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WilCruise

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Everything posted by WilCruise

  1. WilCruise
    Just booked this week and got confirmation today so we should be OK. 98% sure one or both of us will make it!
  2. WilCruise
    SWEET! At least it has the right engine configuration even if it's not a tourer. Hoping to see that heart in something fully decked out for long hauls in the next year or so.
  3. WilCruise
    I've soiled my armor!
  4. WilCruise
    Being a New Englander, I'd say this is a really good idea. IMHO VT, NH and ME have some of the best riding in the area. We did a Venture Rider Northeast meet in NH a couple of years ago - centered on the Kancamagus Highway which is a great stretch of road and there are a couple of routes around it that are great scenic riding in the spring and especially the Fall. From there it's easy to hit the coast in ME. If time will permit I'd be glad to join you for a day or two if you decide to come up this way. Send me a an email or PM when we get closer to the time you're coming. Check the Meet & Eat section for the local monthly gathering near there too.
  5. WilCruise
    I've had 1st and 2nd gens as well. For two up touring the 2nd gen wins Period. The wife calls that "her" bike. She wouldn't even ride more than a couple miles on anything I had before that including the first gens. Now she looks forward to taking trips. It does come down to your preference though. If you like more sporty riding the 1st gens win for sure. 83-85s being the quickest, and I liked the versatility of the easily removable bags they had. They do have the 2nd gear issue though. There were a handful of 85s that had that fixed before they changed the style in 86. Do a few searches on the site and you can probably find the serial number cutoff. Finding one of those in decent shape is REALLY uncommon, but it happens. The first gens after that have more bag space and no 2nd gear problem. It's rare to find any first gen that doesn't need some tinkering to get it right, but once you do they usually stay that way with basic care. You can find them quite a bit cheaper than 2nd gens too. If less tinkering, more comfort for distance, legroom, passenger comfort, cruiser styling are priorities go 2nd gen. If sportiness, speed, versatility, price, straight up seating position are priorities go 1st gen.
  6. WilCruise
    Another thanks here, stay safe!
  7. WilCruise
    Yup, That's the best way to start. Some of us like to go highly concentrated on the seafoam with a new aquisition to get it cleaned out. Search on seafoam and you'll find lots of discussion about it. After draining all old fuel as suggested, run the tank down to reserve with some fresh fuel then throw in a whole can of seafoam. Run it enough to get that into the carbs (it'll sputter & smoke a bit but should still run). Let that sit for 24-36 hours or so, run it a bit more then top up the tank. Once that tank is gone you'll usually be in much better shape. If not then it's time to do more tinkering. Good luck and welcome aboard.
  8. WilCruise
    The eldest daughter is taking the youngest to a hockey game tonight so me & the Mrs are bustin' out and goin' on a date! Gotta get out of the cabin sometime!
  9. WilCruise
    Yup, I was able to reserve a room there today.
  10. WilCruise
    '03s are the best looking ones! Seriously after talking with a few folks about the differences I think the big deciding factors have already been hit: -Vibration -Heat -Price -Passenger comfort -Different feel of Torque / Revs -Maintenance requirements -Don't forget the HD Karma All considered, it's RSV for me - no question.
  11. WilCruise
    I agree, Most of the stuff is pretty straight-forward if you're reasonably handy with tools. There are threads about most of the accessories if you poke around the site a bit. If you can't find the info you need just put up a post and someone will respond with some insight. Good luck and congrats on the '09!
  12. WilCruise
    You can find them on eBay occasionally. It is possible to pull them apart, clean them up and give them a liberal coat of lithium grease on the internals (same goes for the actual lid latches too). Did that on a couple of the 1st gens I had and they worked for years.
  13. WilCruise
    I agree. When there's a competitively competent product I'll even pay a premium for domestic product. I believe it's possible to be innovative and be competitive with lower priced off shore production of most goods. I'd consider making a scoot change if there was a domestic V4 touring option. I'm not aware of one though!
  14. WilCruise
    Wow, 4Gs. It's nice but I think that's about the top of it's money. It'll be interesting to see what it ultimately goes for.
  15. WilCruise
    Sounds like we have more in common than the color of our bikes
  16. WilCruise
    Niiiicccceee
  17. WilCruise
    Good get there Roadkill. The trailer's nice too That should work well with the best colored, fastest RSV ya got there
  18. WilCruise
    Don, If I understand it correctly you're still pretty close even if the electric does give you a bit of an advantage. Have you invested in thorough insulation? I was amazed at how much we saved when we went all out insulating our house (blown in, another layer of blankets up top, sealed around widows, elec outlets etc). The price of electric and fuel do fluctuate constantly so it may go back after you invest in a change. My logic was to invest in reducing the need regardless of source. We cut our heating oil consumption from 4-5 tanks per year to less than half that (just got the first refill this year and it's been cold). If you haven't already done that it may be worth considering as an alternative.
  19. WilCruise
    That looks sweet! I had to cut back on my habit last fall though. It's tough to keep more than one bike with our winters and no garage! I'm not too far from it - don't think I can get there before the auction ends, but if anyone buys it I'd be glad to stop by next weekend and help arrange transport or something if it'd help.
  20. WilCruise
    Just a couple of points... I mean a handful of... Oh nevermind!
  21. WilCruise
    My thoughts Exactly!
  22. WilCruise
    Found a picture of some fuzzy undies you could try - possibly a bit too racy to post though
  23. WilCruise
    Carl would be a test all right. Sounds like Mary passed OK though. Really glad for you Gary, if she's anything like my Mary you've done really well for yourself. In my case I married UP for sure!
  24. WilCruise
    Not taking sides or anything, but you ladies could put an end to this by creating an "alternate" VentureRider Calendar... I bet everyone participating on this thread would buy (at least) one - and that would prove something... not sure what... Just a thought... trying to be supportive here
  25. WilCruise
    Yup, I "grew up" in the audio biz and I agree with most of Goose's points. As far as Clarion, they have made some lower end stuff trying to capitalize on their name in the past. Mostly pretty solid unless that's changed in the last 3-4 years. Size itself doesn't matter. I have a pair of B&W speakers at home that originally sold for about $4Gs and they have a tweeter and a 6" woofer. That's it. Before I let anyone listen to them I make them enter the room blind and listen to a few tunes then describe the speakers. No one ever gets it right! They think there are room sized monsters doing it or else a big subwoofer hidden somewhere. Actually had one guy search the room! Point being a well built small speaker can put a poorly built big speaker to shame. As far as backing - if you have an open enclosure, the bass frequencies from the rear of the speaker can actually cancel out or neutralize those fromthe front. That's wy any good speakers are either sealed enclosures or use a "tuned" port. The port is tuned to make sure the bass from the rear of the speakers works in conjunction with - not opposed to those coming from the front. Due to this I'd guess the enclosures would make a noticeable improvement in our bikes. Most manufacturers don't put a lot of effort into 4: or 4X6 speakers. It's usually 5.25s that get the attention. If you can find a way to make those fit as one of the posts suggests, you'll have mor options to find a quality product. All that being said you'll want some quality power to drive them. That may ultimately be the biggest challenge on our bikes. Due to all that - I again agree with Goose - I use the intercom!
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