Bob Jones Rally 2010?

[Ivan]

By the way Ivan, I am a Kansas boy myself. Born in Hays and grew up in Manhattan. That's where I bought my first bike, a XS750SF back in 1980.
Please tell me you're not a KU fan!

Not much a fan of any sport that requires a ball.

I actually grew up in Nebraska, so I am a Husker fan if any thing. But the Husker / OU rivalry seems to have lost its luster since the Osborne and Switzer combo retired. Those were some awesome games, even for a guy who doesn't care for football.

Anyway, I used to fly RC Helis with some guys were from Manhattan. Nice guys, nice town.

[Mstaab]

Don't recall saying I had any problem cornering, what I said was there are newer, lighter machines with better suspensions. Yes the XS11 was the best all around bike of it's day and a pretty darn good one even today but from an engineering stand point the newer bikes handle better. Don't think for a minute that I am bad mouthing the XS11, as you can see from my signature the only bikes I own are Yamaha's from 78 and 79, I love 'em but I don't ride with rose colored glasses.

[Mstaab]

Helli's eh? I used to fly fixed wings, still have 'em just don't have the time to fly any more. I still have a BG dreamer (bipe) and a Fokker DR 1 haning in the garage

[Russ79]

Besides, XS11's we're designed to go straight, heck, they where designed 30 years ago.

That's right, and nothing has been designed even close to it since! It never ceases to amaze me how many new people keep coming on here claiming to be XS11 fans, just to tear them down. Maybe I just got an experimental version, because mine handles like a road racer! Just ask my group of riding buddies. I have even humbled a few sport bike guys in the twisties. I have a good friend I ride with here. He has a 2006 FZ1, with a carbon fiber exhaust, and a go fast chip in the ECM. He can crush me in a straight line drag race, as well as top end speed. But every time we go to the twisty road, all he does is cuss me and my XS11 because all he sees is my tail light.

If you truly do own a Bob Jones custom XS, believe me it is set up to do anything on two wheels. I know, I helped him build a number of them. So please take off your rose colored glasses next time you look in the mirror, and stop bashing my bike!

Oh, and as for the rallies, I personally am done hauling back crushed egos after scraping them up off the pavement. Not my idea of a fun vacation.

FWIW. Russ 79

[Mstaab]

OK Russ, let me start over. All I own are 3 79 XS's and a 78 SR. That's gotta tell you something. The XS750SF was the first bike I ever owned back in '80
They are fantastic bikes, especially the XS1100. From what I am hearing your group of guys propably ride better than most, that's gotta come from experiance, confidence and guts.
Maybe you can help me out though, I have receipts from Miriam cycle on work done on the bike. They arent very specific on what was done, I have one reciept that shows 6511.95 worth of work done in June of 02 it includes tires, brakes, tune up, electrical work, suspension, paint and exhaust. included in there is about 1k worth of accesories. I'd like you to look them over sometime and see what you think was done. Hell, maybe you did some of the work. I could scan them and e mail them to you if you're interested

Mitch

[Bigfoot]

I wonder if Bob put a big bore kit in it.

[Mstaab]

Nothing on the paperwork I have that says anything about a big bore kit but who knows.

[Ivan]

Helli's eh? I used to fly fixed wings, still have 'em just don't have the time to fly any more. I still have a BG dreamer (bipe) and a Fokker DR 1 haning in the garage

Helis are more demanding than fixed wing in flight. They are always trying to be anything buy level. Plus when they crash, you replace parts. Whenever they go in, it isn't like a fixed wing crash, they just sit there and beat them selves into oblivion cause the throttle usually fails open. Any decent heli will cost about $600 on a mild mishap to rebuild. Then its time to buy upgrade parts and a set of $150 blades.

I got into motorcycles, since its cheaper, just as fun, and the people who ride motorcycles are pretty cool, where as most of the heli guys are rather snobish.

[TopCatGr58]

Wanting to join in the fun out west!

Hey Tod, Ivan,

I usually visit my Mom down in Ala. every fall and then attend the Fall rally in Northern Ga. However, I have a best friend from High School in Texas that I haven't seen in a few years. Also, I've not had the chance to run out in the WEST with my bike. I've ridden the twisties of Western North Carolina, North Georgia, Tenn, and West Virginia. I've ridden up front with Gary Granger and Bruce Gerkin who ride Triumphs and Katanas, and stay fairly close, so I consider myself decently skilled in the twisties.

I'm thinking about taking a 2 week vacation, getting Mom in Ala., dropping her off with some relatives in San Angelo, Tex., and then heading out to your neck of the country on my bike, perhaps even with my best friend on his little GL 1000...he'll probably run closer to the rear of the pack!?

So..what dates do you run this or any rally in the FALL??

I just read that Brent will NOT be attending due to financial burdens of FALL college fees for daughter! But that's okay, I've ridden with him at several of these rallies back east...he can even vouch for some of my twisty skills!

Just checking things out ahead so I can arrange for the right dates off of work and such! Plus getting "my" Godzilla into proper shape!
T.C.

[Brent]

another

I will try to get in some more riding this summer. I would like to to make a Bob Jones rally, and if schedule permits, would be willing to ride with or lead an intermediate or beginner group. This has worked well in the past. XS Rallys used to be consistently accident free. Safety etc... Crashing is BAD, do not want any more, but I do want to ride and rally.

I will check back to see if another Bob jones Memorial rally is scheduled. Sounds like a moratorium, on this, at least temporarily.

[TopCatGr58]

Well Brent,

From what I've seen, it looks like the Bob Jones' rally was held in the SPRING anyways, end of May....same time as XS East. The trip I'm planning on will be in the FALL, end of September, hopefully past the extra HOT days of August. But if no one is going to be holding an actual rally at that time, then I guess I'll have to make plans for a personal one, or an ad-hoc or unofficial one at least!?

I'll have to get notes on what these great roads are that Tod and Ivan are talking about, and map them into my GPS. Perhaps my friend and I will just run AMOK amongst the mountains and such??

Forgive my southwestern geography ignorance, but what big things are there to see in this vicinity....like a national park, or majestic mountains, etc.??

Not sure how far from Texas my friend will be willing to RIDE? He's had a Kidney transplant....several meds to control rejection and blood pressure and such. We would NOT be doing any camping...just hotel stops...my old back can't handle sleeping on the ground!

When does it start turning COLD in this part of the country?? Is late Sept. TOO LATE?? I want to be comfortable in my leather jacket/chaps/gloves, so would like to avoid the 90+ temps, but don't want 50 either!!

SWMBO will be taking "HER" vacation on a cruise ship in MAY/June, so that probably eliminates me from XS East again this year due limited $$ and such!?
I've done the high seas ONCE...that was enough....too boring for me, she goes with her SISTER. I get to stay home and play video games with the SURROUND SOUND turned UP and such!

T.C.

[Wildkat]

Hey TC...
One thing to keep in mind about Texas... our summer runs into October... We can count on the really hot days around September and sometimes into the first week or two of October.

San Angelo, being farther south... stays pretty warm...

There are some decent roads around Kerrville from what I understand... haven't made it down there yet to check them out... but Montreux Blue has so maybe he can chime in with a few tips for good Texas roads...

At any rate...
I KNOW you'll be stopping in here to see us on your travels... no matter when they are... right?
lol

[Montreux_Blue]

A friend and I did about 400 miles around Kerrville one Saturday and I'd say it's not for the out of shape or inexperienced as there are some sections that are non stop 15 to 20 mile turns (posted speed) and blind hairpins. I think it was February when we went and there were virtually no other cars on the road. There were a few times that I actually thought I was going to have to dump the bike, I just tucked in real tight and held on. There is very little room for error, gravel towards the outsides of both lanes and a wall of rocks or a cliff to choose from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLUZtt5JYuY

Motorcycle Riding in The Texas Hill Country
“The Three Sisters” or “ The Hundred Mile Loop” (RR335, RR336, & RR337) are without a doubt the best motorcycle roads to be found in the Hill Country of Texas. These are the roads everyone wants to ride when they visit the Texas Hill Country. Again I caution, if you are a new rider or are a cautious type, then you DO NOT belong on these three roads. They follow canyons and climb over jagged, steep and crumbling hills. They have many tight twisty curves with shear drop offs and not much in the way of guard rails. In one section about 15 miles long, there are around 65 curves. If you are an experienced rider, then this is the ride for you. If you like scenic panoramic views, bring your camera and take this ride!

.

[Ivan]

TC, Around Eureka Springs AR is highway 123. Its probably the best road I have run, but I am limited on my experience, since I have yet to tour all the famous roads in the US. All I can say is, if you like the pegs you have right now, don't ride it. You'll scrape them off. Its just so much fun, I really can't explain it properly. The Apple Blossom Inn is pretty comfy and not too expensive for lodging. There is also the TRBig memorial parking spot, where, you probably shouldn't park with the side stand up hill. I know I tried it once, and a couple others have as well. It adds "character". Also, down the road from the inn about 1/4 mile is a place, can't remember the name, that has the awesomestest breakfast buffet this side of the Yangtze. Its only like $6 too.

As far as the scenery, you can pay $15 to see a large rock balanced on the side of a steep cliff. There are plenty of great views from the road though, and some good stops that make the Grand Canyon just look like a crack in the desert. There is another great restaurant called "The Cliff House" that is exactly like it sounds. The view out the balcony is just breath taking. Humming birds flit around out side making for some calming conversation over their delectable blackberry cobbler.

I am not really accustomed to the weather patterns in that part of the country, but here in KS its still good riding through about mid October before you start seeing temps dip into the 40s in the morning. End of October is a crap shoot. Some years snow, some years beautiful.

[webbcraft2150]

A friend and I did about 400 miles around Kerrville one Saturday and I'd say it's not for the out of shape or inexperienced as there are some sections that are non stop 15 to 20 mile turns (posted speed) and blind hairpins. I think it was February when we went and there were virtually no other cars on the road. There were a few times that I actually thought I was going to have to dump the bike, I just tucked in real tight and held on. There is very little room for error, gravel towards the outsides of both lanes and a wall of rocks or a cliff to choose from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLUZtt5JYuY

.

I think Wayne took us on one of those roads when he was heading up the annual rallies. Nuthin but brake lights and pucker factor. No one crashed though. I know my forearms were sore that night from the ride.