MMRanch wrote on 07/16/25 at 19:23:23:


Bruce (Batman) and I are likely going to be riding at a easy pace without any peg dragging - but not at a "Putt Putt" pace.   I am bringing a 90HP bike, Bruce is bringing a 105 HP bike.  While we hardly ever let the horses loose all at once - using a few of them is guaranteed!

You seldom use your brakes and slow down for the corners, so you won't have any problem keeping up on either of your Royal Enfields - but the only way a Honda 750 chopper is going to keep up is if your brother Kent is riding it.

Bruce and I will be arriving late Wednesday night and riding Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  You can get your “Putt Putt” done early in the week and then pick the pace up later in the week.

I think your right Springman !   It sounds like them fellers need to let the horses out for a run !    
.................

I live a big 4 hours from Tellico Plains .  
Zen is only 350cc but he don't know that's a handy-cap , and he thinks that I'm the one that don't want to ride over 65-70 mph.  
He has gearing to push 90mph (think stock Savage) but a speed limiter means 119km/h down hill - not 120km/h.    All that's OK , I'm not telling him different !  

At one time I thought I'd go into old age on the Savage or something very similar ... I still think the same and Zen is something very Similar.  
I am thinking of installing the 410cc kit to it.   That's going from 72mm bore to a 78mm bore.  Just for the extra torque on those LONG UPHILL RUNS , here in middle TN I don't need it but over in East TN things are different.  
I do like it that Zen only has two valves and a very simple engine , with a long stroke (86mm) and a heavy flywheel.  

I don't see any problem keeping up as long as there is no interstate involved.  
......

I want to arrive  Monday or Tuesday and go check out the area along the bottom of the Skyway.  We have buzzed over that area countless times without knowing what we're missing ?    That should be Putt Putt enough !  

Dave , I'll tell Kent you gave him a complement !   Living in the area does give him an advantage  !    

He's ridding the Old Sportster or one of those Monster Glide Harleys now , last time I rode with him , the Old Sportster  could almost keep up with Zen on the North Side (going up) of Blood Mountain but I was taking advantage of the Small Bike Advantage   .  Coming up the South Side I believe his power advantage would have showed up ?    
There was a Bicycle rally going on and State Troopers were all over the South side.
But, I'm trying to not ride that way too much any more ...  

Oh No   ,  kilometers per hour   not  MPH .  
All the RE 350-J bikes except the Hunter have speed limiters set at 119 kmh.
Anything can keep up with them.   They aren't "Hurry-Bikes"

You would have to take one of the RE 350-J bikes out for a ride to understand what their attraction is.  
But
A modern , smooth , relaxed Savage begins to describe them.  
The RE 650 versions are nice but lack the charm of the single cylinder Engines .
They do run out of  steam on the open road or in the mountains , but that can be "Fixed"  but they are OK from the factory .  

I can say :  The 650 Meteor is a little bit sweeter (relaxed) than the 750 Guzzi was , but both are/were capable of anywhere anytime bikes.

I don't care to ride more than 70-75 mph on/in anything anymore.   I prefer 50-65 mph.  Must be getting lazy as the years roll on ?    Staying off the Super slab seems like the preferred option if I have a choice.    

MM, where are you guys staying in Tellico?

 Yep. I try to limit it to 65 or so on the S40 and actually right around 60 seems to be the sweet sp  

That the "Sweet Spot" on Zen too !    It's so much like Suzuki's LS650 they must be Related somehow !  

The Natchez Trace with the 50mph speed limit and no commercial traffic allowed - is wonderful !   Natchez MS to Nashville TN.  just short of 500 miles.  And running water Free Campgrounds along the way too boot !  

.............

Hay Dave
I've never seen the campground in Tellico Plains .
Do  you have any suggestion on how to find it ?  

google search:
This one looks good :  https://thedyrt.com/camping/tennessee/cherohala-mountain-trails-campground

I think its the same one you posted while I was searching ?  

Bruce and I have seen the Museum.....we don't need to go again (although it is a good place to hide out if rain comes and we need to let the roads dry off).

I think this may be 1 of our favorite cabins

MMRanch wrote on 07/21/25 at 19:09:17:


I have not talked to Stew for the last couple of weeks - I don't have telephone access where I am right now.  I did send him an email message this morning.

His wife had a trip that might have interfered with his coming to Cherohala - he did not know the details yet a couple of weeks ago and could not commit to coming.