Life

I have resisted creating a LinkedIn profile for a while now as I didn't want to manage yet another social media site I won't use. However, as it seems to be a prominent place for career connection building, I decided to give it a try.

Especially as it is more about connections than posting content, it will be interesting to see if it brings any friendships or opportunities my way.

From Motorcycle Adventures

I had been keeping an eye open for a white Kawasaki Voyager 1700 ABS at the right price since test riding one at Carlisle Bikefest a few years ago. Although I loved the test ride, Kawasaki keeps the cool color schemes for the Vaquero while the Voyager gets the boring schemes. For my purposes the rear trunk and top opening saddlebags are very useful features which trumps getting the awesome looking Orange with black flames Vaquero. ABS models add to the difficulty of finding these; buyers are seeking the safety of ABS but dealers aren't getting them in stock since it saves them money on the floor, so they go quickly when they do hit sales floors and are rarely traded in.

Finding one in Altoona at Steve Seltzer Powersports in the Pearl Alpine White / Pearl Luster Beige color combo, from the pictures I actually thought it would be too gold to appeal to me, but in person it is a mellow tan and off white combo which I enjoy. I have been debating various ways to add orange highlights, but will likely leave it unmodified at least for a while.

Rode it west of Cleveland and back over the weekend; I have no regrets trading the vStar 950 in for this one. Although I loved the looks of the 950, the cockpit dimensions never really fit me and I wasn't comfortable on it even after 21,000+ miles of riding. I regularly scraped the floorboards with the 950, but the Voyager actually has better clearance and better handling; certainly something I didn't expect moving up to a full dresser. I also really like the high seating position on this one; it feels more like I'm on top of the bike and looking over the fairing; no doubt one of the reasons I liked the test ride as it feels more open. I am thinking the full faired front is going to be too hot in the summer, but I have other rides for those hot days. That warm engine heat makes trips to Ohio in November significantly more comfortable.