Nobody went to the MOA rally?

[awaffa2003]

I saw 1, yes, 1 other R65 while i was there! I got my licence Last Tuesday, and left a few hours later for Wyoming with my dad. Roundtrip was about 2100 miles. It was pretty cool. But if some of you were there, i guess i missed ya.

[MrRiden]

I was tipped off by a co-werker / former Wyoming resident that Gillette might not be a lot of fun in July. High plains, no trees... You're a tougher rider than me. I'll wait 'till it moves back west again but for next year the location seems much nicer.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally2009.htm
http://www.johnsoncitytnchamber.com/visit/
http://www.bestofshoware.com/appalachianfair/
rich
got pics?

[not-so-fast-ed]

Wow, talk about spending time in the saddle...  2100 miles sounds like quite a butt buster!
Congratulations & post some pics.
Tennessee is far easier for many of us.  Look forward to seeing you there next year.

[SCJJR65]

Yeah, I can tell you that I'll be there, one way or another!  The last MOA rally I went to that was anywhere near me was the '96 rally in Morganton, NC.  (I had to go alone, and in my car!)  

[Melena]

I've heard stories on another forum already.  Sounds like the weather was pretty nice except for a storm that went through one night and made balloons and parachutes out of a few tents.  But from what I hear it wasn't hot at all.  In fact, a bit cool, getting there from the west anyway.

Didn't Sue go?  But she wasn't on her R65.  We'll hear more soon, I'm sure.

Would love to see pics!   8-)

[awaffa2003]

Ha actually it was kinda boring but you gotta make your own fun by striking up hour long, one-way conversations with old guys. DUHHHH!

And yea it was a long ride, a lot of thinking time. Made me wish i woulda set up my dad's Autocom that we used to use so that i could use my cell phone and rack up some mins! All I had was a CD player and halfway through S. Dakota the earbuds came out of my tank bag when i wasn't listening to it and ended up across my pipes. Thery're not ruined, but now the wires are exposed and even with steel wool i can't get some of the junk off the pipes.

The only real issue I had was with vibrations. Getting past 67 in 5th gear the bike starts to shine...and vibrate...alot. I used the passenger pegs the whole way, which helped some but by the time i got to Gillette my right foot was numb and has stayed numb since I got home.

And yea that storm....I didn't get back to my tent that night until about 3AM, and I STILL walked through the rain. It started around 12 and didn;t end till about 4 i heard. and the whole time was like a downpour! Other thatn that the weather was real nice just right in the day but a little crisp at night. Got to watch a few thunderstorms in the distance too!  

Pics coming soon, maybe a link to my facebook.

[Justin B.]

I've had good results with Turtle Wax brand chrome polish for getting burnt shoe sole marks off - still takes a lot of elbow grease, though...

[NC Steve]

Easy-Off Cold Oven cleaner, spray it on, wait a few hours, and whatever you've managed to melt on there will wipe off with a paper towel or damp sponge.

No elbow grease required, personal testimony, guaranteed.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

ps: and once you hit 75 - 80 mph or above, that vibration will go away...

[Chris_in_BC]

Well, we were there and had a good time. Weather was warm, but there were plenty of places to get in out of the sun. My wife had her R65 (red Rabid Transit)  there and another lady from our local BC Canada club was on her R65(black Pichler). Also saw a few other R65's around the place.

Never found Sue, but thought I met Melana's partner at the local grocery story, but then never saw him again. I assumed, Melana, that you were there as well someplace, but looking at your post now, I am  wondering who I did meet.  

Great ride home over Beartooth pass,, what a road!  As our trip consisted of going via Winnipeg, to see family, we managed 3300 miles for our trip.

Now to get ready for the Stomp in Idaho.

[Semper Gumby]

Don't NOT use steel wool unless it is OOOO steel wool.  The heavy stuff WILL scratch the chrome.  (ask me how I know)  

I would have loved to be there.  I think Melena is single but maybe I'm out of touch?  

[nhmaf]

Definitely planning to go the the MOA next year in Tennessee !

[Melena]

Wasn't us Chris. (Bill, yes single, but I do have a partner.  Just don't live together right now.  Some day.)  I wonder who you might have seen?  He's probably trying to remember where the heck he knows you from.  

[Chris_in_BC]

Damn, now who was it? Afraid my memory for people is not anywhere as good as it could be. Oh well.

Melana, I didn't find Sue at the rally (although I looked and asked everywhere)  But she found us at home. She stopped over Saturday night before she started back east across Canada. A very enjoyable lady to meet after so long conversing on this forum. She is having quite a ride.

[nhmaf]

IF I had been able to spare the time to go to the MOA this year, I'd have also headed over/up to B.C to visit my cousin in Kelowna.
Well, maybe in another year or so...

[R65Guy]

I was at Gillette for a couple of days on my way back from the great west but I was on the 1150.  4220 miles in 9 days - Independence Pass, Hell's Canyon, Rattlesnake Grade, Lolo Pass, Beartooth Pass, Chief Joseph Hwy, Bighorn Mtns. - sorry for all the folks that didn't make the trip because they thought it would be boring.  You make your own fun!  I saw a few R65s at Gillette but didn't catch up to any of them to chat.   I had my tent staked down real well and put in my earplugs and slept like a baby the night it stormed.  South Dakota was actually green from all of the rain they had.  Pleasant weather the whole time, a bit of rain a couple of days but thats part of it.

Hey NHMAF, hope to see you in Tennessee next year!  I'm making my plans already.  I will returning to the same area that I visited in 1981 on my brand new R65 on it's first long trip!

Neal