My wife took the new rider training course at Action Motorcycle School in Langley in April.  She passed her road test a week ago (first try!) and is now a fully-licensed motorcyclist.  She’s riding the Suzuki GS400E that my sister learned on, and that a friend of ours bought from her and learned on – a great, cheap little bike – but has decided that it isn’t going to hack it for the distance riding we’ll be doing this summer (not even sure it would make it over the Coquihalla, frankly).  Anyway, I’m very excited for her – I remember what it was like for me when I was just starting to ride – so I wanted to share.

Also: the Bandit has 1,600km on it now.  First oil change (to Motul 5100) at 600km, adjusted chain (a lot, heh – torque is gooooood) and added a set of V-Strom handguards to it at 1,500km.  Fuel economy started out as “disappointing” but appears to be getting better as facing surfaces wear together.  It is eerily, smoothly, transparently quick and surprisingly nimble for a ~275kg bike.  Next steps: Corbin seat, GPS + mount, Givi racks to replace the @$#%$*%& too-far-forward Suzuki top case rack, intake/exhaust/fuel.  It’s going to be a blast to tour on….