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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
In Montana, ATVs can be made street legal, and a motorcycle license plate will be issued for them. The EPA has nothing to do with it.
I see them quite frequently running around town, but I don't see them on the freeway!
I think all that is required to make an ATV street legal is headlight with hi/lo beam, brake lights and taillights. Some ATVS are street legal right out of the crate! Turn signals may or may not be required, I don't know.
When I get my Kawasaki put together, I will be checking on what is required, so I can make it street legal.
IIRC, three wheeler ATVs were outlawed by the CPSC because too many people were treating them like toys, and allowing small children to ride them without proper instruction. There were too many injuries and deaths, so the "nanny state" stopped production (just like "Yard Darts).
Interesting, I read somewhere that WA DOL/DMV and OR DMV will not register vehicles that do not meet EPA requirements, since both these states require emissions testing on newer vehicles in certain areas.
I don't know about Montana, they have some pretty crisp skies I don't think they need to worry about the EPA yet!
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mynetdude
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08/04/11 07:58pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
I wear a 3/4 helmet in the summer and a modular helmet when it gets cool enough to wear one... 70 degrees and below. I am having a very hard time finding a helmet that fits me. I have tried dozens of helmets at over a dozen stores and even motorcycle shows but there is only manufacturer who even gets close. GMax XXL. I've used a Dremel tool to modify the foam inside, which I'm told one should never do, but I'd rather do that then no helmet at all.
I find it very frustrating as surely I've seen bigger heads then mine. One would think that helmet makers would make sizes for most everyone. I often wonder if this is why I see so many without helmets now a days.
I hear the USAF spends thousands of dollars making flight helmets that fit the pilot's head specifically they are engineered that way. Dunno if it would be worth the cost of getting a helmet like that :P
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mynetdude
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08/04/11 07:53pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
IIRC in most states you cannot register/license a 4 wheel ATV (nor 3 wheel for that matter) for road use due to EPA regulations for emissions. There IS one loophole, in some states if you are using an ATV as a farm vehicle it is permitted on the roads with an ORANGE triangle posted on the back of it and you are only allowed to go so many miles from the farm's base of operations.
And speaking of ATVs on the road, I saw one going AGAINST the flow of traffic on the SHOULDER a few days ago in Idaho now talk about STUPID
I agree 2 wheel/3 weel/4 whelled anything are dangerous, doesn't make them unsafe its the operator/driver who makes them unsafe.
and IIRC AFAIK 3 wheel ATVs are still permitted to be operated at least in Oregon & Washington, manufacturers don't make them anymore because people were getting stupid with them. IF you know how to ride a 3 wheel ATV properly then you will KNOW the risks and will have the skills & better understanding to deal with possible issues (that doesn't mean they won't happen).
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 11:30pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
I am well aware that cycles are inherently unsafe
What a ridiculous statement.
I don't agree, what protection does the motorcycle have to offer that a car can do?
Yes if the rider is skilled & smart they will minimize the risks, motorcycles are far more riskier (which is why you need a motorcycle endorsement)
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 11:52am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: The Bane of Sprint's Existence.... GOOD RIDDANCE!
Good luck! I am trying to cancel my AT&T land-line account because I've switched to another provider. AT&T simply has no mechanism to cancel a service that has been switched ("Your account # is your phone number and since we no longer have your phone #, we can't access your account to cancel it").
LOL don'tcha love the technicalities they like to use to screw its customers?
You would think your account number IS your phone number, but as soon as your phone number is "owned" by another provider, that should indicate that the services should be cancelled.
My contract ends next month, I've already paid for this month but I won't have to pay for next month cuz my contract ends... so I should have no problem terminating my contract since sprint owes me now.
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 11:15am |
Around the Campfire
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The Bane of Sprint's Existence.... GOOD RIDDANCE!
I've had no problem with my phone since on the road, as soon as I got 5 miles into Montana I began to roam as there is no sprint services in Montana which is fine since I am on their networks 99% of the time in the two years I've had sprint.
I used my phone in Dillon so I knew it worked, I get within 30 miles of Missoula it works fine but as soon as I cross through Missoula it doesn't work (here's the catch, I can still text, and use the internet on my phone).
I talked with sprint online, they want me to call them (DUH! I can't! And of course they want me to use someone else's phone, like that's the right thing to do).
And now they are saying I've reached my roaming limit, but according to my grandfathered contract I have unlimited roaming and even then I am almost always ON network and have been for at least 95% of the time (I've only been off network 6-8 times in 2 years).
Well, the thing is I can't make or receive calls so I have to assume emergency calls are worthless (and I don't want to find out) I have 5 bars, I AM getting reception, a friend of mine said she had the same problem which is why she switched carriers but her problem was no reception which is NOT the same problem I am having (I tried to explain to her that I have full reception).
Given Sprint is being uncooperative online and they keep telling me I've reached my limit, I have no choice but to switch I'm pulling a 5th wheel I already have had one roadside incident and it would behoove me to have service that WORKS even while roaming.
Granted I know I will run into areas with no coverage/reception, I can deal with that. (I had to when I went from Burns, OR to Idaho, there was a 40 mile stretch that had no reception)
I'm just writing... its pointless... my mom hates to text and she can't call me :h
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 10:52am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
Accidents aside, what if you are cruising along at highway speed headed north on the parkway and you meet a big fat June bug, or such, cruising south on the parkway?
Scary watching a June bug heading toward your face. Then seeing it bounce off your full face shield. Always rode with a full face shield, shoes, long pants and sleeves. Luckily the two times I had to dump the bike was a very slow speed.
them hitting your helmet isn't the issue, hitting you elsewhere would be and those aren't the only things you gotta worry about hitting... try deer.
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 10:39am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
I had one small mishap when riding my little 49cc beemer/scooter, I have been wanting a full face helmet for the reasons stated but I couldn't get one and I do plan to get one but I need one big enough to go over my hearing aids but not so big that it doesn't fit correctly that it won't be as effective.
recently I've been seeing motorcyclists riding without helmets at all, maybe a bandanna! And I could hardly believe my eyes! I thought it was illegal to not ride without a helmet anywhere. I've never seen anyone ride without one in Oregon, my first time seeing lots of people without them in Idaho.
Iowa and Illinois no helmet required. Then there are lots of states like Idaho if you are over 18 you don't have to wear one. Some like Colorado, the driver doesn't have to wear one over 18 years of age, but the passenger does, no matter what age. Then like Texas, required by law if you are under 21 years of age, but don't have to wear one over 21 if you have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course or have $10,000 in medical insurance. I can go on but you get the idea.
LOL $10k? If you get into an accident that requires putting your head back on (provided you LIVE!) it will be a LOT more than $10k!
interesting, didn't know some states still allow no helmets
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 10:38am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
Have not spent much time on Motorcycles but used to not have any motor vehicle, I road a 3-speed Huffy to work (Biclcye) I usually wore a windbraker that was tri-color, White, Yellow and Orange, all "Florcesent" and very bright.
Once I had enough time to use the brakes to avoid hitting a car that pulled off a side street in front of me and was able to chase the driver down and ask him why he did that.. he said he did not see me (Well he did pull into a doctor's office, I suggested he see the eye doc)
The other time I had to lay it down. Thankfully at bicycle speeds it's not as dramatic but I was sure glad I wore full length clothing that day.
its not easy to see bicyclists, people say its not easy to see motorcycles but so far I have had no trouble seeing them, they have headlights so not a problem.
Also, its not so easy to spot bicyclists that aren't following what they should be doing (riding on the wrong side of the road for example)
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 10:36am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Extra Passenger
Once again, MAN, I'm glad I live in Montana!
Our snakes stay in the brush where they belong!
Then I feel safer already being in Montana :P my cell phone doesn't work here ha!
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mynetdude
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08/02/11 10:03am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wear the full face helmet....
I had one small mishap when riding my little 49cc beemer/scooter, I have been wanting a full face helmet for the reasons stated but I couldn't get one and I do plan to get one but I need one big enough to go over my hearing aids but not so big that it doesn't fit correctly that it won't be as effective.
recently I've been seeing motorcyclists riding without helmets at all, maybe a bandanna! And I could hardly believe my eyes! I thought it was illegal to not ride without a helmet anywhere. I've never seen anyone ride without one in Oregon, my first time seeing lots of people without them in Idaho.
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mynetdude
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08/01/11 10:42pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: stopping at railroad grades especially for 5vers
I usually stop or proceed very slowly as it is difficult to determine the condition of the crossing. Some crossings will loosen your teeth!!!!
uh, ya think?
a bit off topic but it relates... the worst crossings are bridge sections those really throw me around only with the 5ver though.
I crossed 3 grades today, one large one.. I slowed down for them all but didn't stop as they all had signaling devices.
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mynetdude
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08/01/11 08:09pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: for high profile RVs only: when is it too windy?
Just looked at the weather map, shows all high pressure, low pressure is further west, I won't be going through that area till later this month but most of that will be blocked by the cascades.
Thanks all :)
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mynetdude
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08/01/11 10:11am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: for high profile RVs only: when is it too windy?
A few years ago there was some yammering her about a 14mpg motor home.
I was driving across Texas getting about 13.8 MPG per the engine computer.
Of course the tumble weeds were tumbling straight down the road, passing me like I had the brakes on (Wind speeds 90-110 mph DEAD astern)
I'm just glad the road ran straight!!!!!!!
that's one hellva tailwind! And they say only airplanes can take advantage of those, not true!
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mynetdude
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08/01/11 10:10am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: stopping at railroad grades especially for 5vers
You keep referring to MOWs. What is a MOW?
read up, one of the RR guys spelled it out ;)
MoW (actually that's the proper acronym not MOW) = Maintenance of Way
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mynetdude
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08/01/11 09:43am |
General RVing Issues
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for high profile RVs only: when is it too windy?
Got pretty windy, I've been in worse but not with my RV
I can remember driving through Weed, CA on christmas eve one year, winds were in excess of 50mph I could hear the wind howling at the luggage carrier we had on top of my mom's suburban at the time and there were no cars so she had me let off on the accelerator and we went from 70 to 20 in no time and it was difficult to open the doors (after we pulled over) I would suspect that's too windy for a high profile RV but even with the winds we had today going through Montana on I-15 to Dillon the roads are terrible, they aren't smooth and that with wind doesn't make it easy.
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mynetdude
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07/31/11 11:03pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: stopping at railroad grades especially for 5vers
Good to know thanks to the both of you, I have yet to see signals work for MoWs and if either of you are with UP or BNSF (whoever owns the tracks down in Blackfoot, ID) please tell somebody to make the sirens louder/a different tone they sound just like the code 3 sirens and are confusing and aren't loud enough IMO.
A lot of MoW on track equipment is intentionally insulated to prevent activating the signals-Unlike a train, the MoW equipment is supposed to yeild to, or flag traffic. Not with UP or BNSF, but we do operate in Idaho, but not through there, so I can't address their horns. Even though they are supposed to yeild, always keep an eye out-They may not see YOU! Thanks again, stay safe out there.
good point, and they weren't moving that fast (maybe 25-35mph still would be bad if they collided with something).
Idaho is notorious for not flagging traffic, its one of my gripes about driving in their state its amazing I rarely see ITD or ISP.
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mynetdude
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07/31/11 09:20pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: stopping at railroad grades especially for 5vers
Good to know thanks to the both of you, I have yet to see signals work for MoWs and if either of you are with UP or BNSF (whoever owns the tracks down in Blackfoot, ID) please tell somebody to make the sirens louder/a different tone they sound just like the code 3 sirens and are confusing and aren't loud enough IMO.
MoW sighted in Blackfoot ID
Yeah I don't fool around when it comes to grade crossings, so I wanted to know what other takes on whether they are stopping at the grades. I would imagine I'll be crossing a few more before I reach the west side of Washington & Oregon.
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mynetdude
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07/31/11 09:08pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: stopping at railroad grades especially for 5vers
Sounds Like he is just a little brighter than some. A red light means STOP! And by the time you hear the ding ding ding, it may be too late.
Good luck
I'll rephrase as I was babbling about different experiences
there was NO train crossing/approaching, NO red light and NO grade guard but there were 2 straight tracks and a 3rd one was curved. Although there were MOWs moving about that day, but at the time of the crossing there were none.
As I said before, unless there is sufficient room to clear the grade crossing when stopping at a red light then this would be the only time I've seen a truck with trailer stopped at the grade before crossing over including school busses.
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mynetdude
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07/31/11 08:30pm |
General RVing Issues
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stopping at railroad grades especially for 5vers
I'm speaking generally for any RV, TT, PUP, 5ver, although I don't think PUPs really need to worry.
But it got me wondering about a couple things, I've been driving in the mountain states and noticed a variety of grade crossings some with no gates some that are quite large have multiple tracks running through and some are so close to the intersection you can't cross over unless you have an absolute green light unless you want your tail to be clipped off.
I saw a typical pickup with a gooseneck stock trailer stop at the grade before crossing even though he had room to safely stop at the red light but there were no grade guard gates but this particular grade had 2 straight tracks and then 15ft more was a curved track leading to a siding. I can see where it might be a GOOD idea to stop and look for trains/MOWs especially on multiple tracks with no grade guards.
my truck plus the 5ver is almost 60ft long, Semi trucks don't have a problem they are a tad longer than that and fly through the grade crossings and don't even flinch.
I am not going to stop at every grade crossing I am about to cross but if I suspect its a busy track or MOWs have been sighted I might take the perchance caution to stop and look... MOWs don't trigger the grade guards and funny thing is I got to hear an MOW blast its siren when crossing the grade and it sounds just like what a fire truck or ambulance uses except not as loud... THAT is scary! (especially for someone who doesn't see/hear MOWs on a regular basis).
Do you or have you stopped at grades because you felt it was safer? (other than if there wasn't enough room to safely clear the grade at a red light) I know that school busses are required to regardless of length and regardless if they have passengers or not.
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mynetdude
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07/31/11 08:21pm |
General RVing Issues
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