buildit

That's a start. Most DS riders do tend to make a point of finding the "road less traveled" or to be exact the "road less traveled by cars".

So you answer your own question. The bike doesn't make the rider.

Do you stop and turn around if the pavement ends? Is riding in gravel as bad as seeing an inch of ice on the roads? If the answer is No then you qualify for DS. You could always come out for a ride and find out for sure.

Are you a Dual Sport rider? For those who don't know, it's not a description of kinky sexual positions and freaky partners, unless you name is Swingset. Dual Sport riders are motorcyclists who enjoy the road even after it ends. We can do 1000 mile trips, twisties, gravel, dirt roads, quad trails, single track and even like to play on MX tracks when no one is looking. It is the logical progression of off road riding as trails become fragmented and fuel costs prohibitive to trailering an dirt bike for a day of fun in the dirt. Our bikes range in size, power and suspension from the little KE100's to the giant GS1200's. Some even use regular street bikes because they can. So out yourself here to be counted amongst the people with mud caked in the fender going down the highway smiling like an escaped convict. Post a photo, list your rides, or disclose your favorite place to get dirty. It's all good.

I think you have to be cychic to find it. That or a crappy speller.

We only need four more dual sport riders to outnumber the cruiser riders now.

Nice job!

Oh no, another adv rider in here. The sport bike guys are gonna be really confused now.

I only use 3 qrts a year so an extra $20 would make it more than I pay at IP.

+1 If they don't get caught at least let them have a bad high side in a bad corner with a very steep cliff and sharp rocks at the bottom with lots of very angry rattle snakes.

I also have Allstate for the cars and house but not the bikes. They consider the Vstrom a sport bike and as such are 1.6 times what I pay for the same insurance at Gieko.

So yeah, I've been a big fan of IP because historically they have kept prices very low and made it worth the trip from Springfield, unlike Competition Accessories who uses superglue and sand blasting medium to rape you. I only mentioned the Mobile 1 because I had priced it at other stores before and knew the prices. I still got my 20w50 Amsoil 3qt jug for $44 since I don't know anyone else in Springfield who sells it for less. I always roam the store and price items, but I can't give apple to apple comparison on the other stuff so I won't bring it up, other than it seemed high. A place the size of IP has to be able to draw people from far away, like me, if they can't then the pain at the pumps will keep us away. A 100 mile round trip means bulk buying and that means I can't ride the bike because it won't all fit. I am sure IP will feel the squeeze because of fuel prices on customers and I hope they will continue to stock and sell stuff at good prices using their size to get us good deals. But buying 10000 coats all xxxsmall and selling items available elsewhere for half again the price won't do it. I'm not giving up on the pony but putting them on price watch.

Went to the pony to get parts and oil. Needed some Mobil1 full synth 4stroke. $15 a quart! Went to auto zone next door and got it for $9 instead. If IP keeps marking up things at 160% I have less of a reason to go there. I used to find far more "good deals" there than I have recently. I hope the current trend doesn't continue.

Video from the ride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ytFPhY_ig

I'm 6'4", seriously take a look at the above mentioned bikes. There not the fastest or most powerfull bikes on the road but you get comfort without the chrome. Dual sport bikes are in general more comfortable for tall riders.

Might be a bit over the price range you want but being tall I'd suggest a Vstrom DL1000, GS1200 or Concourse. All are good bikes for tall riders and good on the road.

Did you check into renting a small uhaul and drive it out? Between savings from shipping and airline tickets for you it might prove to cost less. Sorry, It's been a while since I was there. I just remember it was on Goodale.

Where are you shipping the bike? Just curious. As for skids near campus there used to be a couple off Goodale Blvd that used to pitch skids into their dumpsters. Take a look and just ask before you dive.

From the e-bikes I've read about the are limited to 50 miles. So I'd have to wait till they can at least make 100 miles as even the closest town and back is over 40 miles for me. When they do get the distance up I'd love one and would even buy a bigger wind turbine so it could be charged off the grid and with no emissions either of the pipes.

What part of Columbus are you in? Might help give locals an idea of what companies are near you that have skids to build a crate from.

Different types of rides produce different types of enjoyment for me. Solo exploring, fast on the back roads, cruising the highway, group events, even heading to the IP for parts all offer different rewards.

Had a pleasant surprise rolling out of Zanesville along 146 heading east. Nothing real tight but well paved, not to busy and ups and downs to go with the twisties. Only went as far as Chandlersville but thought it would make a good connection to 284 the 78 over towards 555. Just thought I'd share.

HEY! I did NOT authorize my bibliography to be published! I expect royalties!

Ever clean out an house owned by someone from the 1920's? They saved some interesting stuff because it was considered valuable. News papers were always saved. Pie tins, steel cans and other metal goods got saved because they were in short supply. It puts what we value today into perspective.

No remote for the TV and had to use the VHF dial to get PBS to see Cosmos or Marty Stouffer Wild America. Most afternoon shows were still black and white even if the TV was color. Pong lasted for a while but soon died with the Pac Man craze. Summer meant fishing, back yard football, and Ghost in the Graveyard. Ricardo Montalbán was pushing real Corinthian leather seats, Coke was still a carbonated beverage not a drug, Dallas was the evening drama, Billy Beer was a joke, MASH was on every night during dinner, parents went out after the kids were asleep, we had pinball machines, roller skates were still cool and Skating birthday parties were almost a weekly event. I listened to Rush, ACDC, Judas Priest, Led Zepplin and Pink Floyd a lot.