Ronnie passed away last night paypal donations account posted

[Xowner]

Ronnie was riding his bike last night with his brother, Guess he was doing a wheelie hit the curb and the bike slammed him to the ground. He wasnt wearing a helmet they called 911 and they aircared him to the hosiptial but couldnt bring him back.

This isnt a joke ronnie is gone! :(


Nathan ask me to make a post also and tell anyone that if ronnie had any of your stuff PM ME and let me know what he had. He will be down in FL Wed and is gonna try and get it all and mail it back, so please me and let me know what you had down there in detail and pics if you have it

The family has had a paypal donations account opened here is the account yamahondaman@aol.com

Thanks guys

[2Tim215]

Sorry to hear about this loss. I don't believe I have met Ronnie but certainly feel for those of you surrounded by this loss. May God bless you all...

[Louis Mielke]

Holy cow this is terrible! I can't believe it!


For anyone who didn't know Ronnie, Ronnie was one of the best nicest guys in the threewheeler community you could ever meet. His board name was YAMAHONDMAN. He was a machinist by trade, and made some AMAZING trike parts. He also was the builder, prior owner of the awesome Tri-Z drag trike, "The Mantis". Make a note, write that down twice, the fastest 250cc tri-z EVER.

His signature phrase was YAMAHONDAMAN (GIT IT RAG).

Loosing him is the one of the biggest losses the trike community will have. He will be greatly missed.

[2Tim215]

Just wondering, is this the Ronnie I met at Raffa's who came up from Fl for the Ice Event last winter?

[Louis Mielke]

Yes thats the one and the same.

[T3 LOPES]

yes same ronnie. got to hang out with him at trike fest this year and get to no him a little better . great guy and funny as hell. it is a big loss becuase he was someone most everone really injoyed being around. very sad day indeed. he will be missed .

[Bryan Raffa]

Man oh man........ oh man............................................... .................................................. ................:cry::cry::cry:

[mymint87]

my thoughts go out to his friends ALL OVEr the trike community and his family..

I did not know him, but I know of his words....I hold three fingers to the sky as I udder them............GET IT RAGGGGGGG!!!!!

[mywifeknowseverything]

Nathan just text me this morning with the news...Ronnie has been a Bro of mine for almost 10 yrs...He will be missed!!!!!!!

GET IT RAGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/MWKE/org/3489533B3C87Ffp633Dot3E2323A3D3B3A4.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/MWKE/org/3489533B3C87Ffp643Dot3E2323A3D3B-1.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/MWKE/org/3489533B3C87Ffp633Dot3E2323A3D3B-1.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/MWKE/org/3489533B3C87Ffp633Dot3E2323A3D3B-2.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/MWKE/org/3489533B3C87Ffp643Dot3E2323A3D3B-2.jpg
http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k85/MWKE/org/3489533B3C87Ffp3353Enu3D32393E3A3B3.jpg

[Tecate250]

Wow! A big loss indeed.

[tecat-z]

This makes me soooooooooo sad. Ronnie was the best dude ever. Met him on 05 and remained in friendship ever since. He did so many nice things for me i can't even begin to explain. Ronnie my brother! I will never forget you. I'm starting to feel sick about this!!!!

[code200k]

nathan text me the news too.never met ronnie but this still sucks.
YAMAHONDAMAN r.i.p

[Billy Golightly]

I Just can't believe it...I really cant.

[Bryan Raffa]

This makes me soooooooooo sad. Ronnie was the best dude ever. Met him on 05 and remained in friendship ever since. He did so many nice things for me i can't even begin to explain. Ronnie my brother! I will never forget you. I'm starting to feel sick about this!!!!

me too ed.....:(

trike Fest 2010..

[Xowner]

me too ed.....:(

trike Fest 2010..

awe man i remember this picture, i glad he got to come to tf. He was soo excited to race the mantis again! i never seen a bigger smile after a red light then his that day!

[Tri-Z 250]

I always wanted to meet the guy...sad, and just fooling around the house too. He made alot of nice stuff for the community on 3WW. I tried to get what I could for the Z...his work was super nice. My prayers go out to his loving family, and close friends from the boards; you've all lost a great person today. If your a newbie reading this...take this as a moment to remember that most fatial acidents happen within 1mile of your home...even if your just blowing out the carb, put a helmet on please. This is how Indian Larry left us as well as many others who may still be with us today, if they just took 5mins to strap on the ole brain bucket. I will always value the work Ronnie left with me and never forget the the GET IT RAG call! Never forgotten and ride with pride, thanks for all you did Ronnie.

[whyzee]

What was his screen name guys? i know alot of you guys from the site but not many by first name. So sorry to hear about this.

[ditchmud]

May God Bless you Ronnie. Thank you for all the things that you have done for me and your other Trike brethren. I am glad that I got to see you one last time this year at Trikefest. You always made me smile Rest in Peace Brother.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg308/ditchmud/trikefest20102003.jpg

[KASEY]

Wow this really puts a huge expianation point on my trikefest 2010 ,,, speechless........................................ ..........

[honda250sx]

I cannot believe this. I really can't. Fellow machinists and tribe lover. Talked many a night on the phone about those things. Ronnie youll be in my prayers. God has a bigger badder faster mantis for you to ride. Your home now. Love ya man.

[Billy Golightly]

We don't have any details on a funeral yet...but if anyone is interested in attending, PM me.

[Xowner]

What was his screen name guys? i know alot of you guys from the site but not many by first name. So sorry to hear about this.

Yamahondaman

[ditchmud]

What was his screen name guys? i know alot of you guys from the site but not many by first name. So sorry to hear about this.
Yamahondaman

[whyzee]

oh god, what a huge loss to our community.

[Mosh]

I cant beleive it..

I had alot of talks with Ronnie over the years, matter fact we just spoke with him last week and said we would be talking this week again.


To all members that may not know about him..
He was one of the most talented members on this forum and was a very instrumental man on these forums.
Tech advice, product building..Always will be remebered for the sickest Tri-Z to ever grace the planet.

We have lost a monumental member here and things will just never be the same without him.

I am just...wow...Cant explain it. Dont want to believe it either.

[2Tim215]

For anyone interested here is the first article released,
http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2010/august/130822/Palmetto-man-52-dies-in-motorcycle-crash
Please fellow members, if Ronnie could respond to this Post I am sure he would encourage us all to take the time to put on our helmets!

[Russell 350X]

I still can't believe it. Ronnie was one of the key members of the Trike community...this is such a shocker....


RIP Ronnie......GiT It RAgg!!!!

[trizilla]

I cant believe I'm reading this............. i had the good fortune of meeting Ronnie at Ice Fest also, great guy to talk to. I'm glad i can type this and say that i had the opportunity to meet him. I just opened a package from him yesterday,his work is nothing short of amazing! Thank you so much Ronnie, you will be missed by all. R.I.P Ronnie Hopkins.............YAMAHONDAMAN

[Bryan Raffa]

I cant believe I'm reading this............. i had the good fortune of meeting Ronnie at Ice Fest also, great guy to talk to. I'm glad i can type this and say that i had the opportunity to meet him. I just opened a package from him yesterday,his work is nothing short of amazing! Thank you so much Ronnie, you will be missed by all. R.I.P Ronnie Hopkins.............YAMAHONDAMAN

He was the best at always sendin extras,, and funny stuff in his packages...:D

he sent these pictures in a package.. I just scanned them..

[ditchmud]

I will cherish my swingarm bolt.

[torker]

Very sorry to hear this, very bad news...
My prayers and heart go out to his family and friends.
Got a bunch of stuff from him over the few years I've been on these boards.
Very big loss...R.I.P. my friend.

TORKER.

[zmpolaristech]

not exactly how i thought today would start.... Ronnie will be greatly missed and my heart goes out to ALL his family and friends. I Only met Ronnie a few times, talked to him on the phone a bit, but he made quite the impression in a short time. HRR FOR LIFE!!! YAMAHONDAMAN

[Billy Golightly]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n73/ericbs200/P6230125.jpg
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48886&d=1182748487
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49011&d=1182798533
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=34533&d=1161398743
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51677&d=1188349452
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45247&d=1176495663
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48500&d=1182104128
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=63140&d=1207704458
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=34191&d=1160611275
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28840&d=1148605168
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=46831&d=1179278347
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35189&d=1162912967
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51889&d=1188751787
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=51473&d=1188060076
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35733&d=1163715071

(If anyone still has the fullsize to this one, I want it!)

[Billy Golightly]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31055&d=1153328468
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=19400&d=1132424915
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=54793&d=1193433479
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44148&d=1174869078
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29182&d=1149194104
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28358&d=1147733987
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=45248&d=1176495838
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30427&d=1151871076
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=34138&d=1160517690

[Bryan Raffa]

Excellent BILLY!...;)

[Mosh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQnjHOMceDQ

[Xowner]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs115.snc4/36137_1341508343824_1414650207_30905777_7850360_n. jpg


Josh mom Ronnie

and some creepy guy in the background!!!

YAMAHONDAMAN

[Bryan Raffa]

Ice fest 2010 Ronnie and Jenny Never saw snow or touched it... they were so in awwww... and check out the HR he did in the snow!!!! LOL!

here he is on a snowmobile for the first time ....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W09lKk6BsQA

[inv3ctiv3]

Very sorry to hear this, I didn't know him personally but only from the board. RIP!

[SYKO]

shared alot of oo times with Ronnie, he was a great freind and he would always bring a laugh and a smile to anyone. There are so many stories of the crazy things that happened with him around while we rode Ocala

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/atv%20riding%20and%20racing/225dx-wheelie.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/IM000241.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/atv%20riding%20and%20racing/IM000252.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/atv%20riding%20and%20racing/IM000228.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/atv%20riding%20and%20racing/134.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/atv%20riding%20and%20racing/SUNP0011.jpg



the famous git it ragg moniker!!! forever HIS!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/MVC-795S.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/100_2152.jpg

[Billy Golightly]

Just got off the phone with Alan, Ronnies friend down in Palmetto. Details are forthcoming, but it sounds like Ronnie's wishes were to be cremated and spread out over Hernando, where they use to go hill climbing. I will keep everyone updated.

[Tecate 50]

This is a horrible day for us trikers.....I had the oppurtunity to meet Ronnie a couple of times. What a great fellow, my thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family!

[HondaHarry]

:( His posts always made me laugh. Never got to meet him, but always wanted to. Xowner and I were talking about him just the other night. Im bummed.
Condolences to his family, freinds and fellow 3ww members. RIP Ronnie. HH

[Bryan Raffa]

Just got off the phone with Alan, Ronnies friend down in Palmetto. Details are forthcoming, but it sounds like Ronnie's wishes were to be cremated and spread out over Hernando, where they use to go hill climbing. I will keep everyone updated.

Bj spoke beifly with jenny...Everyone keep her in your prayers... she heard about this thred already...

[code200k]

Bj spoke beifly with jenny...Everyone keep her in your prayers... she heard about this thred already...

she is in mine.my condolences to her and all of ronnies family

[dcreel]

My condolences to the family.. Never met him, but I was in awe of the parts he made.

[PrittyinPink]

This is a great loss to anyone who knew Ronnie he was a great man! My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He will be missed!

[sandpuppi101]

Ronnie was a deffinate class act and I will alway's hold memorie's of him.In our community of Triker's I would say that we lost a legend.At TF he and I were talking and laughing about the fact that he had never seen snow until this past winter and laughing all the while about many other thing's.


We all lost someone special when you passed,my family's prayer's go out to you & your family Ronnie.

[RiJiD-WILL]

this is very Sad I am sorry my heart goes out to his friends and family. he will not be forgotten.

I will never ride anything again without a helmet. I was just tuning the carb the other day going through gears and plug chopping hotter than hell and no helmet. I feel Lucky now, extremely heartbroken but lucky.

[She-Devil]

This is very sad news, Eric and I were lucky to have met him and his wife at Raffas Ice fest last year. RIP Yamahondaman.YAMAHONDAMAN

[shortbus]

Such a shame, could have been avoided with time taken to put on a helmet.

[KASEY]

Today on my way down the freeway i put my seatbelt on,, i usually don't wear it...................................... it makes me so sad that we recieve these little messages of how fragile life is by losing people ...

thanks for the message ronnie!!! i will miss you, just glad i had the chance to actually shake your hand, R.I.P.

[code200k]

helmets are always being worn in my yard now.i always do but now i wont ride with anybody not wearing one...

[Maico]

This can't be true!! No no no!! Phuk!! Ronnie made me sooo many custom parts for my old Maico dirt bikes and T-3 trikes. I only talked to him on the phone 1 time and it was hilarious. Texted MANY times.

This is too sad to take. My fellow triker and machinist brother is gone.

I'll miss you Ronnie.....see you in heaven.

As I cry...3 fingers to the sky.

[Dammit!]

Man...

Ronnie was truly one of class act guys of this community. I have a bunch of HRR parts in the garage. Never paid for a single one of them. Anytime I needed ANYTHING, it would show up a few days later, free of charge. The only thing he ever asked for in return was a handful of t-shirts whenever I made a batch. He even donated parts to the "next generation triker" project Mr. Clean and I posted about on here a while back. He sent parts for that having never met the owner of that trike and didn't want a dime for any of it. Not even for shipping. Most generous person on earth.

[Red Rider]

I never met Ronnie, but from all the messages I've read in the past, and that I'm reading here now, make me sad that I never met the man. It sounds like he was truly a stand up guy & will be missed. Godspeed Ronnie!

[ChrisD]

I'm deeply saddened to hear the news. I am greatful that I had an opportunity to spend a weekend with him up at Raffa's last winter. He was a great guy for sure. Our prayers go out to his family!

[Thorpe]

Rest in peace Ronnie....

[NINJA]

A moment of silence. Losing Ronnie is a huge loss to the entire trike community. My condolences to his friends and family.

[brapp]

just got back from the bar spend a few hrs sittin drinkin budlight and even a cherry vodka in his honor. lets not morn the loss of a legent but live in the memories of yamahonda man.

[seadoo650]

This is truly a very sad day. I allways looked forward to reading Ronnie's posts. We have lost a true icon in the triking community. He will be sadly missed and ours prayers go out to his family. A very very sad day indeed.

R.I.P. Ronnie.....

[Jason Hall]

My heart Is Broke FOREVER!!! I talked to him for about 1 hour friday night. He sent me some stainless part's for our 250R. I just can Not believe this, My God.

R.I.P. My Friend

[Billy Golightly]

When I talked to Alan on the phone earlier, he wanted me to mention (I forgot to do it earlier) That if anyone sent Ronnie anything, or had anything waiting to be done, let us know about it so it can be sorted out. I can give you Alan's # if you PM me, just dont want to post it here in the public.

[350x'inNY]

Sorry to hear about this loss. I don't believe I have met Ronnie but certainly feel for those of you surrounded by this loss. May God bless you all...

Raffa text me with the news. I can't believe he's gone. I met Ronnie for the first time at Ice Fest. A1 guy through and through! He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers out to family and friends that will be missing him.

[harryredtrike]

although i did not personally know him, i definately knew of him.what an absolute shame for his family and the community.see you on the other side brother.R.I.P.

[Xowner]

When I talked to Alan on the phone earlier, he wanted me to mention (I forgot to do it earlier) That if anyone sent Ronnie anything, or had anything waiting to be done, let us know about it so it can be sorted out. I can give you Alan's # if you PM me, just dont want to post it here in the public.

billy you might want to get with nathan too, he said he was gonna try to get stuff that people had there waiting. i posted that if anyone had anything to pm me in the 1st post. i have info from like 3 people sooo let me know who to pass it on too.

[WilliamJ]

That is so very very sad. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. Our son, known on this forum as Slothminx, thought very highly of Ronnie and we have some of his beautifully made trike parts here in England. We shall treasure them. Most of you know that our son Will (Slothminx) was killed in a car crash just over a year ago and we are still struggling to accept and cope with it. So often the best people are taken away from us. RIP Ronnie.

Bill and Linda

[djberg]

man i only spent a few hours with ronnie in total mostly over the heater @ raffas last icefest, and a bit at trikefest. but one hell of a guy and who else ever has just showed up to an event and handed out trailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro loads of custom made parts! it really sucks that i will never see him again just a great guy and hell of a machinist. thanks for all tha support on here with selling my photo's... where ever you are run it wide and ride it hard! you will be missed! GET IT RAG!!!!

dj

[whyzee]

That is so very very sad. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. Our son, known on this forum as Slothminx, thought very highly of Ronnie and we have some of his beautifully made trike parts here in England. We shall treasure them. Most of you know that our son Will (Slothminx) was killed in a car crash just over a year ago and we are still struggling to accept and cope with it. So often the best people are taken away from us. RIP Ronnie.

Bill and Linda

sorry for your loss as well. Your son will never be forgotten here. Maybe Billy can start a memorial page for all the members we have lost here so we can continue to properly pay our respects to the family and friends of our departed ones. And also keep thier memories alive in all of us.

[code200k]

some good pics on here of Ronnie..djberg is great at pics
http://www.djthephotoguy.com/Trikefest%20Drags%20Left%20Lane%20Pg%202.html
good to see that He is now a 3ww star.desereved it

[TrikemanATC200x]

this is a very horrible loss, to everyone, my prayers are out there for his family and friends
never knew him in person, but he sounds like a really great guy
R.i.p ronnie, keep on trikein

[x200x]

some good pics on here of Ronnie..djberg is great at pics
http://www.djthephotoguy.com/Trikefest%20Drags%20Left%20Lane%20Pg%202.html
good to see that He is now a 3ww star.desereved it

i never got to meet him in person, but i certainly know of the mantis, and ofcourse, its owner/builder yamahondaman... he is definately a star now. RIP ronnie

[AutoXer]

rip Ronnie I didn't know yamahondaman that well but I am glad I got to meet him and Jenny at Raffa's defiantly a great loss. Keep that wheel held high above as you watch down on us brother you are very loved and missed

[puggerton03]

Never met him but its sad when anyone passes away. Best wishes to his family.

[djberg]

here's what i shot of ronnie @ trikefest. download what ever you all may wish of this for your own usage.

[Lord Letto 20]

i'm very sorry to hear about it, i never knew him in person or on the board but i would like to send my regards to his friends and his family.

[mwbulger]

Hey everyone, I am a newbee and was Ronnies coworker, i have been reading your posts and want to thank everyone in the three wheeler community for there thoughts on ronnie. he was my bud for 10 yrs. you all are awesome!!!

git it raggggg !!!!!!!

[shortline10]

Very very sad :(. loved reading his post . He will be missed :cry: He and his family will be in our prayers :cry:

[brapp]

its not the easiest thing to deal with but just think if it this way he did what he did best beat us all out of the hole by 3 bike lenghts everytime lol

[Bryan Raffa]

Hey everyone, I am a newbee and was Ronnies coworker, i have been reading your posts and want to thank everyone in the three wheeler community for there thoughts on ronnie. he was my bud for 10 yrs. you all are awesome!!!

git it raggggg !!!!!!!

Ill meet you soon,,

[jfaulkner02]

I did not know him, but seen him at TF10 while the awards were being givin out. if im correct he was the fella in the sombrero hat? He was cracking everyone up with his lil dances he was doing. LMAO. he seemed like one hell of a guy. Prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P.

[motorhead]

I'm very sorry to hear this.

I never met Ronnie; but sure wish I did. He certainly has touched a lot of people here, I'm sure he is in a better place now, waiting for his friends to talk about the good old days.

My prayers are sent.

[fabiodriven]

I never knew him personally, but I know people who did. I heard nothing but good things about Ronnie. What a shame.....

[Tecate 50]

I did not know him, but seen him at TF10 while the awards were being givin out. if im correct he was the fella in the sombrero hat? He was cracking everyone up with his lil dances he was doing. LMAO. he seemed like one hell of a guy. Prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P.

You are correct.......I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!

[Xowner]

I did not know him, but seen him at TF10 while the awards were being givin out. if im correct he was the fella in the sombrero hat? He was cracking everyone up with his lil dances he was doing. LMAO. he seemed like one hell of a guy. Prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P.

Thats ronnie! He always was a great guy to have around!

[tanks350x]

I'm like alot of people that didn't know him personally but, like everyone else, I enjoyed reading his posts.. it is truly a shame.. R.I.P

[Bryan Raffa]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj5nrByVR6Q

:lol: thoes that were there hope you get a chuckel out of that.

[riverrat]

we meet him for the first time at Raffa's 2010. A great guy, my family loved him. We cooked fried turkeys, drank beer, watched him see snow for the first time, and tried to talk him out of being cold! Boy was he cold!. RIP Ronnie.

[rdlsz24]

Never met him in person but always enjoyed his posts on here. At least he went out doing what he loved.

RIP Yamahondman

Rob

[Brockey]

Wow, I never knew him but have seen his machine and parts in pictures and its truely sad to see someone as talented as him and such a wonderful person gone.
rip brother

[Bryan Raffa]

he had no clue what he was doing... never been on ice before.. let alone drill a hole... he thought he was going to go through ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vfZjvbgUs8

[hadar]

I am also saddened to hear about this. He knew how to bring a smile to your face and you could tell that he loved life. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[53sbanshee]

I just want to say hi to everyone here. My name is Herb and I am one of Ronnie's many many friends. I have heard of a lot of the names on here from Ronnie talking about some of the posts. I live in the same town that Ronnie has lived in for many many years. I have seen Ronnie just about everyday since I met him 3 years ago.

This is a big loss not only in the 3 wheeler world but, in the 4 wheeler world and with his family and his best friend Alan. Ronnie has taught me so much stuff since I have known him. I looked at Ronnie as a brother of mine. We talked almost everyday.

There is NOBODY better than Ronnie Hopkins. He helped with the construction of my banshee. I cannot say enough about the good things and how smart Ronnie was. Alan and I have spent the day informing people around here of what happened last night. Ronnie was supposed to be with Alan and I yesterday riding a a new riding park. I am heartbroken for this great loss.

As of right now we do not have a date set for a service. We are going to be doing a memorial ride in Hernando where we often ride. As of right now, it is there where his loving wife Jenni will spread his ashes.

I am asking for copies of Ronnie that anyone might have and can part with, for his memorial in Hernando.

Please PM me and I will provide you with my address


Thanks to all for your friendship to Ronnie.

REST IN PEACE RONNIE HOPKINS YOU WILL BE LOVED AND MISSED FOREVER BY ALL.

GET-IT-RAGG!!!!!

[CRAZY70MAN]

:(I am glad to say that I met him at TF2010. He made a lasting impression on me just being able to lean on his old truck man." That guy struck me as "Special" for meeting him one time......WOW.......what a blow to our community. There was just somethin' about him that made him special and different to me........which I noticed immediately!!! Thank you Ronnie for your miles and your smiles!!!! Throwin' firecrackers ?????? Man.............big big loss to his family and ours.... Hope the best for his family and always know you have a family here for him and he will not be forgotten. My deepest to all.......:(:( That man was a class act....... plain and simple!!! I could just tell............. sorry for the loss all!!

[ATCeeya]

wow rip fellow triker :(

[CRAZY70MAN]

I do beleive the drag races at Trikefest will have to be named after him as well as the awards for the drag's????????? Agreed all????

[53sbanshee]

I agree to that

[Howdy]

Shocked is a UNDERSTATEMENT!!! A very sad day in the World!!! My heart and prayers goes out to his Family.
Howdy

[whipit]

sad to hear this. life is too short ,WEAR THOSE HELMETS!!!!!!!!!!

[YAMAHONDAMAN-JR]

Ok, as all of you can see, my user name is YAMAHONDAMAn-JR. I am Ronnie's oldest son and i got on here specially to thank each and every single one of you great people for having support for my father and my family. I can clearly see that he had many followers and many many many friends. I didnt know that there was THIS many people that actually knew him. The only person i have met on here i believe is Nathan, the very very lucky man to own the Tri-Z my dad took forever, almost seemed like never, would finish this peice of art that was fast as can be!!! i am completely devastated that this happened to my dad but it must have been his time. I damn sure didnt want him going this soon because he and i had a great father son relationship together. i mean, everytime i seen him we would laugh and when i left his house we had are funny special handshake that we would both laugh about and say "bye monkey" more the less, mine and his way of saying "i love you". he has taught me many many things and showed me the way to many many ways of doing things right and smart and has raised me to be the man i am today. i dont know if any of you knew, but i raced motocross on a YFZ450 for a few years and honestly, thought i was pretty damn good considering he would buy me stuff the more and more i won, so it made me push myself to win so i could make my dad proud and i would have a gift almost everytime. But, when the working force went down he, nor i could afford for me to race anymore and the bike just kept getting less and less attention and had to get rid of a $16,000 race machine for only $5,000. i never got the opportunity to go to any of these TF events or Raffa's Ice fest but i am sure i have heard many stories from him after he got back every single time and i wish i would have been able to attend atleast one of these events. I have alot of stuff to carry on from where he left off and i know he can count on me to do that for him. He was my best friend, my hero, my idol, my everything, and now its all gone in a split second and i cant even imagining this is happening. i loved him with all my heart, he was truly the worlds greatest father anybody could have, he would do anything for me if he could. Since i was about 8 years old, from what i could remember, riding in a little town called Hernando in Citrus County, FL, he always told me, "Cobryn, whatever happens to me, i want my ashes spread up here (Hernando)" and thats what im going to do so i know he will be happy without a doubt. I will be back on tomorrow because im quite tired from not sleeping and dont feel very good from not eating so im going to get some rest and carry on tomorrow. Again, Thank you all so so sooooooooo much for your thoughts and prayers for my awesome father and my family. Cobryn C. Hopkins. P.S. he always yelled out to me, "SAY IT" and i would reply "GIT IT RAAGGGGG!!!!!!" I miss him dearly and he will never be forgotten, by ANYBODY. YAMAHONDAMAN

[Xowner]

Ok, as all of you can see, my user name is YAMAHONDAMAn-JR. I am Ronnie's oldest son and i got on here specially to thank each and every single one of you great people for having support for my father and my family. I can clearly see that he had many followers and many many many friends. I didnt know that there was THIS many people that actually knew him. The only person i have met on here i believe is Nathan, the very very lucky man to own the Tri-Z my dad took forever, almost seemed like never, would finish this peice of art that was fast as can be!!! i am completely devastated that this happened to my dad but it must have been his time. I damn sure didnt want him going this soon because he and i had a great father son relationship together. i mean, everytime i seen him we would laugh and when i left his house we had are funny special handshake that we would both laugh about and say "bye monkey" more the less, mine and his way of saying "i love you". he has taught me many many things and showed me the way to many many ways of doing things right and smart and has raised me to be the man i am today. i dont know if any of you knew, but i raced motocross on a YFZ450 for a few years and honestly, thought i was pretty damn good considering he would buy me stuff the more and more i won, so it made me push myself to win so i could make my dad proud and i would have a gift almost everytime. But, when the working force went down he, nor i could afford for me to race anymore and the bike just kept getting less and less attention and had to get rid of a $16,000 race machine for only $5,000. i never got the opportunity to go to any of these TF events or Raffa's Ice fest but i am sure i have heard many stories from him after he got back every single time and i wish i would have been able to attend atleast one of these events. I have alot of stuff to carry on from where he left off and i know he can count on me to do that for him. He was my best friend, my hero, my idol, my everything, and now its all gone in a split second and i cant even imagining this is happening. i loved him with all my heart, he was truly the worlds greatest father anybody could have, he would do anything for me if he could. Since i was about 8 years old, from what i could remember, riding in a little town called Hernando in Citrus County, FL, he always told me, "Cobryn, whatever happens to me, i want my ashes spread up here (Hernando)" and thats what im going to do so i know he will be happy without a doubt. I will be back on tomorrow because im quite tired from not sleeping and dont feel very good from not eating so im going to get some rest and carry on tomorrow. Again, Thank you all so so sooooooooo much for your thoughts and prayers for my awesome father and my family. Cobryn C. Hopkins. P.S. he always yelled out to me, "SAY IT" and i would reply "GIT IT RAAGGGGG!!!!!!" I miss him dearly and he will never be forgotten, by ANYBODY. YAMAHONDAMAN

Nothing we can say or do will bring back your father, friend and the friend that he was to each and everybody he met. I will agree with you forsure he will never be forgotten EVER!
Sorry for your loss.!

[clutchcargo]

My sympathy goes out to your family and friends! He was one of the first people to help me out with advice on this forum and I have a bunch of the parts he made. Just a top notch guy. Everyone will miss him.
Git it Raaag!

[3 or die]

Im sick, speechless. RIP

[Eric250R]

Still having a hard time processing this.....one of the best guys you could ever meet.....SAY IT !!!!!!! YAMAHONDAMAN

[bigger redder]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss for Ronnie's family. I am new here and personally never talked with him but I know that the loss of a loved one can be painful. I will be praying that the lord will give the family comfort in all the great memories they have shared together.

[3wheelmecca]

I have never met the man, but have seen his posts, great person. There's a mill, and a Z up there waiting, pursue it Ron.
Git It Raag!

[tapper190]

WOW, I'm very sadden from this news! I had the pleasure of meeting him at Trikefest-2010. My heart and prayers goes out to his family and friends
R.I.P. Ronnie
Tapper

[Erics350x]

I kept thinking someone would post that this was a joke. Man, that sucks.....

[350Xhilaration]

He also was the builder, prior owner of the awesome Tri-Z drag trike, "The Mantis". Make a note, write that down twice, the fastest 250cc tri-z EVER.

I believe he updated the title a few years back to "Fastest 250cc Tri-Z in the Universe" :naughty:

RIP Ronnie.

My condolences to the family and good friends. He'll be missed.

[atctim]

I still don;t want to believe this is true. Ronnie was an awesome dude - really stand up fella. He helped me out a few times machining engine parts! We always had a great time at TF - I am super glad I got to see him there this year. So many memories with him!!!

RIP HRR!

Get It RAG!

[Mrs.Mosh]

I can't believe Ronnie is gone. I just talked to him last week. He was such a great member of the trike community. Smart, funny, and all around great guy. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

I am very glad I got to meet him, and talk with him on occasion. I still can't believe he is gone.
He won't be forgotten!

[johnny's X]

This is no doubt a huge loss. Ronnie and I became really good friends the past 8 months or so. Weather is was just texting for calling eachother in the evening just to shoot the b.s. I am building a zinger for my boy and he took such a liking to that bcs he built one for his boy some years ago. This zinger has some Ronnie parts on it and I will think about him everytime I walk into my garage. It was always a treat to open a box of parts from Ronnie, you never knew exactly what you would find in the box. I talked to him on Friday about how life gets the best of you sometimes. We both had lots of laughs about what has happened to us in the past. Just sitting here thinking about all the text and chats makes me both want to crack up laughing and start crying. Ronnie was truely an awesome man and had the biggest heart out of any man I have met. No doubt a hard thing to deal with. Hell sitting here writing this is kicking my butt. Thoughts and prayers go out to you jenni for you have lost an amazing man. To the kids I never met, your dad was for sure and awesome guy. He will be greatly missed by all who he had blessed with his presents. Ronnie give the man upstairs a big YAMAHONDAMAN when you meet him. and I bet he knows about the mantis already!

RIP Ronnie!

YAMAHONDAMAN

[rdlsz24]

If somebody makes a PayPal donation fund for his family please post up the email address on here. Or if you guys have something else in mind that we can donate to let us know.

Rob

[Mr. Clean]

This makes me very sad. I met Ronnie back in Ocala National Forest when we would have group rides. He was so fun to be around and had a wealth of knowledge. I am running a cool head dome he made for me for a 12 pack of bud light!!!! The cool thing was he made it basically from scratch and it was the pattern for the ones he would machine for the community.......YOU WILL BE MISSED RONNIE<------------This really makes going to TF2010 all the more special.......


The TRI-Z

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/miked1957_photo/DSC_0717-1.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/miked1957_photo/DSC_0719-1.jpg

Group pic from Ocala National Forest......Ronnie up front on his TRI-Z

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/miked1957_photo/DSC_0742-1.jpg


Mike D.

[thestud25]

My condolences for the family and friends of Ronnie.

"It is not what you left behind, but who." It seems he had plenty of good friends and family to remember him.

[keister]

I was heading out for a trike ride with 2 buddies yesterday when I found out about this. It made me feel sick.
I am proud to say that I have already done a three-wheeler ride in his memory (the first of many, no doubt).

Also, Ronnie was the first person I met at my first TrikeFest in '05. We pulled into Haspin not really knowing what to expect and the first trike we saw was the Mantis, still loaded in the back of his truck. ATCTim made a comment about how fast it must be and Ronnie said something like:
"What? that old slow Tri-Z?"

SAY IT..........

[devilman]

If somebody makes a PayPal donation fund for his family please post up the email address on here. Or if you guys have something else in mind that we can donate to let us know.

Rob

the things he has done for many people, its the least we can do.

RIP brother.

[bigworm626]

I never talked to Ronnie nor met him, but just by the comments left by his fellow triker friends, You know he was a special person. You will be missed by all who met you & shared time with you! My deepest sympathies to his family on there loss.

fernando

[bigworm626]

Please advise on a donation fund that can be made for Ronnie.

[Dirtcrasher]

I'll read the other pages after this:

I never got to meet Ronnie but spoke with him on the phone. He was a wealth of knowledge and shared that with anyone at anytime.

Plenty of people probably didn't understand his replies in posts, but many did. GET - IT - RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG!! will live on forever........

Anyone who asked for parts seemingly always got extra "free" parts, his packages were like Christmas and the quality and thought that went into each and every item was seen.

Many of you (including myself) have at least something from Ronnie; Just look at it and say his favorite saying every time you look at it.

My condolences to his family friends and everyone he touched here on the boards. Terrible news to wake up to; brings chills up my spine......

The man, although just a man, had incredible talents.

LONG LIVE YAMAHONDAMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gag_Halfront]

I felt extremely lucky to have met Ronnie and his wife at Raffa's ice race this year and again at Trikefest. It was one thing to read his posts, but quite another to meet him in person. It is a huge loss that I will never get to ride with him in Florida. My T3 swinger bolt will be one of my prized posessions.


...

I just don't know what else to say. :(

[87trx250r]

Ronnie was a great friend! known him for many of yrs! built every 3-wheeler and 4-wheeler i own! He will always be with us when we ride and will be missed by many of great friends and great family! Save some clouds for us to climb buddy! R.I.P. HRR for life GET IT RAAAAGGGGG!!!!!!!

[MonroeMike]

Such sad news, my condolences to his family.

[MTS]

What a Shock and a Loss...I never got to meet Ronnie but did buy Some of his great parts. Will miss is Posts and Great sayings...YAMAHONDAMAN !!!!!

[Jeepermc]

I never met Ronnie or had any dealing with him, but I do remember reading posts of his. Reading all this makes me sad that I never got to meet him. He sure sounds like a stand up guy. Condolances to his family and friends.

[3leggeddog]

WOWZERS, I am truly sad for the loss of Hey Ron. him and I had a rough begining but gained respect for each other after TF 07' and were actually buds after wards. he was a great, funny, life loving person and alot of fun to be around. that dude had his own way about him, and although he was a bit abrasive untill you got to know, he was a huge contributer to the trike community, and cool trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro MOFO.....RIP HEYRON.......GET IT RAAAAAGGGGGGG :acr

[ATOM]

Wow where do I even start after all of you have said such great things about my friend. I cant even believe im typing this. Well first of all im Ronnies friend Adam from Brandon. I think thats how he referred about me to you guys on the site here. Im the one that thought up the idea for the famous bolt tires Ron made. Anyway I first met Ron in 1996 at the Croom ATV park when I was 18, Since then I have been hanging out with him and his family I talked to him everyday. We have done so much together, I will have memories for the rest of my life. Ron meant alot to me in so many ways. He was my Buddy and at the same time he was like my second dad. He and I spent days traveling together to the ATV nationals we raced, we laughed, we cooked out, we made jokes, and we had serious talks about life. I feel like there was NOTHING I could not tell him. Over the past 14 years he told me lot of things, but one time he told me when it was just me and him out ridding. He said " I dont want to slow down becasue if I do then I will get old" Everytime Ronnie and I rode he would impress me some how. Except those stupid wheelies on his DR that I told him to stop doing like over the entire manatee river bridge in traffic. Ronnie taught me alot of things from porting motors to things about life. As I watched his kids grow up, what Ron didnt know was he was helping me grow up in his own way. My Family and I will sure miss him! If any of you want to talk or need anything please let me know. 8136109616
Man I sure wish he was walking in the back door of my house putting his beer into the fridge right now.

"GIT IT RAGGGGG.....SAY IT"

[johnny's X]

Man this post is hard to read!

I say put him and the Mantis up top of the boards.

[zmpolaristech]

I say put him and the Mantis up top of the boards.

Amen to that. I nice "in memory of" banner sounds deserving.

[Billy Golightly]

I just received word of the services:


This Thursday, the 5th of August at 1:00PM

Griffith-Cline Funeral Services
720 Manatee Ave.
Bradenton, FL 34205


There is a planned memorial/remembrance ride at "the hills" in a few weeks, that is still in the process of getting nailed down.

[bigworm626]

Do it guys!! He definitely deserves it.

[whyzee]

Man this post is hard to read!

I say put him and the Mantis up top of the boards.

+2 on this !

[84honda200s]

Ronnie was a very good man he would help anyone that needed it. i remember a few years back when he made my lighten flywheel and i couldnt pay him rite away he told me "pay me when you can the flywheel is on its way out" he was a key member of 3ww . R.I.P bud we will all miss you greatly.

this is a sad reminder to all of us no matter how long or good of riders we are we all need to wear our gear.


dito on the put the mantis on top of the boards he was a legend on here and will continue to be. put it up top billy..

i cant be in fl. to pay my respects but i will drop what im doing on thursday at 1 pm and have a moment of silence for him. ill even put the trike in the front yard with a pair of boots on the seat and the helmet on the bars with a cold beer on the front fender.

[bigworm626]

I +2 on 84honda200s advise!! Let's were that gear guys.

[tri-Z ripper]

I have many of Ronnies parts and he sent me a picture of him on the mantis when he sent me the box!!! Such a great person and prize his parts that i have. He was remembered highly when i read the news yesterday morning on my way to ride the Z which he had contributed to greatly! He will not be forgotten.

[code200k]

nate ( 03 orange shee) wanted me to let every one know that he doesnt have a comp.but has been talking to ronnies family daily and is going down there wensday.so if anybody needs anything let me know and ill give him your number
YAMAHONDAMAN

[TrailerRider]

Although I never met you outside of the 3ww, I feel a loss that I never had the chance to meet you. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I know he is up there tearing it up, git'n it raggg! Ride on brother!

[LonesomeTriZ]

This is too much. Ronnie is one of the people who pushed me into joining this site. That was back when I wanted to stay away from the internet. I met him after I bought his earlier strecthed Z off of evil bay. I still have it. Instead of redoing it the way I wanted, maybe I should look at the way he had it before he sold it.

[84honda200s]

This is too much. Ronnie is one of the people who pushed me into joining this site. That was back when I wanted to stay away from the internet. I met him after I bought his earlier strecthed Z off of evil bay. I still have it. Instead of redoing it the way I wanted, maybe I should look at the way he had it before he sold it.


that would be cool as heck. kinda like a tribute trike ?

[wild200x]

i have made a terrible error in my ways! if there is a guy so cool...wow. i have read this whole thing and it took a while for me. i shoulda spent more time here in the past. i could have known him. this has been on my mnd since i heard about it and i am having a hard time shaking it. from what i have read, he was an amazing person. i messaged him once or twice w/questions but that's about it. i need to spend some time here and meet some ppl. some of you may know who i am. one of the mods on the "other" site. looks like i missed out on knowing one of the best. you seem to loose the best ones way to early. i said condolences on the thread at 3WO. but i see that here there are many many more that knew him. w the deepest respect i send out well wishes and prayers for all yo who were his good friends. most of all to his family. what a tragic loss to the world. and to the 3 wheeler community. i should try to come here and visit more. i may find more good ppl. one cant have enough friends.

Roost in the clouds for us all Ronnie!
Ted

[Bryan Raffa]

This is too much. Ronnie is one of the people who pushed me into joining this site. That was back when I wanted to stay away from the internet. I met him after I bought his earlier strecthed Z off of evil bay. I still have it. Instead of redoing it the way I wanted, maybe I should look at the way he had it before he sold it.

you better.. cuz mine will be like no other..... if it wasnt for him at TF06,,, I wouldn't have the memory's of racing him on 07!


adam, great talkin to ya tonight...you know that he touched many of us... and many more out of this site.. Say it!....

Nathen, Ed, Billy..Russ ,Roosty, Bruce, Mikefromlongisland,Kiesters,Rick and Dawn,Ditchmud,joedirt... TTYS...


i should try to come here and visit more. i may find more good ppl. one cant have enough friends.
Ted
Ya you should!....

[shannonw]

I am so very thankful that I had the opportunity to meet Ronnie at TF'10. Now I know there was a reason that we were meant to attend this year. Ross and our youngest daughter Ripley met Ronnie at Ice Fest 2010 as well. She had a hard time understanding that he is gone. He has had a impact on so many people, and I hope that the memories of Ronnie will live on through this site and all the friends that he made here!

RIP Ronnie
Ross, Shannon, Ripley & Montana Woodhouse

[fla 2-stroke]

I was lucky enough to know ronnie and ride with him in ocala.he gave me some pointers on my tri-z.hard to believe this happened.the ocala rides were some great times that made me some life long friends.he was a true master.

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

very, very sad times people, but look back at all the laughs, jokes, and good advice he has taught us all .there will be NO ONE that can replace him, just think of all the little things you did with him, or he may have done for you, and never forget them.
im heading to fla. around midnight, should be at there home around 4pm, i hope....then heading heading back to va. in a day or so.
when they do the memorial ride to spread the ashes in the hills of hernando in a few weeks, ill be back for one final trip back up those same hills he used to climb in the last 1980s with the mantis. you all know how to reach me..... see ya guys soon..

[atc350xer]

I didn't know him, but with this many friends, he must have been a great guy... love the tribute banner as well.

[Dirtcrasher]

Thank you for the tribute banner, I wish myself, Deeepa, Roy, Paul and Fabio could all make it to the memorial.

I woke up this morning realizing I'd have to accept this - again........

I don't handle death well; especially when it's a member or someone I know. I hate when someone says "they needed a person in heaven" because we needed him here along with his family...... :(

[JasonB]

im so sorry to hear this! Ronnie you will be missed

[84atc200]

From the posts i've read he seemed like a great person. i wish i could have known him.

[big specht]

Man this really sucks to here this is the 1st year I got around to talking to him at TF . He was a goof ball and alot of fun to be around I was looking forward to seeing how many more miles he had on his truck by next year at TF. HE WILL BE MISSED

[bigworm626]

Very nice tribute banner!!! He looked so dominate & relaxed on his beloved Mantis. What a guy!

[Triple B!]

I have a hard time finding words to say... I met Ronnie and his wife in person at Raffa's Icefest this year [mostly huddled around the heater] and thought to myself, he's just the same as he sounds on 3WW. Him and his wife are a great couple, and this is a huge loss for all of us. Definitely an icon in the ATC world and an amazing person to everyone who knew him. I wish I could have got to know him better but am now very grateful for the time I did spend with him. Just thinking about it starts to bring tears to my eyes.

RIP Ronnie- I hope they have many trails and hillclimbs in heaven for you!!

YAMAHONDAMAN YAMAHONDAMAN

[Russell 350X]

LOVE the banner! THANK YOU!!! That honors the legend well!

[cosmohawk]

Sorry to hear the loss of a community member, and great friend to many. All the best, wherever you're riding right now Ronnie.

Sounds like one of those senseless accidents...but they're usually the type that catch you off guard.

Condolences to family and friends. I wear a "In memory of Andy" sticker on the back of my helmet for a good friend of mine that lost his life in a motorcycle accident.

Time heals, but good memories really do help along the way!

[LonesomeTriZ]

I wish I could get down there for his funural. If any of the long time mebers here has any information on how he biult his earlier 86 Z let me know. When I got it it still had the +12 swinger and the Klemm tank. The body and all was in great shape. The engine however went to MWKE so I will have to come up with one. For clarification, this is the stretched Z he had before he biult the Mantis.

[CRAZY70MAN]

Very nice tribute banner!!! He looked so dominate & relaxed on his beloved Mantis. What a guy!

That is the truth. You look at those pictures of him on that Mantis and he looks in the "Zone" .....almost like being at home in your recliner ya know??

[YAMAHONDAMAN-JR]

all you guys are absolutely amazing, as soon as i opened the page today and seen the tribute banner i almost fell off of my couch. it is AMAZING!!!!! i am speechless of any words right now i cant wait to meet some of his friends that i never had the chance to meet and im going to walk right in his foot steps and try to do everything he did so he will be extra proud of his first son!!! i loved my dad and i know he loved me so im going to make him extra proud. im going down tomorrow to talk to his boss because when we were there collecting all of his stuff, he mentioned to me and said " Cobryn, are you looking for a job?" and i didnt know what to say, but now that ive thought about it, ive done it before and his 2 good friends Alan and Adam told me he would be proud, i might just take over where he left off and keep him living even though he is no longer with all of us. Also, NATHAN!!!!! you have no idea how much i would love to have that MANTIS right now in my posession. the price on that bike right now is more than anybody in this world could afford honestly. you are one lucky gentleman to have that bike in your garage! also, im going to work my young trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro off to buy another race quad and start racing again because he loved when i brought plaques and trophies home to show him. i miss racing big time but all my income might just go back into racing motocross because he was proud of me in how good i was when i went all by my self to a race and brought home 1st place trophies. im done for now but ill for sure be back on soon. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!!! YAMAHONDAMAN

[ilmoakw]

I am saddened by all of this. Rest in Peace big guy!

[chris200x]

OH MAN!!! I havent been on this site much since I sold my X.. (heard about his passing on facebook) it's truly heart wrenching. I have never met the man.. but talked to him on the phone a few times.. he sent me a whole stainless set for me Z.. Free of Charge!!! <<<now if that dont say something about the man,, nothing will. he will be sorely missed. and my thoughts and prayers go out to you guys.. I know what a tight knit community this place is.. and I feel the loss just as much as any of you guys. Rest in Peace Ron. You were definitly one of a kind!

Nice job on the banner billy!

[ceaserthethird]

This is a BIG Blow to all of us, So Sad to see him go...

YAMAHONDA MAN JR. If you can pick up where your Dad left off the would be AWESOME !

[Bryan Raffa]

Cobryn..you should think about that job,, I would be proud of you also if you took that job..;)

here he is .. with Xowner and the atc 70 Margarita machine.. TF2010

[Rookie]

My condolences to the family

[Tecate 50]

YAMAHONDAMAN-JR.....if it is possible for me to help you with anything to get you on the track, don't hesitate to ask! I'm sure I'm speaking for a lot of guys here on the forum as well! I had the privilage to hang out with your dad a couple of times, and have plenty of his custom parts on my machine and on the shelf as eye candy to brag about......he has helped many, so we shall help you and your family!

[200xcellent]

R.I.P. Ronnie. My prayers are with all of the family and friends.

Here are some pics from TF 06 I believe.

[LonesomeTriZ]

The entire three wheeler cimmunity suffered a lost with his passing.

[BigBlockKFX]

Didnt know him as well as some. He would stop in from time to time at work. Was a real trip to be around. Was a real craftsman at the things he did. And it showed. My condolences to the family. Will be at the ride in Hernando for sure.

[aldochina]

Very sad news!! Glad i have some of his parts, saddened i will never have the chance to meet him. RIP, or Get It Raggg!! I'm sure he will always be the latter!! May god bless his family and friends

[Billy Golightly]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4583742&l=801c81cff1&id=692779236 For anyone that has a FB account...

[dmotoxrider]

I never had a chance to meet Ronnie in person but when I needed some parts or advice on the tri-z he was always there. He will definitely be missed by everyone! I'll definitely miss getting his packages and you never knew what else was going to be in there.

[cbx1170]

I am fairly new to the boards,, 8 months ago,, but I soon found out some of the best parts made (I wish I had gotten some of the things he made) and some of the best info came from Ronnie. I did not get a chance to know him but I read a lot about him. Great Loss Fellow Trikers.

[Tri king]

I always wanted to race for that title of "fastest Z in the universe". looks like the title is staying with a good man. you can clearly see you've got a lot of people that care about you. would have been nice to get to know you.

here is a big TRI-Z 2 wheeled no handed salute to you YAMAHONDAMAN

[jeswinehart]

In memory of Ronnie, I along with about 30 plus members and friends will be riding at Rose City, Mi at the annual Sandpuppy ride.
This might have been post up but in cease not. For those of you who would like to send flowers for tomorrows service this is one of the places Griffith Cline funeral services uses.
Oneco - 1-800-771-1296 or 1-941-756-1556 Nice people and very re-assuring too.

john

[Buster Brown]

Sad to hear! Never met the man, but by the pictures posted, he looked to have been a real fun guy to hang with. Wish to have made his acquaintance.
Best wishes to his family!

[Tecate250]

Wow Billy. What a Great front page in memory of him. Never met him but been on the fourm a long time. Let him be remembered.

[yfz478]

I was fortunate enough to have met and ridden with Ronnie a few times. The guy knew his stuff! The guy always put himself 2nd to others. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. I too, along with a couple others are making the trip to Hernando!

[wheelie king]

Ronnie will be missed. First met him in 2005 on one of the Rumble in Dixie Events. What a heck of a guy, I tell ya. Dangit. I am speechless.

For all of you attending the service tomorrow, I will see you there.

Greg

[johns'85 250sx]

oh wow I never knew him personally, but i read a bunch of his stuff, and he sounded like an awesome guy, I will burn a bunch of rubber and shout GET IT RAGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for him, and my condolences for his family

[86waterpumper]

Wow this sucks :( I met and talked with Ronnie at trikefest a couple years, and he was always a funny guy and kept everyone around in stitches! He was just one of those guys that you could really tell enjoyed life and had a good time wherever he went. He was a good guy for sure. I remember one year I left my nearly new fox helmet laying around like a idiot, near his camp and when they packed up they didn't know whose it was and I was already gone so it ended up going home with him.
I realized when I got home it was missing, and made a post on the site, and he spoke right up and pmed me and told me he had it. Not only was that a stand up thing to do, but he then proceeded to mail it to me and wouldn't even accept payment for the shipping. Ronnie r.i.p. and you will be missed!

[ATC-Eric]

First thought through my head was the question whether he had done the things he wanted to before his time came.


Ive spent time on the phone with him, and in person. He was larger then life. I always felt fortunate every time we got to hang out or talk. He lived life to the fullest. Thats more then a lot of people can say.

You will be missed Ronnie.


RIP!


YAMAHONDAMAN

[Xowner]

Guys the memorial ride for ronnie will take place Aug 21 In hernado at the hills made famous from the trike videos. I am gonna make a post in the rides section with more info as i get it but this is the date for sure! Bring them old rags out to the hills!

[53sbanshee]

I will be there for sure!!! I will never forget Ronnie and everything he has taught me. Ronnie you rock!!!!!!

GIT- IT- RAGGG!

[cox]

Truly saddening, thoughts go out to the family and friends.

[Xowner]

The family has had a paypal donations account opened here is the account yamahondaman@aol.com

Thanks guys

[87trx250r]

Guys the memorial ride for ronnie will take place Aug 21 In hernado at the hills made famous from the trike videos. I am gonna make a post in the rides section with more info as i get it but this is the date for sure! Bring them old rags out to the hills!

That really sucks for me going to be in W.V. that weekend! I will send the sign with allen to put up for me for ronnie! GIT IT RAGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

[87trx250r]

to everyone that can't make it to the funeral today remember to take a moment of silence at 1pm in respect for Ronnie! And remember to say it loud! GIT IT RAGGG!!!!!!!

[350x'inNY]

Git it raggggggggggggggggggggg!

[code200k]

sayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

[FourtyCaliber]

This really stinks about Ronnie. I never met him, but any time that this many people speak so highly of one person, it is entirely evident that he was indeed something special. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

There is one thing I do hope, though, and that is that this tragic accident isn't politicized and used for the taking away of basic fundamental rights. And by that, to this respect only, I mean mandatory helmet laws. As true as it may be that it might be in everyone's best interest to wear a helmet (although I know a couple people who died and were wearing helmets), it should NEVER be something that you would want the STATE to order you to do. NEVER! If there is any discussion that should take place about whether or not you wear a helmet, it should be between you and family members who may be impacted by your decision and ONLY that. I wear a helmet, sometimes, when I CHOOSE to! I wear a seat belt, sometimes, when I CHOOSE to! I think it is obvious that Ronnie must also have believed this to be true. Maybe it can be argued that he should have thought a little more about how HIS CHOICE could impact the important people in his life, but, in the end, it WAS HIS CHOICE, and that's the way it should be and the way it should stay.

GIT IT RAAAG! and R.I.P Bro.

[whyzee]

Git it raag !!

[Brockey]

The family has had a paypal donations account opened here is the account yamahondaman@aol.com

Thanks guys

Just a bump of the account.

[Billy Golightly]

Just returned home like 5 minutes ago. I have some pictures and video I will upload sometime. tomorrow and saturday is slam packed for me so it'll be hard to find time for a few days.

[53sbanshee]

Billy and Nathan it was nice to finally meet the two of you. I just wish that we could have met for a different reason. I cant wait for the ride on the 21st of this month. Nathan I would like to ride THE MANTIS just one time if its not too much to ask.

GIT-IT-RAGG!!!!!!!!

[Bryan Raffa]

thanks for all the pictures through out the day! it was like I was there!

[Xowner]

Git it ragg!!!!!!

[Anoriginal]

It was great to meet you Billy and Nathan. I am sorry it was under these circumstances. There were three generations of riders there yesterday. All of them loved Ronnie and were blessed to have known him.
I knew him for almost 30 years and I'll always smile, every time I think of all the good times we had riding.
See you again on the 21st.

Git it Rag!

[Billy Golightly]

102114102115102116


Cars parked out on the street after the dinner/social after the funeral services. They went all the way down as far as you can see, and then around the corner.

[YAMAHONDAMAN-JR]

i would like to thank everybody that attended my dad's memorial service yesterday and dinner afterwards. we put back quite a few brown bottles for him yesterday. its gonna truely be hard without him....... thank you again and nice meeting you Billy, also good seeing you again Nathan. i wanna climb tennessee valley one more time for him pn the MANTIS if you wouldnt mind. or even ride it period. thanks guys. YAMAHONDAMAN

[Xowner]

i would like to thank everybody that attended my dad's memorial service yesterday and dinner afterwards. we put back quite a few brown bottles for him yesterday. its gonna truely be hard without him....... thank you again and nice meeting you Billy, also good seeing you again Nathan. i wanna climb tennessee valley one more time for him pn the MANTIS if you wouldnt mind. or even ride it period. thanks guys. YAMAHONDAMAN


Look forward to meeting you man, cant wait to see the hills in real life. YAMAHONDAMAN

[beets442]

I didn't know him personally, only thru this site and always offered great info. My prayers to him and family..Beets

[Bryan Raffa]

Look forward to meeting you man, cant wait to see the hills in real life. YAMAHONDAMAN

YES!!!!!! SAY IT!!!

Cant wait eather...

[SYKO]

hopefully Ill be down there at the hills for the ride as well with the five ohhhhohhhhh

[code200k]

lol went riding today,drag raced my old man on the rm.everytime we went i yelled Git it ragggg!!

[oldskool83]

I havent been on here in a few weeks and i find this out. im sorry to hear this, i didnt know him but i hope he is at peace and his family is doing ok too.

[DRKCYDE]

My condolences to his family and friends.
godspeed

[YAMAHONDAMAN-JR]

who all will be going with us to Hernando? i really want to meet some of his 3 wheeler trikefest friends. it will be a pleasure to meet everybody!!!! we are all going to try to meet at the "El Rancho Motel" there in hernando in the morning sometime i think. that is where we always stayed when we went riding. the address is: 2350 N Florida Ave, Hernando, FL 32642. that way you can mapquest it or plug it into your GPS. talk to you guys later!!!!

[Billy Golightly]

I'll be there! Bringing a few friends with me too...

[Xowner]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs284.snc4/40546_1381756149994_1414650207_31003634_2789242_n. jpg

ill be whippin up a dew more tomorrow night !

YAMAHONDAMAN

[krazykane]

never met him .good luck to his family and hope them the best of luck in this tuff time .

[Bryan Raffa]

Ill be there with billy and X owner and MTS and..... your buddy gonna be there doing tat's? maybe give us time to talk......

[YAMAHONDAMAN-JR]

no he wont be up there with me doing tat's but there will be many many many people there!!! i cant wait! im looking into getting a YFZ before the ride but if not ill be on my dad's/ alan's stretch banshee with my girlfriend. talk to you guys soon!

[Anoriginal]

See you guys there. Cobrin, I talked to your Mom and she asked me to speak at Tennessee Valley for you guys. I am honored to do so. I'm coming up with Chillin and some of the original gang. It will be the first time in almost 20 years that all of us have been together in Hernando.

[Anoriginal]

Here's some old video from Hernando. Ronnie was there with us that day. He's in some of the video. And, you can hear the man himself yell out "Git it Rag!" in some of the video. (About 5:00 into it)

Enjoy.

- Matt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWsdZRJxsqE

[53sbanshee]

One week from today we are riding the hills of Hernando. Who all is going?
SAY IT!!!!

[YAMAHONDAMAN-JR]

i know ill be there for sure!!! i cant wait!!

[0GravityMX]

ima be there i hope...i need some details tho.
GIT IT RAAGGGG!!!!
R.I.P. Ronnie!
HR Racing!

[Bryan Raffa]

Ill try and hollar, like your pa.. and whoop it up.. he's watching...Jr..you know what im talk about!YAMAHONDAMAN

[brapp]

hes been watchin you ronnie git a lil eager and git on it jr!!

[Dirtcrasher]

Just today I had a friend in need of a longer than usual 350X swinger bolt, made me think of Ronnie. Yeah, other guys can make them but it just won't be the same :(

I have one of the S.S. Tri-Z impellers he was making up but it was to tough to cut the agitator into; I'll have that thing until the day I die........

I'll never be the machinist he was, but I'll think of him every time I turn chips :beer


Here's some old video from Hernando. Ronnie was there with us that day. He's in some of the video. And, you can hear the man himself yell out "Git it Rag!" in some of the video. (About 5:00 into it)

Enjoy.

- Matt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWsdZRJxsqE

It was great to hear him say it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whyzee]

The pic. in the middle with the dog really gets to me , it`s hard to imagine how painfull it is for the famly !

that and the one below it. where he is doing an amazing one hander with the super cool , retro, in style now, shirt. I am determined to find a shirt like that.

[nouseforaname90]

Wowwww..
I haven't been on these forums for quite awhile due to being busy with college and such, and I just got SLAMMED with a ton of news!!!

First of all, I am very very sorry to hear about Ronnie's passing!! I never met him in person, but we have dealt before and he was truly a great man.. R.I.P buddy!

Lastly, I had absolutely no idea that Will (sloth) had passed!!
Him, Josh (Kintore) and myself used to chat for hours and I was supposed to meet him when he made a trip over to the US but the plans fell through and I have not heard from him since.
I am SO sad to hear this news, and I can't believe that I will never get a chance to meet him!!

RIP, guys.

[53sbanshee]

3 more days. I hope everyone is ready. I have been to Hernando with Ronnie a few times. I never had the chance to ride "Tennessee Valley". It saddens me that the only time that I will ever ride this area is for a reason that no one wanted to see happen.

[xtremez]

WOW.......i cannot believe this.I have not been on here in some time now,and this sickened me,This is one of the most tragic things i have heard in some time now.Ronnie i will miss you and all your advice,And thanks buddy for the nice ass TRI-Z parts,i almost dont want to install them on my bike now,But I know you would not want that.Man this is tragic.RIP RONNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dads]

I will miss Ronnie. I had fun talking and parting with him. he was a great friend. only the good die young..

[Tri-ZNate]

I saw a R.I.P in someone's sig and hoped it was a joke. What a blow. My fondest memory will be the "3 yr old kid on christmas morning" look when he experienced snow for the first time. I'm really glad i made it to Raffa's Ice races to see him again.

The Myth, The MAN, The Legend
HRR

[BigBlockKFX]

Went to Hernando yesterday with everyone. They finally put Ronnie in his favorite place. It was a great time. But for a sad reason. Hope to do it again. That place is awesome. And Tennessee Valley is nasty. Very very impressed. Wish i coulda seen them in action there. It was great meeting everyone. Hope we can get together again.

[53sbanshee]

Thank you to everyone that came out to pay their last respects to Ronnie. I had a great time and met lots of new people. There were a few of us that stayed till dark. We will be riding Hernando plenty of times again.

[Billy Golightly]

I dropped everyone back off at the airport this morning. Raffa has a lot of great video we will be posting up. It was great to be there with everyone but it sure was for the wrong reason. Hopefully everyone can get together again soon. I'm ready to do some riding down there when its not sloppy and nasty down at the bottom of those pits!

[0GravityMX]

sorry i wasnt able to attend! i had no way to get up there!

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

was a GREAT time, thinking about doing a ride around them parts yearly!!

[53sbanshee]

Nathan if you want to do something like that im sure we all can plan a 2 day ride. I would like to get something like that going. SAY IT!!

[Lomax]

I havent been on the borads much in some time now, I start to come back around and this is one of the first things that i see. So sad. I actually did get to meet Ronnie once. I drove out to Florida for a trike ride almost 5 years ago. Got to watch him climb hills on a three wheeler that i wouldnt try on foot. It was really cool to watch. And while i didnt know him well or anything, while i was there i did get to spend at least a few minutes of one on one conversation. Always wanted to hang out with him again. he even made me some special parts for a resoration that i did years back on a quad, didnt charge me a dime. Hats off Brother
-Will

[Billy Golightly]

Guys I had a message from Jenni (Ronnie's wife) last night on my cell...she had asked me to post for her, and to thank everyone for all their outpouring support and all the comments everyone had made in regards to Ronnie. She is very appreciative of it and it means a lot.

It really sucks to lose someone in the community, especially Ronnie...but I think its been a wake up call to some of us, and its also shown how close of a tight knit group we really are in supporting one another and being there when someone needs it. You don't get that in many places.

[mymint87]

It really sucks to lose someone in the community, especially Ronnie...but I think its been a wake up call to some of us, and its also shown how close of a tight knit group we really are in supporting one another and being there when someone needs it. You don't get that in many places.

absolutely....Yamahondaman was a true example of how we all sould be...and if something good should come of this tragedy, is that we all try to pick up with his good nature in helping others as he is no longer here to carry that torch...

Rex Karz walked in a similar path as Yamahondaman did while he was here.....both losses were like a granade going off in the trike community leaving a BIG HOLE....theres no way any of us can ever patch or mend that hole...we all have to carry on with it in our lives and learn to live with it there...and we will, each in our own way....everytime i look upon the hole/loss...it reminds me of whats really important on these boards...

it's not the rediscovery of forgotten infomation about our hobby and love of the ATC....it's the friends we make while we are ALL in the saddle, twisting on three

[53sbanshee]

Billy are you going to be able to make it to hernando this friday?

[Xowner]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=118440&d=1299524419


WE DONT FORGET!!!!!

[KASEY]

the sign off in this video,,,,,,, PRICELESS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOFiFmSK_r0

[RubberSalt]

Each time theres an event, some one should recreate the picture posted by Xowner.

Outta respect.. and awesomness.

[dougspcs]

Ronnie was riding his bike last night with his brother, Guess he was doing a wheelie hit the curb and the bike slammed him to the ground. He wasnt wearing a helmet they called 911 and they aircared him to the hosiptial but couldnt bring him back.

This isnt a joke ronnie is gone! :(


Nathan ask me to make a post also and tell anyone that if ronnie had any of your stuff PM ME and let me know what he had. He will be down in FL Wed and is gonna try and get it all and mail it back, so please me and let me know what you had down there in detail and pics if you have it

The family has had a paypal donations account opened here is the account yamahondaman@aol.com

Thanks guys

Guys, I don't what to turn tragedy into a preaching opportunity but please use it to illustrate that everyone, everytime needs to where a helmet.

Here in Canada we don't have a choice..big fines for riding without one. Everyday I watch youtube clips of people playing around on their quad/trikes. The number of people not wearing helmets is huge..

Even an experienced rider makes mistakes..

RIP ronnie!!

[justin4]

I was in a diffrent thread and asked what GET IT RAGG was. Now I know and am very sorry for your loss . my younger brother passed 9/23/2010. Only the good die young. Maybe God was having trike trouble. SO SORRY.

[longbedGTs]

I met him at a ride in Ocala a few years ago and just being around him was a comforting feeling...as if I already knew him. R.I.P. Ronnie

[Billy Golightly]

One year ago today guys. Godspeed Ronnie! Wish you were still here with us...

[Xowner]

Today sucks man I just wanna go back to bed and forget it!

Miss you tons buddy.......

[Louis Mielke]

Git it Rag!!!

[SYKO]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/atv%20riding%20and%20racing/th100_2152.jpg


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/CroomPic.jpg


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e306/southgacustoms/IM000241.jpg




YAMAHONDAMAN

[three_wheelin45]

Its allready been a year :*( man time flys!! GIT IT RAAAAGG!!!

[Russell 350X]

Still can't believe it...... definitely having a few cold bud lights for him today. Bud Lights and Red Lights!! SAY IT!!!

[Dirtcrasher]

Miss your posts and all your help with DEEPAS motor Ronnie, hope your spirit is still doing what it loved...................

Wish I had met you and hope the family is well.

[Xowner]

Tripped over this thread looking for the 3ww donations address....... Still hurts!

[Brockey]

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o284/Brockey/2011-08-01181250.jpg

[CRAZY70MAN]

Still sayin' it everytime I hear something loud enough to deserve it.......YAMAHONDAMAN My wife and daughter even got the explanation of what it means. My kid smiles when I say it now.........

[Dirtcrasher]

Ronnie always gave more than you ordered. If he knew your trike and had the parts, you always received an extra gift or gifts.

Although I didn't have many dealings with him, I did use his parts on other members trikes and learned how generous he was.

I hope his family is doing well...... :beer YAMAHONDAMAN

DC