Author Topic: Very Boring Rally  (Read 2038 times)

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Graylic

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on: August 22, 2013, 06:14:03 pm
I will be riding my G5 2-up with camping gear from MSP to Duluth tomorrow for the Very Boring Rally put on by Aerostitch for there 30th anniversary.  Will I see any other Royal Enfields there?
1990 Suzuki DR250
2013 Royal Enfield G5


Graylic

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Reply #1 on: August 26, 2013, 05:26:08 am
So, a post rally write up.
we hit the road at about 12:30 Friday afternoon for the ride from Minnetonka to Duluth.  On the way up we took 169 out of town and then followed MN47 to MN23 and then up to spirit mountain. The weather was very nice, perhaps slightly warm. had to stop about 60 miles in to stretch and snap a picture as the bike turned over 1500 miles. 
135 miles into the trip i stopped to get gas suspecting that I might get low before the next station due to the excessive load of two people a tent and luggage, but was astonished when the bike only took a bit over 1.7 gallons.  Almost 80 MPG! 8).  I suspect there was bit of a tailwind. 
upon arriving at the rally site we rode out to find a nice secluded campsite on the ski slopes.  The bike and the shinko 705 dual sport tires handled admirably running around off road on the rally grounds.  We decided for a room with a view.
The rally itself is basically a big relaxed get together in a beautiful location.  There was plenty of entertainment available, such as a national observer trials competition on site, a number of interesting speakers, and some excellent music, but none of it was essential to experiencing the rally.  As for the attendees, I was the only one there with a Royal Enfield, and the bike never failed to draw a crowd.
I would say BMW was the most popular bike there followed by a fairly large number of the usual suspects of the sport touring/adv rider crowd.  Lots of KLRs, v-stroms, goldwings, and FJRs, along with just about every other bike out there.  Even a couple of Vincent HRDs. everyone was calm and friendly, none of the rowdy obnoxious nonsense that seems to be common at some motorcycle events.  Well, back to the pictures.
Saturday morning from the campsite
Sunday morning
On Sunday morning we broke camp and loaded everything back up on the bike
On the return trip we went down WI35 to WI70 and then back into Minnesota stopping at the Burnett dairy for cheese and ice cream along the way.  From there we meandered down secondary roads back to MN47 and then home.  On the return trip we were fighting a stiff headwind and for the first section I was pushing rather hard resulting in a worst ever 56 MPG.  After that I eased up a bit and managed a more respectable 66 MPG at the final fill up. In all the trip was almost exactly 400 miles long with an average fuel consumption of 66.5 MPG.  I found the bike very enjoyable to ride, though the wind off the screen was a bit loud around my helmet and there was a bit of a speed wobble upwards of 70MPH on the interstate. Not much of an issue as the vibrations are a bit much in the hands and feet up there anyway.  The only thing that could be said to have gone wrong on the trip was a slight loosening of the nuts that hold the exhaust header in place, just enough to let it make a racket at high rpm's.  All in all, it was a great trip, and I am looking forward to many more and longer rides on this bike. 
1990 Suzuki DR250
2013 Royal Enfield G5


High On Octane

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Reply #2 on: August 26, 2013, 01:58:28 pm
WI-35 is a beautiful and fun road.  I used to live in Pepin for few years.  I'd run my '75 Formula Firebird up and down all of those roads at crazy speeds (young and dumb  ;) ), one of the reasons I'm such a good driver today.  Anyways.  Do they still plow Lake Pepin in the winter time to allow access between WI and MN?  I remember taking the 4 wheelers and dirt bikes out there in the middle of winter.  Lots of good memories.  :)

Sounds like a fun trip, thanks for sharing!

Scottie
2001 Harley Davidson Road King


mattsz

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Reply #3 on: August 26, 2013, 02:33:30 pm
Nice to see you young whippersnappers carrying on the tradition!  Thanks for posting!  I'd like to find out about reasonable (Laconia, anyone?  :o )events like this closer to me...


REpozer

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Reply #4 on: August 26, 2013, 04:49:46 pm
Nice write up. Looks like you had fun.
Thanks for sharing.
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Ice

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Reply #5 on: August 27, 2013, 01:52:21 am
Awesome write up, awesome pics, awesome luggage rack.

Beers to you Sir !
No matter where you go, there, you are.


Dave1

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Reply #6 on: August 31, 2013, 07:38:23 am
Nice ride report, enjoyed reading it. Great photos. Nice to see another young man on an RE like myself. Most people are of an certain age on RE. Not that I let that bother me.


GreenMachine

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Reply #7 on: August 31, 2013, 04:02:10 pm
I enjoyed it all..What a great day, you and your girl camping out and riding the enfield...A day to remember...GM
Oh Magoo you done it again