G.A.S. pains are fun

[R100Pilot]

Never really heard it used among bikers, but in musician circles, we often refer to a certain affliction known as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).

It seems especially common among guitarists, who will amass guitars, effects pedals, amps and whatever else the magazines, or other players, say is cool. GAS is often magnified by internet forums, as members discuss their latest acquisitions, modifications, etc. That's right - mods. As with bikes, if your guitar is stock, you go to the back of the line. You'd be amazed at how many different ways you can wire a 5-way Strat switch (in a Telecaster, no less). And don't even get me started on vintage and modern tubes.

I went through it pretty bad - at one point I had 12 guitars and seven amps (most of them vintage Fenders). But I was small-time compared to the folks with 50 or even 100 in their collection.

Interestingly, it seemed that those musicians who actually PLAYED regularly in bands tended to have fewer instruments, and I found the same thing happened to me. I whittled what was once a "collection" down to a working stable, on accounta I believe instruments should be used, not hoarded.

I see the same sorta thing here, as we discuss various mods, exhaust systems, brake rotors, etc. And readin' about the acquisitions of others fuels our motorcycle gear lust.

I try to fight it. A limited budget helps (I'm not Jay Leno, or even Tracker). I also try to limit my purchases to things I can classify as practical improvements.

That said, I just broke down and ordered a set o' rim stripes, reflective blue for the triple and reflective red for the BMW. How do I justify it? Well, I pulled the reflectors off the fork legs on Trippy, but I still like the idea of it lightin' up like christmas in the headlinghts.

Yeah, I got GAS.

[cheapbastard]

On 2006-07-27 11:21, R100Pilot wrote:

Yeah, I got GAS.

me too... [img]<a href=[/img]">

[ This message was edited by: cheapbastard on 2006-07-27 11:25 ]

[TrackerOldGuy]

Yea, i try to keep the collection small so as not to upset Leno!

[R100Pilot]

But I've seen pics of Leno's garage - it's nowhere near as clean as your shrine to Our Lady of the Immaculate Maintenance Facility.

[ This message was edited by: R100Pilot on 2006-07-27 11:47 ]

[Limey]

list of thing still to do.

Rotors
hugger
powdercoat (how much powdercoat)
exhaust (ordered not here yet)
tuneboy
dyno
tune the suspension
better paint job
etc,etc.
add that lot up plus what I've done already comes to over 50% of the bike cost.

:hammer: I got GAS

[Goffe]

I can definitely relate on the music side, but I have levelled off (I'm into keyboards/synths, etc.) so I can get something done. I'm just starting out on the S3, though. Oh, G.A.S., please stay thy affliction (after a few reasonable mods, that is).

[BUCKET]

I got GAS too,girlfriend always says what do you need that for,to which i reply,YOU DON'T HAVE A PENIS YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND,right on.
Bucket :hammer:

[crashmasterd]

On 2006-07-27 12:50, BUCKET wrote:
I got GAS too,girlfriend always says what do you need that for,to which i reply,YOU DON'T HAVE A PENIS YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND,right on.
Bucket :hammer:

Funny, back when I was married I once asked her "What do you need another pair of shoes for?"

Answer: "You don't have a vulva, you would never understand."

Actually, she didn't use the word "vulva."

[Legman]

On 2006-07-27 12:50, BUCKET wrote:
I got GAS too,girlfriend always says what do you need that for,to which i reply,YOU DON'T HAVE A PENIS YOU WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND,right on.
Bucket :hammer:

Hey Bucket, when your girlfriend starts to question your purchases for your motorcycle, you are dangerously close to being married (read: up sh!t creek!)........refer to Limey's thread about reasons why motorcycles are better....

[elpirtdeeps]

On 2006-07-27 11:21, R100Pilot wrote:
Never really heard it used among bikers, but in musician circles, we often refer to a certain affliction known as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).

I see the same sorta thing here, as we discuss various mods, exhaust systems, brake rotors, etc. And readin' about the acquisitions of others fuels our motorcycle gear lust.

I try to fight it. A limited budget helps (I'm not Jay Leno, or even Tracker). I also try to limit my purchases to things I can classify as practical improvements.

Yeah, I got GAS.

Yep, so true. I used to look at people like Leno and envy their bike collections but now I see them more as victims of consumerism. I do envy guys like Gates and Warren Buffet who at least are trying to do some good with their squillions. I own two bikes and a car and at times I find keeping up to date with maintenance, insurance, registration, etc overwhelming enough at times. I can't imagine owning more... well maybe just one more...

Yeh, I guess Leno probably has a couple of employees looking after all that, but in the end you wonder what's the point of it all. Not to mention the incredible waste of the worlds resources.

I'm by no means perfect in this respect either, but I'm at least trying to keep things semi-real...