bpate4home

Yeah this one goes in the stupid category for me today but when I was a kid. . . . . . We used to have an ~10" log over a creek where I grew up about 10 - 12' across where we flattened the top. It was a 3 - 4' drop. We used it mainly when hunting but I did take my dirt bike across it a few times. Me and the bike fell off of it a few times too. Luckily the worst was a broken finger from that foolishness.

Darn tree keeps getting in the way of those rocks

I agree with Marcarl. I've been lucky and have had very few back issues. My wife on the other hand is a CNA and has severe back issues. At times to the point of needing assistance just trying to stand and walk. She tried all of these and the only thing that has provided consistent relief for her is a full on massage therapist, deep tissue style. When she was in some of the worst lower back pain the massage therapist was working a knot in her thigh and her shoulder. I would have never believed that would fix the lower back pain she was having but it did. The basic explanation from the therapist was that they all work in conjunction so a knot in your calf may help even a stiff neck. I figure that's a stretch but hey, her work has been a godsend for my wife.

Took her for a spa day. Full treatment. Looks like new again with the exception of a few rock dings from the highway. Nearly 10K mi in the 7 - 8 months since I got her. Many baths in the middle but a professional detailer can do wonders compared to my efforts.

Common sense is a forgotten art. Few have it and those that do are the real geniuses. I tried hard to instill it into my kids as common sense is just basic logical reasoning. So far so good. They have their moments but. . . . . for the most part they think about their actions.

I've crawled under all but my first used car or truck we've purchased. I even carry a set of jack stands and floor jack when I go look at them. My dad taught me that the hard way. My first vehicle he let me buy from one of his 'friends' at a garage. They were both in on it as the rear main seal was blown. Fixable but not easy. Luckily they had already made the arrangements to allow me to fix with their guidance. I was 17 and was not allowed to use the garage lift.

So the last couple of days my SVTC has shown an alert of 'High Wind Warning'. My first thought was that there is always high wind when I ride . In all seriousness though, I did notice the big rigs and SUV types floating in their lanes more than usual and finally felt a little push when I slowed down a little. I always felt the wind push my '06 RSV. Just more reasons I love this bike, it's smooth as _______.

Welcome Back.

Now that's a good woman there.

Love it. Great Job.

Absolutely agree with the saving $$$. Wish I would have found the site sooner. Would have been a huge help on my gen 2. The $12 to help keep the site running is well worth the spend.

So Glad I live in the south now. Don't miss that stuff at all. I had a friend here post a picture of her car dash and it just said 'low outside temp'. After I got done laughing at her I responded that when I left my house the bike said 30, when I got to work it said 29 and her car needed to grow up. Even the cars here in the south know noting about the cold.

36 F when I left the house this morning in Houston. Gear listed above. The heated seat and grips on the SVTC help a lot but the wind over the top of the thighs was cold. Was I cold, yes. Was I uncomfortable, not really. Tomorrow should be a good test though as the low should be 30. As long as there is no reports of ice on the road it'll be another good day to ride. I still need new gloves though . Will have to check if I have some of the old ski gloves, not sure after 14 years in Houston.

Yeah, I remember a few of those days in NE Ohio where we had to shovel our leaves due to the 6" of partly cloudy. Glad I'm in the South now, only miss the skiing part of that.

I live in Houston so the weather should be similar. I had the '06 Venture (had full fairing and lower deflectors), now I have the '18 SVTC but no lower deflectors. 55 - 65 I wear Leather Jacket, jeans and thin leather gloves. Around 50 I add a military neck gaiter given to me by my son. Under 50 I just add the liner to the leather jacket. I used to call it quits at 40 but with the SVTC, the heated seat and grips basically take that a lot lower. From just below the knee to the upper thigh would be cold. I've been debating chaps and I do need new gloves (I've worn holes in them). I need to add that I wear a half helmet with the muffs for a Cardo headset at all times, including over 100. My wife just picked up some faux leather from Hobby Lobby ans said she is going to make me a set of mini chaps. Should be interesting. As a kid in NE Ohio I wore long johns, Jeans, heavy leather coat, ski gloves and heavy boots and rode in everything except icy conditions. Even below 0 a couple of times which was awful but when you have nothing else you do what ya gotta do.

Late last week the ride temp in the AM was 39. This morning 64, beautiful morning. With the annoying exception of I10 in Houston. Rush hour seems to be starting earlier and earlier.

Well, I know I'm a newbie to this forum, just took a while to find y'all. Bounced in and out of quite a few others, some were good and some were . . . . let's just say lacking and even more were just locations for *****ing and critiquing beliefs. I came on board early this year after I sold my '06 Venture and picked up the '18 SVTC. This group has easily been the best group, BY MILES AND MILES. Your experience and willingness to help anyone says a lot about the membership, but it all starts at the top with Freebird. Don, your efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated by all. Thanks Don.

congrats

Hope it gets better for you soon. I'm in Houston and ride just about every day depending on travel for work whether I might get on the way to work. Not worried about the way home. Rode in this morning and it was 39 F when I left. Realized that even with the heated grips my old gloves need replacin' and soon. One of these days I may even pick up some chaps. Just have a hard time justifying them with so few 'cold' days here. When I was younger I rode year round in norther Ohio. Here, it's easy to do.

I'm on the Gen 3 V-Twin and put between 12 and 15K on the bike each year. Does this still fit your 2 - 3 year estimates? I feel comfortable with it based on everything I hear and what I've read, that would also put me at 40K mi per plug change. I see the solid input throughout this forum so I put a lot of weight on y'alls opinion.

plus old threads have a lot of merit and sometimes need to be brought back to the front for others to see or someone would just like more input.

I've read through as many of the posts that I could find. As has been stated Yamaha want NGK Standard plugs every 8K miles but why not go with NGK iridium plugs that can last up to 100K miles. Everything I can find shows better firing, better fuel efficiency, less corrosive or fouling etc etc. Even my mechanics and mechanic friends state this is the best route.

Congrats on the turn around and good luck with the new jobs. As for the snow, not so sure about that. Left northern Ohio about 14 years ago for Houston and can't see myself ever moving back. Life without snow (winter in general) has been better and I even like to ski, but it was horrible on my knees. I had a hard time even just walking in the mornings for about 4 - 5 months during the winters up there, here it's 4 - 5 weeks .

I think it's good -> reasonable. I always have basic concerns about low mileage bikes. Engine, Carbs tires etc etc. A good look see is needed. That being said, I sold my '06, virtually identical but with 105K miles, new clutch, new rear shock and needing a few other minor items repaired for ~3K.

Congrats Venturesome. Our loss is your gain!