Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: bhodge10 on February 20, 2012, 12:34:55 PM
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hey everyone, I'm thinking about going to St. Louis, MO to see Radiohead in early March and want to turn it into a bike trip. I've never done an overnight at a hotel with the bike, so I'm looking for any advice on ways to prevent my bike from getting stolen. I'm not sure of what hotel I will be staying yet, looking for a 2 or 3 star for cost reasons. I do not currently have any bike locks or chains. I will be taking the bags off and put them in the room. Thanks.
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Have parked mine outside the door to my room many times without incident. Just pulled the side bags and put them in the room.
Almighty KiPass will protect it after that. ::)
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+1, also consider motorcycle friendly hotels, if you are planning in advance
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Scorpio Alarms....
http://www.scorpioalarms.com/ (http://www.scorpioalarms.com/)
Chains can be cut and bikes can be lifted into the back of a truck or van. If you have an alarm that pages you, at least you have a chance.
I'm sure there are others out there as well.
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I have as of yet to have a hotel say no to parking it by the entry door, most of the time they ask or let me know I can park it there, most have cameras covering the entry and the bike is in plain sight to who ever is working. Although I haven't used one I would think a disk lock would discourage a rookie thief, just make sure you have a reminder flag to prevent the sudden stop if you forget to take it off.
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Every year I take an eight day trip where my bike gets parked at hotels. I find the best thing is to find a hotel with a Harley already parked there and park next to it. Why would anyone take a Concours with a Harley sitting next to it?
Honestly, I was concerned at first, but now I don't give it a second thought. I do ask if I can park under the awning at the font, and I'd say 80% of the time they say yes. But if they don't it's not that big of a deal. The main bikes that get stolen these days are crotch rockets.
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I have been all over the US and parts of Canada, never had a problem with anyone tampering with the bike. I have even left the keys in the trunk of my Gold Wing and nothing happened. Lock the front forks with the fork lock if that will make you feel better, I always park it right outside my room, makes it easier to unload.
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I don't like parking under the front awnings....think about it. You have numbnuts with their kids parking there to check in and either the kids are fiddling with your bike or the idiots are parking so close you'd need a feeler gage to see the gap between them and your pride and joy. No sir, it's out in the open for me with my alarm parked in the middle of a space. Besides, if it rains, I get a free wash job.
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Call the Hotel first. I've done a few overnight trips and some places are amazing when it comes to parking bikes. I had a Hilton let me park inside their lockable, service garage on my last trip.
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I don't like parking under the front awnings....think about it. You have numbnuts with their kids parking there to check in and either the kids are fiddling with your bike or the idiots are parking so close you'd need a feeler gage to see the gap between them and your pride and joy. No sir, it's out in the open for me with my alarm parked in the middle of a space. Besides, if it rains, I get a free wash job.
I am usually the late arrival kinda guy and I leave early. If it rains, well, I'm in WA State, it already got it's daily wash job ;D Truth be told, the only time I am even slightly concerned over attempted theft is when I visit Yakima. I wouldn't park too close to them HD branded bikes, it may lead to a CDA from slipping in the oil pool :o
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* The Concours is nearly 100% theft-proof by any type of casual thief.
* The ignition system simply cannot be overridden.
* The Concours is not a desired target to steal in the first place.
* The only way to steal a Concours is by brute force- by dragging it onto or into another vehicle.
* The Concours is large and heavy, making it difficult to brute force.
Things I would do:
* Park where visible from your room.
* Park under or near a light.
* Remove and take your bags.
* Always lock your steering column.
* Optionally cover the bike (although that takes a lot of storage to carry with you).
Chains and locks are a pain for you, and things like disc locks are not going to deter a brute-force theft, anyway. The best thing to add if you want more protection is some type of tamper alarm with motion/proximity sensor.
I am never worried about theft. However, I am always worried about people tampering.... especially kids. One knock-over and wham- hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. I have always wanted to invent an auxiliary, right-side kickstand for just that reason. You flip it down and then push it down (it ratchets) with your foot, making the bike EXTREMELY stable- supported by four points. Have never seen anything like it.
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Always get a 1st floor room in a motel and drive the bike right into the room and park next to your bed where you can keep an eye on it all night. ;D
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I park mine outside all the time. It was actually parked in front of my car when that was stolen and I still don't really worry about the bike. Like was said earlier these are not high priority targets to a thief. Keep the front wheel locked and insure it and you're good. No need stressing over something because if someone REALLY wants it, trust me they will get it.
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I don't even give it a thought. Do you worry about parking your car?
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I've been going on at least one 10 day trip every year for the past 20 years. Never had an issue. Don't worry, enjoy the trip. ;)
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I spend 2-4 weeks touring every summer and mostly stay at hotels. If its a hotel/motel with each room with an outside door I park right in front of the room. If not then a lot of times they will let me park under the overhang of the entrances where they are in view of the night clerk. Not that I expect the night clerk to keep an eye on my bike but that it is less tempting to the would be thief when in sight. I have never had a problem so far (knock, knock, knocking on wood).
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Always get a 1st floor room in a motel and drive the bike right into the room and park next to your bed where you can keep an eye on it all night. ;D
I have done this. ;D
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Put it on the center stand, then chain or cable the stand to a forward part under the bike to keep someone from getting it down off the stand.
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you could zip tie a baby monitor to your centerstand .If stand goes up you'll hear it .
Its low tech ,low cost.
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Put it on the center stand, then chain or cable the stand to a forward part under the bike to keep someone from getting it down off the stand.
Hmm, that is an interesting thought. I never use the centerstand, since they are just as unstable as a side stand, yet much more work (plus a real pain when you are short or have a lowered bike). But using it with a lock.... hmmm....
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you could zip tie a baby monitor to your centerstand .If stand goes up you'll hear it .
Its low tech ,low cost.
Or chain a guard chihuahua to it. It's about the same size.
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Or chain a guard chihuahua to it. It's about the same size.
:chugbeer: :rotflmao:
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I'm sure somone has a naggy wife they could loan out for a week or so. I guarantee that your bike will not be stolen if they have to take a naggy woman as part of a package deal.
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Having come from riding an RT, I became comfortable with the fact that my bike is not one that is likely to be stolen. I think my new C14 fits into that category. It's not a sport bike or HD, so not desirable to the criminal types.
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Hmm, that is an interesting thought. I never use the centerstand, since they are just as unstable as a side stand, yet much more work (plus a real pain when you are short or have a lowered bike). But using it with a lock.... hmmm....
As far as that goes, you could tie the chain/cable between the front wheel and the sidestand.
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I'm sure somone has a naggy wife they could loan out for a week or so. I guarantee that your bike will not be stolen if they have to take a naggy woman as part of a package deal.
I thought that falls into the same category with the Chihuahua. They are all b***hes that won't stop yapping. ;)
Seriously, for close range protection like hotel parking ot, I vote for a pager alarm system and a 9mm. One to let you know your bike is getting jacked. The other for your own protection when you go investigate.
I have seen videos of two guys hauling a sport bike into a minivan in less than 30 seconds in broad daylight on a busy street - right in front of a surveilance camera (hence the video). Don't think a 700 lbs bike is too heavy to steal either. They only have to lift one end of it at a time. Kipass don't do jack for theft deterrent, either. Most stolen bikes are stripped for parts, so the perps could care less whether they can start the bike or not.
I haven't had to worry about leaving my bike outside overnight, until I got the C14. Now that touring is a definitely possbility, I am seriously considering a pager alarm. Yes, I have full coverage, but one claim and my premium will go through the roof. Besides, I'd rather not have to deal with being bikeless 500 miles from home.
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I always look for motels that I can park right in front of the room. If that's not possible, I find a well lit parking space, remove everything I can remove and make sure my insurance premium is paid up. I've stayed in some "questionable" places and thankfully never had a problem. :-[
I've even gone so far as to ask the front desk person if I can park near the lobby entrance. It's 50-50 as to whether they let me, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
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Always get a 1st floor room in a motel and drive the bike right into the room and park next to your bed where you can keep an eye on it all night. ;D
Did this once, many years ago in a small town in northcentral Pennsylvania. Maid walked in and freaked out. Shortly afterwards the phone rang and the motel owner asked me to pack up and leave! I told him "I put newspaper under it before I pulled it in". He wasn't amused.
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you could zip tie a baby monitor to your centerstand .If stand goes up you'll hear it .
Its low tech ,low cost.
That's an interesting idea! I may have to play with that. I'm a light sleeper and wouldn't want to get woken up by other sounds coming from outside. But now I'm thinking a basic moto frs with a call button. I could add a switch to the center stand (or side stand) that activates the call button. Low cost remote alarm system. In fact, if it could be rigged such that the call button only activates temporarily, from your room you could transmit back to the bike (while your putting your pants on): "step away from the bike, the police have been alerted.." or what ever.
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That's an interesting idea! I may have to play with that. I'm a light sleeper and wouldn't want to get woken up by other sounds coming from outside. But now I'm thinking a basic moto frs with a call button. I could add a switch to the center stand (or side stand) that activates the call button. Low cost remote alarm system. In fact, if it could be rigged such that the call button only activates temporarily, from your room you could transmit back to the bike (while your putting your pants on): "step away from the bike, the police have been alerted.." or what ever.
or, 'now where did I put that extra magazine with the hollow points'.
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or, 'now where did I put that extra magazine with the hollow points'.
;) I was thinking something exactly like that.
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I don't do long multi day trips on a bike, but I do occasionally take my bike to conferences, at places that have valet parking. I have never had a problem being able to park in the inside valet area (yes I have to pay the parking charge, but if it's a work conference, it's free to me anyway.) But I do so more to keep the bike protected from the elements, vs. having it stolen.
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thanks all for the advice. I'll talk to the hotel to see what they can do in terms of parking but looks like I shouldn't have to much to worry about.
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The Dury inn at Olive and 270 offers covered parking, and nice rooms for a fair price. That's where I park it when I stay in STL. 8)
Bang for the buck, it's the best deal in town.
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The Dury inn at Olive and 270 offers covered parking, and nice rooms for a fair price. That's where I park it when I stay in STL. 8)
Bang for the buck, it's the best deal in town.
That's a nice part of town, so I wouldn't worry about it. It's not too far from the amphitheater. Now if you might be staying downtown, that's another story. I live in 10 minutes from downtown St Louis, so if you find a hotel and want to know what area it's in, I would be willing to give my opinion.
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That's a nice part of town, so I wouldn't worry about it. It's not too far from the amphitheater. Now if you might be staying downtown, that's another story. I live in 10 minutes from downtown St Louis, so if you find a hotel and want to know what area it's in, I would be willing to give my opinion.
I'll be staying in Mehlville, is that a decent town?
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I'll be staying in Mehlville, is that a decent town?
Mehlville (or South County as we call it here) is great. Assuming that the concert is at the Scotttrade Center on 3/9, you are about 20 minutes away. How are you getting to Scotttrade? If you are riding, I would suggest looking into a parking garage. Usually parking around there is surface lots. There is a garage right next to Scotttrade, but I don't remember the name. Either way, you should be fine. When I go to a Blues game down there I park either in the lot by the Greyhound station, as their security is pretty decent, or I park at Union Station.
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Mehlville (or South County as we call it here) is great. Assuming that the concert is at the Scotttrade Center on 3/9, you are about 20 minutes away. How are you getting to Scotttrade? If you are riding, I would suggest looking into a parking garage. Usually parking around there is surface lots. There is a garage right next to Scotttrade, but I don't remember the name. Either way, you should be fine. When I go to a Blues game down there I park either in the lot by the Greyhound station, as their security is pretty decent, or I park at Union Station.
Yeah I'll be going to Scottstrade Center. I was wondering where a decent place to park the bike would be. Thanks for the tip. Oh and Let's Go Red Wings!!!
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Yeah I'll be going to Scottstrade Center. I was wondering where a decent place to park the bike would be. Thanks for the tip. Oh and Let's Go Red Wings!!!
BAHAHAHAHAHA!! If I can be of other help just let me know. I would say I would meet you for dinner, but I'll be in Mt. Prospect, IL all that week. I would recommend not wearing a Red Wings jersey down there as well. :battle: lol
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BAHAHAHAHAHA!! If I can be of other help just let me know. I would say I would meet you for dinner, but I'll be in Mt. Prospect, IL all that week. I would recommend not wearing a Red Wings jersey down there as well. :battle: lol
What, are my boys not well loved over there?
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What, are my boys not well loved over there?
By a Blues fan, not so much. ;D
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In my area we are a resort city and thieves rarely steal from populated places where people come and go. They generally take Sport Bikes and load them into a van in a matter of seconds with a few guys. They usually target apartment complexes where bikes are left outside. When I take trips I look for bed and breakfast locations that have good parking. Rarely are they in a bad area and the owner usually takes precautions to make sure things are well lit. Some even have garage space and offer to let me keep it in there. It can be expensive if on a long trip but for a 4 or 5 day outing it is usually reasonable and worth peace of mind. I also stay at Hilton or Hampton Inns and ask to park out front under the awning with my bike covered to lower finger fuxxxxing opportunist. Advanced purchases save quite a bit and may be cheaper than you think if the free continental breakfast satisfies you.
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What, are my boys not well loved over there?
Not so much. :)
Hey it could be worse, we could be talking about the Rams.... Hahaha
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Not so much. :)
Hey it could be worse, we could be talking about the Rams.... Hahaha
Good point. Hey where is a good place to eat?
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By a Blues fan, not so much. ;D
Oh come on, everyone loves the red wings ;D
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Good point. Hey where is a good place to eat?
There are a bunch of restaurants depends on what you want to eat, Olive Garden, O'Charley's, TGIFridays aren't far. There's a Pasta House and a Casa just off the highway. Also there is Tucker's Place just east of Holiday Inn at the corner of Union and Lindbergh. But if you are into BBQ, in a strip mall at the corner of Union & Reavis Barracks is a place called Penny's BBQ, it's great! There is also a place on Tesson Ferry (in a plaza with Pizza Hut and Dobb's Auto Center) called Hessler's Pub. They have great burgers.
Hope this helps a bit,
Chris
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Imo's at Hampton and 40.
Can't go wrong there. 8)
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Imo's at Hampton and 40.
Can't go wrong there. 8)
You can never go wrong with Imo's.
Hooters at Union Station is a must see, place to eat. The sights are usually better than the food but I've never heard anyone complain.
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You can never go wrong with Imo's.
Hooters at Union Station is a must see, place to eat. The sights are usually better than the food but I've never heard anyone complain.
Hooters isn't at Union Station anymore. It's on North 7th Street now.
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I guess I'm looking for something more unique to St. Louis, we do have most of the restaurants here in Kentucky (only 20 minutes from Cincinnati, OH so it's not total hick country). Surprisingly all of the girls at our Hooters have all their teeth!
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I guess I'm looking for something more unique to St. Louis, we do have most of the restaurants here in Kentucky (only 20 minutes from Cincinnati, OH so it's not total hick country). Surprisingly all of the girls at our Hooters have all their teeth!
Look up Pappy's Smokehouse on google. They were on the travel channel man vs food. Also, you can't get more St Louis than "The Hill" try this link http://www.diningstl.com/TheHill.htm (http://www.diningstl.com/TheHill.htm) I would recommend Mama's, Rigazzai's, or Zia's. Most of these places have a web page and reviews on Yelp. However, most of these restaurants are in neighborhoods, and parking is on the street. It's not a bad area at all though.
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Look up Pappy's Smokehouse on google. They were on the travel channel man vs food. Also, you can't get more St Louis than "The Hill" try this link http://www.diningstl.com/TheHill.htm (http://www.diningstl.com/TheHill.htm) I would recommend Mama's, Rigazzai's, or Zia's. Most of these places have a web page and reviews on Yelp. However, most of these restaurants are in neighborhoods, and parking is on the street. It's not a bad area at all though.
Awesome, thanks!!
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I ate at Pappy's last year. DARN good BBQ! Be ready to wait in line though, unless you call ahead for carry out. We waited in line for 40 mins, it was worth it. They ran out of ribs right after we got ours, and do mean right after. The folks behind us didn't get their ribs and weren't too happy about it.
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your are probably going to end up parking right next to a bunch of other bikes once you get there, take the bags and all your good stuff and i usually take the key too, you should be ok
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Hunan Peking garden. Manchester and 141. Mind blowing good.
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Problem solved
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Problem solved
I love it! I can just see that dog saying "don't even think about it"
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Even though state farm needs to be more concerned than me about my stuff being stolen, i normally leave mine near their front door.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/sep%20surgery%20trip/fairfieldMB.jpg)
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bump-
parking topic needs more than 4 pages! ;D
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bump-
parking topic needs more than 4 pages! ;D
How's about some pics of your women parking then? The good lookers if you don't mind?
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How's about some pics of your women parking then? The good lookers if you don't mind?
I should train a few how to park it....wait.... my gal Heather had no probs parking her CBR1000RR
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/ashevillesummer10/KY%20Connie%20ride/heatheronherhonda-2.jpg)
Or my C14 after we traded bikes for a while =)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/ashevillesummer10/KY%20Connie%20ride/heather-2.jpg)
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There you go Steve, almost there.
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Heather looks to have a very nice set of......................................eyes. Yeah, eyes.....that's it.
Git yer minds out of the gutter you old pervs. ;D
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Heather looks to have a very nice set of......................................eyes. Yeah, eyes.....that's it.
Git yer minds out of the gutter you old pervs. ;D
She's fast on her......... bike too =)
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Heather looks to have a very nice set of......................................eyes. Yeah, eyes.....that's it.
Git yer minds out of the gutter you old pervs. ;D
Double bubble shield... ;)
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Heather looks to have a very nice set of......................................eyes. Yeah, eyes.....that's it.
Git yer minds out of the gutter you old pervs. ;D
That was the first thing that I noticed too, her eyes... ;)
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Trish
Looks great on or off the C-14
NInja
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Trish sure knows how to pose!!!
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Even though state farm needs to be more concerned than me about my stuff being stolen, i normally leave mine near their front door.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/R1%20stuff/sep%20surgery%20trip/fairfieldMB.jpg)
Is that the one in Orlando near Semoran Blvd. right around the corner from TGI Friday's and Longhorn Steakhouse? I was JUST THERE this weekend!
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Is that the one in Orlando near Semoran Blvd. right around the corner from TGI Friday's and Longhorn Steakhouse? I was JUST THERE this weekend!
No sir, but my C14 has been parked at the one you were at MANY times! I'm over in Tampa and when I have meetings in Orlando I take the bike instead of fly its such a short trip
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Lemme +100 on Pappys! You are going to wait PERIOD! But when you get your food, you ain't going to be thinking about your wait! The place ain't much to look at, but the Ribs...MAN! I'm going to have to head down there this weekend! How long are you going to hang around? There's some pretty sights 'round here!
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Supposedly the guy who opened Pappy's also recently opened a placed called Bogart's in Soulard. Ive heard they have the same food, but I haven't verified this for myself.
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No sir, but my C14 has been parked at the one you were at MANY times! I'm over in Tampa and when I have meetings in Orlando I take the bike instead of fly its such a short trip
Lol you need to plan your meetings around my monthly drill schedule! ;D