wantahertzdonut

One of my two regrets about leaving Ohio is not having the time to check out the SE roads.  Maybe one day, but for now I'll have to settle for CA Hwy 1 and Lucas Valley Road.

I've never been in a close situation like that and try very hard to avoid it, but realize sometimes things like that happen.  I just try to get around and be gone. 

Lol anyone who even questions this has never been on an OR ride...

It's not so much the question, it's that a few people that are close to me have expressed disdain toward the practice.  I'm mostly gathering voices to prove that I'm not the only one that gets impatient enough to pass a car, dashed lines or not.

So how many of you have done this: passed multiple cars (like 3-5) in established passing zones with a wide open road ahead?  I did this a few times in Yellowstone.  No critters in site, clear road ahead, wankers in cars traveling at 35 in a 45 zone.

How do you react when you're out for a ride or just traveling on your bike and you encounter that one (or 10) cars that are stuck at 5mph below the speed limit, and absolutely destroy that awesome curvy road?

This happened to me all the time in the Cleveland Metroparks, but since that was the only road in the county worth riding it was all I had. 

I got to the point where I started passing on the double yellow when I had a good amount of visibility.  I have been doing it a fair bit here out west too, sometimes in the national parks but mostly on the mountain roads outside of the parks.

I typically only ride or drive 5mph over the speed limit unless traffic is generally going faster, so I'm not the type that wonders why people don't routinely drive 20 over.  But I certainly don't like driving under the speed limit and consider it dangerous when there's traffic behind me and someone can't maintain speed and creates the traffic accordion. 

Some non-riders have told me I'm being reckless, but I think I'm escaping a dangerous situation to a better one.  Am I the only one that thinks this?  I'm looking at this objectively for a better perspective from fellow riders.

place right by me you can rent 600cc supersports, vfr800s, full size ST bikes FJR and ST1300, dualsport bikes ....anything you want besides liter bikes...im sure the liability thing isnt a problem. they will probably have restrictions (minimum age 25, must have endorsement, etc etc)

There were places all over Honolulu renting similar bikes for a fair bit less than Eaglerider or HD dealers.  Oddly enough they were cheaper than the HD dealer which usually is not the case.  This was great for me because I'm sick of renting Heritage Softail Classics.

I rented this 04 Bonneville and it had similar stipulations that you mention; 25 years old, must have your endorsement, deposit held on the bike so you don't take off with it, etc.  However being able to pick one of these up at the airport would be all kinds of kick-ass.

I always wonder if there types of threads ever open any eyes? I mean we have sponsers on here that this applies to and I'm sure word of mouth gets around and other places of these types will read these post. Do they really care that they are loosing our business and taking our money elsewhere, or are they just thinking FU I don't need you? We here on OR have to represent the A typical customer for these types of places and honestly I feel their business practices are doing nothing but pushing us away. Im not naming names but there are places in the heart of C-bus that many of us have complained about the customer service or their over inflamed prices but nothing seems to ever get addressed. I don't like sending my money out of town or out of state but when it comes to saving my bottom dollar you be your ass I will. Im in no way a heavy hitter when it comes to purchasing things but in just the last 18 months I bet ive dropped $2500 in (bike)gear, tires, parts, and accessories and 98% of that was out of state or internet business because our local brick and mortar stores prices are non competitive. And I would gladly pay a little more for the local convenience but im not going to take it up the tail pipe either.

I think we represent the smarter end of the motorcyclist spectrum, and I bet few if any of these shops are reading.  I bet the ones you guys are having trouble with are the ones waiting for the douchebag wannabes to come in that don't know any better.

The only time I've tried to deal with a dealer was when I went to On The Edge in Amherst to look at an 01 SV650 that was unsold in 2004.  They had it next to current model SV's and there was only a $300 difference.  They wouldn't come off of it, I told them they can keep it.

When I do have to take my bike in for work that I can't do myself (like tires) I go to the independent guys.  All for reasons everyone has mentioned.  I don't trust many people to do work for me, there's just too many people that don't know what they're doing.

I'm glad you guys had better experiences at Northern Ohio Ducati than one of my friends.  He got screwed by their service department and got bent over on this sale of his Monster a few years back.  He overpaid and got sold on extras he can't even use.

I love how the bike jacker drops the bike on himself after he takes it away.  Serves him right.

I can't believe the guy in the second video at 3:51 survived!  I assume that's all Russia.

Isn't the frequency of finding a drunk individual anywhere in Russia at any given time something like 1 in 4?  It doesn't give you good odds when you get on the road.  I'd be scared in anything less than a tank, I assume they're all shitfaced, especially the truck drivers.

Here's one of my favorites

Just saw hooligan machine and assumed there might be some wheel lifting. These engines don't take kindly to that stuff. They'll take just about anything else you can throw at them though. Enjoy!

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I'm still behind on the blog, but made a big update tonight covering our Yellowstone experience.  Currently typing up our week in Bozeman, MT.

At the moment we're in Novato, CA.  Found some great riding, and got reminded that not all of CA is warm and toasty.  You buggers in Cleveland have had a warmer fall than we have had anywhere the entire west coast! 

Lots to come on the blog, I promise.  My only holdup is planning where to go next.  National parks have been on hold since those assholes in Washington can't get their heads on straight and closed everything down.

I had a 16ft dump trailer behind my 01 powerstroke loaded to the top with concrete... Every bit of 20k lbs in just concrete...pulled it with ease, you could feel it back there, but it didn't affect the truck...drove smooth, stopped normally, and cruised down the freeway at 70 with it... I miss my truck lol... I want another, I'm just so picky I can't find the one I want lol

How do you manage that?  I have a 97 7.3TD pulling half that, and I wouldn't say it pulls with ease.  Granted mine doesn't have the intercooler so it's down 25hp, but you throw a hill in there and it struggles. 

If I go above 60 I can actually watch the fuel gauge drop.  No exaggeration, I can actually watch the needle move toward E.  It's sickening.

Meh, beginner bike. 

Welcome to the club!  Don't do wheelies.

I'm glad you had better luck than us. We didn't have time for Chief Joseph, I would have gladly done it if we were able. Most of the motorcycles I saw were turning onto the CJH so I assume it's the better way to Cody, if you're going that way.

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Love it except the headlight. I k ow it can be corrected, but I'd love to k ow what's wrong with round headlights? My bike doesn't need to resemble a robot!

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Been doing and encouraging others to do the same. 

Here's my 7.3L middle finger to the closure of Redwoods NP after "bypassing" their barricade.  It wasn't long before someone else joined me to get on the trails.

Who the hell calls them crotch rockets anymore?

Well this fucking sucks. I'm heading to Redwoods NP today and it sounds like I'm just going to find a locked gate.

That idiot in the White House and those fucktards in Congress better get their act together.

Or maybe I should just pick up a pair of bolt cutters? Hmmm.

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It's time when you have both the want and the money. Having the space is nice too bit kitchen tables can be moved easily.

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I was kind of just thinking about this because next year we plan to go to Mackinaw Island and all that jazz with the parents and Luke for a mini vacation coming up from southern MI, and was wondering what the restrictions are when towing a TH/TT.  PLan is to bring the TH up there and stay at a KOA, but almost wondering if getting one before the bridge and then just traveling accross with the truck to a hotel for a night might be a safer option.

 

Last time I went over the bridge I was about 5, loved it.  Loved all the Forts up there, didn't care about the Locks, but want to get back and see those again.  I do remember watching a film about building the bridge and loving that stuff.

 

Also played like 10 games of Putt Putt a day, and didn't want to do the dunes or anything but putt putt.

You won't have a problem.  I drove mine over in August when it was still poorly balanced in a decent crosswind, and had no issues.  You won't be going over 20mph because one lane is always under construction and trucks are limited to 25mph, and there's always a truck somewhere in front of you going slower than that.

So we're back in the country, so to say.  I'm weeks behind on the blog for no good reason other than being in Alaska for the last week.  I have a lot of typing to do and a lot of catching up in general.  I have a long blog post that needs editing that I hope to get up tonight or tomorrow, then Yellowstone, Glacier, Seattle, then Alaska.  Currently in Olympic NP and will have a little writing of all this awesomness.

Glad you're following along and there's much more to come, I promise!

And too bad I'm not still in Ohio or I'd sell you one of mine.

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I seem to remember some parts on the '03 being year-specific. That usually means they fixed an engineering flaw after experiencing issues on the first year of the new model.

Just a heads up. Could still be worth it for the right price, or a really easy fix (swap).

**edit - the above was in reference to the 2003 on the AFJ site.

The 03 differences are in the rear subframe angle so bodywork has to be 03 specific. I haven't heard anything beyond that.

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Will do, I'll check them today.

Interwebz hackzore owned joo at work apparently!

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Let me know if the page still loads slowly. It may have to do with the file size of the photos. Badlands 1 and 2 are picture heavy so that could be doing it too. I think there are display options I can tweak if its loading slowly for everyone.

UP was beautiful but cold. Plus we just wanted to go west so it was time to go!

I assume you mean check the neg cables on the truck, right?

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More updates and photos in the blog detailing our trials and tribulations as well as enjoyment of Badlands National Park.

http://jimandangelatravel.wordpress.com/

I wasn't looking for attracting, just nice turns and scenery. The road isn't open for very much longer. Since all the kids are in school, one would assume that would have been a little bit quieter. I guess not!

Glacier was pretty crowded too surprisingly.

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