I want one: http://www.teslamotors.com/

David Traver

http://www.teslamotors.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Motors

JOA · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1751

I just bought one of these:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/buyersguide/Honda-CB750SC-Nighthawk-CB750.htm

Same color, too. Still a little scared of it, though.

Phil Robinson · Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 722 Location: MA

Hey, I saw one of these on TV the other night. The was a story about the man who founded the company. It's a bit pricey
for most of us In the range of 120,000.00 plus the cost of electricity every single day.

Dream on. I'd rather have a Maybank Smile

Ron Honig · Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Dallas, Texas

Phil,

Mabank is a small town in Kaufman County, about 45 miles southeast of Dallas. It's closest neighbor is the town of Gun Barrel City (I am NOT making this up). Trust me, you DO NOT want a "Maybank." You want a Maybach.

Phil Robinson · Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 722 Location: MA

oh man are you so right. Thank you.

Insider (Ret) · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 07:14 pm Post subject:

Hey, thanks for the topic, David. It reminded me to check the "estimated delivery date" on my smart car. And good news, it has moved up again. From the original estimate of August-November 2009, I first moved up to July-September 2009, and I'm now all the way up to May-July 2009. Yes, I know that's still a long ways off, but hey, it's progress.

David Traver · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 02:31 pm Post subject:

JOA · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 1751

Many recreational activities involve risks. Hunting comes to mind. So does cycling. Bicyling, that is. About 15 years ago I took a spill off my bike and broke a chunk off my left trochanter. Five years later, I damaged right wrist tendons in another spill.

It's possible to moderate this risks, of course. So it's been years since I rode in a pace line. But I still cycle. Other people still hunt—hopefully, also taking steps to moderate risks.

It's possible to moderate motorcycle risks, too. By picking the times and places for riding, for example, avoiding all commuting. Then there's all the new gear. Full coverage helmets. Cordura and even Kevlar clothing, with armored shoulders, elbows, etc.

Then there are the motorcyles. Mine won't start in gear. It won't even start with the kickstand down, even with the clutch in, unless the transmission is in neutral. There's no "off" for the headlights—they're always on.

Let's not forget the training offered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Not everyone is comfortable with the same level of risk. What's more, our comfort level changes. For myself, the second parachute jump I did, 30 years after the first one, was my very last parachute jump.

Of course, it's entirely possible to make bad choices about the risks one takes. Like the guy in the newspaper article posted above. Although I can't say I'm very flattered to have this particular article offered as a salutary lesson. But still, thank you, now, Mr. Traver.

David Traver · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 01:33 am Post subject:

Live without risk and die in bed. Who wants that? I spent the morning digging stumps with my tractor and a chain saw. Those are two nasty gadgets. Before I gave up hunting I used a flintlock to hunt deer. (My brother in law calls them "flinch-locks") That too was a nasty gadget as were my Remington 870 and my Ruger 77 in .270. (long gone)

I've long noticed the social costs associated with motorcycle risk taking. Numerous clients have come my way after severe injuries on their beloved donorcycles. So, we (you and I) can pay for their Medicaid and SSI. I expect that the social costs related to the donorcycle industry are in the billions.

Are those costs overcome by the real life fact of the organ donations made by the dearly-departed risk takers? I think not. http://donorcycle.blogspot.com/

Motorcycles are somewhat like recreational carcinogens (tobacco products). The users pretend that they only risk themselves. They are sadly mistaken.

But in any event, be safe, get disability insurance and long term care insurance, and don't be afraid. Be sure to sign your donor card too.

(I know this is the bike you really want!)

Olan Barnes · Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 1147 Location: Michigan

Does riding a horse involve risk taking?

Over the years I had thought about a motorcycle but second thoughts and "Linda" talked me out of it.

I tried to ride a horse once - until he tried to brush me off against a tree and than high tailed it off to the stable on Mackinaw Island.

This is as the governor was going by in a carriage.

Now that I am thinner do you think you can teach me to ride?

Razz

David Traver · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 01:01 am Post subject:

Horses regularly kick my butt. Dee kicked me across the barn as I was cleaning her rear hoof. Phoenix threw me and nearly stepped on my head. Dee ran right over the top of me and knocked me out one day. Glory planted both rear hooves on my legs and stove me up some when I was cleaning her stall.

But that's life. Do you want to live forever? Do we have a choice?

Nope, I can't teach you to ride, but take some lessons near where you live (English saddle please, no western) and we can go for a ride in the Kettle Moraine Forest when you come to visit. Dee, Glory, and Phoenix were sold years ago, so there should be fewer bumps and grinds! The current crew is pretty nice, albeit they are by no means the "trail horses" that you find at a public stable. Warmblooded all, and bred in the purple (as they say at horse auctions).