JLCollinsnh

The Simple Path to Wealth

  • Stock Series
  • Homeownership
  • Case Studies
  • Stuff I recommend
  • Books
  • Interviews
  • About
You are here: Home / Cars and motorcycles / It’s better in the wind. Still.

It’s better in the wind. Still.

by jlcollinsnh 60 Comments

motorbike

A couple three years or so back I put up this post, most of which is repeated below. I figure it needs repeating. Maybe not for you, but for me.

It is a beautiful spring day here in New Hampshire, Sunday in fact, and if all were right with the world I’d be out on my motorbike.

But for reasons too boring to bore you with, I’m not and it is still nestled away at my pal David’s house.

So, sitting here tapping away at the computer, I got to daydreaming. That got me opening this post and watching the videos in it. Yep, they still stand up well. I even added a couple extra at the end.

Maybe some of you will join me in daydreaming and enjoy it again. If you are new around here, maybe you’ll get to see it for the first time.

Anyway, here’s how it originally ran. Mostly, anyway:

Fall, 2013

As mentioned in my last post my travels to Ecuador served to shift my priorities to Susegar, that wonderful state of taking it easy. Of course, it also has meant that I’ve hardly posted here at all.

To my considerable amazement this short fall has generated concern and irritation on the part of some of my readers, and who knew I had any of those at all? But writing is hard work and besides I’ve had more important things to do.  Like riding my motorbike: 

Triumph Scrambler

**just like mine except mine is more beat up than this nice new one**

We still have beautiful weather around here, but an increasing chill is in the air.  Winter closes in.  My dog insists on walks and my motorbike insists on rides.  Time is short and cold dark days are coming.  Plenty of time to write blog entries then. If you ride this all likely makes sense to you.  If not, well maybe this will help:

It’s Better in the Wind

Even if you don’t care about motorcycles, it’s 15 and a half minutes well spent for the sound track alone.

(I have it playing as I write)

New edit:

(This time, too!)

“It doesn’t take very much and you don’t have to go very far to put yourself out of your norm.” Damn, I love this video. 

This short film was created by Scott Toepfer and, as much as anything I’ve seen, it captures the sheer joy of motorbiking.  Doesn’t hurt that most of the bikes in it are Triumphs like mine.  Scott and his pals have good taste.

Here’s a still from his website as further proof of good taste

Watching it, I realize that my motorbike is also a time machine.  Every moment on it I am again twenty-something and full of beans.

More videos:

Another cool short film with a very odd song for the road.   It might grow on you.  It did on me.

  Hey little motorcycle girl

Here’s another I just found.  Wicked cool riding on a Scrambler just like mine:

From Track to Dirt to Date

Starts slow but worth the short wait.  Check out the dismount about 3/4 of the way in.

This one’s a bit more mellow:

Milonga

And this is not mellow at all:

Mind Party with Johnny Lewis @ Wiggins Tree Farm

This one, courtesy of Vik in the comments below, is too funny (and true!) and makes me wish I was 50 again:

Mid-life crisis philosophy & motorbike riding

**Important FI message at ~4:00**

Don’t own one? You could always steal one:

From the 1968 movie “If”

While it drifts away from the riding, at ~5:41 one of my favorite pieces of music starts. At ~8:10, one of my favorite motorbike scenes of all time.

Ok, ready?

First, we go to India and build a Royal Enfield:

Then we ride it up into the Himalayas:

*
*
*

And if motorbikes aren’t your thing, or even if they are, this book of illustrated adventures is great for jump-starting your daydreams:

     I was arrested twice.

Once for reckless parking and once for grave digging.

I was guilty of both.

I like her work so much, I asked Trisha Ray to create the original illustration that graces the cover of my book. Her own book is filled with her wonderful water-colors; each with a wonderfully well told story behind it. There are even pictures of and stories about me in it.

Shhhh. Don’t tell anybody.

Psst!

You wanna have an advance peek at the cover of my book? With big-time, major league kudos to Carol who designed it, here you go:

SPW cover final

It should be out in mid-June!

Related

Important Resources

  • Talent Stacker is a resource that I learned about through my work with Jonathan and Brad at ChooseFI, and first heard about Salesforce as a career option in an episode where we featured Bradley Rice on the Podcast. In that episode, Bradley shared how he reached FI quickly thanks to his huge paychecks and discipline in keeping his expenses low. Jonathan teamed up with Bradley to build Talent Stacker, and they have helped more than 1,000 students from all walks of life complete the program and land jobs like clockwork, earning double or even triple their old salaries using a Salesforce certification to break into a no-code tech career.
  • Credit Cards are like chain saws. Incredibly useful. Incredibly dangerous. Resolve to pay in full each month and never carry a balance. Do that and they can be great tools. Here are some of the very best for travel hacking, cash back and small business rewards.
  • Personal Capital is a free tool to manage and evaluate your investments. With great visuals you can track your net worth, asset allocation, and portfolio performance, including costs. At a glance you'll see what's working and what you might want to change. Here's my full review.
  • Betterment is my recommendation for hands-off investors who prefer a DIFM (Do It For Me) approach. It is also a great tool for reaching short-term savings goals. Here is my Betterment Review
  • NewRetirement offers cool tools to help guide you in answering the question: Do I have enough money to retire? And getting started is free. Sign up and you will be offered two paths into their retirement planner. I was also on their podcast and you can check that out here:Video version, Podcast version.
  • Tuft & Needle (T&N) helps me sleep at night. They are a very cool company with a great product. Here’s my review of what we are currently sleeping on: Our Walnut Frame and Mint Mattress.
  • Vanguard.com

Filed Under: Cars and motorcycles, Life

« Cool things to check out while I’m gone
A peek into The Simple Path to Wealth »

Comments

  1. Trisha says

    May 15, 2016 at 8:14 pm

    I’m totally honored!

    And yes, when anyone says, let’s go – just ignore the inertia – and GO!
    Keeps you flexible, open and keeps life (very) interesting.

    Reply
  2. Jane says

    May 15, 2016 at 8:52 pm

    Love the cover! Kudos to Carol and Trish.
    Can’t wait for the book.

    Reply
  3. kyle says

    May 15, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Super excited for your book, Jim. I’m sure it’s going to be filled to the brim with useful knowledge about achieving F.I. I just sent my parents your blog to read as well.
    P.S. Get back on your motorbike soon! I just did my 18k service yesterday on my BMW and it’s humming right along on California roads 🙂 If you are ever in the Bay let me know, I have a spare bike you can ride.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 15, 2016 at 11:16 pm

      So, Kyle, you want me to get this book out or do you want me to get the motorbike out? 😉

      What’s your spare bike?

      Reply
      • kyle says

        May 16, 2016 at 6:34 pm

        That makes sense! Ok, maybe put the riding down to get this book out.
        I have a 1972 BMW R75/5. I made a fun video for it as well 🙂
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HsJ_91YNJ0

        Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 1:09 am

      Here’s one with BMWs:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm0_UOiSqKA

      Reply
  4. DIY Money Guy says

    May 15, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    Good, fun post to read. I have never been into motorcycles much, but my equivalent peaceful bliss is floating down a river in my canoe. Thank you for sharing the post and reminding me to make time for the important stuff in life – relaxing and taking in the beautiful world around us! Now that it is warm enough outside, it is time for me to put some canoe trips on the ol’ calendar. Looking forward to reading your book. Safe travels!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 15, 2016 at 11:20 pm

      Thanks DIY MG, and thanks for noting the post wasn’t just about motorbikes!

      It has been a long time, but I’ve done just enough canoeing to know how wonderful a sensation it is.

      This afternoon I was walking the dog down by the river and paused to watch some guys in kayaks playing in the rapids. Never done that, but it sure looks like fun!

      Reply
  5. Steve m says

    May 15, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    Jim, New to your blog and have to say I Love your portrayal of Goodman on ones “f__ck You” money! Not into bikes but I have a sweet 64 Pontiac lemans ragtop that I Love riding in the wind also and need to make more time to do so! Thanks for reminder. Life is very short. Just finished a 25 mile bike ride for brain tumor research in memory of a friend Don Guidoboni, who lost his life at age 57 last year. Dons passion was golf and he’d play twice a day, 7 days a week if he could. He didn’t know he’d be gone so soon and I am sure he is glad, as we are, that he got to do as much of his passion as possible while here on earth.
    From a financial note, tonight 60 minutes had a story about Duke Univ. getting fast track to use polio virus to fight brain tumors. My biggest investment is in a small bio called Advaxis(adxs) which uses listeria virus to kill breast and cervical cancer. If it works as well as the polio virus then next months Asco conference should bring results leading to a major increase in share price from current $7to over $25 and All while doing something good that allows us to peruse our passions for as long as possible! Ride On!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 15, 2016 at 11:25 pm

      Thanks, Steve…

      That video has gotten a great response and it was a blast to do.

      Condolences on the passing of your friend Don. As it happens, I also lost a dear friend last year, and also at age 57. Far, far too young.

      Sobering reminder, our time is short and uncertain. All the more reason for bikes and ragtops.

      Reply
  6. FiveSigmas says

    May 15, 2016 at 10:56 pm

    I don’t (motor-) cycle myself, but watching the first link I can totally see the appeal. It reminded me of this quote from Robert Pirsig:

    “In a car you’re always in a compartment, and because you’re used to it you don’t realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You’re a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.

    On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re completely in contact with it all. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.”

    Life is too short* — enjoy your time out there!

    BTW: Love the book cover.

    * But please don’t risk making it shorter by standing on your bike — yikes!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 15, 2016 at 11:28 pm

      Ha!
      These days standing upright on solid ground is challenge enough.

      Glad you love the cover. So do I, and I can say that without sounding arrogant as the credit is all Carol’s and Trish’s. 🙂

      Reply
  7. AJ says

    May 16, 2016 at 7:40 am

    Will the book be on amazon or purchase through this site? Can you pre-order?

    Thanks, looking forward to book.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 8:17 am

      Hi AJ…

      I plan to publish thru Amazon and have not made any pre-order arrangements.

      Thanks for the vote of confidence!

      Reply
      • aj says

        May 16, 2016 at 8:18 am

        Thanks

        Reply
  8. The Bob's says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Great cover on the new book. My curiosity is piqued and I look forward to getting a copy and reading. Going to hold you to that autograph thing. 🙂

    My cousin who’s just starting out may get a copy as well.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      Only one cousin? 😉

      Reply
  9. Vivek @ LifeAfterFI says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:18 am

    Oh wow… the cover is very elegant and eye catching! Loved it! Best of luck for your book !

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      Thank you!

      I’m thrilled with it!

      Reply
  10. Ty @ Get Rich Quickish says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Can’t wait for the book. I think you first dropped a hint that you were writing it well over a year ago – excited that it is almost time to get our hands on it!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:19 pm

      I don’t actually remember when I dropped that first hint. Just that I was way too optimistic about when it would be out. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Karina says

    May 16, 2016 at 11:59 am

    So glad to hear the book (hopefully) will be out just in time for graduation season! I’m thinking of starting a new tradition in my gift giving: your book with a hair trimmer (UMGD) for my guy relatives but I’m not sure what the corresponding gift for the gals would be. Anyone have suggestions?

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:20 pm

      A second copy of the book? 😉

      Reply
  12. Mr. PIE says

    May 16, 2016 at 1:10 pm

    Bicycle riding on a windy day yesterday in the Northeast with my 7 year old was a reminder on how kids get great joy in the simple outdoor stuff. And the big kid too!

    The reminder of that joy in tearing up the cul-de sacs doesn’t get old.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 16, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      Sounds fun.

      It has been, as they say in these parts, wicked windy these past couple of days. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Shawn Jutras says

    May 17, 2016 at 4:11 pm

    Jim,
    I am so excited to read your book! I have not bought a book in years, but the librarians know who I am. But I will buy your book! I consumed your blog in about two weeks and always looking for new information as well as a chance to review to see if I missed anything. I am an avid motorcyclist and a fellow NH resident. I appreciate the knowledge you have shared over the years. Maybe some day we could plan a ride here in our beautiful state and grab lunch. Great interview with Hahna on Master Your Money Summit as well. And the remake of “F you money”!!! Are you kidding me?! That is the best thing I have seen on the internet in years, maybe ever!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 18, 2016 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Shaun…

      Thanks for the very kind words. Great to hear it has all resonated so strongly.

      It would be fun to meet up. What do you ride?

      Reply
      • Shawn Jutras says

        May 19, 2016 at 7:50 am

        I have a 2011 Harley Road Glide that I bought before my journey to FI. I have debated selling it to add to my investments and buy a used sport touring bike, but riding has always been my passion and I do not have a loan for it. I have had countless bikes from most of the major manufacturers (no Triumph’s yet, but some of those videos have me day dreaming of an after retirement purchase.) I have had a ton of Japanese sport bikes, some cruisers and this one Harley.

        I live in Manchester and would certainly love to meet up with you. Maybe we could plan the Jim Collin’s book signing tour and go from location to location on bikes! Then your fans could join on their local leg of the tour on their bikes and we can make “F You $” shirts and then… Sorry, I got carried away there for a minute. I think a nice local ride and lunch would be nice.

        Reply
  14. Millennial Moola says

    May 20, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    Wish I was bold enough to hop on a motorcycle and ride around all over the world. Looking forward to the book!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 20, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Just be sure to stop when you hit the water. 😉

      Reply
  15. Chris @ Flipping A Dollar says

    May 22, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    Book cover looks really great!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 22, 2016 at 8:52 pm

      Thanks Chris!

      By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’d be interested in writing a post reviewing the book. If so, let me know and I’ll send you the advance manuscript.

      Reply
  16. SamK says

    May 22, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    Congrats on being so close to releasing your book. Have learned a great amount from you and have shared it with my college age nephews ????????

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 22, 2016 at 11:21 pm

      Thanks Sam…

      I’m really looking forward to its release.

      Thanks, too, for passing on the blog. What did your nephews think?

      Reply
  17. Rahul says

    May 25, 2016 at 12:28 am

    Ah that Enfield image brought back the memories from my teenage years(I’m 40 now) in India. I use to ride a 500cc Enfield. A behemoth among the 100cc fleas that swarm around.It wasn’t very popular than and mostly used by the milkmen. Here is the one(not me )
    http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/iacona/images/milkman_in_Puskar_India.jpg

    And the kick back from the starter kick was painful. But once you get that beast going. it was a power trip. Exhilarating!!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 26, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      Hi Rahul…

      Great picture!

      My guess is you also didn’t have the huge milk cans attached to yours?

      When I was traveling in India, it always amazed me what was carried on motor bikes. No limit to people’s resourcefulness!

      Reply
  18. Vicki@Make Smarter Decisions says

    May 26, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    Just tweeted out your post – now if I only had a few followers 🙂 Can’t wait for the book and hoping to encourage reading it with a book club!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 26, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      Thanks Vicki!!!

      As I’m not personally active on social media (I know, I know!:) I really appricate it when people tweet and FB my posts!

      BTW, just sent you a PM.

      Reply
  19. Jon says

    July 8, 2016 at 9:50 am

    Really enjoyed the videos. I have been thinking of getting a bike now that I’m out on the West Coast where it’d be nice to ride the coast.

    Any recommendations for someone just starting out? I don’t want to get something too small.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      July 9, 2016 at 2:59 pm

      Hi Jon…

      If this is your first bike, my recommendation would be to get something small and used.

      Small because it will be easier to handle and to learn on. Nothing looks more ridiculous and dangerous than an obviously inexperienced rider on a big bike. Plus, as the saying goes, it is more fun to ride fast on a small bike than slow on a powerful one.

      Used because you might not own it long and are very likely to drop it once or twice.

      The biggest mistake a new rider can make is to buy a large, new bike. Wait till you have some seasoning under your belt. You’ll learn more safely and make a better choice when the time comes.

      Oh, and be sure to take a rider training course! I can’t afford to lose any readers! 😉

      Reply
      • Jon says

        July 9, 2016 at 5:44 pm

        Okay thanks for the advice!

        Reply
      • jlcollinsnh says

        July 9, 2016 at 10:23 pm

        Let me know what you get!

        Reply
  20. Robert says

    August 4, 2016 at 9:35 pm

    Well written! A very honest view of a motorcycle enthusiast. I can relate to it so well.
    I think for me it was when my father took me with him on my first motorcycle ride. Can never forget the feel of the wind!

    Reply
  21. Jeffrey Parker says

    August 17, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    We’re thinking of moving from Greenville, SC to NH, maybe Monroe or Hebron as they seem to have very low property tax rates, am I missing anything? What area are you in and why?

    Thanks for your thoughts!

    Jeff

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      August 18, 2016 at 1:22 pm

      Hi Jeff,

      I am unfamiliar with Monroe or Hebron, however overall RE taxes in NH tend to be very high overall. One of the highest RE tax states of all, in fact.

      However, there is no sales or income tax.

      If I wanted a large home or lots of property, I’d look elsewhere. If I had a high income and intended to own a modest home, NH is great!

      Of course, you’ll get to experience a bit more winter here than in SC. 😉

      Reply
      • Jeffrey Parker says

        August 18, 2016 at 1:33 pm

        Thanks for the quick response.

        When I said “very low property taxes” for Hebron and Monroe that was a relative term. We pay about $1,700 per year on a $300,000 house here, so when I saw the rates varying from about $8.50 per $1,000 to over $40.00 per $1,000 depending on “township/city” I started checking a little closer. Since we don’t need to worry about quality of schools (except indirectly as having smart or ignorant graduates), we looked for towns with limited government services; especially schools.

        What could skew these rates is how they value real estate itself. The low rate/$1,000 could have a higher valuation and conversely for the higher one. I guess we’ll just have to ask a bunch of questions of town hall personnel when we come through next May on a sightseeing, information trip.

        You might be interested to know that what got me interested was the youtube video “101 Reasons to Move to New Hampshire.” Loved it!!

        But you are right about the weather issue and snowfall. My wife is from North Carolina so it is a foreign concept. I am from Northern Ohio originally so I have a better feel for what to expect although it’s been a while. I hope it’s not like child birth, where women seem to forget the downside issues after a few months!

        If there was a way to preserve the snow and send it South during the summer for a 24 hour experience, I think we could get rich!

        Thanks again for your response!

        Best wishes,

        Jeff

        Reply
      • jlcollinsnh says

        August 18, 2016 at 1:56 pm

        We spent 18 years in the Cleveland area and the winters here in NH are similar, with one huge exception: NH gets sunshine in winter rather than four months of steel grey skies.

        There is something rather cool (pun!) about a bright, sunny, bitter cold day. 🙂

        How did you zero in on Hebron and Monroe?

        Reply
        • Jeffrey Parker says

          August 18, 2016 at 2:33 pm

          That is an important difference. Growing up in North Canton, OH I thought everyone had steel gray skies until I went off to Denison University, east of Columbus, OH and discovered that the “lake effect” caused a huge difference in amount of sunshine.

          To answer your question, I was looking for:

          (1) Small town
          (2) Close to larger town
          (3) Reasonably close and assessable to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
          (4) Good internet access / cell phone coverage
          (5) Land reasonably priced
          (6) Property taxes less than $11/$1,000 if possible
          (7) A slew of intangibles on a case-by-case basis

          Having said that, once we’re in the area looking around, the possibilities might get resorted.

          Here’s the spreadsheet listing I’m working from (2015 tax rates) … purple highlighted rows are “best” prospects so far. Again, real experience may change all this thinking.

          https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S78RkR95CmML_Hf7iGkDnJX4RizkOi4rnDJE5yKgT2o/edit?usp=sharing

          Let me know what you think and if you have difficulty seeing the spreadsheet.

          Thanks again for your interest,

          Jeff

          Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          August 18, 2016 at 3:26 pm

          Cool spreadsheet!

          Reach out next spring when you’re plans come together and we’ll meet for lunch or dinner if you’d like.

          Enjoy the search!

          Reply
          • Jeffrey Parker says

            August 18, 2016 at 4:31 pm

            That would be wonderful, Jim.

            We are usually in Ohio for a conference and my father’s birthday the week of May 8th so we’d most likely drive from there to Hanover, NH on Friday, May 12th and start a swing up to Monroe and over to Littleton. Then go from there down to Plymouth, over to Hebron, then to Bridgewater, then over to Freedom (outlier) and then to New London and maybe Newport. That would be during the week of May 15th. We may actually go back to Hanover before exiting NH and heading home.

            We are unlikely to go much further south unless we need to check in with some folks in Concord for governmental advice, so depending on where you are, that may be either convenient or inconvenient?

            Then we’re planning on heading back to Ohio so we can swing through there to see my sister in Springfield, returning to Greenville, SC through the Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina route.

            I’ll keep you posted and we’ll try to make it work! I think that is a great idea.

            Best wishes until then,

            Jeff

  22. Jone says

    September 28, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    Well….

    I finally went and did it. I owned a motorcycle a couple of decades ago and have missed it many times over the years. I reached “reasonably FI” some years ago and have always wanted another motorcycle. I kept rationalizing myself out of the purchase primarily due to financial considerations.

    After reading this article, looking at the going price for used bikes, and looking at my Vanguard statements, I finally had to admit could go buy whatever motorcycle I wanted for cash without denting my balance sheet. Thus started the bike research. The joy of being FI are the choices you give yourself. I have truly enjoyed the past several weekends.

    PA has a free MSF course. Signed up and took that. Great course. Kept researching bikes and going to “kick tires” in the meanwhile. I’ve probably swung my leg over 50 bikes and ridden a dozen or so over the past few months. Almost bought a 650 a month or so ago but that deal fell through due to the seller being a nut case.

    Two weeks ago I took my first ride on a Moto Guzzi and fell in love within the first mile. I am now the proud owner of a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone found on Craigslist. It came with 350 miles on the clock and has never been dropped. My total investment including the bike itself, top quality safety gear, some luggage, supplies for the first 600 mile service, is just south of $5k; or, about one week’s family vacation at a Disney resort. Compared to that option I got a great deal!

    Yeah!

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      September 29, 2016 at 1:20 pm

      Congrats Jone!

      Lightly used motor bikes are one of this country’s screaming bargains and it sounds like you found a gem.

      I’ve always liked the look of the V7 Stone and my buddy has a Guzzi he loves.

      Seeing as time matters as well as miles, I’d do that 600 mile service right away.

      Enjoy and be careful out there!

      Reply
      • Jone says

        September 29, 2016 at 3:08 pm

        Thanks Jim. First service was completed at 622 miles by my own hand. The right side intake valve was a touch tight, both heads needed torqued to spec, and all fluids were replaced with factory juice. All in all, an enjoyable two hours in the garage during a rainstorm. The bike now has just shy of 1,000 miles and is breaking in very nicely. I can’t say it gets much better gas mileage than my car (a Honda Insight…both are in the mid/upper 40’s) but it sure is more fun!

        Doing the service reminded me once again that a good set of tools will pay for themselves many times over. I called the dealership prior to doing the service and their quote was $307. I purchased the filter, fluids, a couple of spare valve cover gaskets from the same dealership and did the work myself for only $97. None of the tools required were unusual. The service just required a couple of allen wrenches, a set of feeler gauges, a torque wrench, and pair of pliers, a few common wrenches, and a basic socket set.

        Reply
        • jlcollinsnh says

          September 29, 2016 at 4:16 pm

          “…a good set of tools will pay for themselves many times over.”

          Unless you are a ham fisted moron like me who in a blink of an eye can use those tools to turn a $307 job into a $1307 job. 🙂

          Reply
      • jlcollinsnh says

        September 29, 2016 at 4:40 pm

        Found this nice review of your bike: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2013/04/2013-moto-guzzi-v7-stone-md-ride-review/

        So, is yours black or white?

        Reply
  23. Charles says

    March 31, 2018 at 8:28 am

    Keep riding! I had a 1953 Royal Enfield in high school in 1970. At that time it was sold under the Indian name.
    Getting into the wind is great at blowing the cobwebs out.

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      March 31, 2018 at 8:47 am

      What a cool bike to have, Charles…
      …especially for HS in 1970!

      Only two guys in my all-boys Catholic HS had motorcycles and how I envied them. 🙂

      Unfortunately, I don’t recall what they rode. But very likely nothing like a ’53 RE. I’d have remembered that. 😉

      Reply
  24. Steve says

    May 13, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    Hi Jim,
    Thanks for all of your posts. You’re philosophy on finances and investing really scratches me where I itch. I wish I’d found these a few years earlier before I tried to pick stocks and time the market. But, I suppose we learn best from our failures. Anyway, I am in the process of relocating from Tucson, AZ to Hartford, CT for a work assignment. As I’ve been driving around exploring the countryside these past few weeks, I thought of your posts about motorcycling in the northeast. I’ve ridden dirt bikes since I was a little kid, but driving around here has given me the itch to get a street bike and really get to know this area over the summer. Maybe, I’ll cruise by your neck of the woods one of these days. Any suggestions for good rides?

    Reply
    • jlcollinsnh says

      May 14, 2019 at 10:31 am

      Hi Steve…

      Cruise on by if you like, but we have been gone from NH for a couple of years now.

      Still, great riding to be had in NH, VT and western MA. I never got down to CT much. And it is a great way to explore the area.

      I’m not a dirt bike guy, but my friends who are seemed to find great riding in the NE as well.

      Of course, it is likely to be wetter more often than in Tucson. 🙂

      Reply
    • Nice joy says

      May 14, 2019 at 10:52 am

      Merit parkway

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Simple Path to Wealth Book by JL Collins

Important Resources

  • Talent Stacker or My Review
  • Recommended Credit Cards
  • Personal Capital or My Review
  • Betterment or My Review
  • NewRetirement
  • Tuft & Needle or My Review
  • Vanguard.com

More Helpful Links

  • My Manifesto
  • Financial Calculators
  • Ask Jlcollinsnh

Subscribe to New Posts

Follow JLCollinsNH on TwitterJLCollinsNH On Twitter

  • Latest
  • Popular
  • Comments
  • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
  • Staying the Course in War-Time Staying the Course in War-Time
  • Pathfinders update from Hh Pathfinders update from Hh
  • A New Chapter for Chautauqua A New Chapter for Chautauqua
  • Season’s Greetings!! Season’s Greetings!!
  • Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns
  • Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me
  • Today Week Month All
  • Stocks — Part 1:  There’s a major market crash coming!!!!  and Dr. Lo can’t save you. Stocks -- Part 1: There's a major market crash coming!!!! and Dr. Lo can't save you.
  • Why your house is a terrible investment Why your house is a terrible investment
  • How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth
  • Stocks — Part VI:  Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth Stocks -- Part VI: Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth
  • Stocks — Part II:  The Market Always Goes Up Stocks -- Part II: The Market Always Goes Up
  • Why you need F-you money Why you need F-you money
  • Stocks — Part V:    Keeping it simple, considerations and tools Stocks -- Part V: Keeping it simple, considerations and tools
  • Today Week Month All
  • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
  • Staying the Course in War-Time Staying the Course in War-Time
Ajax spinner
Categories
  • Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest
  • Business
  • The Book: The Simple Path To Wealth
  • Cars and Motorcycles
  • Case Studies
  • Chautauqua
  • Education
  • Guest Posts
  • Homeownership
  • How I Lost Money in Real Estate before it was Fashionable
  • Life
  • Money
  • Q/A Posts
  • Random cool things that catch my eye
  • Stock Investing Series
  • Stuff I Recommend
  • Travels

Archives

  • ► 2023 (3)
    • ► January (3)
      • When Your Country Becomes a Global Outcast
      • Staying the Course in War-Time
      • Pathfinders update from Hh
  • ► 2022 (12)
    • ► December (3)
      • A New Chapter for Chautauqua
      • Season's Greetings!!
      • Fun with numbers: Historic Stock Market Returns
    • ► October (1)
      • Let’s talk about what’s up with Bonds, and what ever else you’d like to ask me
    • ► August (1)
      • The Price of Security
    • ► July (1)
      • Case Study #17: Buying into the market right before a Bear
    • ► June (1)
      • Case Study #16: Helping dad with an inheritance
    • ► May (1)
      • Just inked a contract for my next book, and I want you to be a part of it!
    • ► April (1)
      • The Dinky Diner
    • ► March (1)
      • Chautauqua: A terrible business model
    • ► February (2)
      • Chautauqua is back for 2022!
      • JLCollinsnh.com Enters New Era
  • ► 2021 (14)
    • ► December (1)
      • Season's Greetings!!
    • ► November (2)
      • The new book is out!
      • Are bonds done?
    • ► October (1)
      • Guess what I just finally read for the first time...
    • ► September (1)
      • The negligence that led me to DIY investing
    • ► August (3)
      • Chainsaws and Credit Cards
      • Part XXXVI: Estate Planning 101 -- The Simple Path to an Estate Plan
      • The Simple Path to a Lucrative Career
    • ► July (1)
      • Help Wanted: a new book
    • ► June (1)
      • The Top 9 (Bad) Arguments Against Bitcoin
    • ► May (2)
      • Collins on Crypto
      • The Alfred Hitchcock Path to FI
    • ► April (1)
      • Time to sell?
    • ► February (1)
      • Mariah International: All that glitters…
  • ► 2020 (11)
    • ► December (1)
      • Season's Greetings!!
    • ► June (1)
      • How to give when you have a business
    • ► April (4)
      • Investing with Vanguard for Europeans: 2020 update
      • Part XVII-B: ETF vs. Mutual Fund -- What's the difference?
      • Reviewing the comments on my post of April 1st
      • Why I will no longer be writing this blog
    • ► March (4)
      • My move from VMMXX to VBTLX
      • COVID-19: The unvarnished truth from Doc G.
      • Chautauqua sits out 2020
      • Taking advantage of Mr. Bear
    • ► February (1)
      • Mr. Bear, Podcasts, a good book and why I should be in 100% stocks
  • ► 2019 (11)
    • ► November (4)
      • How we bought our new car
      • The House Hacking Strategy
      • What does buying a new car really cost over the years?
      • Why we bought a brand new car
    • ► August (1)
      • A Guided Meditation for When the Stock Market Is Dropping
    • ► June (2)
      • 7 Days in Heaven: or Why Slowing Down Will Get You There Sooner
      • Quit Like a Millionaire
    • ► March (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXV: Investing for Seven Generations
    • ► February (1)
      • Chautauqua 2019 - UK & Portugal - Tickets Now Available
    • ► January (2)
      • Mr. Bogle passes
      • "I wanted the unreasonable"
  • ► 2018 (16)
    • ► December (1)
      • Happy Holidays! and a bit on Mr. Market
    • ► November (3)
      • Truly Passive Real Estate Investing
      • Car Talk: An update on Steve and looking at Leafs
      • Chautauqua 2018 Greece: A week for the gods!
    • ► October (1)
      • On Twitter, gone for Chautauqua and dark on comments till November
    • ► September (2)
      • What we own and why we own it: 2018
      • Tuft & Needle: Our Walnut Frame and Mint Mattress
    • ► August (1)
      • Kibanda Part 5: Pretty, and pretty much done
    • ► June (3)
      • Stocks--Part XXXIV: How to unload your unwanted stocks and funds
      • Tracking your holdings
      • Stocks -- Part XXXIII: Optimism
    • ► May (2)
      • Kibanda Part 4: Quicksand!
      • My Talk at Google, Playing with FIRE and other Chautauqua connections
    • ► March (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXII: Why you should not be in the stock market
    • ► February (1)
      • Chautauqua 2018: Mt. Olympus, Greece
    • ► January (1)
      • An International Portfolio from The Escape Artist
  • ► 2017 (15)
    • ► December (2)
      • The Bond Experiment: Return to VBTLX
      • How to Invest in Bitcoin like Benjamin Graham
    • ► October (1)
      • Kibanda Part 3: Running the numbers
    • ► September (1)
      • Sleeping soundly thru a market crash: The Wasting Asset Retirement Model
    • ► August (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXXI: Too hot. Too cold. Not pure enough.
      • Kibanda, Part 2: Negotiating the deal
    • ► July (2)
      • Time Machine and the future returns for stocks
      • Kibanda: Mr. Anti-house buys his dream house
    • ► June (2)
      • Is there an interior designer in the house?
      • The Simple Path to Wealth goes Audio!
    • ► May (1)
      • Life on the Beach
    • ► April (1)
      • Sell! Sell!! Sell!!! Sell?
    • ► March (1)
      • Vicki comes to Chautauqua: United Kingdom
    • ► January (2)
      • Chautauqua - Ecuador 2017 open for reservations
      • Chautauqua - United Kingdom: August 2017
  • ► 2016 (22)
    • ► December (3)
      • Season's Greetings and other cool stuff
      • Angel Investing, or Angel Philanthropy?
      • Mr. Bogle and me
    • ► November (1)
      • Where did you learn about money?
    • ► October (2)
      • Buy Your Freedom; Rent the Rest
      • So, what do you drive?
    • ► September (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXX: jlcollinsnh vs. Vanguard
      • A visit to the Frugalwoods
    • ► August (1)
      • What the naysayers are missing
    • ► July (1)
      • Reviews of The Simple Path to Wealth; gone for summer
    • ► June (2)
      • The Simple Path to Wealth is now Published!
      • A peek into The Simple Path to Wealth
    • ► May (1)
      • It's better in the wind. Still.
    • ► April (3)
      • Cool things to check out while I'm gone
      • Stocks — Part XXIX: How to save money for college. Or not.
      • Help Wanted: The Book
    • ► March (1)
      • F-You Money: John Goodman v. jlcollinsnh
    • ► February (2)
      • Q&A - V: The Women of Amphissa
      • jlcollinsnh gets a new suit
    • ► January (3)
      • Chautauqua 2015 Reviews, 2016 registration open
      • Case Study #15: The Scavenger Life -- Freedom first, then Financial Independence
      • 3rd Annual (2015) Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest results, and my forecast for 2016
  • ► 2015 (18)
    • ► December (2)
      • Q&A - IV: Strawberry Patch
      • Seasons Greetings! and other cool stuff
    • ► October (2)
      • Personal Capital; and how to unload your unwanted stocks and funds
      • Stockchoker: A look back at what your investment might have been
    • ► September (2)
      • Case Study #14: To Dream the Impossible Dream (and then realize it)
      • Hotel Living
    • ► August (1)
      • Mr. Market's Wild Ride
    • ► June (4)
      • Gone for Summer, an important note on comments and random cool stuff that caught my eye
      • Around the world with an Aussie Biker
      • Case Study #13: The Power of Flexibility
      • Stocks — Part VIII: The 401(k), 403(b), TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
    • ► March (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXVIII: Debt - The Unacceptable Burden
      • Chautauqua October 2015: Times Two!
    • ► February (2)
      • YNAB: Best Place to Work Ever?
      • Case Study #12: Escaping a soul-crushing job before you're 70
    • ► January (3)
      • Case Study #11: John, a small business owner in transition
      • Trish and Stan take an Intrepid Sailing Voyage
      • 2014 Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest results, and my forecast for 2015
  • ► 2014 (29)
    • ► December (2)
      • Diamonds and Happy Holidays!
      • Micro-Lending with Kiva
    • ► November (3)
      • Chautauqua February 7-14, 2015: Escape from Winter
      • Stocks -- Part XXVII: Why I Don’t Like Dollar Cost Averaging
      • Jack Bogle and the Presidential Medal of Freedom
    • ► October (3)
      • Tuft & Needle: A better path to sleep
      • Nightmare on Wall Street: Will the Blood Bath Continue?
      • Help Wanted
    • ► September (1)
      • Chautauqua 2014: Lightning strikes again!
    • ► August (2)
      • Stocks -- Part XXVI: Pulling the 4%
      • Stocks -- Part XXV: HSAs, more than just a way to pay your medical bills.
    • ► July (3)
      • Stocks -- Part XXIV: RMDs, the ugly surprise at the end of the tax-deferred rainbow
      • Summer travels, writing, reading and other amusements
      • Moto X, my new Republic Wireless Phone
    • ► June (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXIII: Selecting your asset allocation
    • ► May (1)
      • Stocks -- Part XXII: Stepping away from REITs
    • ► April (3)
      • Q&A III: Vamos
      • Q&A II: Salamat
      • Q&A I: Gaijin Shogun
    • ► March (2)
      • Top 10 posts
      • Cafe No Se
    • ► February (4)
      • Chautauqua 2014 preview, closing up for travel and other random cool things that caught my eye of late.
      • Case Study #10: Should Josiah buy his parents a house?
      • Case Study #9: Lars -- maximizing some good fortune and considering "dollar cost averaging"
      • Case Study #8: Ron's mother - she's doin' all right!
    • ► January (4)
      • roundup: Some random cool things
      • Stocks — Part XXI: Investing with Vanguard for Europeans
      • Case Study #7: What it looks like when everything financial goes wrong
      • 1st Annual Louis Rukeyser Memorial Market Prediction Contest 2013 results, and my forecast for 2014
  • ► 2013 (41)
    • ► December (4)
      • Closing up for the Holidays, see you in 2014
      • Betterment: a simpler path to wealth
      • Case Study 6: Helping an ill and elderly parent
      • Stocks -- Part XX: Early Retirement Withdrawal Strategies and Roth Conversion Ladders from a Mad Fientist
    • ► November (3)
      • Death, Taxes, Estate Plans, Probate and Prob8
      • Case Study #5: Zero to 2.6 million in 25 years
      • Case Study #4: Using the 4% rule and asset allocations.
    • ► October (3)
      • Republic Wireless and my $19 per month phone plan
      • Case Study #3: Let's get Tom to Latin America!
      • The Stock Series gets its own page
    • ► September (2)
      • Case Study #2: Joe -- off to a fast start!
      • Chautauqua 2013: A Week of Dreams
    • ► August (1)
      • Closing up shop plus an opening at Chautauqua, my new podcast, phone, book and other random cool stuff
    • ► July (1)
      • They Will Kill You For Your Shoes!
    • ► June (4)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII-b: Should you avoid your company's 401k?
      • Shilpan's Seven Habits to Live More with Less
      • Stocks -- Part XIX: How to think about money
      • My path for my kid -- the first 10 years
    • ► May (5)
      • Why your house is a terrible investment
      • Stocks — Part XVIII: Investing in a raging bull
      • Dining with the Ghosts of Sarah Bernhardt and Alfons Mucha
      • How we finally got the house sold
      • Stocks — Part XVII: What if you can't buy VTSAX? Or even Vanguard?
    • ► April (4)
      • Greetings from Prague & a computer question
      • Swimming with Tigers, a 2nd chance on the Chautauqua, a financial article gets it wrong and I'm off to Prague
      • Storage, Moving and Movers
      • Homeless, and a bit on the strategy of dollar cost averaging
    • ► March (4)
      • Wild Turkeys, Motorcycles, Dining Room Sets & Greed
      • Roots v. Wings: considering home ownership
      • How about that stock market?!
      • The Blog has New Clothes
    • ► February (5)
      • Meet Mr. Money Mustache, JD Roth, Cheryl Reed & me for a Chautauqua in Ecuador
      • High School Poetry, Carnival, cool ads and random pictures that caught my eye
      • Consignment Shops: Best business model ever?
      • Cafes
      • Stocks -- Part XVI: Index Funds are really just for lazy people, right?
    • ► January (5)
      • Social Security: How secure and when to take it
      • Fighting giraffes, surreal landscapes, dancing with unicorns and restoring a Vanagon
      • My plan for 2013
      • VITA, income taxes and the IRS
      • How to be a stock market guru and get on MSNBC
  • ► 2012 (53)
    • ► December (6)
      • See you next year....until then: The Origin of Life, Life on Other Worlds, Mechanical Graveyards, Great Art, Alternative Lifestyles and Finding Freedom
      • Stocks -- Part XV: Target Retirement Funds, the simplest path to wealth of all
      • Stocks -- Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks Part XIV: Deflation, the ugly escort of Depressions.
      • Stocks -- Part XIII: The 4% rule, withdrawal rates and how much can I spend anyway?
      • How I learned to stop worrying about the Fiscal Cliff and you can too.
    • ► November (2)
      • Rent v. owning: A couple of case studies in Ecuador
      • So, what does a month in Ecuador cost anyway?
    • ► October (4)
      • See you in December....
      • Meet me in Ecuador?
      • The Podcast: You can hear me now.
      • Stocks -- Part XII: Bonds
    • ► September (6)
      • Stocks -- Part XI: International Funds
      • The Smoother Path to Wealth
      • Case Study #I: Putting the Simple Path to Wealth into Action
      • Tales of Bolivia: Calle de las Brujas
      • Stocks -- Part X: What if Vanguard gets Nuked?
      • Travels in South America: It was the best of times....
    • ► August (1)
      • Home again
    • ► June (4)
      • Yellow Fever, closing up shop for the summer and heading to Peru y Bolivia
      • I could not have said it better myself...
      • Stocks -- Part IX: Why I don't like investment advisors
      • Happy Birthday, jlcollinsnh; and thanks for the gift Mr. MM!
    • ► May (6)
      • Stocks -- Part VIII: The 401K, 403b, TSP, IRA & Roth Buckets
      • Mr. Money Mustache
      • The College Conundrum
      • Stocks -- Part VII: Can everyone really retire a millionaire?
      • Stocks -- Part VI: Portfolio ideas to build and keep your wealth
      • Stocks -- Part V: Keeping it simple, considerations and tools
    • ► April (6)
      • Stocks -- Part IV: The Big Ugly Event, Deflation and a bit on Inflation
      • Stocks -- Part III: Most people lose money in the market.
      • Stocks -- Part II: The Market Always Goes Up
      • Stocks -- Part 1: There's a major market crash coming!!!! and Dr. Lo can't save you.
      • You can eat my Vindaloo, mega lottery, Blondie, Noa, Israel Kamakawiwo 'Ole, art, film and a ride on the Space Shuttle
      • Where in the world are you?
    • ► March (7)
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part V: Sold! and the taxman cometh.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part IV: I become a Landlord.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part III: The Battle is Joined.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part II: The Limits of the Law.
      • How I lost money in real estate before it was fashionable, Part I: Impossibly Naive.
      • You, too, can be conned
      • Armageddon and the value of practical skills
    • ► February (6)
      • Rent v. Owning Your Home, opportunity cost and running some numbers
      • The Casanova Kid, a Shit Knife, a Good Book, Having No Regrets, Dark Matter and a bit of Magic
      • What Poker, Basketball and Mike Whitaker taught me about Luck
      • How to Give like a Billionaire
      • Go ahead, make my day
      • Muk Finds Success in Tahiti
    • ► January (5)
      • Travels with "Esperando un Camino"
      • Beanie Babies, Naked Barbie, American Pickers and Old Coots
      • Selling the House and Adventures in Staging
      • The bashing of Index Funds, Jack Bogle and a Jedi dog trick
      • Magic Beans
  • ► 2011 (22)
    • ► December (1)
      • Dividend Growth Investing
    • ► November (2)
      • The Mummy's head, Particle Physics and "Knocking on Heaven's Door"
      • "It's Better in the Wind" or why I ride a motorcycle
    • ► October (1)
      • Lazy Days and School Days
    • ► July (2)
      • The road to Zanzibar sometimes goes thru Ecuador...
      • Johnny wins the lotto and heads to Paris
    • ► June (16)
      • Chainsaws, Elm Trees and paying for College
      • Stuff I’ve failed at: the early years
      • Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
      • The. Worst. Used. Car. Ever.
      • Top Ten reasons your future is so bright it hurts my eyes to look at it
      • The Most Dangerous Words Your Customer Can Say
      • How not to drown in The Sea of Assholes
      • What we own and why we own it
      • The Ten Sales Commandments
      • My ever so formal and oh so dry CV
      • How I failed my daughter and a simple path to wealth
      • The Myth of Motivation
      • Why you need F-you money
      • My short attention span
      • Why I can’t pick winning stocks, and you can’t either
      • The Monk and the Minister

© Copyright 2022 jlcollinsnh.com Privacy Policy Disclaimers