Wanted: Concours to borrow for Iron Butt ride

[JoeZ]

I've tried unsuccessfully to acquire a C14. At this time, I simply don't have the budget to acquire the bike.

It has always been a dream of mine to do an iron butt 1,000 mile ride. I have over 200,000 miles of experience riding, but the occasion never presented itself. About three months ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given 12 months to live. Treatment has been expensive, and I sold my last bike to be able to pay for the medicine that I need, because my health insurance does not even come close to covering my needs.

Before I go, I'd love to be able to do the iron butt ride that I've dreamed of. Buying a bike is financially out of the question. My balance is fine and looking at me, you'd never know that anything is wrong. I'm willing to pay for operating expenses and some modest rental fee, but I am wondering if anyone out there would let me borrow their Concours for this quest? I am living in Southern California, and being treated at UCLA hospital Jonsson Cancer Center, but I am willing to work with anyone willing to let me borrow their motorcycle on locations. There's an organization similar to make a wish that would likely be able to buy me a flight to wherever your bike is, and back home.

Thanks all, and god bless.

[JeffM]

Joe,

I'm sorry to hear your health isn't great. There is a rental company near LAX that rents a Concours. I nearly rented from them not long ago. If this agency would pay for your plane ticket, perhaps they'd pay for the rental instead. I just searched Google for 'motorcycle rental los angeles' to find them.

Best of luck to you.

[maxtog]

I am also terribly sorry to hear your news.  I do hope you are able to make your motorcycle trip and can find a Concours to rent.

Life really is too short.  I shutter to think of how much of mine I have wasted.

[greycobra]

I'll let you use mine provided you have the cash for a non refundable deposit equal to what I have invested in the bike should you wreck it. 218-331-8874.  Located in Spokane, Wa.

[Son of Pappy]

I've got an idea.  If you don't mind another rider tagging along and promise to avoid WFO runs we could do a 1000 mile loop from Port Orchard, WA to say somewhere East of Lolo Pass ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolo_Pass_(Idaho%E2%80%93Montana) and back.  I have an '08 C14 and just happen to have a second streetbike (F800GS).  Fly into Seatac, get a good nights rest, and leave at 0 dark thirty, sometime mid week.  What would I require?  You keep gas in your tank, I'll keep gas in mine, a few pics, and a kind word to the man when ya reach the pearly gates
I would have to get approval from SWMBO of course, but I don't see her flat out saying no.  Maybe we can make this a mini 1000 mile ZG/GTR Fanatics Rally?

One of our instructors had been diagnosed and treated over ten years ago, he has led a full life since then, a couple of months ago the tumor raised it's ugly head and he is undergoing more treatments but the outlook isn't good.  He has been an example of what life should be like, live life while you're alive, darkness can come at anytime.  Never live life fearing what may happen and never deny the fact that we are only on this planet for a finite amount of time.

I hope this works out, if not with me, I am fairly certain a cogger will be there when ya need him or her the most.

[twowheeladdict]

Check out some of the motorcycle rental companies in Southern California.  I've seen where they want a bike moved from southern Cali to WA.  Sometimes it is free, sometimes it is half price.

One I used to get emails from was MotoQuest.

I think if I were in your situation I would just sign on the dotted line for a bike and let the bank worry about it when I was gone. 

[Conrad]

I've got an idea.  If you don't mind another rider tagging along and promise to avoid WFO runs we could do a 1000 mile loop from Port Orchard, WA to say somewhere East of Lolo Pass ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolo_Pass_(Idaho%E2%80%93Montana) and back.  I have an '08 C14 and just happen to have a second streetbike (F800GS).  Fly into Seatac, get a good nights rest, and leave at 0 dark thirty, sometime mid week.  What would I require?  You keep gas in your tank, I'll keep gas in mine, a few pics, and a kind word to the man when ya reach the pearly gates
I would have to get approval from SWMBO of course, but I don't see her flat out saying no.  Maybe we can make this a mini 1000 mile ZG/GTR Fanatics Rally?

One of our instructors had been diagnosed and treated over ten years ago, he has led a full life since then, a couple of months ago the tumor raised it's ugly head and he is undergoing more treatments but the outlook isn't good.  He has been an example of what life should be like, live life while you're alive, darkness can come at anytime.  Never live life fearing what may happen and never deny the fact that we are only on this planet for a finite amount of time.

I hope this works out, if not with me, I am fairly certain a cogger will be there when ya need him or her the most.

That's a great offer and VERY nice of you C!    


Good luck Joe, I hope that your doctors are wrong.

[jjsC6]

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  It might help if you would give us an idea as to your riding experience and what bikes you have owned. 

Best of luck.

[C1xRider]

I've got an idea.  If you don't mind another rider tagging along and promise to avoid WFO runs we could do a 1000 mile loop from Port Orchard, WA to say somewhere East of Lolo Pass ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolo_Pass_(Idaho%E2%80%93Montana) and back.  I have an '08 C14 and just happen to have a second streetbike (F800GS).  Fly into Seatac, get a good nights rest, and leave at 0 dark thirty, sometime mid week.  What would I require?  You keep gas in your tank, I'll keep gas in mine, a few pics, and a kind word to the man when ya reach the pearly gates
I would have to get approval from SWMBO of course, but I don't see her flat out saying no.  Maybe we can make this a mini 1000 mile ZG/GTR Fanatics Rally?

One of our instructors had been diagnosed and treated over ten years ago, he has led a full life since then, a couple of months ago the tumor raised it's ugly head and he is undergoing more treatments but the outlook isn't good.  He has been an example of what life should be like, live life while you're alive, darkness can come at anytime.  Never live life fearing what may happen and never deny the fact that we are only on this planet for a finite amount of time.

I hope this works out, if not with me, I am fairly certain a cogger will be there when ya need him or her the most.

Very generous offer, but I would pick a different route.  Last Thursday I came over Highway 12 from Montana into Idaho, and the smoke was so thick I didn't even realize I crossed the mountains.  At times, the visibility was down to 1/4 of a mile.  When I stopped for the night in Lewiston Idaho, my riding gear smelled like I'd been sitting around a campfire for 3 days.

[Spanky]

Godspeed JoeZ. Son of Pappy - you are the man! Very nice offer.

[r2t2]

Very generous offer, but I would pick a different route.  Last Thursday I came over Highway 12 from Montana into Idaho, and the smoke was so thick I didn't even realize I crossed the mountains.  At times, the visibility was down to 1/4 of a mile.  When I stopped for the night in Lewiston Idaho, my riding gear smelled like I'd been sitting around a campfire for 3 days.

Tell me about it! The fires have made this the worst riding season here in Idaho! There's so much smoke here (in Boise) today that it would look like it was just overcast if it didn't have the eerie yellow/orange tinge to it!

[Rasmith]

Any movement on this?

[Son of Pappy]

Any movement on this?

Nope:(