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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | It has been months since I have logged in here.
I am still riding my Vision every day I can. Over 33,000 miles on it so far.
I am having radio issues....I think I killed the Rockford Fosgate Amplifier. I am trying to make time to bypass it this weekend to find out.
I have been wanting to update my skills and my resume...just in case. So I studied for three months for a certification called "VMware Certified Professional" I passed that on October 2, 2012. Next I am getting a Cisco certification.
I picked up a used bike in mid July. The "Ironhorse" mountain bicycle was laying on top of a trash pile about a half a block from my house so I stopped the truck and tossed it in the back. This bike has pedals and 21 gears and over 4 inches of travel in the front shocks. The chain was rusted solid and both tires were flat. Replaced the chain and aired up the tires. It is a good find for me since I live next to a park that has over 20 miles of trails for mountain bicycles.
Since then I have lost 13 pounds riding this bike. I have always had a vague thought of riding a bicycle to work. Now I ride about seven miles on the pedal bike to work once or twice a week. I am able to stay off of the road for most of the trip while riding down a city park greenway. Good thing they have showers at work.
Oh yea, on October 6 I totaled my 2003 Trailblazer. Yes, I am OK. I got distracted by the car to my right on the highway that was encroaching on my lane. When I looked up the car in front of me had stopped. I almost got it shut down.......almost. No airbags deployed thank goodness. My bumper hit their trailer hitch limiting the damage. My truck looked fine with some grill and bumper damage. I drove it home and to the repair shop. The Insurance company totaled it and I got a check for its value. Been shopping for a cage for the last two weeks.
Looks like I am buying a 2013 Nissan Rogue today. For $23,500 I could not ask for more in a small SUV.
Had a car think that the center turn lane is their acceleration lane this morning. They were cutting me off from my turn. I had right of way....they were illegally driving in a turn lane.
I tapped the horn. They honked back. I turned on my four yellow LED strobes lights (the same strobes that are used on the Victory Police bikes but are yellow) they then decided to be a sport and let me turn. They then pulled over to the side of the road and let me by. Maybe they mistakenly thought I was a police officer....big black bike....white helmet....high intensity strobe lights.
All I know is that I was able to make it to work safely.
I will try to check in more often.
Ride Safe |
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Cruiser
Posts: 171
San Antonio, Texas | Good to hear from you, Paul! Sorry to hear about the wreck....but,things have a way of working our for the best in cases like these. Congrats on the certifications, too. Those are always good to have in your pocket. I see you're cranking about town now....not sure about that one, with all the savage road raging cagers around SA nowadays. Keep in touch, we need to get together for another ride soon.
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| Check out the new 2013 Ford Escape before you committ to the Nissan.....Much better vehicle and the $ stay in America.....JMHO..Your Choice... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 156
Bluff Park, Alabama - God's Country! 2011 PW VV | Good to see you back! Post up a pic of you strobes on your bike! I want to see where they are mounted, please! |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| Should we tell him about the new handshake?......welcome back..... |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| Welome 'home' RT  |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | opas ride - 2012-11-01 3:50 PM
Check out the new 2013 Ford Escape before you commit to the Nissan.....Much better vehicle and the $ stay in America.....JMHO..Your Choice...
Opas I did look at the full range of vehicles in that class. Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, Toyoda Rav4 Honda CRV and others.
None of them came close to the price vs. features that I could get in a Rogue.
Living in South Texas, I have never been a fan of leather seats and dark interiors but I like electric controls on seats. The Rogue I am buying comes with cloth seats....that are 8 way adjustable.
Other items I like on this car are a Navigation System, electric moonroof (mainly to let the heat our the car in the summer), Bose Audio with XM, iPod connections, backup camera, fog lights and other extras.
To get a Navigation system and a moonroof from other manufactures I had to get leather and pay $4000 to $5000 more. Remember I got all this for $23,500 +ttl. I went to seven dealers and drove six cars over two weeks before settling on a manufacturer, make and model. I then took another week at four Nissan dealers before I got the deal I wanted on the exact Rogue I wanted.
You would not believe the stories I heard. I did not waste too much time...I just rode away on my Vision.
None of the dealers in town wanted my business. They wanted to sell me what they had not what I wanted. I did not...I wanted what I wanted.
One dealer had what I wanted but want to charge me $1800 more then where I bought it.
The kicker is my out of town dealer traded another dealer for the Rogue I am buying....they got it from the in town dealer that had it on their lot and wanted to charge me $1800 more for it.
I know it is Japan made product. But I tell you the American Air Force retired Sargent working as salesman was very happy to sell it to me. I am happy to know that I am putting food on his table for his wife and kids.
Speaking of American made products...I would like to shout out to all those fine folks buying tough Toyoda Tundra Pickups that are built right here in San Antonio, TX!!
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2012-11-01 9:39 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Here is a picture of my Totaled 2003 Trailblazer. I drove it home. Everything worked....the AC, no leaks....even the lights!!
Then I drove it to the repair shop. They said the repair would be over $5100. I think the insurance wanted it as soon as I said that I had clear title on it. They paid me a fair price but I just wanted it fixed.
(Totaled.JPG)
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Here is a picture of my new free ride I picked up. I put a new cruiser type seat and trigger type shifters on it.
Plus, to go through the park in the morning I added a strong headlight. A NiteRider MiNewt.500. This thing will light the night for 90 minutes at 500 lumen so I can see.....not just be seen. I can charge it with any USB port when I get to work.
NiteRider MiNewt.500 Cordless LED Headlight
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1126780_-1...
The motor sure is weak...
Edited by radioteacher 2012-11-01 9:40 PM
(Ironhorse.JPG)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Nice to see you here, radioteacher. I've watched a bunch of your videos. (Thanks for those.) Sorry to hear you bumped your TB. Assuming the frame isn't tweaked, I'd start scouring boneyards and pick up pieces here and there. Even eBay has a good price on something once in a while. Assuming you're planning on keeping it a long time (and not worrying about resale), even a salvage title won't matter. You'll get to drive a nice truck for nothing. It's amazing (and shameful) how much some relatively minor damage costs to fix on the "newer" vehicles. My truck isn't anything special ('04 S10 based Blazer) and it's paid for but I still carry full coverage just for something like this. If I got into a fender bender like you did (and could still safely drive the truck), I'd take the insurance money and run. Probably wouldn't buy anything else, either. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| opas ride - 2012-11-01 3:50 PM
Check out the new 2013 Ford Escape before you committ to the Nissan.....Much better vehicle and the $ stay in America.....JMHO..Your Choice...
+1 on buying American.... irrespective of where the parts are made... more money and jobs stay here. |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| Radioteacher...The biggest difference is the Toyota may be assembled in Texas, but the profits from their sales mainly support a Japanese country and company....Glad you are happy as choice is what makes our Country great!!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | opas ride - 2012-11-01 2:50 PM
Check out the new 2013 Ford Escape before you committ to the Nissan.....Much better vehicle and the $ stay in America.....JMHO..Your Choice...
Welcome back Radioteacher!
opas, I bought my daughter an Escape. Great vehicle! best part .....American 
Edited by jimtom 2012-11-02 9:55 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 206
Lumber Bridge, NC United States | It is good to hear from you RT, sorry about your mishaps. congrads on your certs, and the bike riding. you know when we all come to a forum we see the same people on here and watch thier posts. we almost get to know the people or persons like we have been friends for along time. then all of a sudden you don't see thier posts and you begin to wonder if something bad has happened to this person. we all have life issues to deal with I guess, but please check in every so often. great to read your posts again and good luck with what ever you do. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 57
Kansas City, MO | Congrats on the purchase and welcome back.
Oh, and i LOVE my Tundra! |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | I say it does not matter anymore what you buy for the next four years. Glad you were OK after your situation. I have watched your u-tube videos and am a great fan, welcome back.....
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | 8-ball - 2012-11-09 9:16 PM
I say it does not matter anymore what you buy for the next four years. Glad you were OK after your situation. I have watched your u-tube videos and am a great fan, welcome back.....
I get what you're saying but I think it always matters. Just my humble opinion. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | For the last two weekends I worked the Victory Demo Rides at the two dealerships in South Texas.
It sure is fun riding American Bikes!!
Ride Safe |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Good to have you back! |
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