anyone go for a ride today? Pics?

[Eli69]

Just got back from an overnight stay with mrs. eli and our daughter at a lakeside place on Oneida Lake in central NY. I rode the bike on the NY Thruway (rt. 90) cuz there's really no way to go east across NY that isn't all towns (cuz the Finger Lakes basically block you) and to get there and back fast.

The thruway follows the general path of the Erie canal from Albany to Buffalo so there are always signs and such that mention the canal along the way. It's kind of a local history thing. Soooo, I got this song, which we learned in grade school, stuck in my dang head for a good portion of the ride. Bruce Springsteen also does a version of the song I think.

No pics of the ride but here's one from a while back at a spot not far from home where the road goes under the canal.

[Redman]

Went for early morning ride.
THe low 60s was nice compared to all the near 90 and high humidity of recent days.
Went out of town a ways and the down to the beach/pier.

Hadn't got a pic of this bike at this place yet.
Just walked bike back down the walkway, got quick pic, then rode to the parking area. All before any walkers or Ranger Smith came along.

[Redman]

THis afternoon, had a couple errands to do including picking up a couple things at the store.
Wife wanted me to take back three bags of returnable cans, so I put on the tail trunk.
On way out the door I also grabbed the shopping list (yes, in the world I live in, that is a piece of paper), thought I might get just a couple of those items too.
Went and did a couple errands, and went for a little ride.
THen went to grocery store, was getting the couple items and the stuff on the list.
After checking out, on way out the store, thinking of where I parked . . . . oh, where parked the bike...
.... the bike....
oh, lets see, I got 5 bags of stuff here

Good thing I had the trunk on.
GOt most of 3 bags in the trunk. One bag in one sidecase, one bag in other sidecase along with some lose items that didnt fit in trunk. No Problem.

[Eli69]

You just have to be careful how you pack your eggs amirite?

[Redman]

You just have to be careful how you pack your eggs amirite?

I was more concerned about loaf of bread and pack of burger buns, yahknow.

[trevor]

A friend closed his motorcycle repair shop today after 17 years in business. It was a co-op business....it was successful and he wants to travel.
On the weekend they had a party and this was a video they did...if you look closely at around 33 seconds you will catch me sitting on a Harley...lol...my buddy's Pan America

[steve murdoch]

Good that your friend got to do what he wants but too bad he had to close the shop.
I like the idea of newbie mechanics having a place to get some hands-on "guidance".
A couple years ago a small co-op shop opened near me but it turned into a hangout instead of fix-it and the neighbours started complaining about noise and numbers.

[dorkburger]

http://Suzuki GS1150 by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

[Jedz123]

Just a short on the GS.

[dorkburger]

Ooooh, nice shine and reflection on the tank.

[Jedz123]

It's not perfect but it's in good shape for $500.

[GSXR7ED]

Utility Trailer Info

I have a very tentative plan for Glen and I to come to this rally. A few things have to happen. Glen and I both agreed that the distance is not something we want to do on our GSes. It’s a 10 hour drive for me, and Glen is a few hours east of me. We talked about Glen riding his bike to my place, and loading mine and his on a trailer. Our Subaru has a towing capacity of 1500 lbs. I could probably push that a little. Our bikes combined probably weigh 1000 lbs.+.

hurdles:

I don’t own a trailer yet, so need to find one that’s very light, and that can fit 2 bikes. Have to buy the trailer. I also will want the trailer to haul kayaks on a rack when not hauling bikes, also use as a utility trailer for various things when it’s not hauling fun stuff. This may be an impossible dream, I haven’t done any serious shopping for such a trailer.

I've been looking at Utility Trailers for giggles and grins...since we have home projects that have priority, I have a wish list going.

Anyway, my son-in-laws have recently went on a camping trip to Trap Pond and did some canoeing (rented) and we happen to have a discussion about it...so...off I did my google searching.

I am interested in the 5' X 8' utility trailer that is $929 at Lowe's to replace the Harbor Freight collapsible that I bought for less than $300 in 2013.

What you're looking for is what I'm guessing to be a 5' X 10' to haul both your bikes which ups the price to $1248.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Carry-On-Trailer-5-ft-x-10-ft-Wire-Mesh-Utility-Trailer-with-Ramp-Gate/1000196609

And you mentioned kayak hauling which requires a top-tier addition:

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/malone-toptier-utility-trailer-load-bar-kit-16mauutltytrlrcrspsr/16mauutltytrlrcrspsr?sku=14042437&camp=CSE:DSG_92700040952065459_pla_pla-507090608556&segment=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1dGJBhD4ARIsANb6Odm2Nrz2Aeuj6jzeJxlqxFnEaA-5fEIj73IeEyFutXS9_FPD4YebBJEaAkBOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ed's projected expense: $929 + $287.99 = $1216.99
Rich's suggested expense: $1248 + $287.99 = $1535.99

My wife would say to save for it...I would put the Trailer on my Lowe's card and pay it off in two months and buy the top-tier with my credit card and pay it off when the bill arrived.

Of course, this is just a suggested purchase plus I've done some of the research to get you ideas about how much you want to budget for. I prefer new as opposed to searching for used in this instance. $1200 for me is a good investment to do outdoor activities at this stage in my life.

Ed

****

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Wow, thanks, Ed. That’s awesome info. Thanks for that.

[GSXR7ED]

Anytime, Rich.

Have a great Labor Day!!!

Ed

****

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Yesterday was the perfect weather for an extended mountain ride. Found a vista I hadn’t been to before.