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Bugnatr

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
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Location
The Woods of Peardale, CA
A month ago I said good bye to my 04 up in Washington State after a suicidal deer asked me for a date.

Wasn't any argument from Foremost insurance about this claim - actually they were great with there service.

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Back in 08 my wife and I flew to Arizona and rented a Gold Wing for 5 days. My little cream puff really enjoyed the comfort of the pillion department so we started saving our pennies to someday move to a Wing. Seems the Deer accelerated our plan and with the Ins. pay off of the feejeer I found myself shopping for a used but new to me bike.

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Found this 08 in Portland Or. and next thing I know I'm on a plane to Portland. The seller was great but after all "you do meet the nicest people on a Honda" :rolleyes: , he picked me up and off to his home a half hour north of Portland. After the paper work and a quick run down on the Honda cockpit I'm headed south to Salem. Did I mention it was getting dark and a light rain? No worries with the front as big as a Peterbuilt I was enjoying a look at Portlnd from Hwy 30 at night.

The next morning was much cooler and some fog (ahh.. heated grips AND seat) I rode down to Eugene BMW to get a replacement boots from the deer meeting. Can't say enough good things about the BMW Allround boots, great fit, never leaked water and deer tested. Started to look at the map and figured it was time to see the Oregon coast on the way down to Redding, Ca.. Enjoyed some quiet roads and learning how to fly the Wing.

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I did spend some time thinking how exactly four weeks after being down from the deer strike I was on a motorcycle. With help from above and my ATGATT I am back riding. Most likely I'll be one of the few Wingnuts wearing a full face helmet and a big grin!

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Yes I will miss the quicker handling of the FJR but I still have my KTM Supermoto T for the really fun stuff. I do have to admit riding in 45 degree temps at night sure is easier on this beast :p

 
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I hope it makes you happy. If my wife liked to ride there is no doubt I would own one of those instead of a sport tourer. I can honestly say that for the pace I ride when I am leading a group, a decent 'Wing pilot can easily stay with us. Obviously it is not as flickable as an FJR, but I was pleasantly surprised at how nimble the big 'Wing is. Considering it is 900 plus pounds...

The most important thing is that in spite of the severity of your accident you got right back on. This speaks volumes to me.

Congratulations.

 
Looking at that FJR reminds me that there is no substitute for what you called, "help from above." Glad you're feeling better and can still ride.

I was just up at the Honda dealer (great deal on tires) and was looking at a couple used Wings (just killing time while the tire was getting balanced). I was studying that pillion you spoke of. The amenities for a passenger are truly amazing. I love my FJR, and don't see myself even considering a wing, ever, but I can certainly see your point. Built in GPS, a stereo right in front of your nose, cruise, heated everything, a greenhouse for a windshield, cup holders, the best seat on the planet... GOOD GREIF. My lazyboy recliner could learn something.

And let me guess, your date left you on the side of the road and bounded back into the woods?

Gary

darksider #44

 
Congratulations on the new bike AND for getting back in the saddle.

So far I've been smart enough to keep my wife off a Wing. So far.

 
Congrats Doug. Looks like you found a great bike. That shield you got is suppose to give you better wind protection that those huge ugly ones from what I've read.

That was the one thing I wanted for my 1500 Wing but she's going up for sale as soon as I get her cleaned up this Fall. I hope the Wife dosen't regret me selling it.

Hope you have many years of fun.

 
Congratulations Diego (I guess!), I'm so very glad to see you've gotten in touch with your feminine side. Papa Chuy is just so damn thankful and grateful you're still riding Germanic with your pumpkin orange Katoom Supermoto, otherwise you would be so dead to me Dude!

 
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When you are ready to do the suspension Doug let me know i have just the guy for you down here.

R

 
I had an '02 Hondapotamus before the Feej.... you can make it a sport tourer with an upgraded suspension and a 70 series rear tire (Avon Cobra). I could see another one in my future as a second bike, maybe.

 
Fantastic! Looks like a great ride and it's good to see you back up and riding again. Any more pics of that ride along the Oregon coast, you know, for those of us in landlocked flatlandistan? :D

 
Congrats on your mobile house, coughcough Wing, I have a bunch of friends running with it and they have no probs of keeping up with the tourer. They're actually show off :lol: being part of the drill team and such.

I'm still torn apart whether I will at one point want to own a Wing or not, but for a fact the friends I have love that beast to death.

I was stunned, seeing your dead FJR and you writing the narative to it... there is the protection from above, I'm very certain on it.

A lot of fun on your Wing and always a dry patch of pavement under your tires and tell the deers to fock off!!!

 
Well, since it is indeed Dog Pile Friday on our Fine FJR Forum: My Irish Cousin Old Michael sent me this video and told me that Doug has started to grow a beard, plus Mick mentioned Bugnatr has a GWRRA vest and picked up an Opus the Penguin doll for his top case! jes' sayin' and nuff' said!now

 
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The most important thing is that in spite of the severity of your accident you got right back on. This speaks volumes to me.

Congratulations.
I wasn't sure I'd ride again but once my ankles were better I figured it was time to get back on the horse or I may not ever ride again. I have gotten to know Tyler well this summer and she has been a real insight into getting back to riding with her words of wisdom. Some of our newer members may not know of her accident, it was much worse than mine and that girl still rides everywhere. Thanks Tyler!

And let me guess, your date left you on the side of the road and bounded back into the woods?

Gary

darksider #44
Wasn't enough left of Bambi to make a decent stew.

Congratulations Diego (I guess!), I'm so very glad to see you've gotten in touch with your feminine side. Papa Chuy is just so damn thankful and grateful you're still riding Germanic with your pumpkin orange Katoom Supermoto, otherwise you would be so dead to me Dude!
I feel your love Don, all the more reason to keep hanging around this place to keep posting pictures of my fine machine :)

When you are ready to do the suspension Doug let me know i have just the guy for you down here.

R
Thanks Richard, FJRay told me you have a good contact. It does have all balls steering, traxion upgrades to the forks and a stronger shock spring but I will need you man when it's time for a new shock.

Fantastic! Looks like a great ride and it's good to see you back up and riding again. Any more pics of that ride along the Oregon coast, you know, for those of us in landlocked flatlandistan? :D
Sorry Jason, but where I was you would have to actually stop riding and WALK to see the ocean so I just kept riding ;)

 
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Congrats on the new ride, Doug. I'm gonna have to inspect that thing while you extoll all its virtues. Glad you've got a touring bike again; even better that it's spouse approved. (And you know better than to listen to anything beemerdons says.) :D

 
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So Doug, are you two going to go with the red shirts and headwear with the black vests or the yellow shirts and headwear with the blue vests? Definitely go with the berets instead of the ball caps! jes' aayin' and nuff' said!

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The Trask's are the Arizona Directors of GWRRA and they have an Alf doll on their top case!

 
Congrats on the new ride, Doug. I'm gonna have to inspect that thing while you extoll all its virtues. Glad you've got a touring bike again; even better that it's spouse approved. (And you know better than to listen to anything beemerdons says.) :D
Hey Now Brother Rich, you know damn well I'm just trying to help our Bug out here. I sent him links for the Hondapotamus auxiliary lighting kit and a link to buy a Garfield the Cat doll for his top case at discount! I'm helping, dammit!

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Congrats on the new bike! Glad your keeping the wifey happy :)

And nice Shoei FF helmet, nothing to preach to me about and I'm with ya 100% on that no matter what the bike. Have fun, b safe!

 
Yep, pretty much my same story (happily without the deer!). Rented a 'Potomas last spring and rode around the PNW for a week. Even before we got back wifey was asking me when we were getting one. She even started purusing the 'Wings for sale site.

And yes, you can make them handle and go faster than you really should.

Well done!

 
So Doug, are you two going to go with the red shirts and headwear with the black vests or the yellow shirts and headwear with the blue vests? Definitely go with the berets instead of the ball caps! jes' aayin' and nuff' said!

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The Trask's are the Arizona Directors of GWRRA and they have an Alf doll on their top case!

:lol: :lol: :lol: OK Don IF you ever see us looking like these fine folks you have my permission to set the Honda on fire.

 
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