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Messages - pkpk

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31
General Banter / Re: Adventure Bike Options
« on: July 21, 2014, 07:46:43 PM »
I own a DL1000 VStrom.  You'll find no shortage of owners who off road this bike on the ADVRider list.  I limit myself to hard pack trails and gravel roads because of the weight.  Even though I feel it's worthless in sand, other riders have had this bike in all sorts of inhospitable environments. 

I have climbed some bad min maint roads with this bike but frankly I stress out on challenging environments because I know I will probably get hurt if something goes wrong.

32
General Banter / Re: STAR 2014 Rapid City, SD
« on: June 17, 2014, 09:57:06 PM »
Beat me to it.  ;)

33
General Banter / Re: So long and thanks for all the fish
« on: June 11, 2014, 08:49:00 PM »
Hey Tim, it was fun watching you progress to your track days.  Good luck and take care!

34
General Banter / Re: Great idea that protects drivers, but riders?
« on: May 25, 2014, 10:06:54 AM »
Shouldn't all your outrage extend to any barrier erected on the side of the roads?  Curvy roads on a hill have always had cables or other abutments that are hazardous to riders. What makes the presence of median barriers any more worrisome than any other guardrails?

Median barriers are typically erected only on high speed four lane roads.  You're not likely to going to be ditch riding in that location anyway. 

There was an explanation of the placement in the Strib a few weeks back.  It costs more to put them in the center where there is no existing footing.  It also has the potential of being the  lowest point of the road and vehicles might go over them.

35
General Banter / Re: Great idea that protects drivers, but riders?
« on: May 24, 2014, 08:31:21 AM »
There is a ton of other threats in the ditches that can maim and kill riders.  I have yet to hear of any rider that died from hitting a cable barrier (where they might as well have survived otherwise.)  On the other hand, I personally know motorists who were killed when an oncoming car went out of control and crossed over the median into their path.

The highway dept has to weigh these risks all the time.  When rain grooves were installed on certain roadways, it was acknowledged that riders risked getting chewed up by the texture but I didn't hear any chorus from the motorcycle community to stop the installations.

When all is said and done, I'm willing to accept the risk from a cable barrier, knowing that my family and friends will potentially be saved from out of control vehicles.

36
General Banter / Re: Good ride home from Twistar
« on: May 23, 2014, 12:39:52 PM »
They must have thought you asked where you could find the local fairy?

37
General Banter / Re: Good ride home from Twistar
« on: May 22, 2014, 08:48:49 PM »
No I didn't.  Why would I be looking at signs when I know exactly where I'm going?  :D  But it wouldn't have mattered at that point because we needed the fuel and bathroom stop in Cassville anyway.

38
General Banter / Re: Good ride home from Twistar
« on: May 22, 2014, 01:01:31 PM »
In the past, I have called ahead to confirm the ferry but I did not this year because I didn't realize the river was technically above flood stage.  I won't repeat that mistake again.

39
General Banter / Re: Good ride home from Twistar
« on: May 20, 2014, 10:54:15 PM »
The ST gets mighty heavy on the tight twisties on 76.  I also keep the death of that rider who went over the line and into a truck on the back of my mind. 

What I like about the "long way through Iowa" route is the variety of curves pretty much all the way from Spring Green to Zumbrota.  Virtually all the route is lightly traveled (no cager congestion.)

I'm still bummed about the Ferry being closed and not being able to hit Brietbachs.  Oh well, that will be next year.

40
Introductions / Re: Howdy from Duluth!
« on: May 12, 2014, 08:43:46 PM »
I had an 02 VFR and had no problems.  Still running strong today by another member.  Had upgraded suspension and full Honda luggage and was the perfect long distance runner.

41
General Banter / Re: HAPPY HOLIDAYS
« on: April 20, 2014, 07:49:03 PM »
Ham....and more ham!

42
General Banter / Re: Crashes Reported in the Media
« on: April 09, 2014, 11:20:28 PM »
All available information for
incident number 14800525.

    Incident Number:    14800525    Incident Date/Time:    4/9/2014 7:59:00 PM
    MSP District:    2800    Incident Contact:    MN STATE PATROL DISTRICT 2800 - (218) 316-3030
    Number of Individuals:    1       
    Number of Vehicles:    1    
                   
    Location:    HWY 47    Road Type:    BLACK TOP
    Milepost:    88    Road Condition:    DRY
    County:    MILLE LACS    Number of Lanes:    2
    Crash Type:    ANIMAL    Divided/Undivided:    UNDIVIDED ROADWAY
    Incident Classification:    PERSONAL INJURY    Hazardous Material:    NOT PRESENT
                   
    Assisting Agencies:
       
                   
     Person 1:    GUDIM, LANDON D , 20 , OF ISLE MN , DRIVER OF VEH 1 , Phys. Cond. : INJURY - NON LIFE THREATENING
     

    Vehicle 1:
       2001   SUZUKI ROAD-STRT 
     
          
    IncidentDescription:    V1 SB ON MNTH 47, V1 APPLIED BRAKES IN ATTEMPT O MISS COLLISION WITH DEER AND D1 LAYED BIKE DOWN ON IT'S LEF SIDE AND SLID FOR APPROIMATEL 132 FEET BEFORE OMING TO REST IN THE SB LANE. D1 SLID APPROXIMATELY 78 FEET BEFORE COMING TO REST, D1 WAS WEARING HELMET, D1 TAKEN TO ONAMIA HOSPITAL AND LATER AIRE LIFTED TO NORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.
            
    Information Complete:    INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE   
    Last Updated:    4/9/2014 10:58:40 PM

Individual Records

    Listed below are the individual records that match the criteria you specified.
    *Estimated age used only when true age is unknown.
    Case Number:    14800525    Seatbelt:    N/A
    Incident Date/Time:    4/9/2014 7:59:00 PM    Airbag:    N/A
    Info Released:    NOT RECORDED    Helmet:    YES
                   
    Person ID:    14800525V1P1    Age:    20
    Full Name:    GUDIM, LANDON D    Estimated Age:    ACTUAL AGE ABOVE
    Associated Vehicle:    14800525V1    Alcohol in System:    NO ALCOHOL DETECTED
    Role in Crash:    DRIVER    Hospital:    NORTH MEMORIAL , ROBBINSDALE 
    Residence:    ISLE , MN , USA    Physical Condition:    INJURY - NON LIFE THREATENING 
    Sex:    MALE       
    Relation to Driver:    SELF    Fatal Date:    N/A - NOT RECORDED

43
General Banter / Re: Average age of motorcyclists is on the rise
« on: April 03, 2014, 09:37:01 PM »
This statistic does not surprise me.  While I do think the BBB (Baby Boom Blob) contributes to the skewing, I can't help but notice that just about everywhere I ride, there are mainly graybeards.  Whether it's along the river, down in Wis twisties or on trips to Black Hills or Colorado, it's seems like mainly people over 40.

I have a few theories.  Back in the 60's/70's, motorcycles had more of a romantic coolness factor (the bad boy image) which drew a number of younger riders.  I recall our HS parking lot had almost as many motorcycles as cars.  I just don't see that rider romanticism in younger gen today.

I also recall how a number of college students owned a motorcycle as their only means of cheap transportation back then.  Riding a bike for transportation seemed more mainstream back then.  Today, most nice motorcycles are expensive and get stolen when parked outside.  I also wonder if insurance premiums priced a number of would-be riders out of riding.

44
General Banter / Re: Jay Cooke
« on: March 12, 2014, 10:54:24 PM »
The State Senator for that region (Reinert) also happens to serve on the Transportation and Public Safety Division Committee.  Problem solved.   :)

45
General Banter / Re: Crashes Reported in the Media
« on: March 12, 2014, 08:53:56 PM »
I checked out his FB page and it's clear Anand ate, drank and slept motorcycles.  It appears one of his bikes is a Repsol replica (not sure the real thing or just a home-made knockoff but it looked like it had a ton of aftermarket.)  It's a sad deal when a dude loses his self restraint while the roads are in dangerous condition for bikes.  I'm also peeved that his "friend" was so chicken shit to ditch the scene of his friend's tragedy.  Pretty sure he will be turned in since no doubt they are in a circle of riders.

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