Owners...

I'm rarely impressed with owners. Most have the agenda of making the most money right now instead of considering the long-term effects of reputation and customer service. I've wondered about that with these new owners...

However, when I saw our millionaire owner working with a coworker to assemble a major unit (meaning a bike, boat or 4-wheeler), I knew that he was different. Even if he's not hands-on all the time, he's willing to get his hands dirty on occasion. It's a sign that he's a real human being, which is more than I can say for other owners I've met in the past (without getting specific).

A person who will get in the trenches to understand and empathize tends to be more reasonable to deal with than someone who is "above" his employees. It's not a rule, but it can help. This and other things I've seen lend hope to this cause.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this pans out in the long run...

Fully Loaded

I'm pleased to announce that the dealership finally got its share of recall kits for the 03-05 FJR trunks. The mount is very secure and just what I needed to get it back on and useable again. It's weird to have a full set of hard luggage back on the bike in such a short period of time. I've been without so long... it's an odd but wonderful feeling.

So the bike went from this...

September 2007

To this...

October 2007

And the only thing I don't like about it now is the bluish headlights. I'm going to have to go back to the Yamaha bulbs which put out a much whiter light, even though these are advertised as appearing blue, but cast white. *Sigh* However, the PIAA 4000's are excellent and were worth the great deal I got on e-bay. The heated grips work nicely, too. The voltage indicator lamp is better in some respects than a digital voltmeter in that it only takes a glance to read voltage use as opposed to reading and then discerning an actual voltage readout. It's not too bright at night, either. I still need to remove the Rifle tuning block from the windshield which I believe will perfect the airflow around my helmet at the full-up position. Overall, I'm very well pleased with the clean appearance of the bike and the quality of the wiring, too. (The first picture shows that the vast majority of the wiring runs under the windshield motor.)

Now, if I can only get a few days off to really go riding and put all this great gear to test...

Great News: Postponed, Cut Short or Cancelled!

So I've hyped myself up for this grand motorcycle adventure, but it's not going to happen quite like I expected. I may take a 3 or 4 day weekend, but that's it. No week-long adventures, thank you. You see, I have great news!

My wife is going to have a baby!

I'd just as soon stay home and prepare for our new family member. I just hope that he/she really likes motorcycles!

Trial Run

Sunday got the benefit of a trial run with most of my gear on the bike, fully loaded as if I were to take her out for a longer ride. (Yes, I called the bike a "her." Get over it Lani, don't want to hurt her feelings!)

The Vstream windshield was fantastic. I could really feel the added resistance from both the additional weight in the saddlebags and the windshield, but the handling remained true. It also did just fine in crosswinds.

I finally mounted the vista cruise only to discover that it blocks access to the starter button. However, it was a nice convenience and worked reasonably well when I needed to move my right hand about.

The Garmin iQue 3600 mount worked very well, though I did manage to shake loose the power cord on one occasion. I believe this was due to the proximity of the holder to the master cylinder. After a quick adjustment of the RAM mount, all was well for the duration of the ride.

The video camera did it's job. However, at speeds over 15 mph the video upon replay shook drastically from wind blast that got around the vstream and hit the handlebar. I'm not sure what I can do about this other than try to get it more centralized in respect to the windshield and away from the wind blast.

The glove box was handy, though it requires glove removal to take items out. It was nice not having to carry essentials in my pockets, though isn't that what a tankbag is for?

I had a little extra room in the tail bag and right saddlebag. This is where my clothes and spare food will go. If I leave the bike, the electronics will find its way into the right saddlebag. I won't carry much in the way of food, so that will help. I did pack a collapsible cooler which can be bungeed onto the FJR's small luggage rack so I can pick up food at the end of the day as I head to my final resting spot for the day.

I'm going to remove the Rifle tuning block from the windshield and see if that improves what little buffeting remains when it's all the way up. I'm most impressed with this shield - moreso than the Rifle or tall Yamaha.

The headlights have finally been adjusted properly. The heated grips work fine, too.

I think a trial run next weekend is now in order!

Texas Worker's Comp.

I'm not a fan of anyone abusing the system, but there are times that you and your employer need to use workers' compensation insurance. I decided to post a few links for those that may be interested to know about worker's comp in Texas.

TXCOMP

Current Workers' Compensation Rules


Workers' Compensation Forms

I hope no-one every has to go through any of this process since it can be a very lengthy one. The road to recovery is too often covered in red tape.

Getting Excited Over Dirt

Among other deep thoughts, it occurred to me that many advocates of the outdoors are viewed as environmental villains. For example, hunters have paid for permits which have kept many of our national parks in operation, and their numerical decline has caused many a penny-pinching politician some duress.

Likewise, trail-riding motorists enjoy nature, though there are those that irresponsibly abuse it. When I still had the XT 600, I enjoyed riding trails more than borrowing a bike and hitting the track. It was fun to explore and see nature atop a motorcycle. I joined the AMA to protect the freedom to trail ride, among other reasons.

Naturally, I became very excited when I handled the glossy dual purpose brochures from Yamaha as they passed from the receiving counter to the sales counter. New bikes galore!

The XT 225 has been upgraded to the XT 250 ($4399) - catching up to it's European counterpart. The venerable WR250, renowned for trail-only riding has been made street legal in two models: the WR250X ($5999), a super motard and the WR250R ($5899), a very dirt-capable dual purpose bike. Both the WR's sport fuel injection unlike any other in its class, allowing for higher compression and more accurate fuel delivery (read: more power for the displacement). The old standby, the TW 200 ($3799) continues in the shadow of its more exciting and updated brethren.

Will I rush out and buy one of these new toys? Probably not like I did with the FJR. Yeah, it's true that I've been looking forward to seeing the XT250 hit the streets here. It really needed updating. But, for the buck a couple of larger bikes have my attention: the just updated Kawasaki KLR 650 ($5349) and the Suzuki DR650SE ($5099). With stump-pulling torque and strong aftermarket support, these contenders still catch my eye for my dual-purpose riding. Will Yamaha ever bring over the XT 650 or will I just have to be content with one of it's competitors offerings?

We'll just have to wait and see...

Yamaha dual purpose bikes
Kawasaki dual purpose bikes
Suzuki dual purpose bikes

Clutching Hand Leaves Me Grasping at Straws

My wrist injury is not a break, according to the MRI I had done Monday. However, according to my treating physician, the pain in my wrist is from two "large", pre-existing ganglion cysts in my wrist and has nothing to do with the actual injury from two weeks ago.

And no, these cysts are not visible like the one I had before...

So why do I have continued numbness throughout my hand? Presumably, it's from the splint he prescribed me to wear!

Regardless of the outcome of my current "medical" treatment, I want to see a specialist regarding those cysts... and I want to be able to make my ride this fall. All of this falls into doubt since there's a lot of paperwork and waiting involved since I need to change primary care - or at least be pronounced "cured" so I can seek treatment without workman's comp. (The doctor I want to see won't admit me until this is cleared up (according to the office staff.)

Not that loss of function can be described as "all better now." Hey doc, you're being a pain in my butt. Perhaps you can kiss it to make me feel better?

Deer in the Headlights (graphic)

It's not every day you get to see the infamous "deer in the headlights" look.

But this post on the FJR forum takes the cake.

http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=26561

In all, this stupid road rodent caused about $7500 of damage and spooked the rider. However, like my other incidents, he was able to ride home after the hit. He did pretty good for hitting it head on.

It's still around that time of year when deer are very present on the roads, so no matter the vehicle, it's a good idea to keep you eyes peeled for this very dangerous road pest.

dcarver's FJR which he rode home after the hit.
His dogs loved the deer smell.

A deer in the headlights. Classic.

Fortune Cookie

"Today you should be a passenger. Stay close to a driver for a day."

This should have gone to my wife. Then I could have taken her for a ride on the FJR...

Well, let's see what the other cookie says:

"It's up to you to make the next move."

Kinda hard to make the move while I'm staying a passenger. What does that car commercial say? "In life, there are drivers and there are passengers." As soon as my wrist heals up, I'll go back to being a rider!

Darn fortune cookies. At least they taste good. Even when stale!

Ha ha! (No comeback to ham!)