XV1100SE

Don - thank you for for giving this group a way to connect with each other. Like you said...VR get togethers (whether MD, the International, and even M&G) is more like a family gathering. The friendships, wealth of knowledge and willingness to go out of their way to assist each other is what makes the site special.

Glad you are safe. Take it easy on that front end when driving and get it into a shop to look at it as soon as you can - something isn't right.

When I installed my Garmin I tied directly into the battery with a 5 amp fuse (later converted to a fuse block stashed in the fairing to power the gps, passing lights. I didn't put mine on switched power because when the gps is on the bike I know it is being charged. I make sure I remove it when I park the bike. To have power come on when the bike is running, read the write up on installing passing lights. The write up tells you which wire to use when the head light is on. Use a relay to control when power passes thru to the gps.

Your guardian angel was watching out for you ! Glad that your exit came up when it did and you got out of the way !

Great idea to do the videos Puc. Best wishes to Dan. Heal quickly !

Thinking of EagleEye. Hope it isn't serious.

Sounds like you got a great deal and a nice new(er) ride ! Congratulations.

Better to pull off when you aren't feeling well or the weather isn't cooperating. Glad you had the option to stop.

As for our trip home.... Nancy and I left MD with Tooch, MarCarl, Wizard765, Reinyrooster, and Dogman around 3:30 on Saturday and for the most part stayed in between rain. Stopped for dinner in Erie (I think) and when we came out it was raining pretty hard. Geting back onto the highway I had a "moment" where the back end started to twitch and the front end felt "light". Managed to keep going but after that puckering moment lost some confidence riding. Thankfully the group slowed to a speed I was comfortable with. This was the first trip I had pulled the Time Out trailer. I've pulled a Tag-Along for about 12,000km (roughly 8,000 miles) with no issues and no concerns. I checked my tongue weight before we left MD and was about 35lbs. Tires - front 37, rear 40. Front shocks 5psi, rear a little over 30psi. Coming down from Ontario it seemed to be fine, but for the ride back the front end felt light and "wiggly" at slow speed. Wasn't noticing any bounce on the rear hitting bumps. By the time we got to Angola NY it was getting dark, had seen deer on the shoulder of the highway, few dead ones too. Temperature was going down and was a drizzle by this time. At this point I asked for advice from the group. First recommendation was that my rear shock needed more air based on the trailer weight of 325lbs + baggage. Was suggested that I take the front down to what I normally ride at which is 3psi. Thanks to Dogman, we brought the rear shock up to 48psi. I'm usually tail gunner but this time because of my concern with the ride I left with the group but went to a middle position. Bike felt great as we got back on the road. Much better handling and front felt good. Because I had riders behind me, I now found out that the running lights on the trailer weren't working. Brakes and turn signals were fine but no running lights. I put my 4-ways on and we pulled off at the next rest area. Jiggling the connector didn't fix the running lights and with the temps dropping and it still raining, and now with no running lights, Nancy and I decided to drop out of the group and get a room for the night in Hamburg NY. When we woke up this morning, temperature was 45 F and drizzling. But it was daylight, which made me feel more comfortable. Bike felt good and low and behold, the running lights on the trailer were working again. Must have needed a rest. I'll go thru the wiring when the weather gets better and before the next trip. We took our time going thru Buffalo and crossed at Fort Erie. When we got to the border, there were no line ups so we sailed thru. We took our time, stopped for breakfast and coffee a couple times to warm up and made it home around 2-2:30. MarCarl called us to make sure we made it home safe before I had a chance to let the group know we made it okay. Thank you for your concern Carl !

Dave...glad you are okay. As mentioned in the other post, if there is anything I can do to help you, let me know.

It's okay....there were two beds in the room.

Thank you to Don and Eileen for another great MD. Looking forward to next year !

Glad it was caught in time !

Dave - so glad you went unscathed. If there is anything I can do to assist you with the bike, let me know. Nancy and I left MD with Tooch, MarCarl, Wizard765, Reinyrooster, and Dogman around 3:30 on Saturday and for the most part stayed in between rain. Stopped for dinner in Erie (I think) and when we came out it was raining pretty hard. Geting back onto the highway I had a "moment" where the back end started to twitch and the front end felt "light". Managed to keep going but after that puckering moment lost some confidence riding. Thankfully the group slowed to a speed I was comfortable with. This was the first trip I had pulled the Time Out trailer. I've pulled a Tag-Along for about 12,000km (roughly 8,000 miles) with no issues and no concerns. I checked my tongue weight before we left MD and was about 35lbs. Tires - front 37, rear 40. Front shocks 5psi, rear a little over 30psi. Coming down from Ontario it seemed to be fine, but for the ride back the front end felt light and "wiggly" at slow speed. Wasn't noticing any bounce on the rear hitting bumps. By the time we got to Angola NY it was getting dark, had seen deer on the shoulder of the highway, few dead ones too. Temperature was going down and was a drizzle by this time. At this point I asked for advice from the group. First recommendation was that my rear shock needed more air based on the trailer weight of 325lbs + baggage. Was suggested that I take the front down to what I normally ride at which is 3psi. Thanks to Dogman, we brought the rear shock up to 48psi. I'm usually tail gunner but this time because of my concern with the ride I left with the group but went to a middle position. Bike felt great as we got back on the road. Much better handling and front felt good. Because I had riders behind me, I now found out that the running lights on the trailer weren't working. Brakes and turn signals were fine but no running lights. I put my 4-ways on and we pulled off at the next rest area. Jiggling the connector didn't fix the running lights and with the temps dropping and it still raining, and now with no running lights, Nancy and I decided to drop out of the group and get a room for the night in Hamburg NY. When we woke up this morning, temperature was 45 F and drizzling. But it was daylight, which made me feel more comfortable. Bike felt good and low and behold, the running lights on the trailer were working again. Must have needed a rest. I'll go thru the wiring when the weather gets better and before the next trip. We took our time going thru Buffalo and crossed at Fort Erie. When we got to the border, there were no line ups so we sailed thru. We took our time, stopped for breakfast and coffee a couple times to warm up and made it home around 2-2:30. MarCarl called us to make sure we made it home safe before I had a chance to let the group know we made it okay. Thank you for your concern Carl !

Dan, wish you a quick recovery !

Carl....you forgot Nancy and I

Reiny - plans still the same. Meet at the Service Centre East of Cambridge on the 401 at 7, leave shortly afterwards. Should be at Casablanca for 8:30.

http://www.bakerbuilt.com/ Replacement parts - http://www.bakerbuilt.com/bbairwings/page33.html

I have the RAM-B-174-GOP1U (http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-B-174-GOP1U) and have it mounted on my handle bars on the right side. My gps is on the left side. I glued a nut into the mount and use one of the thumb screws that came with the camera to make it easy for me to remove the camera when I park.

This year it seems that no matter where I go I see at least one Venture. As often as I can I talk to the rider (first question of course being "are you on VR.org?")

If I read it right....he is looking for a source for the hose. I'm not that familiar with 1st Gens, but isn't there an automobile alternative? Or is it to start with a hose and have it bent in the right spots?

Nancy doesn't like heights so think we'd take the East to West. Mind you, she was okay crossing the Mackinaw bridge.

Glad to hear you are recovering quickly !

Sorry to hear of your loss.

I can definitely vouch for and agree with you that Carl goes out of his way to support and assist members.