Volume V Issue VI

Wheeling and Dealing

(The trials, tribulations and adventures of buying and selling motorbikes)

Part One By Tim Hendrickson

I had pretty much gotten attached to my little Thunderbird Triumph, it is a terrific little bike that is very good-looking, comfortable and performs really well. I decided long ago that what I really needed was a late model bike that I could also load up and take to rally’s, thereby splitting the mileage between two bikes, and keep from
accumulating so many miles on my beloved GS. I was pondering the purchase of a set of Hepco-Becker lockable hard bags and mounts for the Triumph, when I was confronted with the harsh reality that the T-Bird is just not a Touring Motorcycle. Motoring down Raleigh-Lagrange road at about 60 MPH I found a quick traffic signal that went green/yellow/red in about 2 seconds. I locked down the little Triumph and could not stop it before entering the intersection by a good distance. The thought occurred to me that I was solo on the Triumph. Now, I am thinking about the same scenario loaded with gear. No way could it come close to stopping. The trusty GS on the other hand, would have easily stopped short of the intersection. Loaded or not!

I immediately decided that I needed to part with the T-Bird and find a more suitable bike for touring. I called a couple of guys who had offered me within $504) of my asking price on the Triumph, only to find that those offers were no longer valid. I called the Cycle Trader magazine and reduced my price by 500. My phone started ringing!

I started monitoring eBay, searching for the perfect garage-mate for the GS. I set myself a spending limit and was determined to get the most bang-for-the-buck I could find. I was checking out the IBMWR classifieds when I ran across what sounded like a sweet deal on a low mileage 02 RT. I called the owner and a deal was tentatively struck. Problem was; the bike is in Monument Colorado! How do I get there, without spending so much that the total cost was no longer a sweet deal?

A quick check of airfare (one-way, short notice) proved to totally blow my budget! I checked every available mode of transit and discovered a real bargain fare on Greyhound. For just $67 one-way, I could go to Colorado Springs! The connection was really good as well. Total travel time 25 hours. Leave Memphis at 2:45 AM, arrive Colorado Springs at 5:00AM, 25 hours and 15 minutes later. Seven day advance purchase, non-refundable ticket. Problem Solved!

(Continued next month)

10 Ways to Be Safe on a Motorcycle

Motorcycle Safety From Walter Kern,

1.) Assume Drivers Can't See You: Ride assuming that you and your motorcycle are totally invisible to motorists. That means you must never assume that drivers can see you. The odds are, they can’t so believe it yourself and always have an “out’ for dangerous traffic situations. Motorcycle Safety depends on you.
2.) Maintain Safe Spacing: Leave plenty of space in front and back and to the sides from all other vehicles. Be an island. Stay
away from traffic as much as possible. This gives you more visibility and more time to react to situations.
3.) Anticipate Trouble: Anticipate trouble situations and know what to do when you see them. Analyze what vehicles are doing and try to predict the outcome. Then make sure you’re ready to avoid a bad traffic situation.
4.) Beware of Oncoming Left Turners: Beware of oncoming motorists turning left in front of you at intersections. This is the leading cause of death of motorcycle riders. I’m deadly serious here. I have personally lost many friends to this accident. If you only remember one tip here, let it be this one. Slow down before you enter an intersection. J-lave an escape route planned. Stay visible. Don’t travel too close to cars in front of you. Position your bike so it can be seen by the left turner. Eye contact is not enough.
5.) Ride Your Own Ride: Don’t try to keep up with your friends who may be more experienced. Know your personal limits. Ride your own ride.

(continued on page 3)

Trails End Minutes by Stan Viets

May 2006

Members in attendance at the May meeting. Rusty Higgins, Floyd Nunnelee, Dian and Paul Talkington, Dick and Fran Salveson, Dan Randall, Don and Marion Oller, Mike and Brenda Hopper, Hildia Max, Charlie and Darnell Gibson, Doug and Kim Pauley, Rick Totty and me. No visitors tonight.
Our thought and prayers are with Sharon Englander and her mother, who is seriously ill and under Doctors care in Nebraska. If you want Dan to stop mailing the newsletter hard copy because you read Happy Trails on the web page, please let Dan Randall know. There is a possibility the June and July newsletter may have to be combined, if necessary as Dan is leaving June 3rd for his month long adventure to the 49th State, Alaska. Dan will post progress reports when possible, he also has a video camera mounted on his bike and will be recording action pictures. Dan, have a wonderful, fun, safe ride and be careful We will have 8 Birthdays in June, John Williams on the 6th, Brenda Hopper on the 8th, Bob Branch on the 19th, Sharon Englander on the 21st, Margaret Rogers, on the 22nd, Beverly Coney on the 23rd, Mary Carole Scott on the 27th and Marion Oller on the 30th and 1 anniversary, Dan and Linda Randall on the 25th. Congratulations and best wishes to all. We have a current bank balance of $ 605.25.
Thanks, to all that have renewed, if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to pay your annual membership $24 dues for 2006. Many have renewed however if you were not at the meetings, please print out a renewal form, note any changes and mail to Hildia Max. We hope everyone will renew, we appreciate and thank you for your support. Also please welcome Terry Taylor as our latest member; we look forward to his participation in our rides and activities. If for some reason you are not able to renew, please let me know.
If you have any possible sponsors in mind, please check and see if they would like to include their business size ad in Happy Trails, as well as on the MTR web site, all for only $30.00/year. As always, please check with our advertisers/sponsors as you have need for their services. Also check the MTR web site often for updates.
I presented the plaque for the MTR Long Ranger Award to Buck and Donna Permenter at the Lakeview Restaurant dinner during our Reelfoot Lake ride on Saturday the 13th, again they rode a total of 21,572 miles, congratulations. Buck and Donna were pleased with the award and issue a challenge, saying just wait until next year, they may try to win again? The MTR 3rd annual Long Ranger Award for 2006/7 will be coordinated this year by David Elston, have you sent your mileage to him yet? Please email your odometer reading ASAP to David Elston mudflap313@wmconnect.com to verify your starting mileage,
Dan now has sold out the first order of MTR Antenna flags however if more folks want one be will reorder. They are $7.00 each. Just let him know.
For your future planning information, BJ will have detailed itinerary emails on these rides:
Saturday, May 13th Honeysuckle Moon Dinner-Reelfoot Lake, TN We a big success we had a good turnout, 23 members and lots of bikes and trikes. See BJ’s detailed email report and the pictures on the web site.
An impromptu event: Armed Forces Day. Freedom Celebration for Armed Forces Day 2006, Sat. 20th at the Bumpus HD dealership on Whitten Road, 4:30/5:00 PM. Flags and pictures. We meet at Shoney’s at 3:30 for the ride over to Bumpus. Also Desoto Honda will have their open house in the morning.
May 27th Big Bob Gibson-Decatur, AL
May 26-28 Trikers Rendezvous- Bardstown, KY
June 2-3 the Freedom Wings, Mousetail Picnic-Parsons, TN
June 10 Dinner Ride to Bozo’s, mason, TN
June 17th Coon Dog Cemetery Ride, Carbon Hill, AL
July 15 Burnt Burger V Cookout, Arkabutla lake, MS

Thanks to all that brought door prizes, remember win one bring one.
Our next meeting will be Thursday July 13th back here at the same time.
MTR theme for 2006 is to Ride Safe and with a sense of awareness.
Stan Adjourned meeting at 7:46 PM

Two very different ways to ride into the sunset

(continued from page 1)

6.) Watch Out for Curves: Beware of taking curves that you can’t see around. A parked truck or a patch of sand may be awaiting you.
7.) Don’t Give In to Road Rage: Do not give in to road rage and try to “get even” with another rider or motorist. If you follow these tips, most likely you won’t fall victim to road rage. It’s better to calm down, slow down, and collect your thoughts first. Then continue on and enjoy the ride. That’s what we’re all out there for in the first place.
8.) Don’t allow Tailgating: If someone is tailgating you, either speed up to open more space or pull over and let them pass. Life is too short. Remember that a bike can stop faster than a car so you don’t want a truck on your tail when you find yourself thing to brake to avoid an accident. Also, don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you. Oncoming drivers can't see you.
9.) Don’t Be Blinded by Sun glare: Beware of riding your motorcycle into sun glare. All it takes is turning a corner and finding the sun either directly in your face or passing straight through your windshield. Some helmets have shields to block the sun. Face shields help somewhat. But sometimes you just find yourself blinded by the light. Slow down, pull over, shield your eyes and look for a way to change direction.
10.) Avoid Riding at Night: Avoid riding at night, especially late Saturday night and early Sunday when drunken drivers may be on the road. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t drink and ride. Going bar hopping? Leave the bike at home and find a designated driver.

Door Prizes - Win One Bring One

Donated By:	Prize	Winner
Dian and Paul Dian and Paul Dian and Paul Dian and Paul Stan Dan Don and Marion Brenda and Mike Charlie and Darnell Floyd	Halogen light 6 in 1 screwdriver Cleaner Flash light Turtle Wax Insulated cup Picture Frame Candles Puzzle Unique pillowr	Floyd Doug Floyd Floyd Doug Marion Charlie Floyd Mike Doug

50/50

$42.00

Dick S.

Bits and Pieces:

“When all else fails, read the instructions.”

Agnes Allen

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

06 John Williams
08 Brenda Hamilton
20 Bob Branch
22 Margaret Rodgers
23 Beverly Coney
28 Mary Carole Scott
30 Marion Oller

Anniversaries:

26 Dan and Linda Randall

Website of the month

www.sparkplugs.com/sparkplug411.asp?kw=Iridium&mfid=0