Just got my endorsement!

I got a 1982 Yamaha Maxim XJ650 about two months ago. BTW..how do you shorten that when someone asks what you have? LOL I had my permit for a while and had to be babysat by my Husband, which was super annoying. I got so sick of it that I rode my bike to work with a permit only a few times. I know.....bad idea! I wanted to ride it to work last Friday, but it wouldn't start no matter what I did! I opened the throttle, had the choke on all the way and it still wouldn't start. After it backfired twice, sounding like a gunshot I gave up and drove the damn mini van. I was going down the highway doing 65 in a 55 mph construction zone when I saw a blue truck on the side of the road. I looked because it was strange how it parked. Then I noticed "State Trooper" on the side and he had a radar gun pointed at me! Crap!! I slowed down real quick and he stayed there. If I would have been on the bike I would have gotten pulled over! That would have been $940 for not being endorsed, probably $180 for speeding and double for being in a construction zone! The bike saved my ass! I'm so glad it didn't start! On the way home, there were more cops waiting for speeders. I got my endorsement on Monday. Yay!

 

Welcome

 

Welcome - congrats on getting your endorsement!!

 

On my way to work this morning I had a similar moment to yours. I was doing 60 in a 40mph construction zone. We have a highway here that is perfectly done and has been for months they just leave the cones and the signs up....

I had a grandprix that was riding me hard. As we crested a hill he swung over to the right lane and punched it. I on the other hand saw the light bar on the side of the road and grabbed my brake. He passed a county LEO passing on the right, doing 30mph over the limit, and in a work zone. To top everything off he didn't see the cop either. Didn't see him pull out behind him. Around the next bend he was pulled over.

30mph over is reckless, as is passing on the right, and the workzone = double fines. Ill be surprised if his car isn't sitting on the road when I go home tonight.

I have a 1985 xj700 maxim x. I just say maxim x. When people ask. If I were you I'd just say Maxim. Most people's next question will be how many cc's is it? So in your case 650.

Nice bike. Enjoy it.

 

congrats on the endorsement. I rode on my permit a bit but was always careful not to draw any unwanted attention when I did. I call my 82 650 maxim an xj650j or a 650 maxim when people ask. next question is inevitably what year is it so sometimes I include that when I tell them.

 

I a little curious now as to how this varies state to state. Here is WI you can ride by yourself with just a permit as long as it is during daylight hours, after dark you must be accompanied by a licenced rider. Which state are you in that you are unable to do so?

 

Here in New York the law is that you must have a Liscensed rider within sight or a 1/4 mile of you at all times on your Permit.

 

In Oregon you have to have a licensed rider within 1/4 mile and you can't ride after dark. Like that stopped me! I did most of my riding in the dark. LOL

 

Why am I biker wannabe?

 

based on the number of posts you have put up. You start out as a wannabe, then gear grinder, then the gears, red liner and wizard. May be a few others that I missed.

 

Yamaha XJ650J fully designates your motorcycle.

XJ = model series
650 = displacement
J = 1982

The absence of any other letters means it's a Maxim.

 

i just got my endorsement too! here in west virginia with your permit you can only ride in daylight and no passengers. thats it. no one has to be with you. also theres no restriction on interstates. but i rode probably half of the time at night time with my permit lol...

 

That is still a mouthful. LOL!

 

I say "XJ650". I've never thought that was a mouthful. XJ will be more widely known than either Maxim or Seca, I think, and 650 is important to say which of the series it is. Depending on the conversation, I may then throw the year in (very few will know that "J" or any other letter at the end delineates year model), but otherwise I don't mention it.

"It's an '82 XJ650." Sounds smooth enough to me.

Welcome. Also, pulling the throttle while having the choke on is a bit counter-effective. Pick one.

 

In Kansas you have to have a licensed rider within 500(?) feet, and complete 50 hours of observed riding (10 at night), unless you are 18 or over, then you get your license the same day that you pass an MSF course.