Bubba

Reiterate what the others have said above: Easiest = front tire pressure, worn front tire, front tire balance Most likely = loose/worn steering head bearings Also, be sure to do an accurate alignment check of the REAR tire. If the rear is out of alignment, it can cause similar handling issues to what you've noted. It also could a combination of all of the above. You didn't mention that you'd dropped the bike recently, so I'm assumiing that's not an issue, but if there's been a drop in the past, also look to checking your fork alignment.

There is a lawyer who claims to specialize in MC accident practice who is a sponsor on ORdotcom. Believe his name is Tony Castelli. Here's a link from this summer: http://www.ohioriders.net/showthread.php?t=95614&highlight=lawyer Also, as has been stated many times here, prolly not the best idea to discuss legal/medical issues on a public forum if there may be a claim forthcoming. Hope you and missus are feeling OK in a few...Good luck!

Man killed while trying to create Bigfoot sighting KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — A man dressed in a military-style "ghillie" suit and apparently trying to provoke reports of a Bigfoot sighting in northwest Montana was struck by two cars and killed, authorities said. The man was standing in the right-hand lane of U.S. Highway 93 south of Kalispell on Sunday night when he was hit by the first car, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. A second car hit the man as he lay in the roadway, authorities said. Flathead County officials identified the man as Randy Lee Tenley, 44, of Kalispell. Trooper Jim Schneider said motives were ascertained during interviews with friends, and alcohol may have been a factor but investigators were awaiting tests. Ya think? http://www.cincinnatibell.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CDA0U2GD00%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011

I assume the Gladius/SV/Vstrom are all related in the motor department. There are many threads on the Vstrom forums about oil usage at higher RPMs, esp at uber-legal Xway speeds. No signs of smoking mentioned there either, and the best guess is that it's being sucked into the crank breather and burned. Less than half a quart in several thousand miles (using your experience) isn't particularly high when you're ringing it's neck, and shouldn't result in sooty exhaust, either. I'd do as suggested and up the viscosity to 10W40 or even 20W50 (as long as the temp is above 40F) and see what happens. I can't imagine that keeping your oil at max fill would do much for consumption, and may even make it worse initially if it creates more oil misting from windage effects in the crankcase.

Sold!

Buddy of mine was planning on going with us to camp, drink and watch the races. He ended up having wifey things to do and isn't going. Any interest? Can meet you somewhere in town or meet up there Friday eve. 5one3-five9eight-8ninenine2 Note the sig--Cinti westside

Nice newer 250 Ninja with Yosh pipes plus a new front tire and OEM parts included. Posted on LocalRiders forum. Price has been reduced to $2100. Sounds like a killer deal. FYI--NOT mine. "2007 Kawasaki 250 Ninja. Silver in color. Excellent condition. 7,500 miles. Smooth running, comfortable, quick, and great MPG. My teenage son has lost interest and this bike is sitting in my garage gathering dust. Bike has not been abused...old dad was tagging along on all of his rides. Bike is stock with the exception of a nice pair of Yoshimura mufflers. I have the stock mufflers and they will be included with the sale. Have an extra OEM new front tire that goes along as well." http://www.localriders.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154731#post154731

Dedicated MC stands are nice to have for the long run in terms of on-going maintenance chores, but you can get by for free in a pinch. Place the bike on the center stand (I'm assuming your bike has one). Simply raise the front of the bike either using a jack or a prop of some kind under the motor, or alternatively, run a rope/strap to an overhead support point (like a ceiling hook or joist) and lift the front by the bars. Without a center stand, it becomes a little more problematic, but not impossible. Cheapest place to find stands is Harbor Freight (new) or keep an eye out on CL.

Sorry, but I can't turn ya on to any shops that mount for free. Two places I know of that are prolly your best bet for decent price/service is either SportTour [www.sporttour.com] 11386 Reading Rd 45241, or the AFJ Race Shop [www.afjraceshop.com] on 3926 Eastern Ave 45226. Last time I bought tires was from ST and they charged $25/wheel for mount&balance.

If any of you are interested in a weekday ride, here is a post from Local Riders for a NKY ride tomorrow. Leaves @ 9:30 from Exit 181 near Florence Mall and heads west to Carrollton and Madison, IN. There will be mix of sport tourers, cruisers and DS bikes, and the pace will spirited (10-20 over) but not gonzo insane. I've ridden with the group before and these are experienced riders. http://www.localriders.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154552#post154552 Hope to see ya there.

Lots of great roads on both the east and west side of the 75 corridor. NNick's route is a classic that the AFJ boys run several times a week. Hard to go wrong with the combo of 10/22 when combined with the other small county and state routes. Agree with him about 1504--one of the better rural roads that's often overlooked. Another classic ride on the west side is 227 south from Owenton to Stamping Grounds. Lunch at the IGA deli, then back north to 368 to 127 to 607 to 330. You can superslab it back from there or stay on the local routes and take any of 22/36/467 back toward Cinti. If you want to wander down this way and take a ride, gimme a heads up and I'll work up a route of 150 to 200 miles and ride with you. Lemeno. [FYI--I'm underemployed so riding mid-week isn't an issue.]

Technically and legally, the notary is putting his official stamp on a "completed" document, specifically, the top section of the back of the title. He is attesting to the fact that the signer of the title is indeed, the person who owns the vehicle. Your notarized signature on the title is a sworn statement saying that you are the legal owner and that all the information, including the sales price, the vehicle mileage, and the name and address of the new owner are accurate. That being said, most notaries will simply ask for a picture ID and verify your signature and stamp the incomplete title. If the state DID dispute the accuracy of the information entered on the title, they could presumably try to collect the unpaid sales tax from the buyer and you could be subject to fines. The way revenues are short these days, don't count on the state NOT going after more money if they think they are owed. The bottom half of the title is completed by the buyer and can be done later at the time of transfer at the registrar office.

That is a righteous deal!! Props to you. I just paid $100 for a similar set of Joe Rocket on CL.

You prolly need to assign Power of Attorney to someone you trust, either family or a GOOD friend. They can sign the title for you and take care of the sale arrangements. Doesn't matter if there's a lien on it. The lien holder won't release the title/cancel the lien without secure funds in hand. It'll be a bit more complicated and a bit of a PIA, but it's doable with some pre-planning.

Cool (literally!) idea. Unfortunately, SW OH is a big place and I'd be riding some serious mileage just to get to the meet-up in the pitch black during the hours all them purty deer are out looking for vehicles to destroy. If I was a little more local to the start, I'd be in. Hope you find some riders to join you for breakfast. Be safe!

Mmmmm...OK...I think you've made your point. Well said. Rebuttal noted. I'm done here.

Here's a quick message to say "Thanks!" to all of the past and current service members, including the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, for their dedication to preserve our freedoms and our way of life. My heartfelt wish is that, one day, we will have the reason and the wisdom and the moral courage to find a better way.... And a gentle reminder that this is the first REAL travel holiday of the summer and the idiots, the mouth breathers, the walking dead, and the Popo will be be out in equal measure. Best advice: stay home and drink a cold one in the safety of your home. If you gotta be out and moving about, keep your head on a swivel and drive like the Devil is after you soul. Ciao--Bubba

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, dude, but you're either totally clueless and naive, or you've been out of touch with reality and what normally happens in most of these cases. Reality is that both you and I and every medical card-carrying member of the working class pays for their blatant stupidity! Every time you get charged an outrageous sum for a hospital visit or X-ray or MRI, you're paying not only your bill but the bills of these mouth breathers who decided it was their God-given perogative to ride without a helmet and gear and who didn't have insurance. Pretty sure your 'Thank You' letter from them isn't in the mail, BTW. I don't doubt this'll bring on the flames, but if you really believe what you just wrote and weren't simply playing the Devil's advocate, you have absolutely no idea of how the world works.

Our rescue dog, Anne, at the beach.

I'm making a supposition here, so figger this post is based on zero hard factual data and means doodly. Flame away.... The most likely scenario to this story is that the real crime against society is that the baby mamas also chose to bring a life they couldn't financially support into this world. Pretty damn sure they will be receiving monthly rent subsidies (Sec 8), welfare, food stamps, and Aid to Dependent Children money. The amount of money that comes from federal, state and local agencies must be astounding for this one individual and his 11 beotches. As a democratic and free republic, it's ridiculous to suggest mandatory sterilization for either, but at some point, society must somehow find a way to stop paying money for people's poor choices. Some here have suggested that ignorance plays a part, but I'm beginnning to wonder who's being played for the fool....

I know a number of my friends who simply contributed to their IRA. Depending on your tax situation, the money may be tax-deferred, similar to a 529 plan. The biggest benefit is that you maintain absolute control of your funds. If your kid(s) decide to head to Colorado to become ski bums or decide to dedicate their life the monastic life, you're still stuck with an unused lump of money in a 529 plan. Plus, I don't think the 529 plans are quite as flexible as to where/how they can be used. However, funds can be withdrawn from your IRA PRIOR to 59 1/2 without penalty and be used for post-secondary education/college/vocational school for yourself, your children and your grandchildren. See below: "When you take money out of an individual retirement account before you reach age 59 1/2, the Internal Revenue Service considers these premature distributions. In addition to owing any tax that might be due on the money, you'll face a 10 percent penalty charge on the amount. But there are times when the IRS says it's OK to use your retirement savings early. Two popular, penalty-free withdrawal circumstances are when you use IRA money to pay higher-education expenses or to help purchase your first home. OK for school When it comes to school costs, the IRS says no penalty will be assessed as long as your IRA money goes toward qualified schooling costs for yourself, your spouse or your children or grandkids. You must make sure the eligible student attends an IRS-approved institution. This is any college, university, vocational school or other post-secondary facility that meets federal student aid program requirements. The school can be public, private or nonprofit as long as it is accredited. Once enrolled, you can use retirement money to pay tuition and fees and buy books, supplies and other required equipment. Expenses for special-needs students also count. And if the student is enrolled at least half-time, room and board also meet IRS expense muster. Read more: IRS rules for early IRA withdrawals http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/irs-rules-for-early-ira-withdrawals-1.aspx#ixzz1unmmZ6Hq

I hope everyone who rides a MC on the street, especially at a pace that may not meet the definition of "legal speed", has read this article by Nick Ienatsch from a long time ago. I've seen it posted on many forums and has certainly been posted here as well, but this thread and this time of year begs for it to be posted and read by all riders again. My apologies if you've already seen it and abide by "The Pace".... http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/flashback/122_0911_the_pace_nick_ienatsch/index.html

Dealing with gravel mid-corner is a street hazard that usually doesn't happen on the track, but reacting to a loss of traction in a turn is no different whether its a result of sand/gravel or a result of a tire at the limit of adhesion. Learning trail braking will give you the confidence to handle a bike while sliding and crossed up. Most of my skills--limited as they are--came from riding dirt. Sliding around on an off-road bike will teach you many skills that translate to the street as well. I wasn't accusing you of being 'squidly', merely disagreeing with your off-hand dismissal of track riding vs street riding. You are 100% correct about having to leave a margin for error, either on the part of the rider or other drivers on the road.

Ummm, NOT THIS ^^^ If you're talking about going to the track to learn how to ride 10/10ths on the street, then you're correct. Anyone riding at the absolute limit in the real world is a fool....soon to be a dead fool. Always leave something in the box when you're on the street! However, pushing your skills to a limit BEYOND what can be safely acheived on the street is what track days are for. If you can learn skills and sharpen your reflexes at a fast pace on the track, it's probably gonna save yer bacon the next time you need to save your ass on the street.

Some serious paranoia on this forum. That being said, I'm all for defending our personal and law-given rights, but my first impression of someone who's open carrying in a public space like a Walmart would of one who's seeking attention. IJS...