SERVICE CHECK UP #II

January 5^th, 2005

It's that time again. I hit the 8,000 mile mark and took the Sabre in for its service check up. Up till the start of winter, I was averaging about 1,000 miles a month (I bought the bike in April). The onset of cold (mostly wet) weather had slowed down my appetite for riding, so it took me 9 months to rack up the 8,000 miles. I'm hoping the recent rash of spring weather sticks around long enough for me to get back on track with my travel log.

As always, I motored over to Honda of Norfolk and entrusted my purple bundle of love into Dave's hands. Those of you who are familiar with Dave's work and reputation know that the confidence level is pretty high that he'll get the job done right. The good thing about getting a service check up in January is that Dave was able to complete the service in less than a day.

Of course I threw him a curve. Instead of picking up the bike, I decided it was time to change out the tires. Using the "penny in the tread" trick, I could tell that Mr. Lincoln was in need of a serious haircut. Don't forget the 100 mile rule for new tires.

Now let me tell you about Linda who runs the parts section at Honda of Norfolk. Despite what some teachers say, there are stupid questions. I know this, because I have and continue to ask my share of stupid questions. The trick is not to stop asking them, but to realize there are people who don't mind helping us to be a little less stupid.

What does this have to do with Linda?

Well, when I decided I needed new tires, I went to Linda and told her that I'd like to get some tires with raised white lettering on them. Linda in her "to the point" manner, let me know that I could get white lettered tires that would be hidden by saddlebags and hard to keep clean, or I could get a good quality touring black wall tire that would hold up to the mileage I planned on putting on the bike. It was amazing; the verbal slap in the back of head doesn't even hurt anymore - Thanks Linda.

As with the first service check up, I thought I'd take a little time for reflection. The most important aspect of this milestone is that the Sabre keeps getting cheaper and cheaper. As you may remember, the Sabre cost approximately $8,500 to drive the first mile. At the 4,000 mile check up the cost per mile had gone down to $2.13 and at the 8,000 mile check up the cost has dropped to $1.06 a mile. Heck, I pay more than that for a large soft drink from McDonald's. While some of the economist out there may wish to point out the "sunk costs" or "lost opportunity costs" associated with these numbers, my reality forces me to ask, "If I could afford $2.13 per mile and the bike now costs me $1.06 per mile, does that mean I can afford another bike?" After all, two bikes at 8,000 miles are cheaper per mile ($1.06 + $1.06) than one bike at 4,000 miles ($2.13). Mental gymnastics? I think not!

This check up has me reliving some of the trips I've made since the last tune up. I took a little trip out US-460 to Kentucky and dropped down VA-80/83 (this part of the trip gets me through those rainy, cold days when the bike is tied down in the garage). I dipped the nose of my front tire into Tennessee and traveled the length of US-58 back to Virginia Beach. I took US-58 out to South Hill, up I-85 to Petersburg and down US-460 to the Beach. I also traveled to Emporia, up to Richmond, and back to the beach. I took a run up I-64 to US-360 and looked around King and Queen County and Lancaster County. I was able to get a few group rides in with the Biker eNews Staff who continue to be one of the most eclectic groups of motorcyclist in Hampton Roads. Did you hear about the New Year's Day ride? In short, where did I go? I went for a ride! How was it? It was great!

In reviewing my riding / driving experience, my worst experience was a little slip out on US-58 that fortunately did more damage to my ego (not counting a couple of weeks of sore ribs) than the bike. Other than that, there have been very few "close calls." Of course, I realize that the difference between "close calls" and accidents is a manner of seconds. Grading myself this go around, I'd give myself a B-, based on the accident and that I occasionally notice a couple of bad habits creeping into my rides (reduced safety margins, not pre-flighting the bike, not always being aware of which gear I'm running, and a couple more). I've decided it's time to run myself through some motorcycle skills tests in order to pump some safety awareness back into my brain. Since my retentive backside can make me pretty hard on myself, I'll let you know if I suspend my license.

Five months, 4,000 miles, a little more wind burned, a few more dollars spent on the C.L.A.P. (chrome, leather, accessories, paint) monkey, and a lot of good memories. Not bad for a birthday present that keeps giving and giving.

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