caretaker program that could permit interested people to occupy and main- tain these properties for future visitors to see.
Jim Kent #47089 Bayville, New Jersey
Unimpressed in Colorado From “Overland with a Hangover:” I am
confused as to the intent of said article. I generally read the ON from cover to cover. However, I was unable to read this article in its entirety. Really, riding a motorcycle with a hangover? I won't even bother to comment from a safety stand- point. Are we to condone this behavior as an organization that promotes safe riding? My takeaway is that the trip was about
becoming intoxicated, that men always "hit" on any woman and, oh ya, ride a BMW (I almost forgot). Needless to say, I was not impressed with this article in the least.
Brad Smith #75248 Fruita, Colorado
Left lane legalities First, let me say that I applaud the effort
Tom Pemberton puts forth to educate all of us in issues dealing with staying safer out on the roads, whether it be our per- sonal skills set or interaction with other drivers. However, I would be remiss to let one comment made during the Decem- ber 2015 Motosafe article slide by without some clarification. In my three decades of law enforce-
ment and my current position on a Wis- consin Motorcycle Advisory Council, I’m privy to how traffic laws are crafted. No law is ever written that contradicts an existing law. Newly proposed legislation is vetted by LEO’s, legal scholars and pros- ecutors before its final form is presented for passage. Tom’s comment of “Many drivers think they can stay in the left lane if they are driving at or faster than the speed limit. Not so; …..” is legally misleading and gives a false sense of entitlement to those who wish to ignore legal limits and “own” the left lane. No traffic law, whether it
states “Slower Traffic Keep Right” or “Keep Right Unless to Pass” voids the posted limit. That is why you’ll never see a sheriff’s deputy or state trooper pulling over someone in the left lane if they are at or slightly above the posted limit. Yes, it’s a lane to make passing conve-
nient and coaxes slower, more conserva- tive highway users to keep right and not clog efficient traffic flow. But if I should wish to operate at or slightly above a posted limit, and someone comes up behind me, I am under no legal obliga- tion to get out of their way. As a courtesy or out of self-preservation, I may very well do so. To imply otherwise only feeds the urban myth that “passing lane privileges somehow cancel out speed limits.” Ride with courtesy for other roadway users, yes, and with a priority to get out of harm’s way to survive, yes, but good luck trying to bully me out of the left lane because you don’t think speed limits apply to you. There is enough reckless operation these days without perpetuat- ing the pipedream that the left lane belongs to the fastest guy out there.
Kevin Greenwald #124358 Sheboygan, Wisconsin
We're all MOAs I have been a BMW MOA member for
about a year and a half, but I've been a BMW aficionado for a long time. While in college, Tibor Sirossy, who set a coast-to- coast record on his BMW, was a friend. I have gotten back into motorcycling as an old fart after a many year absence. I started with a Sportster 1200 and then got the touring bug, so I bought a Gold- wing after being seduced by the fabulous engineering and knowing I could go any- where at anytime on it. Haven't been dis- appointed yet. A bit over a year ago I test rode the K 1600 GTL (closest to my 'Wing in my mind), the R 1200 RT (instant L-O-V-E), and the R 1200 GS. However, I follow owners' group boards, and I read lots about the modern BMW's reliability problems. I keep thinking about buying a new RT and getting stranded. Beyond that, there is an anomaly with the naming of the MOA that bothers me
even more. A recent article or letter com- plained about the lack of BMW merchan- dise at a recent rally, saying that there was plenty of MOA stuff. Okay, that's what bothers me—I have a
Harley and a Honda—I’m a motorcycle owner of America. My buddy has a Kawa- saki; he's a motorcycle owner of America. The other neighbor owns a Triumph; he too is a motorcycle owner of America. I could go on, but the only time I've seen "BMW MOA" is in your editorial. The MOA merchandise, which I would never buy, has no tie-in to BMW. My Harley shirts are clear about what motorcycle brand they represent. My Goldwing shirt clearly identifies with Honda Goldwing. I can't understand why the BMW roundel was not put in the logo rather than the mean- ingless globe, which connotes world, not America. All that hot air doesn't cover up one
salient fact: I want to own a BMW. And by the way, I identify with BMW owners more than any other group, and also I think you do a super job with the ON.
Len Lipton #198918 Norwalk, Connecticut
Thank you for your letter Len. Without
giving you the complete and legal explanation, the short answer regarding the use of the BMW roundel is that the MOA, as well as all clubs, must adhere to the strict guidelines set forth by BMW governing its use. Believe me, a lot of work and effort went into creating the current MOA logo. Substituting a roundel for the globe, while seemingly a great idea, simply is not permitted.
–Editor
Chasing high octane I enjoyed Pieter Waker’s “Riding Middle-
most America” in the August and Sep- tember issues of BMW Owners News. Someone should've warned Pieter about RON vs AKI on gas octane ratings. He chased premium gas all across the western United States when 87 AKI (91 RON) would have sufficed. Still a great tale of a great trip.
Josh Jones #201313 Lincoln, Tennessee
March 2016 BMW OWNERS NEWS 17
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