Well, I finally pulled the trigger and got a sweet deal on a used '03 F4i with 7700 miles on her.
After only having it for a week and a half, headed to Sturgis with some buddies where we logged around 900miles during the week. (I've was there in '03 and '04 without a bike).

What a baptism into riding a bike! Fantastic riding and great times.

 

Welcome to the forums, cbrme!
Congrats on the bike, bud! Sounds like you had a hell of second week with her!!

Sturgis, eh? Hangin' out with the Harley boys? lol..

Welcome aboard, bud... and ride safe!

 

Yep, mixin' with the Milwaukee Iron. Was definitely in the minority (like .01%) but I've always hung out where I want to hang out - don't let what other people think bother me.
Anyway, it's always a great time out there. Lots of cool and interesting people.

 

Everything was definitely a little sore, but it's a great way to figure out how to incorporate your entire body into riding a bike - quickly!!
My hands got VERY numb and found myself shaking my throttle hand out quite a bit during the rides.
I've raced and ridden snowmobiles before so I was able to apply the things that I learned doing that to riding a bike, i.e not grabbing the bars with a 'death grip', squeezing the tank with your legs, using your back to support your upper torso instead of leaning on your hands exclusively, etc.

I'll try to get some pics up here - especially since there are so few metric bikes riding around Sturgis during the rally.

Gotta represent!!

 

I hear ya, bud. I ride with several Harley guys. Not quite sturgis, but I was just at the Johnstown PA "Thunder in the Valley" rally.
Definitely in the minority, too...lol..
But like you said, good times... and great arguements!