The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

School teaches you f all about anything. Trigonometry, the water table, how to play the recorder... Nothing useful. I taught my girlfriend what inflation was the other day and why she has to ask for a payrise every year. I actually had a decent experience in school, unt I was 16. Uni is a giant piss up with a huge bill, it's no wonder the big 4 dropped degree requirements. I estimate that 5% of adults 'use' their degree or any facet of their education. Companies value work experience way more than education. What better way to 'prepare for the workplace' than to go into it sooner rather than later. Or, choose a subject at 17 that you have no idea will be useful or not, and pay for it (or wait until the debt expires and I'll pay for it for you).

That’s fair, I learned a lot of things I don’t use. But I also never looked at education solely as job training—that’s what trade schools are for (and I’m not looking down on trade schools, either, they’re great and I think more people who have access to them should take advantage to them because while I fully believe in higher education, I do not believe it’s a one size fits all path for everyone). Some of my favorite classes were ones I’ll never “use” for anything but my own knowledge or enjoyment, like art history or religion.

[geoffbot]

OMG I hated religious education more than anything else.

School ruined the enjoyment of books, with forced annotation at the level of the lowest reader in the class, destroyed art with gradings (I got a D for what I considered an excellent piege of abstract), school trips were fun but for the field reports.... School saps the fun out of everything.

Except chemistry - that was cool.

[happyscrappyheropup]

Neither set up would be comfortable for any distance. Besides the handlebars the seat has maybe 20 minutes until it would be killing you. Put on the Bonneville traditional seat and maybe 3 inch higher bars and this would be excellent for distance. Those twins pull real nice on the open road, and the better suspension and brakes are a plus. This would be similar to my Bonneville which I could go three hours before a gas stop with no comfort issues running 80-90 down the road. I've never owned a touring bike like a Goldwing, but this could comfortable and a bit more fun for some distance. If you’re serious for distance you need a frame mounted faring otherwise all the buffeting goes right in your arms and shoulders.

Full fairing is a must for long trips. My setup has been all around the country including a few iron butt rides.

[crownpuller]

Full fairing is a must for long trips. My setup has been all around the country including a few iron butt rides.

I'm not sure what's more impressive: The number of bags on the bike, or the number of 'manhole' covers ?

[happyscrappyheropup]

I'm not sure what's more impressive: The number of bags on the bike, or the number of 'manhole' covers ?

It was a very rural gas station, only around the pumps had pavement. I assume those are for all the tanks.

Hayabusas are big bikes, they can carry a lot of gear and luggage. This was a road trip to Boston last year, going to do the same again in July of this year.

[Raza]

OMG I hated religious education more than anything else.

School ruined the enjoyment of books, with forced annotation at the level of the lowest reader in the class, destroyed art with gradings (I got a D for what I considered an excellent piege of abstract), school trips were fun but for the field reports.... School saps the fun out of everything.

Except chemistry - that was cool.

Could be a difference in the English approach to schooling. Now, primary education in America is a strange and disjointed beast, but I had the privilege of going to one of the best public school districts in the country. I enjoyed school, for the most part. Never much enjoyed geometry, trigonometry, or chemistry, and when I was younger, I didn’t appreciate things like my music, art, and home economics classes as much as I should have, but I enjoyed classes like physics, calculus, history, and English. Especially history and English. We had good teachers who were well paid and enthusiastic about their jobs (for the most part). I know my public school experience in the US is not typical for most of the country, though.

[chuckmiller]

...I also never looked at education solely as job training—....

You nailed it. A university style education, of 4 years or more, isn't solely job training. It can be. My cousin has a 4 year degree in accounting. He went to work right away with a company, in that field. He is still there, doing that, albeit with considerable advancement within the company. His wife has a 4 year degree in Liberal Arts. Through her college contacts she ended up employed with PepsiCo doing something unrelated to her Liberal Arts training. Often, completing a university degree in anything simply shows a potential employer what you are made of and capable of.

[geoffbot]

You nailed it. A university style education, of 4 years or more, isn't solely job training. It can be. My cousin has a 4 year degree in accounting. He went to work right away with a company, in that field. He is still there, doing that, albeit with considerable advancement within the company. His wife has a 4 year degree in Liberal Arts. Through her college contacts she ended up employed with PepsiCo doing something unrelated to her Liberal Arts training. Often, completing a university degree in anything simply shows a potential employer what you are made of and capable of.

I absolutely understand the last line - that's how I'd seperate the wheat from the chaff, had I 50 applicants to a position. However like I say I'm sure the big 4 have done their research and have their reasons.

I'm obviously biased.

[wschofield3]

H&R coilovers installed and it certainly improved cornering, but the biggest improvement is how it tracks on the highway.

No more "floating" and loss of steering feel. It's much more relaxing to not have to compensate so much. Firmly planted!

I only lowered it a bit, about 1.25". Didn't want the "racer boy" image, I'm too old for that.

Also changed out the cold air intake to an APR with a heat shield vs an open air design and wow, it makes better sounds and throttle response is better. Helped with turbo lag too, it's minimal now, especially with the updated tranny tune.



This little guy is such a blast to drive!

Before pic -



Done so far:

H&R rear sway bar
ECS front strut brace
ECS shield tunnel chassis brace
H&R coilovers
Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires
ECS inlet and downpipes
APR engine tune Stage 1
APR transmission tune
APR Is 38 turbo upgrade with intercooler
APR CAI
Neuspeed cat back exhaust
JL Audio 10" subwoofer and 6.5" two way door and pillar tweeter replacements
JL Audio amp/crossover/parametric EQ
Dynamat door damping
Rewired to speakers with Stinger pro series 12g OFC

Not sure what is next, if there is anything next, she's running well now.

[Samanator]

Full fairing is a must for long trips. My setup has been all around the country including a few iron butt rides.

I learned that one the hard way. While still in my late 30's I was ridding from Nashville TN to Roanoke VA in a day using the Blue Ridge Parkway some of the way. It was about 800 miles at that point on a Road King with a windshield, seat bags and some extra size hard saddle bags. I rolled into Roanoke about 5pm thinking Natural Bridge and Luray Caverns was my stop for tomorrow morning before continuing on to Gettysburg to visit my family. It was just 100 miles more and I had sunlight until at least 8:30pm. So I stopped for gas. Going through the mountains of Tennessee the whole way they allow full length double trailers (Not the 2/3rds length ones like most places) on their roads. I would feel the buffeting a mile or more away from the truck. When I got off the bike in Roanoke and tried to pull the key out of the ignition to open the gas cap my hands were shaking so bad I kept dropping or tossing the key. The guy over at another pump offered assistance and I got the bike filled up. I decided to bag the extra 100 miles that evening and found a Brand new motel and restaurant right next to the gas station.

I few years latter I road a Goldwing back from Texas to S. Florida for a friend. I did 1100 miles that day and didn't even feel it due to the frame mounted faring and good aerodynamics. I was also about 10 years older, and I was able to make the ride in one day where I had planned for three 400 mile days. No issues putting gas in on that bike from being beat up during the ride. I've also done about 800 miles on a Road Glide which is basically a RoadKing with a frame mounted faring and lowers and a mount for a tail bag. Very nice down the road for trips even two up. Frame mounted is the only way to go.