05GT Guru

Here is the boat.... covered. I always forget to take pictures while we're actually on the boat. Usually because I'm driving/swimming and my phone is stored in a cabinet. I'm sure the wife took a few though. 2017 Sweetwater

Finally got the new dirt bike muddy on the trails outside of the Wisconsin Dells. Trail was a bit rough and had a lot of water in low spots but the bike and I did well. I did low side once in some sand, on a turn. Lost too much RPM and the bike(in whatever gear I was in) didn't have the power to bring itself back up once it started diving too far. Something that didn't happen with my 450r. The 450r was a handful coming out of turns but going through them, it had the trq to save my noob self from low siding in situations like that. Still, the bike ran well and ripped hard... so far I'm liking this purchase. My back is a bit sore.... I'm getting old. Was really hot so I only rode in the mornings and spent the afternoons on the pontoon boat on the Wisconsin river.

Because RACE BIKE! In my limited experience as a novice painter, orange peeling happens. My friends and I painted our 3 bikes 10 years or so ago. Maybe we were missing some key element or technique. Regardless, it was so much better after a thorough wet sand.

Converting tubs to shower only is fine if you have another tub or never plan to sell your home. But if you only have 1 tub and plan to sell it will make it a bit harder. You just eliminated any home buyers with young children. Which is a lot of people. Not a huge deal but something to keep in mind.

Did you do a wet sand after?

Installed the new end cap with removable spark arrestor. Now I can ride on public lands! Probably going to make this bike more trail friendly and move it away from a full on MX race bike. Larger tank, larger radiators, guards, gears etc. But for now I just registered it and put the spark arrestor on so I can legally ride on trails.

I have seen a lot of things on the ice but never a XK150. That would be awesome to drive... as long as you stay out of the snow.

Ice racing is pretty big in WI. Have a few friends who motocross in summer and ice race winter. It's actually the only offroad motorcycle racing in Milwaukee county. We have no tracks in the county but plenty of parks with small lakes that freeze in winter. It's pretty amazing how fast a group of guys can tear the ice up. They groom it after every heat.

The worst road rash I ever had was actually from a bicycle accident. 6 years old, riding home hit a man hole cover with the front tire flew over the bars tore a whole bunch of skin off my face. Looked like I had a thick chin strap made out of scab. I ate so many crackers and pop tarts over the next few weeks as I could only open my mouth so wide without tearing the scab. I still remember laying on the couch and the feeling of pain and puss oozing out when the scab was forming.

My first bike I had a little over a year when a sable wagon decided to change 3 lanes of traffic into me. They did it as I was coming up to an intersection and checking for cars coming from the right, by the time I looked back straight they were already slamming into my left leg between the car and the bike. Bike went up a median and into a light pole. Totaled it. Took me and or my insurance company 2 years to get paid for the crash as they tried to fight what I thought was clearly their fault. The ladies grandson said "we're sorry we hit you" and she gabbed his arm and said it's not our fault. She did let me use her cell phone though as my pants and cell phone were pretty much destroyed. Was a good day to wear the helmet as the visor ripped off and was pretty scratched up.

Asphalt track would be something to do too. Most of my bike injuries though have occurred on the street. Thanks to bad drivers. Never been a hardcore racer at any track. I ride more trails than tracks.

Sounds like fun. You can store it in my garage if you want. Part of the reason I went dirt is because of my kids and wife. Wife doesn't want me going 100+ anymore I guess. Just too many bad drivers on the roads. I have been hit before and so many close calls. You can definitely get hurt on dirt as well but pretty much everyone on the tracks is focused on what they're doing. Usually when you get hurt on dirt it's because of what you did... not someone else. Not the same on the street. Also because kids can ride dirt at any age. Which is why I bought the xr50. It's a surprise for my son's birthday in late June. I'm having a hard time not uncovering it and teaching them to ride every nice day I am home with them. But I still ride my dad's bikes around on the street so I just stop pussyfooting and get another one.

Why can't you ride the buell? Too much powwwaaa?

I may be just entering my 30s but already I can tell my limits aren't what 20 year old John was at. Part of the reason I went with a 250 instead of a 450 like my last bike. I just want to ride and have fun... not setting any jumping records etc. I'll let some of the younger guys I'll be riding with take care of that. Weighed the bike on my buddies scales, with little gas in the tank it was 219lbs. Then I weighed myself... 227lbs lol. I weigh more than the bike.

I probably will too but I'll have fun doing it.

Bought another dirt bike. YZ250F. Rebuilt motor, trans and suspension. Rides great.

Yea, I missed them too a few times. They are comfy though. Yesterday, while crossing the Hoan bridge on my way home from work with 30mph+ wind gusts I was wishing the pegs were underneath me. Keeping that bike in my lane was actually some work.

NWSPECB, how do you like riding with your feet out in front? This Vulcan S is the first bike I have put miles on with pegs out front. Still feels a bit weird.

Love the exhaust on the MT. I'd ask for a sound clip but they never do an exhaust justice compared to hearing it in person. I road a inline 2 to work today. Sounded great as I downshifted while coming up to rush hour traffic in the underpasses.

Lol yes... it's snowing right ******* now!

Best option is a timbersled conversion. But they also suck on dry pavement.... so stay in the snow.

Yep, one of my old roommates moved his GSXR750 from one garage to another at our apartment complex as we rented a bigger garage. It was winter. He never left the property and never went over 10-15mph. Coming around a curve on a walkway he low sided at 10mph... it looked like someone tied a rope to the bottom of the bike and pulled the bike right out from underneath him because the ground or his tires or a combo of both were frozen. Scratched the stator cover to shit. If something needs replacing I am usually happy when it's just a battery. Get your ass over to batteries plus.

Gear does help. I have been on snowmobiles down to 0 degrees.

Started off life as a supermoto. Which are the lightest street legal bikes you can get as they are basically dirt bikes with electronics, kick stand, lights and some DOT approved tires. Now it's a café racer style. Not sure how much weight was added with the alum panels but it can't be all that much. And that 450cc should make around 55-60hp. More than enough to be a blast on something that weighs less than 300lbs.

I dragged the pegs on the Vulcan s a few times. It's actually kind of scary because the pegs are out in front of you and you have little control over the bike with your legs. Saw this on CL while looking at dirt bikes. I really like it... the only part I don't love is the front fairing with the headlight. It looks modern and fits the bike somewhat but not sure if I like the square design. https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2007-husqvarna-450sm-custom/6560629936.html Started life looking like this. 260lbs with fluids.