Checking in on all the original KawaNOW members

**Jared** · 12-11-2021, 12:05 PM

Hey, I just wanted to start a new thread and check in on all the old original KawaNOW and VBA members. Some people probably won't even know what KawaNOW is.

How is everyone doing? What is new?

**Jared** · 12-11-2021, 12:08 PM

My family and I are doing well! We are still living in northern Colorado, staying busy running our two businesses, and enjoying raising our two kiddos (ages 10 and 6). Still no bike for me at the moment, but look forward to the time in life when I can tour on two wheels again.

redjay · 12-11-2021, 12:45 PM

Hi Jared, long time no see. I have moved on from Kawasaki and now ride a Yamaha 1300 V Star. I sold the 1600 Nomad in 2011 and bought a Voyager that I had for 3 years. Then came a Yamaha FJR for a year, a 1300 V Star for 4 years, a Goldwing for one year and now back on a 1300 V Star Deluxe I recently bought. The FJR and the Goldwing did not suit me and my gammy legs and a feet forward cruiser is all I can ride these days.

**vulcanscott** · 12-11-2021, 01:51 PM

morning Jared Looking Good !

ponch · 12-11-2021, 10:28 PM

Getting old..er. Living in AZ now, still riding the BMW I bought in 2010. Most of the kids are out of the house, I became a grandparent this year too, other than that, IDK. Trying not to fall apart yet.

landman · 12-11-2021, 10:41 PM

still riding at age 74 and attending the various baggers rallies every year,

**Jared** · 12-12-2021, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landman

still riding at age 74 and attending the various baggers rallies every year,

Bob, are you still in Wyoming?

**Jared** · 12-12-2021, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponch

Getting old..er. Living in AZ now, still riding the BMW I bought in 2010. Most of the kids are out of the house, I became a grandparent this year too, other than that, IDK. Trying not to fall apart yet.

Congratulations, Gpa! I just watched a few of your YouTube vids too!

"What's the cheapest thing on a BMW?..... The riders!" Ha!

**Jared** · 12-12-2021, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulcanscott

morning Jared Looking Good !

Morning, my friend! Hope you're well!

**Jared** · 12-12-2021, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

Hi Jared, long time no see. I have moved on from Kawasaki and now ride a Yamaha 1300 V Star. I sold the 1600 Nomad in 2011 and bought a Voyager that I had for 3 years. Then came a Yamaha FJR for a year, a 1300 V Star for 4 years, a Goldwing for one year and now back on a 1300 V Star Deluxe I recently bought. The FJR and the Goldwing did not suit me and my gammy legs and a feet forward cruiser is all I can ride these days.

I think we have all mostly moved from Kawasaki. While I'm not riding motorcycles at the moment, I have moved to road biking (cycling). I dont' think that counts though... LOL

cactusjack · 12-12-2021, 11:14 AM

Well, my story is a bit different from the rest. As most of you may remember, I totaled my Nomad in 2011 and bought a 2011 Harley Ultra Limited. I rode that Harley as far east as Shreveport, LA, and as far north as Yakima, WA. I loved that bike, but things took a different turn for me.

After fighting infections, osteomyelitis and sepsis since 2014, I had my right leg amputated below the knee in February 2019. I only rode a couple of times after that, it was pretty difficult and I didn't feel really safe. I had my left leg amputated below the knee in June 2020. I sold my beloved Harley in May of 2020. I can no longer ride a two wheeler. I may get back on a trike at some point, but haven't made that decision yet.

2021 is the first year since 2013 that I haven't spent time in the hospital. My health is pretty good now, I will turn 62 years old a week from today. I am still working, I was laid off from my job of 19 years in September 2019 and found a job doing the same thing (Unix systems administration) for an IT consulting company in Grand Rapids, MI. I work from home full time supporting systems at client locations. It's a perfect job for someone in my situation.

I am still in AZ and have a son and two grandkids (boy and girl) in the Denver area and our middle son lives near us. He and his wife have two daughters. Our oldest son and his wife moved back from Seattle this past August and live about 15 minutes away.

I attended the 2021 Various Baggers Assn rally this past June in Orofino, ID. We drove there, and plan on attending the 2022 get together in Kanab, UT.

I will say I enjoyed the camaraderie here and it was fun engineering mods and keeping our Nomads running in top condition. It was through this group that I made several friendships that have endured for many years. Yes, even YOU, Brad. I think of them more as family.

cactusjack · 12-12-2021, 11:21 AM

Post note - I see I am still the #2 all-time poster on this site! Wow, I haven't post much in the last 10 years,

**Top Cat** · 12-12-2021, 09:44 PM

TC here.

Cindy and I ride Victorys now. Boardwalk for her and a kingpin for me. Right now the plan is to buy a trailer and haul them out to Utah this summer and tour there and Arizona a little. I am 76 now and have no plans to give up riding.
Cindy and I became Great Grandparents this year. She is over the moon with the new Great Granddaughter.
Good to hear your doing well Scott. Thanks for starting this thread for us old folks Jared.

Can I get a link for the 2022 get together in Kanab, UT

**ringadingh** · 12-13-2021, 10:39 AM

I'm still riding my same old Nomad, it has a ton of miles on it now, and I had to replace the motor a few years ago due to a bent shifter fork. I don't put the miles on it like I used to, just mainly a little bit of riding around town and to work and back. I'm still working, but I'm planning on retiring the next couple of years. I've taken up fishing again and I bought myself a bigger boat and hope to get on the water more often. Its great hearing back from you fellas, we sure did have a lot of great times in the past.

The Black Knight · 12-14-2021, 03:57 AM

Hi Jared, this is a great idea, my friend. I am still driving my Vaq and have been retired since january 2021. I have more time for my family and hobbies.

12-11-2021, 12:05 PM	#1
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Checking in on all the original KawaNOW members Hey, I just wanted to start a new thread and check in on all the old original KawaNOW and VBA members. Some people probably won't even know what KawaNOW is. How is everyone doing? What is new? __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-11-2021, 12:45 PM	#3
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	Hi Jared, long time no see. I have moved on from Kawasaki and now ride a Yamaha 1300 V Star. I sold the 1600 Nomad in 2011 and bought a Voyager that I had for 3 years. Then came a Yamaha FJR for a year, a 1300 V Star for 4 years, a Goldwing for one year and now back on a 1300 V Star Deluxe I recently bought. The FJR and the Goldwing did not suit me and my gammy legs and a feet forward cruiser is all I can ride these days. Last edited by redjay; 12-11-2021 at 02:34 PM.
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12-11-2021, 10:28 PM	#5
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,015	Getting old..er. Living in AZ now, still riding the BMW I bought in 2010. Most of the kids are out of the house, I became a grandparent this year too, other than that, IDK. Trying not to fall apart yet. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-11-2021, 10:41 PM	#6
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	still riding at age 74 and attending the various baggers rallies every year, __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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12-12-2021, 11:14 AM	#11
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Well, my story is a bit different from the rest. As most of you may remember, I totaled my Nomad in 2011 and bought a 2011 Harley Ultra Limited. I rode that Harley as far east as Shreveport, LA, and as far north as Yakima, WA. I loved that bike, but things took a different turn for me. After fighting infections, osteomyelitis and sepsis since 2014, I had my right leg amputated below the knee in February 2019. I only rode a couple of times after that, it was pretty difficult and I didn't feel really safe. I had my left leg amputated below the knee in June 2020. I sold my beloved Harley in May of 2020. I can no longer ride a two wheeler. I may get back on a trike at some point, but haven't made that decision yet. 2021 is the first year since 2013 that I haven't spent time in the hospital. My health is pretty good now, I will turn 62 years old a week from today. I am still working, I was laid off from my job of 19 years in September 2019 and found a job doing the same thing (Unix systems administration) for an IT consulting company in Grand Rapids, MI. I work from home full time supporting systems at client locations. It's a perfect job for someone in my situation. I am still in AZ and have a son and two grandkids (boy and girl) in the Denver area and our middle son lives near us. He and his wife have two daughters. Our oldest son and his wife moved back from Seattle this past August and live about 15 minutes away. I attended the 2021 Various Baggers Assn rally this past June in Orofino, ID. We drove there, and plan on attending the 2022 get together in Kanab, UT. I will say I enjoyed the camaraderie here and it was fun engineering mods and keeping our Nomads running in top condition. It was through this group that I made several friendships that have endured for many years. Yes, even YOU, Brad. I think of them more as family. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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12-11-2021, 12:08 PM	#2
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	My family and I are doing well! We are still living in northern Colorado, staying busy running our two businesses, and enjoying raising our two kiddos (ages 10 and 6). Still no bike for me at the moment, but look forward to the time in life when I can tour on two wheels again. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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12-11-2021, 01:51 PM	#4
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	morning Jared Looking Good !
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12-12-2021, 11:21 AM	#12
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Post note - I see I am still the #2 all-time poster on this site! Wow, I haven't post much in the last 10 years, __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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12-12-2021, 09:44 PM	#13
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	TC here. Cindy and I ride Victorys now. Boardwalk for her and a kingpin for me. Right now the plan is to buy a trailer and haul them out to Utah this summer and tour there and Arizona a little. I am 76 now and have no plans to give up riding. Cindy and I became Great Grandparents this year. She is over the moon with the new Great Granddaughter. Good to hear your doing well Scott. Thanks for starting this thread for us old folks Jared. Can I get a link for the 2022 get together in Kanab, UT __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Last edited by Top Cat; 12-12-2021 at 09:57 PM.
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12-13-2021, 10:39 AM	#14
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	I'm still riding my same old Nomad, it has a ton of miles on it now, and I had to replace the motor a few years ago due to a bent shifter fork. I don't put the miles on it like I used to, just mainly a little bit of riding around town and to work and back. I'm still working, but I'm planning on retiring the next couple of years. I've taken up fishing again and I bought myself a bigger boat and hope to get on the water more often. Its great hearing back from you fellas, we sure did have a lot of great times in the past. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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12-14-2021, 03:57 AM	#15
The Black Knight Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Italy Posts: 6,054	Hi Jared, this is a great idea, my friend. I am still driving my Vaq and have been retired since january 2021. I have more time for my family and hobbies. __________________ VBA 02514 - VROC 35394 VN 800 A - VN 900 Classic VN 1700 Vaquero Usque ad finem.
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