Yet another newbie. Hello from Wyoming.

Thanks Rook. 10 years since I last had a road bike. Looking forward to getting 'back in the saddle'.

Welcome Koog, how about a little more background? What bikes did you or are you considering other than the 14?

I had a VF1000 in the late 90s, and hadn't ridden since (a couple times on other's). This year the time was right for me to get back into it. It's basically been 15 years. I considered a few bikes narrowing down further and further. I sat on 3 bikes, and test rode one. When I test rode it, I knew the 14 is what I wanted. Not sure if you're considering or have already bought, but this thing is a freaking hoot!

Hey VicThing. The last bike I owned was a 2002 R1 which I sold in 2005 when I moved back to England from the Isle of Man. After living somewhere with no speed limit (at least on the mountain), I didn't think I'd want another road bike. It took me 10 years to decide I missed it .
I looked at an 899 Panigale, a Tuono, a Z1000 and even a Hypermotard. I guess the zx14r just felt right and I wanted something with a good fuel range (you can be a long way from the next gas station in Wyoming ). I was also given a pretty good deal (I think) on the zx14r I just bought (I only bought it 2 days ago). It's a new 2014 (31 miles) and I got it for $11,750. I couldn't resist.

* Last updated by: Koog on 2/22/2015 @ 5:34 AM *

Great deal!

Wow, Isle of Man? I'd never leave that place.

Yea, they were good times Rook. I was on the island for two and a half years with my job. I lived in tholt-y-will (between the bungalow and Sulby crossroads) so I was only a couple minutes from the mountain road. Doing 150 up the mountain mile a few times every weekend is a great stress reliever.
I keep thinking I'll go back for the TT one year, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. One day eh?

IDK how old you are, Koog but last I heard, The Isle was booked at TT time for the next 20 years. You mighta seen your last TT unless you can stay with friends. 150 mph and no concern about police. That's a dream come true. I'd have to go back to visit at least one time every year.

Yea, I've got friends over there who would let me sleep on the couch.
I wouldn't know where to start with taking a bike over there from here though. Box it up and ship it? It'd be funny to see the looks I got over there with a Wyoming plate though.
I'm 47, by the way.

* Last updated by: Koog on 2/22/2015 @ 2:30 PM *

Nice Koog that's a great deal on your 14R!

Thank you sir.
Now if it would just stop snowing, I may be able to bring it home.

Congrats and WELCOME!!! I'm with Rook, would be hard for me to leave the Isle!!! I have watched the Isle races on TV for more years than I can imagine, would love to be there in person. I checked in to tickets a couple of years ago, was basically told to forget it unless someone died.

Once the weather in Wyoming warms up you should have some great riding there, enjoy!!!

Did someone say Isle of Man? Welcome Koog, it's a pleasure reading your posts. I play lotto every week. If I win I'm fielding a team and riding the Isle. It's on my bucket list.

Welcome and congrats.

Thanks for the welcome guys.
I know we used to book the hotel for the next year each time we were there but I don't think it'd be impossible. The last year I was there for the TT (2005) we stayed at the Hydro in Douglas. The 3 years prior to that I was living on the island anyway. Getting there with a bike from England wasn't too difficult if you booked the ferry a year ahead. (Steam packet is the ferry company). If you're just crossing as a foot passenger, I doubt it'd be very difficult to get a ticket at all. If you're only going once, go for both weeks (practice week and race week) to get some practice in and get used to driving on the left. You may also wanna look at going to the Manx (MGP) at the end of August. Same course but only for amateurs and nowhere near as busy. You won't see the likes of John McGuiness or Michael Dunlop racing, but it's still awesome to watch and nowhere near as crowded to ride the course.
You've got me wanting to go over there again now. :-). Maybe I need to make a few phone calls.

welcome koog...hardest part is sticking to the speed limit in designated areas on the island after goin so fast over mountain,
its not booked up for 20 years, its just heavily booked early,

michael dunlop will be racing at the manx this year, in the classic tt as far asi know, the manx is great too, but if i was coming from the states, id defo do the TT...but you really need transport when you are there to get the best of it

* Last updated by: motero on 2/26/2015 @ 10:08 AM *

Welcome!!

Thanks 06blackpearl.
Hey motero. Cool that Michael is at the Manx. I didn't know that. I used to enjoy watching Joey, Robert and Phillip McCallen race there. I think Dave Jeffries was the one who scared me most though. He always looked so wild.
I didn't really ride the bottom of the course much when I lived there so I don't know it very well. In fact, I probably only drove that road when they closed the mountain for snow and I had to get to work in Douglas and Onchan. I'd usually just ride from Ramsey to the Creg and back several times on the weekend. The R1 that I was talking about I bought from Paul Deadman's in Ramsey. Chopped in my old Thunderace for it. Good times
I almost went over for the Northwest 200 while I was on the Island. One of my few regrets in life that I never went over to see that.

McCallen was pretty intense rider, ye my mate won the irish senior support road race championship last year, and did the manx in 2014, he was leading it in 2013 when his clutch gave up ,
Should get talking to Michael at some of the road races here ,,see what his plans are, he doesn't give much away,
Guy Martin and William were racing here last weekend, Nifty Fifty endurance race.... Honda 50 cc! 4.5 hours
Racing honda 50/70/90 , 3 categories all on track at the same time!!
The northwest 200 is pretty good, the Ulster gp is just as good

most of the big names competed in last years Classic TT...if nothing it gives them more track time
2014 Classic TT report...

* Last updated by: motero on 2/27/2015 @ 3:28 AM *

Ok, cool. I don't remember that at the Manx (must be an age thing).
I flag marshaled at the bungalow for the 2004 Manx. That was kinda interesting. Only did it once though as I was off the island before the next year. Still got my TT & MGP flag marshal jacket though. Good memories.
Last time I was there for the TT, the mad Sunday cones started between Windy Corner and Kate's. They seemed to start further up the mountain each year.

your memory is good, they only started running the classis TT at the same time as the manx last year !

That's good. I won't have to give up the beer after all.

Perhaps a bunch of the guys on this forum could have a group trip over to the TT one year.
That'd be a meetup to beat all meetups.

^^ wolf rsvp 1