FJR Rider and My Relationship With The VentureRiders

[FJR Rider]

Just before New Years I had sat myself down to write a note to the members of the VentureRiders, mainly to do two things 1) explain myself for some of my posts over the last couple of years, and 2) apologize for a couple of those posts. But after writing the note and reading it a couple of times I decided that it probably wasn't worth posting...why, I'm not sure.

 

Moving forward to today I saw the following in the "Long Winter" thread and after reading these words rethought my decision to write a note or not. Red1 from just down the road from me here in Wisconsin said: "Too often, we allow ourselves to be polarized by our differences and fail to see the bigger picture. We gather here because of what we have in common - a joy of riding a great bike, a need for a little information and a desire to associate with people that share our passion. Perhaps if we kept the focus on that and had a little more tolerance for those that don't think exactly like we do, or express themselves precisely right - posts like this would no longer be necessary."

 

Even though Don would probably tell you I'm not one of the people he was initially talking about, I'm pretty sure there are some of you who definitely believe I am one of those people. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not, but I would like to explain myself a little bit.

 

As Don pointed out in another post recently, yes, I am a director on the Venturer site. I'm biased regarding sites? Yes, a true statement. But this post isn't about the sites, it's about the people who frequent all the Venture related sites. Do I believe the people that frequent any of the sites are any different? No! And there's the basis for much of the grumpiness I sometimes come across with when I infrequently post here on the VentureRider site.

 

As I said I'm not talking about the sites or their merits or shortcomings, I'm talking about the people. It's always been about the ride and the people for me. That's why I come to this site as well...if it was about the site alone, I'd never be here. What it comes down to is when I read posts here, or elsewhere, that include the words "better people here" it angers me. The riders, the people, we're all the same. Some of personalities or traits of some people on the other sites you may not care for, but the same can be said for some of the people here.

 

Earlier this year I posted a rather extensive list of events for the upper Midwest, many of those were Venturers sponsored events but not all. At first there were quite a few thank yous for posting, but then one member here got angry about the posts and said I was doing a recruiting campaign for the Venturers. I wasn't, I thought I was simply providing information for riders. Don did come to my rescue and let everyone know I was simply posting events, but it didn't seem to appease that particular member. Since then, while I have posted a couple of things, I haven't specifically posted anything Venturer related out of courtesy for this site and the member angered by the event posts.

 

Bottom-line. I ride a Venture (and an FJR) and I hope that's enough for us to share some common ground. I'd like to be able to walk up to another rider with a Venture, talk about our rides, and maybe start a friendship. I hope that because I call another Venture site my first internet home doesn't keep that from happening.

 

Now for the apologies. Don...no detail for the masses, but I am sorry I PO'd you in early in 2007. We used to share some common ground (other than the bike we ride)...I know that's no longer true, but I would hope the bumps in the road are behind us. To the other VentureRiders I've managed to anger at one time or another, I apologize. I hope our paths cross someday and we can get to know each other....my home north of Green Bay (and more importantly my garage and tools) are always open to anyone riding a Venture (or FJR, or Concours, or Gold Wing, or....).

 

Here's to a great 2008.

 

Curt

 

p.s. I would like to say thank you to the creators of the VentureRider calendar for using some of my pictures. Other than me providing pictures of Ventures, you didn't ask nor did you care where they came from...they were pictures of Ventures and the people who ride them. A bigger thank you for making myself and my wife Cathy (crossing Big Mac) the opening picture for the 24-month calendar.

[IH Truck Guy]

Curt,I like the fact that you post the different rides going on in the area.

I haven't been able to make any of them yet,but we are working on that.

Shari and I will ride with anybody regardless of what they drive or what group they belong to.All the guys at work ride Harleys,but I still let them tag along with us.The only rule I have with them is they have to let me start my bike first,so I know it's running before they start theirs.

 

Hope to ride with you and Cathy this year.

[cmiles3]

You mean I'm not the only Venture Rider who's also a Venturer?

 

If we want to list only Venture Rider events, better put it in a sticky.

 

Sometimes, I catch myself starting a post on one site then realize it should go to the other site.

 

I also need to check the calendar more often. Usually I'm in the forums or classifieds.

[wild hair 39]

curt;you keep posting,i,m wild hair 39,the wild hair,means i mite show up any time or place,you pm me your address,and i will put you in my GPS,all i require is a cup

[tazmocycle]

i visit all the differant venture site to meet like-mind rider and to gleam info about our bikes and new things and ideas that others have come up with to improve it. i also enjoy EATING, and this we do a lot of. some sites i visit more than others, but i don't try to tear down the site or members on there. in life you meet people of all kinds, some you really get close to as family and other you don't. sometimes we tend to take a negative stance towards the ones we don't get a long with in efforts to get closer to the ones we like, as is just human nature. i try not to down anybody or any sites, as i have been on other sites that has let it get to where it starts getting away from the orginal purpose ex: harleys or poltics or race or religion for someone will go the wrong way with what is said. don try an off-subject section, which was fine, but several members got upset with what was being said, so don stoped it. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, STAY AWAY FROM IT. WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO AS WE PLEASE, UNTILL IT STARTS GETTING INTO THE NEXT PERSON'S RIGHT TO DO AS HE PLEASES. can't we all just get along, we all have a lot on us these days to attend to without adding on more. thanks for your concern, but i really hadn't payed much attention to what you was doing here or there.

[sarges46]

To echo what wildhair says....thanks for the invite! Didnt you ride a Connie? Nice colors on the two bikes in the gallery! Wow....beauts for sure.

[Freebird]

You know, I have no idea how many members here are also members of the Venturers or any other site. I don't know who is more active here or more active there. I don't know who is more loyal to one or the other. I also don't care about any of the above. There will always be those who have strong loyalties to one group or another and others who have loyalties to none and are just seeking tips and information about the bikes. All are welcome to participate here, join in at our meets, rallies, rides, etc. The main reason that I started this site as a FREE site was to not cause people to have to choose where to spend their money. I know that the dues charged by most clubs are not that much but some folks are better off financially than others and what may seem like very little money to some, may be too much for others. By being free, we do not force anybody to drop their membership in one organization to participate in this one. All are welcome.

 

You are correct Curt, you and I will likely not ever see eye to eye on every single issue but there is nothing wrong with that. I have no ill feelings towards you and would ride with you any time. There are a lot of us here and I don't always see eye to eye with anybody. I don't have many moderators here but I think they are very good ones. I don't always see eye to eye with them either. That is partially why they were asked to be moderators. I don't always try to surround myself with people that I see eye to eye with. Sometimes you need that balance that comes from people with different ways of viewing things. In spite of those different views, I still respect them and consider them good friends.

 

So, this is a good way to start off the year and I thank you for your post. I wish you and all the Venture members a safe and prosperous new year.

[Guest KitCarson]

Hi Curt: Hey there is always one in every crowd......does not matter what the event, subject or discussion....or ride......someone will always get up on the wrong side of the bed that day and get upset.....nothing you or I or anyone can do about that, but ignore them. They have ruined their own day, no need to allow it to influence yours!!

You are way up there.......in snow land.......or you would get a phone call and be invited for a ride.......I would and will ride with you......and would go to some of your events.........Motorcycles are fun, the people who ride them are fun, really does not make a darn what club they belong to.

I think lots of us on this site agree to dis-agree!! We do it with a friendly banter...but if you watch closely.....help and good things come out of it.

You should not be concerned with the actions of one or two individuals.....from time to time we all get out of line about something.....bottom line it is about the bikes.......friends........and during the winter more political stuff and hot topics seem to be discussed....it is cold.......not good days for getting out........but still folks wish to talk to others.....to discuss things.......to vent their feelings and opinions......it is only natural I suppose.

Relax Curt.......I really do not think anyone even remembers , or was concerned about something you said.......like I said most of us on this site can simply agree to dis-agree......do not let one member having a bad day ruin yours......We all love these bikes.......really does not matter what make, brand or model.......just love to get out and go.......to see old friends and make new ones........My son has a bike like yours........it is a mean machine for shure!!! I would not let him have it until he got some sense....enjoy your bike....if you were not so far away would invite you to come enjoy some of this good ole catfish stew.......:rotfl:

[Condor]

When I bought my first Venture,and while poking around the internet for information, I found the Venturers Board and their tech library. I then found the Venturerider Board from a link posted on the Venturers site. I don't know if it's still there or not, but.....Thanks!!

[Guest MotorCycleRadio]

This is the first I've heard of another site for "Venture" riders. I guess it's called "Venturers"? What is the web address? Well, maybe I can find it through Google. I belong to several other organizations, which is not to say I agree with all they say or do. I just enjoy the parts that I agree with. As I stated in a posting I made yesterday, (can't remember which web site it was) if we won't stop to help a biker, for any reason, what does that say about us. If I see a bike stopped by the highway, I'm stopping to see if help is needed. And I've been waving to all bikers for 34 years.

[Freebird]

The other site is http://www.venturers.org They do offer a free trial membership.

[Snarley Bill]

hey curt ,your alright by me.your worried about one guys opinion.just do like me,don't take it sittin down. jump right back at them.i'm always into it with somebody on here but i still like the heck out of them.if i were to rub someone the wrong way ,i expect them to let me know.thats what life is all about.how are they supposed to know their wrong if you don't tell them. snarley bill

[Marcarl]

So now I get to say my piece, you didn't think I'd be quiet on this do you?

We have close to four thousand folks that at one time or another thought it to be a good idea to put their name down and be counted as a member of this site. That says something BIG. Something drew them into doing that, now lets see, what could it be?????????? Well it could be the tech articles, but you can access them anyway, it could be the colors that come up, or it could be the weather statements on the posts, or maybe the smileys in the posts, or maybe it's all YamaMama.

Nah, it's got very little to do with all that. It's the friendship that shows through the threads and posts that just can't help come out as you read. We have a FAMILY here and it shows, and I'm glad to be part of it.

Now once you have a family and have developed friendships, other things crop up and have to be dealt with occasionally. We can't ALWAYS just use part of our character here and leave the rest in limbo, sometimes our deeper self comes out, and for me that's ok, we'll deal with it because it shows more of who we actually are and that's not all bad. Now I agree that this is a RIDERS FORUM and no place for discussion about politics and the like, but happen it will because it's all part of us and it will rear it's head, that's why we have moderators and I feel that they're doing an awesome job. On the other hand, because we care so much for each other, occasionally we can get a little strong in our opinions on what is good and what we should not be doing. That's good as well, sometimes it's necessary to wake each other up, and point out their errors for their own good, and sometimes the language can get a little stronger. I think we are all concerned for each other, have a real caring for the other person and so that will come across as well.

It will never be perfect, but then we are a family, and nothing is ever perfect in a family, the more we get to know each other, the closer we will get and the more we will be concerned about each other. We need to be constantly reminded about the guidelines, and to love each other (the act, not necessarily the feeling).

[Yammer Dan]

Way back when that other site wouldn't accept my dues. Haven't had that problem here. You expect us to accept you just because you ride? You need to read what we are about. Now about that FJR. You giving any rides on it??? Warden has given mev permisson to look at new bikes and I can't find a New 1st Gen and those FJRs sure look interesting........

[noahzark]

. . . You are correct Curt, you and I will likely not ever see eye to eye on every single issue but there is nothing wrong with that. . .

 

Don't know what these postings are all about--guess I came in too late, which is great with me. Don't need to know to make it through my day.

 

My 2 cents is this: When two people spend a lot of time together and don't argue, only one of them is thinking.

 

OK, I'll throw in another penny: Being different doesn't make either of you wrong, just different. (Thank God.)

[hipshot]

my thoughts!

two very respectable , riders, looking for a "common ground".

i read a lot "between the lines", and have come to the conclusion, that both don, and fjr rider, are "standup " guys, with varying opinions.

 

 

that is good.

a difference of opinion, is what makes a good horse race.

my hat is off, to both of you, for searching for a way to be at least "amicable".

i haven't been to the venturer's site, because, i haven't felt a need.if i have a question, that can't be answered here, i will look elsewhere.

i might have "jumped in front of KIT'S bus, "here, but i have been run over , before.

just jt

[Guest tx2sturgis]

My 2 cents is this: When two people spend a lot of time together and don't argue, only one of them is thinking.

 

 

Or...neither of them is thinking.

 

My 2 cents.

 

[FJR Rider]

Guys,

 

Thanks for the responses. I do want to say again my post wasn't about the sites, it was simply to say what gets under my skin and makes me occasionally insert foot in mouth.

 

Yes I used to ride a Concours. It was one the biggest mistakes of my riding life selling that bike (a 95), but losing a job and having a daughter in college sort of set my priorities back in 2003. That bike was my wife's gift to me when I retired from the Air Force (well, 7 months after I retired), and between January 96 and June 2003 I put just under 40,000 miles on the bike, including a 12 hour 950 mile ride from Acworth GA to Sun Prairie WI. The bike would run all day on the freeway and just has easily tear up the tight twisties on the backroads of Arkansas and later GA, TN, & NC, and finally WI. I did several track days on that bike...talk about taking a SuperTanker to a (fighter) dogfight! I'd done pretty everthing you could do to a Connie to improve it including a fork brace, braided brake and clutch lines, intercom, etc. It didn't get ridden as much after we purchased our first RSV in early 99, but I still managed to get 5,000 to 6,000 miles a year riding it even while putting 10-12,000 on the RSV. That bike was one of the main reasons I decided to buy the FJR last spring.

 

The FJR is a sport bike on steroids! My FZ1, which I sold just before buying the FJR, was fast and actually had a couple of more horses, but didn't offer (at least for me) the day-long comfort the FJR does. Like the FJR it will cruise all day long on the highway, or tear up the twisty backroads...it just does it better than the Concours did. I know some of the 1st Gen Venture guys like to compare the FJR to their bikes...I say different in most ways, but at the same time somewhat similar. I like the seating position and handlebars just like they are, but add a set of risers for the bars, a taller shield, a rider backrest, and you've got a 21st century 1st Gen Venture.

 

There are some things coming up this year and I'll post them when I've got some of the dates and locations confirmed. Two though that I think some of you, especially up this way, might enjoy are the Get Goosed get together in June near LaCrosse, and (dates to be determined) a get together in Door County. I hope some of you will join Cathy and I...along with another couple Cathy and I will be hosting the Door County ride-in. Maybe I'll see some of you at the Flood Run later this spring!

 

Don't worry about Don and me...my apology to him was meant in the most sincere way. I'd like to enjoy my time here, and as mentioned earlier it's really about the bikes, the rides, and the people for me...I'll do my best to keep my foot out of my mouth, or at least until I can put some good bratwurst mustard on it!

 

Curt

 

p.s. Don..thanks posting the Venturers website...it wasn't necessary as that's not what my post was about..appreciated yes, but not necessary.

[eagleeye]

Hey Curt, Glad to see your post here, I tried to make the Get Goosed last year, but family things got in the way, Hopefully this year, I'll be there.

Thanks,

 

Steve

[Hugbare]

OK Curt, drop and give me 30 ... .. You been getting off way to

easy ...

 

Just want to say one thing for the New Year ... Happy New Year to all

the good folks on VentureRider, many of whom are also members of

The Venturers MC, and if they are like me, belong to several other

organizations which are bike related or rider related. For whatever reason

you pick one site over another to call home, it makes no difference .. We

are all brothers and sisters in a rider's world and should all join hands to

keep the spirit alive and well ...

 

So from The Venturers MC to VentureRider

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[Squidley]

Curt,

I wont make a long winded spot here, but thank you for your post. It is absolutely the people here and @ the Venturers that make them what they are. I still have folks at the Venturers that I would like to meet one day, so thank you and Marshall for the well wishes and the same back to you and all of ther members at both clubs.

[noahzark]

Or...neither of them is thinking.

 

My 2 cents.

 

 

. . . or neither of them is thinking.

 

Good catch.

[brscooter]

I like what Snarley Bill had to say. "how they gonna know they are wrong unless you tell them".

[Sailor]

Sometimes what you thought you heard is not what I thought I said.

[Snarley Bill]

I like what Snarley Bill had to say. "how they gonna know they are wrong unless you tell them".

thats right ,cuz i know i'm never wrong.:rotf: snarley bill