K11 Owners Group

michaelcurrin · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject: Maggie Valley Gathering

A couple weeks ago we went to Maggie Valley NC for the annual High Peformance Sidecar (HPS) Gathering. As I've probably said before, we don't get enough turn out to call it a rally, so its a gathering. I didn't count but probably around 10 or 12 HPS rigs, one lower performance rig, and a couple of solo bikes.

The last couple years we've made it into a combination family vacation and gathering, so there were no 1000 mile days, even some days with no riding. And I'll admit to something I never thought I would, we trailered the rig in the toy hauler trailer.

Anyhow the gathering was at the Applecover Inn in Maggie Valley, which works out well, because there's a small motel with a small RV park behind it.
http://www.applecoverinn.com/

An HD rig with dog. Ed the owner test drove a ZX-14 rig while there and plans to have one soon

Cody our number 1 son and I went on the ride to the Road to Nowhere. When the feds took the land for Fontanna Dam and Lake back in the 40's they blocked access to several families cemeteries. In return they promised to build a new road. Somehow it never got finished.

The Road To Nowhere

The Tunnel to Nowhere. The road ends just short of a 1200 foot tunnel.

Me in the tunnel

Cody in the tunnel

Far end of the tunnel. Just past the far end was a good sized clearing and fire ring. I imagine it's a happening place on Friday nights.

One day we had a kids ride. Complete with one of the moms driving a chase van with fishing poles, swim suits, and towels.

Jacob, number 2 son, tries out new trailer.

He didn't really ride back there.

An afternoon rest stop, after this Jacob and I split from the group. It was his first real ride. We went about 150 miles, hwy 215 to the Blue ridge, 276 back down. Roads every bit as good as the "Dragon" but not nearly as crowded.

The aea is known for its waterfalls, several we just rode by, a few we stopped at.

Some of the crew at Bridal Veil Falls. There's an FJR 1300, a ZX-14, a Hayabusa, another ZX-14, the slow rig my K1100RS, a k1200RS, a couple solo bike, and an HD

NC erosion control on Hwy 19

My wife, Jody decided she would cook for us all, using the kitchen at the Applecover. Pork loins marinated in Mrs. Picky Fanicky's North Carolina Apple Peach Chutney and smoked with apple wood (we're staying at the Applecover Inn, what else would you use)with sweet potaoes, string beans, stewed apples with cherries, and bread pudding with ice cream.

Jacob with Bill Ballou, the sidecar guru who designed the setup for the ZX-14's, Banditos, K1200RS and now the Concours. The front hub I used on my rig was the prototype for the Bandit rigs.

Not sure who was having the most fun

One thing I didn't get any pictures of was the mini truck rally going on down the road from the Inn. Turns out the big thing with those guys is they mount trailer hitch balls upside down under their frames, then let the air out of the suspension and drag them, makes quite a shower of sparks. On Saturday night we had lawn chairs lined up on the sidewalk watching the show. One of the mini truckers staying at the Inn said the police came to their rally and told them as long as they didn't drag race or drag over the brick walk ways they could spark all they wanted. Probably not a lot of towns would be that cool about it. The owner of the Inn even changed the sign to say "Spark em up"
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Mike Currin
20 BMW R1250RS
93 BMW K1100RS / EML Speed 2000
06 Ducati ST3
67 Triumph 650 chopper

Off the grid · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:20 pm Post subject:

Awesome Mike!

I think it's so cool you take your sons along.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

drmalacarne · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject:

Great ride report!
Cruising with family is a great thing!
And the sidecar is a good choice to ride with uor sons.
Could you post a picture of your front K11 suspension setup? I'm curious.
Gui
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1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

rydor · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:11 am Post subject:

Too cool

michaelcurrin · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:

Ted · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:20 am Post subject:

Awesome pics, thanks Smile

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Ted

KOG#1

drmalacarne · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the pics!
Gui
_________________
1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

Milton · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject:

Nice hacks. I've always wanted a side care just don't have enough room.

Milton S.
_________________
Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick!

1992 K100RS 48K. Dead for now.
1998 Triumph Tiger 43K->56K. Doin it in the dirt.
1978 Honda CB400T 32.5K. For my boys.