I retired at 59 and bought a Toyota Sienna and converted it to my travel/camper, it gets 24 mpg and I carry my DRZ with a hitch carrier, It works great. I can't believe you would drive 2000 miles round trip to ride at Davis, Ok( well except for seeing Turner Falls). There is a lot better riding in southern Missouri, I always stay in Pineville Mo. There's also a rally in eastern Ok. near Tahlequah. I might ride my V-Strom 100 to my brother's in 2025 in northeast Ohio, but it will just be a rode trip.
You do such a great job keeping the content coming!! As a VERY small time RUclipsr documenting some of me & my guys adventures I can appreciate the work you put into it … keep up the great work and hope you get some incredible journeys in 2025!!
I like to pick 2-3 events and put them in my budget for the upcoming year. I also like to go to local events that I can ride to which cuts the cost way down. I do think rallies are a bit expensive, however, It's what I've chosen as my hobby. I used to show horses so not much difference in costs really, just different. I enjoy going to new places to ride, seeing our great country, and meeting new people who enjoy riding bikes. FunStuff!
Honestly, I think rallies are worth it if you're in the market for a new bike. Events like Touratech have multiple manufacturers there, so you can test ride several bikes on the same day to get a good, side by side comparison. Other than that, they're essentially a very expensive camping trip. Touratech West last June cost me $135 for an early bird ticket. I think they go up another $30 if you wait until Feb to buy. Riding solo and camping is by far the cheapest way to do it. You'll pay significantly more for admission if you trailer, take a motorhome, etc. I did it about as cheaply as I could, without preparing my own food. There were a few food trucks there. There are also several restaurants, about twenty minutes away in Leavenworth. I did buy a Rally t shirt and vented riding shirt there. All in, it was ~$500. I did meet a couple of people there that I now consider friends of mine. We've been on a few rides together since then. That was a bonus. Other than that, though, that was probably my last rally. I hear Touratech tickets are even more for '25. There is no food package available with your ticket for that one. Giant Loop is even more expensive, but I believe it includes catering and to some extent, beer.
I do a lot of dualsport rides and have been for years . In my experience I found that you are getting less for more money . One DS used to have a nice BBQ included with the price , now the they cut the BBQ out and the price went up . I think a lot has to do with the cost of insurances going up . Like everything else you get less for more . Like they say if you want to play you have to pay 💸
You're right. Insurance is astronomical. According to a Touratech organizer I spoke to, they had to get insurance through AMA. They had the only rate that was close to reasonable. If it wasn't for them, there might not have been a rally at all.
Group rides organized by Facebook groups here in Ohio that are at free campgrounds are the best. Yes, I said FREE! Shout out to Great Ohio Adventure Trail, GOAT organizer Brad McFadden. Great fun times
Great stuff - adventuring in general can add up fast. I ride out of Maine. I did the TAT in '21 and Continental Divide in '22. I ended up shipping the bike back both times. No more - I'm determined to ride to and fro. This past summer I rode a 20 yr old GSA from ME to the Arctic round trip - 11,000+ miles. I'm Life's Journey over 60 - retirement helps!
Those sounds like great trips and yes it adds up but the experience of a lifetime - well worth every penny….keep it up as I try to catch you in the 60’s..ha!!!
Riding out of northern Michigan makes going to many rally’s difficult because of the distance. I like to ride to the event so most are multi days there and back . With that in mind 3 a year is about average . The cost of the event is less important then the distance and time of year . I like the MOA and have attend server times.
That’s funny because I live in NEPA and made a trip to ride trails in Michigan. Rode the UP and lower Michigan. The trip up and back cost about $1.200 bucks for 5 days . I had a good time but I don’t think I would spend the money to do it again . We rode the tomahawk A b sand town and a couple other places . It was the first time I saw a trail groomer like they do for the snowmobile. It was neat to see but it fluff up the sand and sort of made it difficult to ride .
I’ve never been to a rally but I think I’d enjoy it. The cost of the rally itself isn’t the deterrent - I own my own small business and shutting down for multiple days is something I just can’t afford to do. No one to delegate to (that I can rely on)
The questions are rallies even worth ur time. Nevermind ur $$. For me personally i would never pay $50 for an event when i hardly find it interesting to attend a free meet up @ my local gas station. I ride! Riding is what im interested in doing. I think to many people waste $ on a "adventure" that isnt really and adventure. Just my thoughts. Hope u all find what ur looking for.
Appreciate the comments...yes Rallies are not for everyone...and usually its a social gathering of the same folks wanting to interact with like minded people. SO do want to find a group of people to ride with and meet new friends or its the event once a year they get together with old friends and create new memories. This is why I brought cost....because some don't want to pay it and others will...enjoy those rides...at the end of the day...that's what I think we all want to do...is ride!!!! - Thanks!
I always weigh the costs and milage…personally try to stay within 5 driving hours from home base. Camping not an option for me (I’m hi-mā)😉. So hotel/airbnb options jack costs up, even tho I usually find someone to share with. Same with racing if y’all do harescrambles or enduros. Pay $$$ to play is the name of this game. But I love it!❤
I retired at 59 and bought a Toyota Sienna and converted it to my travel/camper, it gets 24 mpg and I carry my DRZ with a hitch carrier, It works great. I can't believe you would drive 2000 miles round trip to ride at Davis, Ok( well except for seeing Turner Falls). There is a lot better riding in southern Missouri, I always stay in Pineville Mo. There's also a rally in eastern Ok. near Tahlequah. I might ride my V-Strom 100 to my brother's in 2025 in northeast Ohio, but it will just be a rode trip.
Yes - the long hauls to Rallys are a lot...yes Turner Falls was nice...thanks for commenting!!!
You do such a great job keeping the content coming!! As a VERY small time RUclipsr documenting some of me & my guys adventures I can appreciate the work you put into it … keep up the great work and hope you get some incredible journeys in 2025!!
Thank you - much appreciated!!!…yes I hope 2025 has some great adventures….!!!
I like to pick 2-3 events and put them in my budget for the upcoming year. I also like to go to local events that I can ride to which cuts the cost way down. I do think rallies are a bit expensive, however, It's what I've chosen as my hobby. I used to show horses so not much difference in costs really, just different. I enjoy going to new places to ride, seeing our great country, and meeting new people who enjoy riding bikes. FunStuff!
@@bluhoss4768 thanks for commenting
Honestly, I think rallies are worth it if you're in the market for a new bike. Events like Touratech have multiple manufacturers there, so you can test ride several bikes on the same day to get a good, side by side comparison. Other than that, they're essentially a very expensive camping trip. Touratech West last June cost me $135 for an early bird ticket. I think they go up another $30 if you wait until Feb to buy. Riding solo and camping is by far the cheapest way to do it. You'll pay significantly more for admission if you trailer, take a motorhome, etc. I did it about as cheaply as I could, without preparing my own food. There were a few food trucks there. There are also several restaurants, about twenty minutes away in Leavenworth. I did buy a Rally t shirt and vented riding shirt there. All in, it was ~$500. I did meet a couple of people there that I now consider friends of mine. We've been on a few rides together since then. That was a bonus. Other than that, though, that was probably my last rally. I hear Touratech tickets are even more for '25. There is no food package available with your ticket for that one. Giant Loop is even more expensive, but I believe it includes catering and to some extent, beer.
I do a lot of dualsport rides and have been for years . In my experience I found that you are getting less for more money . One DS used to have a nice BBQ included with the price , now the they cut the BBQ out and the price went up . I think a lot has to do with the cost of insurances going up . Like everything else you get less for more .
Like they say if you want to play you have to pay 💸
You're right. Insurance is astronomical. According to a Touratech organizer I spoke to, they had to get insurance through AMA. They had the only rate that was close to reasonable. If it wasn't for them, there might not have been a rally at all.
True…the dollar doesn’t stretch any more….gotta pay to play…
Group rides organized by Facebook groups here in Ohio that are at free campgrounds are the best. Yes, I said FREE! Shout out to Great Ohio Adventure Trail, GOAT organizer Brad McFadden. Great fun times
@@brucekasnik3866 yep..Brad does an excellent job…and the cost you can’t beat….thanks for sharing!!!
@lifesjourneyat50 He has 3 camp and rides scheduled for next year. Hope you come and ride
@ Yeah I couldn’t make last years events…but am trying to fit it on calendar…plus its close..ha!!
Food cost is a constant whether at a rally or not.
Great stuff - adventuring in general can add up fast. I ride out of Maine. I did the TAT in '21 and Continental Divide in '22. I ended up shipping the bike back both times. No more - I'm determined to ride to and fro. This past summer I rode a 20 yr old GSA from ME to the Arctic round trip - 11,000+ miles. I'm Life's Journey over 60 - retirement helps!
Those sounds like great trips and yes it adds up but the experience of a lifetime - well worth every penny….keep it up as I try to catch you in the 60’s..ha!!!
Great info! I am a bit of a noob rally goer (or events) but I think the riding part is half the fun! or ? Looking to do more in 2025
Enjoy it is fun - just know what the cost are if thats important to you....hope to see you out there - thanks!
Riding out of northern Michigan makes going to many rally’s difficult because of the distance. I like to ride to the event so most are multi days there and back . With that in mind 3 a year is about average . The cost of the event is less important then the distance and time of year . I like the MOA and have attend server times.
That’s funny because I live in NEPA and made a trip to ride trails in Michigan. Rode the UP and lower Michigan. The trip up and back cost about $1.200 bucks for 5 days . I had a good time but I don’t think I would spend the money to do it again .
We rode the tomahawk A b sand town and a couple other places . It was the first time I saw a trail groomer like they do for the snowmobile. It was neat to see but it fluff up the sand and sort of made it difficult to ride .
I love that part of Michigan and the UP but understand distance is always a concern…enjoy those trips!!!
I’ve never been to a rally but I think I’d enjoy it. The cost of the rally itself isn’t the deterrent - I own my own small business and shutting down for multiple days is something I just can’t afford to do. No one to delegate to (that I can rely on)
Bummer…hopefully one day you can find the time…building that business is a labor of love…!!!
My goal for 2025 is to attend a rally or 2. I did sign up for Brock Gill’s Moto Missions Holy Smokey’s in June.
Sounds like a great rally!!!
The questions are rallies even worth ur time. Nevermind ur $$. For me personally i would never pay $50 for an event when i hardly find it interesting to attend a free meet up @ my local gas station. I ride! Riding is what im interested in doing. I think to many people waste $ on a "adventure" that isnt really and adventure. Just my thoughts. Hope u all find what ur looking for.
Appreciate the comments...yes Rallies are not for everyone...and usually its a social gathering of the same folks wanting to interact with like minded people. SO do want to find a group of people to ride with and meet new friends or its the event once a year they get together with old friends and create new memories. This is why I brought cost....because some don't want to pay it and others will...enjoy those rides...at the end of the day...that's what I think we all want to do...is ride!!!! - Thanks!
I always weigh the costs and milage…personally try to stay within 5 driving hours from home base. Camping not an option for me (I’m hi-mā)😉. So hotel/airbnb options jack costs up, even tho I usually find someone to share with.
Same with racing if y’all do harescrambles or enduros. Pay $$$ to play is the name of this game. But I love it!❤
I have to have some luxury..ha!!!…thanks for commenting!
Still a lot cheaper than therapy 😜
A true statement right there…enjoy!!!
I hope my wife doesn’t see this video.😂
@@Dualsportgrandpas now that's funny...haha!!!