Last night, I spent three hours at an open gym session trying to get a front flip down.  For some reason, I had a huge mental barrier.  I was the only one who couldn't get it.  Either I would twist, or I would flail, or I would land on my butt, or all of the above.

On the plus side, my diving rolls have gotten much better, thanks to all the bails I kept doing:  Run. Block. Start to rotate.  Lose my nerve.  Hesitate.  Come down head first.  Safety roll.

So, I can dive roll over a fence now.  That's cool and all.  I mean, it was one of my summer goals, but that's not what I was intending on working on last night.  I wanted to get the front flip down.  I'm definitely closer, but I still need to break down that mental barrier.  Once that's gone, it'll be a piece of cake.

I'm hoping that just trying over and over will eventually wear down the fear, and I'll gain confidence instead of just mat burns, bruises, and grass stains.

"Toe pick."

When I was a kid, I had the hardest time learning to ride a bicycle without training wheels.  I had the same mental block then, too.  Part of the problem was that the bike was so tall (okay, I was just that short).  I remember my babysitter taking me across the street to the church parking lot, where she held onto my seat and jogged next to me while I pedaled.  After a few laps, I felt like I was really getting the hang of it.  I turned to say something to her, but when I did, I saw that she was clear on the other side of the parking lot and had apparently let go several seconds ago.

I panicked.  I tipped over.  I scraped my knee pretty bad.

But despite that initial fear and failure, the barrier had been broken.  It seemed a dirty trick to pull, but it was exactly what I needed.  It proved to me that I *could* do it.  I learned very quickly after that.

Now I just need to pull a trick like that on my brain, and the flip will be MINE!  *evil laughter*

PS- Bail videos will be coming soon.  It's pretty epic watching someone attempt front flips.  You'll be glad there were mats...

PPS- Mom, don't watch the video.

There are three bikes I am seriously considering getting.  I need to move up from my 50cc scooter, and I've narrowed it down to the following three.  Now all I need is a job...

Here are the three I'm considering (in no particular order), with fast facts, pictures, and my personal pro's and con's:

1.  Yamaha TW200 (Dual Sport):

FAST FACTS:

• MSRP: $3990
• Engine Type: 196cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, SOHC; 2 valves
• Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
• Transmission: 5-speed
• Curb Weight: 279 lbs
• Fuel Capacity: 1.8 gallons
• Fuel Economy: 78mpg

PERSONAL PROS:

• Best traction in adverse conditions of the three
• Best traction on rougher roads/off-road
• Wider tires means it's better on the twisties than the DR200
• The most affordable of the three
• Definitely the toughest of the three (can really take a beating, and a popular trail explorer comparable to a Rokon)
• A popular bike that's easy to find parts for
• This bike would be the best for rougher terrain/potholes, and it would be the best in snow and rain

PERSONAL CONS:

• World's tiniest fuel capacity EVER (and no reserve tank)
• The least highway capable of the three (redlines at 55mph)
• No stock skid plate (and it's the shortest of the three bikes!)
• Doesn't accelerate very quickly, which can be dangerous in traffic (I would know...)
• The shortest/smallest of the three bikes, making it the least visible in traffic

2. Suzuki DR200SE (Dual Sport)

FAST FACTS:

• MSRP: $4199
• Engine Type: 199 cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, OHC
• Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
• Transmission: 5-speed
• Curb Weight: 278 lbs
• Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons (*including reserve)
• Fuel Economy: 105mpg

PERSONAL PROS:

• The more powerful of the 2 dual sports: capable of highway speeds
• Most agile of the three bikes, and accelerates decently when necessary, making it ideal for city driving
• Lightest of the three choices
• Decent traction in adverse weather (better for all-season, primary vehicle)
• Decent traction off-road, specifically dirt (better for exploring secondary roads)
• Better looking of the two dual sports
• The best fuel economy of the 3 choices
• Almost twice the fuel capacity than the TW200
• Lightest of the three choices
• This bike would be the best for driving downtown Kansas City

PERSONAL CONS:

• Narrower tires means not as good in snow/mud/sand, or on twisties
• Low weight and lack of fairings means wind is a negative factor at higher speeds
• Capable of highway speeds, but not the engine is not super comfortable at those speeds
• Significant price increase from the TW200
• Online research seems to indicate more potential mechanical problems than the other two (though still low maintenance and good quality)

3.  Kawasaki Ninja 250r (Sport Bike)

FAST FACTS:

• MSRP: $4099* (at most dealerships, this is actually listed $500+ more than the DR200)
• Engine Type: 249cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
• Compression Ratio: 11.6:1
• Transmission: 6-speed
• Curb Weight: 333 lbs.
• Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gallon
• Fuel Economy: 61mpg

PERSONAL PROS:

• Looks absolutely beautiful (*sigh*)
• Low-maintenance, easy to find parts for
• By far the most highway-capable of the three bikes
• The most comfortable for longer trips
• The most fun on the twisties
• Best fuel capacity by far
• Able to accelerate quite nicely to get myself out of a tight spot, or merge when necessary (great for safety reasons)
• Largest and most visible (for safetly reasons)
• This bike would be the one I would be least likely to feel I had "outgrown" or wasn't powerful enough to be a daily commuter
• This bike would be best for traveling to visit family
• This bike would be the hardest to steal

PERSONAL CONS:

• Worst traction in adverse weather of the three (so less ideal as an all-season, primary vehicle)
• Obviously the worst of the three on rougher roads/gravel (so not very good for exploring secondary roads, or for the many crappy main roads/parking lots around here...)
• I would feel guilty getting such a good-looking bike as a missionary
• While still great fuel economy, it is the least of the three
• The heaviest of the three bikes (not as fun in bumper-to-bumper, and a little more cumbersome in general for a lightweight like myself)
• The least forgiving if dropped (unless I pay for after market sliders)
• The most expensive of the three bikes

4.  (I also like the Ninja in red:)



The polls are open! Give your reasons and help me decide!