Stache

I'm a simple man. Therefore simple rules. 1. Temp: 3C (38F) or more during the entire period of my ride. A lot of the bridges in my riding area have a sign "CAUTION, BRIDGE FREEZES BEFORE ROAD". If the temp stays above 3C bridge shouldn't freeze - therefore no ice. 2. Precipitation: Don't care. That's what appropriate clothing is for. 3. Wind: >100kmh (62 mph) I stay off the highway. Lower, don't care. 4. Traffic: 138db air horn to warn the inattentive. If I have to kick a dent in your door, you obviously didn't hear the horn... 5. Fuel, Tim Horton's tea, washroom: Every 250km (155mi) or less.

4 years ago my eldest son called and said "Dad, we should do the motorcycle course together." He was just 18, in his own apt. He'd reached the stage where doing stuff with dad wasn't cool. I mentally translated his request to "Dad, please pay for my motorcycle course..." but the opportunity to share a weekend together was too good to miss. He lives 3 hours away now. His bike is in my front yard as I get it set up for the season. My wife did her course last year and rides her own. Second son has done his course and is doing his road test today. Assuming he passes, once he gets his legs steady on his new (to him) 950 we'll run eldest's bike out to him and come back 2-up on the 950. Each of the last 4 years, my twins watch for me to pull the bikes out of hibernation and then the chorus starts: "Dad, can we have a ride to school?", and each September the first day of school is a ride in, so they can get their LCF (Look Cool Factor) going right from the beginning. They've got a few years to go before they do the course. For some reason in May, June, September, and October I tend to arrive a little late at work. Every moment with my herd is precious. The 2-wheel moments more so.

Such BLASPHEMY!

BaggerShield Star Venture 10.5" to 16.5" Extra Large Adjustable It's shipped. The member's discount on this item alone more that paid for this year's membership.

My 2nd Gen PULLS a trailer. I'm rigging the trailer so I can get my wife's 250 on it. Then, I'll have a spare just in case something eats one of BIG V's tires....

I'm a simple, if somewhat bitter, man. If THEY put THEIR finger through it, THEY can fix it properly to the OWNER's satisfaction. I'd be doing some service-desk dancing.

He'd have to. He created us!

Call them. My eldest, the only one moved out, called this morning. Surprised the socks off me. My other three I will see when I get home from work. The neat thing about telephones is that calls can go in both directions.

With apologies if I give offence, I tend to speak directly. The key phrase in the below quote is "wailing into a corner". It's an 850lb tourer with a trailer behind it! Drive it like a 500lb sport bike and you'll get the results you got. Towing a trailer should add a level of needed caution. Carrying a passenger adds still another level. My assessment of your description is pretty direct. You overtaxed your machine, dumped it, heaved your trailer in a ditch, and were exceedingly lucky to escape uninjured, as was your passenger. My US friends have been known to say "Guns don't kill people, people kill people using guns." In your described case your motorcycle didn't crash, you did. And you came far too close to killing two people doing it.

Buy it. My TD has been indestructible. If it runs good fix the cosmetics over a couple years riding and you should get your money back out of it no problem.

I've had venoms on my RSTD for > 20k km. just changed the rear due to a flat. There was lots of wear left. Just got cut up by a piece of metal it found on the road. The front still looks new. You're right about the improved handling. I went from OEM's to the venoms and the difference was amazing.

I thought it WASN'T a Harley?

Might be for riding WITH Harley riders, but it can't be FOR Harley riders. Where would they get matching clothes?

3) If you steal a Harley you have to steal all the owner's branded clothes, his HD themed truck, his garage full of parts, his subscription to "Oil Of The Month" club.... the list goes on and on

I have my wife and 4 children, total of 5 motorcycles in the driveway, car, truck, lawnmower, house maintenance..... and on and on..... I go to work to get some rest.

Good thought, but I'm not too worried because (a) I have both Venture and RSTD and (b) my wife is unusually vertically challenged. Not at all tall. The 650 is about as big as she can reasonably handle. The width of the seating position on the big bikes defeats her inseam length so she can't effectively balance them at a stop.

Last night was the weekly club ride for the Beaumont Hamel unit (http://2cav.thecav.ca/www.2cav.thecav.ca/Beaumont_Hamel/beaumonthamel_index.htm) of CAV, Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle units, (http://www.thecav.ca/). My wife got her license last year. All last summer she rode the VSTAR 250 I bought her to practice and learn on, because she found the VSTAR 650 too big compared to the bikes on her safety course. Yesterday the 250 went in to get a new rear tire, the dealer didn't have the size and had to order. 250 had to stay overnight. When I was getting ready to head out to the ride, my wife decided she'd come too, and that she'd take her 650. Other than getting used to the different feel and clutch zone, no issues at all. So, so proud and pleased. Stache

As initially set up they tend to wear slightly unevenly. Swapping them lets them even out. There was a thread on here somewhere about how to shim the mount to prevent the problem.

Forget that. I can fix the bike. My passenger is instructed to fall so that I can land on said passenger.

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And, if you join here, welcome to the wide world of motorcycle nuts.

I don't know - if you bought the bike with the bell already attached, then you bought your own bell so no magic. For the cost of replacing it, with, perhaps, a gift from the Warden, I think I would. Just to be safe....

Been there, done this. Once with damage. It's the 847 lbs that makes it such a solid comfortable ride, but your bike gets tired too hauling it's own weight around. If it wants to take a nap, let it. You and spouse are unhurt, which is all that counts.

I put an Ultimate set on my RSTD as fast as I could after I bought the bike. Went from St. John's to Montreal and back on it. Most gas stops I stayed on the bike and did the pay-at-the pump thing. It was that comfortable.

Given the rear drive, given dual front steering, given you're in the snowbelt, given it's close cousin, perhaps you should call it "The Skidoo" Just a suggestion.