Bubba

RE: Old guys riding! Finally added a bike to the stable that I can ride for more than a few hundred miles without wishing I was 30 again--'07 FJR! Just got back from a 5-day 7-state romp (KY/WV/VA/NC/SC/GA/TN) thru the Appalaician/Blue Ridge mtns. Did just about 1600 miles--all rural 2-lane roads, no super-slab....yeah! 5 bikes in the group--Did the Diamond Back, Snake, BRP, Cherhola Skyway, Dragon, and anything else in the area that had more curves than a cathouse in Vegas. Everyone brought back their scoots intact without any scratches on the chrome or plastic. Didn't donate any parts to the Tree of Shame, either. Yeah, I know....boring. Had so much fun, I'm prolly heading back down again first week of Sept. Here's the link to pix: http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab313/icantdrive55/Aug%202011%20Bike%20Trip/?albumview=slideshow

What's the video quality like on the non-HD version? How big is the video card (Mgb or record time)? I might be interested, but I have zero experience with any of the video systems. If you have a vid available (on YouTube or Photobucket) send me the link so I can check it out. Thx!

I agree with Wicked's statement above. Going from a hard-core super-sport bike like the CBR to a cruiser isn't apples-to-oranges, it's more like apples-to-anchovies! I would definitely take a good look at the FJR, the VFR, the new Kaw Ninja, and maybe some of the new breed of nekkids that are finally being offered in the good ol' USA. If the roads in AZ are as amazing as I've heard, you're going to run out of corner clearance much too soon on a cruiser.

2TT: Very cool that you took time to just breathe and listen! Cold beer on the tailgate by the lake is also cool. My full moon zen moment happened a couple of years back. Was on a 3-week road trip (cagin' it) in the early fall out west and had planned on camping at the Grand Canyon NP. Got to the park gates--a 60+ mile drive from anywhere--and found the 'Full' sign out. So I had a quick conversation with the ranger about what to do/where to go, and he gave me a tip about a primitive camp site at the end of about 8 miles of dirt road in a NF area that was on the north rim of the canyon. I had 4WD, so I headed out. The spot that I camped was set under huge Ponderosa pines right at the edge of the Canyon's north rim, overlooking the abyss. Had a great dinner of beans 'n franks grilled over the campfire, watched a perfect full moon rise over the canyon and light the whole scene like a torch, and sat around until after 2 AM just listening to the wind and the crackling fire and sipping a glass of good Canadian whiskey. Sometime later, I heard the sound of another car bouncing down the road. Turned out to be a beat-up, 60s-vintage VW micro-bus that pulled into the turn-around and parked right at the edge of the canyon rim. Dude got out--long hair, beatnik-earth child-type--with his coon dog, slid the side door of the bus open, sat with his legs dangling over the canyon and proceeded to break out the bongo drums and do a solo act while the dog accompanied him soulfully howling at the moon....and I was thinking the whole time: "Vuja De--NOTHING like this is gonna happen EVER again!" Just might have to go back there soon, with more whiskey!

Christine: Wow! I'm seriously impressed. As a recent owner of an '07 FJR, I'm working thru some issues of 'driveability' with respect to the FI/throttle response. I've read lots of info in the Feejer forums on what seems to a common problem with these bikes, and would love to bounce a few questions off of you via email or PM. Mind if I ask you to respond personally to one or the other--prefer email since it's easier... Thx--Bubba

Would that get, like, 4-5 MPG? If I have to worry about gas mileage, can I really afford it? Can I lean my FJR against the LR couch?

Typical hair dryer uses approx 1200-1400 watts on heat. I'd play it safe and suggest at least 1700 W and maybe even 2000 for kicks. That way, you can smurf the web while drying yer hair....

I feel for the resposible off-roaders. That's exactly what happened down in Livingston, KY area at 909/Cromer Ridge. Used to be one of the best open riding areas within 2-4 hours of Cinti. Mix of private land and DBNF. Gnarly hills, mostly sandstone, and miles of singletrack in an area that had been extensively logged, so not much more damage could be done. Used to be able to ride parts of the Sheltowee Trace trail all the way down to the natural bridge and the TN border. However, every weekend turned into an f'n redneck fest with partying, littering, and of course the inevitable accident that resulted in local land owners being sued by the dumbass rider and his scumbag lawyer. Locals blamed the out-of-towners; the out-of-towners blamed the locals. KY state LEOs and county mounties started writing expensive tickets and shut the area down to all off-road traffic--had to be street legal DOT compliant vehicle to ride. I sold both my trail bikes not long after. Seems it's always the 1%ers who end up spoiling it for remaining 99%.

PM sent.

I've got an '08 CBR as well, and have the factory manual that should have a wiring diagram. Send me a PM or email and let me know where you want to start looking and what parts you want a diagram for. Does anyone know if it's legal (i.e., not against copyright infringement) to scan and post a pic on this forum?

Prolly more than would care to admit to it. I was friends with this guy (remains nameless) for 30+ years--Vietnam vet, had a tough go in life, our families/kids hung out on weekends together--and he ended up divorced and in a financial bind. Asked if I would lend him cash for a reliable car so he could get to work. Long story short, it's been at least 4-5 years since he and I talked. He stopped paying, stopped calling, I've tried to get hold of him multiple times and no reply. A very expensive $2500 lesson! All in all, I'd say an "investment" of $50 to learn your supposed friend is a douche is a good deal...

What a great dog poop/dog barf picker-upper! Order me two!

Pretty much true. One ft-lb of torque means one pound of force applied to the handle at a distance of one foot from the axis of rotation (socket). Only problem I see is that you'll want to check the calibration across the entire range of adjustment. When you get to duct-taping that 150 lb dumbbell to the handle, be sure to account for the 75 lbs of duct tape!

I didn't read thru all the previous posts, but in case this one wasn't posted... Seen on a brand spankin' new Vette leaving a high-end business office park: EZ4U2NV

I assume that the tire specs for MCs are the same as for cars, so... 190 is the width profile of the tire = 190 mm. 50 or 55 is the percentage of sidewall height to width. Therefore, a 190/55 has approx 19 mm greater overall diameter (about 0.75") than a 190/50 tire. [190*0.50=95; 190*0.55=104.5; (104.5-95.0)*2=19 mm] You'd have to know the overall diameter of one of the combos to calculate an exact speedo correction, but I assume it's in the 2% or less range, i.e., at 70 MPH indicated, your actual speed would be approx 71.5 MPH. Not a big deal, since most of us do 10-20 over anyway...

Great battle for a podium spot! Nice riding! Too bad you got whacked, tho. Heal up quickly.

Speaking of 'sammich' I'm not a big fan of rain riding either, but I keep a couple of ziplock sammich bags in my riding jacket pocket (or in the storage compartment of the bike) so I can stick said cellphone/wallet in bags in the event of wet air falling on me. And if I ride once or twice a season in the rain, I find I don't actually have to clean the bugs off my bike as often....

Geek squad? Most def not! Old guy who had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Either retired or under-employed--haven't decided which. I mostly ride week days or shorter routes on weekends. Post up if you want to get together for meet-n-greet somewhere on the west side. Be great if we could get a group from Cinti to hook up for rides.

I definitely second the Revo2. Had 'em on an Isuzu 4x4 and they wore well, handled great with little road noise, and gave very good traction in both rain and snow. Good looking tire, too, for those who favor appearance as well as function.

Living the good life in Mack! Have your people call my people. Let's do this!

One of the great things about Cinti that you C-bus and NE OR folks don't have is the quick/easy access to some of the nicest twisties--located in NKY--in this part of the country. Gotta hit up SE OH and beyond into WV, PA, TN and NC to get anything better. And being 'underemployed/retired' means I can go riding during the day when most of the crazy cagers are locked up in their cubes! Now if I can just get all the old folks (older than me, of course!) into that government rehabilitation center (soylent green?) I'll be able to rail as fast as I want.

I hate to be picky, but there are several misspellings in your document. Most noteably, the word 'breaks' instead of 'brakes' is used incorrectly at least twice. Please resubmit the document to your proof-reader for correction prior to publication, so we have assurance that you are indeed, a detail-oriented lawyer. Sorry, I just had to...

Tecknix: Not a ton of OR people here in Cinti, or at least not a ton of active 'Nati riders on OR. We do, however, have easy access to W-A-Y better twisties in NKY than most of the rest of the state, so that makes up for it. Sent you a PM with more info. Ciao--Bubba

Can't/won't argue with anybody about Cinti drivers sucking at life, as well as most all drivers who feel the need to multi-task behind the wheel. I CAN, however, argue about the snarky fuctards on the "WEST SIDE" heading out 32....hate to burst yer bubble, but 32 is on the EAST SIDE. Only a small correction. Carry on.