Death by Misadventure - Latest Comments

Re: How I got my Suzuki Boulevard C50 motorcycle

Jay — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:55:49 -0000

Bought C50T 2005 First ever bike without knowing how to ride(Looking at this cool and brand new fully equipped and shiny machine for over one week parked in my garage after the intial shock of what I had done saying 'it is now o never)(some one dropped it off bringing it on a trailer for a price)(Did ride once and once only some 40 odd yrs back !) since then taught myself how to ride this bad bike what I call poor man's harley since people easily mistake it for one.
Have put up in excess of 10k ...went on many short and long trips and longest
one made on presi's weekend last year to NOLA and beyond from upstate SC
and can tell you tons of stories but above all else relate and enjoyed thoroughly your strory...ride on boy...this iron horse will grow on you at least that much I can promise you...

P.S.-It can be hilarious if you listen to how I started out one fine early in the morning to teach myself how to ride this big heavy machine at the crack of a dawn while no body was moving in my sub division....let me know if you want
to hear this and other bike tales I have reserved for my grand kids....

Jay
4.28.2012

Jerif@gmail.com

Re: Wanderlust

Jean — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 04:05:37 -0000

I wonder how many people feel "Wanderlust burns" as same as me, then google it. There your are! Exactly written down how I feel for the current mundane life. Hope you have eased the pain!

Re: On the Sea of Cortez

R12rtpilot — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 02:03:00 -0000

Nice job on this ride report!

Re: 1995 Honda Fireblade CBR900rr for sale [SOLD]

Alvinlogan34 — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:51:55 -0000

this bike is hot!!!!!!!!!!

Re: How I got my Suzuki Boulevard C50 motorcycle

arvinlexor — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:29:26 -0000

Never saw one of these before. Awesome!.this would be great for my neighbor who has a son who rides a dirt bike, thanks for the info!

RV motorcycle lift

Re: How I got my Suzuki Boulevard C50 motorcycle

Jay — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:49:26 -0000

Fantastic story. I ride a 2005 C50 Bully. Funny, as I'm reading your account of your first day with her I am reliving my first ride home with mine. Similar weather, a balmy 1 Degree in March with the rain pouring down. I got a wakeup call when the light turned yellow then red on me in a hurry. I tried slowing down with as much control as possible but it was too late it was either lay it down or gun it!!!! I made it through in time however it was a red light camera intersection. I am still waiting to see if I get a ticket or not! I absolutely love this bike, I hope you are getting as much enjoyment as I am so far.
Thanks for the vivid account of your eventful ride home.
Stay safe.

Jay

Re: Never Again

JJA1776 — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:32:04 -0000

Hey Francisco, You still out there buddy? Hello......

You can reach me at JJA1776@comcast.net

Regards,
Jim

Re: How I got my Suzuki Boulevard C50 motorcycle

David — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:16:33 -0000

Great story. I too, ride a C50 and have been through all kinds of terrible weather. She has always come through for me. Keep on riding!!!!

Re: Agua Caliente de Garate

Art Garate — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:45:25 -0000

My entire paternal family is from there, but have never visited. According to my father, El Siglo Veinte was the only store in the early 1900s, which was owned by my grandfather. There is a person by the name of Rodolfo Valdez "El Gitano" who my father says was killed due to his political clout. I've heard so many stories throughout my lifetime and would like to see this place for myself, but remain hesitant due to all the violence goint on in Mexico. Thanks for the site.

Re: Never Again

Colleen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:08:52 -0000

Glad to hear you're home ward bound..also gotta give props to Heather. She makes several excellent points. Especially references to culture and world view. My limited experience with the cycle of poverty goes something like this . Poverty diminishes people, systems, cultures and generations ..so sadly true - generations with the speed, strength and pull of raging flood waters--and there are few to zero branches or boats to cling to. I've come to realize that one reason many Americans are frustrated with what seems to be acceptance of poverty comes from an American experience of poverty/wealth. In the U.S if you really really work hard you can rise above your original station in life. Why ? Because in this wonderful country we have the guarantee to an education a guarantee !! It is illegal to keep your kid home-- you go to jail if your kid does not go to school. The grants for education and job training are nearly endless ...hell every major town - every town in our country has a library, you can walk in and carry out any thing you want to know for nothing ! Born poor in Africa ? Central America ? ...Guess what ? The right to and experience of education/knowledge -- free knowledge no less, floats around our country like sunshine. It was-is and will be. Americans can not imagine it's disappearance or a life removed from the possibility of learning and opportunity any more than Chris can imagine being me or me him.

Re: Never Again

Jeff — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:53:37 -0000

Sissy.

Re: Never Again

francisco — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:18:49 -0000

congrats jimm....... happy for you men.

Re: Never Again

heathercunningham — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:28:29 -0000

Jim,

As your only friend (that I know of) that has lived a year and a half in Central America and has relatives from that part of the world, I feel the need to comment on your most recent post. I thought about waiting until you had returned and settled a bit, but to be honest, I’d prefer to comment before your blog readers take a look at your last posting and have your frustration as their final impression of Central America.

I can remember the first few months I lived in Honduras. I had very little preparation to help me understand the culture I was entering, and I had a very difficult time. I was actually quoted in a report as saying the place I worked was the “most disorganized organization I had ever seen.” (Years later, I was totally embarrassed by that comment.) My enjoyment of alcohol, cigarettes, and enjoyment of the bar scene (all big No-Nos for Honduran women) were grossly misinterpreted as promiscuity by the conservative and religious people I was working with. I actually almost got kicked out for this, and I had never even so much as laid a finger (or a lip!) on a member of the opposite sex. I was completely devastated as to how I was being perceived through Honduran eyes, and unaware of how my American cultural priorities of “efficiency” and “organization” were not has high on the list of most Hondurans. My point here being that one’s culture and values really define how you see all of this stuff. Speaking a different language – one that you have difficulty communicating in, makes negotiating all of this even more of an obstacle.

There was so much to Honduran culture that I only understood over time. Some of it had to do with Central American culture itself, and some of it had to do with mentality of people who grow up in a “culture of poverty” that is reality to many countries in that part of the world. Its sad and scary to think that the conditions you saw – the garbage, the overly-eager “handlers” willing to do anything to make a dollar and get you through customs – are the norm in more places than we might think – particularly in smaller countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Part of this is widespread poverty (probably not too different from Appalachian America), but also lack of access to quality education, and enough corruption to prevent the upholding of the rule of law. Its tough to break out of all of that. But it scares me to think that part of you believes that they deserve the poverty they must live. Some people, like you say, do try to rise above it. But its so hard to do. And extreme financial success in that part of the world tends to isolate people, as they have to work very hard to protect what they have. I think people that do well financially tend to share their success much more with their extended families than most Americans do – whereas we value individual success, Central Americans would value sharing the wealth much more.

A confederation of Central American countries has been tried multiple times over the past 200 years. I think a lot of people would agree with you that changing money and customs procedures would be a lot more efficient if a confederation was formed. But efficiency is an American value, not a Central American one. So good luck there. But if you are looking for a place to spend some time where personal warmth and relationships are valued more than efficiency, than my money would be on Central America over the good ole’ US of A every time.

Anyway, sorry to hear the end of your trip beat you up so much. Congratulations on the ride of a lifetime, and an adventure you will never forget. Thanks for bringing the rest of us along.

Vaya con dios,
Heather

Re: Guatemala

Jeff — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:58:23 -0000

You could learn a thing or two from the crossing. The next house treatment you do, just spray the bottom half. If they complain, just tell them "This is how they do it in Guatemala".

Sure.

Not to mention, the Bee Hunter isn't on this trip.

Re: Jim’s Progress

heathercunningham — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:59:41 -0000

Skim -- this is awesome. thanks.

Jim -- your Spanish must be improving by now! i think you are totally right...Chiapas = Mexican WV. I've never been there, but I've been to Guatemala enough right over the border to appreciate the analogy. Vaya con Dios, mi amigo and stay safe!

Re: Chiapas

Mike Lewis — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:04:41 -0000

Jim, acts like that are good karma that you can't fake. Good on ya.

Re: The Hotel Bravo

James, England, grey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:22:52 -0000

Not just chicks, but sisters

Re: The Windy

Skim — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:00:38 -0000

Arrggh. Try: http://bit.ly/9dAch2

Yes, yes, that works.

Re: The Windy

Skim — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:56:25 -0000

Jim,

Loving the travelogue. Please be careful though - I want to hear about a return trip as well.

Here is a link for the map. I used a URL shortener, so it should work. I'm guessing on the dates.

http://bit.ly/9aMKb0

Skim

Re: The Hotel Bravo

Jeff — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:32:46 -0000

Sheesh...chicks.

Re: The Hotel Bravo

francisco — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:26:57 -0000

hey mexico is not to bad..... well most of the place are lol... but come back to tecoman...

Re: The Hotel Bravo

Sarah — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:42:09 -0000

I am nervous that you have lice. As I read all your entries and as exciting as it is to imagine you bumming along the road, sun on your head and smile on your face, I can't help but think, "He has no space on his bike for all his luggage." I said this to Scott. His response, a long sigh.

Re: The Hotel Bravo

Colleen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:28:26 -0000

You got that right !! The reason attached men live longer than single men is that very few woman would accept a cold shower with bugs ..let alone what viral evil grows in those mattress on the 3rd floor ..sweet Jesus I can not imagine choosing to stay in such a place ...no way no how ...although the lobby is kinda cute

Re: Agua Caliente de Garate

Colleen — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:18:58 -0000

They should call the town Utopia ..can't blame them for keeping to themselves ...I ran into lots of folks in Colorado who wished their towns were not on maps so tourist could not find them....sounds like the trip is what you've hoped for..stay safe..love you..Colleen

Re: A few photos

Mike Lewis — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:26:34 -0000

Loving your stories Jim!

That water looks absolutely beautiful. What kind of bike is that?