he called me to trailer his bike to a dealer, where he made a deal and to trade on a CanAm Spyder. That was less than two years ago, and he said he wished he had done it a few years earlier. So now he has put many thousands of miles on it, riding in the wind, riding to cool places, making no excuses for getting out and having a good time. We still ride together all the time—not quite as aggressive as years gone by—but a large part of the thrill is still there for him even though it’s a differ- ent slice of the experience. He’s quick to say, “Well, it’s NOT a motorcycle.” And of course, it’s not one of his beloved BMWs. But he’s back in his motorcycle gear and back in the saddle—and this one doesn’t fall over.
Steve Cantrill #38304 Payson, Arizona
Then there are manuals... Wes Fleming's nice piece in the November 2016 issue of Owners News about the importance of reviewing the manuals for our beloved BMW's made me chuckle about a recent experience I had with a BMW manual.
Upon opening the packaging to a
factory equipment rack for my 2009 G 450 X, I found it to be accompanied by a man- ual and not just any manual. What I found was a 57-page 8 1/2 x 11-inch tome written in ten languages, all intending to fully instruct the world community as to how to install…four screws. I included a photo of the rack being
dominated by its all-encompassing manual. Being the son of two German immigrants, I got a hoot out of BMW's sledgehammer approach to developing a written manual for a simple accessory part which could have just as easily been accomplished by a one-page pictograph. Hey, at least no one on seven conti-
nents will be confused as to how to install this accessory!
Eric Deyerl #158472 Culver City, California
From the MOA Facebook page...
Cassie Maier #203304 posed the question: "What does being a BMW MOA member mean to you?"
Walt Eschmann I'm been a member now for about 7 years and enjoy the magazine, the anonymous book, rally dates and stories of other adventures. I don't get into the politics of the organization, and don't really expect them to cater to me personally, but feel the information they provide is well worth the price of membership. I especially enjoy their association with the GS Giants, and have blocked out the entire month of July for the past 5 years now to attend both the Giants pre-rally and National. Whether it's meeting new friends while attending or helping out through volun- teering at the events, it's always a great activity for me and I hope to continue well into my advancing years with my membership.
Geoff Goins I am joining this year, and going for the full on membership. I have seen story after story where the tire repair and road hazard has been a godsend.
Richard N Baker An opening into a way of life that I may not otherwise have had a much access to. We have off road, on road, track, dual sport, classic, etc members here. The MOA is to everyone what they want it to be.
Karen Mans After close to 20 years a member, I have found friends that I would never had met, have volunteered and helped out at the nationals, used and been used from the Anonymous book, bought/sold on the marketplace, lurk on the forum and FB page. The support from this club after my accident was overwhelming. It is what you make it. Either be involved and make it more to your liking or sit quietly and let the rest of us like it.
Lisa Gilbreath I don't like most of the magazine and don't go to rallys (work every weekend) My first year of membership I applied for and got a scholarship to help off set the cost of Superbike school. I renewed late October and added the Roadside and tire protection and 28 days later had a flat. So at this point I have spent $119 on my 2 years of membership and received $450 in just those two benefits. Would have been more if I used the towing when I had the flat. (plugged it myself) It was seeing people on this page talk about it that got me to originally join.
Eric Rossier The BMW MOA means fellowship to me. An opportunity to reach out for mechani- cal help and have a network of hands there. I joined at the request of a senior member of our charter club in VT: Ted "Der Heffeirmeister " Hall. Ted is known through the USA and beyond. Some of his adventures are featured in my interview of him on my blog. I have been rescued by the A book and had the joy of lending a hand. Both are humbling and forge life long friendships.
Rick Rutel I belong to MOA for a number of reasons. I love the magazine, especially when Jack R has his columns published. Mostly it's because I am a staunch proponent of rider safety and training. I think the MOA and the vast majority of the members are representative of what I find most alluring in an organization. MOA and for the most part, BMW riders seem to have a different outlook on the sport of motorcycling that fits exactly with how I feel. I hope MOA continues to be a solid representative of the riders who chose education, safety and knowledge as a feature worth joining for.
February 2017 BMW OWNERS NEWS 17
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