Blackjack
-
Posts
492 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Store
Everything posted by Blackjack
-
I'm terribly sorry to hear of your situation, Mike, and hope you have a very speedy and very complete recovery. Thanks for presenting your info in a such a clear and precise manner. I'm glad you were "all geared up" because you are so right: when it happens, it happens fast, and anything that the rider can do to potentially minimize a negative outcome is a positive thing to do! Kindest Regards, Terry
-
This last weekend Moto 400 (Dawsonville GA) sponsored the Triumph factory Demo Rides. I went there Sunday and rode three of the bikes: the Rocket III Touring, the Scrambler, and the Tiger. I somewhat enjoyed the Scrambler, really enjoyed the Tiger, and was overwhelmingly impressed with the Rocket III! That is one incredibly smooth, incredibly powerful machine; it has great throttle in all gears and, for a heavy bike (almost 800 lbs), was surprisingly easy to handle. 86er also rode this bike, so he will hopefully chime in and offer his opinion! For any of you that live anywhere near this dealer, they are having Star demo rides on all models this weekend. It might be a good time to try the Raider on for size... Terry
-
On 11/15/08 let's visit Wheels Through Time...
Blackjack replied to Blackjack's topic in Watering Hole
As I understand it, the last day of operation will be November 30th and it is the intention of the owner to move to another locale, possibly somewhere in Arizona. I do not believe the museum is for sale. Terry -
We're planning a visit to Wheels Through Time on 11/15/08. This might be your last chance to see this wonderful museum, as they are indicating they will close the Maggie Valley location at the end of this month. This road trip will be made in conjunction with the November North GA M&E. Please click the link below for more info: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=269216#post269216 Terry
-
The guys at Two Brothers are the best! They are a local shop (Lawrenceville GA) whose business is 95% selling and mounting motorcycle tires, at the same or better prices than I can find on the internet (they are not an internet-based reseller). They do a total install of both tires for about $75. The last time I had to replace the rear tire we also installed a new-to-me rear shock at the same time. Great guys, great service, right price! If you live anywhere near this shop stop by and say "hello" to Tim and Ernie, and tell them you heard about them on this Forum. Terry
-
Two Thumbs Up! on the new-to-you bike, Jack! I'm sure you'll have a great time carvin' twisties on that up in your neck of the woods... Have fun and ride, well, ride like you want to! Terry
-
You are certainly welcome to disagree, Mike, but the comment I made is, technically, correct! Any item of value that is owned without direct debt or obligation is labeled and considered an asset. If one chooses to use a home equity loan for any purchase, then the debt/obligation/risk against the property does clearly increase by the amount of that purchase. I hope I was rather clear to point out that all mathematical and financial options should be considered thoroughly so that one could make an informed choice based on what serves their own best financial interest. Kindest Regards, Terry
-
Provided the Yamaha loan was actually an installment loan and not a revolving account, here's how the numbers work (assuming $18000 borrowed): Principal borrowed: $18000.00 Annual Payments: 12 Total Payments: 72 (6.00 years) Annual interest rate: 7.99% Monthly payment amount: $315.51 Total Repaid: $22716.72 Total Interest Paid: $4716.72 Interest as percentage of Principal: 26.204% Revolving accounts are quite different in that interest is charged daily on the outstanding balance and then added to the total, so that you actually also pay interest on the interest expense you accumulate. If the minimum payment were less than the $315.51 indicated above, and you only made the minimum payment, you would have a balloon payment (likely a significant one!) due at the 72nd month! A home equity line is an interesting option for a number of reasons: first, you will own the bike outright and it gets shifted from the liability to the asset column of your personal finances; second, as mentioned in another post, if you itemize your federal taxes, you will be entitled to an interest expense deduction, making it possible for the effective interest rate to be less than the rate offered by Yamaha; third, since (home equity) lines of credit typically have a 15-year repayment period, the monthly payment obligation can be significantly less (only about 60% of the installment loan payment). You can also pay cash, if you have it! Although the markets are particularly shaky right now, one should ask whether the same amount of money invested in some type of financial instrument (even a fixed-rate annuity!) could provide a yield that would reasonably exceed the interest expense involved in borrowing the funds. There is no correct or right or wrong answer to any of this, and I am not advocating one approach over any other. It really depends on your understanding the numbers, how they work, and what works best for you, personally! Terry
-
I am so glad to hear that you have come through all this medical difficulty, Bob, and are feeling better again! I have a very dear friend in NY that had the same surgery several years ago and there's no question that it saved his life. Best Wishes! for continuing improvement with your health... Terry
-
As always, a great big "Thank You!" to Bobbie for being ever-ready with her camera and providing those that were there with a chronicle of fond memories and those that weren't with a way to join in and share the fun! Terry
-
Our sincere condolences to Jim Bryant and his entire family during this very difficult time. One can only hope that the brightness and joy of the child's love will soon displace the darkness and agonizing sorrow now felt by all at their passing. The world loses a child and the heavens gain an angel... Kindest Regards, Terry & Janis
-
My sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone that attended this Special Event in honor of our good friend and patriot Clay18. We had a great turnout of VR.org friends and family, and as might be expected, there was a good mix of familiar faces and the always-pleasant surprise of seeing some new ones, as noted previously by Dragonrider. A super-special thanks go out to those who "went the distance" in order to attend: Riderduke rode in from VA, Sleeperhawk & the Mechanic rode over from SC, and Bryan Lay who rode over from Warner Robins GA in a most round-about way! We all wish you the very best, Clay, and will look forward to yet another excuse to get-together upon your safe return home. My hat's off to you, Laurie, for being a brave and courageous wife in support of your husband and family. If there is anything we can do in Clay's absence, don't hesitate to let us (your "other" family!) know... Terry
-
Gary, We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Terry & Janis
-
Good Morning, Rick! Yes, I did make it to the Galaxy Music event, but apparently not before you had already come and gone. I'm sorry that I missed you and hope all was well with your son! Too bad you had to leave early, as it was a real treat to hear all four musicians play together. Curtis Jones was rather amazing and my kudos to the others for keeping up with him! I did have the pleasure of meeting a very nice fellow named Simon, who was there with his lovely wife. They were riding their '84 1st Gen and were pulling a trailer. He has signed on the Forum as cmarider. All in all, a very nice afternoon, even if I didn't win that lovely Larrivee guitar that was given away... Maybe we'll catch up at the next M&E on September 13th. Details will be posted soon! Terry
-
We are, of course, saddened to hear this difficult news. We, too, will keep Bob and his family in our thoughts and prayer and hope for a complete and speedy recovery. Terry & Janis
-
Good Morning, Rick! I hope you and Peggy are able make it and I'll look forward to seeing you there! Terry
-
IF you happen to be in the area between Cumming GA and Dawsonville GA tomorrow afternoon, and IF you play guitar and/or appreciate great players, and IF you have any interest in winning a very nice one, you should head over to Galaxy Music at 6150 GA 400, Cumming GA around 1PM on Saturday. They are going to have the world's fastest guitar player, Curtis Jones, performing outside under the big tent and will be giving away a Larrivee D05E Acoustic/Electric Guitar ($2300 retail) in a drawing. Yes, you have to be present to win! I'll be there with my fingers crossed, hoping I am the lucky recipient... Terry
-
We're glad to see that Charlene will finally get some relief. The therapy will be the hard part, so you will probably want to commit to exercise with her to help keep her going. The harder the therapy, the better the recovery. How would I know? A torn ACL and torn miniscus some years ago proved this to be very, very true... Terry & Janis
-
Dale, you didn't indicate the condition of either guitar, the asking price, or the source. All of those things would impact the value. Other than that, it's a personal preference as to which of those two to choose. The Takamine would be more versatile, since you could play it with or without amplification. Terry
-
I'm not sure if I would be able to get down that way again so soon after Clay18's Send-Off this Sunday, but I'll sure try. It would be great to see you again, Eddie, especially since it's been awhile since we've been able to get-together! I'll let you know sometime next week if I can make it... Terry
-
Lewis, I would love to join in this ride, especially since I wasn't able to make it last year! Right now I don't know of any conflicts with that date, and will do my best not to let any show up and interfere. So, count me in! Terry
-
Regarding the crash: Ouch! Regarding the injuries: OUCH!! Regarding the lapsed insurance: OUCH!!! I hope you heal quickly and completely, and that you get back to earning some income very soon. We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers... Terry & Janis
-
That's great info, Brian, and should prove useful to those touring on or near the highways. Thanks for sharing that... Terry
-
Here's wishing you both a wonderful and joyous Happy Anniversary! Terry & Janis
-
We are saddened to hear of your loss and send our heartfelt condolences. Terry & Janis