OP
@kz1000st avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
 
Molto Verboso
@kz1000st avatar
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
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Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
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Posts: 10792
Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
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Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
Wonder what the range is?

Are these even cannonball legal though?
@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
UTC quote
znomit wrote:
Wonder what the range is?

Are these even cannonball legal though?
Cannonball legal as long as the displacement does not exceed 280cc but would change your handicap. You would need to know the bore and stroke of the kits to calculate the new handicap https://scootercannonball.com/eligibility.
@znomit avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
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Location: Hermit Kingdom
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@znomit avatar
LX190 Friday afternoon special, [s]Primavera[/s], S50, too many pushbikes
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10792
Location: Hermit Kingdom
UTC quote
cdwise wrote:
Cannonball legal as long as the displacement does not exceed 280cc but would change your handicap. You would need to know the bore and stroke of the kits to calculate the new handicap https://scootercannonball.com/eligibility.
Cannonball exception for the little Hodna but explicit about 125.

Scooter Exceptions

The following motorcycles have been granted exceptions and are permitted to participate in the 2023 Scooter Cannonball without scoring restrictions or limitations:

Hodna Trail 125 ABS
1964-1979 Hodna CT200 Trail 90


Here's a ever so slightly modified CT200...
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
UTC quote
The exception for the Honda Trails is because they are basically the same as the Cub but without the leg shields which would otherwise disqualify them. You can modify the Cub as your heart desires but there is no exception for the C200.

Other motorcycles are limited to the little Hondas and they will only be eligible within the little Honda bike class.

Frankly, I'd love more vintage and Frankenscoots to participate. Both require more mechanical skill than I have any desire to learn, much less do.
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
0:7 And counting
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Posts: 38099
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
0:7 And counting
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Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
znomit wrote:
Here's a ever so slightly modified CT200...
Something we learned over and over again on Cannonball: Don't bring a quarter-mile bike on Cannonball!

Comfort and reliability are far more important than raw speed.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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UTC quote
And a chassis that was built in 1946. That helps also.
@motovista avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GT 200
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Posts: 9255
Location: Main Street, Watts
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@motovista avatar
GT 200
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Posts: 9255
Location: Main Street, Watts
UTC quote
You could do a lot of this to a mid 70s Honda Passport. And they're still out there.
@karlsbadd avatar
UTC

Hooked
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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Posts: 459
Location: NJ
 
Hooked
@karlsbadd avatar
2018 Piaggio BV 350
Joined: UTC
Posts: 459
Location: NJ
UTC quote
When I first got my 150 cc Buddy a few years back, I'd learned about the Cannonball by joining this forum. I thought, "Wow, that sounds SO cool! A dream!" I've since upgraded and sold that bike a while ago, and I'm not much a mechanic. But, at the risk of being pelted with "negative thumbs down energy" on the forum, I have to ask:

Am I the only one the thinks riding a scooter for 10 days, at 8-10 hours of driving, in the sand/dirt/crazy terrain, would in turn make me hate riding??

I enjoy driving; but I don't love harrowing experiences in the car. It seems like this last cannonball especially took a lot of people out. I love riding my scooter, but after a long day I'm happy to get off and not look at the thing again until the next day or the one following that. I commend those that can do it; but I often wonder if the cheese stands alone in thinking it would actually sour the experience for me.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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UTC quote
I did it. I feel the same about riding.

I did it again a few months back. Still love riding.

After 20 hours of riding you may have to have a few days off.
@mopmop avatar
UTC

Hooked
2017 GTS300 'Beauty'
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Posts: 441
Location: The Netherlands
 
Hooked
@mopmop avatar
2017 GTS300 'Beauty'
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Location: The Netherlands
UTC quote
It's on my wishlist. And I'm sure I'd still love riding afterwards. Or love it even more.
@karlsbadd avatar
UTC

Hooked
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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Posts: 459
Location: NJ
 
Hooked
@karlsbadd avatar
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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Location: NJ
UTC quote
You guys are the real heroes, Billdog and Mopmop.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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eeeee bip
@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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UTC quote
I'm not done yet.
@mopmop avatar
UTC

Hooked
2017 GTS300 'Beauty'
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Posts: 441
Location: The Netherlands
 
Hooked
@mopmop avatar
2017 GTS300 'Beauty'
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Posts: 441
Location: The Netherlands
UTC quote
And I haven't done it yet
@karlsbadd avatar
UTC

Hooked
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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Posts: 459
Location: NJ
 
Hooked
@karlsbadd avatar
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
I did it. I feel the same about riding.

I did it again a few months back. Still love riding.

After 20 hours of riding you may have to have a few days off.
Aren't you doing 20 hours of riding in a span of 2 or 3 days? That's what I mean. I think I can do about 4-5 hours a day and then I'm aching (mentally, physically) to get off the thing. I can't imagine 4-5 days of 8-10 hours (without issue). I'm sure a lot of it is mental preparation.
@bill_dog avatar
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eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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UTC quote
No, I do 20 hours in one hit. In one day. Not on the Cannonball I'd like to add.

Just for fun.
@karlsbadd avatar
UTC

Hooked
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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Posts: 459
Location: NJ
 
Hooked
@karlsbadd avatar
2018 Piaggio BV 350
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Location: NJ
UTC quote
Bill Dog wrote:
No, I do 20 hours in one hit. In one day. Not on the Cannonball I'd like to add.

Just for fun.
Yeah that's next level. This kind of riding, si not for me, as much as I fantasize about it. I know when it comes down to it I wouldn't enjoy that. I can't even imagine 20 hours of riding, I'm not doing ANYTHING for 20 hours, while lucid. Impressive, and potentially dangerous, but if you're an ironbutt I figure you've tackled that set of challenges.
@bill_dog avatar
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eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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UTC quote
You don't know until you try.

There's one more left to do
@jess avatar
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Petty Tyrant
0:7 And counting
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Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
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UTC quote
Karlsbadd wrote:
Am I the only one the thinks riding a scooter for 10 days, at 8-10 hours of driving, in the sand/dirt/crazy terrain, would in turn make me hate riding??
Both times I've done Cannonball (2008 and 2012) I parked my Cannonball bike when I got home and did not look at it for a month or more. I may have ridden other bikes, but the Cannonball bike was more or less dead to me for a while after each event.

So yes, there's something to that, but for me it's not a permanent thing. You just want to do different kinds of rides for a while, rather than endurance riding.

None of that is really the point, though. Cannonball is a unique adventure, a shared experience, and a daily dose of euphoria in the hotel parking lot with all your fellow riders. It's an amazing experience.
OP
@kz1000st avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
 
Molto Verboso
@kz1000st avatar
Dongfang 170cc, CF Moto Fashion 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1900
Location: Hyde Park, New York
UTC quote
Karlsbadd wrote:
Am I the only one the thinks riding a scooter for 10 days, at 8-10 hours of driving, in the sand/dirt/crazy terrain, would in turn make me hate riding??
I might hate riding a scooter in those conditions but I think doing the route on my 250 Nighthawk would be a blast. Back in the 1970s Timed Road Runs in upstate New York would take you onto dirt roads and my 500 Kawasaki handled it easily. One section went from good asphalt to bad asphalt to dirt road to single track in the woods on an embankment with a steep drop on both sides before ending on the Taconic State Pkwy. All I could think of before I hit the check point at the Taconic was, "I don't think I'm supposed to be here."
@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8871
Location: Knoxville, TN
UTC quote
Karlsbadd wrote:
Am I the only one the thinks riding a scooter for 10 days, at 8-10 hours of driving, in the sand/dirt/crazy terrain, would in turn make me hate riding??
I've done 2 1/3 cannonball. I say 1/3 because an exhaust leak day 4 took out my wiring harness in 2018.

2014, my first cannonball, I trailered to the start in Hyderabad Alaska then rode home to Houston after the finish and Amerivespa. I will admit I had zero interest in doing the Amerivespa rides after the cannonball and once I was home the scooter was sent for full service (I only wrench when I have to) before I handed it back over to my son. Switched back to my Vespa for any other riding.

2016, I rode both ways from Houston to the start on Amelia Island Florida. On the way out easy riding with multiple stops ranging from Cafe du Monde for beignets and listening to street musicians playing jazz to spending a day sea kayaking in the Florida pan handle. Atfter finishing I had arranged for a complete service, tire change, etc before leisurely riding though the Cascades, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons to our house in Breckenridge. Scooters (two others were in the garage there) were my only transport besides the local bus until my husband arrived. The leisurely ride to and from provided a lovely contrast to the intensity of riding a cannonball. A few weeks later my husband and I took a multi day ride on the scoots as well.

Both 2014 and 2016 had limited amounts of dirt riding 2018 and 2021 had considerably more dirt and technical riding which frankly I don't enjoy. There were several sections last year I was happy to be on the support truck but others that made me regret not being able to ride. 2023 is an homage to the early cannonballs with a return of classes and no mandatory dirt. So I'm going to ride it again so my last cannonball won't be a DNF but my days of trying for for a top 10 finish are done as I'm planning on tourist mode next year. Heck, I doubt I'll even be in the top 10 of my class with 70+ registered. Crazy number of people register but I doubt half will show up at the start.
@max6200 avatar
UTC

Banned
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
 
Banned
@max6200 avatar
2006 GTS 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 10590
Location: KS USA
UTC quote
Does is not have to be a step through design?
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
Karlsbadd and Mopmop. May I suggest you try a 350 mile ride and then see how you feel, and if that works try a 500.

It's easier than you might think. Riding past the 1000 mile mark in one day is a little different but small steps and all that.
@crazycarl avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2007 250 GTS, 1980 P200E, 2010 ThunderFly 190 (SOLD) 2015 Yamaha SMax (SOLD)
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Posts: 3522
Location: Springboro, OH
 
Ossessionato
@crazycarl avatar
2007 250 GTS, 1980 P200E, 2010 ThunderFly 190 (SOLD) 2015 Yamaha SMax (SOLD)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3522
Location: Springboro, OH
UTC quote
I had a great time on Cannonball last year, but only made it to day 4. But I loved every minute of it!

I'm planning to go again next summer.
@feb31st avatar
UTC

Addicted
GTS 250, Sprint 150 & HPE Tech
Joined: UTC
Posts: 634
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
 
Addicted
@feb31st avatar
GTS 250, Sprint 150 & HPE Tech
Joined: UTC
Posts: 634
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
UTC quote
Karlsbadd wrote:
It seems like this last cannonball especially took a lot of people out.
The final 2021 route.... was... unique concerning the unpaved miles and selections. It wasn't intended to be a sadistic adventure. It just worked out that way.

2023 should be a more traditional Scooter Cannonball experience. The criteria have been relaxed for bikes under 125cc. I hope we see 100+ 150cc or fewer scooters turn out. Currently, 90 of the declared entrant scooters fall in this category.

A working concept for 2025 is a higher mileage 10-day event that attempts to maximize technical (paved surface) riding. But... one year at a time.
@grides avatar
UTC

Member
2023 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport, Honda Trail 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 31
Location: Cape Cod
 
Member
@grides avatar
2023 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport, Honda Trail 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 31
Location: Cape Cod
UTC quote
"It wasn't intended to be a sadistic adventure. It just worked out that way"

Will that be on a T-shirt in the Cannonball store? Scooter emoticon
@adri avatar
UTC

Atypical Canadian
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
 
Atypical Canadian
@adri avatar
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
UTC quote
GRides wrote:
"It wasn't intended to be a sadistic adventure. It just worked out that way"

Will that be on a T-shirt in the Cannonball store? Scooter emoticon
Sounds like the start to some BDSM fun.
@bill_dog avatar
UTC

eeeee bip
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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@bill_dog avatar
BMW R1100RT The Problem Child Kymco Downtown 300 - I'm not the Uber BMW R1200 RT Big Red
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Location: South East Great England of Britishland
UTC quote
Or the finish depending on how you look at it.
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