| Author | Message | ||
     Ferris |
not sure what to say, not sure how to say, will try to be brief... have been in major lurk mode for most of the past two years, for several reasons, and recently came out of hiding to offer an intercept for a couple of out-of-state riders inbound for May's CA BRAG deal. was fun to contemplate getting back into the mix, but my fresh, enthusiastic presence on BADWEB prompted a disturbing e-mail yesterday to my in-box, which in turn prompted this post. to any and all Buell enthusiasts i've disappointed since i became Ferris Buller in early '96, i'm sincerely sorry. i made a lot of committments and promises as Ferris, and too many of them i've not kept. some have said my tenure as FB has been one big premeditated scam, conning money out of investors big and small as i go and living large. i think i've proven repeatedly that i'm not that smart. have i made terrible decisions? yeah, over and over. have i spent money that came in earmarked for a subscription to Sportbike USA, etc. on something else (like rent, food)? yep. it's amazing what a person will do when their back is against the wall. i lost a house and property out of the deal, and plenty of self-esteem. not looking for sympathy. just, if possible, understanding. see next post... | ||
| FB |
for those of you who don't know (which is at least 99% of you), i've had a functional streetbike for about the last year and a half. nope, not the BLURR. the engine is out, sitting on the workbench in all it's faded glory, with a crankcase full of shrapnel from when the rear cylinder melted down a couple of years ago. what's it cost to split a Sportster motor and rebuild it from the ground up? dunno, a bunch. more than i have. so, when the ridin' jones became too much to bear, i scored a high-mileage '98 VFR Interceptor. our bankrupcty still figures prominently every time a credit report on us is generated, but we've undone enough damage in the last two years that we can actually purchase stuff on credit again. like a motorcycle. no money down, reasonable interest rates, and a long time to pay. the ONLY way i could get in the wind again. see next... | ||
| FB |
the e-mail i got yesterday chastised me for not stepping up to the plate and announcing the presence of the VFR out in the garage. there. now you know. am i still a Buell fanatic? like, do you even need to ask? but the reality of asking my credit union for the dough to restore a 70,000-mile Thunderbolt with a bum engine isn't a reality at all. so the BLURR waits. patiently. it WILL live again. but after some other stuff gets taken care of first. some of the other stuff involves making good to PACBOG/SportbikeUSA investors for goods/services promised but never received. we've cleared the books on two significant debts so far, and i've made the promise repeatedly that ALL investors will be repaid before i stop breathing. it'll take awhile. one of the reasons i've kept mum about the VFR is knowing that i'll take heat for getting another scooter before the above-mentioned slate is clean. i can only plead for your understanding, as one motorcycle enthusiast to another. i HAD to ride again. i will continue to whittle away on my debts, and if you hate my guts for what i've done in the past or what i'm doing in the present, well, i won't hold it against you. more... | ||
| FB |
i've had a steady job for two years now, nearly approaching record-status for me for same. i'm a "long-haul" delivery driver, and have racked up 285,000 miles behind the wheel since Feb.'00. (285,000? big number, means little. how 'bout this: 100 trips from L.A. to N.Y. or, 250 trips from Seattle to L.A., or......) i like the job, it's JUST what i needed. lots of alone time as i navigate up and down the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. it also consumes, on average, most of any gven day. it was apparent in short order, after i came on board with this company, that there wasn't going to be much of a life left over. fine, needed to be done. and lest you think i'm now awash in the green stuff, ponder an $800/mo. fuel tab (we drive our own vehicles). as of this morning, i've spent over $19,000 for fuel in 24-1/2 months. throw in commercial insurance, maintenance, and deprecitation, and we're getting by. no more, sometimes less. getting by. as i said before, i'll continue to make good to the folks on the list, but i ask for your patience. more... | ||
| FB |
i haven't asked, as Ferris Bueller, aka PACBOG, aka SportbikeUSA, for anyone's money in a long time. that era is history. i still like being called Ferris, and hope it's a nickname that sticks around for awhile. for a long time i haven't been able to post to the PACBOG website, as AOL finally stopped "supporting" this relic of a website-creating/editing program. the other day, via help from an AOL tech, i was able to delete the site, however. sad to see it go, but i feel lighter of step as a result. i made plenty of goobers trying to be the conduit of the ultimate Buell-owner's experience, one of which was thinking i had the necessary mental make-up for the job. i am very much, by nature, a recluse. some of you have seen me at meetings, when asked to step up and say something of import to the assembled faithful, shrink in terror at the prospect of being in the spotlight. i faked my way as a minor "celebrity" for years, but truth be told, i'd rather have my teeth pulled. i so envy people like Court, who can step up in front of a crowd of perfect strangers and have them eating out of his hand in a matter of seconds. this, for better or worse, is not me. the past couple of years i've worked to undo some of my meager fame, so that i can get closer to just being a normal, everyday Hooligan. that particular profile just fits me better. more... | ||
| Firemanjim |
So someone has some sour grapes,so what- they should get over it.I don't see any of them diving in to a venture the size of which you undertook at the time with the enthusiasm and commitment you had to a fledgling orphan motorcycle.You tried and it didn't work.Ask anyone in the industry what a huge uncertain undertaking a magazine is(IE Reg and Battle2Win.)At least you tried.My only disappointment is not seeing your enthusiastic self at all of the great Buell related events of the last 2 years.Welcome back to the fray. | ||
| FB |
enough for now. on average, i sucked at a golden opportunity that came my way. any of the rest of you could have taken the gift i was presented and made an empire out of it. i take comfort from the things i've learned, however, and the friends i've made. and there WERE some successes along the way. Blue Groove/Northwest still ranks as one of the largest gatherings of Buell Hooligans ever, and Erik must still smile about the fun he had riding around Mount St. Helens with a hundred of his closest friends. two of the annual rides i started while still living in the Northwest, SPLASH and the Border Raid, have continued along in fine fashion without me--i take a great deal of pride in that. one of these days i may work up the courage to do a gig or two here in California. there are SO many roads here in the southern Sierra that are sportbike-friendly, and there are few things in this world i enjoy more than sharing good pavement with like-minded enthusiasts. in the meantime, i will continue trying to put my house back in order. again, to those of you i've wronged, whether big or small, i am so sorry. it was never my intention to muck things up as bad as i have. everyone's good at something, and i am way too good at fucking things up. Racerboy and V2Win, i'm still looking forward to hooking up with you guys in/near Death Valley--sure would be fun :-) to everyone else, hope to see you around. ride to lean, Ferris | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Ferris, I forgive you.... Even though you never did anything wrong to me! I've never even meet you but sure hope to someday. It takes alot of balls to write the previous postings. As I said before, I've never meet you but if you are truly as sincere as you sound, you are a stand up guy that made some wrong turns. The measure of a man is not that he makes mistakes but that they learn from them, fix things if possible then move on. You are not defeated or beaten if you get knocked down, only if you don't get back up again. Good to see you standing proud Ferris. Brad | ||
| Spudman |
Yo Ferris, Good to hear your breaking wind on two wheels again. Your honesty and integrity have never been a question in my mind. The posts above only confirm this. I don't know what goods/services you feel you still owe, but the good times and traditional rides you started here in the northwest live on as a testimony to your efforts. Sorry to hear that public speaking makes you weasy, but the tales you've told on the BadWeb (in your ever so nimble Ferris style) are priceless. Don't beat yourself up so much, you accomplished a great deal with a product that was and is still poorly supported by most dealers. You tried to spread the Buell faith while Buell was announcing recalls to critical components. Being a true Buell believer during these years was humbling, let alone trying to make a life from it. Sad to hear the BLURR still has a broken lung. I never had the pleasure of hearing it growl though the corners, but there's always the future my friend. Could you post that pic of the BLURR and Fearless on the beach again? That ones worth way more than thousand words. Keep your headup and look as far down the road as possible, it will keep you on the right line. And when you get into those tight corners, be patient and look for the exit then nail it. Don't forget an occasional wheelie, it's the grin factor that makes life tolerable. Thanks for sharing the grin factor with me Ferris. I look forward to riding with you again. Now go farkle with the BLURR and don't come back until your greasy!!! | ||
| Roc |
I don't know you or about your story, with the exception of what is posted above, but it reminded me of somthing that seems to apply. "...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt From what I know I have respect for your "failure". | ||
| S2pengy |
Great to hear from you... I remember all too well the marathon phone calls and your fantasic enthusiam... You tried very hard and took yourself alot further than anyone else was or is willing to go for Buell... I miss your stories and your philosophy of life... God bless and please stay in contact. My best to Fearless too. Todd PS Don't ever feel you owe me anything other than your friendship... You gave me way more than you received..... | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Ferris, To my knowledge I've been here since day one. You haven't pissed me off in the slightest. As a matter of fact, I thought I pissed you off, when I brought up the BBS software suggestions a few years ago. Damn, now that I think about it, I know I did. (smile) Now that my memory is coming back, if it wasn't for you, I would of never been able to purchased that used Aerocharger TJ was selling, that was posted on your site long ago. BTW Thanks, -JW:>) | ||
| Ralph |
Aww, Ferris....yer makin' me all touchy feely...and nobody likes that  So PACBOG packed it in with a little less grace than a guy could want. No skin off my nose, quite a bit off of yours with all the hard work you put in. I'm just glad to hear you're out riding again. 'Bout damn time. Hell, if it weren't for your PACBOG site I wouldn't have gotten my S3. bighairyralph | ||
| FB |
back from whippin' the Viffer up in the mountains, feelin' good :-) FMJ, not so much sour grapes as a good old fashioned ass-kickin'. but, this person has been a great friend, thru thick and (mostly) thin, and much of what they had to say was right on the mark. Bluzm2 Brad, thank you, thank you, thank you :-) Spudman, haven't talked to you in awhile, great to hear from you again, thank you so much for the kind words. give 'em heck up on the volcano this July, k? :-) Roc, your words made me cry (yeah, i know, i'm a big pussy), thank you :-) S2pengy, you and i go back a long way. thank you for your words of love and support. one day we will ride together :-) JW, it's a given you speak your mind--your posts bite with a vengeance at times. thank you for taking the opportunity to be a friend, i really appreciate it :-) and BigOlHairyGunTotin'Ralph, thank you too, for speaking words of comfort and support (and sorry about bringing out your feminine side :-) logged 157 miles in the Sierras today, in glorious CA sun and warmth, and i'm a lot closer to being back to good than i've been in quite awhile. thank you gents :-) Ferris | ||
| FB |
Mr. Witt, your profile is about one of the funniest things i've ever read (plus, a killer RR to boot :-) at least i thought it was the funniest, 'til i watched bigoldhairyralph's cartoon a couple of times! the damn thing's morbid, yet i'm gigglin' like a kid who just aired out an SBD in church :-) and S2pengy, couldn't agree more bout the re-hire Court sentiment. FB | ||
| Blake |
FB: You forgot to mention one l'il ole thing. You were a HUGE help in getting a little virtual garage hangout called "BadWeB" kicked off and running. And your ability to communicate your experiences riding a sport bike among friends and fellow sport bikers is without peer. Thank YOU! Glad to hear you are on two wheels again. Blake | ||
| FB |
Blake, you're way too kind. you know the saying "1% Inspiration, 99% Perspiration"? well, at best i'm 1% of that 1%, you're the rest of the I word, and all of the P word. however, i'll gladly wear my small ribbon of credit with great pride. thanks for the kind words Ferris | ||
| Buellnuts |
Jeeeeze, You no good fer nuthin lower than a snake belly in a wagon rutt, cotton pickin lopp eared side windin,VFR ridin, (VFR RIDIN?) The only thing I,m pissed about is not knowin that I could have come down and Spanked that VFR with my Triumph Sprint ST!!! No hard feeling here and no $ owed either!!!! Hurry up and get back in the Mix ya shit head!! Orders from the Rain Forest, Bob  | ||
| Racerboy |
Ok, so now I'm REALLY looking forward to meeting you Ferris...As far as the VFR is concerned...Uh, last time I looked just about every rag in the world was calling it the "best all around bike on the road"...John is laying awake nights hoping I don't bring my R11RT on the CA Brag Tour and there's also a Suzie in the garage...Come to think of it, there's also an 84 Honda Hawk in there somewhere I'm holding hostage for a Buelligan in TX...And Bob, I rented a ST for a week two Christmases ago and fell in love with it...What an engine and great fuel injection!...Hey, this is the "golden age" of motorcycling what with a "water buffalo" Harley, ST1300, FJR1300(please bring it in), Futura, K1200RS and the one John's in lust with, ST4s(quack, quack)... Ferris, just reading the others comments tells me a lot...Now, if only you had not sold me that Enron stock...It sounds like I'm not the only one whose glad you're back among your friends... Guys, it was 70 degrees here Sunday and it's going to be 5 degrees tonight so a bit of levity from the frozen innerland... To Warm the Cold Heart See Ya in May Everyone! Bob | ||
| v |
Bob.... Is that 70 farin...., um, fairen....um, not Celcius. | ||
| Jvv |
Ferris..........glad to see your posts.........and that your "alive and well"...........only GOOD things came from your involvement in the "Buell thing"......the NW/blue groove kicked off my Buell purchase.........will never forget that weekend......100+ Buellers and riding with Erik........truley awesome!!!..............I had just gotten "into" computors at that time......had no clue about icon/shortcuts.......I could only get on Badweb by linking from Pacbog........(easy to remember).....I have told at least a thousand people that looked at my S1....or I met at bike events/stores............ to go the Pacbog for Buell info.......VFR????.......I have one.......good choice.......How about Donner this year??........Ca. ride???......Just my .02..........ride safe........Jack Do keep in touch!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Buelliedan |
I think we need to have a Buell rally in Key West this year!! | ||
| Racerboy |
v...Yea 70 F and now they're predicting 4 to 8 of the fluffy white stuff for Fri and Sat...Looks like HSTA's First Saturday ride will be via sleigh... Hmmm, yes a Key West Buellfest sounds good... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Davegess |
Ferris, welcome back, you have been missed. Your Buell tally sheet is very much on the plus side as far as I am concerned. dave | ||
| Peter |
Ferris, You and Aaron are pretty much responsible for me buying a Buell. I rode an S1 and loved it, but spent a couple of years thinking about buying one, but not doing it. Then we bought an iMac. I punched "Buell" into Sherlock, and found this site. The first thing I read was a discussion going on about how to work out the capacity of an engine, and compression ratios. Aaron posted a formula or three and then the next one was yours, muttering something like "pretty flowers, very pretty flowers ,keep walking towards the light" or something along those lines. Then "AARON. DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!" Mate, I was in stitches from laughing so hard. I made Ingrid come over and read it all, then told her "These blokes are fun. I'm going to buy a Buell." Welcome back. PPiA | ||
| Johnc |
Ferris: I am a relative newcomer to Buell ownership and I got a lot of enjoyment and information from the PACBOG site. Sorry things have gone bad for you but please know that all us Buellers appreciate your efforts in the past and wish you well in the future! | ||
| FB |
gents, i am real close to being speechless. (um, those who know me well know that's pretty much a load of crap.....) i cranked out 506.7 miles on the job today, yet things went well and i was able to get home in time to do some yard work, rotate the tires on my truck, and bring in some firewood, before dark. the only items left to accomplish, then, was to (in order) pour a LARGE glass of (imitation) Bailey's, over ice, and take a quick lap of BADWEB. what i've read here tonight, from friends old and friends i've never met, has filled me with emotions. (watch out Ralph, i'm gettin' touchy-feely again :-) wow. thanks for the words of support and encouragement, you cannot know how much it means to me. Ferris | ||
| FB |
cuzzin' Bob of the Rain Forest, i am SO pumped to hear from you again! remember the first time we met? (hint: IT WAS RAININ' LIKE A SON OF A BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!) you 'n me 'n Deb have had some truly memorable rides together (damn, Sturgis was fun! :-), and the "PACBOG with Flames" sculpture that you made for me for my last SPLASH gig hangs in honor out in my garage. now then, son: what makes you think your Triumph would do any better against me in any kind of paved competition than your many Buells did? (um, remember all the BattleTrax's we've competed against each other in??????) just kidding (kinda...), thanks for being a great friend. have read on the NW Storm Fronts page that you're headed to CA this summer for a gig or two -- gonna make it down as far as Lake Isabella? XOXOXO, Ferris | ||
| FB |
Racerboy, sorry about the Enron stock -- even tho i was President of the company, i assure you i knew absolutely NOTHING about how my business was being run. (what a sorry bunch of SOB's they are, i'm thinkin' we should sic' bigolhairyralph on 'em all! :-) Honda Hawk? i'd LOVE to have one of them, really too bad they were never appreciated until after Honda stopped making them. (oh, a by-the-way to cuzzin' Bob: bet i could kick yer ass on one of THEM, too! :-) so many great bikes these days. that swoopy Suzook that was recently on the cover of Cycle World (B-King?), well i have this to say to the product planners at Suzuki: IF YOU BUILD IT, WE WILL COME. killer weather here in SoCal, all the trees and flowers are blooming, have already had to mow my lawn a couple of times. lookin' forward to May, the California GP can't come soon enough Ferris | ||
| FB |
Jvv (aka Jack Van Voast) a real treat of hear from you again, too :-) the pics you took at BG/NW were/are priceless (i was WAY too busy to take any of my own), and that shot you took of me and Erik at the head table is one of my most honored possessions. you've always been so supportive, and i will never forget riding your monster-jam S1 at American Sportbike Night -- that thing shouldn't be legal!!! are you doing the CA BRAG ride? thanks again, my friend Ferris |
