bambam

I've ridden to track days four out of six times. Take some tools and whatever you need for prep - usually just tape. Take some snacks and as much water as you can pack into your tank bag and fill your gas tank up just before getting to the track. Only soft boys trailer!

I shipped my bike out to Seattle last year using Federal http://funtransport.com/ It was a bit spendy - around $600 after AMA discount but they provided full service door to door enclosed palleted transport - very professional. Seattle is a very cool town, and there are some excellent places to ride nearby. Two mountain ranges within a couple of hours ride have great roads but be sure to get over to the Olympic Peninsula and head out to Neah Bay.

Check if it's actually model year '89 or sale date '89. If '89 is the sale date, then it might actually be a model year '90, in which case it would be the GSXR750L - my first sportbike. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Old yeah, but nice handling bike. Like another poster said, the 90 models onwards had slingshots and were said to be a great improvement (I had nothing to compare them with though). Also pretty rare at the time - it had upside down forks - that would be an easy visual cue to see what model it is. If it's in good shape it would be a nice bike to have.

This has just about everything they cover in the Basic Rider Course classroom sessions, but does not seem to have the exercises from the riding-portion. http://www.msf-usa.org/CurriculumMaterials/BRC_Handbook_Vs71_noprint.pdf EDIT: Look here for a number of other MSF documents:- http://msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl=2&action=display&pagename=Library

Elago make one also that works the same way. The SD card slides up almost all the way into the USB plug and then the whole assembly is then inserted into the USB socket. It seems to get decent reviews on Amazon.

Paul, we're coming back from Seattle in two weeks. Loading the bike for her return trip on Monday. What's the weather like?

Shucks. Thanks mate but my birthday is in November. And my 21st was quite a while back.

I advise you to be very aggressive when negotiating the deal. You should reject any settlement offer if you can find a close match for your bike for sale at a higher price in your area. Provide them with documentation, examples of ads and classifieds showing what value you'd expect to pay to replace the bike. Remember, you don't have to accept their first, second or any offer. Insurance agents have way more discretion in these matters than they let on. Once you've driven the settlement price up, then offer to pay the cost of storage and haulage on the wreck if they'll let you keep the bike. Unlikely as it sounds, this worked wonders for me. I bumped the offer on my totaled Ducati up by $2000 and paid $75 storage fee for the bike.

Pauly - there's plenty of room on planet Rubble for everyone... I just wish everyone here was called BamBam. Except JBot.

Paul runs a maintenance shop called DucRX. While they specialize in Ducatis, they also work on other brands. Best to drop him a line and check if he'd tackle a Benelli. Their website is www.ducrx.com Other testimonials and threads for DucRX http://www.ohio-riders.com/showthread.php?t=33106&highlight=ducrx

I just had my SS900 serviced by Paul. It was a major service: 48K, front-end, engine, all the major maintenance interval items, and Paul handled it all quickly and professionally. The poor abused baby had to have the clutch basket and cush-drive replaced too and some of the parts were hard to get right away, but he turned the job around nice and quickly, researching multiple sources and keeping me in the loop at every decision point. Basically, Paul did a great job on the scheduled service and bent over backwards to get the extras handled in time and within a more than reasonable budget. My bike is riding better than ever now - I'm thrilled: she feels like new - everything is tighter and more responsive, and she sounds dead sexy. Great job Paul. I cannot say enough about this guy's attitude - he loves bikes so he cares about your stuff, and does the job right.

I yelled at Jbot on another forum once, for just mentioning a bar on one of our ride threads. I was just toeing the party line of course. In all honesty though - I'm with Isaac's Papa, riding is a bit dull without a few beers or a smoke. It's great not knowing where you're going or if you're going to even get there. Drunk riding at night: I like the light show quite a lot.

Yeah, I heard England is still pretty much indifferent to you mate. And to me come to think of it. These days at games, I feel like I'm supporting England mostly out of pity - you know rooting for the underdog just because they are so plucky. While it will be cool to watch Stevie Gerrard lift the trophy, the best I'm really hoping for is a tearful exit on penalties in the quarters or semi final. Our trademark! I'll cheer USA on though if they go through and England don't. (stranger things have happened). Or Spain maybe, but only cos half the Liverpool team will be there.

I thought he must have been a goalie...

I got shushed at a Crew game one time years ago, for cheering too much. Last MLS game I went to. I heard things have got a bit better, so I'm planning on going to a few games. As for the World Cup, I'll be watching as many games as possible. I'm working on a project in a team with an American, a Dutch guy and a German - pub lunches will be interesting to say the least!!

I saw OJ in a movie once. He was pretty funny. Never knew he played footy - what position did he play? ENGLAND!!! ..and if USA get knocked out - still ENGLAND!!

Speedytriple let me ride that sexy triple last year - it was brilliant fun. Definitely in my top three bikes to replace the Ducati if that sad day ever comes. Sorry to hear about the spills guys, and in my neighborhood too. Glad you're okay. I never expected to see Magnolia mentioned in a thread here - such a tiny unassuming place. (But it does have a Taggart's and a Tozzi's for your ice cream and pasta pleasure).

Can we see that whole thing again in English please?

I was just kidding. Sorry for the confusion. We have met?

Todd, this happened some time after crossing the state line entering NM from Texas. It didn't occur to me to refuse the officer - I complied with the search because they had guns and I believe when dealing with authorities, that discretion is the better part of valor. This is obviously only tangentially related to the original post, but I felt the search was unwarranted. Mind you I was driving on the left side of the road, as I'm wont to do from time to time - makes those long drives so much more interesting.

I think you missed the important bit. Perhaps because it negates the argument somewhat.. I was stopped and checked in New Mexico by Immigration officers many years back. I think they had no reason to stop me, but they did. They frisked me, did an on the spot background check, removed every item from my car (which was basically everything I owned as I was relocating at the time) and searched them. I was on the side of the highway with my wife for several hours. God Bless the USA. I had done nothing wrong, so I had nothing to fear. Yes? But it was still pretty scary. When that kind of thing starts happening to everyone, regularly, maybe they will reconsider their support for these invasive laws. Probably not though, and by then it will be too late.

Weird that nobody from here showed up - looked like a couple of guys were interested - did you get cancellation messages at least? How many bikes were in the final group ? Are you posting photos anywhere else? As you can probably tell, I'm getting my bike buzz vicariously through you right now, and I'm really bummed I couldn't make the ride.

Isn't that the tune from 'Feed The World' where pop stars from around the country sang together and tried to save people from starving to death in Africa? Good to see the Cleveland folk thinking of the needs of people closer to home. I admire the guys athleticism but agree with the other bloke - people take it too seriously.

Mark, I really I wish I could make it for this ride. You guys are going to have a cracking good time. Jealous!!!