saddlebum

My buddy and I had A pet racoon when I was kid. I believe he was orphaned as he was in a nest with three baby bunnys. They were so young their eyes were still closed so we called him Mr Maggoo. He was a very comical and playfull little guy as he got older and loved to try to imitate you when you did simple little tasks with you hands. When he got older about a year old, he started to wonder off staying away longer each time until finally he left for good. Oh a third buddy raised the rabbits. Unfortunatly he came home from school one day to find his dad had butchered them and tossed them in the freezer.

Brenner I do agree with much of what you say. There is also as much difference between groups as there is individual riders. I believe for the most part I have had the good fortune to ride mostly with groups that ride sensibly for the most part and often take beginners into consideration. Often a good group will put 1st time group riders behind the wingman as was done with me my 1st time riding in a group despite my 30 years of riding experience at the time. A good group will ride to accommodate the least experienced. Also though often the cage is oblivious of the motorcycle which results in bad endings, the rider is also often with out fault and that includes expecting the cage to watch out for us, when in reality it does not hurt for us go the extra mile and, watch out for the driver who pays little attention to the motorcycle. You are also right in the fact that there are riders who are a danger to themselves and others, most frequently the crotch rocket riders. That is not to say that even the best of us occasionally have a lapse of common sense and do something stupid or get distracted at the worst possible moment. We also often forget that we are not as visible as a larger vehicle so it is on us to try to as visible as possible. One good point to keep in mind is the truckers saying, If you cannot see me in my mirror than I cannot see you. Example we are taught what track of what lane we should ride in yet there are times we should flex from that rule of thumb for safety sake. For example in a multi lane intersection were the opposing traffic has a left turn lane I stay to the right track of my lane so that if a large vehicle is on my left he does not hide me from the view of an opposing vehicle making a left turn in front of me or from me seeing too late that there is a vehicle attempting to making a left in front of me. We always need to be extra alert on the bike and when riding in a group all our moves have to be made as a group not catch me if you can. Having said all that I do believe that the majority of the VR rides I have been on have been very well done.

Practice riding slow even to the point of trying to balance at a dead stop is a good idea. laying the bike down and risking damage not so much. If you ever need to get it up you will. Like Ragtop says, dropping a bike and embarrassment go hand in hand so yes there will most likely be available help. Also look into the video RIDE LIKE A PRO it is full of great tips for both. you can order his videos directly and well worth the money spent. here is the link https://www.ridelikeapro.com/

I did not think about it at the time but after reading your story I realize it is more common than we think. A close friend of mine and his son were working in the back yard. He suddenly felt tired and decided to sit down for a minute when for no reason he keeled over. The next thing he was aware of was coming too in the ambulance. He was lucky his son was there because by the time the ambulance got there, he was for all intents and purposes dead and the paramedics were there just in time to revive him. He apparently died a second time on the table but was again revived. Not once did he feel anything other than that initial feeling to sit down and take a breather.

Sorry to hear you have to go another round with this nasty cancer character. Prayers sent that you beat him for good this round.

Everybody here is getting old.....I'm starting to feel all alone.

For what its worth I have the E3's and heading into my fourth season. All I can say is I love the tires. great cornering. excellent in the rain. I have also noticed that they are totally unaffected by road snakes unlike my E2 which squimed each time I hit a road snake. Also they handle ground ashphalt surfaces far better than my E2s did and so far I am getting good wear millage. When I come due for another set of tires I will be going to another set of E3s. I have heard some complain about the tire being noisy but I have not experienced this at all, I found them smooth and quiet.

Marcarl is not trying to scare you he just knows that the guy (saddlebum) he trusts most to road test, will not stop road testing until he is completely satisfied that all is well and then a few more times after that to be very very sure. I used the Silverstar ultra and though they were very good I switched to the PIAA H4 XTreme White Plus Anti-Vibration. They are brighter than a Silverstar and the same bulb has been in the bike since 2006. Since they are popular with off roaders you know they are tough. http://www.piaa.com/store/p/159-H4-XTreme-White-Plus-Single-Halogen-Bulb.aspx

Hello Gil, Wondered what became of you. Good to hear your doing well and some of us old farts are still around some of them are older than some of us though. You definitely got to get that 86 out from under the moth balls.

Prayers sent and hopping all goes well for the little guy.

Late as usual, for some strange reason I have missed this thread until today. Maybe its just my aversion to bad news which just seems to keep coming at a scary pace. So many of mine/our friends seem to be suffering some misfortune or another and when you pile that on top of ones personal issues, it all gets soooo overwhelming. I am really struck as always to hear of yet another member suffering misfortune. Black Owl/Russell not sure if we ever met face to face but between international rally's, Freebird's MD, and all the other Rally's I am sure we must have. Sadly I have never made it to one of the PIP's but always one day intended to. I do miss your postings and sincerely hope that what ever ails you, will be something you can recover from. Miracles do sometimes happen. In the mean time Brother you hang in there and never give up. Puc thanks for doing this. Just wish I wasn't so busy and caught on sooner so I could have added my name to the group card.

And here I thought you just used your neck tie. oh wait silly me I just realize you don't own a neck tie you use a length of toilet paper for that too.

Whether or not he looks like cowpuc is debatable.......But I guarantee he learned that fine dining style from Puc...... Only thing missing is all the stickers that Puc would have on his.

Wow Dan I really hate to hear about all this bad stuff. Glad shooters got caught and hope they don't get off. Last and most importantly, prayers said on behalf of your niece and family. I hope she makes a full and fruitful recovery.

Personally I don't get it I would be tickled pink to have a top notch butcher shop aross the road from me No need for a home freezer just walk across to the big fridge across the road for fresh meat every day The guy must be a vegetarian (old Indian word for bad hunter)

Just to even things up a bit I hope he gets your fun lovin happy go lucky attitude, :178:ya old hound

Plus additional details Buddeeee

What a cute little bundle !! Puc you sure your the Grandpa. Grandma looks pickled pink ....Ok so you both do ..But I'm bett'n Grandma gona kidnap that little chipmunk and make sure you don't terrify that little guy with your self video's. Hope Grandma made a few to sooth that little Chipmunk afterwards. Lets se what else can I say................Oh yeh ..... :ice_awesome-vi46644and oh yeh

Well what can I say but that its always sad to see another member leave the forum but it is what it is and I hope you fare well where ever you ride. Keep i mind riding another bike does not mean your barred from the site or that you have to become a stranger.

You can also try Zednos in Kitchener.

What about the poor kids 1st look at Puc:puzzled: All kidding aside congratulations and enjoy.

Try checking out some of the big rig shops like Kenworth, Volvo, Frieghtliner or Western star etc.. The higher the cranking amps or CCA as it is referred to, the more cranking power and longer cranking time you have. You can even go with a higher CCA if you like as long as the battery physically fits. Most common is 950 CCA and that may well be good enough but I always recommend bigger if you can get it. Just dont go less than 950 CCA.

Prayers sent Dan. Hope the soon find the root of this problem

HEY No excuse for that, Marcarl's Venture in takes place every year, you just gotta be there. Of course your gonna miss out this year cause I heard there would be no burgers this year. To celebrate his grand reopening he be feeding us STEAKS instead :178: Sorry about your luck Puc.

Na that's just so he doesn't flip over backwards if he pulls a wheelie I did see a guy here in Burlington with the same set up last summer but it was mounted to a gold wing.