Bent

It's two and a half years later, on Christmas day in fact, since my last post here. Thought I would cruise on over to VFRD and take a look at what's going on. I didn't go to "The Dark Side" (see my post below), I am completely out of the bike business. In April of next year (2024) I am scheduled for back surgery at Cleveland Clinic to hopefully get at least part of a truly messed up back fixed. I'm dreading the surgery but hoping it will do some good. I have learned more than I want to know about the spine. One of those things being that most spine doctors aren't qualified, hence, a trip to Cleveland Clinic, allegedly the best. If your back isn't a mess, be thankful. Motorcycles don't help back health. That's what got me out of motorcycles. In January, I go to get yet another double epidural in my back (four shots with very long needles). Not as bad as it sounds, for temporary relief. In this time since last posting, I think I may have seen one VFR on the roads. They seem to have faded away. In fact, I don't see many of any kind of motorcycle on the roads compared to the 2000...single digit years. Times may have changed and people sure have with me being one of them. This back issue has been life changing. I clearly remember the old gang back in the "glory years" of renting the Franklin Motel and running the roads in Western NC, putting around 400 miles on the bike in a day in the twisties. Those days have come and gone for me. The wife and I still drive on over there now and then just to escape the home place. The Dragon doesn't have the same demographic on it as it once did. Fewer sport bikes everytime we go. A lot of people haven't slain The Dragon but did get slain themselves. It doesn't attract me any longer probably due to enough miles on it. Just checking in and wondering who is left on this forum. No doubt some new members and I'll surf around and see if who from the old gang is still here. Merry Christmas 2023....Bent

Due to back pain, and discomfort on VFR's, I found a buyer for my 8th gen. and turned it loose. After about 6 months of being bike-less, I have the urge again. I just am not able to ride all day on a VFR (have had three of them) any longer like I could in several TMAC's. Back in the day I could make them go in Western NC at a pretty good clip. Pain is the reason I haven't been attending TMAC for a long time. The only cure for that is a new (don't like other people's problems) Goldwing without the rear seat (I don't do two up). Due to a friend raving about it, I want the DCT tranny. That tells you what a pussy I've become. I really do want to just be able to jump on something and ride all day like I used to, have a beer, eat, and hit the bed, rinse and repeat. A few of you might remember me from TMAC rides several years ago when we stayed at the Franklin Motel (gone but not forgotten). That was when we reserved and filled the entire place before it was literally bulldozed and hauled off. Anyway, question......yes, Goldwings are hard to find and dealers don't want to deal. Question: Where to go? Anyone have any suggestions as I shop? Thanks, Bent

2014 RED, Standard VFR/Interceptor for sale. 17-18K miles, never dropped, crashed with zero marks, scratches etc. No aftermarket parts on the bike. Bike is in perfect shape. Chain is good, tires good. Bike DOES have a centerstand. This is basically a perfect specimen. Located in the Southeast. $5250. PM me for details. Bent. UPDATE: The bike sold this morning. Back pain was tearing me up so something had to give. Maybe there's room for a Goldwing, LOL. I'm not dead yet, just bikeless right now. Be careful out there.....Bent....the legend lives on!

My 2014 is on the original Yuasa that came with the bike. That's all I need to know about batteries. It starts and runs like it was new.

FOR SALE: 2014 Honda Interceptor/VFR. Standard model WITH center-stand. Color is red. The motorcycle has never been dropped or crashed. There is not a scratch or mark on it and it has 17800 miles on it. Runs like it should, chain and tires in good condition. Ready to ride anywhere with a full tank of gas. This bike has a Honda Center-stand and Delkevic 14" slip on and OEM muffler if you want it. Serious inquires only call me at: 256-655-0940 or email me at: jbrm@me.com for pictures. Price: $5500 cash or USPS money order. Located in northern Alabama.

A 2018 Trek Domane SL5 with disc brakes and an old Lemond Buenos Aires. I like both of them, one as much as the other.

Thanks Terry Cloth. Sometimes I really wonder. I decided to have a Labor Day weekend with no pain so I took a lot of naps, LOL!

Roadsmarts will be my next tire. Dunlop seems to be less costly than my fav. Angel GT's that I can never find discounted. They sure do wear great though.

Anyone here ever change just the oil and leave the filter in? I generally change every 4K but have been doing it based on time because it doesn't get 4K miles on it in a year any more. Was thinking it's such a PIA changing the filter and that it holds so little oil I may just drain it and refill it. Knowing me, I would just go ahead and do the filter too but just asking if anyone else does it. When it does get ridden, it gets very hard riding in twisties at high rpms. What say others?

I beat the snot out of my VFR Sunday, put her up and always wonder how they take it without blowing up. The Angel GT rear is holding up amazingly well too. Tires are better than they used to be.

I too remember that one like it was yesterday too. I saw this tractor-trailer coming straight at me (us) in the middle of the sharp(ish) curve so I made more room the only way I could which was to go to the outside while in an apex. (not a natural thing to do!) which was breaking a normal line and going to the outside line. Thankfully, the truck driver cut his steering wheel right into the solid rock facing and destroyed the right side of his truck and trailer for our butts. All that when almost back to Franklin from just a quick trip to the Gap Store. I feel for the truck driver but he saved our tails. I also remember stopping with you, TimC, and a few others at the little parking lot at the beginning of Wayah Rd. asking you all if you were sure you wanted to "rail" Wayah. Everyone said "yes" so we took off, I looked in my mirrors and nobody was there. I slowed down for a long time and everyone caught up. I was in my prime back then and maybe a little stupid but I could navigate a turn. Just last night I told my better half that I have time to tone up, ride more, and get ready for a trip to the area this Fall on the bike for a long weekend. I may never go again on a bike, but if I do, it will be after getting stronger. The ride over there is all good but the next days are brutal soreness when not in shape. We shall see. Some of the best riding roads in the world are only 3 hours from home but I always take the twisty roads there so I arrive worn out (and not in good physical condition). It can get painful.

Honda Civic which I have. 40+ mpg., goes well, and while plain Jane, is the best buy I ever made in a car including a Z06 piece of garbage quality.

Angel GT's. They're expensive but last a long time and the edges, after yesterday, gripped superbly. Got a Cycle Gear flyer in the mail this weekend with rear Bridgestone T30's for $99 and I'll pass on them. Bridgestones beat me up too badly. Hard sidewalls. Never will one be on my wheels again.

If you look at the numbers, a VFR will outrun a lot of cars out there. That said, how much risk do you want to take? I would say I was outrun by an old but "fixed up" Mustang yesterday. I proved to him I could hang with him but the speeds got too high on a curvy road and I had no intention of doing that when I left home so I wanted to make it home. At a stop sign, I pulled up next to the car and it was beautiful sitting there with loping cam. Sometimes people make you want to play but be careful.

Glad you're OK. The Blueridge is a great place to ride or drive slow. I'd like to do it again with the spousal unit. We've done it before and find it hard to drive fast the scenery is so good. It's also a great place to get a FEDERAL speeding ticket. Those boys tend to take no prisoners. Speaking of bicycles, I rode my new Trek carbon fiber hard last Saturday then rode the VFR hard Sunday and am paying for it today. Fun doesn't suck though, LOL!

Yep, I remember that guy Bent. I have only been on Wayah Road once since then so don't know what condition it is in. TMAC used to be a 60 rider event that was not to be missed. The old Franklin Motel has been bulldozed. Many stories were told at that place. We used to rent the entire motel for the weekend. I remember TimC, MaxSwell, Katherine, Sweeper, and too many others to name. Sadly, the event has faded away as faces have changed through the years. I took a trip to the area two years ago and it is not nearly as infested with sport bikes as in years past. Parking Harleys at The Gap Store seems to be the in thing to do now. There were some expert riders back in the day that were fun to ride with. To the OP, nice write up that begs for "the dark side" of The Dragon. I've ridden it too many times to guess and I have more respect for it than any other road anywhere. It is extremely challenging in many ways. When the once Gov. of Tenn., Bredeson, infested the road with cops, things did change. There were letter writing campaigns, complaining, you name it, to no avail. It was like being infested with Nazi's. I've been stopped only for a license and registration check. That, unfortunately, hasn't changed. This whole issue was caused by the stupid few. The road has no cell phone coverage so if you get hurt, you won't get attention for a long time. I can ride the road "fast" but that became a "been there done that" thing. As far as slower vehicles blocking traffic. there are two things to do. Either pass them or follow them. The typical "wreck" on The Dragon is a head on because someone isn't smart enough to stay in their lane or a Harley rider with not enough skill to negotiate 318 continuous turns. Fond memories include a trip there alone and seeing the largest black bear I've ever seen ambling across The Dragon with it's thick coat flopping on his (her) back as he trotted across the road. Being there in the off season when I could ride a down and back run seeing not another vehicle on it. Katherine leading a "slow" group then pulling over on The Cherohala to let me lead a group that wanted to move on out. She was a rider's rider. The good news about The Dragon is that there are so many roads better to ride in the area. Highway 28 from Franklin to the Gap Store is infinitely better and safer. Hwy. 209 (I think) to Hot Springs (?) is nice and the Cherohala Skyway is much more fun. Wayah Rd.,, parts of 129,, and maybe better roads in N. Georgia like The Suches Loop (nice one), and too many to name. I would like to do another trip up there but one thing that always makes me think twice is the amount of body pain that place can produce during and afterwards! I've done 425 miles of nothing but curves there in a day but the body pays for it in pain. Age has nothing to do with it of course. ; ). Anyway, OP and TimC, you bring back memories. MaxSwell needs to chime in here.

I used to drag pegs, then I wised up.

Tankslapper.

I don't know why "deer hunting" is called hunting, they're so common where I live. I call it deer shooting. They wonder around my backyard like they own the place but woe be to me if I shoot one. They've become pests AFAIC. A lot of people agree with that. Our govt. always knows what's best when it comes to "wildlife conservation" though. Don't know that I agree with the map either. It's from State Farm. An insurance company with nothing but increasing rates as their main concern. Ask me how I know.

And to think that at one time deer were rare in North America until they rebounded for various reasons. At least in The South it happened..

And, I for one, appreciate your efforts, HS. I know we all do.

Agree with BrianF. We used to have a Miata and, IMO, they are one of the most under-estimated twisty cars out there. They will never win a drag race but when you have a 2400 pound car on pretty sticky tires, low center of gravity with a decent driver, it will do pretty well in Western NC. What I hated about it was the way other drivers tried bullying me around when I was driving it. Some warped people think they are "girls cars" and I found tailgating and aggressive driving when I was in mine was, for some unknown reason, very common. I could drive it away from or around anyone in traffic and found myself doing it when I really didn't want to have to drive that way. Anyway, getting rid of it was one of the bigger mistakes I've made. They are very fun to drive. One thing I would do when I had "fasty" cars was to take them out to very large, clean, no light pole, parking lots and find out the "lose grip point". It's good to know for any car you own. On the bike vs. car thing, it's always the rider or driver more than the vehicle.

I use OEM filters because they're good, cheap and I don't worry about oil filters. I think Honda knows what filters to brand for their motorcycles. Just another opinion. Let us know what is causing your leak. That one sounds strange.

Nevermind The Constitution. Amazing how quickly some people follow the herd instinct into Nazi-ism. Swain county is up for lawsuits as are many other jurisdictions. Problem is, no govt. "institution" would be like to hear any of that. Power corrupts. Motorcycles are just too much fun to allow them to operate...... Where there is a will, there is a way. Is camping on private property likely to be discovered?

Nobody needs a VFR.