Topic: So, what about 2012 and beyond?

[Lavis500]

The 2011 SOHC4 World Tour seems like it's going great.  I really wish I wasn't deploying early so that I could have time to finish my bike properly and join in the fun.   I'm sure I'm not the only one unable to make the relay, so I'm sure I can't be the only one begging the question:

Will this be the only tour?  Has anybody thought about making it an annual/semi-annual event?  Am I too early to start asking these questions?

I'm just curious, after all.  Could give me something to hope and work towards post deployment, and I'm sure others would be excited, too. 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

The 2011 SOHC4 World Tour seems like it's going great.  I really wish I wasn't deploying early so that I could have time to finish my bike properly and join in the fun.   I'm sure I'm not the only one unable to make the relay, so I'm sure I can't be the only one begging the question:

Will this be the only tour?  Has anybody thought about making it an annual/semi-annual event?  Am I too early to start asking these questions?

I'm just curious, after all.  Could give me something to hope and work towards post deployment, and I'm sure others would be excited, too.  

I'd like to think this is the dry run for the real thing in 2012   Once the guys that won't pony up this year see how great it is they'll be flooding us with requests to be included next year  

The "BEYOND" part was meant geographically like US & Canada, Australia and NZ during our fall/winter then on to Europe for next spring there while the 2012 Rally begins here again

[Bob Wessner]

No need to worry. The world is going to end 12/21/2012 anyway. 

[madmtnmotors]

Might as well start soliciting ideas for the 2012 mascot. I'm ready to start planning for next year... what's taking the rest of you guys so long?

 

[Lavis500]

Good to know!  Yeah, I read about trying to include NZ, Aus, etc in the relay.  I just liked the play on words with beyond to describe years afterward.

Not so much worried about the world ending as I am making sure that this won't be my last chance at something like this.  I MIGHT have my bike put together and roadworthy in time, but I still don't have gear, my M endorsement, any of the army's required paperwork to be allowed to legally ride a motorcycle, etc.  I won't have enough time to finish all that until I get back from Afghanistan.  Hopefully I'll be able to make the next relay!!  Until then I'll be keeping a sharp eye on this one.

Why would we stray from Godzilla?  He should remain as a tradition!

[Bob Wessner]

By the way, best of luck on the deployment. Hope the time goes by quickly for you.

[Lavis500]

Should go by pretty quickly.  I spend my days flying in Blackhawks, and over there when I'm not flying I'll be eating or sleeping.  I'm looking forward to the hazard duty pay, family separation pay, combat flight pay...  so I can buy more parts!!   

[OldSchool_IsCool]

What if 2012 STARTED in Aus and NZ?  Maybe catch any other southern hemisphere riders before finishing the year in the north?

[Old Scrambler]

I think another ride will start and proceed in grand fashion with more participants. What I would like to see is for the ride to stop for appearances at several of the national motorcycle events (and international) with a goal of a big finish ride-in-event where some of the original sandcast 750s and 1st-year examples of the five other sohc/4 models could be on display. I also think that some of the early competition riders like Dick Mann and several of the aftermarket suppliers (Jay, Yoshimura, Carpy, and many others) should be invited for an appearance.

Maybe this ride should go to Mexico and South America this winter, over to Australia, NZ and up to Japan in Spring, then on to Europe for next summer, maybe Africa in the Fall/winter and back to the US in Spring of 2013 for another 'ALL STATES & PROVINCES' ride to end at something like the Laguna or Indy GP races or a January ride into the Las Vegas Bike auction. 

I know the economy is still way down for bike dealers, but I would like to think that a number of HONDA dealers would be interested in hosting stop-overs, and possibly be the local resources to get rider pledges for a fund raiser to help rebuild something in Japan.  Just thoughts...........maybe inspirations..............

[flybox1]

why does it have to end?
or be just an anual event?
Why not make it the longest running relay rally EVER!!!!
a continuous, state slaying, country crossing, globe circling event.

after all...these bikes are supposed to run forever, right?   

[Old Scrambler]

I agree that the ride could go on forever..............Its like a long book.  But I suggest it should have chapter or episodes with sequals. In order to keep the enthusiasm up, the ride needs to make significant media stops for publicity. I just signed up another rider on his restored 750K1 today who does not know or care to know how to turn on a computer. But he loves the experience and is willing to ride his bike for days just to meet like-mined (and especially like-biked) riders.

I also see the rally having club-member long-distance rides that join the rally at several points along the way. Example: I could carry the mascot for a day in Wisconsin, rejoin the relay-ride in Calgary or Yellowstone, and meet the ride again in British Columbia after I return from Alaska. Another idea is that one or two riders would carry the mascot from coast to coast and have as many club members as want to join in the ride and offer accommodations along the way. Should we have one or more of our elite engine builder members build bikes for such a ride and auction them for charity? 

More Ideas.........Please

[m00ntan]

If you want an idea, I would like to see the largest count of SOHC4 machines in one place.  I think the numbers are important.  Maybe it’s just Maryland, bust most non-riders pay attention when four of the bikes are together.  You and I are blown away seeing eight or ten together.  If there is such a place where dozens of SOHC4 bikes can meet the relay, it should be marked and promoted as the largest gathering of the motorcycles that changed the world. 

[scottly]

If you want an idea, I would like to see the largest count of SOHC4 machines in one place.  I think the numbers are important.  Maybe it’s just Maryland, bust most non-riders pay attention when four of the bikes are together.  You and I are blown away seeing eight or ten together.  If there is such a place where dozens of SOHC4 bikes can meet the relay, it should be marked and promoted as the largest gathering of the motorcycles that changed the world. 

Hmm, I wonder just how many riders are going to meet up in Austin TX this year? Not dozens, but might be quite a few...

[Grnrngr]

I'm thinkin for the end of the world run, we should have Quetzlcoatl for a mascot...or maybe Montezuma? oh wait....they're Aztecs, never mind...
And...since it's the Mayans that thought it up and it actually relates to their culture, I'm thinking it's probably just the Mayan world that ends next Christmas...

[m00ntan]

I'm thinkin for the end of the world run, we should have Quetzlcoatl for a mascot...or maybe Montezuma? oh wait....they're Aztecs, never mind...
And...since it's the Mayans that thought it up and it actually relates to their culture, I'm thinking it's probably just the Mayan world that ends next Christmas...

You know, somebody invented a thermometer and decided 32 is a pretty number.  Maybe the Mayans realized the thing had to end somewhere and 12212012 was a pretty number.  I understand there's no manual telling you how to restart the thing or why it stopped. 

[m00ntan]

Hmm, I wonder just how many riders are going to meet up in Austin TX this year? Not dozens, but might be quite a few...

Austin will have more riders than Maryland.  I don't think MD is a destination on any bike trip.  It's just a place to pass through.  This is the biggest vintage Japanese event to come to MD. 

[Old Scrambler]

That's why events get the nod for attention and available media............I counted more than 20 running CB750s at the 2010 Barber Vintage Festival............and there where plenty of other sohc/4s to be seen and heard.

[ofreen]

You know, somebody invented a thermometer and decided 32 is a pretty number.  Maybe the Mayans realized the thing had to end somewhere and 12212012 was a pretty number.  I understand there's no manual telling you how to restart the thing or why it stopped.

Here it is all laid out for your enlightenment -

2012: The End of the World

[madmtnmotors]

I've been thinking... (uh-oh, look out!), according to the original schedule posted here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=81055.msg922447#msg922447

We are shooting to wrap this up in mid-September, hopefully reaching Alaska! Now, it's my understanding that we are going to ship Godzilla off to our overseas bretheren to continue the relay "Round the World". Prior to shipping GZ overseas, wherever that may be (don't think that plan is in place yet), what would be the odds of getting GZ back to Daytona for Biketoberfest (October) to where it all began, prior to sending him off on the "Round the World" leg? Relay riders would be cool, the route could be as straight as possible (based on rider densities) since all the states would be covered by now. If we had to ship him back I think we would just as soon ship him on to the overseas contigent. As the relay continues overseas, we would be starting the next one for 2012 while the 2011 continues on overseas!

I know some of you haven't even completed your 2011 leg yet, so there's no rush on the 2012 planning. The overseas riders might be wanting to start looking for some guidance as to when and where they might expect godzilla to rear his fire-breathing head!

Maybe even kick-off 2012 from Biketoberfest? That would give us four more months for the next one, of course most of those four months would likely have to be in fair-weather states!

Just ideas, don't be afraid to add anything that you feel could make this even better!