Where is NAFO 2014?

[101stpathfinder]

Late getting to this posts but I will say...

This is just purrrrfect!

RICK- YOU ARE THE MAN!

Home again !!!

 

[Downunder]

test

 

[08FJR4ME]

This is just a thought to throw out there.

Now what if there was only one big meet every other year for NAFO. All other major get togethers would be null and void during the NAFO year. No EOM, CFO,CFR, WAFO and all the rest. Just concentrate on one massive get together for the whole US of A. I would think more vendors would hookup and MaMa Yamaha might even show up for the event. Rather than the 100 folks or less (Due to the economy) you might get 2 to 3 hundred folks to get together for a week. You could still do the Friday Saturday weekends for most local folks. (Smaller events).

Some rational for this is the economy. Rather than try and make 2 events like many folks do everyone could concentrate on one. Another reason is I can never cover all but a few rides during each event. If I could spend a whole week soaking up all the different routes rather than just a couple as usual, wouldn't that be a better experience? We could also meet folks that may not be possible to meet under the normal events. The scope of traveling to Kali and back from the northeast wouldn't leave any time for the event. You must remember I am still a working stiff.

Does this diserve some conversation or is it just a lame thought?

Dave

 

[wheatonFJR]

This is just a thought to throw out there.
Now what if there was only one big meet every other year for NAFO. All other major get togethers would be null and void during the NAFO year. No EOM, CFO,CFR, WAFO and all the rest. Just concentrate on one massive get together for the whole US of A. I would think more vendors would hookup and MaMa Yamaha might even show up for the event. Rather than the 100 folks or less (Due to the economy) you might get 2 to 3 hundred folks to get together for a week. You could still do the Friday Saturday weekends for most local folks. (Smaller events).

Some rational for this is the economy. Rather than try and make 2 events like many folks do everyone could concentrate on one. Another reason is I can never cover all but a few rides during each event. If I could spend a whole week soaking up all the different routes rather than just a couple as usual, wouldn't that be a better experience? We could also meet folks that may not be possible to meet under the normal events. The scope of traveling to Kali and back from the northeast wouldn't leave any time for the event. You must remember I am still a working stiff.

Does this diserve some conversation or is it just a lame thought?

Dave

If the other events would have to not meet...I would NOT be for that. I love the idea of NAFO...but the smaller meets are my cup of tea anyways...plus there's more of them to choose from.

 

[08FJR4ME]

I may be mistaken but doesn't the BMW folks focus on one big main event per year. I don't drink the Koolaid yet but I have ridden with a few of them. You also have the Honda Hoot as the main event once a year for them too. I think it would be a lot more exciting having 2 to 3 hundred FJR's in one place at one time.

That would really Rock. JMO

Dave

 

[Fred W]

I think that in both cases (BMW National and Honda Hoot) there are always smaller subgroups that get together around the country, even though the big event happens once a year. When you think about it, to be a direct parallel, what you are proposing would be more of a "Yamaha" national meet, not limited to just FJRs. For instance, I know that every year there is a subgroup of just VFR riders who gather in West Lebanon, NH at the Fireside Inn for their "WDGAH" annual gathering.

I'm also not sure that by restricting the other meets if the number that are willing to travel up to 3000 miles each way to attend what amounts to a weekend event. Yeah, you can always turn it into a week's vacation, if you can swing it and that is how you want to spend your vacation, but the planned activities do not go on for more than 3 or 4 days tops.

As much as we all want to be cross country wanderers, most of us have other stuff that gets in the way of that. I really wanted to get to BC last year, for the experience as well as the NAFO. But sometimes you just can't make these things work out

Having a bigger national event like that could be fun. But I think I'm siding with the Mark on this on this. It wouldn't be worth stifling all of the smaller local events to have a one (potentially) bigger NAFO.

 

[Geezer]

What would I do for the rest of the riding season?

 

[wheatonFJR]

What would I do for the rest of the riding season?

Post up inane crap like I do...

...or visit Hooterville and...

 

[08FJR4ME]

I think that in both cases (BMW National and Honda Hoot) there are always smaller subgroups that get together around the country, even though the big event happens once a year. When you think about it, to be a direct parallel, what you are proposing would be more of a "Yamaha" national meet, not limited to just FJRs. For instance, I know that every year there is a subgroup of just VFR riders who gather in West Lebanon, NH at the Fireside Inn for their "WDGAH" annual gathering.
I'm also not sure that by restricting the other meets if the number that are willing to travel up to 3000 miles each way to attend what amounts to a weekend event. Yeah, you can always turn it into a week's vacation, if you can swing it and that is how you want to spend your vacation, but the planned activities do not go on for more than 3 or 4 days tops.

As much as we all want to be cross country wanderers, most of us have other stuff that gets in the way of that. I really wanted to get to BC last year, for the experience as well as the NAFO. But sometimes you just can't make these things work out

Having a bigger national event like that could be fun. But I think I'm siding with the Mark on this on this. It wouldn't be worth stifling all of the smaller local events to have a one (potentially) bigger NAFO.

Fred,

There would still be the more local rides, Lobster run, Covered bridges, breakfeast meets, (Someday I will get to one) and so on which most folks do. Have you ever taken in all the routes offered in every main event. Its all about meeting folks and riding to me. If someone throws in a dinner some night well thats good also. There is also the parking lot social at your own preference.

To many roads and not enough time. I could easily spend a week riding with my feejer bretheren. I could also spend a day or two taking in the local amenitees and give the bike a rest. Most folks get two weeks a year for vacation. If I spend one of those weeks riding I am happy. I can allways go to Cancun my other week.

Just sayin,

Dave

 

[huron52]

I meet up with a couple other motorcycle groups and some have regional meets as well as a national meet and some just have regional meets and no national.

I don't think there is a prefect answer . I figure get to the ones you like to and make the friends you want to.

It's all good!

The one problem I found with 2 or 3 hundred bikes in one spot is you don't get to meet everyone. I have gone to events and after it was all over someone I wanted to meet with said "I was there" Impossible to talk to everyone at a large event! Just take a look a the last set of pictures posted at NAFO. People took pictures and had to have help to tell who was who.

So I guess what I am saying.... (don't let this get out) I agree with Mark and Fred

 

[wheatonFJR]

...I agree with Mark and Fred

I knew it!

 

[Tyler]

I had decided that 2014 would be the year for my cross country trip... it's something I've always wanted to do and life ain't slowin' down much these days... if dates work out, perhaps I could plan on swinging by this shindig along my merry way... B)

 

[airboss]

I had decided that 2014 would be the year for my cross country trip... it's something I've always wanted to do and life ain't slowin' down much these days... if dates work out, perhaps I could plan on swinging by this shindig along my merry way...

After all La Crosse is halfway between everywhere.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'll even come up from SC for this one!

 

[Tyler]

I'll even come up from SC for this one!

Have you guys moved there yet?

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'll even come up from SC for this one!

Have you guys moved there yet?

Nope...but will have moved there by the time of NAFO '14.

I plan a nice excursion through NC, TN, KY and southern Indiana before blasting up to SW WI.

Tyler, you will love the SW WI area...with some nice hill top vistas, small farms - Amish or otherwise, river runs, and excellent beer to boot when the day's riding is done.

Plus there's probably going to be a whole contingent of crazy Minnesotans to watch and laugh at. They all sound like Bugnatr!

 

[Fred W]

You bastid, Wheatie.

SC, or NC, off of the coast, would be my ideal locale if the spousal unit and I didn't have aging mothers anchoring us in New England.

But, oddly, I do want to make a mid-western NAFO next year. I've lived in the general area before, along the border of ILLness and Cheese, and I'd like to go back and relive some old memories. And make some new memories too. I'd even like to do the Superior Loop and maybe even drop into those rag-baggers in Duluth for a lookie loo.

But someday I'll have log home on the side of a mountain down in the Carolinas. If I should live so long...

(and clinically insane). Sounds like what we'd all like to be?

 

[08FJR4ME]

You bastid, Wheatie.
SC, or NC, off of the coast, would be my ideal locale if the spousal unit and I didn't have aging mothers anchoring us in New England.

But, oddly, I do want to make a mid-western NAFO next year. I've lived in the general area before, along the border of ILLness and Cheese, and I'd like to go back and relive some old memories. And make some new memories too. I'd even like to do the Superior Loop and maybe even drop into those rag-baggers in Duluth for a lookie loo.

But someday I'll have log home on the side of a mountain down in the Carolinas. If I should live so long...

His brother livingston is a hoot also. We saw him a few times at St. A's when we live in NH. Both greats,

As far moving my choice is looking like TN iffen the son is still down there. Been looking at Cookville TN lately. Tennasee has some of the best towns to retire in out of the whole US of A. You have to stay on the eastern side for any kind of hills and mountains. Once you get past Nashville it all flattens out.

 

[101stpathfinder]

I think I will be riding up in Wheatie's wake. Sounds like a nice route to a great destination !

 

[FJRGuy]

This is just a thought to throw out there.
Now what if there was only one big meet every other year for NAFO. All other major get togethers would be null and void during the NAFO year. No EOM, CFO,CFR, WAFO and all the rest. Just concentrate on one massive get together for the whole US of A. I would think more vendors would hookup and MaMa Yamaha might even show up for the event. Rather than the 100 folks or less (Due to the economy) you might get 2 to 3 hundred folks to get together for a week. You could still do the Friday Saturday weekends for most local folks. (Smaller events).

Some rational for this is the economy. Rather than try and make 2 events like many folks do everyone could concentrate on one. Another reason is I can never cover all but a few rides during each event. If I could spend a whole week soaking up all the different routes rather than just a couple as usual, wouldn't that be a better experience? We could also meet folks that may not be possible to meet under the normal events. The scope of traveling to Kali and back from the northeast wouldn't leave any time for the event. You must remember I am still a working stiff.

Does this diserve some conversation or is it just a lame thought?

Dave

A little late on this, but... don't think that could ever fly. For starters, the US of A is very large and Canada even larger, and as you mentioned, not everyone has time to cross the continent for a Rally. EOM, CFO, CFR, WFO, etc... are "Regional" events and as such are intended primarily for riders in that region. IMO, not having the 'forum sanctioned' regional events would not have any significant effect on the attendance at a North American event. Riders that do not have the time or inclination to make the NAFO event would simply find other local events to go to, or create alternate regional FJR events.

Bottom line, I don't believe that idea would help NAFO attendance, in fact, I believe that not holding the regional events every other year would actually have a negative effect on NAFO longer term.