Thanks to Ronnie Dawson!

[videoarizona]

This morning I did something I haven't done in years. Let the bike shut down in gear .

Of course, I couldn't understand why the bike died in the first place. It just wound down from idle... Then nothing. Wouldn't start. Wouldn't even crank and the overheat light was on.  Well, I thought it was overheated. This is Arizona! Checked coolant. Nope good. Checked oil. Nope good. What the heck? 

Gave up and went inside restaurant for breakfast... Thinking maybe when it's cooler it will start. I had no idea if the RSV had a shut off switch if overheated. Never heard of such a thing having had both gens of Ventures . 

After eating I came out and.... Nothing.  Decided to call Ronnie. I know he has both gens so he would be a good bet to ask. I'm a pretty good mechanic and have rebuilt lots of cars, trucks and bikes, but for whatever reason, my brain wasn't thinking!

He called me back right away. And took me through some procedures. Then he asked if the bike was in gear. I hesitated because I never shut bike off in gear unless I'm parked on a steep slope. But he was right. Dumb me! For whatever reason, I left the bike in gear with kickstand down. 

Sigh. 

So thank you Ronnie for calling me back and helping me through this. I'm glad I got to know you at a Maintenance Day in Ohio. And double glad you remembered me! 

This is what the $12/year is for... Friendship. 

So if your year is about up, don't hesitate, send in the $12! You never know when you might need help. 

David /Videoarizona

 

[N3FOL]

I know on my 2nd Gen, I should always see that 'Green' N lit and this will ensure me that it is not in gear and is in 'Neutral'.  But in the heat of the moment, sometimes it just don't mentally click right away.  I've been in those situation several times as well.  Glad you are able to call for advice via phone and it worked.  

I also agree that this forum is a very useful 'tool' just in case the unexpected happens.  I am on an auto renew and should not worry about it unless Don gives me a call.  

[RDawson]

@videoarizona Glad I could help. People ask me how I have friends in so many states and Canada, it’s  all because of VR. It took a few minutes to wrap my head around what was going on and had to go mess with my bike to see what lights lit at start. I always park in 1st and kill the bike with the kickstand and really don’t look at the dash at startup. 

[Woody]

Atta boy Ronnie, but this may turn into a discussion. recently I hear people talk about parking their bikes in gear and also when they haul them do they prefer in gear or neutral. I always park in gear except in my shop I park in neutral because sometimes I will roll the bike to get something from behind it and I always haul the bike in gear, if the straps are right it shouldn't matter but if a strap fails the bike is not rolling all over the trailer. 

[RDawson]

3 hours ago, Woody said:

Atta boy Ronnie, but this may turn into a discussion. recently I hear people talk about parking their bikes in gear and also when they haul them do they prefer in gear or neutral. I always park in gear except in my shop I park in neutral because sometimes I will roll the bike to get something from behind it and I always haul the bike in gear, if the straps are right it shouldn't matter but if a strap fails the bike is not rolling all over the trailer. 

Too many options and arguments for each. Park in or out of gear, kill switch vs kickstand vs ignition, which oil, which filter, which tires, blah blah blah.😁😁😁🤪🤪

Why you talking trailers, you’re bike broke?😛

I just need to find the time to ride more. 

[Woody]

20 hours ago, RDawson said:

Too many options and arguments for each. Park in or out of gear, kill switch vs kickstand vs ignition, which oil, which filter, which tires, blah blah blah.😁😁😁🤪🤪

Why you talking trailers, you’re bike broke?😛

I just need to find the time to ride more. 

Good idea I think I will go for a ride 

[RDawson]

1 hour ago, Woody said:

Good idea I think I will go for a ride 

Think I’ll wait a while. 

[N3FOL]

Some red and yellow on doppler.  I agree you must wait.  

I've been riding for the last 4 days.  Time to take the truck to and from work and run errands for we expect 3 days of rain as long as mother nature will give us 3 great days this coming weekend.  Holiday is just around the corner.  

[Woody]

I got that ride in before the mess got here and then I put all the vehicles in the shop just in case.