I linked onto your site from the vrcc site, we have a Valkyrie I/S which my hubby Mike rides. After months of persuasion I took the MSF course and passed that and the DMV test in March, so I got my Virago 535 originally painted yellow. North County Yamaha were really helpful and they also have a good after sales service too. I was out on it on my third ride and got wiped out by a PU-truck. The police man could have been a bit more sympathetic even if I was only banged around and bruised. The damage was more than the bike was worth so to save it we sacrificed the tank and the exhaust replacements as the damage to them was minor and we repaired and painted it. I chose the colors and taped out the design and Mike sprayed it. So here I am, riding my bike to Palm Springs for lunch. The other picture is of Remy, my Old English Sheepdog and my bike. We have lived in Ca for 4 years now. Mike has had bikes for over 25 years and up until recently I was always on the back. I still like to be a passenger, the Valk is just too comfortable to give up.  I enjoyed looking at all the pics on your site and reading thru the message boards grinning at how familiar some of the questions sound to me. My husband is really the guru who tells me what he thinks I need to know, but after all his experience he forgets that I am little and still recovering from the crash and suffer cold sweats of fear at the thought of riding sometimes. SO it is good to know that I am not alone in the fear department. Your site has given me a new perspective this afternoon and thank you for it.

Sincerely, 
Claire