T-Minus 2 Friggin' Days!!!

Holy Shit! Can I say that???

Bike has two new tires, new friction plates, new front brakes and new wind screen. All I have left to do is run an electrical connection for my radio tracker and change the oil. That's it!!!

The anticipation is almost palpable. I haven't had butterflies in my stomach like this since my first girlfriend in highschool! The anticipation; the adrenalin; the hope; it is all melding together into a great launch for a fabulous adventure.

6000 miles on a Honda Rebel CMX250C. Mechanics have told me that I will likely loose the engine before I get to Illinois. Others have told me something else on the bike will break. And others tell me it simply can't be done in three weeks.

Then there are others that give me hugs, or handshakes or the ADVRider Salute. Many other riders are envious and made me promise to take a lot of photos and not drink too much. To hear a seasoned rider tell me that he has never even attempted something like that and wished he could ride along, really makes me feel good.

This is something a good portion of the motorcycling public have never attempted. And, the group of those intrepid riders who have done this on such a small bike is even smaller. It's a good feeling!

(Brakes, luggage rack, spark plugs and windscreen are courtesy of Jacks Rebel Warehouse Thanks Jack!)

T-Minus 8 Days and Counting!!!

Honestly, the bike, my luggage and finances are almost ready. The clutch judders a little when taking off in first gear, but she is solid. The engine purrs and I feel better with a fuel filter. I am only waiting for two things; a new set of tires and front brake pads. That's it. Once those two things are taken care of, I could leave. Well, I could except for the fact that I have work.

Ah well.

Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to be frustrated by clutch problems. Today it was work.

Working on a buggy hardware system that has questionable documentation in a language that is completely foreign to me is not my idea of a good work day. At least my motorcycle obeys the laws of physics.

T-Minus 13 Days and Counting!!!

My soul is mobile again! If being without my motorcycle for two weeks is anything like death, I want to be riding in this life for a good LONG time!

I was like a concerned parent, taking her out for her first ride with the new friction plates. Mentally noting every nuance of vibration or utterance of noise for later analysis. Every jerk and stall and shifting difference inked into my brain. The cool air and blazing desert sun served as superb riding partners.

I may have been without my bike for a few weeks but I did learn a few things.

• When getting aftermarket parts or tools, ALWAYS doublecheck what is being ordered or purchased.
• Factory service manuals are not always correct in a clear, easy to understand fashion. Perhaps correct to the author, but maybe not so to the reader.
• Patience is a virtue. Wait... I knew that already...
• High pain tolerance is a virtue. I learned that after my oily hand slipped off a wrench and I smashed my pinkie finger nail.
• Don't assume a mechanic knows his or her stuff. A good mechanic doesn't know everything; they figure it out as they go along.
• Perseverance and trust in ones' self is always a winning combination.

Oh, did I mention that I successfully replaced the clutch friction plates and I am not a mechanic, nor have I ever even seen the insides of a motorcycle's clutch before? Like in life, it is not necessary to be an expert to succeed.

Guilty Until Proven Innocent---

This is not post about motorcycle riding or domestic violence. This is a post about being assumed guilty of something, whereby it is necessary to prove one's innocence. This is not the legal system. This has nothing to do with law enforcement. This is about bill collectors and the companies that use them.

--rant on--

Last year my ex-wife and I were threatened with legal action over a hospital bill. My ex had an emergency room visit. She is covered under not one, but TWO insurance policies. This is what I don't understand... part of the bill was paid for with not even a whisper of contempt. BUT, someone messed up and didn't send part of the bill to insurance. So, we are told that the liability for over $3,000 worth of charges is OURS. Why? Because the hospital didn't bill it correctly!!! AND, it is up to US to prove that we shouldn't pay!

Several weeks ago I receive a collection notice from a hospital visit my ex-wife had five or so years ago. She was even double covered then. Why am I NOW receiving notification that someone thinks I owe them money?

It isn't just hospitals. I signed up for a cell phone plan YEARS ago. The sales person promised roaming and LD was free. Great. I make a drive to Illinois and get a bill of over $1,300!!! The company told me that the plan I had didn't offer free LD or roaming. Further, they tell me that they don't offer that plan anywhere!

I pick up a Sunday Chicago Tribune and there... a 1/2 page add from the same company advertising free LD and roaming. I call them back and refuse to pay. I tell them I want to see a copy of the contract I signed. They say it is lost but I still owe the money. I tell them that they will not see a single cent from me until they proove I owe it. They tell me that I have to proove that I don't owe it. How the hell do I do that???

Ah, phone companies. I spent 30 minutes talking to a collection company this morning about a phone bill way back in 2003 when I lived in Illinois. We were at this house only a month, yet the phone company says we were there for nearly 5. No. They don't have to prove that I owe the money. Their word is gold and true. I am the one who must prove I don't owe it. Who the hell keeps recipts through 2 moves and 4 years?

--rant off--

On the brighter side, the proper size tool is at Cycle Gear... or at least that's what I am told. They will have to prove it.

T-Minus 14 Days and Counting!

Only 14 days. Two weeks! Honestly, if my motorcycle were feeling better, I would want to just hop on and take off! It is nice and cool and clear this morning; perfect riding weather.

She looks SO forlorn in the back yard, and hasn't been on the asphalt in over two weeks. That is the longest I have gone without enjoying the open road, in more than nine months. Well, Ok. I am being a bit dramatic here. An 'open road' in Las Vegas, like a snowy winter day here, is rare.

Misery loves company. One of my bosses, well, rather a co-worker than my boss, has been hearing of my motorcycle repair woes; my clutch issues, and now the difficulty I am having in finding tires for my ride. Yesterday he tells me of his airplane building woes.

Several years ago I had dreams of building my own. When I decided it was probably not the right time in my life for such an adventure, he continued on, and dove in. (www.mywoodenairplane.com)

As his domain name implies, it is a wooden plane. A fine, beautiful adventure. If anyone knows anything about building wooden aircraft, they likely also know that very high quality wood is necessary. Every piece must be individually checked for quality. The grain needs to be just so, and there can't be any knots or pockets.

He separated the wood and took some of the best pieces to build the ribs of the wings. The ribs, twelve if I remember correctly, must all be identical. Meticulous work, attention to detail and more than a month's worth of evening and weekend work was necessary to build good, strong wing ribs for his plane.

So, not so long ago he attended a get-together of the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He brought several completed ribs to show the other plane builders there. Luckily there was someone there well versed in wooden plane construction. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how one views these sorts of things, he pointed out that while the the large pieces of wood that were used to build the ribs were indeed 'aircraft grade', many smaller pieces used to build the ribs were sub par and not as strong as they could or should be. A case where the larger piece is good, but smaller subdivisions are not.

As with my motorcycle woes, here is another case of it being better to get bad news and having the opportunity of nipping it in the bud before the bud had a chance to grow and bite back. These issues are causing us both a certain amount of stress but it is for the best. It's better that I find out my clutch is bad before a 6,000 mile ride and it is better for him to find out his ribs are sub par before he is 6,000 feet in the air. Either could be deadly.

Maybe, just maybe the gremlins are working in our favor for a change.

T-Minus 15 Days and Counting!

Just 15 more days and I am on the road. Two weeks and a day. 360 hours. That's it!

And unfortunately she isn't ready. I would actually rather have it this way than have all these troubles after I am three or four days out.

As luck would have it, I ordered the wrong socket wrench for the clutch lock nut (pic on left). It took two days of calling and checking to discover that no, the bike hadn't changed; the factory repair manual was not terribly clear on the needed wrench so Cycle Gear ordered what they thought was necessary. Well, this tool is needed to remove the oil filter so it isn't a complete loss.

So, that was Monday. Took a day to find someone who has those types of tools. Surprisingly, it is the company who made the other socket; Motion Pro (www.motionpro.com). My neighbor who is a tool dealer found the correct part number for the correct socket. (pic on right) He ordered it and hopefully that piece of black gold will be here with enough time so I can do the clutch this weekend and be back on the bike Monday.

Ah, but my little personal clutch repair project is not being simple. The folks at Cycle Gear ordered the wrong springs. I had no idea until someone on the www.rebel250.com website replied to my posting and said to NOT use them. These are the ECB CSK11 spring kits. Do NOT use them on the Rebel 250. So, now I am faced with waiting until next weekend or using the springs I took out.

Well, as luck would have it, the original clutch springs are still within factory tolerances, so I think those will need to work. To be on the safe side though, I think I will order the proper set this time.

I would like to think that if I were not a patient man, I would be running around outside, mumbling nonsense, with two handfulls of my own hair. Between you and I, I like my long hair too much to pull it out over this.

Ride safe, all.

T-Minus 17 Days and Counting!

Time is getting short and I am getting excited! The sweet thought of riding a small lonely two lane asphalt road in 60F degree temps, green fields all around, is as close to heavenly riding as my heat-addled brain can imagine. And I am less than twenty days from that. Two weekends and I shall be on my journey.

Unfortunately I am still without a bike. The clutch springs are still not in. HOPEFULLY they will arrive by tomorrow or I will need to order them elsewhere. This weekend is my target date for clutch repair. If it doesn't happen then, I can do it on the weekend following, but I will be completely unable to run any shake-out rides.

I was quite pleased to read on the My 2 Wheels website that members (local I presume) receive discounts from Motorcycle Tire Center here in Vegas. I called them this morning and asked for a quote. Hopefully they will give me some good news.

And, I am asking all of my humble readers. Those that ride and those that don't. Man, woman and child... Please visit my site and sign my guest book. The support you give me on this journey is support for the abused.

Ride safe, all!

T-Minus 20 Days and Counting

So, I ordered a new set of clutch friction plates and springs last Saturday to replace the prematurely failing set on my bike. The kind lady at Cycle Gear promised they would be in town by Friday. Wednesday I call and order the special little tool Honda decided was necessary to take the clutch apart. No problem. I was told everything would be in by Friday so I could have an enjoyable weekend of clutch work.

Yesterday I receive a call from Cycle Gear. "Mr. Linder? We received the ECB friction plates and the clutch tool, but for some reason the springs didn't make it. They will definitely be in the store on Monday."

Well, I can't be ticked off at them. They are a great bunch of folks with seriously great prices.

Anyway, I digress. So, I don't have my springs. I can replace just the friction plates but it is not recommended. I look at it this way; I am going to ride more than 6000 miles. I would rather wait and do things correctly, rather than be impatient, do a shitty job and end up stranded in Oklahoma on a bike with a shredded clutch or worse.

So, what does one do with an immobile bike and three weeks before a cross country ride? Well, there's a lot...

I ordered stuff. For starters, I lined up a local place to change my tires. If I can somehow acquire a jack or stand or something to take the wheels off myself, I will. My boss suggested what he uses - a milk crate. He rides a KLR 650 and that works for him. But, my Rebel's exhaust pipes are lower that the frame. Using the milk crate method would put the bike's 300 pounds all on the exhaust system. I'm not doing that!

Then I call Jack from Jack's Rebel Warehouse for some spark plugs and new front brake pads. Let me tell you a few things about Jack... Number one, he LOVES to talk about the Rebel and could probably disassemble, tune up and reassemble a Rebel in the dark, with a blindfold in the middle of winter. Number two, he is a great supporter of my Ride for the NCADV, so if you have a Honda Rebel and you need anything for it, call him up.

OK, so the rest of my clutch repair stuff is on its way. Tire change is set-up. Brake pads and spark plugs are on their way.

What is left? Well, I started polishing and checking. Everything I could reach was cleaned or tightened or both. Then I started dressing her.

I read something in the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook (by Chris Scott) about luggage. A rucksack was mentioned in the section on soft luggage. That made me think... I built a simple, fairly removable rack on my bike with the intention of mouning some sort of boxes. After reading parts of this book, I decided against it. I wanted soft. Soft on a budget.

While at a store Friday, I see two red and white backpacks. Perfect! After my bike's cleaning and tightening session, I started experimenting with how I could fit what I wanted on my little bike. Let's just say that I now have a great set of $20 saddle bags! They may not last much longer than my ride, but that's OK. Pictures tomorrow! I need to sleep. :-)

T-Minus 23 Days and Counting

How does everyone feel about flexible trip plans? I love them!

On this trip, I plan on visiting my Mom and family in Illinois. I plan on visiting several friends in North Carolina. I hope to visit a friend in Louisiana. BUT, I am keeping everything flexible. That flexibility is paying off a bit.

I was chatting with an old friend out east who would like to spend an afternoon chatting and visiting. No Problem. I will just change part of my return trip. As long as I drag my butt into work on October 20, I am OK. In this entire trip, that is the only thing that is written in stone; my return date.

So, as my bike sits on the back patio, looking lonely and forlorn, I await the delivery of a new set of friction plates for the clutch and font brake pads. Yes, she looks sad, but when I am done, she should be ready for an easy 6,000 miles!

T-Minus 26 Days and Counting

Only 26 days before I hit the road for the east coast and my bike is just not safe to ride. Yesterday I wanted to put on a fuel filter, so took a short ride to the local Auto Zone for some hose clamps. Maybe this is just a personal quirk, but I have this odd aversion to riding at 30 MPH in a 50 MPH zone. And, that's all the clutch would do.

So, I pulled my bike into the back yard, under the patio roof, and started preparing her for major motorcycle surgery. A quick call to Cycle Gear and my friction plates and fresh springs are ordered. I stand outside and look at her. "Why not just do everything?" I think. "Do the brakes and tires, fuel filter, and heck, do the entire tune up.

There's no sense is being pissed off about this. I am taking advantage of the moto-down-time. No need to rush anything. It's OK if she isn't running before every morning. Time for me to get a little dirty.

T-Minus 28 Days and Counting

The gremlins have been busy teaching me a few things. The slipping clutch is teaching me patience and faith in my abilities. The puncture is teaching me that something that could be a major failure is only millimeters from an annoyance.

And today a new lesson. One of the problems that can plague the Honda Rebel is a headlight rattle. I spent an hour working on my rattling piece of chrome but to no avail. So, riding with the rattling headlight this morning I hear a new rattle. It doesn't sound good.

To the best of my abilities this morning, I guessed something was loose on or near the engine. At lunch time I ate my bagel while poking and prodding the engine and anything I could think of checking. No luck.

After work I hop on my bike and rev the engine. The nasty little gremlin of a rattle is still eluding me. Then I lean back on my luggage rack. The rattle stops! The vibrating rear fender was causing a loose connection on my luggage rack to oscillate, causing it to hit the fender and buzz.

The lessons? Symptoms of problems like to lie. Maybe with motorcycles as with life, the problems should be diagnosed, not the symptoms.

T-Minus 30 Days and Counting

It is interesting the little things that can raise one's spirits. The difference between depression and happiness is a thought.

Yesterday I awoke in a grump. Showered in a grump. Brushed my teeth in a grump. Got dressed in a grump. Some might say it's my lack of sex for the last four years, but hey... Every one is entitled to their opinions.

I sit at the table for a quick grumpy breakfast and fire up my laptop to check my e-mail. What do I see? A letter from Lois Pryce about my ride! WOW. Grump level now going down.

I ride to work and test my clutch. Yes, it is slipping in 4th and 5th gears. I get to work and contact a few Rebel aficionados I know on the internet. While they do confirm it is 'classic' clutch slippage, it is not terribly expensive.

Grump level is a little higher now. If a problem is going to occur, I would rather have it happen before I leave. But, I would really prefer problems like this to not occur.

Then I get a call from the reception desk. I have a package. What could it be? An unknown donation? Box of computer stuff that will end up littering the garbage dump? No...

My ride cards are here!!!

Deanna did a beautiful job! I immediately handed out about 100 cards to the people where I work and talked about my ride and domestic violence. Several people asked if they could donate on my website and I even received $20 in cash from a fellow. (Thanks Kenneth!) Needless to say, my grump factor went negative.

Even my first tire puncture couldn't raise my grump. Sure, it didn't puncture the tube and I need new tires anyway, but I didn't care. That e-mail from Lois and the cards from Deanna just set a mood that may be difficult to remove. Slipping clutch and punctured rear tire just couldn't dampen my spirits this morning. In the cool, unusually moist early morning Las Vegas air I enjoyed my morning commute. Beautiful sunrise.

T-Minus 32 Days and Counting

And the paranoia starts setting in. Pictured to the left is a clutch cage for a Honda Rebel, the bike that will carry me 6000 miles in 21 days. I think my clutch is slipping and that worries me. But I have other worries.

Can I handle riding 300 - 500 miles a day? Will my new tires hold up? Will I run into snow while riding over the Rockies in Colorado? Will my chain handle the punishment? Will the brakes need to be replaced or will they hold up? What if I run out of money 1000 miles from home?

I know... Earl mentioned in a comment, that many of those worries will just evaporate once I am underway. Yes, I know they will. When taking cars on long journeys I do the same thing; worry about things and once on the road the worry just dissolves.

Maybe that is the magic of the journey. Maybe my lesson in this is to not worry so much. Prepare and then enjoy. It's a good lesson for me.

T-Minus 35 Days and Counting

I am really starting to excited now! People are linking to my website and I am starting to receive endorsement and offers of assistance. I was even offered a loan to cover expenses on the trip. YES!!! This IS going to work!

What is the only thing that can temper my enthusiasm? The Las Vegas heat. Riding in this kind of heat is NOT pleasant. The apparent wind while riding is NOT cool; it actually heats the rider more than if they were sitting still at a stop light.

Don't get me wrong. I look forward to every opportunity there is to hop on and ride, but I must admit that riding at 75 MPH in 115 F is brutal. At least in the cold I can bundle up. I am not personally into riding naked. That would be a tad bit embarrassing and that sunburn... outch!

BUT, the season is changing. Nights are starting to have a certain coolness to them. Some days yield riding that is not so brutal. It won't be long now before the temperatures are perfect riding. The smell and feel of the cool air whistling by... Let me tell you, I am truly looking forward to that!

T-Minus 39 Days and Counting

Only 39 days. I would be lying if I said there were no apprehensive thoughts going through my brain. The possibility of an accident, or of running out of money, or of not being able to find a place to stay, or of mechanical failure. These thoughts, as the time of my departure nears, are becoming more tangible.

I think the bike will be fine, but... I am a little worried about the brakes as they are starting to be a little thin. I am a little worried about the tires as they are wearing a little and starting to get weathering cracks. Well, worried may be too harsh a word. Concerned may describe my feelings a little better. I can replace the brakes and tires, but they cost money. An I can see I will be running tight the way it is.

Then there is the weather. Don't get me wrong, weather does not frighten me. After witnessing more than thirteen tornadoes, a tropical storm, innumerable ice and hail and snow storms, I have acquired an odd sort of appreciation for adverse weather. What I worry about is snow in Colorado. I heard on the Weather Channel how I70 was getting snow already in Colorado, just west of Denver. That is my route through the state. I am not afraid of it, I am concerned it will put me behind schedule.

More later---

Damned Statistics

"The mathematics of the collection, organization, and interpretation of numerical data, especially the analysis of population characteristics by inference from sampling." - American Heritage Dictionary

There it is in black and white. "...analysis of population characteristics by inference from sampling." A mathematician knows this. A statistician knows this. The problem is that much of the public don't seem to understand this.

Here are a few interesting statistics to discuss before your next bike ride...

• The average person eats 8 spiders while asleep in their lifetime.
• Women over 35 have a .5% chance of getting married.
• About 11 percent of young citizens of the U.S. couldn't even locate the U.S. on a map.
• One adult American in five thinks the Sun revolves around the Earth.

Not only are some of these statistics worthless, they are specious at best. A statistic is only as good as the sample it is based upon. What group of people has this nocturnal arachnid appetite? Only a .5% chance of getting married if you are a woman and older than 35? How young are these young citizens and how were they asked? One in five Americans think the earth goes around the sun?

These are all bad or misrepresented statistics. Here is a good motorcycle statistic for you: "Since 1997 motorcycle rider fatalities have increased by 89 percent from 2,116 to 4,008 in 2004." Sobering, yes. But for myself, it begs the question why? Is it lack of training? More squids on the road? Inattentive car and truck drivers? Increase in speed limits? Larger moto engine sizes? You can read for yourself here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-Safety/motorcycle-accident-statistics.htm if you like.

But really, statistics can be used or misused. When implemented properly, they can be used to bring to light real world problems. Unfortunately, there are those who would dissect these statistics and turn them against those trying to do good.

A good example are the statistics publicized by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. You see, this morning I started to do some research on using Google or Yahoo groups to open an e-mail discussion group for my little October ride. What did I find? I found some good links and a few groups, but predominantly what I saw turned my stomach. It seems there are those that would rather pick apart statements and statistics in an effort to discredit the work of a valid organization.

Questioning statistics is one thing. Questioning an organization's intentions is valid as well. Picking apart and criticizing valid statistics that follow the scientific method in an effort to belittle a real life problem is abhorrent.

Whether you eat 20 spiders or 2, the statistic is still valid.

Whether you use one definition of abuse or another, it does not minimize the problem. Pardon my language, but why don't these people quit their bitching and do something to solve the problem. Tweeking a number may make things look better but does nothing to help the woman or man down the street that was just hit in the eye by an intimate partner.

Not sure where this came from!

As I have been posting recently, it should be no surprise to anyone that I have been bike shopping. I looked at the Honda 919, Suzuki SV650, V-Strom 650 and finally settled on the Kawasaki VerSys.

I don't need to buy a new bike at all. There are just certain things I would like to do; things that my Honda Rebel struggles with. Things like touring. Things like riding down the desert dirt roads out of Vegas. Logical, conscious, perhaps adventurous riding desires. They make a certain amount of sense.

The VerSys is my solution. Capable of functioning fairly well in all of my desired riding categories, it is the logical choice. I went to the dealership Friday and pulled the trigger. Unfortunately the deal was not struck. The best they could do was $1500 down and payments of $230 per month.

Too much. The only way to justify, if not make it completely feasible at this point in time, would be to rely on the future sale of my pickup before my first new bike payment came due. Then there is the matter of the $1500. Sure, I could get it, but that would completely drain my trip fund AND consume all available credit I have.

I am getting ahead of myself, here. This post is not about my financial woes or to lament my lack of savings or to whine over my non-purchase of the VerSys. It is about something much more dark. It is about something primal, incorporeal, deep, sexy, something that joins logic and madness. It fuels dark two wheel, midnight and mid-day fantasies. Memories of a hormone fueled puberty scratch at my subconscious.

And I am not sure why. This is a repulsion and attraction; I cannot look away.

What the hell caused this? I sat on a bike. Not just any bike; something I really wasn't looking for. I sat on it anyway. And to be honest, I sat on one early this year, January I think. Perhaps I was not ready.

Saturday, I decided to ride to my exhaustion in the 110F Las Vegas temps. Not out of any 'death wish' or depression. I just wanted to see how long I could go. So, water bottles mounted, I took off to do a little bike sittin'.

First up, Carter's on the other side of town. They have some nice bikes but nothing I am really interested in. I ride over to my normal dealership, Ride Now on Boulder and look at a few used, but nothing is really swaying my desire to get that VerSys, even if I have to wait until later this year or early next. I am in no hurry.

Then something takes my bike by the handlebars and points me South. I was at this place last year before I bought the Rebel. I walk in & the smell of leather is almost tangible. I look around and am greeted by no less than three women and a man. There, twenty feet away was the low black bike that struck me. A new Harley Davidson Nightster.

Unfortunately, this bike was even more expensive than the VerSys. I then sit on another small HD. This is where the fantasies start. It's a 2007 Sportster XL 883R. All black but the pipes and a few other items. Sales person informs me that the 'R' is not offered in 2008 and probably not 2009. The one I sat on was destined for another dealership. It was already sold.

He sort-of winks at me, "Why not get a black 2009 Sportster and powder coat it all black?" I am not sure why I am being pulled in this direction. It feels guttural, comfortable in a primative way. And, only about $170with no down.

I am now unsure which bike I may get; but this feels wicked. This feels good...

A Missing Piece

"In the universe, there are more unknowns than knowns." -anon

It was an interesting feeling. Not as intense as alarming, not as continuous as a concern. A singular missing puzzle piece that lies in a person's hand. This was unique.

I had to run some errands on Friday, so I drove my pickup to work. That's not a huge issue, other than the gas it drinks.

Coming out to the smoking patio for my first smoke of the day, right next to motorcycle parking, I stop. I pause. The world wasn't right. A crack, or perhaps a reflection of an echo of a crack. Looking over to the other bikes, mine is missing.

'Of course it's missing! I drove today,' I think to myself. I shook it off, but is was mildly disturbing in a benign, gentle way. Not a person to be attached to material things (just ask my ex! LOL) this is odd. Is it the bike I miss? Is it the void the missing bike left? Am I unnaturally attached to an inanimate object? Regardless. It was different. New. Different. I like that.
---
On a side note, I am deep into the planning of my trip to the Atlantic Coast and back. At times, it is odd. It almost feels like an obsession! Now, that is certainly something different and new for me.

So, my posts here will be slowing a bit as I work on my trip. Updates here as they occur.

Busy Motorcycle Week

The GOOD kind of busy!

After a great deal of research and making a lot of rear-end prints on bike, I have finally settled on my next motorcycle. It will be a nice, red Kawasaki VerSys. Yes, it is indeed a bit tall, but there are three ways to lower it a bit; and that's all I need.

It's funny. One of my buddies at work tell me to buy from the dealer down the street, and not to go to the one across town. Another fellow I know, tells me I should buy from the one across town and shun the more local dealer. Who's to say where I shall buy from. Perhaps having two dealers working against each other will be a good thing.

Then, today I receive a lovely call from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence regarding my planned ride. I am happy to say that things are moving forward for a coast to coast and back motorcycle ride in October to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I think this is going to be a nice ride!

Decisions...

Yet more.

After performing a lengthy online search and sitting on a bunch of bikes, I have narrowed the field to two. In order, my runners up were: Suzuki V-Strom 650; Honda 919; and the Triumph Bonneville. And the last two? A Suzuki SV650 and Kawasaki Versys.
I want my new bike to be comfortable on my daily 30 mile or so commute, yet ready to go on the highway or old desert road. It's funny. This is nothing like choosing a car. There are so many factors and opinions to weigh. And typically, if you buy a bike, you can't ride it first, and can't take it back if it isn't what you wanted.

So... Any comments?