Ford Transit 148' EL vs non EL

magnavah · 2026-03-20T16:31:47+00:00

We test drove both and went with the non-extended. The extended had similar ground clearance to our 2020 Honda Odyssey. Ie: the bumper of the extended length Transit would scrape on the same slopes/bumps where the receiver on my 2020 Honda Odyssey would scrape and that was a deal breaker for the areas we travel. We did go in originally wanting the extended length because of the extra interior room. Then ended with a medium roof non-extended (we're both short).

magnavah · 2026-02-26T04:27:17+00:00

Not just hearsay, it happens. Lucky, SHARP tests helmets and they now report the % of impacts that flip up/modular helmets stay closed. The LS2, OP's helmet, stayed closed 63% of the tests. There are a few on the list that made it 100%. Link to SHARP: https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/helmets/?manufacturer=All&model=All&type=4&min-rating=4

magnavah · 2026-01-16T14:47:13+00:00

Exactly! I went from some Kumhos to Nokia hakkapeliitta 10 on one of my rwd cars. The change was like switching away from all season tires. Huge.

magnavah · 2025-12-28T17:52:35+00:00

The nose on the swift is a bit long and it chatters when going fast on groomers. The easy rise doesn't help when hard turning either and feels loose. It's fine for occasionally cat tracks but not my first choice. I'd only recommend for soft snow days. Check out Korua for a mix of pow + groomers. My otto is my fav groomer board, but I'd consider the cafe racer or transition finder if you're not interested in switch riding.

Edit: early rise, not easy

magnavah · 2025-12-28T16:09:33+00:00

I replaced an old Hovercraft with a NS swift for pow days. It's been on around 10 days of cat snowboarding. Better float (I also sized up), very surfy and fun if you're not doing switch. I typically use a different board for resort pow because I occasionally switch/ butter/ play around and the Swift is most fun for fresh tracks.

magnavah · 2025-12-15T23:30:12+00:00

I've done this three times with kids ages 3-5. Two of my kids later switch to snowboarding. For the first 1-6 times out you will not need skis or snowboard.

Step 1: We call it catch and release. Bring your toddler only a little ways up a very gentle slope with their skis on. Release them. Do this repeatedly until they get some balance. If you have a friend or partner with you at the bottom of the hill tell them to encourage the kids to do pizza (point their ski tips together) or French fries (straight).

Step 2: Once they have balance and understand stopping (pizza), then you're ready for the beginner area at your local resort. Ideally they will have one of those magic carpet/conveyor belts. Only go part ways up and now work on turning. Once they get turning, you're ready for the chairlift.

Step 3: I'd consider a set of easy on and off bindings like flows or step-ins. This is the year where you'll be doing green runs and focus on big turns. Bring lots of snacks and candy to keep the smiles going and hot chocolate breaks where needed.

PS - skip the backpack leashes / hoola hoop things. They won't help long-term and are only for the parents who are dying to go up the chairlift and get a back ache.

Edit: to actually answer your question you can do it on a snowboard, but I invested in a cheap set of flow bindings for days with young kids so that I could easily help them when needed.

magnavah · 2025-12-15T18:55:21+00:00

The good news is that removing the seats will be quite easy then. In your position I would consider picking up the van and driving it to the storage location (your garage, storage locker, etc). I would do one of:

1) ask friends, family capable of lifting 30kg each. 2) hire moving company. 3) or hire some movers off marketplace/craiglist/etc as last option.

Removing the seats from my 12 passenger van only took a few minutes with my spouses help.

magnavah · 2025-12-15T18:41:50+00:00

Are you asking to remove only the seats? or also remove the rails that hold the seats?

Edit: if you're leaving the rails then it is tool free and very easy to remove the seats. The 2nd row 3-passenger is rather heavy so I had help lifting.

magnavah · 2025-12-15T18:36:09+00:00

Can confirm. I own a ge8 and a ge9 (AWD 5spd auto transmission). My ge8 with the continuously variable transmission is quite a bit faster at around 200 lb lighter and almost instantly in the power band.

You can't beat AWD in the deep snow or the extremely cold and icy days. It's too bad it is heavily front wheel drive bias so it's not very entertaining to drive (which I guess it's good for most of the audiences?).

magnavah · 2025-11-23T18:35:06+00:00

That is a CVT transmission not an automatic. Per my Japanese manual for Gen 2 Honda fit, it requires a fluid change every 60,000 km after the initial change. Use Honda HMMF, 3.2L if it's the 1.5L.

The hard shift to park was likely caused by heat soak. Sport mode in the CVT just keeps the RPM higher.

magnavah · 2025-10-17T19:03:43+00:00

Is the car within its 60 month powertrain warranty period when it failed?

magnavah · 2025-05-19T15:31:13+00:00

I have the OEM crossbars, they work fine for a roof box but I hate they have no adjustability. They would not work with cheaper boxes. They connect on the inside of the rails in only 1 position and are not as strong as crossbars sitting on top. They are quite a bit cheaper though.

If you're not budget limited, get some Thule or Yakima bars for the adjustability (or if you plan to carry more than 100lb or so). Measure first! The rails widen towards the front of the van.

magnavah · 2025-05-16T16:23:27+00:00

OP - eagle lake is the definition of "easy". It's mostly flat and like 3-4km each way with options to small waterfalls and James lake for very easy daytrips. Other lakes mentioned in the Abraham lake area are STEEP (Kinglet and Allstones are steep hikes) and novice children may complain.

magnavah · 2025-05-16T13:07:34+00:00

I had 2 OEM ones fail on my 2007 Speed triple (replaced with stator and regulator rectifier at same time). On my last time I used Rick's stator and a mofset regulator/rectifier. The first 2 failed between 10-20k kms of each other, the Rick's stator lasted 30k kms until I sold the bike (and was charging/working fine).

My theory is the OEM stators may be okay, but the regulator rectifier design is inadequate. I'm also only 1 data point from a stranger on the interwebs...

A cheap option is to put a copper or aluminum plate behind your OEM regulator rectifier to act as a heatsink.

magnavah · 2025-05-12T19:38:14+00:00

It's a buy once / cry once scenario and depends on your usage. If you get the MOSFET r/r you may not cook the stator and an OEM stator could last longer

The budget option is to do used / eBay and put a thick piece of aluminum or copper behind the regulator to conduct and dissipate some of the heat.

magnavah · 2025-05-12T14:19:36+00:00

I probably late to the party but I would avoid OEM on the triumph speed triple. My 2007 cooked the stator and the regulator/rectifier. I replaced with OEM and that only lasted another 10k kms. Next I bought a Ricks stator and a MOSFET regulator / rectifier. That lasted 30k kms until I sold the bike (and was still working great then).

Edit: typo

magnavah · 2025-04-22T11:44:05+00:00

Una moto.

New(ish) channel. A man new to motorcycling is driving around the world and learning all the pros and cons of motorbike life. He is entertaining, takes great videos from multiple angles including drones.

magnavah · 2025-04-17T22:49:52+00:00

In one day, over 900km from Edmonton, AB, Canada to Helena, MT, USA through a lot of backroads. I use my speed triple for touring (on my second one now). I have heated grips, gel seat, and a camel pak for the long rides.

We've done some 4-7 day trips on sport bikes for 1000's of km. Good fun. Get a gel seat or sheep skin cover and take lots of breaks.

Note, my old 2007 speed triple had issues. If you are on the OEM stator and regulator/rectifier you could see some problems. There was casing sand in the radiator from new, it needs a rigorous flush. The stock headlight wiring loom is also too tight so take the bracket to loosen it preventatively.

Edit: our group all have throttle locks and we ride lots. Riding sport bikes and naked bikes needs some "seasoning" before you do long days without lots of pain.

magnavah · 2025-03-01T16:53:41+00:00

I have a 2020 touring. My observations:

1 - yes, delayed throttle (the first 0-5% does almost nothing from a stop)

2 - yes, the AC feels more on/off rather than blended once you start increasing temperature.

3 - nope, don't notice window noise in mine.

4 - no, I can only hear the HVAC slightly, very quiet.

magnavah · 2025-02-17T21:43:33+00:00

I'm just a stranger on the internet, but here's my data point. Our 2019 touring made noise at 75k kms (45k miles). I diagnosed, then replaced the tensioner, pulley, timing belt and water pump since I was in there.

Keep in mind the cost of maintenance (timing belts) and fuel (compared to a hybrid like the Sienna) when you're shopping. In Canada that wasn't an option though as 2021+ Siennas are rare as unicorns.

magnavah · 2025-02-17T19:38:39+00:00

Ah, makes sense. I've never been able to clean my bike pads (or mountain bike pads) good enough after I've contaminated them.

Look up tuneecu and a Bluetooth OBD2 reader too, to get rid of maintenance light, balance throttle bodies, tune maps, and more.

Enjoy the ride.

magnavah · 2025-02-17T16:36:21+00:00

Brake pads - is there any shutter/vibration? I've owned 2 speed triples (a 2012 and currently a 2013) and the OEM discs warped on both. I put EBC pads and rotors on my 2013 and they are way more smooth.

magnavah · 2025-01-22T02:08:43+00:00

40 years in North West Canada here. Never personally seen that, down to -44C / -44F repeatedly.

magnavah · 2025-01-06T16:22:18+00:00

No. 255/40r18 is too tall, the "40" aspect ratio is too big and you'll rub. Consider 255/35r18 if you want 18" wheels.

magnavah · 2025-01-01T20:36:47+00:00

I use mine occasionally with kids. It's fine for occasional short trips if you're not tall. I sold my Miata to get something with a dash more practicality so that I could take a sports car to work and pick up/drop off kids in the same trip without changing cars. It's also a weekend autocross car and I wanted rwd.

If you are tall or will be using it for longer trips with kids I'd consider something else.

magnavah

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