tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post6885461363358498287..comments2023-11-10T04:17:00.492-05:00Comments on View From The Porch: The changing of the car?Tamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07285540310465422476noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-17072807257577866642008-03-29T10:12:00.000-04:002008-03-29T10:12:00.000-04:00Buy the DRz SM I ride with a friend who did one b...Buy the DRz SM I ride with a friend who did one before Suzuki and just bought another actual SM because it was a good buy. I have a KLX650 with decent 70/30 tires to do the SM work as well as dirt/gravel. These things are great in town as well as on any back roads you can find. Just not comfortable for the long haul. <BR/><BR/>I moved to the "flat lands" of Columbus Ohio. I plan to do some days back in SE Ohio near my old home in New Philadelphia. We do a lot of SM/dual sport back in SE Ohio. <BR/><BR/>I will tell you I did buy another street bike after moving here - a 550 Zephyr. I wanted something to do some of the crap running around the straight roads of the suburban outskirts of Columbus - I live in Delaware. Great bike, great combination of bikes; a big single (400+) and a smaller mid displacement naked bike. I like the SM look and the old superbike look. You sound a bit like me in those tastes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-8943971475062521432008-03-19T23:29:00.000-04:002008-03-19T23:29:00.000-04:00The DR-Z is cool, but for only $800 more, you can ...The DR-Z is cool, but for only $800 more, you can have two cylinders and 250 more ccs.<BR/><BR/>Weighs a hundred pounds more, though. It's my personal feeling that the 650 will be far better suited to long runs on the highway, though, if you're so inclined to such. Thumpers have a nasty habit of flogging themselves to death at sustained high RPMs.perlhaqrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01920117742664645165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-707178823276938472008-03-19T16:59:00.000-04:002008-03-19T16:59:00.000-04:00Tam, keep the Z#, buy an old rusty 4 WD pickup tru...Tam, keep the Z#, buy an old rusty 4 WD pickup truck, pre-computer if you can find, like an late 70s Chevy or Ford. You can fix them yourself, drive the snot out of them, then park it after the nasty winter, once the potholes are filled and get your speed fix with the Z3. Besides, if you get into a fender bender, who cares? You're a bike person but I've had two friends almost die on them due to car attacks and don't want anything to do with them, you're on your own thereAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-14368935681243918852008-03-19T11:02:00.000-04:002008-03-19T11:02:00.000-04:00Careful of the VW and Mercedes products, the last ...Careful of the VW and Mercedes products, the last few years have dropped them way deep into the "low customer satifaction/reliability zone" on Consumers Reports.<BR/><BR/>(Fun to drive though. Nice gearboxes.)<BR/><BR/>I understand they are climbing outof the reliability pits, but there were a couple of awful years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-82647914501940115182008-03-19T10:15:00.000-04:002008-03-19T10:15:00.000-04:00There are a lot of nice bikes to pick from now a d...There are a lot of nice bikes to pick from now a days and the DRZ would be a perfect Urban Assault Vehicle. I'd have a hard time picking a middleweight bike right now. The SV, Verseys, 675 Speed triple, KTM, the old reliable KLR ..... Lot's of good choices.<BR/><BR/>You need to venture South 50-60 miles and see the part of Indiana that's not all flat. Draw a line, East to West across the state at approximately the Columbus area and the terrain gets a lot more interesting. There's quite a few nice curvy roads for that Beemer and whichever bike you decide on. Granted, it's not Eastern, Tennessee but there are a lot of nice places to ride.<BR/><BR/>So bring the BMW South before you sell it. I'd be happy to direct you to a few if you like.<BR/>Or get a Gazzetter at WalMart and look there.Grumpyunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13494777446194872126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-40482025054016736782008-03-19T03:30:00.000-04:002008-03-19T03:30:00.000-04:00Sv650 or 599, and a Unimog. ;-)Sv650 or 599, and a Unimog. ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-5323062334962130162008-03-18T23:05:00.000-04:002008-03-18T23:05:00.000-04:00For 2-wheels, you can't beat the Motard. Great mi...For 2-wheels, you can't beat the Motard. Great mileage, and the only thing that could outpull me from a stoplight was a Nascar Limited.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-37997044856477592572008-03-18T21:26:00.000-04:002008-03-18T21:26:00.000-04:00still think my dead bug and gl would be safer, not...still think my dead bug and gl would be safer, not to mention googolplex mpg from nonrunning engines...not very fast, though. jtcthe pawnbrokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16643081755036536592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-32953796126176236482008-03-18T21:18:00.000-04:002008-03-18T21:18:00.000-04:00we have a winner!tam, xavier has your bike posted....we have a winner!<BR/><BR/>tam, xavier has your bike posted...<BR/><BR/>not sure wtf steampunk is, but it seems to have a snowplow option...jtcthe pawnbrokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16643081755036536592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-57695396403479026372008-03-18T18:21:00.000-04:002008-03-18T18:21:00.000-04:00You should just go for the gusto.http://www.ktm-rc...You should just go for the gusto.<BR/><BR/>http://www.ktm-rc8.net/fileadmin/rc8/video/vid_2.php<BR/><BR/>Whoeee!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-58257426565868515092008-03-18T18:05:00.000-04:002008-03-18T18:05:00.000-04:00Nothing like a big light thumper around town. . . ...Nothing like a big light thumper around town. . . . on in the dirt either.<BR/><BR/>The Maxima works nicely and is very friendly to tall people.GeorgeHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10736838055941100599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-19465570949253380442008-03-18T17:23:00.000-04:002008-03-18T17:23:00.000-04:00MIght as well throw in my 2 wheaties.Jeep Wrangler...MIght as well throw in my 2 wheaties.<BR/><BR/>Jeep Wrangler (TJ preferably) or a Mini Cooper. Obviously the Jeep is a blast to drive has teh whole 4X4 thing for ssafety and fun, though admittedly has the aerodynamic properties of a brick. That said I still get 20+ mpg on highway roadtrips with my 4.0L I6.<BR/><BR/>OTOH the Mini is a BLAST, it's tiny, light weight, sips fuel and is insanely fast and stable.It even has space for guns and loads of headroom. Yeah, I think it's RWD, but a couple of bags of kitty litter would resolve any potential problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-16096654674272135022008-03-18T17:06:00.000-04:002008-03-18T17:06:00.000-04:00If I lived in flatland Indiana I'd get a Crown Vic...If I lived in flatland Indiana I'd get a Crown Vic or Lincoln Marauder with the police pursuit suspension package and some serious motor-work and learn to enjoy all the glorious elbow-room. It would be bitchin' with a 4X4 underneath a lift-kit too, as long as we're fantasizing.NotClauswitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14358707844087117280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-29298585787541845172008-03-18T17:04:00.000-04:002008-03-18T17:04:00.000-04:00"'I think the poor lady is fickle.'I think someone...<EM>"'I think the poor lady is fickle.'<BR/><BR/>I think someone's suffering from poor reading comprehension."</EM><BR/><BR/>Dear Dr.,<BR/><BR/>I'm merely noting here that this isn't the first time that our beloved hostess has brought up the subject, and it seems that she can't settle on a car that she likes. IIRC, it was the, what'd she call it, Atomic Doorstop, or something like that? The first-gen MR2?<BR/><BR/>She's now going on about how much she misses her old 924? Is that right?<BR/><BR/>My comprehension is just fine, thanks.<BR/><BR/>Again, she's fickle.theirritablearchitecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04105315709746689270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-12701321632607566442008-03-18T16:48:00.000-04:002008-03-18T16:48:00.000-04:00KTM is the only name in Motard.KTM is the only name in Motard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-3006473738270674652008-03-18T16:00:00.000-04:002008-03-18T16:00:00.000-04:00I've had more fun watching paint dry than I have h...<I>I've had more fun watching paint dry than I have had driving one of those "Minivans For Soccer Dads".</I><BR/><BR/>Ow, Harsh. <BR/><BR/>To each his own. I've driven/ridden in some fine cars. 928S4. 944 turbo. Ferrari Dino. Maserati Tipo 61. Oh, we're going fast. Yawn. Oh, we took that corner really fast. Yawn. <BR/><BR/>When you're upside down in a land rover sliding down a ravine with a precipitous drop at the end, and you're pretty sure you're gonna die, THAT"s excitement. And it can carry the 3500 lbs of tools I need to do my gig. <BR/><BR/>And while Kim may live IN the suburbs, at heart, he is more a city dweller than anyone I know.<BR/><BR/>The Z is a fine car. If you like it, do what midwesterners do. Get a set of "winter" rims and mount tires on them that aren't rubberband thin, and swap them out in the spring. <BR/><BR/>A car with 100,000 (properly maintained)miles is still a new car. Hell, the Exploder has 295,000, and I fully intend to get another 200,000.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-57622519657168458012008-03-18T15:24:00.000-04:002008-03-18T15:24:00.000-04:00Whats the year on your Zed 3? The 944 style rear ...Whats the year on your Zed 3? <BR/><BR/>The 944 style rear transaxle is great in the snow, but hard to find one that you can count on for reliable transportation.<BR/><BR/>The Subaru WRX is fun, and fast, but spendy. <BR/><BR/>You might want to check out the VW Rabbit, its no Z3, but its reasonably fast and fun to drive. Its also got lots of room for guns in the back.<BR/><BR/>AEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-84643390081067211582008-03-18T14:44:00.000-04:002008-03-18T14:44:00.000-04:00so, you like those rear transaxles, do you? well, ...so, you like those rear transaxles, do you? well, in my toy garage next to my little '54 chev ratrod pickup (we celebrated our 50th birthdays together)...is a '67 vw bug that hasn't moved since '00 when i considered a resto for my then 16yo son...it's the same as that 924 except cosmetics, right? <BR/><BR/>and then there's a half o' goldwing gl-500 silverwing, also immobile since '00...i think these would be the safest choices anyone has mentioned...:)<BR/><BR/>...add to that not one but two '71 trail 90's which haven't been run since the boy and i used to podunk around our .22 plinkin' woods in '99...why the hell do i keep all this crap? jtcthe pawnbrokerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16643081755036536592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-19741057939502952872008-03-18T14:19:00.000-04:002008-03-18T14:19:00.000-04:00An older Toyota 4Runner would fit all of your requ...An older Toyota 4Runner would fit all of your requirements (except maybe gas, IIRC they get around 20mpg highway). Damn things last about a million miles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-56112312804302623422008-03-18T12:55:00.000-04:002008-03-18T12:55:00.000-04:00It's not on your criteria sheet, but the Wife boug...It's not on your criteria sheet, but the Wife bought herself a '05 Merc Mariner a couple of months ago- just came off an executive lease, 30k miles. Premiere (high-zoot) trim level, V-6, FWD, heated leather seats. Got it for a little under 2/3 of the new retail sticker. I like letting someone else eat the depreciation. Took it to ETX a couple of weeks ago and recorded 26+mpg cruising at 70+ on I-20. Last weekend we folded down the back seat and fit 6 Mission-style straight-backed chairs and 2 35 gallon Nalgene carbuoys in it easily enough. <BR/><BR/>Based on that criteria, you should be able to fit enough arms and IPA in it to get to the Big Bend with a couple of cubic feet left over for 'incidentals'. It also has a tighter turn radius than my Zook truck.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/>Rabbit.Rabbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09924556230506190220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-86891590888248045192008-03-18T12:37:00.000-04:002008-03-18T12:37:00.000-04:00"I think the poor lady is fickle."I think someone'..."I think the poor lady is fickle."<BR/><BR/>I think someone's suffering from poor reading comprehension.Dr. StrangeGunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03349076338197668654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-72083844547615132172008-03-18T12:35:00.000-04:002008-03-18T12:35:00.000-04:00I think the poor lady is fickle.Sticking with the ...I think the poor lady is fickle.<BR/><BR/>Sticking with the Beemer and getting the new bike is a solution to her, er... dilemma, that she needs to look into.<BR/><BR/>Nothing beats 4WD for getting around in the muck of winter, but I'm thinking our hostess is less than excited about the prospects of driving a pick'emup.<BR/><BR/>Sporty wagon? Dunno, but I can't see her doing that either. Sedan? NO WAY IN HELL! Econobox? Prolly not.<BR/><BR/>She likes her RWD sports cars, and she just needs to learn to like the snow and deal, methinks.<BR/><BR/>So Tam, what is it that you are looking for?theirritablearchitecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04105315709746689270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-38661833975331045672008-03-18T12:30:00.000-04:002008-03-18T12:30:00.000-04:00Excellent!I can see it now! Railing through corner...Excellent!<BR/><BR/>I can see it now! Railing through corners in downtown Indianapolis leaving phat darkies in the corners!<BR/><BR/>In a more serious vein, they really are great bikes and are surpassed only by the far more expensive KTM StreetMoto machines. <BR/><BR/>If it weren't for my need to commute 60 miles per day on the bike, I probably would've bought a DRZ-SM (and kept my old bike) instead of buying the V-Strom 650.Adrian Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05966665618865037355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-35814380121430950302008-03-18T11:58:00.000-04:002008-03-18T11:58:00.000-04:00My vote goes for a generic pickup to carry stuff, ...My vote goes for a generic pickup to carry stuff, 2WD with a tall rear for mileage, and a cab-height shell on the bed. A good crotch rocket for fun, which can be carried in the truck if need be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15907727.post-83361957067944130062008-03-18T11:57:00.000-04:002008-03-18T11:57:00.000-04:00I understand your antipathy towards Honda Accords,...I understand your antipathy towards Honda Accords, but for cars that are decent on gas and with trunk space to carry rifles, they are good choices. Plus, there are a bazillion of them on the road, if anonymity is your bag.<BR/><BR/>The Civic also works, for the additional 5-10mpg it getsComrade Misfithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15404477636451308763noreply@blogger.com