brantvol16
Aug 28th, 2006, 9:50 pm
After months of shopping and deliberating ie procrastinating I finally did the deal and stepped up! Almost new 06 LT is now sitting in my garage next to my old (relatively) Volusia.
Seems almost insignificant when said that way so let me expand. I joined this forum in the spring as part of my research into the mysterious world of the LT. I became entranced by the bike and the community of avid, nay crazy, supporters of the beast. Concurrently, Lynda and I checked out the contenders and arrived at the conclusion that the LT was it for us.
The quest is on! Months of lurking, ebaying and shopping lead to a strong possibility - an 06 with 1300 miles showed up on eBay. I made my bid and lost. Despair and relief are a curious mix but disappointment was the ultimate
emotion. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the winning bidder bailed and the bike could now be mine.
Mike and I traded many emails and phone calls - he deserves a medal - until I finally stepped up. Last week, I had my Bank wire the cash and the bike is MINE!!
Oh, small problem - LT is in Maryville, TN and Geoff is in Ontario, Canada. No biggy, fly down, pick up bike, ride home. NOOOO WAY! Lynda is having nightmares of Geoff and Mike falling off the Dragon never to be seen again.
OK - what is the answer? Geoff and Lynda drive to TN, meet Mike, play on the Dragon and Geoff rides back to Ontario with Lynda watching my back. Good plan except IT RAINS! We got to Tennessee Sunday before last in the thick of a downpour. Every time I thought I could saddle up, it got heavier and to top it off, the LT has Metzlers. Way too much tension for this chicken so no Dragon this year. What could we do? CHILI'S for Margueritas!!
Monday - better weather so no more excuses - get on and ride. Picked the bike up at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson - BIG shout for Shane and the guys!! This is a dealer that gets it - great people and great service - go there if you are in the neighbourhood. So what if they have the wrong brand!!
After a few circuits of the parking lot to get the feel of the beast, it is time to hit the road - no fear, no excuses, just do it, just ride it and so on. Are you kidding! I'm scared s***less! This sucker is Huge and fast and heavy! OK, I can do this; it is just a bike!
Wow, I can do this! What a great ride! Comfy, agile, fast, smooth - pick an adjective -this is a marvelous machine!
We head North - I75 all the way until we stop at Lima, OH on Monday night. Tuesday morning, it is 55 degrees heading up to 80 or so. The liner in my Cyclesport jacket earns it's keep as do the heated grips, heated seats and adjustable windshield. By noon, I don't need any of them but nice to have.
Bluewater Bridge - it's 2 pm and we now get to experience the undefended border! Not a big deal and by 3 pm we are on the last leg home.
5 pm - home again!! What a blast! 800 miles in 2 days - a record for me (but trivial for some of you) and the beginning of a whole new set of learning experiences and curves for me.
Thank you to all of you who have unconsciously and unwittingly contributed to my adventure - I could not have done it without you! I will have many questions in the days ahead and hopefully some contributions to make. I do know that this group will respond and help as needed.
I think I bought the LT as much for the camaraderie of this forum as for the bike itself. Both are awesome!
Geoff
Seems almost insignificant when said that way so let me expand. I joined this forum in the spring as part of my research into the mysterious world of the LT. I became entranced by the bike and the community of avid, nay crazy, supporters of the beast. Concurrently, Lynda and I checked out the contenders and arrived at the conclusion that the LT was it for us.
The quest is on! Months of lurking, ebaying and shopping lead to a strong possibility - an 06 with 1300 miles showed up on eBay. I made my bid and lost. Despair and relief are a curious mix but disappointment was the ultimate
emotion. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the winning bidder bailed and the bike could now be mine.
Mike and I traded many emails and phone calls - he deserves a medal - until I finally stepped up. Last week, I had my Bank wire the cash and the bike is MINE!!
Oh, small problem - LT is in Maryville, TN and Geoff is in Ontario, Canada. No biggy, fly down, pick up bike, ride home. NOOOO WAY! Lynda is having nightmares of Geoff and Mike falling off the Dragon never to be seen again.
OK - what is the answer? Geoff and Lynda drive to TN, meet Mike, play on the Dragon and Geoff rides back to Ontario with Lynda watching my back. Good plan except IT RAINS! We got to Tennessee Sunday before last in the thick of a downpour. Every time I thought I could saddle up, it got heavier and to top it off, the LT has Metzlers. Way too much tension for this chicken so no Dragon this year. What could we do? CHILI'S for Margueritas!!
Monday - better weather so no more excuses - get on and ride. Picked the bike up at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson - BIG shout for Shane and the guys!! This is a dealer that gets it - great people and great service - go there if you are in the neighbourhood. So what if they have the wrong brand!!
After a few circuits of the parking lot to get the feel of the beast, it is time to hit the road - no fear, no excuses, just do it, just ride it and so on. Are you kidding! I'm scared s***less! This sucker is Huge and fast and heavy! OK, I can do this; it is just a bike!
Wow, I can do this! What a great ride! Comfy, agile, fast, smooth - pick an adjective -this is a marvelous machine!
We head North - I75 all the way until we stop at Lima, OH on Monday night. Tuesday morning, it is 55 degrees heading up to 80 or so. The liner in my Cyclesport jacket earns it's keep as do the heated grips, heated seats and adjustable windshield. By noon, I don't need any of them but nice to have.
Bluewater Bridge - it's 2 pm and we now get to experience the undefended border! Not a big deal and by 3 pm we are on the last leg home.
5 pm - home again!! What a blast! 800 miles in 2 days - a record for me (but trivial for some of you) and the beginning of a whole new set of learning experiences and curves for me.
Thank you to all of you who have unconsciously and unwittingly contributed to my adventure - I could not have done it without you! I will have many questions in the days ahead and hopefully some contributions to make. I do know that this group will respond and help as needed.
I think I bought the LT as much for the camaraderie of this forum as for the bike itself. Both are awesome!
Geoff