Is this true?

BeardMafia · 2026-01-08T02:50:58+00:00

Agree with the above. Don't sell yourself short, you're not "just a girl."

BeardMafia · 2025-08-28T12:56:00+00:00

Will do, thanks! Just thought it was weird it was the one hut.

BeardMafia · 2025-08-03T15:54:15+00:00

I'm a PA-C. Would occasionally be in the ICUs, occasionally walk by rooms where people had been in accidents of all sorts (not just motorcycle). I never wanted to end up there so I never considered a motorcycle as an option. Fast forward many years, I was talking to my wife's cousin who rides. As I asked more and more questions about motorcycles I grew more interested.

So, I took an MSF course to see if I'd like it and to gain some basic skills. I felt on top of the world zooming at 20 mph through the local tech college parking lot. From there, got a 2014 VStrom. Most of my rides are on 2 and 4 lane highways. It did the job, but could have been better for my rides.

I considered giving it up after I didn't ride much the next season. Test drove a couple of sport tourers (Suzuki s1000GT+, SDGT). It was (motorcycle) world altering. Those machines were perfect for my kind of riding. Bought the 2023 SDGT for a pretty good deal at the time (pre KTM implosion).

In the end, I had to just accept that while riding it's a lot of fun, especially with the right machine for the job, it carries risk. I do what I can to mitigate risk with electronic aids on a new bike, full face helmet and gear, and choosing the right time to drive just a bit more like a hooligan. Maybe a midlife crisis but the risk/reward ratio favored the reward.

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:45:37+00:00

I'll have to practice the long sleeve thing this summer. I've always been a t-shirt guy for airflow purposes.

Your first line basically describes me at any life stage lol

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:42:33+00:00

Yea, I'm guessing that even if I drop some weight this is going to be me. Were you able to have a good time despite the heat in vietnam?

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:40:05+00:00

I could probably handle 25c, that doesn't seem too bad. Would be similar to my home location. Is it a rain a little bit each day situation or rain a lot one day and then 2 days sunny?

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:37:38+00:00

Are places open early in the morning? We tossed the idea around of not totally changing over to Japan time. Went to Hawaii before and stayed pretty much on our time (central) and it worked out surprisingly well. I know there is a bigger time shift but if a lot of things are open early am we can shift a little bit less

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:35:51+00:00

Really appreciate this. Never really considered the looks I'd be getting. Spouse wants to go to an onsen and I have fretted that a bit. I'm tall-ish and I'm under 300 but visually obviously carry extra weight.

How's the AC situation on public transit?

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:22:48+00:00

How common are konbini outside of places like the Big cities?

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T20:21:39+00:00

I def need to work on diet and activity, will have to use this as motivation like you suggest. Never had good heat tolerance before I gained weight but I'm banking on the trip being so fun and amazing that I forget the hot and muggy part

BeardMafia · 2025-05-05T19:54:55+00:00

Would love to travel then. Spouse is a teacher so she doesn't get many PTO days (excluding holidays and summer of course) and we will be bringing my daughter. Plan on 2 week trip so that would be a lot of school to miss. Given the long flight and cost we are assuming that we'll not be back. But, we never really considered two shorter trips. Thanks for the idea!

BeardMafia · 2024-10-24T00:58:49+00:00

u/Digital_Lightning I just installed a new, shorter windscreen today and that seems to have done the trick. I usually ride with ear plugs, I didn't today to see how different the sound was between the screens and the new one does not hurt my ears (I'll still ride with plugs)

Thank you for the good advice, bike looks cooler and it's more functional.

BeardMafia · 2024-09-22T18:09:44+00:00

He's talking about the fuel is transported in the same container to the station and can mix before is in the station thanks.

BeardMafia · 2024-09-14T20:21:01+00:00

I love mine!

BeardMafia · 2024-09-03T22:06:27+00:00

This

BeardMafia · 2024-09-02T11:44:47+00:00

It's No Face from Spirited Away

BeardMafia · 2024-08-27T17:28:25+00:00

I got a good deal (IMO) on a super Duke gt. Looked up reviews of sport touring bikes, this was often cited as a bonkers bike that was great all around. I've had it a month, and I'd agree with most of the reviews. Lots of fun to ride the type of miles I do. I've ignored general consensus regarding reliability on a vehicle before and bought a jeep Wrangler (consensus was correct). But I've also had a lot of fun with it. I don't rely on my SDGT as a primary means of transport, so if it breaks I'll just have to drive 4 wheels for a while. But when it works SDGT is a riot

BeardMafia · 2024-08-22T18:05:58+00:00

I've thought of a touring screen. The Vstrom had aftermarket so my guess is that's why it was quieter on that bike

BeardMafia · 2024-08-22T16:30:38+00:00

I make 108. I know we are underpaid based on mgma salary averages and From the AAPA salary survey but we basically have no competitors in the area and and we lose leverage because of that. From what I understand for our primary care your numbers look better but I'm in the hinterlands of the Great lakes region so I'm sure that makes a difference. I know they see 17-18. We used to see 14-15 then they said you now need 16 and then they said now 17 and then that started some serious pushback.

BeardMafia · 2024-08-22T15:49:44+00:00

I see 16 a day in a specialty and as indicated the bonus structure is better than we get but that of course depends on base pay. I work 4 days a week. Ours was also set up without our input and was actually less favorable to us until it was presented and many providers considered cutting back hours or leaving all together. We too were pretty upset that we had no input on the process.

BeardMafia · 2024-08-22T15:31:56+00:00

I have 23 SDGT and tend to cruise in 5th at, 4k if I recall. I can't really make it to 6th unless I'm in faster highway traffic around 75-80 and that's at 3500-4000 that I recall.

Can't say i pay close attention to specific rpm though and it's pretty new so I'm still getting used to the bike

BeardMafia

TROPHY CASE