April 3rd, 2006
If you have not already installed the correct drivers, a dialog appears asking you to provide the name and location of the driver files. If you do not know this information, or if such files do not exist, a text area is also provided for you to write the 32-bit assembly code required to interface to the peripheral device. For more information on writing 32-bit assembly code, consult your local university or polytechnic institute.
- Excerpt from Brian's imaginary The OS Handbook from Hell* * *
So, um, I bought a motorcycle.
One o' them rockets that would fly but for the fact it has no wings ... Its proper name is a Kawasaki Ninja 650R, though I am informally calling it the Kawasaki Kompensator.
I picked it up on Friday night, and putt-putted home on it like a Nervous Nellie, confusing the few cars around me, who expected me to come screaming past them like a scalded cat. Saturday I had a "get-acquainted" ride of about 1/2 an hour, and then a real-length ride on Sunday. It took a few dozen kilometres to really get back into riding form (I'd ridden bikes before, but more than a decade had passed since) and if it weren't for the threat of rain and an uncertainty about where to park it, I would have ridden it to work today (and home).
But, for now, I am content to take it easy on the bike. Family are surprised, as are friends. (Actually, I think they all thought it was an elaborate April Fools joke at first.) Sisters are worried for my safety (which is a bit insulting, really, since I plan on driving conservative and hyper-aware), but my wife loves the beauty of it, and everyone agrees it's a sharp looking beastie.
I've driven only smaller bikes, so my experience is limited, but I can say this bike is an order of magnitude more intelligent and better designed than anything I've been on: Though the engine packs a large-enough wallop, it is a light and relatively maneuverable bike. The seating position and angle of arms and legs is comfortable. The bike acceleration responds very quickly without ripping you off the seat, and the machine stops and turns very nicely, with maximum rider control at all times. Part of the reason why it is so responsive and maneuverable is that practically everything is electronic. This includes the odometer and display, which also announces things like, "Fuel low" or "Overheat" or "Reactor 3 going critical".
I bought it brand-spanking new, even pulling off bits of packing plastic from it before being able to ride it, and so I have to be gentle on the poor thing for the first 1000 kilometres or so. It needs a kinder, gentler break-in period—especially for the sake of the engine.
So now that I have this bike, I haven't given up the car ... but at least now I can have some fun in the sun during those otherwise tedious Summer commuting days.
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