Reading one other post I see that two ST.N riders are deserving of a big pat on the back.
I wonder how many others there are as well?
Not a regular contributor here...but pop in occasional, but I'm there at #17!
FJRs as a model did much better this time around than in '05 as it gains in popularlity and years under it's belt. But, I think it's a case of being 90% the rider and 10% a decently maintained bike. For example, Owen on a BMW, FJR, or a Vespa is going to do well...because he just plain rocks in the 4 important traits of a successful IBR rider:
1) Good rider. Check. Jim can throw his BMW down the smooth highway or efficiently ascend to 11,300 feet of washboard to Bristlecone.
2) Can route. Owen teaches a seminar with Streets and Trip I affectionally have adopted and call "The Owen Method" and helped me for a #14 on Leg 2. The guy is a bonus hunting machine.
3) Knows the points on the rally. Check again...the dude probably knows the highway numbers and exit numbers around my home town better than I do!
4) Can manage fatigue. Those folks that can ride, route, and plan after Day 10 on 2 hours sleep a night are a special breed.
Look at the Top 10 and you'll see folks that are good or great in all four of those areas.
It is interesting to note that the only model represented by Yamaha was the FJR. One actual FJR failure and that was due to an aftermarket stator installed incorrectly. No failures of FJRs I remember in '05.
That said, it was exceptionally hard on the BMW folks...and the writer, Tom Austin, was astute that BMW has some issues they really should sort out for their brand. One can be a great rider, but if you're unlucky enough to have one of those 1 in 10 final drives grenade....it's either a case of rethinking the brand or to drink more kool-aid.
Finally, Brett Donahue on a Harley Sporster.....that dude can ride! I rode in and out of Mono Hot Springs with him and he passed me going in. Maybe I suck, but on Day 9....honor goes out the window for self-preservation of not phucking up the 11 day ride. Probably the only reason he didn't pass me coming out is that it was dark and I had a wall of HID light up to help us both out. It was a well prepped bike and his story of going to Bristlecone (which I did) and then back down crossing streams through Silver Springs (which I didn't because the sign said 4x4 only) was priceless.
The '07 IBR was a hard rally even by veterans' observations. Where a 20% to 25% attrition rate is usual....a full 1/3 or 34% of the field DNF'ed this year. It truly is the World's Toughest Motorcycle Rally.
