Recent content by HeliMark

Yamaha also shares a lot of the engine parts with there marine engines. There has been a number of times that I would get a part from a boat dealer cheaper, same part number.

And this is one of the things that is driving me towards the Stelvio. I have a Yamaha and Honda dealer near me, but everyone else is 70+ miles away, and with my limited mechanical skills, valve checks on most of the bikes I have had is done by real mechanics. I had a BMW RT, and doing the valve...

Chain maintenance is not much of anything anymore. My current chain on my Tiger has about 8K miles on it, I adjusted it at about 4K miles, and it takes me less than 2 minutes to check it. If it is like the last chain, it will not need anymore adjustments, and I replaced the last one at 22K...

The RAM's (prior to '24) with the "antler ears" up. I had one, never had them up unless I was towing my 5th wheel. Currently have a 1 ton Chevy, and if I didn't have my 5th wheel, I would have a smaller truck, screw that looking cool because I have a big truck. If I ain't towing, I am looking...

I have been using this for years. I have even used it in my toy hauler to turn the bike around so I can just ride it out. Was a bit cheaper back when I bought it. https://admorelighting.com/product/park-n-move/

I have been watching this thread, as a Stelvio is high on my list of bikes that I am considering to purchase sometime this year. My problem is that Piaggio is flatly refusing to at least explore the possibility that your issue is something that in fact happened. Saying it has never happened, and...

I bought a Advant X a couple of weeks ago, and yesterday wore it on a 250 mile ride, previous helmet is a Neotech 2. The Advant X feels heavier, and my neck was hurting. Not sure if it is just additional weight, or aerodynamics. Also, I like to ride with the chin bar down, and the visor up. It...

Other than the obvious, sport tourer vs adventure bike, even though they weigh about the same, the S10 felt more "planted" than the ST1300. I actually liked the S10 better for long distance, two up.

I have had two ST1300's, and a S10. I changed for the same reason you are talking about, both were comfortable for my pillion (back then), and with a little tweaking to fit your wife, it will be just as comfortable. The S10 has plenty of power to pass vehicles on the freeway, but being a bike...

Not sure where the montra actually came from, that aviation one is used through out the aviation community. I used to teach it when I was teaching flying in the late 70's, early 80's. When I went through the LE academy drivers training, I remember that they use to preach that at around 54 mph...

Rode to Sturgis back in 2016 on my S10. Okay time, but not being into the bar scene, wasn't much other than concerts. Way too many people for me. Biggest highlight was the ride to it. I ran into a big storm, and had to ride through some pretty muddy roads, one I wasn't so sure about (mud slide)...

I have had a '20 Triumph 900 Rally Pro since new (60K miles so far), no maintenance issue's other than normal stuff, although I have been reading about spoke issue's on the '24. Vibrations and heat haven't been any bother to me, and does well in the off road I do. The "T" plane engine is...

Tennessee doesn't have property taxes on vehicles and such, but like what @gapmtn1 said, you do get raked with the sales tax. Then again, I lived in California, and most cities have at least 9%+ sales tax and state tax. There were three years in the early 80's that the feds allowed local...

One of the reasons I am in Tennessee, no state income tax, although the feds sure try and make up for it. Sounds like the guberment that you worked for did the same as the one I worked for, no paying into the SS system, so no SS for me either. They also did not pay into the HIT, so forget the...

You may want to look more to the north like Prescott. I am sure it is more crowded than when I was looking at it, but it wasn't too bad. A number of friends live there, and like it. Sedona is pretty, but major bucks now. Both places get a small amount of snow in the winter, and high enough to...