Modern Vespa

Good question.
For me, the route as planned would be quite daunting, not because of the ride itself, but getting there and back home. Total travel distance would be around 7,000 miles.... Keeps me below 50% change of going, though I am battling within my own head about it. Could be fun....

Now, if an MP3 500 is allowed, I think I would be more like 60-70% likely to go for it.

Actually, we're already booked for Amerivespa, so I'm almost certainly going to miss this one. Can't take a full month off of work....

They are two very different events. I prefer the Cannonball, but will try to do both this summer.
Should you be able to get on board with a support ride, it may be workable for you. Meet up with your scooter at the start, drop it off at the finish, only two weeks off work.

2 weeks of riding and how long to recover?

2 weeks


You in Jeff?


I'm STOKED!!!!!! Vintage baby!

I don't know about the rest of the route, but the beginning and end sure are in pretty cool places!!

plan on the same from 2014 at this time.

the middle looks good too.

Well...they will ride with you if you keep up! In reality people running the CBR are usually solo or in small packs. They may take your photo if you are in front of a check point!

See someone broke down...pull over "You OK? Yeah....Got support?....yeah.....Seee ya!"

2009 HD200 SYM
This kind of scooter HAS WON its class in the CANNONBALL - 2008 i believe.

2300 miles always garaged. Take it off my hands and win your class.
Only selling because i like my GTS 300 much more.

JokerJim134@gmail.com

Will post in the FOR SALE section also.

Yes, if someone comes up and rides without affecting me, they are welcome to lead or follow. But if the joint ride starts to slow me down, I am out of there.

I rode by myself in 2014, encountering fellow riders occasionally. I would usually pull away on the long, empty sections only to have them pass me in towns where I somewhat obeyed the laws. That was not fun for me.
But one day was terrific, when Matt (4n6iscool) caught me at a one lane road stoppage in Montana. We rode the remaining hundred and fifty miles together and had a great day.

Bill, you rode over a hundred miles with me one day too. Are you saying that wasn't your funniest day???

Deep, dark depression.
And it was more like 75 miles on day 9, 300 miles on day 10.

Yeah, don't slow Bill down as he really doesn't like that.

No no , not at all.

Bill xxx

You people must eat and ride? Do you have kitchens in the glove box?

The route looks terrific.
The only change I would make is simply selfish.
If it went into North Dakota, I could put that state on my scooted-in map.
Leaving only the big southwest for the return ride home.
And the Northeast that can be ridden in a couple of days later in the year.

It's up!

http://www.scootercannonball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2718

Decent breakfast, power bars/nuts/whatever while riding or filling up followed by real food after the last checkpoint.

Coffee and a light breakfast. Ride 350 miles stopping twice for fuel and whatever. Waffle House.

Get up at 4am

Mc Muffins for breakfast or IHOP.

On the road at 5am

Bang in 300 - 350 miles.

Hotel by 1pm.

Talk bollocks while the others roll in.

Bill xxx


NB The HD200 that won was modified somewhat and ridden by a guy who really knows what he's doing.

You see there are riders and "riders" and this guy is a breed apart.

Weighs practically nothing and has great natural ability to search out routes you never thought of.

He's better than me.

Charles follows in the Bentley and sets out a spread of wine and kippers at tea time.

Ride
Wrench
Eat
Sleep
Repeat

Small adjustment to reflect reality...

Ride
Drink beer
Wrench
Drink beer
Eat
Drink beer if still awake
Sleep
Repeat

Day one is up on the Cannonball Alumni site. Fernandina Beach, (Amelia Island) Florida to Anderson, SC.

It is a route I have ridden several times and will make a great first day to get acclimated to the daily routine.

http://www.scootercannonball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2723

Day Two is up. Anderson, SC to Lebanon, Tenn. including the Tail of the Dragon. It looks like 8 hours of mountain roads. It should be epic.

http://www.scootercannonball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2724

Getting anxious.

I hear there is going to be support for an Ultimate Coast to Coast as well.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdocument.cfm?DocID=22

Start the Cannonball two days early down at the bottom of Florida, finish up in Dead Horse Alasaka a few days after the Cannonball ends. It would be a nice add to all those Iron Butt 1000 stickers you have.

Bill Dog would ride one day from Key West to Amelia Island, then the Cannonball would slow him down at 300 to 390 miles per day. But he would make it up with three Saddlesore 1000's to Dead Horse. Do the entire thing in 15 days.

As soon as we can get this thing off the bench, I get to start work on the Vespa motor again.

I agree Bill, it's worth considering.

Bill 2

I won't compete in next years Cannonball mainly because the lateness in announcing the route and therefore having enough time to get a ride plus the funds together.

I also have 2 more Ironbutts in Europe planned for next year around that time.

Bill xxx

I don't think I'll be able to get away from the 4th of July here to do this

I'd sure love to add some of those northwest states on my map, but it doesn't look like it'll happen for me this time. Too bad.

If you are considering the CBR there is one thing to consider. To quote Jess "Your scooter is disposable"

Mine broke, but with minimal parts and skill, it would have completed the run. And possibly won. I could easily repair the belt and variator problems I had in an hour on the side of the road today.

Other than that, Rocket came home in great shape after competing at the top for 8-3/4 days. These scooters are tough.

I'm thinking that this was scare tactics by Jess to prevent lots of unprepared idiots turning up without fully understanding what the rally entails.

Myself and Scutrbrau's plan was to be as gentle with the scooters as possible while still cracking on with the job.

Minimal fuels stops and getting up early to avoid any traffic helped us I believe.

My scooter was meticulously prepared by Vespa Sherman Oaks which also gained me another advantage I also believe.

The only true concern was a Pirelli GT24 tyre that I made last 3,300 miles.

By San Diego it was bald and blistered. My fault entirely for trying to make it last.

Bill xxx

I don't think the intent was to prevent people from entering...but to prepare them. If it is your only ride be aware that it is going to be tested!

Oh, I think it was.

Bill xxx

I somewhat disagree here. I think Jester based his opinions on 2008, where basically everyone chewed through their scoots except the Hondas.

Or 2012...Burgman 650 was trashed...I god to sign the bloody windshield!

Could I suggest that the Burgman rider couldn't actually ride ?

I believe he blamed the "wind" for his accident.

49 Other riders went around that corner, many of them lighter than the Suzuki in question ?

Discuss.

Bill xxx