"A little Rusty" from San Antonio, Florida

[BNTorsney]

My last bike was a new 1977 Yamaha 750 triple with a new idea - a drive shaft; I haven't been on a bike since that time.  When a friend purchased a used "102" cubic inch Yamaha Road Star, I went along for the ride - what a gorgeous piece of machinery! That bike got my juices flowing and a couple weeks later, I purchased a new Yamaha V Star 1100 Silverado; again what a gorgeous piece of machinery.
Needless to say, when I attempted to ride it home, the manger of the store noticed my "rust" and offered to trailer the bike home for me. Not wanting to damage it, I eagerly agreed. That night will little traffic in our retirement community, I took her out for a spin. After once around the block, it was like I never was off for any length of time, no less 31 years! I've attached two photos, the red one is my friend's Road Star and the blue one is my new V Star.

[Croz]

Welcome! Gorgeous bike. (both of them, but I'm complementing yours.)

A friend owns a 1999 Yamaha Royal Star Touring edition, and it's a fantastic bike. Great classic styling, and with real 'innovations' like a shaft drive and water cooled engine! He can hang easily with our friends who ride the big Harleys, and it's a fraction of the price.

Enjoy the ride, and welcome to the forum!

[dt]

Great intro BNTorsney! I kind of know what hoping back on a street bike is like. Just about a year ago, I got back on after 19 years. However, I was on dirt bikes during most of that hiatus. Nonetheless, I was rusty indeed!

Here’s a link to some videos on Motorcycle Riding Basics. When I got back on, I quickly found I couldn’t do a U-Turn on an empty street, among other basic things, LOL. I found these videos and they helped remind me of the techniques…there’s several and, yeah, it’s a kid on a sportbike, but the basics are the same.

Anyway, that’s an awesome bike…congratulations! Welcome to the forum; we’re glad to have you with us and hope you’ll hang out often and help the forum grow.

[BNTorsney]

Thank you both, I so very glad I went along with my buddy. This new bike, after I break her in "real slowly," is going to be GREAT! I had completely forgot what a joy a motorcycle is to ride!

[dcameras]

Welcome to the forum and CONGRATS on the new ride. 

[mrbones]

Welcome to the forum! Those look like great bikes, too.

I'm not sure which bike was first with shaft drive, but BMW started using them in the early 20's.

[maureen]

Great intro BNTorsney! I kind of know what hoping back on a street bike is like. Just about a year ago, I got back on after 19 years. However, I was on dirt bikes during most of that hiatus. Nonetheless, I was rusty indeed!

Here’s a link to some videos on Motorcycle Riding Basics. When I got back on, I quickly found I couldn’t do a U-Turn on an empty street, among other basic things, LOL. I found these videos and they helped remind me of the techniques…there’s several and, yeah, it’s a kid on a sportbike, but the basics are the same.

Anyway, that’s an awesome bike…congratulations! Welcome to the forum; we’re glad to have you with us and hope you’ll hang out often and help the forum grow.

I don't think I'd recommend anything that actually teaches the practice of 'paddle walking' a motorcycle.

[CustomMagna]

Break it in hard.
Check out this link.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[dt]

If he’s right, it could be a new biz line for shops with dynos…breaking in motorcycles. I've researched using synthetic during the break in and he's in the minority on that, but his point of "better safe than sorry" is well taken, because there's definitely no consensus.