Hi all:
I have followed this thread since it began and it has provided me with a he!! of a lot of mirth (and a few stained shirts - thanks to that dastardly jokester from Maine - DOWNEASTER!!!
) - but all seriousness aside, I do have a couple of remarks I’d like to contribute, in view of the fact that the average denizen of XS650.com:
- is male (are there ANY representatives of the distaff side here? I mean - even one?)
- is perhaps a bit....shall we say....less junior (all of the jokes about deteriorating bodily functions confirm that);
- possesses a pretty well-developed sense of humour.
So - my key comments are:
- we are fortunate to be still able to wrench and ride motorcycles (to whatever extent each of us can), and
- we are extraordinarily fortunate to have this worldwide community of gentlemen who share our passion, tolerate our faults, quirks and foibles, gives each of us a laugh or a tear each day.
I truly believe that the assets noted above helps to keep each of us a little more sane (self - not included), happy, healthy, positive and active. Sadly, many men “our age” do not have those assets in their lives.
I know that our recently departed friend WER valued the XS650 community this way and I have met and spoken to men from other parts of Canada, several US states, Australia, NZ, the UK and several EU countries who share that view as well. We advise and encourage each other, sell or even gift (and subsequently smuggle) parts to each other, celebrate each other’s victories, tease each other and occasionally, give one another a kick in the @ss.
To a certain extent, as motorcycling is becoming a less commonly pursued pastime, this online forum has replaced the old fashioned “biker gang” with which so many of us started riding and grew up. I am very fortunate to have two XS650 riding buddies living within easy riding distance of me - and I sure hope that the rest of you do too. However, if you don’t, you’ve got XS650.com to lean on (thanks Travis and Moderators - whomever you are).
For all of the above, I thank each and every one of you.
....you mob of grungy old b@stards!
...and to the younger folks among us - I’d suggest that you contribute, but also listen and learn...and remember that you too will become a grungy old b@stard someday!
Now...where the f@ck are my reading glasses?
Pete
..?
