading, and learning. I take my bike out almost every day and practice my form and technique on a closed, very twisty, mountain road not far from my house. Every time I go up there I learn more about my riding and my limits. Also, with everything new I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know which makes me want to be a BETTER rider.

Now, two months later, I can ride with guys from the base that have been riding for a year that started on liter bikes and they can't keep up with me on my "little" 400 in the mountains. When I see other riders and really WATCH them, its easy to pick out those that simply bought the "coolest" or most powerful bike but can't ride for shit.

Now, I'm not saying I'm "special" or have any "talent" with riding. I practice, and take my riding seriously. One day, I hope to move to the track and get some REAL instruction.

Anyway, didn't mean to ramble on and bore everyone. Just offering some "insight" to why I think the way I do.

And BTW, you folks here at SBN were one of the main driving forces in my decision on buying my first bike. Spreading the word is my way of saying "thanks"!.