Ray's Motorcycle Experience

From the last post you gather that I had some down time and that’s putting it mildly. Not able to go outside much, using a walker and wheel chair about drove me to the brink of insanity. If nothing else I love being outside and doing things. After the last surgery around the end of September, 2020 started thinking about the possibilities for another motorcycle. Really not knowing how long the healing would take or if it would be possible to ride again weighed heavily on my mind.

Approximately two weeks after the last surgery it was starting to look like I’d be able to walk without assistance, with pain but at least unassisted by some apparatus. Next question, would I be able to throw my leg over the seat of a bike and would the left leg be strong enough to hold me up should I attempt such a feat. 🙂

October, November, and December was slow steady progress using a cane only and doing my best to strengthen both legs as they had been dormant for so long. Hard to believe how fast you lose muscle, flexibility, and balance when laying around for a period of time. During these months I started in earnest searching for my motorcycle.

New motorcycle again would have to fit my budget and this time had to be less weight than the big Yamaha, no way was this left leg going to be able to hold up a heavy weight bike, not until the strength came completely back. In late January was really getting down to a couple of choices, just needed to make the decision and pull the rip cord.

Turns out it was a 2009 Suzuki Boulevard C50 with only 6900 miles on it, looked brand new, had been garage kept and was totally spotless. Bike had less engine and horsepower than I really wanted but everything else about it yelled take me home. The engine was half the size of the Yamaha but it also weighed about 200 lbs. less which was absolutely necessary at this point. Made the deal, brought it home and the first ride was to Lakewood, the highest point in Florida where last year I had been doing most of my walking exercise. Met my brother and sister-in-law there and started walking, having no idea how long I would or could last. Walked two miles but the last mile was pure utter pain.

Next day, rode the Suzuki back to Lakewood Park and walked another two miles, this time a little faster than the day before but still tons of pain. Now any person would think, hey on my way, things are looking up gonna be great in a couple of weeks…. but NO developed a severe pain in my right foot (not the injured leg) and could barely stand much less walk. Researched and concluded it was planters fasciitis, at least that was my diagnosis and was sticking to it. Did not want to go back to a doctor ever again. Looked up all the ways to cure this thing at home, spent money and time on different gadgets, insoles, exercises, and finally decided to try acupuncture. The acupuncture helped a lot but was starting to get expensive and without insurance covering, had to discontinue treatments.

So back to home cure, stretches, rest, ice and elevation. This continued through February, March, and now we are in April and it’s really starting to feel much better. Hopefully with care I can now get this thing back to normal and start my walking again which is soooo…. necessary to maintain health. 🙂

Because I couldn’t walk very well did not mean that the motorcycle had to sit and wait for me. Could still throw my right leg over the seat and so I DID. 🙂 We have had some nasty weather these last couple of months but every day the sun was shining, did my best to get out and ride a little, at least short distances.

Have to tell you, the road back physically is not the only obstacle, mental is also an issue. My confidence is not what it was before the accident. This (new to me) motorcycle is lighter, easier to handle yet it’s taking some time to get back in the swing of feeling comfortable again. Was always cautious and respectful of a bike but seems more so now. Each day I ride is more practice and the feeling is coming back. Some days I just practice here in the yard, starting, stopping, turns, etc. Just trying to build back my confidence. Find it helpful to watch experts give their tips and exercises to become a better motorcycle rider. Here’s a couple that really know their stuff…. Jerry Palladino – Ride Like A Pro YouTube Channel and Robert Simmons – Paying It Forward You Tube Channel. You cannot go wrong watching either of these channels if you truly want to become a much better rider. Highly recommend even if you’ve been riding for years.

Have been on some longer rides, even a Poker Run a few weeks ago and in the next few posts, gonna tell you about some of those rides. 🙂

OH, I guess we have to call the new bike “Suzi” since “Yam” is no longer with us. Will drop some photos below, let me know what ya think.

Above photos is what it looked like the day I picked it up except the back seat was removed also. Notice no windshield, no saddle bags, etc… now have to make it mine.

The three phots above are with windshield added and was my first day riding over to Lakewood Park to do some walking exercises.

First two photos is with saddle bags and rear trunk. Trunk and windshield came with the bike, saddle bags I purchased from Viking Bags- World Largest Motorcycle Luggage Manufacturing Company, Offering over 700 Key lockable Saddlebags and pouches with hardware. and if you’re in the market for saddlebags, pouches, etc… highly recommend them. The third photo is with the rear trunk removed and a sissy bar and rack which is the way I will ride it most of the time. Trunk can be added at any time should there be a need to use it.

Once again, thanks for reading/following, hope you will continue. Remember not an “Old Biker” by definition, just an old man (by birth certificate) that loves to ride motorcycles. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions. Stay tuned, hit that follow button to be notified when next post publishes. And if you feel the urge, you can share this on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Thanks for reading. 🙂

See more Video clips of my rides on My YouTube channel.

Tags: #motorcycle, #newride, #raysriding, #suzuki

This entry was posted on April 23, 2021 at 7:34 pm and is filed under My Story. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.