Before I explain what’s been consuming me lately, I’ll start by saying most of my lack of participation in this great community revolves around travel and work. London, New York, Nashville and Chicago. Been there in the last 8 weeks.
Managed to slip in a weekend of offroad training (with the KTM), too…and made this video – my ribs are still healing…LOL
Link to youtube video.
During this time, my focus has been split between work and a new addition to our family…
Please understand, I’m doing this FOR my bikes. They are the number one thought as I wade through this turbulent time in life, being dragged along by the sundry currents of whim and mercy, hoping to simply “arrive alive” at my destination.
It’s been a tumultuous 3 months. Literally brought about by a chance stop at the local GMC dealership. That’s right – the bastion of all that’s holy in the US automotive world (if it doesn’t kill you), Chevrolet, started this slide. I thought I was happy with my Tacoma. It was reliable, paid for and comfy. Even thought it was a regular cab, it did everything I needed it to.
But then I saw a Sierra rated at 24 mpg on the highway…with 4wd…and a crew cab…and leather…and power windows…and the price shocked me…when did trucks become $55,000 vehicles?! Still, I struggled to get 18 mpg with my 4 cyl/5 speed combo…how could this be?!
Upon reconnecting with the real world (aka, the Internet), research soon provided me with clues. Turns out all trucks have gone this way. And it turned out that RAM surprised everyone with the release of the new EcoDiesel V6 engine. Originally built for Cadillac in Europe, the engine was shelved when GM went under in 2008. VM Motori built it, and wouldn’t you know, Fiat was involved. Fast forward and Fiat suggested RAM use it to upend the ½ ton market with the first 1500 series to sport a diesel engine. RAM said yes, and woke up in bed next to…Maserati…who also happen to use this engine in their new 4 door sedans in Europe(…though it has more HP there…phooey!). Could have done worse, though – sexy Italian bird… ::013::
All this “internationalism” was enough for me to crack my wallet…so a call to a dealer in Idaho (Dave Smith) was made, a deposit placed just over 8 weeks ago, and here we are today, on the very cusp of my bikes have new ways to travel places! Oh, and it’s worth mentioning a few stats here…
• 240 hp
• 420 ft-lbs of torque
• 28 mpg rating (owners are already seeing 30+ mpg in regular use – crew cab, 4wd models)
• 3.0 V6 turbo diesel with an Italian accent
Now, a trusted friend, and frequent contributor of useless and inane information via email (yes, this is the pot, calling the kettle black!) suggested a couple of items to transform this mere hauler of junk into a ride worth of transporting my bikes to exotic destinations such as Tahuya, Plain and Staddleline.
Thus it is I now possess two Condor chocks for use in this new whip. Originally the plan was to buy the steel unit and bolt it to the bed. Then, after seeing the aluminum version in action, and respecting it’s portability, one was ordered and now is proudly propping up a lazy KTM in the garage. It shall see duty in the back end of the new hoopty soon, too. In fact, I may not even open the steel Condor chock…
To ensure bikes of this stature can be appropriately coddled in their new environment, the bed liner shall be color matched to the truck, of course, but support shall be provided enabling no wheels to be pinched, or stressed. No bike should have to sit sideways, meeting the passing breeze with one hip hidden and one stuck out in the wind. Nay, we can, and must, do better than that. With experience born of long practice, the Interwebs was consulted and a near required purchase made. Behold the Tailgate Latch Bar form Vehicle Systems. Precisely engineered to hold your back end in style…er, to let your rear droop…ah, no…to position the tailgate “just so”…and lock it there.
So it was with a heavy heart that I accepted my fate. Mine was to incur debt, help the economy and succumb to that most ‘Merican of traits – yes, I was about to purchase a full size pickup.
Working with a great dealer helped drop the price from the stratospheric to the merely hypoxic. And I was determined to do this right…I mean, for the bikes of course! I’d be of no use to them if I weren’t well rested, which lead to, nay…demanded, that I purchase the Laramie trim level. Replete with the usual suspects (power…ah…everything), a sunroof, power rear sliding window and leather, this level also features ventilated seats to heat or cool your buttocks and bollocks on demand. Power folding mirrors help manage this goliath’s eco footprint, allowing it to daintily tuck into parking spots. Why there is just enough room in a compact spot for me to share space with a Prius…if it parked in the bed. See, THAT is ecofriendly!
Colors were brooded over (what goes with black, white & orange, and with blue & yellow?), aftermarket options sought, examined, purchased or dismissed from a dizzying array of sources. In the end, after 2 months of waiting and wondering, the new bike shuffler is near to arriving. One quick flight to Spokane on Friday, a couple hours at the dealer in Kellogg on Saturday morning and we’ll be on our way – ready to haul in style…the style in which well-bred Austrian and Japanese ladies like to be kept, that is. My past investments demand no less of my future investments, and so who am I to argue? I am Powerless…my name is my shame…for I did not have the backbone to fight against the whims of my bikes. Now I shall be forced to live a life of comfort, economy and style each time I drive this beast from Warren!
…and when not hauling bikes, it’ll be responsible for hauling the world’s cutest (an laziest) Seahawks fans…
Managed to slip in a weekend of offroad training (with the KTM), too…and made this video – my ribs are still healing…LOL
Link to youtube video.
During this time, my focus has been split between work and a new addition to our family…
Please understand, I’m doing this FOR my bikes. They are the number one thought as I wade through this turbulent time in life, being dragged along by the sundry currents of whim and mercy, hoping to simply “arrive alive” at my destination.
It’s been a tumultuous 3 months. Literally brought about by a chance stop at the local GMC dealership. That’s right – the bastion of all that’s holy in the US automotive world (if it doesn’t kill you), Chevrolet, started this slide. I thought I was happy with my Tacoma. It was reliable, paid for and comfy. Even thought it was a regular cab, it did everything I needed it to.
But then I saw a Sierra rated at 24 mpg on the highway…with 4wd…and a crew cab…and leather…and power windows…and the price shocked me…when did trucks become $55,000 vehicles?! Still, I struggled to get 18 mpg with my 4 cyl/5 speed combo…how could this be?!
Upon reconnecting with the real world (aka, the Internet), research soon provided me with clues. Turns out all trucks have gone this way. And it turned out that RAM surprised everyone with the release of the new EcoDiesel V6 engine. Originally built for Cadillac in Europe, the engine was shelved when GM went under in 2008. VM Motori built it, and wouldn’t you know, Fiat was involved. Fast forward and Fiat suggested RAM use it to upend the ½ ton market with the first 1500 series to sport a diesel engine. RAM said yes, and woke up in bed next to…Maserati…who also happen to use this engine in their new 4 door sedans in Europe(…though it has more HP there…phooey!). Could have done worse, though – sexy Italian bird… ::013::
All this “internationalism” was enough for me to crack my wallet…so a call to a dealer in Idaho (Dave Smith) was made, a deposit placed just over 8 weeks ago, and here we are today, on the very cusp of my bikes have new ways to travel places! Oh, and it’s worth mentioning a few stats here…
• 240 hp
• 420 ft-lbs of torque
• 28 mpg rating (owners are already seeing 30+ mpg in regular use – crew cab, 4wd models)
• 3.0 V6 turbo diesel with an Italian accent
Now, a trusted friend, and frequent contributor of useless and inane information via email (yes, this is the pot, calling the kettle black!) suggested a couple of items to transform this mere hauler of junk into a ride worth of transporting my bikes to exotic destinations such as Tahuya, Plain and Staddleline.
Thus it is I now possess two Condor chocks for use in this new whip. Originally the plan was to buy the steel unit and bolt it to the bed. Then, after seeing the aluminum version in action, and respecting it’s portability, one was ordered and now is proudly propping up a lazy KTM in the garage. It shall see duty in the back end of the new hoopty soon, too. In fact, I may not even open the steel Condor chock…
To ensure bikes of this stature can be appropriately coddled in their new environment, the bed liner shall be color matched to the truck, of course, but support shall be provided enabling no wheels to be pinched, or stressed. No bike should have to sit sideways, meeting the passing breeze with one hip hidden and one stuck out in the wind. Nay, we can, and must, do better than that. With experience born of long practice, the Interwebs was consulted and a near required purchase made. Behold the Tailgate Latch Bar form Vehicle Systems. Precisely engineered to hold your back end in style…er, to let your rear droop…ah, no…to position the tailgate “just so”…and lock it there.
So it was with a heavy heart that I accepted my fate. Mine was to incur debt, help the economy and succumb to that most ‘Merican of traits – yes, I was about to purchase a full size pickup.
Working with a great dealer helped drop the price from the stratospheric to the merely hypoxic. And I was determined to do this right…I mean, for the bikes of course! I’d be of no use to them if I weren’t well rested, which lead to, nay…demanded, that I purchase the Laramie trim level. Replete with the usual suspects (power…ah…everything), a sunroof, power rear sliding window and leather, this level also features ventilated seats to heat or cool your buttocks and bollocks on demand. Power folding mirrors help manage this goliath’s eco footprint, allowing it to daintily tuck into parking spots. Why there is just enough room in a compact spot for me to share space with a Prius…if it parked in the bed. See, THAT is ecofriendly!
Colors were brooded over (what goes with black, white & orange, and with blue & yellow?), aftermarket options sought, examined, purchased or dismissed from a dizzying array of sources. In the end, after 2 months of waiting and wondering, the new bike shuffler is near to arriving. One quick flight to Spokane on Friday, a couple hours at the dealer in Kellogg on Saturday morning and we’ll be on our way – ready to haul in style…the style in which well-bred Austrian and Japanese ladies like to be kept, that is. My past investments demand no less of my future investments, and so who am I to argue? I am Powerless…my name is my shame…for I did not have the backbone to fight against the whims of my bikes. Now I shall be forced to live a life of comfort, economy and style each time I drive this beast from Warren!
…and when not hauling bikes, it’ll be responsible for hauling the world’s cutest (an laziest) Seahawks fans…
