Tonight I bought myself an early birthday present, a 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900. Here are the specifications:

• Engine Type: 4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, SOHC, 4-Valve Cylinder Head, V-Twin
• Displacement: 903 cc
• Bore and Stroke: 88 x 74.2 mm
• Maximum Torque: 60.8 lb.-ft. @ 3,700 rpm
• Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
• Fuel Injection: EFI with 34mm Keihin Throttle Bodies (2)
• Ignition: TCBI with Electronic Advance
• Transmission: 5-Speed
• Final Drive: Belt
• Rake/Trail: 32°/6.3 in.
• Front Wheel Travel: 5.9 in.
• Rear Wheel Travel: 4.1 in.
• Front Tire Size: 130/90-16
• Rear Tire Size: 180/70-15
• Wheelbase: 64.8 in.
• Front Suspension: 41mm Hydraulic Telescopic Fork
• Rear Suspension: Uni-Track swingarm
• Front Brake Type: Single 272mm Disc with 2-Piston Caliper
• Rear Brake Type: Single 242mm Disc
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 5.3 gal.
• Seat Height: 26.8 in.
• Overall Length: 97.0 in.
• Overall Width: 39.6 in.
• Overall Height: 41.9 in.
• Dry Weight: 557.9 lbs.
• Color: Candy Fire Red

Here is a picture I took shortly after I had it delivered to my apartment (I did not want to ride it home on the highway for my first ride). That is my truck behind it and I took the picture with my phone so it is not the best, I will eventually have better pictures, but until then:

And here is a stock photo for better quality:

You can click on the images for a larger view.

In addition to the motorcycle I also got a Snell approved helmet, this Joe Rocket jacket (in black/red), and a cover for the bike.

All in all everything came to a little more money than I was hoping for, but the guys over at Nicholson’s treated me really well (i.e. all the above mentioned accessories were free) and keep my monthly payments to what I told them I wanted, which is under $100 a month. I also have a 3 year warranty on the bike from them and Gap coverage at no extra cost. I would highly recommend these guys as, like I said, they treated me real well.

As of approximately 6:30 tonight I am now legally allowed to ride a motor cycle, as I passed my endorsement exam! The exam was not all that difficult, but some of the questions were worded oddly and that caused me a moments hesitation. I had my certificate from passing my rider course, so i did not have to take the riding exam, only the written. In about two weeks I should have a new license with my endorsements on it. Now it is time to seriously look into getting a motor cycle, nothing to big, just something to start off with. Eventually I would like to get a Harley though. All in due time I guess.

Tonight I finished and passed my Basic (Motorcycle) Rider Course. This means that as soon as I go to the Secretary of State and pass a written exam I will be certified to ride motorcycle. I took the class over two weeks (four nights one week two nights the next) and finished tonight with both a riding and written test. By no means do I consider myself a good rider yet, but that will come with practice. Now I need to start looking into finances and see if I can afford to get a motorcycle of my own and determine when I will take the written test for the state. In any event I am now much closer to getting my own motorcycle.

Looks like I am finally going to learn how to ride motorcycle. Every summer for the past six years or so, I have been saying that I want to learn how to ride a motorcycle. The local community college has classes every year taught by certified instructors, and when you pass the class it count for your state endorsement to ride. However, every year I have forgotten about the class and miss enrollment. Well not this year, today on my lunch break at work I finally registered for the class! It’s the beginners’ class and it’s aimed at people who have little to no riding experience and want to learn and get their endorsement. The class provides motorcycles for you to ride, so I won’t have to worry about having one of my own. I am now registered for classes at the end of July, it is seven week nights after work and as of now I am really looking forward to it. I actually owe me remembering this year to some guys at work who were talking about taking one of the advanced classes.