Thanks to everyone here; I hope you'll still accept me.

So - the XJ is slowly (or quickly, actually) being pieced out - via this board of course. This board has a wealth of knowledge that is applicable to far more than just the XJ series of motorcycles... applicable to far more than motorcycles in general, really. For that reason, I intend to frequent this board as often as I have in the past - but I have to share the news of my new "baby."

(The pictures are not of mine, but they are exactly the same... I'll post real pictures tomorrow when my wife gets them uploaded.)



A 2005, 20th Anniversary Edition, VMAX... And I could not be more thrilled with it. It's already accumulated more miles than the XJ had really allowed without some catastrophic event... And as much as I enjoy wrenching, I get enough of it at work with our tractors that are older than these XJs; thus, I decided to pay a bit more for a 2 year warranty that covers everything but maintenance (unlimited mileage)... It's only got 10k on the odometer, so I look to get plenty of riding out of this thing.

Rick, you'll be happy to know that I took your advice in that the bike was traded back into the same dealer it came from, so they have all the service records for it.

This thing is a beast, and I'm glad I've matured enough to know the power is there without feeling the need to use it all. With the VBoost, this thing will do 75 in 2nd gear, and despite some of the reviews I read, I think this thing handles like a cool breeze.

The deal is... (as this is a result of my wife having better credit than I) I have to quit smoking. Fair trade.

Anyway, I just wanted to share with everyone. I'll still be around.

 

Awesome, enjoy.

 

Love it! Congrats.

I have wanted one of those since they came out in 85.

I love my Maxim, however if I could afford one of those I would.

 

Thats a sweet bike, I looked at one up close a few weeks ago and its impressive. I had to go get another bike for a daily rider myself my 30 YO Maxin needs some extensive refurb work.

With each passing year these old XJs are going to need more TLC to keep 'em running and who wants to ride in car while your bike is down for maintenance?

 

I can see it now, quit smoking to get the bike so when you get the urge to smoke, you can go for a ride. It does bring up the question though, which is cheaper : the gas for all the rides you'll be going on or the death sticks?

I wish you luck on the quitting smoking. I smoked just long enough to get addicted and know what a pain it can be to quit.

 

Congratulations! I'm hoping to have one of those soon myself. Won't be getting rid of "WyldMax" though.

 

Holy crap, I'm jealous. Congratulations, man! You're in Illinois, we'll have to meet halfway sometime so I can see that baby. Not a far ride from Granite City for me.

 

Congrats. Nice bike and quit smoking.

 

Thanks for all the kind words. My Dad has ridden a Shovelhead for the better part of his riding life... I let him take a ride on it; He told me he was worried he'd kill himself on that thing, assured me there wasn't a Harley rider out there that I couldn't leave in the dust, and made jokes about borrowing the bike over the weekend so my mom and him could go out riding on something "they knew would get home." Hahaha.

I have some nicotine patches I started using today, I got them for free from a family member that never used them. I wonder... Does anyone around have any tips from personal experience?

 

Well, I heard an old girlfriend tell me that she had to keep her hands busy all the time after she was trying to quit. So while she would walk anywhere, she'd play with her car keys. So if you find you have to fiddle with something, keep that in mind. Maybe get something you can do with your hands to keep them busy. Another friend of mine is currently trying to quit and has taken up playing games on the computer to forget about the urges of nicotine withdrawls. He plays online games that are free, mind you.
Those are just a couple of ideas, but in the long run think of your kids if you have them and the rewards of being free!!!

 

I could see that... Somewhere I have an old hand/finger exerciser I bought when I started playing the guitar seriously... I might throw that in my pocket at work. Good idea, thanks!

I've discovered the worst cravings come right after eating. Then it's quit time for the children, haha.

 

Dude, we gotta get a ride together sometime for the midwest folks on the forum. That'd be so much fun. BTW, that seat feels good on my bum.

 

Congrats on the V-Max!

As to quitting the cigs...

1. Stay busy(riding, wrenching...)
2. Get some sugar free gum(get lots of sugar free gum)
3. make up your mind that you want to quit. The worst thing you can do to sabotage the effort is have the thought that you are quitting because someone is making you do it.
4. If you use the patches resist at all costs any temptation to cheat while or even shortly after wearing one. The higher dosage of nicotine that will ensue will put you on the fast track to failure.
5. Stay busy

I quit 14 years ago after having been a serious smoker for 20+ years. I was eight when I took my first drag. I "quit" a dozen times over the years but it didn't stick until I had it straight in my head that I was doing it for myself and my kids. Not because someone else thought that I should but because I wanted to be there for the things that make getting old worth the fight.

 

Great minds think alike.
But I added the XJ and kept the 05 Vmax.

ab

edit: When will I be able to post pictures?

 

Dian, I tried those nicotine patches, but they kept going out. :lol:

 

A midwest ride would be awesome... my friends are lagging on the whole riding thing, though everyone wants to. I would be totally up for it! I'm glad that seat is working out for you Malcolm, the VMax seat reminded me just what I was giving up with that harder than a brick solo seat!

I think it's finally in my head that I'm quitting... forever I said I didn't really want to quit, so why try, but this time I have a new baby to pay for, and it's so exciting that the urge to smoke is far more a nuisance than anything. Definitely hard to get my spirits down with the V4 sitting in the garage!

Wizard, I don't know about smoking it... but I thought about putting it under my tongue. Hahaha.

 

Hey nice bike - please do hang out with us. just because you sold your bike you didn't loose everything you learned

 

i found keeping busy and "filling the void" with gum or toothpicks worked good. after the first few days its just the habit of something to do that was left for me. Nice bike, i've been looking at like an 85 i think?

 

Tip on quitting: If you can fight through the urge to smoke after a meal for a few weeks, or even better a month or so you will build up an immunity and thereafter that craving will be dead. You will have acheived TOTAL power over it. Trust me, I've been there.

Just decide who is stronger... the dumba$$ urge to light one up or your inner self. when you pass that threshold you are pretty much home free.

 

I've officially put more miles on the VMax than the XJ already, haha. I guess these bikes were left pretty well unchanged up until the 2009... 1985 was the first year they were introduced. There a lot of different things available for these... but I'm going to rock the stock on this one.

 

hey at least i know my money went to good use right!....that thing looks awesome. I saw one at my local Yamaha dealership about one month ago out of the corner of my eye and thought wow that is one beastly ass looking bike. Good Buy and have fun!