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Scuba Forum / General / September 2007BARKEEP- explained
Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the police department and also my last day before retirement. I previously spent 4 years in the military in law enforcement which applied towards my retirement, so, 32+ years on the job. My town and PD had a very nice luncheon for me on Tuesday and Wednesday, we had a very informal cookout (hamburgers, hotdogs, etc) at the office. At the end of the day, I turned in my patrol vehicle keys, hopped on my Harley, and headed home. Last night, a bunch of us went to the local Hooters and had another party. After a few month sabbatical, I will return part time, teaching, etc. So much ocean.....so little time. Andy > Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the police > department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Andy Congrats! >> Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the >> police department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Congrats! Thanks Doug. No trips planned but I am looking at the possibility of heading to Va. Beach if weather looks favorable. Past couple of times I have tried that area, weather & sea conditions kept the boats in port. When the NOAA radio is reporting 40-50mph gusts and 20-25 ft seas, no need to even unpack the dive bag. > Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the > police department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Andy There are no words to properly thank you for service to your nation and community. Hold your head high and proud, and come visit. All you gotta do is get here, the rest is on me. >>Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the >>police department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > All you gotta do is get here, the rest is on me. Thanks for the open invite. If I get in the area I will take you up on it. Andy > Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the police > department and also my last day before retirement. > > I previously spent 4 years in the military in law enforcement which > applied towards my retirement, so, 32+ years on the job. Congratulations. Too bad you weren't working down here. A few of my good friends are cops. One has retired and the other two are in the last couple of years of their drop program. Their depatrment bases retirement on high two, gives 80% after 20 years, and allows them to sell saved annual and sick leave in that last two years, counting the income in the salary computation. One does and the others will make more retired than they were making while working. Add a 5 year DROP to that and a guaranteed rate, 8% I think, on DROP money, and they have a very sweet deal. I have 2 years and 3 months to go before I join you. I don't have near the benefits the local cops do. In January of this year, the government wrapped my geographic differential into my salary for computation purposes. Since my retirement is based on my high 3, I have to wait until 3 years after that event to benefit fully. I don't get a DROP and I don't get paid for sick leave. It does count towards years of service. I get paid for annual leave, but it does not get included in my retirement calculation. I'll be at or very near to 80% when I go. Lee >>Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the police >>department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Congratulations. Thanks Lee. > Too bad you weren't working down here. A few of my good friends are cops. > One has retired and the other two are in the last couple of years of their [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > year DROP to that and a guaranteed rate, 8% I think, on DROP money, and they > have a very sweet deal. We have a good healthy retirement system in Va. Pension is based on final 3 average. We can retire with 20 years at age 50. Obviously the longer you stay, the higher the pension. My town very recently invested into the retirement system which actually gave me a significant increase in my retirement. We have what is known as a PLOP (Paid Lumpsum Option Program), which I suspect is similar to what you mentioned. I can get up to 3 years of my annual pension up front for anything I want but it reduces my benifit later on. I did not opt for that. > I have 2 years and 3 months to go before I join you. I don't have near the > benefits the local cops do. In January of this year, the government wrapped [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > but it does not get included in my retirement calculation. I'll be at or > very near to 80% when I go. I am still kind of "dazed and confused" (sorry D&C to "borrow" your online moniker). I did not retire with a "take this job and shove it" attitude. I told my Chief I was committed to making certain things went as smoothly as possible. I have mixed emotions. I liked my job. Liked the people I was working with. But I think there is a time to step aside and let some of the younger folks take it. I left on a high note and already have plans to come back part time after the first of the year. Chief already told me, "don't even bother to turn your equipment in". > Lee > We have what is known as a PLOP (Paid Lumpsum Option Program), which I > suspect is similar to what you mentioned. I can get up to 3 years of my > annual pension up front for anything I want but it reduces my benifit > later on. I did not opt for that. Nope, the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) is the best thing since sliced bread. Basically, you retire, but keep on working. At the retirement date, your future pension is established. All proceeds of the retirement, for up to five years, is deposited into a tax deferred savings account while you continue to work at full salary. I'd kill for a drop plan. Hell, I'd even work for another 5 years. > I am still kind of "dazed and confused" (sorry D&C to "borrow" your online > moniker). I did not retire with a "take this job and shove it" attitude. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > plans to come back part time after the first of the year. Chief already > told me, "don't even bother to turn your equipment in". If you like it and you want to keep doing it part time, great. On the other hand, if you want to stay in the same line of work, don't forget to look at other departments, etc. You may find you can manage a double pension and still do everything you want. Lee >>We have what is known as a PLOP (Paid Lumpsum Option Program), which I >>suspect is similar to what you mentioned. I can get up to 3 years of my [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > you continue to work at full salary. I'd kill for a drop plan. Hell, I'd > even work for another 5 years. I see. As long as your anticipated tax rate is lower than what you are currently paying (assuming you don't win the lottery, change in tax laws, etc) it is probably a good deal. >>I am still kind of "dazed and confused" (sorry D&C to "borrow" your online >>moniker). I did not retire with a "take this job and shove it" attitude. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Lee Thats the way I see it. I will have the best of all worlds. My Chief will retain an experienced person who knows the system. I will keep my certifications and continue to do what I enjoy on my own terms. I enjoy teaching which I plan to do. Win-Win. Actually, I have already started receiving "another" pension. From my years in the volunteer fire service, I just started receiving small pension check. Not a lot, but could sure buy a dive trip every now and then.  Signature________________________________ It is useless for sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion. WILLIAM RALPH INGE, D. D. 1860-1954 >> >>>We have what is known as a PLOP (Paid Lumpsum Option Program), which I [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > currently paying (assuming you don't win the lottery, change in tax laws, > etc) it is probably a good deal. You're not paying anything. Your retirement is going into the tax deferred account. You're getting your salary on top of your retirement. To top it all, the funds for my friends are guaranteed a rate of return higher than anything I've seen in recent years. Lee >Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the >police department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >So much ocean.....so little time. Andy, here's to a long and happy retirement. JF >>Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the >>police department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > JF Thanks John. That is the goal. As I mentioned in a previous post, "so much ocean, so little time". Hell, I hadn't even finished my final day when a guy at the county IT department told me to put an application in as a tech. Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still won't be worth too much here in NY. But, I can't wait for that day when I will be on permanent vacation!!! Ride and dive safe. > Wednesday, Sept 5, 2007, was the anniversary of my 28th year at the > police department and also my last day before retirement. [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Andy > Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 > to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still > won't be worth too much here in NY. > But, I can't wait for that day when I will be on permanent vacation!!! Hmmm. Not being any sort of public employee or corporate pensioner, I have to wait about 28 more years to be eligible to collect what's estimated to be just about nothing, after already putting in 23 years of steady work. I'd love that permanent vacation, but I'll obviously have to be working in order to supplement that nothing. Thank you all you baby boomers. I hope you enjoy our social security taxes. Have a round of golf on me - my last paycheck paid for the greens fee. >> Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 >> to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > estimated to be just about nothing, after already putting in 23 years > of steady work. You have your youth, that's better than retirement. Being much closer than thee to the "just about nothing" is of little conciliation as eating is not an optional activity. > I'd love that permanent vacation, but I'll obviously have to be > working in order to supplement that nothing. Thank you all you baby > boomers. I hope you enjoy our social security taxes. Have a round of > golf on me - my last paycheck paid for the greens fee. Well at least your income is high enough to reach the green fee tax rate. The drinks and green fee rate of 7.65% applies to wages of $97,500 or less. The green fee rate of 1.45% applies to wages over $97,500. Your goal is to reach the green fee rate on January second of each year so as not to be burdened too greatly by the pittance deposited electronically on the government appointed day. You'll make it Greg. > I'd love that permanent vacation, but I'll obviously have to be > working in order to supplement that nothing. Thank you all you baby > boomers. I hope you enjoy our social security taxes. Have a round of > golf on me - my last paycheck paid for the greens fee. Actually, yer last paycheck covered diving for me. But don't think I don't appreciate it. Thanks, Greg! esg Greg Mossman <mossman@qnet.com> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :I'd love that permanent vacation, but I'll obviously have to be :working in order to supplement that nothing. Thank you all you baby :boomers. I hope you enjoy our social security taxes. Have a round of :golf on me - my last paycheck paid for the greens fee. You are very welcome and very gracious. But I don't play expensive enough courses to spend one of your paychecks. Dan Bracuk Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do. <SNIP> It would be nice if we could actually get back all the money we put into it! Maybe you could start making extra contributions every month. >Thank you all you baby boomers. I hope you enjoy our social security taxes. Have a round of >golf on me - my last paycheck paid for the greens fee. Rick Simms Rick Simms <simms.rick@insightbb.com> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :It would be nice if we could actually get back all the money we put :into it! Maybe you could start making extra contributions every month. If you live long enough, you should exceed it. Dan Bracuk Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do. > If you live long enough, you should exceed it. I'll not see a dime of Social Security. I paid into it for almost enough years to earn something back, but Federal Employees and Railroad Workers don't pay, or get social security. I could go back to work for about 4 years and get a small amount for my trouble, but it's probably not worth the effort. Lee > > If you live long enough, you should exceed it. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > and get a small amount for my trouble, but it's probably not worth the > effort. I just got a letter telling me that I am eligible. $628 a month. That wouldn't cover the cost of feeding my dogs. I been paying into it since 1976. Now, the Democrat shithead (no need for names) will be right along to blame it all on Bush. > I just got a letter telling me that I am eligible. $628 a month. Not much security there, is there. That would not pay my mortgage. Lucky for me, I have the liquid resources to pay the mortgage off any time I choose. Unlucky for me, that probably would not pay taxes and insurance on the house either. > I been paying into it since 1976. Newbie. > Now, the Democrat shithead (no need for names) will be right along to > blame it all on Bush. No doubt. This one, however is not a problem created by any one group. Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike have been working on this mess for a very long time. That's what we get when we try to make personal maintenance society's problem. That's why so many of us resist attempts to do it again so strongly. Lee "Scott" <pugetsounddiver@gmail.com> wrote: > I just got a letter telling me that I am eligible. > > $628 a month. > > That wouldn't cover the cost of feeding my dogs. Perhaps you should consider buying dog food in the economy sized bags. Even if you are buying the higher priced brands like Science Diet, it works out to usually less than $1 per lb when you're buying it in the 40 and 44 lb bags. I buy my dog's food at the local ag feed store in 50 or 55 lb bags for less than half that. > > If you live long enough, you should exceed it. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Lee If you are on the old federal retirement plan you have been paying into a quite lucrative plan that will pay out better than Social Security would, and you get to keep your health insurance benefits. I was a "victim" of the not enough years, too, when my first wife died without enough years even to pay a death benefit. I'm on the newer federal retirement plan, so I pay into that as well as social security. When I retire, the two combined will not pay as much as the old plan would. That's why I also pay into the TSP, the federal version of a 401K. As much time as you have in federal service, Lee, I don't think you'll be below the poverty line when you retire. gc >> > If you live long enough, you should exceed it. >> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > into a quite lucrative plan that will pay out better than Social > Security would... Is there any plan paying less than Social Security? > I > was a "victim" of the not enough years, too, when my first wife died > without enough years even to pay a death benefit. http://www.360financialliteracy.org/Life+Stages/Couples+and+Marriage/Articles/Lo ss+of+a+Spouse/Social+Security+survivors+benefits.htm This general information indicates to me that the rules for collecting Social Security (SS) death benefits are fairly liberal. If you're saying your wife died and you did not get pensioned off on SS because she did not work and you wanted a free rider; well, I'm sorry for both. Why would you think you are entitled to benefits? > I'm on the newer federal retirement plan... http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/retirement/fers.html Your retirement appears to be SS and savings with a little pension benefit thrown in. If you don't save, you have SS and the pension benefit. http://govexec.com/story_page.cfm?filepath=/dailyfed/0306/033106rp.htm The example here says you may be better off than Lee financially and some characteristics of your plan make it better. > >> > If you live long enough, you should exceed it. > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Is there any plan paying less than Social Security? Ask the former Enron employees. > > I > > was a "victim" of the not enough years, too, when my first wife died [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > work and you wanted a free rider; well, I'm sorry for both. Why would you > think you are entitled to benefits? She did not work for long enough in jobs where she paid SS to qualify. That's all I'm saying. I was not looking for a "free rider." I merely inquired about the death benefit, which is when I learned about the minimum years requirement and the fact that she did not qualify. At that point, I wanted any help I could get, as I then had two years of uninsured bills for cancer treatments. That was 27 years ago. > > I'm on the newer federal retirement plan... > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > The example here says you may be better off than Lee financially and some > characteristics of your plan make it better. The example you show assumes two people with equal years of federal service. I have only been a fed for two years. I'll retire in five more, and I'll be able to add on three years of military service that I have now paid into. My FERS pension will be pretty minor compared with other retirement income, which will come from state retirement in Arizona, TIAA-CREF, a 403b deferred comp plan, my federal TSP and social security. As the article you cited indicates, whether FERS or CSRS is a better plan is very complicated and depends a lot on what choices people make over their careers. Lee, for example, apparently made the choice years ago not to convert from CSRS to FERS. I had no choice in that matter when I joined federal service. In terms of monthly income, there's probably not a lot of difference at the end of the day, and most federal retirees do fairly well, especially with the health benefits. I was merely trying to point out that Lee was complaining about not collecting any social security, implying that he was somehow being screwed. He left out that as a CSRS federal employee, he was paying into that instead of SS, and he will be paid from that instead of social security. gc > Ask the former Enron employees. That's not really a plan now is it? > In terms of monthly income, there's > probably not a lot of difference at the end of the day, and most [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > collecting any social security, implying that he was somehow being > screwed. He left out that... at the end of his work career he will probably do better in retirement than most workers in the United States. The federal withholding line on workers W2 helps to make it possible. It's about choices and whining louder than the next guy that makes it all possible. >> I was merely trying to point out that Lee was complaining about not >> collecting any social security, implying that he was somehow being >> screwed. He left out that... What would you call it if you paid into a program designed to help you in the future that gave you nothing back? Do you, perhaps, think that I paid into Social Security because I was concerned about your future? > at the end of his work career he will probably do better in retirement > than most workers in the United States. The federal withholding line on > workers W2 helps to make it possible. It's about choices and whining > louder than the next guy that makes it all possible. I will retire making more than the average family of four makes while working. You are correct about that. What you left out is that the program costs me more than your social security does and that it is part of my compensation package. I have spend 35 years earning it and will spend a couple more before I'm done. If you worked at the same job for as long as I have and put away as much of what you were paid for your work, including benefits, as I have, you'd be making more too. The problem with Social Security is that I worked under it, off and one, from around 1962 to 1975. I didn't pay a lot into it because I didn't make a lot, but I paid as much as anyone else making the same, working the same number of quarters. I get back nothing. Still sound like unfounded whining? Lee > >> I was merely trying to point out that Lee was complaining about not > >> collecting any social security, implying that he was somehow being [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > have and put away as much of what you were paid for your work, including > benefits, as I have, you'd be making more too. I'm not complaining about what I'll get at retirement. I've put away plenty and for the most part will get back enough to live comfortably on, and I've done it the same way you have -- through deferred compensation as well as payroll taxes. If I'd worked the same job for 35 years, though, I'd be bitter, too. > The problem with Social Security is that I worked under it, off and one, > from around 1962 to 1975. I didn't pay a lot into it because I didn't make a > lot, but I paid as much as anyone else making the same, working the same > number of quarters. I get back nothing. Still sound like unfounded whining? > > Lee No, just plain ol' whining.... gc > >> I was merely trying to point out that Lee was complaining about not > >> collecting any social security, implying that he was somehow being [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > the future that gave you nothing back? Do you, perhaps, think that I paid > into Social Security because I was concerned about your future? I would call Social Security a Ponzi scheme, except Ponzi's promise high returns. :-) <snip> Dennis On Sep 8, 8:47 pm, "Dennis \(Icarus\)" <nojunkm...@ever.invalid> wrote: > I would call Social Security a Ponzi scheme, except Ponzi's promise high > returns. > :-) As any good hunter knows, you have to cull the population. I suggest a simple coin toss on one's 65th birthday. Heads you win: a 50% bonus supplement in addition to the monthly SS check. Tails you lose: become soylent green to help feed the homeless and fertilize our lawns. > I would call Social Security a Ponzi scheme, except Ponzi's promise high > returns. > :-) Interesting perspective. I like it. Add a few things and take the smiley away. It's a Ponzi scheme that has run its course. One of the problems with Ponzi schemes, and Social Security, is that they depend on expansion of the scheme to continue. Social Security has expanded to the limit, covering virtually all of the market and, worse, the market is no longer growing at an adequate rate. Social Security differs from a Ponzi scheme in one important way. Ponzi got arrested for fraud when his scheme failed. Lee > > I would call Social Security a Ponzi scheme, except Ponzi's promise high > > returns. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Lee Thanks! Evidently we're ion good company, as Thomas Sowell has argued the same thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme http://web.archive.org/web/20041001-20051231re_/http://www.ssa.gov/history/ponzi.html In fairness, the resemblance is superficial, but the comparison does make a nice point representing the impending collapse (which both Democrats and Republicans agree will happen, they're just don't agree on a remedy) Dennis >> If you are on the old federal retirement plan you have been paying >> into a quite lucrative plan that will pay out better than Social >> Security would... Depends on what you mean by old, but you're probably talking about the right one. I'm on the CSFR retirement plan. The current one is FERS. Lee > Is there any plan paying less than Social Security? No plan at all. Social Security was never intended to be a retirement plan. It was intended to provide some income, no matter what. It's a supplement to whatever you do otherwise, whether it's an employer plan like mine or a personally managed plan. Those that depend on Social Security for all their retirement income are bound to be very disappointed. > I was a "victim" of the not enough years, too, when my first wife died > without enough years even to pay a death benefit. My wife has enough quarters for benefits, but she's 13 years younger than I am. There's no guarantee that I'll live long enough to collect on her Social Security, but you never know. Sorry about your wife. >> I'm on the newer federal retirement plan... > > http://www.opm.gov/retire/html/retirement/fers.html Sorry to hear that. Actually, those that have been on FERS from the beginning, do pretty well. Those that switched over during their career, don't do as well as those that had their whole career under one plan or the other. Lee > I'm on the CSFR retirement plan. I guess the CIA kept the acronym for their super secret retirement plan under wraps - until now. ;-)) >>Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 >>to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > boomers. I hope you enjoy our social security taxes. Have a round of > golf on me - my last paycheck paid for the greens fee. Your welcome. But, if it makes you happy, I will only be collecting 1/2 of the SS I am "entitled" to. Yep... entitled to. Might even look into the other wonderful social freebies out there that you working stiffs will be paying for. Might even vote Democrat this time. They are BIG on giving away everyone else's money but theirs. > Your welcome. But, if it makes you happy, I will only be collecting 1/2 > of the SS I am "entitled" to. Yep... entitled to. Might even look into > the other wonderful social freebies out there that you working stiffs > will be paying for. Might even vote Democrat this time. They are BIG on > giving away everyone else's money but theirs. Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and get FULL benifits? > Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another > country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and > get FULL benifits? Illegal immigrants get full Social Security benefits? That's news to me. Obviously you must have a cite for this? >>Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another >>country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and >>get FULL benifits? > > Illegal immigrants get full Social Security benefits? That's news to > me. Obviously you must have a cite for this? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,79013,00.html "But PRUCOL aliens are not nearly the major threat to social security. The Bush administration has reportedly completed a draft of a treaty between the U.S. and Mexico that will give the Mexican government at least $345 billion in Social Security payments for Mexicans who have worked in the U.S. legally and illegally. The treaty, which is unique in that it provides a foreign government Social Security money even for those of its citizens who have worked illegally in America, may be timed to coincide with the 2004 elections. If the draft treaty becomes law, it will dismantle the chief provision of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, a law which has saved U.S. taxpayers $72 billion since inception, because it will give Social Security payments to illegal aliens and legal aliens who have not paid into our payroll tax system for the requisite 10 years." > >>Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another > >>country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > to illegal aliens and legal aliens who have not paid into our payroll > tax system for the requisite 10 years." Hmmm. That doesn't sound very pro-Bush to me. Did the draft treaty become law? It's kind of weird that a President campaigns on the issue of saving Social Security and then gives all our money to Mexico, but I guess you gotta get your votes however you can nowadays. This article discusses a more recent (debunked) claim that Democrats were trying to give Social Security benefits to illegals: http://www.factcheck.org/article447.html Otherwise, the only search hits I get are on how illegal immigrants are bolstering Social Security with billions of dollars of taxes that the illegals never hope to recoup. I see references to a Totalization Agreement with Mexico dating as far back as 2003, but nothing that speaks of a final deal. If you have anything more concrete, I'd appreciate it. >>>>Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another >>>>country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > issue of saving Social Security and then gives all our money to > Mexico, but I guess you gotta get your votes however you can nowadays. Why does it have to be pro-Bush? >> Hmmm. That doesn't sound very pro-Bush to me. Did the draft treaty >> become law? It's kind of weird that a President campaigns on the >> issue of saving Social Security and then gives all our money to >> Mexico, but I guess you gotta get your votes however you can nowadays. > Why does it have to be pro-Bush? Because Greg is anti Bush. > >>>>Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another > >>>>country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Why does it have to be pro-Bush? Because it's my job to spread anti-Bush propaganda, not yours. Thanks for the help, but don't think you're entitled to any of my DNC commission. >>>>>>Why not renounce your US citizenship, become a citizen of another >>>>>>country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > for the help, but don't think you're entitled to any of my DNC > commission. Sorry. Didn't know I was required to be pro-Bush. My bad I guess. I am just "anti-illegal immigrant getting our social security". If its Bush policy I'm "agin it". If its Democrat policy, I'm "agin it". Simple. > Sorry. Didn't know I was required to be pro-Bush. My bad I guess. I > am just "anti-illegal immigrant getting our social security". If its > Bush policy I'm "agin it". If its Democrat policy, I'm "agin it". Simple. That would be a result of the fact that you aren't a leftist bigot. > Simple. > > That would be a result of the fact that you aren't a leftist bigot. How's that sniping going? Get any hits yet? >>Sorry. Didn't know I was required to be pro-Bush. My bad I guess. I >>am just "anti-illegal immigrant getting our social security". If its [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > That would be a result of the fact that you aren't a leftist bigot. I'm off to Va. Beach to hopefully do some diving. I will try and work on that while I am gone but don't expect much change. > "But PRUCOL aliens are not nearly the major threat to social security. The > Bush administration has reportedly completed a draft of a treaty between [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > illegal aliens and legal aliens who have not paid into our payroll tax > system for the requisite 10 years." At which time all of us legal citizens that do not get Social Security benefits will file our class action suit on the basis of discrimination on the basis of national origin and win. Lee >> Your welcome. But, if it makes you happy, I will only be collecting >> 1/2 of the SS I am "entitled" to. Yep... entitled to. Might even look [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > country (preferably one south of the US), then sneak in illegally, and > get FULL benifits? Good point!!! Excellent point!!!! > Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 > to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still > won't be worth too much here in NY. > But, I can't wait for that day when I will be on permanent vacation!!! > Ride and dive safe. *WILL* you guys shut up? I'll retire when they shovel dirt on me. =;-) > *WILL* you guys shut up? > > I'll retire when they shovel dirt on me. > > =;-) You've been retired for as long as I've known you. Retirement doesn't mean you don't work any more. It just means you work at what you want, more or less when you want . . . like crossing the country to work for a Ft. Lauderdale dive operator . . . and back again. Andy, I and most others, have spent years doing the same job, day after day. When we're retired, then perhaps we'll cross the country for a new job . . . or to live in the wilds of NE Washington. Lee > > *WILL* you guys shut up? > > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > When we're retired, then perhaps we'll cross the country for a new job . . . > or to live in the wilds of NE Washington. NW Washington NE Sucks >> or to live in the wilds of NE Washington. > > NW Washington > > NE Sucks Slip of the fingers. I know where you live, more or less. Guess I just equate east with water. Considering my origins, it's understandable. NW Washington in the spring, is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. Lee > >> or to live in the wilds of NE Washington. > > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > NW Washington in the spring, is one of the most beautiful places I've ever > visited. It is beautiful now, and always. We actually have seasons and weather other than hurricanes here. It's your turn to do the diagonal drive. > We actually have seasons and weather other than hurricanes here. > It's your turn to do the diagonal drive. Funny you should mention that. I'll be leaving for Rick Simm's home in Kentucky either 9/27 PM or 9/28 AM and, once there, we'll pack up and head for KeyCee, Wyoming, an enchanting little place smack dab in the middle of nowhere, but a damned sight closer to you than I am now. Lee > > We actually have seasons and weather other than hurricanes here. > > It's your turn to do the diagonal drive. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Lee Two days more driving and you'll have opportunity to not only get your trigger, I'll show you how as I do it, but you will have the place and time to dive God's Country. See an Octopus bigger than you. > Two days more driving and you'll have opportunity to not only get your > trigger, I'll show you how as I do it, but you will have the place and > time > to dive God's Country. In two days, I could drive all the way across the country. We'll see if we make it that far. Don't hold your breath. We may get to Yosemite and/or Yellowstone, but probably not all the way up where you are. Almost no chance at all I'll be diving up there unless global warming has brought the water temperature up to the mid to high 80s. > See an Octopus bigger than you. Big deal. I'm not all that big. Lee > Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 > to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] >> >> Andy Thanks Tony. Do you ride? Not sure but I think I may have seen TonyP over on the Harley NG? >> Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 >> to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >Thanks Tony. Do you ride? Not sure but I think I may have seen TonyP >over on the Harley NG? Harley NG???????? Rick Simms >>>Enjoy your retirement. I have about 3 years to go myself. Will make it 4 >>>to retire with a slightly more increase in my pension. But it still [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Harley NG???????? Try rec.motorcycles.harley and alt.binaries.pictures.motorcycles.harley. Andy > Try rec.motorcycles.harley and alt.binaries.pictures.motorcycles.harley. SSSHHHH. You are taunting the 6 years olds with secrets, or whatever it was the dickhead socialist fagot lawyer from Kalifornia was sniveling about. >>Try rec.motorcycles.harley and alt.binaries.pictures.motorcycles.harley. > > SSSHHHH. > > You are taunting the 6 years olds with secrets, or whatever it was the > dickhead socialist fagot lawyer from Kalifornia was sniveling about. Sorry....my bad. I'll take my lashes like a man with a secondary drive belt. > Sorry....my bad. I'll take my lashes like a man with a secondary drive > belt. Real motorcycles have chains. >>Sorry....my bad. I'll take my lashes like a man with a secondary drive >>belt. > > Real motorcycles have chains. Ok OK.....I'll take my lashes with a primary drive chain instead. > >>Try rec.motorcycles.harley and alt.binaries.pictures.motorcycles.harley. > > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Sorry....my bad. I'll take my lashes like a man with a secondary drive > belt. More secrets. You simply have to stop giving it all up. http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/xl883_to_1200_page07.htm <snip> >>>Thanks Tony. Do you ride? Not sure but I think I may have seen TonyP >>>over on the Harley NG? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Andy I had been watching the a.b.p.m.h group for a while but didn't look for the r.m.h group. I'll have to drop in and lurk about for a while. Did you go the the Nat'l HOG Rally in Knoxville by any chance? Several of our club rode down for the meeting and rode the Dragon over the weekend. I understand that was a hoot and a half. There is a plan afoot to make Bike Week 2008 in Daytona and then venture south for the bar stroll in Key West. Riding the bikes thru a lot of Florida A1A and 1 in the Keys might make a hellva ride. Rick Simms > There is a plan afoot to make Bike Week 2008 in Daytona and then > venture south for the bar stroll in Key West. Riding the bikes thru a > lot of Florida A1A and 1 in the Keys might make a hellva ride. Behave yourself in Daytona. No colors allowed in the Boot Hill Saloon. Lee > I had been watching the a.b.p.m.h group for a while but didn't look > for the r.m.h group. I'll have to drop in and lurk about for a while. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > venture south for the bar stroll in Key West. Riding the bikes thru a > lot of Florida A1A and 1 in the Keys might make a hellva ride. When you do, look up Snarl and tell him you know me. And buy a round for the house when you sign on. > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Rick Simms Havn't made any big rallys like Sturgis or anything. Just got back on 2 wheels a little over a year ago. The Sporty is not a very good touring bike. More of an around town, half-day or day trip bike which is what I was looking for. While my bike has plenty of power, if I tried to ride it for a couple of days straight, it would kill me. Other option would be to trailer it a ways and then ride the good part. Which leads me to the other part of the equation....I don't have a trailer. I have heard of the Dragon and may one day want to run it. In the mean time, I have the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I am convinced was designed for a motorcycle ride. (if it weren't for the damn deer). Andy > Havn't made any big rallys like Sturgis or anything. Just got back on 2 > wheels a little over a year ago. The Sporty is not a very good touring [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > trailer it a ways and then ride the good part. Which leads me to the > other part of the equation....I don't have a trailer. Real bikers don't have trailers either. You ride for a day and sleep over night, get up and do it again. A Sporster will do it as well as anything, at least the one with the larger motor will. You're not supposed to go on marathon rides . . . you're retired, remember? > I have heard of the Dragon and may one day want to run it. In the mean > time, I have the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I am convinced was designed for > a motorcycle ride. (if it weren't for the damn deer). I've done a lot of scary things on Motorcycles. I toured the country on a Kawasaki 1000 Shaft Drive. Talk about something not suitable for touring. I raced Enduros for three years, right up until the one where I broke my back. That ended that. I only ran one Motocross. I was in the lead when my rear tire washed out (too much pressure) and I hit the berm. Ouch. Nothing broken, but it hurt. I decided to do something less dangerous, so I started drag racing big bores. My 1100 Suzuki was never started stock and was never beaten by a street bike in the 4 years I had it. I do recall, however, the day my front wheel lost contact with the ground at right around 200 mph. I was on I-95 in Jacksonville, showing off for an attractive young lady in a Porsche. No damage except to my nervous system. The point of all of this is that the most dangerous, scariest thing I ever, ever did on a motorcycle was ride it at night up around Pigeon Forge, up where Popeye calls home. It's a hoot in the daytime. It's a freak-out at night. Lee >>Havn't made any big rallys like Sturgis or anything. Just got back on 2 >>wheels a little over a year ago. The Sporty is not a very good touring [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > least the one with the larger motor will. You're not supposed to go on > marathon rides . . . you're retired, remember? To put it in perspective...400 miles a day in a car for me is nothing. 200 miles on a Sportster would be a killer. My Sportster is, for the most part, stock. No windshield, no fairing. I am catching the full force of the wind at highway speeds. While thats fine for shorter trips, I can't imagine doing 8-10 hours like that. FWIW, my Sportster does have the 1200cc engine. >>I have heard of the Dragon and may one day want to run it. In the mean >>time, I have the Blue Ridge Parkway, which I am convinced was designed for [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Lee I will not ride the BRPW at night. Already had a deer hit my car (note I said the deer hit my car,....my car did not hit the deer). I have ridden the BRPW at dusk and that makes me nervous...especially with my wife riding. However, one thing I have noted, the deer DO NOT seem to like the sound of a Harley (at least mine) and usually turn and run as I approach. However, I was on the Parkway the other afternoon about 200-300 ft behind another bike when a deer ran out a couple of hundred feet in front of him. Both of us braked and I wouldn't even classify it as a "close call", but it just points out how careful you need to be ALL of the time. Whle the deer was well clear of us by the time we reached where he/she had crossed, I was very leary to see if other would follow since it is not unusual to see more than one at a time. Check this one out- http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/animals/Deer_Jumps_Motorcycle/ > To put it in perspective...400 miles a day in a car for me is nothing. > 200 miles on a Sportster would be a killer. My Sportster is, for the > most part, stock. No windshield, no fairing. I am catching the full > force of the wind at highway speeds. While thats fine for shorter > trips, I can't imagine doing 8-10 hours like that. It's not so bad after the first 8 hours or so....Your hands go numb, (yer butt already is...). Try 1100 miles in one run, stopping only for gas, coffee, and whatever heartburn inducing food is available at the gas places. > FWIW, my Sportster does have the 1200cc engine. > [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > had crossed, I was very leary to see if other would follow since it is > not unusual to see more than one at a time. You need a light bar, and more lights to drive at night in the country. > Check this one out- > http://www.stupidvideos.com/video/animals/Deer_Jumps_Motorcycle/ Signature“TANSTAAFL” ____________________________________________________________________________ "A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3 ____________________________________________________________________________ > You need a light bar, and more lights to drive at night in the country. Yes, you do. Understand the issues with the deer, but my problem is switchbacks with several hundred foot drop offs and no guard rails. Coming around a corner on my bike, all my headlights illuminated was space. I could see the edge of the road, but not down it. Very, very spooky. I did it once and that was enough. After that, I drove the car. I hate to admit it, but I trailered my bike up. They did a Yamaha Family Days at Pigeon Forge and I was working in Charlotte. I took the bike up on a trailer and stored it in a mini wharehouse while I was working. Funny thing is, they had a special, $1 for the first month. I only rented it for a month. Worked out well. My girlfriend, back then, a friend and his wife all drove up in a rented motor home. I met them in Pigeon Forge. Both of us had Suzukis, both significantly built, both beautifully custome painted. He was a very talented paint and body man as well as one of the best airbrush artists I've ever known. The Yama people didn't think much of us, but we got more than our share of attention. His bike had a Yamaha sport faring, so we tried to enter it in the most unusual Yamaha contest, claiming that the fairing was stock, everything else was custom. It didn't work. Surprise, surprise. 400 miles a day is crazy on pretty much any bike at anything near my age. The cruisers can do it OK, but why would you? For me, that's not what biking is about, at least normally. If I want layed back comfort, I'll drive a car. The first day of my tour of the country, I rode from Jacksonville to Baton rouge. That's about 525 miles in a day, but I probably averaged close to 100. Like I said, my bike was not stock and I was younger and more bullet proof. It was still a long day. I didn't drive that far any other day of my trip, a couple hundred miles max. I just wanted out of Florida, about the only place I'd seen much of up to then. If you haven't done something like this, I highly recommend it. Start from home and head for the first National Park. Buy a Golden Eagle Pass and work your way across the country going from National Park to National Park. When I did it, I took a tent, but I didn't sleep a night in it. The only time I set it up was in Las Vegas, where I promised myself I'd win or lose $100 and leave. Back then $100 was a lot of money. From the afternoon until about 5:00 AM, I won $95. They changed dealers, I had a free breakfast and in the next hour, I lost the $95 and the $100, packed up my tend and left. The time was worth the money. I stayed at Motel 6's which, at the time, really were $6 a night. It was a very special trip. Oh yes, I recommend against doing it in a group. The best part of my trip was being able to go where I wanted when I wanted, without restriction. I took about a month and a half to do it. Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinoise, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and back to Florida. Lee > Understand the issues with the deer, but my problem is switchbacks with > several hundred foot drop offs and no guard rails. Coming around a corner on > my bike, all my headlights illuminated was space. I could see the edge of > the road, but not down it. Very, very spooky. I did it once and that was > enough. After that, I drove the car. For the most part, unless you are driving a Lexus or other high end car like that, the headlights are pointing straight ahead also. A few years back, I dove Mt Storm WV. This is a cooling lake for a power company. LDS sponsored the trip and had one of those 15 passenger bus/van vehicles towing a trailer with the dive equipment in it. I could have sworn on a couple of those turns, I was able to read the license plate on the trailer. :) > 400 miles a day is crazy on pretty much any bike at anything near my age. > The cruisers can do it OK, but why would you? For me, that's not what biking [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > trip, a couple hundred miles max. I just wanted out of Florida, about the > only place I'd seen much of up to then. My bike has a 5 gallon fuel tank on it. Around town, I am getting about 40 mpg. I have had it on the open highway once, just to see what it would do (fuel economy) and was surprised to see about 57mpg. Since I do not have a fuel gauge, I set one of my tripometers each time I refuel . If I took it on a road trip, I would probably be stopping every 150 miles or so to refuel, which is probably not a bad idea anyhow, at least on a bike. > If you haven't done something like this, I highly recommend it. Start from > home and head for the first National Park. Buy a Golden Eagle Pass and work [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Missouri, Illinoise, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South > Carolina, Georgia and back to Florida. Not sure I would want a trip like that. Maybe one day. >> Understand the issues with the deer, but my problem is switchbacks with >> several hundred foot drop offs and no guard rails. Coming around a corner [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > couple of those turns, I was able to read the license plate on the > trailer. :) Heard that. Pretty much everything I've owned since the early 80s, has had driving lights. They make a big difference. > If I took it on a road trip, I would probably be stopping every 150 miles > or so to refuel, which is probably not a bad idea anyhow, at least on a > bike. Particularly on a Harley. In my experience, vibration is a more significant limit than wind or all of the other things we tend to think of first and, thanks to having only two, relatively heavy pistons, Harleys vibrate more than most. > Not sure I would want a trip like that. Maybe one day. It started out as a trip, it wound up as an adventure. To me, it's best to do something like that in an unplanned fashion, going new and different places as the spirit moves you. I used to like caves, so I saw all the caves, mines, etc. along the route, well, most of them. I also like large geographic structures, so visited the Grand Canyon, the large rock formations of parts of the country, etc. The racks of tourist brochures in the motels were my friends. I went and saw anything that looked like it might be interesting. I'd share such a trip with a significant other or, certain friends, but not with just anyone and never with a group large enough to have different opinions on where to go next. Rick Simms and I will probably do some of that kind of wandering the first couple of weeks of next month. We have a starting date, an ending date, and a place we want to be for a few days. Other than that, our schedule is open. Since we both like photography, shooting, and nature and are both pretty much ready to do whatever strikes our fancy, I expect we'll have a very good time. If not, there's always alcohol. Lee >>If I took it on a road trip, I would probably be stopping every 150 miles >>or so to refuel, which is probably not a bad idea anyhow, at least on a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > thanks to having only two, relatively heavy pistons, Harleys vibrate more > than most. Actually, on the recent Sportsters (not sure about other models), the vibration has been significantly dampened using rubber engine mounts. Not sure when HD started doing that but I am told from those who have ridden both, it makes a BIG difference. 06 Sportsters were the last year Sportsters to have carburetors. 07 they started with fuel injection. >>Not sure I would want a trip like that. Maybe one day. > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the motels were my friends. I went and saw anything that looked like it > might be interesting. Not a bad trip and if its what you want to do, see, experience and you have the time and money to do it. I say go for it. Its not for everyone but then again....nothing is. > I'd share such a trip with a significant other or, certain friends, but not > with just anyone and never with a group large enough to have different > opinions on where to go next. Good plan and good parameters. The more people you have, the more likely someone will be doing something they don't want to do. > Rick Simms and I will probably do some of that kind of wandering the first > couple of weeks of next month. We have a starting date, an ending date, and > a place we want to be for a few days. Other than that, our schedule is open. > Since we both like photography, shooting, and nature and are both pretty > much ready to do whatever strikes our fancy, I expect we'll have a very good > time. If not, there's always alcohol. Go for it. I will expect a trip report on your return. Any diving planned along the way? nitespark <nitespark@cox.net> wrote: > Not a bad trip and if its what you want to do, see, experience and you > have the time and money to do it. I say go for it. Its not for > everyone but then again....nothing is. Is the Sportster really considered a touring type of bike? It seems a bit small for that use (at least as compared to the normal ones that you see used for touring -- bigger Harleys and the Honda LeadWing). I've mainly rode various types of rice burners over the years, mostly some type of crotch rocket / sportbike. I've done 600 miles in a day on one while running into intermittent heavy summer rainstorms (with no rain gear of course) and by the end of the day, I was very sore (or at least my butt and knees were). Keeping your knees bent at that angle for that many hours really sucks. Well, at least for us old farts. The front leaning seating position is nice with respect to the wind since your arms and neck don't get tired like you would with a cruiser type bike, but you pay for it with sore knees. The Harleys aren't anywhere close to as fast as even the low end 600cc sportbikes, but how often to you really need to be able to go 150 mph with the flick of your wrist? > nitespark <nitespark@cox.net> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > end 600cc sportbikes, but how often to you really need to be able to go 150 > mph with the flick of your wrist? In my opinion, the Sporster line is NOT a touring class bike, like the Road Kings and ElectraGlides. I bought mine for "around town" riding and short day trips. For that type of riding, the Sportster is small enough to easily maneuver but powerful enough to keep up with the big boys. I have not tried to top mine out to see what it will do but I do know when I am merging on the interstate, I have NO trouble getting up to speed, even with a passenger, and merging with traffic. > For that type of riding, the Sportster is small enough to easily maneuver > but powerful enough to keep up with the big boys. No disrespect intended, I actually like Sportsters a lot, but thinking about them as powerful enough to keep up with the big boys brings a smile of recollection to my face. There's never been a Harley mad and damned few built that would keep up with a stock 1100 cc Suzuki. Of course, that's OK, that's not what they were made to do. > I have not tried to top mine out to see what it will do but I do know when > I am merging on the interstate, I have NO trouble > getting up to speed, even with a passenger, and merging with traffic. In the 60s, they'd do enough over 100 to meet any legitimate street needs. I imagine they're a bit faster these days, but probably not by much. Again, though, that's not the idea behind a Harley. If you want a go fast crotch rocket, you by Japanese . . . for less than you'd pay for a Harley. Lee >>For that type of riding, the Sportster is small enough to easily maneuver >>but powerful enough to keep up with the big boys. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > built that would keep up with a stock 1100 cc Suzuki. Of course, that's OK, > that's not what they were made to do. None taken. I am just thinking about the acceleration to highway speed. Why do I need to do 100+mph on a bike? An officer I know with the Blacksburg VA PD rides a Kawasaki on the job. Says it will outrun any of the HD's. From my perspective as someone who wants to ride for enjoyment or to get me from point A to point B....that makes no difference to me. >>I have not tried to top mine out to see what it will do but I do know when >>I am merging on the interstate, I have NO trouble [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > though, that's not the idea behind a Harley. If you want a go fast crotch > rocket, you by Japanese . . . for less than you'd pay for a Harley. Harley's are expensive. No doubt about that and anything with the HD emblem on it is gonna cost multiple times over. > Lee > Harley's are expensive. No doubt about that and anything with the HD > emblem on it is gonna cost multiple times over. HD is an acronym for "Hundred Dollars". > HD is an acronym for "Hundred Dollars". That would just be for a replacement kickstand, right? Of course, if you got the money, someone has a place for you to spend it. How about $245 for a kickstand? http://www.cas4.com/imp/imp.htm SignatureWe don't need no stinkin' modern equipment! http://www.vintagescubasupply.com/missvintage/alikat3.jpg >>HD is an acronym for "Hundred Dollars". > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > http://www.cas4.com/imp/imp.htm MoFoMoCo refers to them as a "jiffy stand". The "choke" on my bike is known as an "enrichener". In rec.scuba, on Sat 08 Sep 2007 06:12:14p, nitespark <nitespark@cox.net> wrote: > MoFoMoCo refers to them as a "jiffy stand". Is that because your bike will fall over "in a jiffy" if you don't put a crushed beer can underneath it to help spread the weight on soft surfaces? > The "choke" on my bike is known as an "enrichener". They probably figured they could charge more if they renamed it. > In rec.scuba, on Sat 08 Sep 2007 06:12:14p, nitespark > <nitespark@cox.net> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Is that because your bike will fall over "in a jiffy" if you don't put a > crushed beer can underneath it to help spread the weight on soft surfaces? I dunno...I will ask Willie G. when we have lunch together. >>The "choke" on my bike is known as an "enrichener". > > They probably figured they could charge more if they renamed it. "hundred dollars" ? In rec.scuba, on Sun 09 Sep 2007 06:09:51a, nitespark <nitespark@cox.net> wrote: <snip> Here's an interesting image that I stumbled across: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/mmsc/latest/build_PhotoDyn.asp?blid=53 > We don't need no stinkin' modern equipment! > http://www.vintagescubasupply.com/missvintage/alikat3.jpg Ooooh, I don't think that's going to clean out of my keyboard very easily. > http://www.vintagescubasupply.com/missvintage/alikat3.jpg Kinky... All we need to complete the fantasy is coconut oil and rubber sheets... >>Harley's are expensive. No doubt about that and anything with the HD >>emblem on it is gonna cost multiple times over. > > HD is an acronym for "Hundred Dollars". I found that out REAL quick. "Lee Bell" <pleebell@bellsouth.net> wrote: > No disrespect intended, I actually like Sportsters a lot, but thinking > about them as powerful enough to keep up with the big boys brings a > smile of recollection to my face. There's never been a Harley mad and > damned few built that would keep up with a stock 1100 cc Suzuki. Of > course, that's OK, that's not what they were made to do. Even the Sportster with the low end 883 engine will keep up well enough with any other bike for the typical cruising type of driving that you see the riders doing for road trips. Especially since the riders are often not wearing helmets or at best wearing the shortie / brain-pan type of helmet. I suspect that the lighter bikes wear you down a bit more when you're buffetted by the wind from passing 18-wheelers. With a light sportbike, the solution to that is to never let the 18-wheeler pass you and instead to pass them at a considerably higher speed than they are going, thus minimizing your time beside them. Unfortunately, this technique often results in the rider being required to pay an increased road tax. > In the 60s, they'd do enough over 100 to meet any legitimate street > needs. I imagine they're a bit faster these days, bu |
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