Tpoppa

Added a new Honda to the stable. It has more torque than a Grom

I've read a few articles about polling error leading up to the 2016 election. If you remember, Clinton was up 6 or 7 points going into election day. From what I read, the populations of big cities were over-represented in the polls, and urban areas tend lean more democrat. I also read that Trump voters were less likely to participate in polls when asked. I wouldn't be surprised if we see something similar in the 2020 polls. God, I hope this election is not close. Whoever wins, hopefully it's decisive enough to reduce the post-elections-bitching.

I rode about 250 miles today and saw 40 or 50 Trump signs. I saw exactly 1 Biden sign. In 2016, I remember them being about 3:1 Trump: Clinton.

I listened to both lay out their vision for the path forward for America. I made up my own mind and completely ignored the media telling me how I should feel about it. I'm convinced that 4 years from now, we'll be in a better place with Trump then we would be with Biden.

Yeah, that was nuts. He could have gotten really hurt, or worse.

What about that new Honda 150 Adv something scooter?

Or the Suzuki Van Van

2021 Road King after they shaved 15 lbs?

The N400 is a great bike to learn on. Also, quite fun for a seasoned rider.

It's like the fucking bonus round.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/kevin-clinesmith-fbi-trump-russia-john-durham/2020/08/14/2f579994-de26-11ea-809e-b8be57ba616e_story.html%3foutputType=amp

I finally got around to using these. I used a lighter instead of a heat gun. The lighter works fine, a heat gun would probably have been a little more controlled. They are convenient with a slim profile, which is nice if your are working with multiple wires in a small space...like on a motorcycle.

Id have to check, but IIRC the RT is rated to carry more load than the GW. Not sure what determines that rating though. Tires, frame, subframe, brakes???

If you put a GW style top box/tour pack on an existing Connie/FJR/RT you'd be 90% done it could even be an accessory instead of a new model.

I personally would love to see a sporty tourer (not a cruiser) with real, actual passenger accommodations that doesn't weigh 800lbs. I think the BMW R1250RT comes closest. The passenger accommodations are only pretty good, but not good enough for a multi day ride.

I think Kawasaki has the best street lineup of any of the Japanese big 4. Their only holes are a big ADV bike and a big (sporty) tourer, which coincidentally are the only Honda's that are particularly attractive. Even their dated 1700 cruisers are the only real Japanese competition for HD. They need to decide if the Versys 1000 is an ADV bike or a ST to go along with the new N1K. It 'd be interesting if an updated Concours was a more of a competitor to the GW, but perhaps a bit lighter.

Kawasaki has been absolutely killing it... I'm really curious to see if there will be an updated Concours for 2022. https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2020-kawasaki-ninja-1000sx-review-first-ride.html https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/2020-kawasaki-z900-abs-first-ride-review.html

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/large-group-of-dirt-bikes-atvs-motorcycles-take-over-cleveland-streets?fbclid=IwAR1SEtaBUhjLgOllmB4J1cgLwK-KZbxYl8RZSSWL8dGaKfp83nUu1qKbpJI

Also good, but ideally followed by a nap.

My favorite meal while riding:

I rarely ride at night, but if I do it's in a lit, populated area. I have ridden long highway stretches in the dark out of necessity. Not a fan.

HD should never have killed Buell. I get that Erik was kind of a dick to work with, but his bikes had (even still have) a loyal following. ...but, selling Buells in HD dealerships mixed as well as orange juice and toothpaste. Buells were tucked in the dusty back corner of most HD dealers. If you could even get a salesperson to talk about Buells the conversation went something like..."After you get bored with this 130 hp, 400lb beginner bike, you'll want to step up to the 65 hp, 900 lb Geezer Glide..." It was a terrible fit. Buell support was limited to OEM parts (even tires) and Buell (HD) branded gear. You couldn't walk into a HD dealer and buy Michelin, Pirelli, Shoei, Alpinestars, etc. That model worked for Harley, but was a huge turnoff for more sporty Buell riders. There was once an argument within HD Marketing about why Buell (sport bike) riders wouldn't wear Buell leather vests. - this story was told several times by Buell insders. It will be the same if the Pan American actually makes it to dealers. It will be only OEM tires and HD gear. No Mitas, or Klim, or Giant Loop...non HD, popular ADV accessories will not be on the menu & sales people won't know a thing about ADV riding.

Sounds like this story has a happy ending