What with the ICE folks deciding to make my crossing the Canadian border a little more difficult as of the beginning of June — I made a mad dash for Edmonton in mid-May in order to get back before June 1 (and have time to clean out my office as well).
This was a great opportunity to see what the new bike was like — whether it had any substantial differences from the ‘02 Wing or not — and to try out stuff like the built-in GPS and XM radio. Read more
Well, that was a VERY sucky couple of weeks. I guess I was a little too cocky after my mishap with the deer last year, and needed to be taught some humility.
Right now it appears as though the Wing is totalled, the costs for replacing all the plastic and other bent parts being higher than the Blue Book value.
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I just checked and I’m a little shocked. I would have thought wind chill would have been much worse than -4!
I rushed the season a little bit, since the roads are currently mostly bare. Rushed. Heh. It was 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) this morning when I backed the Rune out of the garage. So I thought that the windchill would be a little bit more severe at 60 mph … but what the heck. It sure was nice to be back on 2 wheels. Especially with $3.35 gas – the 40 mpg sure beats the 18-19 mpg the minivan gets!
Hopefully the roads stay clear … I’d rather be cold than continue to open my wallet at the gas pump. <g>
I seem to have somewhat of a reputation for being happier in the saddle than behind the wheel. I’d certainly have to say it’s completely true, even if that wasn’t always the case. I always loved to drive, and did a fair amount of long distance driving when I was younger. In fact, I really enjoyed driving at night as there was little to no traffic on the road. (That should tell you how long ago that was!)
Then, one day back in 1981, I mentioned to my wife that the husband of one of the ladies that worked for me was selling his 750 Honda. Now, I was not interested in having a motorcycle. I was a typical driver in that I thought what bikers call a “cage” so much safer than 2 wheels. But, after she thought about it for a couple of days, she announced we were going over to visit Mark and Dee to take a look at this motorcycle. Up to that point, my sole experience was riding a toy “minibike” (this was in the late ’60’s) up and down the road, before I took it back to Sears to get my money back. I knew absolutely nothing about motorcycles, other than that idiots on them, zipping in and out of traffic, could make your blood boil.
… what with the cost of gas. What the hell is going on, anyway?
OK, ok, I know that the folks in Europe have been paying these prices “forever” … but a 300% increase in the last few years. Gimmee a break!
Gosh, I hope this “bad things come in threes” takes my trailer tire fiasco as one of the three … I don’t think my luck can continue to hold out.
That’s what the fairing looks like after I bagged a deer this morning.
The temperature display on the Wing showed 35F as I rode into work yesterday, and that led me to think about the stupid controversy over helmets in Michigan (as well as other states).At nea
r freezing temperatures, and 60mph speeds on the way to work, you can imagine how cold it would be … and I was pretty grateful for having a new helmet which fit snugly and kept the cold air off my face and head.Then I thought about the effort that it took, on the weekend, to cleanse all the major bug strikes off the windshield.And I thought again about the idiots that are willing to PAY to be able to ride without a helmet.Yes, I have ridden in the south, and I have ridden in very hot weather. BUT … I’ve also ridden in driving rain and numbing cold. I still can’t fathom the minds of those who want to “ride free.” I’ve ridden in dust storms and grasshopper storms (my bike, my chaps, my windshield and my visor were all green). I lost a pair of safety glasses when a rock came in between the mirror and windshield and impacted on the left lese at the bridge. After that, I became a believer that my 3/4 helmet wasn’t really enough. I’ve had bees and other large bugs hit my helmet hard enough to rock my head.Now, I will admit, I don’t have any wish to infringe in the freedom of anyone. And I certainly don’t have any problem with the elimination, from the gene pool, of people who want to ride that recklessly. I do have a problem, though, having taxpayers pay for the medical care of people that must have been brain dead long before they had an accident that turned them into a paraplegic or vegetable.I think the current debate about whether we should allow people to “buy out” of wearing helmets should end with the law being passed. However, I think that the law would need to include a complete and total waiver of that rider and his family and/or survivors on any outside funding for medical care, hospice care, or funeral care. To me, that would include insurance funds … since insurance funds are pooled and their accident affects MY premiums. Read more
Well, I picked up the new Rune, and I made it back to Michigan alright … but now that chromed monster needs some repairs.
Arghhhh!
Why is it that neither the road crews nor the owners of restaurants can keep intersections clear of debris and gravel? And where does all that gravel come from anyway?
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