XV1100SE

I thought the autonomous car comment was interesting. But the technology is developed to identify pedestrians....certainly they can "see" motorcycles and bicycles. Adding more bells and whistles to a bike isn't going to pull in new riders. Newer features (like lane change warning) will appeal to current riders looking for the toys found in cars but people who haven't ridden before won't care. It's like anything else, make it affordable, advertising that says "you have to have it", and have sizes that fit. With Nancy (5'2"), she has sat on bikes and has been interested in getting her license but rare to find a bike with a low enough seat that she can sit on without being on her toes. Kudo's to Harley and I can't remember whether it was Suzuki or Kawasaki but you have a choice of seats, handle bars, and adjustable foot pegs to make the bike fit you. Everyone else is a "one size fits all" approach where what comes in the crate is what you get. Considering cost...here where the riding is 6-8 months long, if there is a choice between a car and a motorcycle at the same price, most people would go for the car for the convenience and safety of being enclosed, and the versatility of carrying passengers (don't need a helmet, can take 1 to 3 passengers), use it all year round.... Looking at the new Venture... $30,000 + for an air cooled vtwin when I can get a Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager for $20,000 (liquid cooled v-twin, ABS rear brake, 3 year warranty), or a Goldwing Tour DCT (adjustable windscreen, removable trunk, fancy infotainment system, selectable riding mode, throttle by wire, forward/reverse walking mode...and a liquid cooled six cylinder motor) for $31,000. Between the new Venture and the Goldwing....if I can make the bike fit me, it would be a first choice. And as mentioned....where are the "beginner" bikes? 350-600 cc bikes that are less intimidating, usually lower seat position, and lighter than the majority of bikes that are out there? This will be easier for shorter people and (some) women to handle and start riding. Smaller bikes also come at lower prices... but make it reasonable in the $3,000 to $4,000 range. Advertising? Combination of the above, put it out there... great product, great price, environmental benefits... why not ride?

I installed a USB charging port in my 2nd Gen trunk which provides 1.0A and 2.1A. The newer phones require 2.1A. At the lower amperage I've found the charging pretty much just maintains the battery power level but not charge it. When I don't leave my phone on top of the trunk (the NY group will know this story) if my battery level is low I can plug it in and keep it dry and safe in my trunk while it is charging. Few years I also picked up some battery packs - think they are Duracel but haven't tried them on my S7. They are good for charging other devices but think the battery packs are at 1.0A

They missed you.

Not connecting for me at work but try this from Apple - https://support.apple.com/en-mt/HT201205

Not connecting for me at work but try this from Apple - https://support.apple.com/en-mt/HT201205

http://www.rubbernews.com/article/20171024/NEWS/171029982/harbor-freight-tools-recalls-173000-trailer-tires "Innova Ultra Runner utility trailer tires, sizes 5.3x12 and 4.80/4.00x12, and Far East utility trailer tires, size 4.80/4.00x8, purchased mounted on replacement trailer rims." The NHTSA report indicates production dates on tires as JAN 01, 2014 - SEP 20, 2017 https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCLRPT-17T017-3269.PDF Here is the notice on the light recall - Haul Master (multiple models - Tag-Along included) - The utility trailer kits affected were sold between January 2006 and April 2016 https://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/recalls/Trailer-Recall-Poster.pdf The lights affected are shown in https://images.harborfreight.com/hftweb/recalls/Trailer-Light-Recall.pdf (includes incandescent and LED lights)

Mark is a great member ! Couple years ago when we traveled West he put us up for the night.

Hope there is nothing wrong and she just misses you !

Sorry to hear of your loss. :-(

Maybe they implemented the safety features (auto-braking, distance control, lane awareness) so when the driver is focusing on the info-tainment system and ordering their coffee the car can prevent the accident.

You know I had almost forgotten about that. Damn thing clung to my trunk for a good 20 miles at highway speed too !

But what seems like unnecessary equipment and gizmos become tomorrow's "must have" items. Automatic transmission? Power windows/locks? Heated mirrors? Heated seats? Lane assist/warnings? GPS? Infotainment system? Before people had them they were unnecessary. Look back at the Model T....far cry better than horse and buggy but at the beginning people were saying they didn't need a auto-mobile, that their horse was reliable, springs in the seat were enough creature comfort....progress....who needs it !

Yes, it is funny. You see magazines rave about new models when first released and then after a year they show up on Consumer Reports or other sites as "do not buy".

JD Power 2017 Initial Quality Ratings and Awards - http://www.jdpower.com/cars/awards/Initial-Quality-Study-by-Segment/2410ENG Top SUV - Kia Sorento Small SUV - Kia Niro Compact Car - Kia Forte Small Preimium Car - BMW 2 Series Midsize Premium Car - Lexus GS Compact Premium Car - BMW 4 Series Midsize Car - Toyota Camry Large SUV - Ford Expedition Midsize Sporty Car - Ford Mustang (BTW....Kia is owned by Hyundai) Quality by Make - http://www.jdpower.com/ratings/study/Initial-Quality-Study-%28IQS%29-by-Make/2430ENG

The Yamaha rails seem to be overall better quality than the aftermarket ones. If you find a set of OEM rails, go with them.

I like tech but to me a vehicle needs to have some degree of performance, reliability, comfort, and quality of finish. The rest is "add-ons" and gizmos. I work for Toyota and until recently had a Toyota Corolla (2013), Honda Civic (2009), and Ford Mustang (2007). Can't beat the power of a V8 under the hood and having the sound "piped" into the passenger compartment suited the car. To hear the roar of the 305hp Ford engine reminded you of the power of the motor, and with a stick shift you could drive by ear listening to the sound rather than watching a tach. (Funny though....my 2009 RSV had the same shift points as far as when to shift based on speed). Comfort...with a sporty car comfort is relative to the type of car you drive. Not as comfortable as a luxury car....but the seats held you in place. Quality and quality of finish was "North American". Plastic dash, lines not "perfect". My brother-in-law worked for Ford warranty a few years ago and said that based on claims the 2007 was a "good" year. With the Corolla I don't like the "drive-by-wire" of the steering - constantly correcting it. Give it gas and you wait, give it more gas, wait, more gas....and the overdrive kicks in. Quality of the car and quality of finish is typical Japanese (or Korean like Hyundai). The standard process, quality control of Toyota can't be beat. Reliability has been great. Previous 2000 Camry I had easily did over 340,000 km. The Civic...they still don't know how to paint a car black. Clear coat cracked on fender and trunk lid. Common issue with Honda paint. Door locks have a poor design and common to replace them (especially drivers door). PITA to repair/replace them. Starter is a common issue - just replaced mine with a remanufactured one and 2 hours labour over $700 including tax. Design/location of the starter requires a lift and dropping exhaust to get at. Reminds me of how GM undersized alternators for years ! Have a friend looking at SUV's. Went with her to several dealers - Nissan, GM, Toyota, Hyundai. Nissan was really nice (although someone told me they paint areas you can see but areas like inner fenders don't get painted. GM the door trim was off by at least 1/4" front/back door (sign of quality of the rest of the vehicle). Toyota and Hyundai were equivalent in quality. As for gadgets...keep in mind that (at one time) you had to take your vehicle in to the dealer to get GPS maps updated...and billed for it. And the old saying goes, the more gadgets the more to go wrong. Look at refrigerators with ice makers...even new ones break frequently even though they've had ice makers for years.

Bike is upside down to assist in bleeding the lines !

Congratulations !

Dan - I now the last couple years have't been very kind to you and your family. I agree with you that this year has been especially bad....for your sake and your family, I hope 2018 is prosperous, healthy, and a hell of a lot better than 2017.

Glad you were able to get out !

That's getting a little personal.....

All I can say is WOW !!! That is one sweet bike ! What Yamaha should have done ! I'll be looking for a test ride next season. If it is in the $20,000 US$ range... https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0275470EN/the-new-bmw-k-1600-grand-america?language=en https://rideapart.com/articles/gold-wing-killer-bmw-introduces-k-1600-grand-america https://rideapart.com/articles/2018-bmw-k-1600-b-first-ride (note comment about engine heat - "at crawling speeds the engine can get pretty hot. Possibly too hot." - same motor? But reviewer still says "one of the best bikes I’ve ever ridden. Maybe even the best bike") https://movetenms.com/2017/08/31/2018-bmw-k-1600-b-bagger-road-test-review/ " isolated incident. On the first day of the press ride we got stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic for over an hour on a hot, humid day, and after a while my feet started to roast and the engine temperature gauge spiked, changing from white to red and flashing a warning symbol. The bike never overheated, but it was uncomfortably hot until we got moving again. After that, engine heat was never an issue, even after riding in 105-plus degree temperatures for six straight hours while crossing the Mojave, often going slowly through Vegas-to-LA traffic on I-15."

Sorry to hear of your loss Jeff.

She must have thought you had nothing to do ! Looks good though ! And at least you didn't put it up when it was snowing !

Sorry to hear things haven't gone the smoothest but you can expect that from insurance companies. They are quick to take payments but slow to pay out. Stick around Mike. Good to hear updates from you and this is like a family...can never leave.