[ST] Replacing bike for IBR

[Doug Bailey <dougthe2wf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Matt, Joel, and others, thanks for the offer to help find a used bike for the Iron Butt Rally.  The Rally is in August 2007 so I've got some time to decide what to do.  If I'm looking for a used bike I'll let you and others know.
   
  As for why I'd not ride the current ST, after 100,000 miles of dependable riding you might think I'd have no reason to question it's dependability.  But that's alot of miles to still be all original equipment and not expect the chance of something electrical giving out.  The mechanical things can be inspected for and consumables replaced, but electrical things stay unknown until they cause spits and sputters or outright quit.  Plus, in the 9 to 12,000 miles that will likely be ridden in the 11 days something mechanical could go from looking good to failing.  I had done failure analysis and accident investigations for 13 years mostly on military helicopters and piston airplane engines, so maybe I have a tendancy to hedge on the side of being a bit cautious at this high of milage and with what is at stake.  
   
  If I were just going out on a big ride on my own I would take the old ST but a breakdown in the IBR would most likely cause you to DNF.  And since there is no guarantee I'd get another chance to ride the Rally I've got to do what I can to make sure I finish.  I've got no false hopes of actually winning, but I'd still like to finish as best as I can.  Normally if your bike starts acting up you'll get it into the shop in say the next 500 miles.  That's half a day in the Rally.  At the very best say I have a problem that doesn't stop the bike and am able to ride to one of the few Triumph shops, happen to get there when they are open, get lucky that the shop will understand what it means to be in the IBR from a time schedule standpoint, drop what they are working on to work on my bike, happen to have whatever bit needs replacing in stock, and can get me out the door in half a day.  That's the best scenerio.  If the bike dies I'd be done. 
   
  This is as close to a chance in a lifetime as you can get and you've got to do what you can to make the most of it.
   
  Doug       
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