Official Information: 2019 VBA National Rally

[GIBBY]

Stayed tuned folks, there will be a major announcement about the Rally in the next week or so.

[GIBBY]

It is with great sadness that I must announce the cancellation of the 2019 National Rally. I would encourage those that made reservations to cancel as soon as possible. The lack of interest in this event has determined the fate of this Rally. I will say that some of us have spent many hours organizing this Rally and we are very disappointed in the lack of interest.

[BudMan]

Thank you for your efforts Mike.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by GIBBY

It is with great sadness that I must announce the cancellation of the 2019 National Rally. I would encourage those that made reservations to cancel as soon as possible. The lack of interest in this event has determined the fate of this Rally. I will say that some of us have spent many hours organizing this Rally and we are very disappointed in the lack of interest.

I am surprised. How many members use the forum every day? Is it down? Do they use FB more? Seems like the site has turned more into I've bought a used vulcan that's 8-10 years old, why does it do x? 10 years ago the brand was doing a lot better. On the other hand, the economy is good, so I wouldn't think that money would be more of an issue than any other time. I wonder if VROC and other kaw groups are going through this? With the product line shrinking, maybe people are just skipping past Vulcans and going to Indians and Harleys. DK.

[plumber63]

Its only the first of March. Just counting who said they have reservations or going as of now there is 15 bikes plus passengers.
Not sure how many you need to keep it on?

[BudMan]

I don't think traffic on the forum is really to blame, and the rally info is also available on FB.
I do think you are exactly right about who is using the forum. It seems that many have
purchased a older Vulcan and are only here looking for help. Attending rallies isn't something they are interested in.
While it's true that many of the guys who have been here for quite awhile have changed brands,
that hasn't stopped them from being welcome at the rallies, or stopped them from coming.
We had about 50 people on many different brands show up for last years SC/NC rally in South Dakota.
That gave me some hope that there would be some interest in this one.
Unfortunately it seems that after a number of years of going to rallies most have simply lost interest in it.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by BudMan

I don't think traffic on the forum is really to blame, and the rally info is also available on FB.
I do think you are exactly right about who is using the forum. It seems that many have
purchased a older Vulcan and are only here looking for help. Attending rallies isn't something they are interested in.
While it's true that many of the guys who have been here for quite awhile have changed brands,
that hasn't stopped them from being welcome at the rallies, or stopped them from coming.
We did have about 50 people on many different brands show up for last years SC/NC rally in South Dakota.
That gave me some hope that there would be some interest in this one.
Unfortunately it seems that after a number of years of going to rallies most have simply lost interest in it.

I saw on the FB page, 7 going and 28 interested. I wonder if an appeal could have been made for more to sign up? Also post on the VROC sites. Just saying. It's a shame to cancel.

[BudMan]

Originally Posted by plumber63

Its only the first of March. Just counting who said they have reservations or going as of now there is 15 bikes plus passengers.
Not sure how many you need to keep it on?

There weren't enough reservations to have half that many bikes.

[plumber63]

Troy & Carla 1 bike
Gibby 1 bike
Ray 1-bike
Dave & Crystal 1 bike
Glenn & Ann 2 bikes
Jim & Liz 2 bikes
Gene 1 bike
CJ 1 bike
Wilson 1 bike
Tim & Cindy 2 bikes
Jim & Annette 2 bikes
Rookie13 1 bike
Minist7877 1 bike camping

Down to Tim everyone says they have a room booked the rest just say they are going.
Not sue how accurate this list is.
Just hate to see this die early

[petenomad]

I didn't post it here, but Ann's boss and his wife have a reservation (Charles and Tracy).

[ponch]

Originally Posted by glwilson

Despite many hours (and I mean many), and some obligation of money by one member to put this rally together, I completely understand cancelling it.

The interest, as measured by reservations, simply wasn't near enough this close to the rally dates. Even the hotel's requirements were not close to being met. There also was a few local VBA members who were not coming; which was disturbing to me.

I realize the Driftless Area doesn't have the draw as other locations for rallies, but I do believe this one would have changed a few people's minds about that. It is a great place to ride motorcycles - period. There isn't a straight road to be found in its 24,000 square miles.

It is where Harley road-tests some of its bikes. It is where S&S Cycle, one of the largest independent engine performance manufacturers, is located. It is where one of the largest BMW groups have their annual rally; and it is also the area where other motorcycle groups do annual rallies. So, apparently, the area has its positives.

Regarding Vulcan Baggers, there definitely is a lull in activity on the site. Maybe it is time to change its purpose to include other bikes brands. Maybe it should be the
Baggers Association. That covers a lot of bikes; potentially opening-up the membership. Who knows.

Lastly, given the decline in the number of bike sales nationally by all brands, there is a strong down-trend in motorcycle sales and ownership. It its possible the "glory-days" are done; at least until younger people's economic situation improves enough to own a bike appealing to them. So far from polls, baggers do not appeal to younger people. Makes sense since most younger generations never like what the generation before them liked. Call it rebellious tendency, if you want, but the fact remains, interest in motorcycles is on the downswing.

I can attest to the area when we went to Prairie Du Chien. The roads were very good in composition and direction/design.

How are the HD rallies faring? I know the BMWMOA has seen an uptick at their rallies in the last few years. I think the big 4 have given up on cruisers, save for Yamaha and even then. Thing is, Wisconsin is more towards the middle, so it's not like people on one coast have to ride to the other coast. Oh well.

[plumber63]

Reservations cancelled.
Was looking forward to riding this area.
Still may, will see.

[petenomad]

Greg, Would you be willing to post the routes that you had made?
Gibby, Do you know if the motel will honor the discounted rate if we still decide to go?

[MAS Tequila]

Originally Posted by ponch

I saw on the FB page, 7 going and 28 interested. I wonder if an appeal could have been made for more to sign up? Also post on the VROC sites. Just saying. It's a shame to cancel.

Last year I posted that the SE VROC group had invited the VBA to SEVROC, since the VBA didn't have a southeast rally planned.

Not ONE person even responded about going or not going.

We had 60-75 people for the Saturday night finale dinner.

It's not the rallies, it's the forums, and general lack of interest in riding these days.

I'm going out on a limb here and inviting all who want to, to come the Fontana Resort with the VROC group for WWW XIII.

I'd like to see some of you there.

https://www.vroc.org/eventcalendar.p...&event_id=1277

[blowndodge]

It's a shame to hear this fellas. It was obvious a half dozen years ago that's why some of us branched off to form our own group Various Baggers in FB. We've been riding 6 years together each rally we plan. We have about 55 members and we only ask that you commit to attending a rally once in a while. Most of the time 75% of us find a way. It's more intimate because we plan no rides when we get there so you're free to either check out the town or plan a ride. I think the National in Estes Park opened our eyes that this group was slowly disbanding. Instead of fretting over the inevitable we branched off. It might help some of you that still like to get together to consider it. We've had Gibby and Greg come out from back east once to Red Lodge Montana! We had fun.