Pretty Cool

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And the Cooper is the "S" model as well(two pipes).

LOL!!!  That's ME!!!!

I went down to Deals gap last wknd for the 10th annual "MINI's on the Dragon" event.  There were 700ish MINIs there this year.  I usually meet up with my friend from Nashville, TN....this year I was going to be there for a couple of days alone before he could make it, so I decided to take the bike and get some riding in.  I've driven those roads many times in the MINI, but never rode them.  Can't wait to get back to ride them again.

More pics....

On the Cherohala...

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Me on the Dragon...

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Campsite at Fontana...

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On the trip down...

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And one of my favorite pics from the trip....one spoiled pooch!

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AWESOME   ............

your bike looks soo nice :happy: too bad ive been putting off getting my road rashed fairings replaced from the last owner :pissed:

I have an 06. What hitch are you using?

[image: View Post]reaper7767, on 11 May 2012 - 11:48 PM, said:

your bike looks soo nice :happy: too bad ive been putting off getting my road rashed fairings replaced from the last owner :pissed:

Ha...don't be fooled, I have touch=up paint all over both sides....just doesn't show in the pics.  I just got the bike back in January and the previous owner(s) had dropped it on the right side at some point.

[image: View Post]Muff, on 12 May 2012 - 12:24 AM, said:

I have an 06. What hitch are you using?

I'm using a Curt brand hitch for this car.....involves taking the rear bumper cover off and replacing a part of the steel bumper with the hitch, then cutting a small hole in the black plastic fascia.  I bought a used MINI bonnet emblem off of someone from the North American Motoring forum and made a plug that covers the hole when not in use.

I also had an '06 before this '08.....for that car I had a Minidomore (www.minidomore.com) hitch.  I don't think Curt makes a hitch for the gen-1 cars, but maybe they do now?  It's basically the same idea, just a bit more expensive.  Installs the same way, but the hitch drawbar then plugs into the hitch through the center rear foglight hole in the bumper.....you either pop the foglight out or the black bumper plug if you don't have a foglight and put the drawbar in when you want to use it.

As you can see I have a cheapo harbor freight 4x8 trailer and have used it to haul motorcycles (obviously), lumber, and even pianos on two occasions.  : )  I've even pulled a small sailboat from IN to Eastern KY once with my '06.  These cars tow just fine.

Up until last year, I had an old 80s vintage popup camper that I "remodeled" and painted to match the car.....actually, it was red to match the first Cooper, and then repainted blue to match the current one.  Now that got lots of attention!  haha

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Thanks.  Checking them out now

Hahaha....that little popup looks awesome behind the mini!  Such fun cars to drive!  If you dont mind me asking, how much was that little trailer for the bike?  That would be nice to have for taking the bike along on long trips.  I'm sure if a mini can pull it, I would think my accord could also :tour:

We need to get together some weekend and hit up southern indiana!  Or at least have a little meet up with some others from the area. I know there are at least a few on here around indiana.

Hey Higgin.  Yes, a ride down South would be great.  I'm in.

The trailer was from Harbor Freight tools.  There are 3 or 4 different models that they have....this is the 900ish lb weight limit 4x8 with 8" wheels.  It folds up and then rolls around on casters so that it actually only takes up about 2x4 on the garage floor when it's folded upright....but I've recently taken the hinges out of it since one of them broke and I now keep it outside.  They run a little under $300 (keep in mind you have to put it together from a box of steel rails and a million bolts).  The only other cost is buying a sheet of exterior grade plywood for the top and then title/plates.  I've probably overloaded this one plenty before and it did fine, but I'd spend the extra $50 and get the 1200 lb (or whatever it is) model with 12" tires as it's a bit sturdier.  This one I have works great though and is very stable on the highway even doing 80mph.   :smile:

VERY cool, actually!