I thought I was going to be so cool. Wrong. I had this great idea during the mid-winter press launch of the Kawasaki Concours 14 that I would ask Kawasaki for a long-term test unit to use all summer, and then I’d ride it solo to the 2007 Concours Owners Group Rally in Canaan Valley, West Virginia. Surely I would be the only person in attendance with this brand-new bike, save for the factory Kawasaki demo fleet that was on hand to give short teaser rides to the hoards of Concours faithful. Wrong again. Surely the members in attendance would flock to my ride and ask hundreds of questions and press me for my professional opinion on the high-tech touring missile. Wrong once more.

While I may have missed the mark on those assumptions, I was spot on with this one: if I took a brand-new, mega-powerful, super-handling sport-touring bike to the mountain ranges of West Virginia, add in some silky smooth roads, hundreds of like-minded enthusiasts, and beautiful weather, I would end up with the best touring adventure I’ve had all summer. Yep! Nailed that one!

I attended the 2007 COG Rally last August 7-11 at Canaan Valley Resort in beautiful northern West Virginia, and met up with the over 450 other participants (a new attendance record). As it turned out, some dozen or so of them were also aboard 2008 versions of the classic Kawi sport-tourer (I’ll bet they thought they were gonna be so cool). COG members are a hardcore and loyal touring bunch. There were attendees from 37 states, two Canadian provinces, and one guest each from France and Bermuda. I lost count of how many Iron Butt Association stickers I saw affixed to saddlebags, proving that if you want to go far, fast and comfortably, these guys and gals can show you how.

Canaan Valley Resort is a massive facility situated at 3,300' in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains, and may be better known as a prime ski resort area when the calendar comes around to the winter months. It’s surrounded by the million-acre (give or take a few) Monongahela National Forest. Even though the COG rally moves from location to location each year, this region of the country deserves special recognition by avid touring motorcyclists. West Virginia is a motorcycle-friendly state with web sites and roadmaps dedicated to the pursuit of two-wheeled enjoyment.

And I have to give it to the COG organization for picking this spot and executing a first-class event. The facility had ample room for all the guests and activities. The registration area was quite well-organized in a large meeting hall with tables set up to display and distribute ride maps and local attraction brochures. I took part in a cave-exploring tour and a trip to the Highland Scenic Highway.

The locals were extremely friendly, especially the wild ones that didn’t seem to mind the intrusion of humans and machines. It’s a good idea to peek out of your hotel window before swinging the door open and walking outside, because you never know what kind of four-legged creature might have walked right up to your door.

While I may have missed the mark slightly with my ambitions for last year’s event, there’s no doubt in my mind that another COG rally is in my future. The 2007 COG rally turned out to be a clinic on how to produce a successful and fun event. I look forward to the 2008 COG rally in Frisco, Colorado, on June 2-6. Details are available online at www.Concours.org/2008. RB