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My New Wee Broke Down: 54mi and Then NADA

  One of the things I hadn't noticed when I bought the bike was the tag expiration date, which was August of 2017.  That was a long time ago!  When I opened up the fuel tank the first time to put new 100% gas in it, I got a strong whiff of turpentine.  That should have been my clue to get it home and investigate further, but I was excited about the new steed and it was such a nice day!  I found it would run great at speed but after riding a bit, when I'd come to a hard stop, it would sometimes die.  As I rode a little later that afternoon on the day I bought it, I ended up getting stuck in a bad spot.  I was on a twisty two-laner about 12 mi from home when she quit for good.  In that park where I broke down, I had time to consider my purchase, realizing that I the great price I got on the bike would soon be eroded by parts and repair costs.  I decided that the bike was just right for me.  It had everything I required of a bike to leave out West when I considered the three large
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2007 Vstrom 650 Pir

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 It seems disrespectful to buy a motorcycle on the 20th anniversary of 9-11, but that's the way it worked out.  I didn't want to leave what I thought was a good deal on my first ever "Weestrom," and so a guy named Rich welcomed me to his home to test ride his bike.  His biked checked a lot of boxes:  Good tires, GPS made for moto use, all three bags, recent fluid change, USB outlet, and a shop manual.  I thought I dickered well and ended up paying $4400, especially when you consider the farkles in light of the low miles at 12,385.   This is me on the left and Rich on the right.  Note how he is the one still holding on to the "Weestrom." I've owned a lot of motorcycles throughout my life, the first of which was a Suzuki.  I saved up money from mowing grass and working at the local Schwinn shop in my neighborhood on the South side of Chicago to pay for it.  I got about $300 in cash together and talked my Mom and Dad into cosigning a loan for the rest.  if
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