CA/Western USA Ninjette Rally May 3&4, 2014

[BoBO]

Sucks, I moved up north and never got the chance to experience Mines & Calaveras on Bike. Maybe one day.

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by BoBO

Sucks, I moved up north and never got the chance to experience Mines & Calaveras on Bike. Maybe one day.

You're not even that far away. Come ride!

On another note: For everyone who's coming for this, while I might not be able to actually come ride, I'll be available for dinner or hanging out later in the evening

[BoBO]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

You're not even that far away. Come ride!

On another note: For everyone who's coming for this, while I might not be able to actually come ride, I'll be available for dinner or hanging out later in the evening

I'll see what I can do,I definitely what to meet some new people, since I'm new to this fun hobby. I still need to get a suit though,if I can make it I will probably go on a Sunday. This forum seems more alive than 250r.net.

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by BoBO

I'll see what I can do,I definitely what to meet some new people, since I'm new to this fun hobby. I still need to get a suit though,if I can make it I will probably go on a Sunday. This forum seems more alive than 250r.net.

Ninjette is the best

By suit do you mean gear in general or a fancy suit? You definitely don't need a fancy suit to go on group rides.

If you haven't already, you should also check out bayarearidersforum.com.

[BoBO]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

Ninjette is the best

By suit do you mean gear in general or a fancy suit? You definitely don't need a fancy suit to go on group rides.

If you haven't already, you should also check out bayarearidersforum.com.

LoL, yeah gear. I guess this is more of a relaxed group ride. Thanks, I will definitely checkout that forum, hopefully and I can go to one of these fun group runs. Ive done some track & autox on my car, it was fun but now I'm adding some bike in the equation, riding has been a bit more exciting for me.

[greenaero]

Updated roster
Yes:
1. greenaero (Vic)
2. jeffb502 (Jeff)
3. misfitsailor (Tim)
4. rasta (Wes/aka jailbait)
5. Alex (Alex)
6. Josh_kcco (Josh)
7. Kegan
8. Ficks ( Emily)

Maybe:
1. Jiggles (Sean)
2. NevadaWolf (Teri)
3. Kevin1956 (Kevin)
4. CaptainPlatypus (Eric)
5. Alan Smith
6. RickM
7. BoBo


No:
1. tfkrocks (Rebecca)
2. headshrink (Bob)
3. Yakaru (Yakaru)

[iamjacob]

Adding myself to the maybe list. I gotta find child care as the Mrs. will be in Vegas that weekend.

Updated roster
Yes:
1. greenaero (Vic)
2. jeffb502 (Jeff)
3. misfitsailor (Tim)
4. rasta (Wes/aka jailbait)
5. Alex (Alex)
6. Josh_kcco (Josh)
7. Kegan
8. Ficks ( Emily)

Maybe:
1. Jiggles (Sean)
2. NevadaWolf (Teri)
3. Kevin1956 (Kevin)
4. CaptainPlatypus (Eric)
5. Alan Smith
6. RickM
7. BoBo
8. iamjacob (Jacob)

No:
1. tfkrocks (Rebecca)
2. headshrink (Bob)
3. Yakaru (Yakaru)

[NevadaWolf]

Still in the maybe category, though looking at the amount of stuff I need to buy between now and June, it's probably leaning a bit more towards No.

[Mortifer]

I'm hoping to be able to join you guys for the Saturday Hamilton ride.

I'll be leaving South San Jose early, planning to do Calaveras and 84 up to the meeting spot.
If anyone is interested in joining me riding there, PM me.

[iamjacob]

I'm In!!
Yes:
1. greenaero (Vic)
2. jeffb502 (Jeff)
3. misfitsailor (Tim)
4. rasta (Wes/aka jailbait)
5. Alex (Alex)
6. Josh_kcco (Josh)
7. Kegan
8. Ficks (Emily)
9. Mortifier (Mike)
10. iamjacob (Jacob)

Maybe:
1. Jiggles (Sean)
2. NevadaWolf (Teri)
3. Kevin1956 (Kevin)
4. CaptainPlatypus (Eric)
5. Alan Smith
6. RickM
7. BoBo

No:
1. tfkrocks (Rebecca)
2. headshrink (Bob)
3. Yakaru (Yakaru)

[jeffb502]

@iamjacob ...You're actually #10; you left Mortifier out. I've updated post #2 to reflect our current list.

[misfitsailor]

I volunteer to be "tail-end Charlie", the last guy in line on the rides.

I will stop and assist anyone who should drop out with a problem. I will be equipped to help repair a flat tire, for example.

I recommend having towing insurance that cover bikes. If you have AAA, you may be shocked to discover that they will NOT pick up a motorcycle if you only have the basic roadside card, these days you must have the Premium level card.

[tiii]

Interesting about AAA roadside. Does AAA insure motorcycles now? Or is this in case someone has AAA roadside for their car?

I'm supposed to be working that weekend. It's far enough away that I'll try to make one if not both rides.

[NevadaWolf]

truck broke, now I'm broke. Firmly in the No slot unfortunately.

[jeffb502]

I have AAA Premier roadside for my cars (the one where you get 1 200 mile tow per year and the rest at 100 miles) and I still had to pay extra to add "Motorcycle and RV" coverage (you can't just add one or the other). I think it may vary by which region you're in. I am considered to be Southern California Auto Club. If it's like the regular AAA coverage they don't care if it's for me or somebody I'm traveling with, so if somebody were to need a tow I could probably donate one of my service calls for the cause.

I think AAA insures motorcycles, but the last time I checked they didn't do online quotes. When I looked on their website I clicked a link for motorcycle insurance and it popped up a phone number and said please call for a quote.

[tfkrocks]

AMA membership includes roadside assistance for cars, bikes, RVs, and trailers if anyone was interested.

The BARF Roadside Angels could also help since it's the bay area.

[Tatertotattack]

I'll jump in that maybe category (with a strong lean towards the yes).

[misfitsailor]

According to the Northern Cal AAA website, Premier membership roadside coverage covers motorcycles without extra fees (200 miles), so in this half of the state we got lucky. It costs $119 a year , but think of it as $2.28 a week.

http://calstate.aaa.com/membership/c...bership-levels

2 years ago I had a voltage regulator quit 50 miles from home (not the Ninjette). I had the AAA Plus card at the time (100 mile towing). When I called AAA for help, they first said I wasn't covered for motorcycles and needed to upgrade to Premier level. I pleaded ignorance and they decided graciously to cart me and my bike home. When I renewed that year I upgraded to the Premier card.

Whatever flavor of roadside coverage you may have, be sure it covers your motorcycle. Plans where you pay for the tow out of pocket and get reimbursed later are no good. Stuck on the side of the road is the wrong time to be reading the fine print of your coverage.

[iamjacob]

Not trying to highjack the thread but wouldn't the towing coverage on your insurance cover it as well. I haven't had to use it ( knocks on wood ) but it was way less than $119 on my policy.

EDIT : Just checked my policy... for 7$ a year I get towing to the nearest service center. Definitely helps in a pinch but it won't get me home

[jeffb502]

For the Auto Club of Southern California classic is $48, plus is $78, and premier is $104. RV/Motorcycle coverage is a $37 add-on and can be added to any level of service. At any level the maximum RV/Motorcycle tow is 100 miles, so you could be a classic member with the motorcycle add-on and only be able to have your car towed up to 7 miles, but have your motorcycle towed 100 miles. Kind of crazy how an imaginary line across the state can change the fee structure so much.

Source: AAA Southern California Benefit Comparison Table

[jeffb502]

Originally Posted by iamjacob

Not trying to highjack the thread but wouldn't the towing coverage on your insurance cover it as well. I haven't had to use it ( knocks on wood ) but it was way less than $119 on my policy.

The towing benefits vary from insurance company to insurance company, so the answer would be it depends. The last time I checked it would be like $7/month for the "roadside assistance" coverage through my insurance company for the motorcycle, which comes out to $84/year. I use a different insurance company for my 4 wheeled vehicles since it was cheaper that way, and I use a different insurance company for the 4 wheeled vehicles I use during the course of my employment since they had to be insured as commercial vehicles. I'd have to pay a few dollars a month on each policy to be covered for all vehicles, which would cost me more than the AAA membership once all the policies are added.

The benefit of AAA is it covers me in any vehicle I'm with, not just the vehicles I insure. I've used it to have a tow truck driver come change the tire on a company vehicle I was driving because I didn't want to get my uniform dirty lol. I didn't read much about my insurance company's roadside coverage but I doubt they'd pay for a service call for a vehicle I didn't insure through them, and I would think most insurance company standard roadside assistance wouldn't cover a 200 mile tow.

Edit: Hmm maybe it was $7/year through the insurance company. Anyway I don't mind paying more for the extra level of coverage with AAA.

[greenaero]

I had lunch with Alan Smith today. He says he will be in for both days, though he may have to leave early on Saturday.
Teri, sorry to hear about your truck.

[rasta]

Sorry, I will not be able to offer room and board. Did I already say that? Can't remember, but I digress. Woooo!

[jeffb502]

Added Tatertotattack to maybe and Alan Smith to yes. Already at 11 solid yeses and still a month away; looks like we're going to have a decent sized group.

[NevadaWolf]

Bumpity bump since there are a few more Cali members joined the site.

[EternalNewb]

I'd love to come up and attend, but could you note me as a "maybe," pending work and finances?

[greenaero]

@EternalNewb, Great, hope you can make it!

I invited 2 more of my hypermiling colleagues and Terry Hershner may attend. I also have some a few maybes that I invited through the BARF( Bay Area Riders Forum).

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by EternalNewb

I'd love to come up and attend, but could you note me as a "maybe," pending work and finances?

If you come, we can hang out in the evening

[misfitsailor]

Originally Posted by greenaero

@EternalNewb, Great, hope you can make it!

I invited 2 more of my hypermiling colleagues and Terry Hershner may attend. I also have some a few maybes that I invited through the BARF( Bay Area Riders Forum).

The more Ninjettes the better!

[EternalNewb]

Thanks guys! I hope I can make it. Looks like 350ish miles north of me, so I'll have to hash out a plan for if I can make it.

@tfkrocks I'd love to Just need to make sure I can make it. Be forewarned though, that I may be sleep-deprived and loopy by the time we get to hanging out.

[tfkrocks]

Originally Posted by EternalNewb

Thanks guys! I hope I can make it. Looks like 350ish miles north of me, so I'll have to hash out a plan for if I can make it.

@tfkrocks I'd love to Just need to make sure I can make it. Be forewarned though, that I may be sleep-deprived and loopy by the time we get to hanging out.

So will I so I think it'll be fine

[jeffb502]

Added EternalNewb and Terry Hershner to maybe; changed tfkrocks from No to new category "dinner only."

EternalNewb, if you take the coast route up you (and anybody else you can drag up with you) could join me heading up north from Santa Maria. I was planning on taking Hwy 1 up most of the way from San Luis Obispo, then cutting across to 101 on CA152 (Heckler Pass Rd) then slabbing it the rest of the way up.

[iamjacob]

Looks like I can be moved to the No list, I'm out for Saturday and Sunday.


Probably the only weekend all summer that I can't make happen.

[BoBO]

Originally Posted by jeffb502

I'm thinking I'll be staying at the Courtyard in Pleasanton. It looks to be in a more commercial/business area. The Doubletree in Livermore is right next to a residential neighborhood and what appears to be an all age/family mobile home park judging by one of the units for sale on zillow (it has a bunk bed).

Any locals know how safe it is to keep a bike parked outside at either place? Mine's always in the garage and I'm already feeling anxious leaving it alone in a parking lot all night lol.

You will be safe in Pleasanton for sure, it's the nicest part of tri-valley. Dublin and Livermore was fine a few years ago, but now is questionable. In general, as long as your in the lower 925 area which is tri-valley you should be fine. It's a lot safer than going over the hill, west to the 510 area such as Hayward, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo. If you go to those surrounding cities all bets are off.

[Jiggles]

I'll be racing in Sonoma so I won't be there

[BoBO]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

I'll be racing in Sonoma so I won't be there

That's sound very exciting, I can't wait to get a race suit, so I can track the bike. You can't really cut loose in the canyons anymore due to CHP. If I go to this event I'm just planning to cruise.

Who's hosting the trackday that you are going to?

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by BoBO

That's sound very exciting, I can't wait to get a race suit, so I can track the bike. You can't really cut loose in the canyons anymore due to CHP. If I go to this event I'm just planning to cruise.

Who's hosting the trackday that you are going to?

Z2

$260 for the day

[BoBO]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Z2

$260 for the day

Thanks on the info, most motorcycle trackdays I see online, are all the way down in Socal. I will be sure to go to this one, when I'm off of school.

[greenaero]

@Jiggles, we'll miss you, have a blast!

[greenaero]

@Jiggles, we'll miss you, have a blast!