2011 West Coast Rally Information

[Dan Filetti]

Always liked the cut of the Aprillia jib, so now I've got an inline four (my Aussie FJ) a triple in the Tiger 1050 and now a V-Twin Italian sports-bike.

I didn't want a full on race rep, too uncomfortable for long rides so the Aprillia Mille based Tuono got the nod.

Quite the multi-continental fleet you have there Klavdy.  If you were looking to round that out, you could add a Ninjette 250 (parallel twin)  I've said it before, but they more fun than you think to ride.  I've personally done 400 mile trips on mine and it's just not left behind very often at all.  Similar to thrashing you little sister's bike to within inches of it's life (with no apparent mechanical ill-effects) -without all the embarrassment...

Additionally, you'll need a Suzy Savage (1 cylinder), an RC149 (5), a CBX, or Goldwing if you prefer (6), a Guzzi, (60 degree twin), and let's not forget the Suzy RE5 Wenkel, you'll need one of those too.

This is not to say I'm not already jealous of your fleet as it stands, just providing suggestions...

Dan

[Klavdy]

Ninja 250?
That's a GURLS bike, right Bean?

Nah, just funning with Bean, I've sung the praises of the Kawasaki 250 for years, the Honda 250 XL type trail bike too.

Dunno why the mindset persists that a learner bike has to be at least a 650.

http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2011/02/02/1225998/738933-tc-yasi-superimposed-on-usa.gif

[craigo]

Additionally, you'll need a Suzy Savage (1 cylinder), an RC149 (5), a CBX, or Goldwing if you prefer (6), a Guzzi, (60 degree twin), and let's not forget the Suzy RE5 Wenkel, you'll need one of those too.

This is not to say I'm not already jealous of your fleet as it stands, just providing suggestions...

Dan

Throw in a RZ500 or RG500 Gamma, and that'll do it  

CraigO
90FJ1200

[junkyardroad]

XR650 duh

[Klavdy]

Hmm, if I get a dirt bike, (you can road register them in Aus) it would probably be a Suzuki DRZ 400

[mz_rider]

I was thinking about a DRZ400 a while back and found this video - nuts!

DRZ 400 SM supermoto super moto jump

Stuart

[junkyardroad]

DRZ400s are nice light fun bikes for sure.  The reason I like the XR650l is pure versatility. I have literally gone from all day single track in the woods (where it feels incredibly heavy) to WFO on the slab, knobbies and all (where it feels incredibly light). All it ever needs is oil gas and tires. XRs are really at their best at speed in the desert. 

If the time should ever come that I have to choose among the motorcycles, it'll probably be the XR.

Got a off topic here, but, I'm studying the calendar trying to work out a plan to attend the WCR.  I really enjoyed riding many of the roads last years WCR touched on.  Twisties and splitting lanes in SF traffic on a Goldwing loaded for cold weather camping was a riot. 

[The General]

DRZ400s are nice light fun bikes for sure.  The reason I like the XR650l is pure versatility. I have literally gone from all day single track in the woods (where it feels incredibly heavy) to WFO on the slab, knobbies and all (where it feels incredibly light). All it ever needs is oil gas and tires. XRs are really at their best at speed in the desert. 

If the time should ever come that I have to choose among the motorcycles, it'll probably be the XR.

Got a off topic here, but, I'm studying the calendar trying to work out a plan to attend the WCR.  I really enjoyed riding many of the roads last years WCR touched on.  Twisties and splitting lanes in SF traffic on a Goldwing loaded for cold weather camping was a riot.
 

Took my DR650 for a scrub and road thrash with mates on KLR650`s last weekend. I had been thinking of selling it due to the time/love of my 2 FJ`s. Over the past 4 years I have dropped the DR down 2 cliff edges and at least a dozen spills in excess of 80klm/hr. Have hit 2 trees and driven through one. (must learn how to load up pics). It`s usually fully rigged with camping gear and has some mods to the suspension (Ohlims) and only breathing & jetting mods along with a homemade screen for the long miles outback, averaging 140klms/hr for hours sometimes) - . But it just keeps getting up and flying. Anyhow on a particular knarly river crossing on Saturday I explained to one of the novices why it`s best to stay on the pegs and let the machine bounce off the hidden boulders so that your body mass isn`t also being thrown around and you remain in control. So with an "I`ll show ya how it`s done" brevado I charged off across this particular creek, hit two submerged, big slippery boulders, went arse over head and totally drowned my loyal steed.   ---- (Don`t ya hate it when ya mates reach a stage that their fists are slapping the ground, tears are coming out their eyes, mouths are open but the laughter has died to a faint whimper cause their larynx can`t take it anymore)
Anyhow she dribbled water from the carbie for about 10 mins after we got her to the edge, turned over the motor with plug leads off at first. Rolled her back across the creek, up the bank and then got a tow via a smirking KLR 650.  Took about 500 metres and she was flying again. Another 100klms before all the water vapour was out of the oil window and another 100klms before we reached our accomodation - the Historic Theebine pub.(another story)  She never missed a beat all Sunday.  - You mention the word "Versatile" and my hand goes up for my thumper DLR650. Guess who`s now, never going to sell his DR.  Doug

[andyoutandabout]

Looks like the streets of downtown San Francisco - I'll run the Fj over that junction and report my findings

[moparman70]

Plan on leaving L.A at around 10:00 AM,dunno which day yet.
Go up the back way (395) Stay overnight in Bishop or Lone Pine,go over a couple of passes, its my preferred route


I haven't consider the 395 route -- but will do now.  It is a nice ride been up that way many times -- be sure to take the June Lake loop if time permits.

Let me know a plans solidify...I don't work until Monday late aft so making a two day'r home is possible.

[Bill_Rockoff]

If you were looking to round that out, you could add a Ninjette 250 (parallel twin)  I've said it before, but they more fun than you think to ride.  I've personally done 400 mile trips on mine and it's just not left behind very often at all. 

It looks like I'll be working in Carlsbad (south of LA) a good bit this spring and summer, and I'm looking at attending this rally with my son.  He had a blast riding the 250 Ninja at Tellico (didn't get left behind at all) and it'd be a hoot to ride up the Pacific Coast and get to the WCR.  One plan is to ride the Ninja 250 out there from Georgia and rent a bike for myself.  An alternate plan is to ride the FJ out there and just buy a Ninja 250 for him to ride up the coast and back again, and then sell it (or ride it back across country with me later in the summer - maybe to the Colorado August rally!)  Either way, if I wind up at the WCR with a 250 Ninja, everyone's welcome to try it.  They are a blast, and I don't mind switching bikes with my son on the superslab.  (He has a bit of trouble balancing the FJ because its rear ride height is raised way up on the Penske, so frequent stop-n-go is a pain for him and it'd be worse with a Rally's worth of luggage.  But on the highway, he says switching to the FJ is "like pressing the Easy button.")

[Dan Filetti]

One plan is to ride the Ninja 250 out there from Georgia and rent a bike for myself.  An alternate plan is to ride the FJ out there and just buy a Ninja 250 for him to ride up the coast and back again, and then sell it...

You're not intending to ride a Ninja 250, across country from GA to CA, 2-up are you?  It's not clear from the above.  I'm guessing that the your son would fly in later -right?  That might be a bit much for the Ninjette. 

Anyway, sounds like a great time.  I rode my 250 this past fall just as fast is it would go, along the PA turnpike for maybe 120 miles...  Top speed varied between an indicated 104 and 115 (down hill with a tail wind).  And it hummed along happily at that varied speed for more than an hour.  I suspect it'd do fine cross country.  Just remember the golden rule of riding a 250: NEVER back the throttle off WOT or touch the brake for that matter, unless it's required to not die or wreck.

Your plan, and rides sound like fun.

Dan

[Mark Olson]

Mr Bean (Garth), brought a 250 ninja to the 2010 wcr and some of the guys rode and said it was a blast.  It got used for the after the real ride fun toy.

[Bill_Rockoff]

You're not intending to ride a Ninja 250, across country from GA to CA, 2-up are you? 

Nah, no two-up riding for me, not even on the FJ.  Wife doesn't like being a passenger and won't let me take my stepdaughter outside the neighborhood on a bike.  (Too bad, she'd love getting dropped off at middle school on a bike.)  Son has a license now and can ride on his own.  (Good closeout deals on 2-piece RoadCrafter stuff in his size.)  The most exciting possibility would be riding cross-country with my son on the two bikes, if schedules allow, and then up the PCH to the rally. 

But if the Ninja goes west, yeah, it'd be with only one person on it.

[Pat Conlon]

That's great news Bill. Perhaps we can get a couple of day rides in before the WCR? Palomar, Mt Laguna, Julian, Black Mesa, Borrego, etc, etc....lots of good riding out here!  You gonna bring your Miata? Cheers!  Pat