[maherj]

I was typing up a large reply to the first ride thread and realized it was becoming more of an introduction then anything else so I'll finish it here.

I grew up in a small rural town without many bikes around. I had a utility 4 wheeler when I was 13 or 14 that peeked my interest. I saw a early 90's Ninja for sale when I was 16 (late 90's) and fell in love. I wasn't sure how I was going to get the money but I wanted it. I talked to the guy about it and he quized me to see what my experience was. None, no MC license, no gear and no idea how it worked. He wouldn't let me test ride it but he took me out for a ride on the back (without a helmet) and ran it up through the first 3 gears. I was scared crap less and lost interest.
In 2004 I lived in Seattle and worked at XBOX with a hardcore sport touring/commuting rider that made bikes sound fun again. I took the MSF course and bought an '89 CBR 600 for my first bike. I had the co worker ride it home for me because I didn't want to get in over my head on the freeway.
I rode the bike for 2 months before I wrecked it doing a piss poor wheelie into a curb (dumbass). I pieced the bike back together from ebay and rode it any time I could for the next 6 months.
I bought a rebuilt 02 F4i with a salvaged title in January 05. I rode it for 2 1/2 years in which time I did a few track days, toasted the tranmission at one, a motor swap and a burn out that cost me $2000 and alot of time in court.
The same co worker that had gotten me into bikes again had gotten a job at DynoJet Research and moved to Montana in 2006. He emailed me this spring and said there was a job opening for me. They flew me out and I decided I liked the job enough to give up everything I had in Seattle.
I moved to Bozeman MT and found a local group to ride with. It was a real eye opener compared to Seattle riding. Huge open spaces that you can top your bike out on and amazing twisties. Being able to actually use more of the bikes power and the hit in power from being at 4500 ft (15%) made me grow bored with the F4i.
I knew I wanted a liter bike but none of the newer ones really caught my eye. My two favorites were the 02-03 954 and the 02-03 R1. After a bunch of research I decided on a 954. A few weeks later I found a mint '02 954 with 5300 miles and original tires two states over where I was going to be meeting my then gf to get married. I got the bike but ended up being late to my wedding brunch.
I put all the DynoJet toys on and a new set of Pilot Powers. I rode the bike all summer and have a little over 7000 miles on it now. The highlight of the summer was a 700 mile/16 hour day with about 20 other bikes up the Bear Tooth pass and all over Wyoming at a blazing pace.
It's cold as crap here now but I'm already planning for next year. I hated the idea of messing up my perfect plastics so I bought a dented tank and some track plastics off ebay. Everything is sitting in my garage waiting to be put together now.

A few other tid bits that didn't fit in any where else.
I went to Keith Code's On One Wheel wheelie school in 2006 and Star Boyz wheelie school this summer but can't seem to wheelie my own bike worth a piss.
I sold my F4i to a co worker so I get to see him ride the wheels off it.

I've been lurking for a few months and this seems like a great place with tons of technical info. I'll help out with what I know. If anyone has any XBOX or Power Commander questions I'll be glad to help.

[Bigdaddy75]

Welcome to fireblades mate. A lurker eh ...

[Bobcat Sig]

I've ridden with maherj ... I was even with him on his first group ride here in Montana.

And yes, a two month late, belated welcome to FBO!!

Oh, and you're still a pirate hooker!!