Nobody went to the MOA rally?

[k_enn]

For you guys that are considering 2009 at Johnson City, Tennessee, I can definitely recommend that area.  

Not too far from Johnson City are segments of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In my opinion, this is the most scenic motorcycle-riding mountain road east of the Mississippi.  Think of several hundred of miles of twisty roads, limited access, plenty of scenic overlooks, all in a park-like setting.  Johnson City is about 2 hours away from the Great Smokies National Park, which is great place to visit, sight-see, hike, camp, etc.  There are also a number of side roads and towns in the Pisgah National Forrest area that are quite scenic.  Also, Johnson City is  only an hour away from Ashville, where a tour of Biltmore Estate (the estate of Commadore Vanderbuilt) is avaliable.  It is a worthwhile tourist attraction which I have enjoyed visiting on several occassions.  

I haven't been back down South in many years, but I am really thinking about doing it next year.  I am blocking out those dates on my calendar.

k_enn

[nhmaf]

Hi Neal !

Looking forward to heading to the Tennessee next year - I might even be able to ride the R65LS that far without needing a chiropractor !

 

Did your friend ride to Gillette with you (the quiet guy who had the homemade hooch at the 2007 rally) ?   That stuff was pretty smooth.

[suecanada]

Nhmaf...Hi there...I just might be considering taking the LS too to Johnson City next summer!!! Sorta ran outta choices! I like your feeling about valves that adjust automatically or are simple to adjust like ours are on the R65's and Moto guzzis.

Heard anything about the Kawasaki Versys....valves still remain the bugaboo.?

[nhmaf]

I've seen a couple of Versyss... Versi (?) around here and they look pretty neat - certainly a Kawasaki interpretation of the F650, I think.
They are getting very good review in the states, but the MPG isn't as good as what you were getting on your new BMW.  I think the Versys
is a couple ponies less and a couple pound-feet of torque less, too, but it is claimed to cruise happily at 80+ MPH onthe highways and backroads, and Kawasaki
does have some hard bags and touring kit for it.

Valves are shim under bucket, but apparently don't need to be checked  until 15,000 miles, and thereafter every 25,000 miles, so at least the checking/adjustment intervals are very long even if one still has to deal with lifting cam and replacing shims when it does have to be done.

[R65Guy]

Hi Nhmaf!  My bud rode as far as Colorado with me to visit with his sister. I continued on to Idaho and Oregon alone and met him at Gillette a few days later.   Yes he brought another little bottle... maybe next year too.   It will be a great rally considering its location in the mountains and proximity to the east coast.  I will probably ride the 1150 but, who knows, I may change my mind and take the little R65 and let it relive it's childhood    

My brother is planning on joining us next year, the more the merrier.

Neal