With Platinum Roadside Assistance and Tire Protection added to your BMW MOA membership, you’ll never ride alone again. BMW MOA’s 24/7 Platinum Roadside Assistance gets you to a repair facility fast and will even replace a punctured tire for free! All that for only $109 a year, which includes the cost of your MOA membership.
Join online at bmwmoa.org or convert your current BMW MOA membership by calling 864-438-0962. BMW MOA Platinum Roadside and Tire Protection, available exclusively for BMW MOA members.
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ERIC JACKSON #217133
BILL WIEGAND #180584
ANOTHER GREAT NATIONAL!
The recent MOA National Rally held at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon, was my tenth as BMW Owners News editor. I continue to be as awestruck with what I saw there as I was ten years ago in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Deschutes County Fairgrounds offered the MOA a beautiful facility with more than 300 acres of lush, green space for tents and the entertainment stage and more square feet of meeting space for seminars, meetings, and meals than we could use. Most amazing of all were the distant panoramic views of the Cascade Mountain range, including the seven snow-covered mountain peaks of Mt. Bachelor, the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt. Jefferson.
I arrived in Redmond on the Sunday before the rally was set to begin to help with setup and preparation. I expected to be one of the first to arrive, but soon discovered I wasn’t. Already there were Rally Chairs Sam Garst and Reece Mullins, along with a platoon of volunteers all eagerly looking for an opportunity to lend a hand. As opening day approached, the once empty spaces filled with the tents; their colors reminded me of an Easter basket filled with colorful jellybeans sitting upon a lush bed of green.
By Thursday, 125 vendors lined the walkways and filled the arena as motorcycles continued to roll in. By the end of the week, nearly 5,000 rally attendees passed through the gates. All told, more than 200 riders advanced their skills through training offered by the BMW Rider Academy, Touratech-USA, ChampU, Ben Dragoo, and Team Oregon. Over 80 seminars informed and entertained, while generous MOA rally attendees donated more than $12,500 in Karol Patzer’s name to the Mountain Star Children’s Relief Fund.
As is always the case with our National Rally, old friends got reacquainted and new friendships were forged. Lucky MOA members Cory Ziegler, Timothy Murphy, and Tony Clasen won new M 1000-series motorcycles, while 18 others took home impressive grand prizes. Even first-time rallygoers Lynn Chadwick and Kendra Summers took home a new set of tires! But don’t take my word for what a great experience the Ridin’ to Redmond National Rally was, here are some of the comments posted on the Rally app:
“Wonderful rally. Heartfelt gratitude to the organizers and volunteers. For the first time, I felt welcomed, took courses and got tips to be a safe rider, made friends, and got inspired to ride long,” said Dheeraj Manghnani.
Ronald Gregory described his time in Redmond by saying, “Enjoyed my time at the rally and getting there was part of the fun, as always. Nice to spend time with Beemer folks. (I) met new people, had random conversations with others, spent too much money, saw new places, and had a blast. Safe travels and see you in Lebanon next year!”
“A truly magnificent rally! Thanks to the rally chairs, volunteers, vendors, and participants. MOA is a great place to meet friends you never knew you had,” -Paul Novak
“Thanks for a great rally. Only my second in 29 years! The world may have changed quite a bit since 1995, but the BMW MOA community continues to be something special,” said Rick Pannemann.
A sampling of images from the 2024 National Rally can be found beginning on page 32 of this issue, while a complete Rally report will be available in our October issue.
Still kicking yourself for missing our annual get-together? Registration is already open for the 2025 MOA National Rally slated for Lebanon, Tennessee. Visit bmwmoa.org and click on the Rally tab to sign up.
The next big event for the MOA comes in early September when Motorrad Fest gives spectators the opportunity to watch the best law enforcement motor officers in the country compete on Friday and Saturday in the Authority Bike Shootout for Law Enforcement Agencies riding BMW motorcycles. At M’Fest, spectators can take their own Authority training provided by the BMW Performance Center, and even “Compete Against the Pros” on Saturday afternoon. For more information, visit bmwmoa.org/ events.
I look forward to seeing you down the road.
Join us September 12-15, 2024, at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tennessee. The event is free for spectators to attend, and over 100 competitors are expected for the Authority Bike Shootout.
Visit MFEST.BMWMOA.ORG for details and to reserve your spot!
Rain Ahead!
Terence Hamill (#14629) had to alter his post-Rally ride home to avoid an approaching storm in eastern Washington.
THE FUTURE OF THE MOA BELONGS TO ALL OF US
By Adam Chandler #207579
BMW MOA Vice President
Every month, your MOA Board of Directors meet via Zoom or in-person to discuss the state of our club, its health, and how we are tracking toward our long-term strategic goals. The theme is consistent–our club is in good shape, but the future remains uncertain. I think the MOA will still be here in a decade, but will the MOA be here to celebrate its 100th anniversary? That’s not as clear.
The pace at which the MOA is connecting with new BMW owners, recruiting new segments, including women riders, and motivating participation in this club via social media and in-person events is falling behind. Compared to our peers of traditional motorcycle clubs, the MOA is very strong, is the largest BMW motorcycle club globally, and has no other competitor except for hundreds of disparate Facebook groups focused on specific regions, riding styles, and motorcycle models. I still believe we can do more to secure our future.
Having just been reelected to the MOA Board of Directors, I want to share the ownership of MOA’s future with you all. This is not an MOA board, staff or key volunteer problem–this is a challenge we all own together as MOA members.
You and every MOA member are empowered to recruit new members through our Member Forces program. You’re also enabled to send our rally or getaway information to your friends. You can talk up the perks of MOA membership at your monthly charter club breakfast or when you’re at your local BMW dealership parts counter about the 10% you’re saving in parts by being an MOA member and suggesting they tell other customers to join the MOA so they, too, can save on every part purchased.
Contact Adam Chandler at adam.chandler@bmwmoa.org
Contact the MOA Board of Directors at board@bmwmoa.org
Finally, there’s passing on your copy of BMW Owners News to a friend or offering them an MOA sticker for their panniers.
The MOA Staff has been hard at work converting free members to paid through a strategic retention campaign. The results are clear: You bring in new free members and staff will convert them to paid before their 12 month “MOA test ride” is up.
If every MOA member recruits just one additional member, we’ll have reversed a 20-year decline in membership, but it’s not just about membership. It’s also engagement which includes doubling our rally attendance, readership of BMW Owners News, and growing the buying power of the largest club in the world.
The majority of our members who do not renew their MOA membership do so because they’ve giving up riding. I’m only 37, but I’ll join that demographic at some point in my life. Eventually, we all give up riding. I hope that by then, I’ll have recruited enough members so my departure will be offset by riders who share my passion for motorcycles, rider training, civic participation, and getting together with others at events large and small.
If you want to get involved with recruiting for the MOA, please reach out to me. We need help in all areas but particularly representation in chartered clubs, with dealers, on online content, at regional events, and with everyone we meet.
Top left, While riding through a dense fog to her California home from Calgary, Alberta, the fog suddenly lifted and Colleen Sepulveda (#108960) saw this in her mirrors.
Top right, Along Highway 14 west of Sundance, Wyoming, Bryan Mutchler (#226229) found Devils Tower and a photograph he's wanted to capture since seeing "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" as a young boy.
Right, A weathered mural of Old Glory found near Perrysville, Indiana. Photo by Mich Miller #226232.
left, A pair of RTs photographed near Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, after an overnight ride to his friend's farm.
Top right, A shot of his '09 R 1200 RT captured during a day ride while attending the MOA National Rally in Redmond, Oregon. Photo by Marco Mazzoni #222453.
Middle right, Mike LoGalbo (#155063) photographed his 2013 F 800 GT on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road while riding in Austria in June
Right, Jeffrey Johnston (#234842) found the perfect backdrop in Abbeville, South Alabama, to photograph his 2016 R 1200 GS Adventure.
Each month we publish the great images sent to us by BMW MOA members from their travels around the globe. Send us your best images and you could have your work published in our Postcards from the Road pages. Email your high resolution images, image description and contact information to editor@bmwmoa.org.
Top
Photo by Joe Cantwell #116901.
my lucky day
tRIDERTORIDER
Send your letters and comments to: editor@bmwmoa.org
Yesterday while out on a local run through a Colorado mountain highway I had the misfortune of meeting a concrete paving block while traveling at highway speed. I was tailing a car in front of me and suddenly without warning I saw the block straight in my path. I did the quick math in my head, and I knew I was already too close to the block to try to evade it. I knew by then that my best chance would be to meet it straight on rather than hit it at anything but a 90-degree angle. I immediately released the throttle, did the best I could to relax and stood on the foot pegs of my ’22 R 1250 RT. I rode over the block, and to my surprise my bike and I were still upright. I immediately drew a sigh of relief, thinking I had won the battle.
Not long afterwards I heard a sound coming from in front of me and felt the front tire getting mushy. I was already at a reasonably slow speed when I successfully steered my wounded warrior to the highway shoulder. I looked to the left of
me and saw two other Beemers heading past me and learned shortly later that one of the two had met the same demise as I and pulled off the same shoulder of the road but about 100 yards in front of me.
I swung the kickstand down then got off my bike to evaluate the damage, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. My beautiful black aluminum front rim was bent at point of impact in what looked to be between a “U” and a “V” shape. My new Michelin Road GT6 with barely 100 miles didn’t look damaged but was separated from the rim at the point of impact. I knew right then and there how lucky I was to be standing next to my bike without a scrape on both my body and bike.
Long story short, I pulled my phone from its cubby and dialed BMW Roadside Assistance, and within two hours my bike and the other stranded Beemer were towed to local BMW dealer for repair. In that two hour span I was met by other riders passing by, a local sheriff and a state patrol officer all of whom checked on me, with the state patrol officer giving
tme water and sunblock. Looking back on this misfortunate event, it then struck me what a great community of people I am surrounded by, and even better, what a great organization the BMW MOA is and the network of resources you provide to its members.
Indeed, this is my lucky day with many more to come.
Ed Fiedler #234450
Littleton, Colorado
THE BMW WE'D LIKE TO SEE
I enjoyed the article by Paul Guillien getting the word out on the latest BDR release, CABDR North (June 2024 BMW Owners News). I truly appreciate the BDR organization and BMW’s sponsorship of them.
I am concerned though that it is quite common in articles and the BDR films to see very experienced riders such as Paul Guillien riding these big 1250 GSs on these very challenging trails. I worry that inexperienced riders will be inspired to attempt these routes on these big bikes and have much less success than if they were on a dual sport bike.
For the last eight years, a group of us have done one or two BDRs every summer including the expert sections (except Lockhart Basin in Utah). We started off on R 1200 GSs for the first few, but quickly realized that we’d be much better off on lighter more nimble bikes with better clearance. One year, one guy got a Husky 701, and the next year we were all on KTM 690s with one guy on a Husky 501. These bikes have two inches more suspension travel and weigh more than 200 lbs. less than an R 1200 GS (and probably a lot less than that when you factor in the hard bags most of the big bikes have). I can’t imagine going back to an R 1200 GS to do this year’s BDR!
I know BMW is trying to sell bikes and
these GSs are a high margin item. There seems to be a relentless inertia to making bikes bigger every couple of years–now there’s an R 1300 GS! What I’d really like to see is BMW engineer a very capable dual sport bike that is much better suited to riding the BDRs. Put together something that competes with the KTM 690 Enduro R. The BMW F 750 GS definitely isn’t it as it’s 170 lbs. heavier than the 690!
I would love to see BMW take a step back and build a 300 lb. bike that’s truly built to tackle these awesome BDR trails.
Steve Poirier #198880 Seattle, Washington
BEWARE BEAN BRAIN
In his review of the Scorpion XT9000 helmet, Dustin Silvey describes the hazards of “Post Meal Fatigue” (PMF.) A particularly troubling form of this is “Burrito Brain,”when proteins from the meal pass the Bean-Brain Barrier and result in profound lethargy.
Ted Crum #107828 Oakland, California
ENGLE BMW TO THE RESCUE
On my way home from the national at a gas stop I noticed oil on my rear wheel. I punched the BMW icon on my NAV V. Up pops Engle Motors in Kansas City. I called and spoke to Ed, the service guy. I
explained the problem, he asked if I was traveling. I said yes, he said I will see you at 9 a.m. tomorrow. I was there at 8:55; the bike was on the lift at 10:09 and fixed by 11:30.
We all hear these stories and read on. This is my story, and I can’t thank Ed and Tony, the tech who did the work, enough. Engle BMW are good people.
Wayne Garrison #20941 Indianapolis, Indiana
KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL!
Ten years ago, a good friend of mine and longtime MOA member, Marty Pegelow, talked me into getting my first BMW. I went to my first rally that year in St. Paul, Minnesota, with him and have never looked back. We met up again at this year’s rally in Redmond, Oregon. I made it home on Tuesday after the rally. Marty will never make it home, as he had an accident in Wyoming.
Marty had thousands of miles under his belt and many rallies. Even a four corners ride circumventing the country. He was a true road warrior and one of the nicest guys you could ever want to meet. Marty will arrive in heaven sliding in at full speed ahead saying, “Man, what a ride!” I will miss him a lot. Please, keep your head on a swivel!
Scott Blixt #196809 Montgomery, Minnesota
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
rally first timer
I have only been an MOA member since 2022 and have just attended my first rally at the National in Redmond, Oregon. I rode from North Phoenix, Arizona, on my 2015 F 700 GS.
Not knowing what to really expect, I decided to help and volunteered all three days I was there–twice at the volunteer tables and once at the main gate filtering attendees. It was a great opportunity to meet a lot of people and have interesting and fun discussions.
I greatly enjoyed the event, from visiting all of the vendors to looking at all the bikes and sidecars on display (and of course, spending a bit too much). I definitely overindulged at the Brewfest on all the great beer presented, along with having a few more spirited discussions there.
There was camaraderie and great music. There were many people willing to engage and answer any questions. The organizers did a fantastic job, and if you ever wonder what to expect, especially if it is your first rally, just volunteer like I did. You won’t regret it and might enjoy the experience even more.
Thierry Simondet #227543 Anthem, Arizona
Each month, the Rider to Rider pages of BMW Owners News detail the successes, failures, wishes and frustrations we all face as riders, BMW motorcycle owners, customers and individuals. As a BMW MOA member, these are your pages and we want to know what’s on your mind.
Got something to get off your chest? Tell us about it. Know a business that deserves to be recognized? Tell us about it. Got a riding or tech tip that we could all benefit from? Tell us about it. Got a suggestion for BMW Motorrad? You know the drill–Tell us about it! There’s only one rule and that’s to stick to the subject that brings us all here–motorcycling, so save political rants for Facebook! Send your thoughts to editor@bmwmoa.org and lets all work to build a better community.
beezer seizure
By Ed Kolano #15893
I like those mini-MENSA puzzles you find in magazines every now and then stacked in waiting rooms. You know, the ones that ask you to complete the series. Here’s one: minibike, go-kart, Benelli, ___?__. Obviously, the answer is BSA.
Having polluted much of the northern New Jersey air with my two-stroke Benelli 175cc Enduro for a couple years way back in the days of yore, I made the environmentally friendly decision to stop mixing my own gas and oil and buy a big boy bike. Unfortunately, all my little boy budget could afford was a used BSA Lightning. How cool was I going to be? Not sure, but at least my friends could no longer refer to my bike as “The Mosquito Fogger.”
First order of business with the new to me bike was a long ride. The Beezer and I made it maybe 10 miles from my house before the engine started making the loud, clanging noise of a machine gun, accompanied by a noticeable power loss. The little engine that could, did, but just long enough to chug me off the highway where it promptly quit. Subsequent kickstarts revealed louder and louder clang-bangs. It was time to call the only person I knew with a pickup truck available that Saturday, my Uncle Jim.
I’m guessing we’ve all had an Uncle Jim, the guy who told you what you were doing wrong before even knowing what you were doing. When he showed up, I wondered why he had that camper shell on his truck, and why he showed up to retrieve my motorcycle with all that stuff in the truck bed. No worries, Uncle Jim had a plan: tie one end of a rope to the trailer hitch and the other end to my bike. He’d drive while I rode the towed bike for 10 miles on Route 17 in northeastern New Jersey, on a Saturday no less, the designated northern New Jersey shopping/Little League/recreation transport day. Now, I wasn’t exactly a risk-averse teenager, but I was definitely dragged-todeath averse.
risk mitigation #1. No amount of braking effort by me slowed him down. The good news was that there were sections of highway that weren’t choked with cars and trucks. The bad news was Uncle Jim exploited those openings by accelerating to highway speed before decelerating for the next batch of traffic.
If clinging to the rope of life (or death) a mere 15 feet behind an accelerating/decelerating, lane-changing pickup driven by a man who did not believe in rear view mirrors might seem stupid, that’s because it was. Cutting to the chase, we made it home where he regaled me with all the new ways I was wrong that had occurred to him while towing me through carmegeddon.
After spending a few days to calm down, I began the engine tear-down in my grandmother’s garage. There, I methodically laid out every component and piece of hardware on butcher paper on the garage floor, scribbling appropriate information on the paper adjacent to each. Mid tear-down, my grandmother had a big family gathering in her yard, and Uncle Jim asked me how the BSA was. Actually, it wasn’t so much an inquiry as endless rounds of advice. The next part was my fault.
I mentioned that I was having trouble pulling the transmission cluster from the engine case. A few minutes later, I rounded the driveway to find the garage door open with Uncle Jim and two other uncles attempting to free the tranny cluster. One was bracing the engine on a table while another held the chisel aimed at the cluster-case seam. Uncle Jim was about to wield the sledge before I managed to disarm the marauders with a humbling appeal that I wanted to do it myself, without any “adult” help.
During a brief discussion about how we would proceed, I expressed my apprehension, and Uncle Jim imparted his opinion of my manhood deficit. I came up with a couple of minor risk mitigations, one being stay off the highway and limp home on surface streets. The other was mechanical. Rather than tie it to my bike, I looped the end of the rope around the handlebar and held the end with my left hand, thus giving me access to both brakes and the ability to release the rope’s grasp quickly if necessary.
Off we went, right onto Route 17, despite his promise to abide by
Easy peasy from there, right? It should have been, except I had to go out of town for a week. Wouldn’t you know, during that week, there was a flood that threatened my grandmother’s house. Ever helpful, my relatives scooped up all my carefully laid out parts and dumped them into a big box. At least they were thoughtful enough to roll up the butcher paper and shove it in there as well. So, yeah, re-assembly was a tad more time consuming than it could have been.
I discovered the clang-bang culprit was a spun bearing on the crankshaft that cut off oil supply to the journal. A little machine shop work and an oversized replacement bearing fixed the problem.
Ah, the impatience of youth. With the bike reassembled, I was anxious to run the engine. It was nearly midnight, but so what? And so what that I hadn’t reinstalled the exhaust system yet. Hey, the bike ran, so why not take it down the street?
The putter down the street was loud but uneventful, and the tiny flames spitting out the exhaust ports were pretty cool. Until I cranked the throttle, that is. Those cute little flames at putter RPMs became 15” afterburner torches shooting out the front of the bike. Still might have been cool, except the bright blue-yellow-red blazes effectively shut down my vision on that dark road. I throttled back and slowed as quickly as I could, hoping to remain between the parked cars now hidden in the darkness on both sides of the street. Whew, I had gotten away with another numbskull maneuver. I just wish I had a picture of that two-wheeled Thunderdome flaming down the street.
The next day the bike was entirely put back together. That’s when I discovered the frame was cracked. Beyond structural concerns was the oil leak. BSA Lightnings used the frame as the oil tank, and the crack/leak was at the base of the downtube, just forward of the swingarm, the perfect place to lubricate the rear tire. I ended up trashing the frame, salvaging the engine, wheels, and electrics, and (I’m not proud if this) building a chopper. I rode it once and scared myself almost as badly as being towed behind a pickup truck. Figuring I pretty much used up all my luck on this project, I sold the chopper. All that remained was the box and the dozen or so pieces of hardware that were inexplicably left over after the engine rebuild. And some butcher paper.
Memories!
Ed Kolano is a former Marine and semiretired test pilot who’s been riding motorcycles since well into the last century.
Currently on his fourth BMW (seven, if cars count), his rides have traversed 42 of the lower 48 states and six Canadian provinces. So far.
JOIN DUSTIN AND JANEL SILVEY ON THEIR OAXACA DIA DE MUERTOS ("DAY OF THE DEAD") ADVENTURE
Today, MotoDiscovery continues to “spin the globe” to meet the discriminating demands of today’s international motorcycle traveler. Since MotoDiscovery has enjoyed exploring the roads of Mexico with loyal BMW riding enthusiasts since 1981, what better way to observe this over four-decade long relationship with BMW MOA than to join a MotoDiscovery Mexico Tour specially crafted for MOA members? The tour will run from October 28th to November 9th, 2024, and will be hosted by Dustin and Janel Silvey.
The Oaxaca Dia De Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) Adventure is a paved road tour and will take advantage of great secondary roads to the city of Cholula where you will stay overnight in a luxurious hotel at the base of the world’s largest pyramid. The next day, the tour will take a direct route to Mitla, a city within driving distance of Oaxaca Centro and main plaza for two nights. Oaxaca has earned a worldwide reputation for its art, weaving, and cuisine. It is also home to mezcal, the high-octane nectar of the gods. Cemeteries will come alive with the setting sun as indigenous natives gather around the graves of loved ones and give offerings to the spirits. Reuniting with the motorcycles, the tour will then ride what is arguably one of the finest riding roads in Mexico to descend from the heights of the Sierra Madres to the Pacific Coast and then will enjoy two nights on the ocean’s edge at Quinta Bella Huatulco.
From there, the tour will begin to tackle more of the great roads Mexico has to offer, as we make our way back to the Valley of Tepoztlan. Along the way, we will enjoy some great stops with the focus on riding, culture, and some amazing cuisine. Then we return the bikes at our last luxurious stop and either spend a few extra days in Mexico City or head home.
Come join Motodiscovery and the MOA on this grand tour as we search out the Day of Dead celebration, hone our photography skills, ride some amazing Mexican roads, and make some new friends. To reserve your spot on the tour, visit motodiscovery.com/tour/oaxaca-dia-de-muertos-adventure-for-bmw-moa-2024/.
CANADIAN MOA MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: 10% REBATE ON ALL ADMORE LIGHTING PRODUCTS
In a new partnership with AdMore Lighting in Canada, MOA members can receive a 10% rebate on the purchase of any product from AdMore Lighting. The rebate incentive includes AdMore Lighting products, Hex ezCan products, Denali Lights, Park 'n Move motorcycle dollies, Lantern Gear flashlights, and other items purchased directly from AdMore Lighting in Canada. Visit admorelighting.com to make your purchases.
Although designed as a benefit for MOA members in Canada, the rebate does apply to anyone who purchases directly from AdMore Lighting, regardless of residence. To qualify for a rebate, MOA members should complete the form available at bmwmoa.org/ news/674279/Canadian-Member-Exclusive-10-Rebate-on-all-AdMoreLighting-Products.htm and submit a receipt from AdMore Lighting indicating the items purchased and the amounts paid. Rebate checks will be processed within 60 days for payment to the MOA member.
TRAIN WITH TEAM USA'S GS TROPHY TEAM
Are you looking to take your off-pavement skills to the next level and learn with some of the best riders on the planet? Sign up for this last opportunity to train with Team USA before they head to Namibia for the 2024 International GS Trophy competition!
The BMW US Rider Academy will provide the motorcycles and expert instruction at their world class facility in Greer, South Carolina; you’ll only need to bring your gear and a willingness to learn. Class dates are August 12-13, 2024.
For more information, call 888-345-4269 and ask to train with Team USA!
BMW MOTORRAD ANNOUNCES MODEL UPDATES
BMW Motorrad recently announced updates to their motorcycles for the 2025 model year. Bikes with these new options will be available for ordering in August 2024 at your favorite BMW motorcycle dealer.
Most of the changes are cosmetic, a typical move for all manufac turers around the world. Some colors are discontinued while others are made available; for example, the G 310 R and various K 1600 models all get new color schemes for 2025. Some models in the BMW lineup gain fresh Option 719 accessories, but let’s focus on more substantive updates:
• K 1600 GT: You’ll be able to order a center stand—which BMW calls a main stand—separately from any options package.
• K 1600 GTL: You’ll have to choose the Comfort Package to get a center stand.
• F 800 GS: The Touring Package now includes Headlight Pro, heated grips and hand protection.
• CE 02: Batteries will be removable for more convenient charging.
• R 12 and R 12 nineT: The Connected Ride Control option now includes a USB-C port.
Visit your local BMW Motorrad dealer for full information.
Designed in Australia and manufactured in Taiwan.
Aluminium carabiner covered with soft
Great to see so many customers in Redmond, OR at the recent BMW MOA Rally. Looking forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s Rally in Lebanon, TN!
ADMORE LIGHT BAR PRO
Compatible with all years and models of BMW motorcyclesincluding the new R1300GS!
Check out the new AdMore ezLINK for plug-n-play installation on most BMW motorcycles using a HEX ezCAN or Denali CanSmart!
DESIGNED FOR BMW MOTORCYCLES Also available at select BMW dealerships across the country BE SAFE. BE SEEN.
ADMORELIGHTING.COM/BMW-MOA
GEAR MOTORCYCLE FOOTWEAR
Let’s face it—motorcycle boots are sometimes a hassle. They’re clunky, hot and stiff and especially at the height of summer, you might be tempted not to bother putting them on. But you don’t want to ride around in your Air Jordans because there’s always the off chance you might get hit by an inattentive driver. Consider these stylish alternatives to traditional motorcycle boots as a way to protect your feet and ankles in case of a collision and enjoy a little more comfort in many riding scenarios. Sizes are U.S. men’s unless otherwise noted—subtract approximately 1.5 sizes for women’s sizes (i.e. men’s 10 is about women’s 8.5). When in doubt, visit a dealer to try them on!
BMW Motorrad Seoul GTX Sneakers bmwmotorcycles.com
Not just stylish and new, but featuring a wind/water-resistant upper (GTX stands for GORE-TEX) and oil/fuel-resistant sole— PLUS cleanly integrated heel and ankle protection. A side zipper aids getting the Seouls on or off. Available in black or white in Euro sizes 38-48 (approx. U.S. men’s 6/women’s 7.5 to men’s 15). MSRP is $249.99.
BMW Motorrad KnitLite Sneakers bmwmotorcycles.com
A little more fashion-forward than the Seoul sneakers, the Knit series are great for hot summer rides with their mesh tongue for air flow and full-length side zipper for easy on/off actions. The EVA-Vibram sole is oil/fuel-resistant and the upper is a one-piece knitted unit (hence the name) made from abrasionresistant recycled polyester. KnitLites are available in three colors (anthracite, black, red); Available in Euro sizes 36-48 (approx. U.S. women’s 5 to men’s 15). MSRP for both is $279.99.
Alpinestars Chrome Drystar alpinestars.com
Suede and leather construction and a waterproof membrane cross with modern styling and the proprietary Transversal Protection Frame, providing good looks, casual comfort and a high level of foot and ankle protection. Side zipper makes getting them on and off easier, and the OrthoLite insole is removable/replacable. Three color schemes (black/black/gum, black/gray/hi-viz, black/white/ blue) and available in (men’s) full and half sizes 6-14. MSRP is $269.95.
Street & Steel Kickstarter Riding Shoes
cyclegear.com
These riding shoes feature the basics we need—suede and mesh construction, with reinforced soles, toe caps and ankle pads for protection. Grommets provide some air flow for hot-weather comfort. Available in black only and in sizes 8-13. MSRP is $119.99, but often found online for as low as $89.99.
REV’IT Jefferson revitsport.com
Probably the most shoe-looking motorcycle shoes on the market these days, the Jeffersons feature thermoformed heel and ankle cups as well as injected ankle cups to meet CE regulations for safety. Add gusseted tongue, tough leather shift pad and an OrthoLite insole and you’re all set. Available in two colors (black, gray/anthracite) in Euro sizes 39-47 (approx. U.S. men’s 7-13.5). MSRP is $199.99.
klim resilience jacket
By Mark Barnes #222400
Mesh jackets can be wonderful ways to beat the heat, allowing generous airflow while still protecting their inhabitants with abrasion-resistant materials and padded armor in all the right places. During transitional seasons, however, when it can be too cool for mesh in the mornings and evenings, yet plenty warm enough for it in the afternoons, riders may be reluctant to use gear they can’t zip airtight and then unzip as needed.
Jackets with zipper-regulated ventilation are certainly valuable assets during such conditions, but depending on their design, they may not offer anywhere near the cooling effect of a mesh version. If riding temps are expected to vary widely with time of day, elevation or some other variable, it might be ideal to wear mesh—but with a windbreaker underneath that effectively cuts the A/C factor way down. Klim’s Resilience Jacket fills this bill quite nicely and looks perfectly appropriate when worn off the bike as a stand-alone garment on a cool, windy day.
The Resilience lacks any insulation, which makes it extremely lightweight and readily packable. The gossamer synthetic material is slightly stretchy to avoid any restriction of motion, and Klim’s penchant for multi-panel assembly helps in this regard, too. These features are extra-important because this mid-layer needs to be fairly snug to fit under a tailored sporty jacket without bunching, yet it also has to fit over whatever thick shirt you might want to wear during the chilly portion of
the ride. While windproof, the fabric doesn’t suffocate its wearer like some plastic rainsuits, which are often pressed into windbreaker duty. Klim calls the material “breathable,” an oft-used term conjuring fantasies of freer-flowing air exchange than synthetics sporting such a moniker can actually deliver. In this case, I can vouch for the jacket’s lack of a steamy interior when I’ve had to wait for a chance to shed it after the mercury
rose and I was ready for a breeze. At such moments, the windproofing was definitely apparent—more vivid than when cold temps can make it a bit difficult to distinguish between invading airflow and simple ambient cooling.
When not wrapped in another jacket, the Resilience provides a lot of readily accessible storage for such a featherweight jacket, with two roomy handwarmer pockets and a large single exterior chest pocket, all zippered, but without Klim’s usual glove-friendly pulls (same goes for the full-length front zipper). Neck comfort is assured with a soft suede-like lining in the collar and a semi-enclosed “garage” for the front zipper’s tab at full height. Elasticized sleeve cuffs and an adjustable bottom hem deny cold air entrance, and an internal draft flap keeps it from sneaking through the front zipper. Small reflective logos add a touch of extra visibility.
At $119.99, this is a pricey windbreaker, but the Reliance features Klim’s typical high quality in design, construction, and materials, and it functions as advertised. Although it’s not meant to be waterproof, I’ve found it even does a good job keeping moisture at bay in damp/foggy conditions. Available in sizes XS-3XL, in four colorways (black, gray/hi-viz, light/dark gray, brown/ black/orange). Visti Klim.com for more information.
tech days and led lights
By Matt Parkhouse #13272
Susanna and I are currently packing up and getting ready to head to the BMW MOA Rally in Redmond, Oregon. The route will take us right by Boise, Idaho, so we will stop in to visit Susanna’s 99-year-old mother. We will be going by car as Susanna has sadly (and wisely) given up riding. I’m heading in that direction, but not quite yet.
I’ve gotten a couple of decent rides in, going to a couple of Airhead Tech Days in Denver, and I find the riding still enjoyable. Now that the Mexico Bike is back in decent shape, I’m trying to get myself in shape for one last ride into Mexico next February. I found myself rather sore after the pair of hundred mile-plus rides I took to get to the tech days. I accept that there will be a time to hang up the helmet and riding gear but I’m not ready yet. Because I’m using the e-bike for the shorter trips in town, our motorcycles are not getting many miles of use.
I want to be as sure as possible that the Mexico bike will handle the run to Tultepec, Mexico. Because of this, I haven’t done much after riding at night to check out the various LED headlamps I’ve purchased from TEMU. I did take a good ride to Tom's house for one of the men’s groups I belong to, and the ride home after sunset showed me the LED headlamp works quite well. It is bright so setting the angle of the headlight bucket is important to avoid being a pest to the oncoming drivers. I’ll now swap it out for the next test of the three different headlamps. I also bought a couple of LED tail lamps, and I’m pleased with how one of those works in the rear lamp on my Slash Five.
I received a phone call from a fellow BMW MOA member who absolutely raved about the LED set-up sold by Motorrad Electric. I hope Rick Jones will be at the Rally in Redmond so I can visit with him to see what he has. What he is providing is a Jeep headlamp set-up that will nicely fit into the Slash Five headlamp bucket. It will also work with the later airhead headlamp buckets using a spacer and uses the same spring clips that secure the stock headlamp parts. If you’re unfortunate enough to have damaged your headlamp lens and reflector in a minor crash or even a parking lot “oops” tip-over, this would be a great replacement. There are also a lot of airhead BMWs out there with rusty and corroded reflectors. As Rick Jones commented about this offering, the replacement lens and reflector run at an “eye-watering $370.” The LED unit comes in at well under $200. The fellow who called was VERY happy with the amount of light this item puts out.
As I said above, I’ve been to a couple of Tech Days up in Denver a couple of weeks apart. The first event was at the home of Dick Paschen in south Denver. About 30 airhead riders
showed up. I had brought what I needed to renew the fuel lines on my Slash Five. The standard BMW provided fuel lines last around two years before becoming porous or even breaking up at the ends of the fuel line. I use the BMW lines because that’s what the bike came with. This is with one modification. I use the cloth-covered line on the two up and down runs but I use the smooth high-pressure line for the cross-feed line. (The highpressure line is used in the later fuel-injected bikes.) I use this line as a cross-feed because it’s a lot more work to replace. To get to that part of the fuel delivery system, you have to remove the air cleaner parts. The long-lasting line gets used there so I don’t have to renew it as often, and I use the easy-to-replace braided line because it looks right.
After taking care of my ride, I helped out with a couple of other folks’ projects. As often is the case, wiring issues seemed to top the list of repairs done in Dick’s driveway. After enjoying the chili that this Tech Day is known for, I headed home to beat the gathering afternoon thunderstorm clouds.
Two weeks later, I rode back up to northern Denver to Nick Malozzi’s home. I didn’t have any repair needs myself, so I parked in the street and wandered around the driveway. I helped a couple of riders sort out ignition problems. One fellow had a 1979 bike, which is one of the last two years to utilize points in the ignition. The ‘79 and ‘80s bikes used points located inside what came to be called “the bean can.” Electronic ignition was standard from 1981 and later bikes. This fellow’s bike had what is somewhat a common problem with the bean can–a fast idle that won’t drop down when the bike stops or is in neutral. A check with a timing light showed the bike to be perfectly timed, so that wasn’t the problem. We then pulled the can and popped off the little cover that is in the side of the can. I carefully shot some spray lube at the various pivot points and friction areas. The proper fix would be to open it up completely, clean and lube all the moving parts and renew the springs inside. When we re-installed the bean can and re-timed the ignition, the bike returned to a good idle quickly, as it is supposed to.
Other than that project, I just walked around and socialized with the riders there. Once again, I departed kind of early to avoid the gathering afternoon thunderstorm. All in all, the two Tech Days were a good warm-up for spending much of the rally time in Airhead Central. Looking forward to a REAL social event!
Matt acquired his first BMW in 1972, upon his return from Vietnam. He hired on at Doc’s BMW of Colorado Springs in 1977. Since then, his life has been a mixture of travel, owning/working in various shops, as a nurse, and being very involved in his local community. He has owned around 15 Airhead BMWs over the years, but his first bike, a 1972 R 75/5, is parked by the front door with 434,000 miles on the odometer.
Part of the airhead attendees, sorting out their bikes in Nick Malozzi's garage. Just another group of airhead folk sharing a bit of comaraderie.
Looking forward to seeing you in Redmond! Part of the line up of airhead BMWs ridden to Dick Paschen's home for what has become an annual event to be looked forward to in the spring.
MOTORCYCLE FAQ
By Wes Fleming #87301
Feel free to copy these pages and stuff them in a waterproof pocket or tank bag. Instead of getting hung up in a long discussion with a car/SUV driver at a gas station, you can just hand them this FAQ and ease on down the road.
“What do you do when it rains?”
I get wet, especially if it’s an unexpected shower. If the weather looks bad, I’ve packed my rain gear, so I’ll be just fine.
“Isn’t it too hot out there to be riding?”
No, not really. If it was really TOO hot, I wouldn’t be riding.
“What’s it feel like when it’s this hot?”
Like somebody aiming a hair dryer set to “high” at your whole body.
“Don’t you get cold in the winter?”
Yup, I sure do. It’s easy to mitigate freezing conditions with proper layering, intelligent choices, and electrically heated gear.
“What are the extremes of weather you’ve ridden in?”
Pennsylvania, 6 degrees and snowing; Arizona, 107 degrees in the shade at 6:00 p.m.
“How come you wear one of those funny full-face helmets? Wouldn’t one of those little helmets be better?”
Define “better.” A study by Dietmar Otte, a research doctor in Hanover, Germany, showed that about
35% of head impacts in motorcycle accidents happen in the chin/face area. That’s pretty much why I wear a full-face helmet.
“Don’t full-face helmets restrict your vision?”
No. Helmets with DOT, Snell and/or ECE approvals feature more peripheral vision than you’re likely to need.
“You know this state doesn’t have a mandatory helmet law, right?”
Yes, I do know that. I, however, have a mandatory helmet law. (Note: I live in Virginia, which requires helmets on all riders/passengers.)
“Why don’t you wear one of those awesome leather biker jackets?”
Black might look cool, but it wears hot and isn’t the most conspicuous color in the world. I wear bright colors like yellow, white, red, etc. whenever possible for elevated conspicuity.
“Why do you wear all that gear?” Dress for the crash, not the ride.
“How come your bike is all lit up like a Christmas tree/space ship/landing strip?”
You saw me, didn’t you? That’s why.
“Isn’t riding one of those things dangerous?”
I’m an experienced, trained motorcycle rider. Me operating a motorcycle is no more dangerous than you operating your car—unless you’re not trained or experienced at that.
“Well, it’s the other cars on the road that make it dangerous, right?”
Yes, it bloody well is! Do your part: Watch for motorcycles, don’t cut them off, and NEVER think you can beat them through the intersection. Just because they’re smaller than you doesn’t mean they can’t hurt or kill YOU. You will DEFINITELY hurt or kill the person riding the motorcycle.
“Aw, come on—why won’t you have a beer with us at lunch?”
Alcohol and motorcycles do NOT mix. I will have a beer when we’re done riding for the day—that is, if we’re still riding together after you have a beer or two at lunch, which is highly unlikely.
“Nonsense, I can have one beer and still ride fine. Can’t I?”
No, you can’t. Numerous studies have shown that consuming even one drink affects balance, judgment, fine motor control, and decision-making abilities—even for a big guy like me.
“What kind of mileage do you get on that thing?” On a bad day, about 40 mpg. Usually, it’s better than that.
“How fast will it go?” Faster than I’m willing to go, that’s for sure.
“I had no idea BMW made motorcycles.” What else does BMW make? They’ve been making motorcycles since 1923!
“How come you don’t ride a Harley?” I’m not a Harley kind of guy.
“Can I have a ride?” Absolutely! Let’s go!
Wes Fleming discovered BMWs in 2001 and has been riding trendy, not-so-trendy and sidecar-equipped motorrads ever since.
In addition to his content creation and editing duties, he functions as a freelance guitar consultant and history professor. When he’s not pacing around his empty nest, he’s out looking for a great deal on a used motorcycle or a vintage guitar.
The Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon, opened it's arms for June's 2024 MOA National Rally to the delight of nearly 5,000 attendees.
The following pages offer a sampling of what was seen, tasted and heard there.
Clockwise from above, Returning to the Rally grounds following a demo ride aboard a new F 900 GS Adventure, Unpacking a motorcycle upon arrival, Setting up camp near the food vendors.
Clockwise from top left, A happy first-time Rally attendee, Trying on helmets at the Revzilla booth, Sam Manicom entertains, Old friends get reacquainted during Brew Fest, A toast to the MOA National Rally, The perfect pour of some of Oregon's finest brews.
Clockwise from above, A campsite with a beautiful view of distant snowcovered mountains, Washing away miles of bugs and dirt at the bike wash, Deciding which new Touratech helmet to buy.
Clockwise from upper left, Training at the Rally, Giving away a Grand Prize from Gryphon, Plotting a course for the next day's ride, Colorful tents and a beautiful view, Staying warm during the evening entertainment, Playing to the crowd, One of the many seminars offered, The Vintage Display.
Clockwise from above, A line of motorcycles and a beautiful backdrop, An R 18 and classic sidecar, Two beautiful BMWs, Installing a new farkle, New rubber for the ride home.
Helmets, made by the dedicated hands of those who work at Arai, have shown examples of supreme protection for decades.
The numerous improvements by their experienced hands, and personal desire to further the protection of riders’ heads, are among the many unique reasons Arai helmets perform the way they do.
From our very first helmet to those we make today, rider protection remains our first priority, and we at Arai shall never forget the value of what we have been seeking to protect is priceless.
THE ANGEL AND THE BELL
By Brian Cowden #158985
It was August of 2021 and time for a change, so I called Ruth, owner of West Valley Cycle Sales in Los Angeles, to schedule an appointment. The next day, I hopped on my 14-year-old ’07 R 1200 GS Adventure, rode to the dealership and ordered a 2022 R 1250 GSA. For someone like me who only has one motorcycle at a time and keeps it a good while, I wanted the most technology that BMW had to offer at that time. I spec-ed it with the premium package, the lights package and heated seat. Four months later in December, my 2022 Ice Gray GSA arrived.
As we finalized the paperwork, Ruth held up a couple of small silver bells and with a twinkle in her eyes said, “I put one of these on every new motorcycle we sell. It will be your guardian angel and protect you.”
I thought this was kind of cute, so snapped a pic. I’m not the superstitious or mystical type and offhandedly replied, “Oh, that’s nice, sure.” Ruth answered with a curt shrug and said, “Only you think you’re that smart.” She knows me well as I’ve been part of the West Valley family for decades.
In 1987, I drove from Texas into Los Angeles in search of my fortune in a 1950 Plymouth two-door, all-metal wagon called a
Suburban. A year later, I brought out my 1978 R 100 RS. One day I needed parts for a tune-up so headed to the nearest BMW dealership, which was West Valley Cycle Sales in Winnetka, California.
When I arrived, it wasn’t quite what I expected. Sure, there was a BMW sign, but it was on this older, nondescript white stucco box of a building. There were new BMW bikes parked out front for sale, but there was also an occupied two-story house at the back of the parking lot. I headed to the front door and went inside.
There, on the showroom floor were a couple of pristine vintage BMW motorcycles and an orange Cushman Scooter II that looked brand new. Behind it on the wall was a Cushman dealership sign. What? Cushman stopped making scooters in the ‘60s. I half expected Rod Serling to appear to welcome me to another dimension!
Sitting behind the desk was Laurie, who looked to be in her 40s and dressed in a regular shirt and jeans. She was loud and brassy. At the counter was her mother Ruth who, in her 60s, had the face of an angel framed by permed hair and was dressed neatly in a business suit. Just then Jay, also in his 60s and looking like a mechanic from the 1950s, came in needing a part. Laurie instantly rattled off the part number to her dad and told him there were two left and in which box and on what shelf. Then this huge guy, also named Jay, late 20s, wearing cut-offs and a t-shirt, sauntered in. He was Jay and Ruth's grandson–their mechanic–and called "Kid.". Of course I would learn who they were. At that moment, I was thinking West Valley Cycle Sales was something unique. This moment marked the beginning of a long-treasured relationship. In our world of increasingly dehumanizing homogenization, West Valley Cycle Sales is this amazing breath of fresh air. The same was felt by other riders I’ve met at WVCS–we are not customers; we are family, and like with any family there have been times of thick and thin.
The fact is, West Valley Cycle Sales is the oldest family-owned BMW motorcycle dealership in the United States. Jay Richter founded WVCS in 1950 and sold and repaired Cushman scooters, Moto Guzzi, NSU and other brands of motorcycles. As the story goes, he could fix anything, and in 1955, WVCS started selling BMW motorcycles.
Ruth the day I picked up my 2022 1250 GSA.
My new 2022 GSA showing the location of the bell.
West Valley Cycle Sales.
Sadly, Jay, Ruth and Laurie have passed, and today Jay’s eldest daughter Ruth Richter-Stever and her husband John and son Jay “Kid” Carlson are the family core that still owns and runs the dealership.
Over the years, I’ve purchased three motorcycles from WVCS. The first was a red 1996 R 1100 GS that I rode for a decade and 75,000 miles. Next was my white 2007 R 1200 GSA that I rode for 14 years and 78,000 miles, which included a mind-blowing journey above the Arctic Circle. On that trip, I brought along a photo of Laurie and her mom Ruth that was taken on the day I bought my GSA. Laurie had just stamped my owner’s manual to make the purchase official.
Jay and Ruth passed in 2012 and Laurie the following year. On the Dempster Highway headed to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada, I put their photo on the Arctic Circle marker. It was one of those truly special moments for me to honor someone else.
The 2022 Ice Gray R 1250 GSA was my first “non-analog” motorcycle, and while I rode my new bike home, I was amazed at how the whole GSA package had evolved. With the increased engine displacement and Shift-Cam technology, I was astounded that a bike this big felt so electric. That said, I had to go through a significant reboot to appreciate, understand, and fully utilize all the new technology. It took me about 2,000 miles to become one with my R 1250 GSA, and I believe this was the best motorcycle I ever owned and was looking
forward to many years and tens of thousands of miles of riding and exploring.
On October 3, 2023, during the morning rush hour, traffic was heavy and slow moving. I was riding west on Wilshire Boulevard on my way to meet a friend for breakfast. Wilshire Blvd. is six lanes with three in each direction. Because it wasn’t yet 9 a.m., only buses, bicyclists and vehicles turning right can be in the bus lane, the inside #3 lane. Approximately 200 yards from the intersection of Wilshire and Wilton Place, there was road construction on the opposite side forcing the eastbound lanes to funnel down to one lane. Traffic in the first and second lanes was barely moving and backed up to the intersection. I came to a stop to make a left turn (south) onto Wilton Place and was first in line. The eastbound drivers approaching the intersection stopped because they wouldn’t be able to get across before the light turned red. LA drivers are pretty good about not blocking intersections on red lights. When the light turned yellow, I started my turn, rolling past the first outside lane. As I passed the second lane, I scanned the bus lane for cyclists as they often push their luck running red lights. No cyclists. I next focused on the right turn island coming off Wilshire–no vehicles. Then scanned wider. No buses. All clear. I started to turn my head in the direction I was going when in the corner of my eye suddenly appeared a dark mass. KA-BOOM! Everything went jet black, yet I could still hear everything. In a flash, I was lying on the street beside what was left of my GSA
The black Tesla running in the bus lane at close to 60 mph before 9 a.m. had run the red light. At that speed, the inertia instantly sheared the front wheel and forks off my GSA, which caused the bike to slam to the ground as it spun around. I was thrown off and injured, but I believe my injuries could’ve been much worse had my motorcycle stayed together. The Tesla’s momentum was such that it took out three other cars 50 yards down Wilshire; two other Teslas and a Mercedes.
In the immediate aftermath, I wasn’t aware of the extent of my injuries as I was in survival mode, pumped to the max on adrenaline, endorphins and whatever other chemicals the body produces in times of extreme stress. At that moment, I knew I had to make sure of two things before getting into the ambulance. The first thing was that I was not blamed for the accident. From my experience, law enforcement has a prejudicial bias against motorcyclists, especially when making a left turn. Just then, an eyewitness rushed up declaring that the Tesla was speeding in the bus lane and had run the red light. Then a woman came forward who had filmed the entire crash on her phone. This was not only unbelievable, but also made it absolutely clear who was at fault. The second thing was that my bike would be taken to West Valley Cycle Sales.
The initial police report listed the driver of the Tesla at fault. Just then, my wife Marlene arrived and made sure my bike would be transported to WVCS. My two goals accomplished, I started falling apart, got into the ambulance and went to the hospital.
Putting up Laurie and Ruth’s photo along the Dempster Highway.
Above, Dash camera image of my wreck the moment before my impact with a speeding Tesla.
Below, My danmaged GSA strapped on a wrecker.
A few days later, Marlene drove me to West Valley Cycle Sales. As we entered the building, Ruth hurried over and hugged me as tears ran down her cheeks. She had never seen a motorcycle with as much damage as mine where the rider had not been severely maimed or killed. Then she smiled as that sparkle appeared in her eyes and as she exclaimed, “The bell is still on your bike!” Marlene asked, “What bell?” Ruth told us to follow her.
As we walked out into the yard, Ruth told her story of putting bells on new motorcycles to protect her customers. As we arrived at my destroyed R 1250 GSA, sure enough, there was the bell! At that moment I believed there might be forces at work here that I didn’t understand, and I wasn’t gonna question them. I then said, “I want that bell on my next bike. I’m not going to touch it.” Ruth said she'd take care of it.
Recovery has not been easy. Regaining strength and fitness has been an ordeal. I suffered multiple injuries–no broken bones–along with some neurological issues that may be permanent. Initially, I suffered from PTSD. I couldn’t stop reliving the moment and asking myself how this could’ve
happened. I had done everything right. It took a long time to convince myself that the driver of the Tesla had been going so fast that I had no time to react. I was haunted with the nagging question of whether I would ever be able to ride again; mentally, emotionally, or physically.
My 2022 R 1250 GSA had been the best bike I’d ever owned but would another GSA be too big for the shape I was in? Soon, I began researching the new R 1300 GS. The ACC (Active Cruise Control) with blind spot monitoring was a safety feature I wanted. The R 1300 also had the Adaptive Ride Height option, which I figured could be beneficial for me depending on how I healed.
In January 2024, Ruth sent an email detailing the specs of the first R 1300 GSs that WVCS would receive. Both were in the GS Trophy configuration. In her email she also stated that when I was ready to ride again, she would loan me a bike.
I replied to thank her and that I wouldn’t be ready to try riding again for a few more months. I did say that hopefully by April I would be ready to order a 1300 GS to get in time for my birthday in June. I wanted the Triple Black Package, as it came with the electrically adjusted windshield and a centerstand. In my email to
My wrecked R 1250 GSA at WVCS with the bell highlighted in the red circle.
Ruth, I also mentioned that I wanted the Premium Package, black Cross Spoke Wheels, LED fog lights, off road tires, Adaptive Height Control, and a heated seat.
In March 2024, a little more than five months after being hit, Ruth had a new R 1250 GSA waiting for me when I arrived at the dealership. While there, I also bought a Shoei Neotec 2. I was out for about 40 minutes. It felt really good to ride again, but no way was I anywhere up to speed. I knew I wanted to ride again, and the only way to find out for sure was to get another motorcycle.
Back at the dealership, I told Ruth I’d be back in a few weeks to order my new bike. She looked at me kind of funny and said, “It arrived in NYC yesterday,” then pulled out the paperwork to prove it. Sure enough, it was exactly the bike I told her I wanted when I emailed her in January. She had ordered it then.
My new R 1300 GS is a terrific motorcycle. The power band is amazing, making it the easiest bike to ride since the first motorcycle I bought 46 years ago–my 1976 BMW R90/6. Since then, this year will be telling. Will I still be able to ride long distances, one of my most cherished passions? Will my body be able to stay in the saddle at all? If it works out, it’ll be great. If not, I’ll have to pack it in. Sure, I’ll be disappointed, but the saving grace is this: I have had 46 spectacular years of riding and exploring on BMW motorcycles. Man, how privileged is that!
A new bell is hanging on my R 1300 GS, and I believe I’m still protected by the Angel and the Bell.
Brian Cowden is a writer and documentary filmmaker focusing on Nuclear and Environmental Justice. He’s had the supreme privilege of traveling the world meeting and living with different peoples to learn and better understand how everything works on this magnificent planet.
His desire and focus are to ensure that future generations experience the fantastic life he’s had. Cowden lives in Los Angeles with his wife Marlene and Jumbo the cockatiel.
The bell on my new R1300 GS.
Ruth with a bell the day I picked up my new R 1300 GS.
Childhood Wonder
By Dustin Silvey #224778
“The essence of being human lies in asking questions, exploring the unknown”
~ Arthur C Clarke, Childhood’s End
As a child, I remember visiting my grandparents in the small town of Lillooet, British Columbia, and finding a golf ball. While bouncing the ball around, I also found a stick that looked like a golf club. I recall digging a small hole in the ground and using my “golf club” to whack the ball into the hole. Each time I sank a putt, I would step further away from the hole and try again. I did this for hours and was fascinated with the challenge, the rush of making all those holes in one. I stayed outside until my mother called me in for dinner that evening. When we are children, we have this idea of wonder in our minds. We search out random activities, we build forts, we make up games, and we seek the unknown. When we become adults, many of us lose our sense of wonder. We have to focus on our responsibilities. To make up for this constant need to be serious, we take vacations to get away from the routine.
To bring us back to our lost sense of wonder, I believe we need to seek out adventures or activities that take us off the beaten path. Recently, Janel and I headed into the “boonies” of Nova Scotia to regain our sense of wonder.
Leaving behind Prince Edward Island (PEI) was a sad moment as we just hadn’t spent enough time there. Our four days there just didn’t give us enough time to spend with the new friends we made on the island. While on the island, the locals had treated us like family. Riding away from PEI was depressing, but we didn’t have a choice. We had a timeline we needed to keep to avoid the snow, and we still had lots to see on our trip back to British Columbia.
We made the foolish decision to use the ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia, thinking we should take the ferry back since we'd ridden to the island over
Confederation Bridge. We quickly realized this was a horrible idea. The ferry was late, and we roasted in the sun while waiting on the hot asphalt in our gear.
When the ferry finally arrived, the staff had no idea how to load motorcycles and kept stopping on the grated ramp, which of course led to dropping several bikes–an all-around gong show. Once we were finally loaded with the bikes strapped down, we found a nice quiet place to wait out the 75-minute sailing.
Once back on the mainland, we only had a short 55 km (35 mile) ride to Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, so we opted to take the slightly longer coastline Route 6. The sun was bright in the sky without a single cloud to shade the lovely color contrasts of the trees against the ocean backdrop. Traffic was minimal, and we took the subtle corners at ease as we discussed our fantastic experiences on PEI. We were excited to see what was ahead of us, and just maybe we could get back to hunting for more great meals in Nova Scotia.
Tatamagouche is a lovely seaside village; however, in the past six weeks, we had seen plenty of lovely seaside villages. Our real reason for visiting this small town, was to stay at the Train Station Inn, a hotel where guests sleep and eat in decommissioned train cars; specifically, cabooses and box cars.
I loved traveling by train as a kid, though we rarely did so. My mother took me on a trip once as a youth, and I still remember her not letting me go between the cars, but I was allowed into the conductor’s area at the front. My father took me to England, and we travelled by train while there, which was fantastic, but since those trips, trains have been few and far between. Now, thanks to Jimmie LeFresne, owner and creator of the Train Station Inn, I had the opportunity to sleep in a caboose! To say I was excited is an understatement.
The sun was still high in the sky as we rode into the station. We parked our bikes and checked in with the “conductor,” who gave us a bit of history on the area. As a child, Jimmie loved visiting the train station. When he became an adult, he purchased the station and started collecting the train cars which are now used as the dining car and for overnight guests. Basically, his childhood wonder became his way to earn his living as an adult.
As we unloaded our gear into our caboose hotel room, we saw all the amenities Jimmie had added to make the cars as comfortable as possible: a lovely queen bed in the back, a small lounge area with a coffee maker, air conditioning, and of course, a washroom and shower. Honestly, it was a fascinating experience even unloading the bags and walking up and down the stairs up to the door. For the first 15 minutes, I couldn’t stop taking photographs.
After our quick showers, we headed to the dining car for dinner where we were greeted by our server and seated at one of the wooden tables. The ceiling still had all the intricate moldings that I am sure take people from Europe back to their childhoods. I felt like we had been whisked away across the Atlantic to eat in one of the fancy dining cars of the 1940s. Janel, as always, ordered the halibut, and the food matched the aesthetic, both of which were fantastic. With our bellies full, we took
advantage of the chairs outside our caboose and enjoyed watching the sunset over the station while a guitarist played on the platform. With the sun gone and the guitarist packed up, we moved into our caboose to pass the evening away.
Unfortunately, we only had the opportunity to enjoy the Train Station Inn for one night. The next morning, with the sun low in the sky, we packed up the bikes and headed to our last stop in Nova Scotia, Advocate Harbour. Located on the Bay of Fundy, famous for the highest tides in the world, Advocate Harbour is a small village with a population of 826. When I mentioned Advocate Harbour to a friend from Nova Scotia, he said, “Oh wow! That’s in the boonies,” which is precisely the reason I decided we should go there.
With the weather cooperating nicely, we took our time winding our way along the Bay of Fundy. Looking out over the ocean tides was a surreal experience. The sand stretches out to the horizon; you wouldn’t think there was any water out there. As we got closer to our destination, the tides started to come in and come in fast! One second there was just sand and the next there was water everywhere. It was amazing to see, but also a little scary. I wondered how many people
have drowned from not paying close enough attention to the tide.
We arrived early in the afternoon at the Wild Caraway, a restaurant and bed and breakfast. Located right in the Bay of Fundy, the old Victorian style building has been converted into a restaurant with three rooms upstairs. Wild Caraway is known for growing or foraging a lot of the food they cook, and while Janel and I unloaded the bikes, we discussed that it might be exciting to get out and do some foraging with the owners.
I then noticed a Yamaha XT250 sitting in the parking area and said to Janel, “They must ride. Maybe they might like to go on a ride.”
Just as the words left my mouth, Wild Caraway owners Sarah and Andrew came out to greet us. After our initial hellos, I mentioned the bike, and Sarah explained that it was hers, as Andrew hates riding. She went on to explain that when the two of them were travelling, they had tried going two-up on a rental scooter, and after just a few minutes Andrew said no more. With that, they returned the rental, and Andrew hasn’t been on a bike since. We all had a good laugh at this, and then Sarah asked if I wanted to go for a
The cliffs along the Bay of Fundy.
motorcycle ride and do some foraging at the same time. I was ecstatic! That was exactly what I wanted to do. Janel was a bit tired from the two days of back-toback riding and wanted a shower, so she suggested Sarah ride her BMW G 650 GS. Sarah was a bit unsure, but after a few minutes seemed excited to ride a larger bike.
I consider myself to be a solid off-pavement rider. Yet, once Sarah and I hit the dirt, she was gone. Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t on single track or anything, but this wasn’t simple dirt riding either, as huge ruts randomly appeared in our path and massive rocks were strewn about. Corners were sharp, with the odd quad flying toward us from the other side. Sarah had a Cardo in her helmet, so I was able to say things like, “Hey, um, I am a little behind…” No pride here.
We made our first stop at a field by a breakwater to keep the tide at bay. The large breakwater was a beautiful back drop as Sarah went in search of some plants that she said would be great accompaniment with dinner that evening. We took some of our gear off as the sun was getting pretty warm, and she started picking out a variety of different plants. Leaving Sarah to do the foraging, I sat back and enjoyed the view of the bay. After a short while, Sarah had a bag loaded with plants, so we jumped back on the bikes and continued our rapid pace through the dirt.
We were tearing up a rather steep hill when suddenly Sarah stopped her bike dead in the track. I grabbed a handful of brake and came to a quick stop and asked, “Are you okay?” She said, “Ah, sorry! I forgot you were right behind me. Yeah, I think I saw a mushroom…”
She then proceeded to take off her helmet, grab a knife and wander into the bush. I quickly pulled my camera out of my tank bag and followed her. We were about five paces into the thick trees and shrubs when she pointed out the bright orange mushroom. I get that the mushroom is orange in a sea of green and brown forest, but how on earth she spotted this from the road on a motorcycle is beyond me. She then explained the mushroom was a chanterelle and considered one of the most edible mushrooms in the world. She then carefully cut it and added it to her bag of goodies. This happened a couple more times as we continued riding, and try as I may, I never once noticed a single mushroom before Sarah’s eagle eyes caught it.
That evening, Andrew cooked us up a feast of halibut, a homemade charcuterie board without pork (Janel and I don’t eat pork), and salads using several of the ingredients we had foraged. The restaurant was actually closed that evening, so we enjoyed this meal alone. This was the best meal we ate on our entire trip across Canada and back. Every forkful of food was a blend of different flavors; the halibut was not only fresh but cooked to perfection, and the presentation was out of this world. I honestly can’t recommend the Wild Caraway enough.
Cutting mushroom foraging.
Our wonderful dinner.
Chef Andrew preparing Wild Caraway.
After dinner, Sarah and Andrew offered to take us out to explore the area bit more. We were excited to see more of the area, so we hopped in their truck and headed out to the cliffs that border the Bay of Fundy. Arriving, I noticed clouds had set in, and it was now drizzling, creating a darkness in the area. The cliffs were shrouded in shadows, while the ocean reflected what little light there was coming through the thick clouds. Janel took a photograph of me standing on the edge of one of the cliffs, and after the four of us chatted for a bit, we sat looking out over the water.
As the light rain soaked into my hair, I got to thinking about what the heck Janel and I were doing there. We were literally in the middle of nowhere. How did we come to find the best meal of our trip in an area described to me as “the boonies?” After a few moments watching the waves roll up on the shore, I realized, it was our curiosity. Our thirst for the unknown. That childhood wonder was still buried in each of us. It can be easy to silence that wonder and stay on the beaten path because it seems safe, and really, that can make sense, but we could be missing out on another adventure.
How many of us have looked at a dirt road going into nowhere and thought, “Huh, I wonder where that goes?” and then have just driven off or taken the interstate instead of some back twisty road just because it felt easier? Maybe it’s time to take a chance and go out and explore. Don’t go out there without thinking ahead, take precautions, but more importantly, bring your lost childhood back to the present. You might be surprised how well it works out for you. You could even find the best meal of a 24,000 km (16,000 mile) journey.
Next up we head to New Brunswick to prove it does not deserve being called a “drive-through province.”
THINGS
TO DO IN "THE BOONIES" OF NOVA SCOTIA
Train Station Inn: Honestly, what more I can I say. If you like trains and ever thought about staying in one, this is your chance! The Train Station Inn (tatatrainstation.com) is considered one of the most original hotels in the world and is definitely worth the visit. Boxcars and cabooses vary in price based on the number of people you need to accommodate (from two to five), with a range per night of CA$159.50 (US$117) to CA$240 (US$175).
Wild Caraway: Since we visited the Wild Caraway (wildcaraway.com), things have changed. They still have the three great bed and breakfast rooms, but they also have built three cottages right across the street from the beach on the Bay of Fundy. Rooms per night are CA$165 (US$120) and the cottages per night are CA$275 (US$202). Don’t get me wrong, the rooms are great, but it’s the food you want to stay for. Under no circumstance should you miss out on Chef Andrew’s amazing nightly set menu for CA$75 (US$55). This meal is incredible. Go with an empty stomach and an open mind, and just sit back and enjoy the meal, the view, and the company. You never know, if you pull up on your motorcycle, Sarah might take you for one crazy ride.
Dustin grew up in Quesnel, British Columbia, and began riding on the back of his father's motorcycle many years ago. He has a doctorate of Community Health with a speciality in Indigenous Health. He currently works several contract positions with Indigenous organizations across Canada. Dustin's publication credits include The Globe and Mail, CBC, and Vice News, along with several extreme sport magazines such as Explore, Sidetracked, Canoe and Kayak, and Paddle Magazine
Dustin and Janel currently live in Powell River, British Columbia.
Edward Sweeney: A Changer of Lives
By Mark Kiefner #230868
Who knew that a balky carb on an R 60/2 could change your life?
In 1971 I was in my second year of college at the University of Maryland, getting around on a 1965 Triumph Trophy 500. It was my first motorcycle. I liked my bike clean, so, now and again, I’d wash it at a gas station near my apartment. The Triumph did not like water, so I had to work pretty carefully as once it was wet, I’d generally have to spend the next hour trying to start it again.
One day, while washing the Triumph, a guy rolled up on a BMW. I watched him as he soaped his bike and
hosed it down. I thought for sure he’d have trouble starting it, but after just one kick he was off. Seemed like a miracle! After seeing him a couple times, we started chatting and got to be friends. His name was Mike Richards and he convinced me that selling the Triumph and buying a BMW R 60/2 would be a smart move. We often rode together, and Mike was gracious and helpful when my bike needed some TLC. Compared to Mike, my mechanical skills were limited, and because I was broke, I often sought his advice on maintenance.
Ed Sweeney.
Eventually, one evening, we were stuck. One of my bike’s carbs was giving us a fit.
“We need to go see Sweeney.” Mike said. “He knows everything about BMWs.”
“Who is this Sweeney?” I wondered, and I trailed him to Takoma Park, Maryland.
Before long, we pulled up in front of small home with a detached garage, and there I met Ed Sweeney. Short and redhaired, Sweeney wore a jeweler’s loupe on his glasses. To my early 20s eyes he looked 30 years my senior. He shook my hand, looked me up and down, making no comments about my long hair or fringed leather jacket. He then took a look at my bike, asked about the problem, and said he’d be happy to help me. But, he said, I had to wash my bike before it could come up his driveway and into his garage. That’s when I noticed that the garage interior looked unusually clean and spotless, just like Sweeney’s always-white BMWs. Ed then handed me a bucket, some rags, soap and a hose, and I went to work while Mike and Ed had a beer and critiqued my technique.
We seemed to hit it off–a hippie college kid and a guy who worked for the phone company, made fly
rods, tied flies, repaired watches and clocks, engraved pistols, did leather work, and loved BMWs.
Besides myself, Sweeney also took several other novice BMW aficionados under his wing. One was my friend Byron, who took to Sweeney’s tutelage as enthusiastically as I did. The BMWs we were riding were justifiably known for their simplicity and reliability, but even so, I always ended up spending some part of each week in Sweeney’s garage. Often, I was joined by Byron.
First the topics were simple: points and timing. Then adjusting the valves. Then the carburetors. Every time I would encounter something I hadn’t seen before I would say, “I don’t really know how,” and every time Sweeney would say, “Well, if you can go to college, you can do this.” Sometimes, if I was struggling, he would say “You think the guy who put this together in Germany was any smarter than you?”
Basically, he was saying if there’s a problem, there’s a solution that you can probably figure out and use successfully. That concept had not been part of my education. But it became a mantra and soon just a way of being. I really began to see the world, myself, my
The author and Ed.
studies, and my future in an entirely new way. With new ways of thinking, the purchase of a bunch of tools, and Ed Sweeney as guide, almost anything seemed to be doable. I even got a job riding BMWs as a courier.
From the basics we moved on to rebuilding engines, replacing pistons, honing cylinders, replacing bearings, clutches, gears, and fixing transmissions–almost anything you can imagine. One evening, we were trying to install a bearing. Ed had a press, but the bearing wasn’t going onto the crankcase. He then said, “Hold on, I’ve got an idea.” We then went into the house and as his Ed’s wife curiously watched, we put the bearing in the freezer and the crankcase in the oven. Before long, the bearing shrank enough and the case expanded enough that they went together like butter. No press needed. I was never sure how Anne, Ed’s wife, tolerated all this, but she was unfailingly kind and patient with us. I have no idea what conversations they may have had after we left for the night.
Ed had a sidecar on one of his bikes and often extolled the virtues of the rig. “Great for a passenger” he said as he winked. His wife, Anne, seemed to enjoy riding in the sidecar. Eventually, I cracked under the pressure and, one winter, rigged a sidecar to my R 60. My bad idea resulted in a terrible crash and led to many years of hearing my pals retell the flaming sidecar story. But Ed, calm and cool, helped me salvage the burnt and melted remains, sell them off as parts, and start over.
When I went to off to grad school, I had the advantage of Ed Sweeney in my pocket. I knew how to look at a problem, devise some solutions, test them, and finish the task. Ed and I stayed in touch over the years as life took me from Maryland, to Wyoming, California, and finally to Maine. Over the years, Ed had also taken my college roommate and lifelong pal, Byron, under his wing. When I would get back to Maryland, I would connect with Byron and we would visit with Ed.
A timeless figure, Ed rode just as much as ever, his garage was always spotless, and his energy never waned. Other riders also continued to call on him for
BMW consults. When not working on bikes, he crafted colorful outdoor mobiles that moved in the wind.
When Ed was 84, we talked by phone. He had just gotten home from the hospital after surgery. “Colon cancer,” he announced. He sounded optimistic and said he felt pretty well and was planning to take the sidecar rig out for a spin the next day. The next day, I checked back in with him, and he said he had done it, gone for that spin. I said I’d be back in touch, but that was the last time I talked with him.
Ed’s wife, Anne, called me a couple of weeks later to say that Ed had passed. I still tell stories about him and talk about him with Byron and a couple other pals. I’ve got no idea what happens when we die. Still, I am absolutely sure that Ed Sweeney lives on in the minds and hearts of all the people he mentored and guided in his lifetime. I’ll even bet that there are other riders in the D.C. area who have some Ed Sweeney stories to tell. I miss him.
Mark Kiefner has a somewhat paradoxical background. He’s loved motorcycling and white water kayaking and sea kayaking since his teen years. He’s also had a keen interest in neuroscience, completing a PhD and worked for many years in the field of brain injury rehabilitation.
Over the years he has had a variety of bikes but always comes back to BMWs. He was lucky enough to retire in 2020 and has found time to ride his ‘05 1200 GS quite a bit more since then as well as paint, travel, and fly fish.
Congratulations to our Annual Mileage Contest Riders!
By Jim Low #2803
I hope you all had a great year of riding last year and are well on your way to setting new highs for yourself for the 2024–2025 MOA Annual Mileage Contest. First, a couple of reminders:
• The MOA will continue with only one mileage contest every year, the Annual Mileage Contest.
• Mileage Contest forms will not be distributed with the magazine. The forms are available on the MOA website (bmwmoa.org/page/mileagecontest). If you prefer a paper form, you can call the MOA office and they’ll mail a form to you.
• Participants need to get the required signatures or provide other documentation for odometer readings to be eligible for the set of Michelin tires.
This year, Minnesota took top honors with 48 finishers, while Wisconsin came in second with 37 finishers, followed by Ohio with 23 finishers. Minnesota also outpaced all other states with 391,425 miles ridden. Pennsylvania was second with 337,110 miles and Wisconsin beat out Texas by 908 miles to take third with 248,135 miles. In total, the 357 MOA Annual Mileage Contest finishers traveled 3,996,974 total miles for the contest.
Here’s an interesting factoid for this year’s contest: of the 357 Contest finishers, 164 finishers rode two or more BMWs to accumulate their annual mileage. Of these 164 riders, 64 rode three or more bikes. When we get to four or more bikes the number is 27 finishers. For five or more, we had 15 finishers, and for six or more, there were eight finishers. At seven bikes ridden for the Mileage Contest, we had three finishers–James Bauer, Marc Neville, and the MOA Annual Mileage Contest winner for the last six years, Blaine Paulus Jr.
Now it’s time for Blaine and the other winners to tell their ride stories.
Blaine Paulus, Jr. #79801
I live about 11 miles Northwest of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and in June, 2024, I’ve been riding motorcycles for 54 years with more than 1,200,000 miles of my 1,800,000 total logged miles on BMWs. I started riding BMWs March 31, 1994, and have been a BMW MOA member since 2003.
I retired 11 years ago and always enjoyed a long commute and being able to unwind on the ride home. Being retired allows me to follow my passion for riding. For this contest, I took three trips, including a 15-day, 6,200mile trip all around Colorado with Randy, Lance, and Dave in June. In August, there was a 12-day, 6,000-mile trip through Colorado and Utah with my son, Ethan and his wife, Vittoria, her brother Jerry, and her cousin Shelbi. Finally, there was a smaller trip in October for four days and 1,400 miles with Dave, Randy, and Mark through Virginia and West Virginia. I also like to do bikes and breakfast where a few of us meet every Tuesday. I’ve been doing that for years. On weekends, I will either attend a Maryland/ DC Moto Guzzi breakfast, or ride to Poolesville, Maryland, or Eldersburg. I also deliver parts for Toy Tech to KB5 Industries once a week. I put most of my miles on an F 700 GS, F 800 GS , F 850 GS, and an F 850 GSA.
Last year, I set a record by riding 130,521 miles on BMWs in a year. Checking into those stats, I’ve discovered no one has ridden 250,000 miles in two years, so that was my new mountain to climb in 2023. I was on track to accomplishing this except for one deer. Out after midnight getting my miles in before the cold rain on October 29, 2023, me and Mr. Buck decided to meet, but that’s a whole different story.
The short of it is that I’m very lucky that I only broke my right wrist, but totaled my 2010 F 800 GS. I was off my bikes for four months, which is the longest I’ve been off a bike since getting out of USAF basic training in 1977. It seemed like a long four months and even during the winter I was going through withdrawal. I kept on asking the doctor when I could start riding again. He told me March and to not expect to do any trips. He also told me to sit on a bike and I’d know when it feels right. It was right on February 23, 2024, and I’ve been riding ever since.
Got to keep that wind on my chin.
First Place Female Rider
Stephanie Pischke #222203
I truly enjoy riding my motorcycle and get on it every day unless it’s unsafe to ride. Being in a car on a beautiful day is punishment. I ride when it’s 22 degrees if that is the only way I can ride. This is sometimes the case, as I currently live in Ohio and ride year-round.
I got married at a motorcycle campground last year. My miles last year were on my 2014 1200 GS and my 2022 R nineT Classic–I have put over 100,000 miles on R nineTs. Who says it’s not a travel bike!
Last September, I got to discover the blessings and difficulties of riding in the Alps on a 2022 750 GS through Edelweiss’ self-guided tour package. The Stelvio Pass is a switchback-laden obstacle course of bicycles, cars, busses, trucks, and, of course, motorcycles. There is nothing like coming face to face with a turning tour bus that is demanding your side of the road that’s only wide enough for one car–what a rush! I highly recommend this adventure!
I started riding in 2019 and average 50,000 miles a year or 135 miles a day. I work full-time and commute to work and do everything on my bike. Working, playing, grocery shopping (this is what Vario cases on GSs are for), and living my best life.
I am a firm believer in heated gear as a heated jacket liner or vest is the most important piece of gear next to my helmet after moving to Ohio. I take trips to my getaway, Willville Motorcycle Campground in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. It’s a spiritual mecca for riders and a great reason to take a trip. My motto is, the more miles, the better. I ride in rain because that is what gear is for. I have great tires from Michelin that inspire confidence and see me thru 10-12,000 miles on my R nineT. Though I mostly ride solo, my husband rides with me on trips or weekends. I’m only on the back of a bike if my bike is in the shop.
Happy and safe miles my friends! Live long and prosper… on two wheels.
MILEAGE CONTEST
Second Place Male Rider
Steve Ladd #195576
After living in the Florida Keys for 20 years and helping build many hotels and resorts in Marathon and Key West, I retired in 2019. Then, a year later I sold my house and bought a 38-foot toy hauler to carry my 1985 R 80 G/S and 2022 R 1250 GS and started exploring the USA. Later in 2021, I purchased a membership in Thousand Trails enabling me to go from one campground to another for three weeks at a time.
Since I’m moving about the country, I use my daughter’s Washington state address for the MOA. I spend my summers in Washington state visiting family and friends and the rest of the year in southern states since I don’t really enjoy cold weather.
I enjoy going out to breakfast in the mornings and finding back roads to explore. I generally put in six to eight hours of saddle time a day meandering on back country roads. I try to stay off freeways and away from large cities where there’s lots of traffic. I find riding out in the country is very therapeutic.
The highlight of my rides this past year was Wyoming, especially Bear Tooth Pass into Montana multiple times. The rest of the year included rides to Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and Washington.
I attended the Cashmere, Washington; Fayetteville, Texas; and Florida winter rallies in Live Oak, Florida, where I met and made new riding buddies.
I’d like to give a great thanks to Michelin for sponsoring the MOA’s annual competition each year and look forward to installing a new set of rubber on my GS.
Second Place Female Rider
Sharron Zoyhofski #87816
Thank you, BMW MOA and Michelin for providing recognition for the 2023-2024 Mileage Contest! I am very appreciative of the recognition for being the Mileage Contest Second Place Female Rider.
I live in the Phoenix, Arizona, area, meaning riding is available 12 months a year, even in the hot summer months. I started the mileage contest on my 2016 BMW F 700 GS, then, last September, bought a 2023 BMW R 1250 GS, Triple Black to finish the contest. I rode 28,625 miles for the mileage contest with 16,733 miles on the F 700 GS and the remaining 11,892 miles on the R 1250 GS.
I rode many of these miles with my wife, Adrienne riding two-up with me. We attended the 50th BMW MOA National Rally in Richmond, Virginia and rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive–some fantastic riding for sure. The trip cross-country is always a lot of fun with loads of great things to see along the way. We love visiting National Parks, historic Sites, and battlefields. Some we visited include Richmond National Battlefield, Appomattox Court House, Bent’s Old Fort, Booker T. Washington, Brown v. Board of Education, Chickamauga & Chattanooga Military Park, Florissant Fossil Beds, Fort Smith, Great Sand Dunes, Hovenweep, Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Mesa Verde, and the Sand Creek Massacre Site. When we rode to the top of Pike’s Peak, we had a beautiful blue sky, with plenty of winds, and it was cold at the peak! Talk about great views, we also saw a Golden Eagle there.
I participated in the 2023 BMW Grand Coddiwomple which provided places to ride, gathering pictures for the various challenges. I ride with friends when we all happen to be home in the greater Phoenix area, otherwise I do a fair amount of solo riding.
Third Place Male Rider
Dale Hadley #218953
I’ve been riding motorcycles off and on since I was 12 years old, when I had a Honda Trail 50 as my first motorcycle.
Today, I ride a 2020 BMW R 1250 GSA as my daily commuter bike. In November 2023, I purchased an R 1250 R which I love for canyon carving. Over the years, I have owned an R 75/5, R 90S, an R 80 GS, and I rebuilt a 1974 R 60/5 Toaster Tank, which was a complete basket case from the ground up. I have owned an R 1200 GS and my present bike, the R 1250 GSA.
I commute everyday on the GSA from my home in Hemet, California, racking up lots of miles Monday through Friday. I am an Aircraft Mechanic and hold an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Certificate. I have worked on aircraft for 30 years. I do ride on the weekends to relieve the stress from working in the aviation industry, and it’s not unusual for me to log 500 to 1,000 miles on the weekend, where find I am often riding to get away from the stress of daily work.
I ride on the weekends with friends I have made through meetup groups. I am a member of Veritas Riders, Murrieta Sportbike Riders, Last Minute Riders, The Bike Bros., Temecula Motorcycle Riding, and Inland Empire Free Riders.
Living in Southern California has its advantages and disadvantages. The Mountains and deserts offer some exciting rides, and there are a lot of challenging roads and back roads which can be fun and exciting. I hope one day to have some time off so that i can attend more rallies and events.
I would love to take a tour of the United States and hit all the national parks in the lower 48 states and will continue to ride as long as I can. My life motto is: “Live to Ride, Ride to Live.”
Third Place Female Rider Jennifer Ott #215257
I was quite shocked but honored to find out that I won third place in the BMW MOA Annual Mileage Contest. When the mileage contest went a full year from April to April, I didn’t think I would not stand a chance in Michigan with our winter months and icy roads.
Because I work full-time as the only salesperson at BMW Motorcycles of Detroit, I have to make very good use of my riding time and vacation. I live, eat, and breathe BMW motorcycles, and log most of my miles on my 2020 BMW R 1250 GSA. I take it everywhere, rain or shine, and ride to work, to get groceries, to the doctor and of course to all my BMW Touring Club of Detroit club events.
Many people are usually shocked to know that I own a car. I also own a 2022 BMW G 310 GS and 2022 BMW R nineT Urban GS and just added a 2024 BMW R 12 to the stable. For the 2023-2024 season, I also rode 1,800 miles on a rental R 1250 GSA in Ireland and traveled to New England, roaming through Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. While in Vermont, I made sure to visit BMW MOA legend Muriel Farrington, one of my favorite BMW MOA members, and a regular name on these mileage lists.
We also attended the National Rally in Virginia, and I rode numerous times to Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula and made many visits to friends and family in Ontario, Canada, logging nearly 28,000 miles this year.
Many congratulations to the other finishers and winners in the mileage contest!
Average Male Rider Ross Thacker #217951
I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with my wife of 47 years after moving to “the Springs” in 1978 after a few years in the U.S. Air Force. I’m retired from the IT field and like to spend my time traveling, reading, gardening, motorcycling, and gathering with friends.
I started riding in my mid-40s aboard three Victory cruisers. After 250,000 miles, I moved up to a lighter bike, a 2019 BMW R 1250 GSA. The advancements in technology and performance were a nice improvement from the V-Twin cruiser world.
On the motorcycle, I enjoy day trips, overnighters, and long, multiday trips. Longer trips include Mexico, Canada, and much of the western U.S. A couple of trips in the Appalachian Mountains were definitely a different experience from the wide-open west and with a different degree of enjoyability. I enjoy riding with others; the conversation, shared experiences and good times are a big part of why I travel. Colorado has some great roads, and it is a real privilege to live in proximity to fantastic riding in surrounding western states.
I belong to the MOA Pikes Peak Road Riders chapter–a great group of people sharing common interests of motorcycling and friendship. I have averaged 10-15,000 miles per year since I started riding, sometimes more, sometimes less…more is better!
Snoopy is my only passenger; he leans as I do, doesn’t complain, and loves to go for rides, no matter the weather.
See you on the road.
Average Female Rider Nicola Place #220284
I am super happy to be an Average Rider!
I live in the San Francisco Bay area and like many in the MOA Mileage Contest ranks, I began riding later in life at age 59. I was retired from my primary career and had a very flexible part-time job.
I started with an MSF course and followed good advice, beginning with a small bike, a 125 cc Honda Grom. Even so, when I dropped it making a classic new-rider error, I broke a leg bone. I was so rattled that I sold the Grom and vowed not to ride. Well, if you’re reading this, you know how that turned out!
I restarted and rebuilt my confidence on a Honda PCX 150 scooter and it worked! Then I moved up to a Honda CB300F and did my first overnight trip out to the coast. After that, I knew it was time to go bigger, and I moved up to a 2006 F 650 GS. What a revelation that was! It was stable and, although not spunky, definitely powerful.
On the 650 I really hit the road and attended more than 200 hours of training including Walt Fulton’s Streetmasters, Lee Park’s Total Control IRC and ARC clinics, Shelina Moreda’s Dirt Bike Camp, Del Christensen’s Black Swan adventure course plus a private lesson, Keith Code’s Superbike School, private lessons with Chris and Jill and Evie at Pacific Motorcycle Training, Brian Garrahan’s Off-Road, Nick Ienatsch’s Yamaha Champions, and most recently and the best of all, Ryan Austin’s Advanced Rider Training, sponsored by the MOA Foundation.
Along the way I discovered there were a few more features I definitely wanted and needed on my bikes, including tire pressure sensing and cruise control. Filtering for those items and a low seat height, I found a gently used 2015 R 1200 R nearby. She’s now known as Bluebird and we have enjoyed rolling through more than 35,000 spectacular miles together! While I tried and benefited enormously from riding with others, other than some very fun impromptu meetings along the road, I’m now a solo rider. Something about being alone is a key benefit of the whole experience for me.
Pretty early on in my riding career I made up my own mileage contest: To ride 66,000 miles by the time I was 66 years old. I’m now six weeks away and down to 755 miles left to cover. It’s looking good for the win! Through all of this I have been enthusiastically supported by a non-riding spouse for which I’m exceptionally grateful.
Stay safe and ride on!
Michelin Road 6 tire
The Michelin Road 6 tire offers 15% more grip than the Michelin Road 5 tire in wet conditions thanks to 100% Michelin Silica Technology tread compounds and a new tread pattern featuring Michelin Water Evergrip Technology.1 It also delivers 10% longer tread life compared to the previous generation.2 In addition, Michelin 2CT+ Technology which has been standard on the rear tire is now applied to the front tire as well. This provides better rigidity at lean and more stability when cornering – especially under strong acceleration or heavy braking, compared to the previous generation.
Top 25 Male Annual Finishers
Top 25 Female Annual Finishers
COLORADO -
CONNECTICUT - 3 Finishers
KANSAS - 1 Finisher
MOA # Name Year Model Year Model MILES 19607 Greg Anderson 2016 S1000XR 1984 R100CS 18,303 32803 Beth Kemmer 1987 K75C 2010 F650GS 6,786 67986 Robert Horn 1971 R60/5 3,729 28,818
FLORIDA - 4 Finishers Bike #1
121136 David Hrenchir 2022 R1250GS 2017 R1200GS 21,910 92589 Bernhard Echt 2018 R1200RTLC 2023 R1250RT 20,354 138008 David Doolin 2007 R1200RT 12,021 27510 Shep Brown 2004 R1150RT 4,439 58,724
GEORGIA - 3 Finishers
Douglas Meloche 2023 R1250RT 6,116
Brian Roundtree 2023 R1250GSA 2,187 22,748 IDAHO - 1 Finisher
183018 Dan Elasky 2021 R1250GSA 4,229 22124 David Koch 2007 R1200RT 2014 R1200RT 4,137
212084 Steve Nollet 1978 R100RS 2002 R1150RT 3,843
6590 Charles Coons 1993 R100R 1960 R69 3,651
Kirk Brown 2013 R1200GS 3,632
Thom Rieck 2013 F800GS 2007 R1200RT 3,439
Larry Fraser 2009 K1200LT 3,407
Steven Marsolek 2002 R1150RT 2,973
Loren Eckhardt 2014 K1600GT 2,855
Joel Howard 2007 F800ST 1985 R80RT 2,593
Stephen Metz 1977 R75/7 2,487
Christopher Zimmerman 2005 R1200GS 2001 R1200C 2,355 181121 Bruce
NEVADA - 3 Finishers
NEW HAMPSHIRE - 4 Finishers
NEW JERSEY - 4 Finishers
NEW MEXICO - 3 Finishers
-
NEW
- 8 Finishers
NORTH CAROLINA - 6 Finishers
155158 Shawn Hamre 2018 R1200GSA 2019 R1250RT 29,877 39352 Jeff Ackerman 2022 R1250GS 1995 K75RT 16,937 220060 Clinton McBride 2023 R1250RT 2015 K1600GT 14,408 154080 Fred Niblock 2022 R1250RT 11,644
MONTANA - 7 Finishers
NORTH DAKOTA - 1 Finisher
11,993
33028 Thomas Moe 2016 R1200RT 2018 R1200RT 5,486 163798 Robert Posey 2018 R1200RT 3,840 97551 Gary Armstrong 2011 R1200RT 2002 R1150RT 3,651 206480 Richard French 2019 G310GS 2014 F800GT 1,424
NEBRASKA - 7 Finishers
OHIO
TEXAS - 16 Finishers Bike
CANADA
BLURRED LINES
By Ron Davis #111820
First, let me make one thing clear. Though I am indeed 72, a certified old guy, I’m generally not that geezer who rises from his rocking chair on the porch to scream at the next-door kids whose soccer ball has found its way into his front lawn. Still, I can’t resist a rant once in a while, and today’s is dedicated to the increasingly blurry line between e-bikes and motorcycles. I have nothing against e-bikes, in fact I own a Class 1 bike, and its pedal-assist feature has enabled me to continue my lifelong affinity for gas-less two wheeled travel, despite the steep hills that predominate the river valley where I now live. (You do know that BMW sells ebikes as “lifestyle accessories,” right?) In case you’re not familiar with e-bikes, Class 1 means you have to pedal or the bike doesn’t go anywhere, but you can dial up electronic assist to make the going easier when needed. Class 2, 3, and 4 e-bikes have throttles, with Class 3s and 4s able to rip down the street fast enough to break residential zone speed limits. And therein lies the rub.
Though the fastest throttle-controlled e-bikes are only rated at one horsepower, that doesn’t stop some riders from behaving like they’re on a motorcycle, running in car lanes and expecting other drivers to
treat them as such. (Rant begins here) If a Class 3 or 4 e-bike rider is going to lay claim to the same pavement cagers and motorcyclists use, shouldn’t they be required to abide by many of the same requirements? Headlights? Brake lights? Directionals? Mirrors? DOT rated helmets? More than a puny inch and a half contact patch and a tiny cable-operated disc brake?
The other day, I was passed by a throttle bike doing what I estimated to be a good 30 mph (on a bicycle/ walking path!). It did have a huge headlight, but no other markers you’d associate with a motorcycle. All I could think about was the problems the rider of an e-bike like this could get into on the street, not to mention the ire that could be raised in conventional bicyclists and specter of possible restrictions on ALL classes of e-bikes on bike trails. And don’t get me started on my astonishment at seeing a one-wheel skateboard rider tooling through traffic, oblivious to the fact that he was virtually invisible to car drivers and motorcyclists alike!
I’m pretty well-versed in the history of motorcycles, thus aware that moto marques like Harley and Honda have tiny gas engines hooked into bicycle frames in their origins, but for pretty much the last 100 years
there has been a clear line between bicycles and motorcycles; now it’s getting hard to distinguish the difference.
In short, as throttle e-bikes get faster and faster, some even souped up by garage mechanics, it would seem apparent that, as is often the case, the technology and expansion of the market have surpassed good old common sense. In my state, moped riders have to follow the same regulations as motorcycles, as do battery powered motorcycles. Why not the new throttle e-bikes? And, if you’re a little behind on the free-wheeling (no pun intended) advances in performance and popularity being made with e-bikes, look up the info on “Velomobiles” sometime! (https://www.velomobileworld.com/)
Ron Davis has been a rider, off and on, for about 50 years. Over that period, he’s also squeezed in a full-time career as a high school English teacher and later, a university professor while also working as a social media writer for the Northwest Ontario tourism industry and as an Associate Editor for BMW Owners News. His writing has been featured in a host of motorcycle magazines, and his essays have been broadcast frequently on Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life.” He has also authored two books on motorcycling, Shiny Side Up and Rubber Side Down, published by Road Dog Publications (roaddogpub.com).
POINTS OF INTEREST
By Mark Barnes, PhD #222400
In her recent article, “Mastering Your Machine: Small Changes Often Make the Biggest Impact” (Jan/Feb ‘24 issue of Owner’s News), Kandi Spangler related an illustration from her pilot training wherein her instructor barked, “Feel your butt!” This was meant to direct her attention to bodily sensations resulting from the plane’s movements, specifically how her weight did or didn’t shift in the seat while performing acrobatic maneuvers. Focusing on her butt-seat interface supplied information in a more helpful way than the instrumentation Kandi might have otherwise referenced, allowing her to look elsewhere. It also prioritized the use of her visceral, proprioceptive senses over more abstract, intellectual processing.
During a skill drill yesterday, that exhortation in Kandi’s account was exactly what I needed to hear. I was working on low-speed, full-lock turns in an empty parking lot, doing circles, figure-8s and U-turns within cone arrangements limiting my arc diameters to under 20 feet. I’ve been able to do slightly tighter configurations in the past, but I was stiff and rusty during this mid-winter outing and could barely manage what I’d hoped would be merely a warmup. I couldn’t identify what was giving me trouble. I’d made sure to turn my head and eyes so I was looking far around the curve I wanted to trace. I was balancing throttle, clutch and rear brake adequately in my efforts to maintain steady speed without threatening a stall or fall. And I was counterweighting the bike with my torso to allow sufficient lean angle at just above a walking pace. I know I often forget to hinge properly at the waist when I haven’t ridden for a while, so I was also deliberately letting my hips swivel with the bike underneath me while sliding my shoulders across to the outside of the turn. All this worked, but just barely, and without the relaxed, comfortable physicality required for graceful execution.
Fortuitously, the quote from Kandi’s flying lesson came to mind. I don’t know how this had escaped me in the past, but I suddenly and vividly noticed my outer sit bone pressing into the saddle as I rounded a few more laps of my little circle course. I found if I just paid attention to that single reference point, everything else fell into place. I was no longer frantically juggling multiple balls in my mind. Yes, I still saw the cones in
my peripheral vision with my eyes and head rotated, I still played the throttle against the clutch and the clutch against the rear brake, and I still held my torso upright with the bike tilted below, but all of those considerations were subordinated to the simple act of feeling my butt—actually just half of it—pushing down into my seat. It was like being in a trance, with all the normal sensory inputs from the external world muted and the volume turned way up on this solitary interior channel. Of course, that information had been available to me all the time, but it hadn’t been figural in my consciousness.
This is an easy principle to demonstrate. Until I call your attention to it in the following phrase, you probably haven’t been aware of your own butt pressing into whatever you’re sitting on—but now you are! Our senses deliver a perpetual avalanche of incoming information to our brains, vastly more than our narrow capacity for attention can handle. Our nervous systems automatically filter out almost all of what’s competing for acknowledgement so we have half a chance of focusing on what’s most important. We possess limited ability to deliberately change what’s allowed in and what’s ignored, but anxiety and preconceived notions can make such willful selectivity quite difficult or cause us to overlook what we might otherwise readily perceive.
In the example of my parking lot drills, my own internal Filter HQ was compelled to prioritize a) factors naturally indicating physical danger, like any sensation suggesting the bike was about to fall, and b) conceptual instructions I believed were relevant to avoiding such a potentially injurious event and—secondarily— supported completing my maneuvers without clipping any cones or dabbing my foot on the ground. Since I was out of practice, I was more prone to alarm about tipping over, which intensified my focus on three salient remedies from my history of training and experience: correct vision direction, upper body location and waist flexibility. While these allowed nominal success, I remained physically tense and mentally scattered (both due to anxiety), and the bike’s behavior was consequently jerky and wobbly. By contrast, when I seized upon my outer sit bone as the point of interest, my efforts were instantly rendered
more efficient and effective, which helped me relax and utilize more nuanced control inputs, thereby coaxing smoother motion from my machine. I could lean the bike further without fear, effortlessly tightening my arc. In this instance, it wasn’t difficult to shift my focus to a more useful target; the bigger challenge had been figuring out what that target should be. Other times, I might have a clear idea what ought to be my focus, but anxiety fragments my concentration and makes it harder to forcibly highlight the chosen element in my perceptual field.
The most dramatically transformative experience I’ve had along these lines occurred during formal instruction at the Trials Training Center in Sequatchie, Tennessee. As in my low-speed cone exercises, we trainees were trying to navigate a series of gates requiring restrictively tight turns. Such turns demanded leaning our motorcycles sharply in one direction while leaning our bodies in the opposite direction. Because we were moving at less than a walking pace, the angles of bike and body had to be much more extreme than what I was doing on my street bike in that parking lot. I struggled to discern and execute the requisite degrees of tilt, trying to judge them indirectly by watching others and visualizing my own positioning of bike and body—not unlike looking at a set of instruments and mentally assessing their conformity with an abstract ideal. Although I was paying attention to my body, I had no specific focus. I was the equivalent of a toddler, sending spastic impulses to my muscles without knowing which ones were truly relevant for the task at hand; I could make forward progress, but with much extraneous effort and movement and some elements missing altogether.
The game changer for me was one pithy command from our instructor: “Feel the bike
against your leg!” If you’re unfamiliar with modern (single-shock) trials bikes, they have no seat. Their midsections are scooped out to follow the frame rails descending from steering head to rear suspension mount. This design allows the rider (always standing on the pegs) to pivot the bike beneath them to extremes otherwise blocked by the presence of a saddle. When a trials bike is tilted far to the left and the rider is tilted far to the right, the low “waist” of the frame, or the ascending arch of the rear fender, contacts the rider’s lower left leg. Once I focused my attention on this crucial detail, I could dispense with many other variables. My bike and body both felt secure as I directly sensed them bracing against each other, and I could devote the remainder of my attention to line selection instead of worrying about balance. With time, I didn’t even have to spend precious attention on this point of contact. It became part of my muscle memory and functioned without conscious thought, only entering my awareness when I was more strenuously “bending” the bike around an obstacle. Such increased exertion involved extra pressure at the contact point, but rather than being a distraction, this was just the tactile confirmation of an intended process already underway.
I thought about this trials bike technique while I worked on counterweighting during my pavement drills, but I couldn’t come up with a corollary. I even tried standing on the pegs to see if I could get some familiar feedback where my leg and motorcycle made contact, but it wasn’t the same. My serendipitous memory of Kandi’s article finally supplied the necessary prompt, and having a better reference point made a world of difference. I can’t recall what focus I’d used to negotiate this challenge previously, but it definitely wasn’t as efficient. A similar example is locking my outside knee against the tank entering faster corners. When I focus on accomplishing this one action, my butt scoots to the inside, my hips twist slightly in the same direction, and my inner knee starts to extend down. It’s a “package” of lower body dynamics I can activate with a single intention, rather than an itemized list of muscle group orders. My lower body then forms a stable base, letting my arms steer more freely, and orients my upper body with the correct tilt and rotation—a domino effect. Such packaging is the result of repetitive practice linking those individual elements together in muscle memory, ultimately yielding a streamlined method of getting a lot done with a modicum of attention, as long as I ride often enough to avoid muscle dementia! Otherwise, retraining is required.
A highly adept rider can gauge their bike’s steep lean angle by how far the tarmac has pressed their hanging knee back toward their bike’s chassis. Visual reference points on a racetrack include braking markers approaching a turn, as well as stationary landmarks used for positioning and aiming on the way into a blind corner. On the street, we might use subtle details in the landscape for reference in predicting the direction of an upcoming turn, or anticipating the need to slow because a hidden side street may await below a gap in the visible tree line ahead. These are all ways of strategically focusing our senses to better serve us in the tasks of riding. Which points are most useful as targets of sensory interest is a somewhat idiosyncratic matter, with different riders relying upon different references. However, most of us can benefit from learning what POIs others use. What have you found to be the most minimalistic necessary-and-sufficient reference points in mastering various riding challenges? Compare notes with your buddies to see what you can learn from each other’s distillations. Each of you may hold a key unlocking new levels of proficiency and confidence for the other.
Thanks, Kandi, for getting me more interested in my butt!
Mark Barnes is a clinical psychologist and motojournalist. To read more of his writings, check out his book Why We Ride: A Psychologist Explains the Motorcyclist’s Mind and the Love Affair Between Rider, Bike and Road, currently available in paperback through Amazon and other retailers.
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Rob Whiteside Potomac, MD
Benjamin Widoff Woodstock, IL
Jim Wiles Blanchester, OH
Craig Wiley Portola Vally, CA
Fredrick Wilhelm Bennett, CO
Jakob Wilkenson Oakland, CA
Christian Williamson Albuquerque, NM
John Wilmot Leduc, AB
Robert Wilson Franklinton, NC
Erika Winn-Belcher Everett, WA
David Wojcik Jacksonville, FL
James Wojtanek Fairbanks, AK
Luis Miguel Zamudio-Martinez Aurora, IL
Bob Ziomek Chula Vista, CA
Michal Zmojdin Prospect Heights, IL
Mateusz Zyla Hickory Hills, IL
Over 40 essays, features, reviews, profiles and memoirs focusing on the two-wheeled life from the author of the acclaimed Shiny Side Up.
I’ve enjoyed Ron Davis’s columns and stories for a long time…he does what all the best motorcycle writing does: he makes you wonder why you aren’t out there riding your own bike, right now, except during the long Wisconsin winter, when his work simply helps you stay sane until spring.”
—Peter Egan, Author of Leanings 1, 2 & 3
ISBN 978-1-890623-74-6, Softcover 252 pages, $19.99 SRP
WHEN & WHERE
For complete details on any event listed, please visit bmwmoa.org and click on the Rallies & Events tab.
MOA PREMIER TRAINING IN GREER Greer, South Carolina membership@bmwmoa.org
10/26/2024 - 10/27/2024 OCTOBERFEST
Manchester, California tourcaptain@bmwnorcal.org
10/28/2024 – 11/9/2024
BMW MOA DAY OF THE DEAD TOUR WITH MOTODISCOVERY Oaxaca, Mexico info@motodiscovery.com
11/8/2024 – 11/10/2024
54TH SOUTH CENTRAL BMW OWNERS REUNION Fayetteville, Texas president@bmwclubofhouston. com
11/15/2024 - 11/16/2024
MOA PREMIER TRAINING IN GREER Greer, South Carolina membership@bmwmoa.org
• Great Camping Experience (shaded camp sites included)
• Burgers & Dogs Friday Night
• Saturday night “stuff your face gourmet BBQ”
• Guided off-road ride
• Guided road ride
• Field events
• Group bonfire (weather permitting)
• Door prizes & 50/50
• Cafe on premise for food purchase CONTACT: Peter J. Lisko President 856-214-5110 Bob Smith Vice President 609-330-9586 Lynn Tarapilli Treasurer 609-221-3329
BMW Motorcycle Owners of Vermont 40th Annual Green Mountain Rally
September 5-7, 2024
Registration opens June 1
Come join us to carve the sweepers and streamside shaded twisties of Vermont. Enjoy cool mountain air as you soak up music from Snake Mountain Bluegrass Friday night and Vermont Blues Saturday. Dine comfortably on home-cooked meals in the screened hall or fire-lit pavilion. Self-guided gap rides and tons of gravel roads in and near national forest. Free hot showers, bonfire and great rally prizes from our sponsors: Max BMW Motorcycles, Aerostich, BMW MOA and BMW RA.
For more information contact: Daniel Walton, Rally Chair waltonvt@comcast.net
Joy, Rally Co-chair yippeee.joy@gmail.com
Registration information: https://bmwmov.club
store with ice, pizza & more!
Re-Psycle BMW PARTS
BMW ONLINE AUCTION
Re-Psycle, BMW Parts is now closed for phone, email, and walk-in business.
Liquidating everything to the walls: New, NOS, & Used - BMW Motorcycle Vintage, Classic, Contemporary Parts and Accessories for 1955 to 2010.
Ready to ride BMW Motorcycles, BMW Motorcycle Projects, BMW Dealer Technical & Sales Literature and Display items, General Shop Tools & Equipment, Precision Tools, Toolboxes & hand tools, Motorcycle Lifts & stands, work benches, cabinets, Shop Supplies, BMW Factory Tools. Parts & Display Shelving, Office Fixtures, equipment, supplies.
Internet OnLine Absolute Auction has begun July 8, 2024 –All Lots will begin at $1.00, NO RESERVE!
New Auction starts every 2 weeks, and continues until COMPLETE LIQUIDATION.
Auctions run on https://www.auctionohio.com/
– Search Rawn’s Auction Service or visit https:// re-psycle.com/ to find details and LINK to Auction.
Managing Editor BILL WIEGAND | bill@bmwmoa.org
Art Director KARIN HALKER | karin@bmwmoa.org
Digital Media Editor WES FLEMING | wes@bmwmoa.org
Associate Editor RON DAVIS A ssociate Editor JOSE ABILES
Mark Janda, Terence Hamill, Adam Chandler, Colleen Sepulveda, Bryan Mutchler, Mich Miller, Joe Cantwell, Marco Mazzoni, Mike LoGalbo, Jeffrey Johnston, BMW Motorrad, Mark Barnes, Matt Parkhouse, Wes Fleming, Brian Cowden, Dustin Silvey, Mark Kiefner, Jim Low, Ron Davis, David Marrier.
Executive Director TED MOYER | ted@bmwmoa.org
Chief Operating Officer BECKY SMITH | becky.smith@bmwmoa.org
Membership in the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America is open to all riders, regardless of brand affiliation. Although we are united by the BMW marque, adventure-minded motorcyclists will find a home here.
Join today by visiting bmwmoa.org or call one of our friendly membership associates at 864-438-0962.
President BRIAN DUTCHER | brian.dutcher@bmwmoa.org
Vice President ADAM CHANDLER | adam.chandler@bmwmoa.org
Secretary CHAD GARCIA | chad.garcia@bmwmoa.org
Treasurer PHIL STALBOERGER | phil.stalboerger@bmwmoa.org
Director DOUG BAKKE | doug.bakke@bmwmoa.org
Director JENNIFER OTT | jennifer.ott@bmwmoa.org
Director STEVE PELLETIER | steve.pelletier@bmwmoa.org
Director DOUG PETERS | doug.peters@bmwmoa.org
Director MICHAEL “ROC” SHANNON | roc.shannon@bmwmoa.org
ADVERTISING INDEX
To the Top!
David Marrier (#209759) pauses to photograph his R 1250 GS while ascending 12,640-foot Cinnamon Pass while riding the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route.
“I am a new rider and new BMW owner! This bike is truly my dream-come-true and I cannot wait to spend this summer riding it across the US! Shout out to my parents John and Stephanie Weber who introduced me to the motorcycling world and have now welcomed me into the BMW MOA!
– Savannah Weber #237113
Scan the code and give them their first year of membership free. Enter the activation code BRINGONE.
* First year free membership offer available to new MOA members only.
