aharbi

I'd like to be able to post a reply with pictures that doesn't give me an error message that I must be logged on when I'm logged on. Don't know if it times out because it takes awhile to tag the pictures. So I cut my post, log back in and lose everything, reopen a reply window and paste what I "lost" and then it takes and gets posted.

How sad, only 17. What a shame.

It's a start: Motorcycle Roads | Motorcycle Roads and Rides | MotorcycleRoads.com Also check each states tourist web site, most have information for motorcyclists and info on roads. The fun part is stitching them together for your GPS or tankbag map.

You have several options. Use a "cloud" (a wireless network drive like Dropbox, Windows Live SkyDrive, Apple iCloud) Most are free and provide upto 500GB. Chances are you have access to one of these but have not registered nor set it up. Or you can purchase and setup your own home "cloud". Don't know where you are shopping but in my area a wireless 500gb drive retails for $49. My wife and I need a common place to share files (mainly pictures). I setup a home cloud to use with our iPhones, iPads, Nook HD+, Laptop, Netbook. Keep in mind a home cloud is only good at home. The Dropbox, Windows, Apple clouds can be used any place you have WiFi access which I use when I travel. Once home I transfer everything to the home cloud freeing up space and being charged for anything over the 500gb.

I love that one!

My kind of riding - back country roads - 50mph - nice twists/turns. Stopping to take pics. I call them my flower sniffin rides. I like them best. I carry an inexpensive tripod with me so I can get in a picture or two myself.

If you buy the tire from the dealer, most will charge $25 to mount a loose tire or $40 if on the bike. Find a dealer more inline with these prices. Suggest you carry in the front, but ride in to have the rear changed. Since you don't. have the space.

Too Funny - SCAM phone call. So I get this phone call from 1-565-454-3434 the obvious Indian accented gentleman tells me he is with the Windows Service Center. My machine has been sending them error messages due to a terrible virus I downloaded. OK y'all know am a geek, so I'm ready for this!!! So I ask specifically what the error codes are that my computer has been sending? He is obviously reading from a script, and a paper one at that because I can hear him flipping the pages. In addition I can hear a zillion other Indian accented speaking folks in the background. So he gives me some made up error codes but immediately tells me not to worry because for a fee they can fix it! I said great but first I wanted a little more detail on how a computer (mine) running LINUX can send Windows error codes? I hear more pages frantically being shuffled - then click. Dial tone. years ago I had a neighbor harassing my daughter with phone calls. Despite my request to stop they did not. So I turned on the computer loaded the modem auto dial program for every 30 minutes and let it run for 3 days. He came into my yard and asked how I was doing it because he'd see my leave put his phone back on the hook and it would ring again. Told him I had no idea what he was talking about. Told him I was getting harassing calls too. Bet if mine stopped so would his. He said yep - bet they would. Problem solved. like mentioned above, best thing is to waste their time. Give them some excuse to wait, put the phone down walk away.

I've ridden them too. Get the Indian Roadmaster, closest bike to the RSV. Lastest everything, no carb sync, no valve adj. Does take premium high octane gas. You're wasting time waiting, not getting any younger. If I ever had to replace my RSV it would be with an Indian Roadmaster. Only problem is you have to "order one", reserve it. They can't keep them on the showroom floor.

cowpuc, Just wanted to say thanks, thanks for your posts, pictures and stories. I have enjoyed every word, every picture. Ride safe my friend.

Run Linux. I know its been mentioned before. Lots of good easy to use distros available. It has taken me some time but I have found "open source" programs to replace every Windoze program except Garmin Base Camp (which sucks anyway) to do route planning. I use both (depends which computer) Ubuntu 14.04LTS or Knoppix. I also can boot Knoppix from a USB flash drive, load it into memory (I have 64GB) where it runs extremely fast as it uses no disk IO except if I save a file (write to disk). I've also installed it on several old laptops that were running Windoze XP. Linux runs faster/better on these older machines so I haven't had the need to replace them. I carry these in my saddle bags on trips, if they break get lost stolen I'm not out anything.

Fantastic pictures. Not for me, I'd get up there and freeze.

The winter weather took a nice break, clear skies, no winter wind. So I headed for the hills of West Texas. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0162.jpg~original Away from the city gas was still under two dollars. In Austin the price is $1.66 two cents less http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0159.jpg~original Love riding in Texas. Where else can you choose between riding in Eden or evil sounding Eldorado (always liked that name). http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0168.jpg~original Fort McKavett labeled as one of the most scenic fort locations in Texas from the Indian Wars overlooking the San Saba river. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0169.jpg~original Hospital building and park office http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020622.jpg~original Panoramic view. Barrack ruins, parade grounds, Lieutenants row, Captains Quarters, Schools house, Field house ruins, Commanding Officers Quarters ruins http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020623_stitch.jpg~original Some displays from "restored" buildings. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020629.jpg~original http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020631.jpg~original Stove from inside school http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020634.jpg~original Parade grounds, barrack ruins http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020640.jpg~original Closer look at Field house ruins, Commanding Officers Quarters ruins. I had the entire grounds to myself, it was late afternoon and 83°. Time to head home with a little over 200 miles I knew I would arrive home after dark. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020655_stitch.jpg~original HOWEVER one of my favorite Texas open pit BBQ places was alone the way home, had to stop. Pinto beans with ham & jalapeno , pecan cobbler, beef ribs. Served on butcher paper. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0180.jpg~original I had company looking down on me. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0179.jpg~original

I've been told that too. It's a lie. Went to trade one in, they gave me a price. I told them I had at least $3,000 in options. They gave me the lie "accessories didn't add to raise trade value". So I said fine, spent the next 3 days removing stuff. Went back asked for the same guy, asked for the same price, nope the bike wasn't worth as much now without all the options!!! Sold the bike myself, sold the accessories myself. Did good on both. For a used bike your best deal but you have to work for it to find it is from a private seller. For a new bike the best deal maybe out of state.

You opened a can of worms. Everyone has a different opinion on this. Personally, it depends. For any tire if pluggable I will plug it to get me home. For a rear tire if better than half worn I'll replace the tire. If fairly new which is usually the case I'll plug it with those sticky rope plugs (don't waste your money/time with those mushroom plugs nor CO2 cartridges) and if it holds air and the plug looks good before each ride I'll run it to the wear bars. Front tire I will and have plugged but only till I can replace it ASAP. I've plugged 4 or 5 on the road in my day. http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/VstromTireNail.jpg~original Plug after 50 miles http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/VstromPlugged50mi.jpg~original Plug after 700 miles http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/Motorcycle/VstromPlugged700mi.jpg~original

Just curious, did ya use glue or hairspray to remount the grips?

Didn't get a flat from it but I missed a "pull out sleeper sofa" at 70mph as if fell off the back of a PU truck and tumbled down the highway throwing wood and metal pieces all over. Thought for sure I was going to lose a tire, but didn't. Dang, my knees get weak just remembering it.

I ride both a Venture (2004) and a Triumph Trophy SE (a bit more expensive and more standard options than a FJR). Can't really compare the two. One is a luxury sport tourer several hundred pounds lighter than a heavy two-up cruiser. Like them both for different reasons. If I had to pick one over the other it would be the Triumph but the wife would be angry if I sold "her bike".

Grips aren't hard to replace. How do the originals feel? The right side is the throttle side and just slides off after removing the end bar weight and split the switch housing. Pending how the grip was installed usually a long screw driver and hot hair dryer/blower will loosen the glue as you slowly work it around the bar. Check the inside of the original left grip to see if its too badly torn up to reinstall.

I believe at least 50% of the "totaled" bikes aren't. I blame LAZY insurance adjusters and inflated, false, cheating labor costs. That said, give yourself time to heal from the spill. Perhaps a lighter bike, or maybe a scooter (they're up to 700cc now) or even a three wheeler. Wish you the best whatever you decide.

I couldn't agree more. I may crimp a connector to reduce it's size to fit the plug however I will "tin" the crimp with rosencore (electrical) solder. Copper will oxide (turn green) over time from just moisture in the air and develop a poor connection. I also use dielectric grease on all my connectors. Have I gone over the whole bike to do this, no. But over the years as I have replaced, rewired, repaired things it's how I do it. I've only had one electrical problem on the road where the PO crimped the passing lamp hot to the headlight. It was loose and vibrated where the lights weren't reliable. They are now much brighter and a direct run with 10ga via a 30amp relay from the battery. I have 4 such relays installed (Stebel horn, Ignition (key was hot), running lights).

My favorite in Texas is west Texas including the big bend area. Don't expect any fancy hotels or restaurants (well maybe one). The scenery is great, the roads are fantastic. And the locals treat you like family. But it's a looong way out there. Two day from Dallas/Ft Worth or Houston. One day hard ride from Austin. Dress for 50 Degree temperature swings from the 30's to the 80's. Bring your passport if ya want to cross the river and have lunch in Mexico.

404's are a light tire and wear quick. I have never ever gotten 25K miles out of a rear tire on any bike with any brand tire.

If under seven years and as pliable as you say, I'd run them. Not sure I'd put a lot of stress on them like hard cornering or running Deals Gap. New they should last around 10k give or take 2k on how you ride. Check the side walls and pressure often.

A little more to go on please. North Texas to me is the pan handle. Also, March is spring break month. Let us know what area and we'll tell ya where to go.