SpeedTriple44444

If you're tall enough, a DL650 is a great 2-up bike. A comfortable bike is going to be required to sell the idea. I'm with some of the other though: it's no fun having someone on the back. What happens when you want to get away for a while?

PA roads are very bad, I'll agree. I'm sick of chip and seal on the back roads. They came through with that a couple weeks ago on my road, and it's BAD. Its starting to settle, and all we have now is the same road conditions are before with all the potholes, with the added bonus of a bunch of gravel and tar everywhere. I can't understand why they would waste the time!

Thanks! It's a great bike. I just need the $$$ (wife isn't working and I have health issues).

I've got a heart cath on Wed morning. I'm not giving up, but I'm not holding on tight either. It's not a false negative. The tests were clear, and the way I'm feeling is even more so. I'm exhausted all the time... dry cough... shortness of breath. I'm not depressed. I know that God is in control. I believe there is a purpose in everything; even this. I don't believe in using meds that affect the mind- it's too often a crutch for dealing with the issues. I'm just waiting, and feeling bad (physically). I understand your intentions, and I appreciate the tough love. I'm doing ok, really. But, at the same time, I don't see the point in being careful right now. A motorcycle accident could be merciful and quick (not that I'm trying to get in one).

My bike: http://youngstown.craigslist.org/mcy/3220204056.html

I figure, what's the point of a helmet if I'm going to die of a heart attack anyway, lol.

That was you guys I passed on route 9, wasn't it? Around 5:00 or so, maybe heading north? I'm pretty sure I recognized Doc's vfr. I was on the blue Strom, black mesh jacket, no helmet, sunglasses.

I doubt the pacemaker will help. My waves look good, so it's not a rhythm problem. Everything you said is what I've been told or read. Any other advice? I've dropped 15 pounds and stopped eating salt / high sodium foods. I'm controlling my water intake. I'm exercising, but I overdid it last night and was EXHAUSTED. Literally couldn't stay awake. I'm on a beta blocker to allow my heart to relax some. This is a bummer; especially considering I have 2 kids- 6 and 7 years old. I hope to live long enough to see their graduation, but the stats are 50% dead within 5 years. The only good news is that typically the people involved in that stat are old and in varying degrees of health. I'm otherwise ok. My blood work was excellent.

Yeah, my life is starting to sound like a country song. I'm waiting for my wife to leave and my pickup truck to quit running.

So, I've learned since I originally posted this that bad days are relative. I just found out that I have congestive heart failure (at 37 years old- never smoked a day in my life, done any drugs ever, or drank more than a couple drinks at a time). It kind of changes your perspective on things to find out your life expectancy just went down the toilet, lol. That's all the sunshine I wanted to share for today. Anyone want to buy a Vstrom?

Sorry to hear. I just went through this with mine too.

Another pic for the funny pictures thread! j/k... that would suck. That's why I have an ancient style rugged flip phone.

I tend to agree with the "break-it-in-hard" mentality, with some limitations. It's not the RPM that makes the gas pressure go up- it's the open throttle and more complete cylinder filling that does it. I don't go full RPM on a new motor. I think that's just stupidity. Loads go WAY up with RPM. I vary the RPM as much as possible, giving it full-throttle midrange pulls into the upper midrange, not lugging it and not revving the snot out of it. Then I let it coast down against the motor. I do this in different gears, never lugging it or revving it out. At 50-60 miles I change the oil. I ride it normally at that point, but stay out of the high RPM until 500-600 miles. I change the oil again. I increase the RPM some more. At 1000 miles I change the oil and ride it like I stole it. This has worked for multiple bikes. None burn oil and all have motors that make good power and sound good.

Again^+1. He and that guy that kept it up when he got his leg broken after a deer ran into him up in Canada are hereby nominated for a Chuck Norris Badass award. I, however, will be nominated for the run-on sentence award.

his mom was going to get to changing that, right after she washed his favorite high-speed wifebeater and made him a sammich.

You used to own one of those, didn't you? I never looked much at the DR. It's really that good? What's better than the XR? Motor? Suspension?

not at all. You just put it into perspective. no worries.

Yeah, I could tell you're one of the flawless few by your posts. I tend to live in the real world where my adrenaline sometimes overtakes my common sense. Sorry for being honest. The day will come where neither your gear or skills-set will be enough, and you will either crash hard or survive for a reason you don't understand. When that happens, come back and we'll talk about the reality of how fragile life is and how fallible we are without all the chest-thumping antics.

Wish I had the cash. Honda V4's are amazing bikes. I've owned a couple, but never an Interceptor. I could trade you 2 CB350's and a few old Buick motors, lol! GLWS

^truth. And we all act like idiots on our bikes at times. It's only by the grace of God we don't end up like this guy.

I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to make light of that situation. I pray every day I don't have to go through something like that. My kids are the most important thing in the world to me. I was only trying to say that the way a pet depends on you is similar to the way your kids do; that innocent trust they have. It felt like betrayal to end her life... like I had given up. Definitely no way an animal can compare to a kid though.

That's ok. I'm pretty good at gloating and patting myself on the back, though I appreciate the recognition, lol.

I got done burying her last night and went for a 50 mile ride down to a burger dive I like, had a big greasy burger and fries, BS'd with a cool old guy sitting at the counter, and rode home. Still wasn't feeling great, but better. Motorcycles are good therapy.

If I were looking for a bike that has real dirt potential and is street legal for reasonable money, I would skip the KLR and look at the Honda XR650L. It's a big beast but I've ridden one off road and it's a blast to chug up hills with all that torque.