Venturous

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/north-america/top-10/motorcycle-rides/

WV is definitely 2nd amendment friendly. I recall about 10 years ago I hosted a ride-in for another club in mid October. We were riding one of the backroads and passed two guys walking along the shoulder carrying rifles. Hey... it was hunting season. One fellow from NY keyed up his CB in total disbelief of what he just witnessed. DID YOU SEE THAT!!! THOSE GUYS WERE CARRYING GUNS!!! Those of us who ride WV a lot couldn't stop laughing as it was so normal to us.

I've seen Goldwings hanging on the back of Class A motorhomes. So that is possible apparently with right type channel rack. But, if under 600lb is your goal... I have a bike that I think is a great smaller bike. Although no longer made. But you can find many low mileage used ones. That is the Honda 750 Magna's. 540lbs wet. Since they are a V4 just like the Ventures, they pump out serious HP in a little package. And unlike many smaller cc bikes, are still very smooth at highway speeds. With the right windshield, leather bags, and passenger backrest would work for light touring. I added a J&M handlebar CB to mine so I can talk with my son when he rides with me.

Chuck (slowrollwv) has agreed to host the WV event. He has outlined dates and also a location that works for motelers or campers. As for planned rides... he knows this area well as he grew up there. So he knows the good roads and attractions. Furthermore, I have agreed to assist him as he needs it. I have hosted at least 4 events in this same location and also know the area well. What exact firm plans are you looking for? Whats for breakfast?? As for September being a late time for an event, that of course is your opinion and you surely have your reasons for it. For me, fall is my absolute favorite time to ride and camp. No insanely hot weather. Usually a bit drier. Less kiddies at the campground and attractions. and... NO BUGS.

September camping is perfect IMHO. Cool nights, pleasant days... and most important... NO BUGS! LOL But a little electric heater for nights is certainly a must.

Rode it several times. Along with The Rattler, The Diamondback, Back of the Dragon, Tail of the Dragon. Moonshiner 28, Cherahola Skyway. All day rides from my house. See why I retired here??? The Shady Valley Snake, Rt421, is a good ride, but by no means my favorite. As far as hosting an event near there... not sure about that. Bristol, Johnson City are just way too urban for my tastes and the areas east of Shady Valley Snake are too much in the boonies. Boone, NC one possible maybe. In thinking of a good central location, somewhere around Newport, TN might be a good central location for adventures. From there, the following would be less than 300 mile day rides: Blue Ridge Parkway Great Smoky Mountains. Maggie Valley (Wheels through time museum) Shady Valley Snake, Rt421 The Diamondback US 226A The Rattler US209 Tail of the Dragon Cherokee, NC of course all can be had from my place... but I only have one guest room. LOL

A few photos from some past rides in the WV area...

http://www.macesoftware.com/votewv3.jpg

http://www.macesoftware.com/wv_warning.jpg

Climate data shows last week in September average high, 70, average low 45. Record high 90, record low 26. So expect cool mornings, but very pleasant days. Average daily precip is 0.11 so one of the dryer months.

http://www.macesoftware.com/votewv2.jpg

You can count on it. I really like east TN but I LOVE and miss this area.

Here is a WV video. This is a section of US 50, one of the major roads through the area Chuck is proposing. Note the good pavement condition, light traffic for a major route and of course... the curves. Did you see the curves? This is very representative of all the roads in this area. [video=youtube;az75-SKFD7E]

In WV... it is all about riding! Whether you want scenic rides or wish to feed your adrenaline addiction... there is a road for that. Here are some links to look over. You will see very very few stop lights (if any). Rush hour may consist of a dozen cars. Yes, you may hear a banjo or two, but stay away from the gravel roads and you'll be fine.. LOL 55 WV Motorcycle Roads: (great many near Davis) http://www.bestbikingroads.com/motorcycle-roads/motorbike-rides-in-united-states-/West%20Virginia_-6432.html WV Motorcycle Roads: http://www.motorcycleroads.com/Routes/West-Virginia_124.html Pocahontas County Rides: http://www.pocahontascountywv.com/Files/FInalMotorcycle2010.pdf WV Motorcycle routes: http://www.openroadjourney.com/rides-and-roads/west-virginia Hope to see ya there!

If WV is selected I can help if needed. I have hosted I think it was 4 or 5 motorcycle events from Canaan Resort. They really do have everything at one resort. Lodge rooms, cabins, camping, bar, restaurant and snack bar. Plus large meeting rooms available for a banquet or nightly gathering. A lot of fun well maintained roads with relatively light traffic. The whole area is a long way from any urban area which to some may be a bad thing, but for us... is a bonus. No matter which direction you come in from... you'll have an awesome ride just getting here! Chuck knows this area extremely well and I will keep his dates open so I can offer help as needed. I'll be a camper.

Mine is being in the left lane... travelling the same speed as the 30 cars ahead of me... and some special person feels they are more important than anyone else and tries to pass me on the right. Notice I said... tries. They never succeed. And related.. another pet peeve is the person in front who caused that 30 car backup by not getting in the right lane when they should. My opinion is... if you are not in process of passing a car and there are no cars in left lane in front of you... move over!

Hey Chuck... if WV is picked... count on me for some help planning, leading rides or whatever. Like you, I know that area quite well. You are right about Canaan being perfect. Not only is a lodge/camping/cabins all on one property, they have an on site restaurant, snack bar, and adult lounge. Plus they have many banquet/meeting rooms available. They commonly host events for HOG and WOW so are definitely motorcycle friendly. Late September would be a good choice. Peak foliage doesn't happen until mid October, but that could be a late for folks coming from the snow belt. Plus peak season brings increased traffic. Of course a traffic jam in that area consists of 6 cars... LOL

Late September/early October has always been my favorite time to ride. In fact Fall is when I hosted a WV event for almost 8 years straight. It never seemed to hurt attendance. In fact one year we had to break into three riding groups because we had nearly 60 bikes. Fall is an awesome time to ride! Especially in the mid-atlantic states.

Less volume, higher pressure. Results in a slightly longer lever travel and a much better feel for how much pressure you are applying. Was skeptical when I read this... but it is a noticeably better feel on lever. Apply a little pressure... feel a little braking. With the stock set-up.. you apply a little pressure... feel nothing. Apply a little more... maybe maybe not feel something. Then seems all of sudden you feel braking force. With the R1 and 14mm set-up... you gain not only improved braking, but a much better 'feel' Best I can 'splain it. I know others here have done it and may have more technical explanations.

Here is my suggestion for seriously improve braking. I did not discover this mod... just documented my swap. http://www.macesoftware.com/VNet/R1_Swap.pdf

I have always been a fan of smaller regional type events spread out through the calendar year and geographical areas. I have made some good friends at these smaller events because people have enough time to get to know each other. When there are too many attendees... it is just too hard to really get to meet and get to know someone new. A good example was years ago I went to Star Days which is STAR Tourings big all in one basket event. I came away feelings it was a waste a good riding weather. OTOH, the Asheville get together I went to last year, I met several folks that I enjoyed riding and hanging with and hope to do so again. Whether big or small... I applaud all who take on the work to host an event on behalf of their club.

Thanks. Scoot has been replaced. Still too sore to ride it... but should be back on the road soon!

Or... how we do it in the south... deep fried bacon pie!

Yamaha made a great touring bike. But IMHO they made two fatal mistakes. First they failed to advertise it. When I decided to move from a small cruiser to a touring bike, I got on eBay in search of used Honda Goldwing. Why, because that and the Ultra was all I ever really heard of. A smart seller, cross listed his '92 Venture Royale in the Goldwing category causing me to stumbled upon it. I did a little reading on it and bought it. That ultimately led me to my RSV. The other mistake they made was taking a 6 year break from offer a full touring bike. The whole time, Honda continued to refine the Goldwing. When they did re-enter the ring in 1999, they did so by changing their market from competing with the Goldwing to competing with the HD Ultra. Good thing because Goldwing introduced the GL1800 a year later. And here we go again. Looks like Yamaha learned nothing. They still do not advertise their rides much and have no true tourers in the line up and no indication when we will see one. Both Goldwing and the Ultra have since made huge leaps in technology and features. I think there is still a market for them. There are plenty of people who either can not fit on a wing or simply do not like they styling yet insist on a liquid cooled touring bike. If Yamaha comes out with something to fill that gap... they might have a winner. If they try to either be a wing or Ultra clone... my guess is it will flop. I often wonder what the Venture Royale could have developed into had they not abandoned it in 1993.

Honestly, if you are going to add all the stuff... better to just get a Goldwing IMHO. Watch http://www.schroaders.com for deals. They are a high volume GW dealer and always have a lot of low mile used and left over Wings.