I know, and sorry in advance if this causes a flaming controversy, but why take a gun to pick up a bike? Yes I'm a gun owner, but I never thought to take a gun on any road trip long or short. Here in NY you can't protect property with deadly force, so you can't shoot someone for a deal gone bad, or even for stealing your bike. Personal or family protection makes sense if you feel you're in harms way, but I think I'd wind up having to explain myself (as a defendant). Of course it's better to be tried by 12, than carried by 6. What do you all say?

 

Judging from that dent in the Caddy, I would want a cat scan of my neck. You are going to feel that on rainy days in 30 years.
Good Luck with whatever you decide.

 

I was being picked up at the airport by someone I didn't know, to pay ten grand for a bike I had never seen, and to ride it 650 miles home by myself. To me it was a no-brainer for personal protection. I have a concealed carry permit and I can't think of any more necessary time to use it.

 

Amen brother.

 

Good story, I chuckled out loud.

Shitty ending to it, though.

Two observations, you wore a full face helmet. Good for you. You're smarter than me. Looks like your spouse's helmet was in the tour pak. If you carry her helmet around, she likes to be a back seat rider. Have the discussion, honor her visual observations as a nurse, and remind her how it feels on the back of the V-Twin. You'll ride again!!

 

+1000

 

Good onya!

I carry. Period.

It is difficult for someone from a nanny state to understand that sometimes.

In NY, IL or CA defending your property has a different meaning than it does in VA, TX or FL. If a bad guy pulls a gun and demands your bike, in the big brother states you should give your bike to him and pray he doesn't shoot. If that same happens here, it is a threat to my life, not my property....

I've carried for years, starting when I lived in MI, then when I lived in VA, and now here in TX.... never pulled it. But I will if I have to.