my first rally

[nytrashman]

i have never owned a BMW before buying this one and i have never been to a rally. with that being said i have outfitted my little F650GS with everything needed to travel from my home in NY to the rally in Wyoming. i would like to ride all back roads/secondary roads but my work schedule will not allow me that much time off, so i will ride the interstates. i know this is not the best bike for that type of travel but it's all i have so i will have to make due. i will stay in motels on my way there but i will bring my camping gear and camp on site. since i have never been to a rally before how safe will my riding gear be if left in my tent unattended all day? is this something i should be worried about or is it a non issue? i am really looking forward to attending and if there is any advise you can give me to insure i have a good first rally experience by all means please tell me.

[Ron_Ces]

i have never owned a BMW before buying this one and i have never been to a rally. with that being said i have outfitted my little F650GS with everything needed to travel from my home in NY to the rally in Wyoming. i would like to ride all back roads/secondary roads but my work schedule will not allow me that much time off, so i will ride the interstates. i know this is not the best bike for that type of travel but it's all i have so i will have to make due. i will stay in motels on my way there but i will bring my camping gear and camp on site. since i have never been to a rally before how safe will my riding gear be if left in my tent unattended all day? is this something i should be worried about or is it a non issue? i am really looking forward to attending and if there is any advise you can give me to insure i have a good first rally experience by all means please tell me.

You will not have to worry about your gear if it is zipped up in your tent. The camping area is secure. I will be travelling from NJ and I may have to take superslab for most of the trip as well, i can not be away from my job for more than 10 days.
Ron

[nytrashman]

Ron,
i had planned on leaving July 14th and doing three 600 mile days to get there via the slab. if your interested in a riding partner let me know as i am pretty flexible on my departure date/miles per day.

George

[Paul_F]

If you are not planning on camping on your way to or from the rally, you might consider renting all of your camping gear at the rally. Check out Ted Mayberry http://www.sherpamayberry.com or Theo Umlauf http://www.sherpapacker.com. From what I gather, folks who only camp at the rally are really pleased with the service. I think that besides a tent, they also include an air mattress, pillow and coffee. It would certainly make your ride easier without the extra gear.

[Sue]

In the Wisconsin Club we have a saying that was coined many years ago by one of our charter members:

At a BMW Rally you can leave your key in the bike, your leathers on the handle bars, and your camera on the seat. But your beer is never safe.

:D

Really - it's very rare to hear of something being "lifted" at a rally. Does it happen? Sadly, yes. But rarely.

See you in Gillette!

[Rapid_Roy]

i have never owned a BMW before buying this one and i have never been to a rally. with that being said i have outfitted my little F650GS with everything needed to travel from my home in NY to the rally in Wyoming. i would like to ride all back roads/secondary roads but my work schedule will not allow me that much time off, so i will ride the interstates. i know this is not the best bike for that type of travel but it's all i have so i will have to make due. i will stay in motels on my way there but i will bring my camping gear and camp on site. since i have never been to a rally before how safe will my riding gear be if left in my tent unattended all day? is this something i should be worried about or is it a non issue? i am really looking forward to attending and if there is any advise you can give me to insure i have a good first rally experience by all means please tell me.

I am reminded of Durango, when a guy pulled up and asked if his stuff would be safe.
I told him sure, because everybody had nicer stuff than that.:laugh
You should seen the look on his face. (I was kidding, he had nicer stuff than mine)
He parked his bike by us and we kept an eye on it for him.
You will be fine, but I wouldn't leave really valuable stuff out in plain sight. A tank bag pouch or a pocket of something in your tent is good enough. Most people are aware of who is camping by them, and the neighborhood watch is really strong at Nationals.

[Ron_Ces]

Ron,
i had planned on leaving July 14th and doing three 600 mile days to get there via the slab. if your interested in a riding partner let me know as i am pretty flexible on my departure date/miles per day.

George

NYTM, I will stay in touch. I am still setting up my dates and my route.
Ron

[nytrashman]

thanks Ron, even if we don't ride out together i would be interested in seeing your route.

and thanks to everyone else who responded so quickly.

Rapid Roy, your right why would anyone steal my crappy stuff when there will be much better stuff to take......lol. it's good to know that who ever is camping next to me will keep an eye on my old junk, just as i will keep an eye on there stuff, including but not limited to their beer.

what kind of weather should i expect in Wyoming in July? i am thinking hot during the day and cool at night. not sure if i should wear my mesh riding gear with the removable liners or my non mesh gear but leave the liners home.

[Sue]

what kind of weather should i expect in Wyoming in July? i am thinking hot during the day and cool at night. not sure if i should wear my mesh riding gear with the removable liners or my non mesh gear but leave the liners home.

If you leave the liners at home, it practically is guaranteed that you will wish you had them.

Don't ask me how I know. :wave

[nytrashman]

If you leave the liners at home, it practically is guaranteed that you will wish you had them.

Don't ask me how I know. :wave


i have to agree 100% with that statement. it's like leaving your rain gear home because the forecast is for sunny 75 degree weather for the next week. 3hrs into your ride and the heavens open up for 10 solid days.

i am a bit limited on room so i need to carefully plan what i can and can not take. i am sure i will bring some useless items as well as leave some essentials at home. what about bugs in Wyoming? i am planing on bringing insect repelient but not sure if it will be needed.

[OldAndBusted]

i would like to ride all back roads/secondary roads but my work schedule will not allow me that much time off, so i will ride the interstates.
that's a shame. i rode from vermont to wisconsin for the last rally, and on the way over i stayed off the interstates entirely. on the way back, i took some interstates. on the way over, i easily found beautiful little local restaurants, saw great scenery, lots more twisty roads, easily stopped for breaks whenever i wanted, didn't get nearly as tired or bored, because the speeds and directions were always changing. the way over felt like an adventure, the way back felt like a commute. any long trips i take again, i'm gonna make it a point to stay on the secondary roads.

[nytrashman]

OldAndBusted: i have only been approved for the weeks of July 14th and the following week, July 21st for vacation. i guess i could leave Friday the 11th and take all secondary roads to Gillette. i will have to see if i can figure out a route that will take me only on secondary roads and see how many miles it is and how long it will take. if anyone wants to assist in helping me plan a route i would appreciate it very much.

[RJM2096]

Make sure you put some time on your cycle before you go on that long trip. If your seat is uncomfortable or the arm position is bad, you might get a back ache, sore legs, etc.

You might wear a back support Waist belt. Weight lifters use them. You can find them at sporting stores, walmart, etc. Good driving gloves can help. Definitly use a full face helmet to cut down the noise. Ear plugs can help. Do you have a Wind screen?

[nytrashman]

i have put 15,000 miles on my bike since getting it last Dec. i have it setup as follows: an after market windscreen, a sheepskin butt pad, Jesse boxes, a Givi top box, and a RKA tank bag. i always ride with a full face helmet (arai or shoei) as well as ear plugs and either my Olympia airglide jacket or my Olympia voyager jacket. i have Olympia airglide pants as well as Olympia ranger 2 pants. for boots i have a pair of Daytona boots and always wear a kidney belt. i have several pairs of gloves from Helimot and Held. this may be my first BMW as well as my first rally but it is far my first bike as i have been riding since i was in my teens. i plan on switching my tires back to Metzler Tourance from my current TKC's. i also plan on replacing both sprockets as well as the chain and flush the brake fluid as well as replacing the pads. of course I will do an oil change prior to leaving as well. i have a great tool roll with all the tools i think i would need as well as spare tubes, tire irons and the knowledge and experience to change a tube on the side of the road. i believe i am more then ready for a ride of only 1800 miles each way, although i may take a longer route on my return trip.

[SherpaMayberry]

Check out Ted Mayberry http://www.sherpamayberry.com or Theo Umlauf http://www.sherpapacker.com. From what I gather, folks who only camp at the rally are really pleased with the service. I think that besides a tent, they also include an air mattress, pillow and coffee. It would certainly make your ride easier without the extra gear.

Actually, last I knew, Theo doesn't provide a pillow. Other than that, we're pretty close.

Don't forget, we also provide sleeping bags. I believe Theo provides liners, I wash the bag between each event (no liners).

I provide the coffee, Theo does sometimes, though I think he's off looking for a high capacity pot now. I bought a 12 gallon (plus 6 gal hot water) propane unit, with the two 101 cup electric units, I hope to keep up with demand. :)

We also include towels (I do not provide wash cloths, I believe Theo does).

Also, we do more than provide the equipment, we also set it all up and tear it all down. All you have to do is find your tent and enjoy the rally.

-Ted (not Theo :) )

P.S., Theo is only joining the MOA for 2008. Between the two of us, we will provide up to 400 tents, a big plus considering some of the local hotel costs.

[RJM2096]

i have put 15,000 miles on my bike since getting it last Dec. i have it setup as follows: an after market windscreen, a sheepskin butt pad, Jesse boxes, a Givi top box, and a RKA tank bag. i always ride with a full face helmet (arai or shoei) as well as ear plugs and either my Olympia airglide jacket or my Olympia voyager jacket. i have Olympia airglide pants as well as Olympia ranger 2 pants. for boots i have a pair of Daytona boots and always wear a kidney belt. i have several pairs of gloves from Helimot and Held. this may be my first BMW as well as my first rally but it is far my first bike as i have been riding since i was in my teens. i plan on switching my tires back to Metzler Tourance from my current TKC's. i also plan on replacing both sprockets as well as the chain and flush the brake fluid as well as replacing the pads. of course I will do an oil change prior to leaving as well. i have a great tool roll with all the tools i think i would need as well as spare tubes, tire irons and the knowledge and experience to change a tube on the side of the road. i believe i am more then ready for a ride of only 1800 miles each way, although i may take a longer route on my return trip.

Sounds like you are prepared. Look forward to meeting you at the rally. My son-in-law and I are leaving from Central IL.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I think you are more than ready, it will be an excellent adventure.

If you plan on moteling it there, my experience has been to get an early start, put in your miles and get off the road early to grab a room. Traveling East to West, the time zone is in your favor for early starts anyways. Coming home sucks for the same reason (come to think of it, it sucks for other reasons).

And I will pass along the best advice that I ever read on this forum...as you head out into the middle of no where...don't ever pass up the chance to gas up. Yes, even if it's 2 gallons. You will never regret having enough fuel. :)

[nytrashman]

Sounds like you are prepared. Look forward to meeting you at the rally. My son-in-law and I are leaving from Central IL.

looking forward to meeting you as well, just look for the dirty F650GS, NY plates and which may or may not have knobbies on it.

[SNC1923]

If you plan on moteling it there, my experience has been to get an early start, put in your miles and get off the road early to grab a room.

This is extremely good advice. I like to be on the road between 5 and 6 (earlier if need be) and finish up at 2 or 3. Unpack, dip in the pool, big dinner, a few beers, walk back to the hotel and asleep by 9. YRMV, but this is a good plan.

Have fun on your bike and your trip. You'll have a blast at the rally.

The only thing I ever had stolen at a rally was my soul when Kbasa took my picture!

[John Brase]

Given your time constraints, I understand your need to ride the slab most of the way. And besides, once you hit the Ohio border there is nothing to see till you get to the Black Hills/Badlands area of South Dakota anyway so you might as well be on the slab.

My plan-in-progress is to burn Interstate to the Badlands and then do the secondary roads through there and the Black Hills and on to Gillette.

If you are motelling it and only camping at the rally, you could ship your camping gear there ahead of time and ship it back home Sunday morning. The last few years the club has had a UPS facility on site and I would think they would do it again this year.

John

[nytrashman]

being on the road early works out fine for me. i am so used to being up early (4am) for work that i had planned on being out the door and on the road between 6-6:30 each day. i have learned that if i put in 75-100 miles before breakfest i can then ride latter into the afternoon before i need to stop for lunch, hence i stop latter for supper which means i can do some long days without much of a problem. getting gas when it is available instead of waiting and hoping to find another station has always been my rule.

all this talk of this trip has me wanting to set up my camping gear in the living room, or at the very least going out to the garage and pack the bike just for fun.

[Friedle]

NYTM, if you are going to be camping at the rally, but motelling it along the way out and back another alternative is to ship your camping gear to the Rally site via UPS. There will be a UPS store on site as a vendor that will enable you to ship your camping gear back home....along with all those goodies you bought from all the vendors at the rally.

Friedle

[nytrashman]

shipping all the stuff i buy back home via UPS is a great idea. in fact i think i will ship my towels/face cloths out/back so they don't take up what little precious room i have. i will keep my camping gear on the bike with me in case i find a place on the way out/back to camp.

[manicmechanic]

I've seen at rallies where your neighbors would zip up your tent if the weather turned nasty.

[Voni]

Once, when I was out riding during the day, a huge storm blew my tent down, and made the inside a sodden mess. But the time I got back my friends had set the tent back up, dried the sleeping bag and wet clothes, and had everything else laying out in the sun to dry.

Nothing beats rally buddies, especially if they are Broccoli Riders!

Voni
sMiling

[manicmechanic]

And, I might add, if you're not careful, you just might get "Voni'd," as she shows
the "secret handshake."

[SheRidesABeemer]

I shipped my tent and gear up to the Burlington rally (all 200 miles away). Lisa and I rolled in on a Friday night and the darn thing was all set up - and we just needed to find it. Your mileage may vary. :)

[Mongo]

I shipped my tent and gear up to the Burlington rally (all 200 miles away). Lisa and I rolled in on a Friday night and the darn thing was all set up - and we just needed to find it. Your mileage may vary. :)

And someone else came, packed your gear up and carried it back on their bike in the pouring rain. :whistle

[Rob Nye]

Hey now,

I used to own a "little F650GS Dakar" and it was BIG fun. A buddy rode his from Massachusetts to Prudhoe Bay and did the AK portion two up with his wife and camping gear!

Sure a K12LT might be a little better on slab but don't sell your 650 short. Enjoy the 65mpg.

Don't worry about your gear. As others have said you can ship you camping gear.

For the ride out I would suggest you consider staying at KOA campgrounds along the way. Many have small cabins that you can reserve for the same or less than a super 8. For the money If feel safer at the KOA and don't have to worry about being disturbed by the crack dealing in the parking lot.

[rmarkr]

Hi Trashman
The 650 will work just fine. I've just returned from a 15K km trip to Cenral America.
A few notes:
Reduce the rear sprocket tooth count if your route is all paved, to bring the revs down. I think it is Touratech that has a 45t sprocket (stock 49t)
The bike will carry the load, no problem. Keep the heavy stuff down low.
I found the stock seat uncomfortable (it slopes down to the front, and soon it feels like you're sitting on the (faux) tank) and used a Corbin canyon seat - its hard but correctly shaped, and gets you butt further back on the bike.
The accessory outlet is in a bad spot. I located mine just behind the triple clamp, ahead of the battery, in the central plastic cover. I also added a lighter socket.
Dump the stupid steel rear number plate holder - before it gets devoured by the back tire.
The Tourance are good tires and wear well. Make sure your wheels are balanced.
Enjoy the ride!

[nytrashman]

i know the little 650 is more then capable as a buddy of mine has ridden his Dakar to Alsaska from our home town in NY several times. i am giving serious thought to putting a 45 tooth rear sprocket on prior to my trip. maybe i will swap out the rear sprocket when my bike come back from BMW (knocking in the engine) so i will have plenty of time to see if i like the change. several people recommended i switch the CC sprocket to a 15 tooth (stock is 16) saying i would like the added torque. it was nice but i really didn't care for it on the highway. i realized what works great for one person is not necessarily good for someone else.

the KOA campsite option is a very good one, and i had planned on looking into it. i am sure it is much more secure then some super 8 motel right off the slab.

i started looking at route planning and i think i will have time to ride approx. 50% slab 50% secondary roads on my way out. on the way back i had planed to head S/SE and come up through the southern states so as not to ride the same roads i took on my way out. luckily i have plenty of time to plan a route that will offer the best in terms of time as well as quality of roads.

[kneedrachen]

NYTM-

I just bought a 2005 Dakar on Monday, and live in Monmouth County about 15 minutes from the Outerbridge Crossing. I am *thinking* about going to the rally, but am burning a LOT of leave on a trip to Mexico (flying, not riding, the wife won't ride out of country....yet) so I may not have the leave to go to the rally for the whole time. If I'm able to go, I'd like to ride out with someone. I'd like to get in touch off of the board to talk logistics, and see if we can pull something together. It sounds like you have a lot of stuff planned out well, this will be my first rally as well, I'm doing some reading on motorcycle travel (Gregory Frazier's book, for one) and think 2 heads may be better than one. Have you looked into the sherpa grounds at all or are you going to go your own way for camping at the rally?

For the experienced rebel-rally-rousers-

Is it usually packed wall-to-wall people or is it spread out nicely?

[Rapid_Roy]

NYTM-

I just bought a 2005 Dakar on Monday, and live in Monmouth County about 15 minutes from the Outerbridge Crossing. I am *thinking* about going to the rally, but am burning a LOT of leave on a trip to Mexico (flying, not riding, the wife won't ride out of country....yet) so I may not have the leave to go to the rally for the whole time. If I'm able to go, I'd like to ride out with someone. I'd like to get in touch off of the board to talk logistics, and see if we can pull something together. It sounds like you have a lot of stuff planned out well, this will be my first rally as well, I'm doing some reading on motorcycle travel (Gregory Frazier's book, for one) and think 2 heads may be better than one. Have you looked into the sherpa grounds at all or are you going to go your own way for camping at the rally?

For the experienced rebel-rally-rousers-

Is it usually packed wall-to-wall people or is it spread out nicely?
It sounds like there will be plenty of room at Gillette, almost always spread out for miost of the Nationals I have been to (16).

[kneedrachen]

That's a relief, coming from New Joisey, I'd like to go to a place where there's some room to breathe!

I'm going to check out these sherpa businesses, I'm JUST starting out to travel via motorcycle (have always done strictly day trips) so being a newlywed and new home owner, my budget is a bit tight. If I can save on having to buy a lot of luggage AND equipment, this might be the way to go.

Anyone have experience with them?:ear

[kbasa]

This is extremely good advice. I like to be on the road between 5 and 6 (earlier if need be) and finish up at 2 or 3. Unpack, dip in the pool, big dinner, a few beers, walk back to the hotel and asleep by 9. YRMV, but this is a good plan.

Have fun on your bike and your trip. You'll have a blast at the rally.

The only thing I ever had stolen at a rally was my soul when Kbasa took my picture!

Indeed. I try to pack all my junk the night before so I can wake up and be on the road in 15 minutes. I don't shower until I get to my room at the end of the day.

[BubbaZanetti]

I shipped my tent and gear up to the Burlington rally (all 200 miles away). Lisa and I rolled in on a Friday night and the darn thing was all set up - and we just needed to find it. Your mileage may vary. :)

IIRC, you can thank me and joe for that.:laugh

[PAULBACH]

At approximately 5:00 p.m.

Rally Countdown is also exactly 154 days.

Rally Countdown is also approximately 3,696 hours.

Rally Countdown is also approximately 221,760 minutes.

Rally Countdown is also approximately 13,305,600 seconds.

But who is counting? :laugh

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Anxious Paul?? :rofl

On the security matter I can say that thus far on every rally I have attended, I have never seen or heard of things disappearing. Misplaced stuff yes, but always found by the owner(s). Common sense helps here too, as you should keep valuables locked (topcase) up or just out of sight.
Have fun at the Rally!!

[SherpaMayberry]

That's a relief, coming from New Joisey, I'd like to go to a place where there's some room to breathe!

I'm going to check out these sherpa businesses, I'm JUST starting out to travel via motorcycle (have always done strictly day trips) so being a newlywed and new home owner, my budget is a bit tight. If I can save on having to buy a lot of luggage AND equipment, this might be the way to go.

Anyone have experience with them?:ear

Careful, Sherpa tents are considered placed close together, though you'll have room out in front for parking your bike, etc. (at least with my service). I do provide earplugs though :)

I have typical pictures of setups on my website (url can be found in my profile or on the 2008 rally page). There's also a pic in the thread link posted just below.

If you are looking for a big clear area to yourself, Sherpa may not be your solution. Camping on your own with an area just to your own, you'll very likely have to hike a ways to the main parts of the rally, as real estate is a bit 'more valuable' closer in. This may even mean a hike to a local porta john, depends how well they spread those out.

For comments on Sherpa, you might check out this link:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19037&highlight=sherp%2A

There's plenty of mention of the service on this forum, you might consider searching "Sherpa" and look around for threads posted around about last year's event.

[kneedrachen]

I apologize for not clarifying. With my reference to "room to breathe", everything where I live is jam packed with people i.e. lines, crowds etc. I realize that accomodations will be crowded there, my question/reference was to the atmosphere, i.e. was it like being at a concert where people are all in one place or are activities spread out among the grounds-vendors, food, etc.

I checked out the references, I think this may work for me, now to calculate my leave status. . .

[SherpaMayberry]

I apologize for not clarifying. With my reference to "room to breathe", everything where I live is jam packed with people i.e. lines, crowds etc.

As far as rallies go, I think the MOA isn't overly congested, which is saying lots as it's by far the biggest rally I support.

I think generally, lines aren't bad, except demos (I believe you have to get up pretty early and wait in line to sign up), and i also believe the MOA coffee line can get long. Other than that, they are expecting 6k or more folks, so you certainly won't be isolated.

You'll get some crowding at the final ceremony, band stage, etc.

I've rectified the coffee issues for Sherpa customers, I provide coffee myself. Usually, there's no line there. I encourage Sherpa customers to shoot on site any non-Sherpa coffee poachers (usually no shortage of those!).

[bobs98]

Ted does a real nice job, loved his service in VT. Even though the tents are very close together, I recommend his service from a convenience perspective of not having to lugg all your camping stuff along. Unless you're camping on the way, of course. Most of the camping area becomes "close quarters" anyway. There's a shot from 2006 here. http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17793