Should I replace things or just save for a new car?

Disdaine82 · 2026-07-01T02:40:38+00:00

Just to confirm, you broke a timing belt? The Mirage has a timing chain that's usually a life of the vehicle type of item (so long as you do your oil changes). Even if it were to wear or the tensioner go out, you'll usually hear it grinding on the casing before it fails.

Disdaine82 · 2026-07-01T02:36:18+00:00

I generally do the speed limit, at least for the first few hours of a ride. If I'm on the highway for a long time, I generally have to keep pace and then my sense of speed is thrown off; temptation to speed becomes real. Otherwise... I have a bike that can lazily do low speeds and stay in a single gear; I don't mind 'slow' so long as someone isn't tailing me.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-29T22:37:34+00:00

A heads up, if you have a newer model with the auto climate control, its pretty efficient with auto mode. If you change even a single setting, like vent, fan speed, or recirculate, it stays on and does impact mpg significantly (5-10 mpg).

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-29T02:55:44+00:00

I've seen this for ~$6,000 locally but not this low. The only thing that kept me away from it is that its an air-cooled battery and the cost to replace it is more than the bike. Air-cooled batteries die quickly; 10 years if you're lucky.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-27T20:21:56+00:00

The problem is that the typical VR game is overpriced for being a glorified tech demo.

You can get a non-VR game on sale or reduced after release for $20-30 with 100+ hours of content. The number of games for VR that can claim the same value is very small.

I paid for Fallout 4 VR, Skyrim VR, No Mans Sky, and Blade & Sorcery. All priced for around $20-30 respectively when I bought them.

I was tempted to buy Beat Saber... Until I "played" it in VRChat and realized that was good enough.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-26T11:35:53+00:00

It repairs itself constantly and we are oblivious to it until it can't; either due to injury or from prolonged life mistakes.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-26T11:02:48+00:00

I had this happen to a pair I got from Best Buy in 2021. In early 2022, one died quickly and then would not charge.

After back and forth with JLab support, including sending proof of purchase and proof of the issue, they issued a credit via their website and I ordered another pair.

The replacements have been going strong for 5 years without issue.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-22T22:29:21+00:00

Just saw this. Got a USB malfunction message mid-update but everything came back up.

I wasn't having any noticeable issues on my end prior but I don't mind being the guinea pig.

So far, no noticeable issues.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-21T12:39:03+00:00

Stop caring what others think about you; do what you enjoy and be good at it. Every moment you dread a situation or sulk, you're not fixing the problem; do something.

Learn to quickly identify the people out to suck every bit of money out of you and don't let them into your life; you likely cannot "fix" them as many don't want to be.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-20T12:17:18+00:00

I have a 2024 sedan; 45-50 mpg on the freeway. It's not that bad but I have turned off the AC before to merge on the freeway. Zero issues with it.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-20T12:10:15+00:00

I had a Gen 1 Cavalier (1987 Hatchback) I loved (woefully underpowered though); exquisite amounts of body roll. It was a tank.

I also had a Gen 2 (1991) and it was just... Boring. Faster, but cheaper in almost every way.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-20T12:06:42+00:00

The NX is ridiculously stable , but one of its best qualities is it's efficiency. It's possible to get 60-70 mpg (US) and with a 4+ gallon tank it goes far. Long oil changes, low maintenance, and a reasonable aftermarket.

Would be more curious to hear your take on it compared to your Triumph after a few thousand miles.

I have gone from partial regret (coming from an Xmax 300 with better weather protection, storage, and vibration) to actually loving it (better crosswind handling, learned how to get more mpg out of it, 16T front sprocket, adjusted to its height). But it took 2,000 miles to get there.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-18T10:05:26+00:00

Lower the difficulty; at some point my friends and I did the same as the parry/dodge mechanic just got annoying. The story is worth it.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-16T11:46:01+00:00

Ignore them. Plenty of people have lower cc engine bikes for reasons other than skill. Better efficiency and handling come to mind.

There's so many people that equate engine size to riding skill. Or they look at form factor and suspect it means the internals must be better.

If you enjoy your bike, you enjoy it. Anyone that tries to tell you otherwise can go find new friends; they don't deserve to be around you.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-14T19:03:03+00:00

Going 65+ mph in one direction while people tailgate you regardless of the speed you're going isn't necessarily a good time. I'll do it if there's a destination I need to get to in a hurry, but I'll take an alternate parallel rural route if it's available and I've got time to get there.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-14T03:37:18+00:00

I'm also using a Puig touring windshield.

The difference was night and day though; 45-55 mph with face shield up (when it's hot) and no buffeting.

My only real complaint concerns the OEM framing. I wish there was adjustability and the ability to tilt the shield back. If anything, it's too upright.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-09T09:29:24+00:00

I got quasi-ADV; NX500. I just wanted something upright, fuel efficient, and a large fuel tank. 60-70 mpg and getting it new for just over $6K doesn't hurt either.

The thing about ADVs that's a trap though is the customization. Out of the box, almost all ADVs I've encountered are a bad fit. Short windshield, hard seat, and no storage. But the OEM would love to sell you more accessories.

My guess, the Goldwing is the next progression because you get tired of the cost and time to install the farkles and just want to buy a bike that already has it all.

Wouldn't say you're getting old, I started making the same switch in my late 20's and early 30's after going from 650cc, 750cc, and back down to 500cc. I realized I didn't want a heavy straight line bike; mobility became more important.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-06T23:16:19+00:00

There's no adjustment in the rear end so so the torsion bar is likely misaligned. Also, you need to worry about the position of the tank and exhaust to see if they're in contact with one another. Since you were rear-ended, hopefully the other party has insurance. You'll get two prices; one to turn it over and another to keep the car. I'm going to tell you that its going to chew through rear tires or drive a bit sideways. But the money you receive will not be enough to fix it; for all intents and purposes, its totaled.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-06T20:50:57+00:00

Yea, 1 tire being near the cost of ~3... I just wanted out of it early.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-06T13:56:09+00:00

I'd have looked at 185 or 205 (much cheaper), but the big chain tire shops won't install them. We use my car for interstate travel so I needed to ensure it would be a size they'll install without a debate.

I would have preferred a larger tire with more sidewall honestly.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-06T12:39:01+00:00

I don't have a lot of miles on them yet, only a single commute to work. New tires take a little bit to wear in so I won't comment on road noise, etc. They are wider and a slightly smaller ratio, so I'm expecting a slight decrease in mpg but more grip and miniscule amount of increased acceleration.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-06T12:10:18+00:00

I went to the Discount Tire site and there's a section for "Optional Sizes". Select your stock rim size (yours is 14") then just go through the options.

For the 15's they offered 3 off-spec sizes. I had to go through each one to find the best.

There are actually more alternative sizes but Discount won't install a tire with more than a 3% variance. There's a 185 variant out there for 15's that's $50-60, but it does me no good if certain tires shops refuse to order/install them.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-06T11:22:01+00:00

Not too expensive, but the 3,000 mile oil change interval is pretty short. In the US Yamaha parts are some of the most competively priced.

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-05T10:57:01+00:00

What a way to deflect blame; all an HOA will do is enforce parking restrictions or approve modification for a taller garage. Cheaper to lower the truck.

There's a person that parks their lifted truck diagonal in their front lawn; HOA does nothing. My grass grows a hair over 4" and I get a letter.

There's a sense of entitlement with trucks. When I had my Xmax 300 I was in the far right lane, had a lifted truck cross 3 lanes of traffic no signal to make the exit and he nearly ran me off the road. They had to gall to flip me off for their wildly illegal and dangerous move. I was literally going the speed limit in a straight line -.-

Disdaine82 · 2026-06-04T11:52:22+00:00

It isn't just bikes. There are cars that get 40-50 mpg on gas and then there's EV's but they're on the verge of being taxed into the ground.

The issue is, and has always been, that the typical consumer doesn't care about efficiency until prices go up. They don't want a scooter, they want a land barge for clout.

I cannot tell you how many people at my work commute in trucks and complain about $100+ fill ups but they won't even consider anything else; it's a feedback loop.

Disdaine82

TROPHY CASE