North American XS/XJ rally

[skippy344]

I was just thinkin' has anyone ever toyed with the idea of a North American XS/XJ rally here in the US?

They do 'em in Europe all the time, and the Hardly boys have several a year here in the US.

Why not a North American XS/XJ Rally? How cool would that be to get all of us together for a few days?

Of course, it would not be limited to the most awesome bikes in the world, the XS/XJs! Anybody riding anything could come along.

greg

[randy]

Sounds good. Somewhere smack in the middle, like Kansas City?

[webbcraft2150]

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, another road trip!!!!!!

Sounds like a capitol idea. Would require alot of planning, plenty of time in advance for finishing all the triple cleans and paint jobs and clutch jobs SOME people have been putting off.

I'd be up for it. I could even be coaxed into helping. Would be totally cool to get a big group of XS/XJ's together. Would truly be an "eXSsive" getogether.

[trbig]

It sounds like a GREAT idea to me! Unless things change, would some one be able to tow me there?? lol..

Tod

[jeffe]

I could always reinstall the trailer hitch on the old 78E.

[trbig]

Or Stillwater Oklahoma. Everybody pitch tents and build campfires right in Maximan's yard!! lol..

I honestly think we should pick a spot that's centrally located AND has some place nice to ride (Meaning twisties!) But.... honestly... I'll meet in the flattest desert if that's where you guys choose.


Tod

[HobbyMan]

For the ride, maby everyone from every state join up before leaving the state. Then each group from every state rides to the rally together. Probably isn't feasable, but just a thought. Maby this summer would be a good time. I would definitely go.

[DiverRay]

I agree with Tod, we all meet at Cody's, and he can follow me back to the coast after the ralley. That way, he won't feel left out about the 1,800 or so mile ride.
As far as the riders from each state, some of us live in states that are a little too long to try and all get together. we counl all converge on the Colorado State Line from the west coast.....
Ray

[trbig]

To jump to another thread... lol... Wouldn't that piss off a few Harley riders to find out they waved to a whole PACK of those Yammer Hammers?!?

Tod

[jimboreeno]

What about the Ozarks?

The Ozarks is pretty central in the US. The Northern Arkansas area, Boston Mountains, is VERY twisy. The Buffalo and the Mullberry rivers are beautiful and afford lots of camping and cabins. I lived in Springfield, MO and used to backpack, climb, and canoe around there. Some very scenic stuff.
I am sure we could put together some XSive scenic and twisty rides!

[jimboreeno]

But....I ain't picky....I will do ANYTHING central!

[LoHo]

The challenges of getting enough time off and riding over a thousand miles oneway on these old steeds has led to having more regional meetings. When I first signed on in '97, there was one rally in Chama, NM, and there have been major and minor rallies since then.

The ones that succeed are because one guy steps up and says "I will host the rally at this place at this time. Camp at my place or at this campground. I have arranged these rides and we'll see these sights. I have arranged these meals, feel free to throw in some money to offset the expense." The "we oughta get together..." rallies almost never materialize. Even the local rides take place because someone takes ownership and makes it happen.

More practically, it makes more sense to have an XS East and an XS West. This keeps the ride down to about a grand oneway and recognizes the population clusters on each coast. Eastern Colorado is the nearest we have to being central and having some good twisty roads, But Nevada works for the west and West Virginia seems to work for the East. I am planning to take charge of a California rally near Yosemite. We'll meet on Friday, take a local Yosemite and Gold Country ride on Saturday, and a long day trip to the coast on Sunday, with people peeling off as they near their home routes.

One thing I've always wondered about is why we get together after a long ride, then spend each day on a long ride, then take a long ride home. I'd like to sit around a fire, drinking and talking, and get to know the guy on the other end of the modem. So Saturday will be short and local. It would be nice to have some XS workshops, too. Practical experience at carb tuning and such would be invaluable. Plus, seeing some of these bikes makes you humble about your own ride. Others give you a chance to point and laugh.

[TomKat]

Originally posted by LoHo
................... It would be nice to have some XS workshops, too. Practical experience at carb tuning and such would be invaluable. Plus, seeing some of these bikes makes you humble about your own ride. Others give you a chance to point and laugh.

An excellent Idea. I can see pictures and read about this stuff all week and not know for sure if I am doing something right or wrong.

I think, also, that a national rally would be great, but LoHo makes some good points as to why regional ones work better. That being said, I would love to attend a rally in the Ozarks area. My XS won't be ready by then, but I can ride the GW.

[Pat Kelly]

I threw out a suggestion at the Tahoe rally that everyone should get together at Bob Jones' "XS11 Heaven". Not so much to pay homage to Bob Jones but the XS11.

Using his store as a rally point for a No. America rally would be cool. If HD riders can do it for Sturgis or Daytona, why can't we?

[HobbyMan]

I think this would be a great idea. That would be cool to have some workshops. AS far as east and west rallies, we have plenty of NE, NW, SC and many other regional rallies. Impromptu rallies like the Tallimena rally have been known to happen too. I think it wouldn't be too difficult to nave a National rally. Seriously, when would I ever get a chance to meet all of the other fellow XSives from other parts of the Country. If I had a place in the central United States, I would volunteer to let everyone stay there. As it happens, I don't, so maby someone has a place to stay. Would the majority be camping or using motels? If people would camp, then all we need is some fields and good roads.