From The President’s Easy Chair:
I first became aware of BMW motorcycles in 1975 while living in Wisconsin, when a neighbor would leave for work each morning and his bike would blast out this high-pitched scream up the valley that I could hear for miles. About 15 minutes later, his dad would depart on his bike and this beautiful purring sound would drift through the air like a gentle cloud. I could follow his gear shifting. It was precise and perfectly timed. I loved that sound. One day, I met him, and he introduced me to his 1975 BMW airhead. I think it was a Slash 5.
I loved and remembered that sound, and 30 years later had my first BMW. It was a white K100S, which evolved into a K1200LT. After moving to Austin, Texas and being all geared up at 105 degrees, I sold it.
The next stop was Boise, Idaho, and I bought a K1200GT and joined the local club. In May 2012, I rode to the breakfast meeting in Huntington, OR about 100 miles from Boise. Being inexperienced, I was woefully underdressed for early spring weather. I was freezing. As I rode up I-84 completely in awe of the beauty and vast scenery of Oregon/Idaho, a flock of BMWs sped past me. I tried to catch up, but they were going faster than I had ever ridden, so I gave up. A bit later, I saw about 15 BMWs parked outside of the cafe. I went in and introduced myself, and several members quickly surrounded me asking questions about my life. When someone asked, “How many bikes do you own?” Well, I stammered, “I only have one.” I swear there was dead silence as they all took a step back. Finally, Bob Edmondson leaned in and said, “We can help you with that.” And three weeks later, I had a beautiful BMW F650 GS dual sport (aka Thumper), and I have since moved on from there. And since that day, I have enjoyed thousands of miles of great riding with this bunch of scoundrels, and I believe you will also. This club has nice, talented, knowledgeable, and experienced riders that we can all learn from.
I have said it dozens of times, to dozens of people, that the smartest move I made when I moved to Idaho was joining this Club. This same feeling is what I would like to pass on to you so that you can say the same thing to others.
I love this Club, and every single BMW rider I have ever met has impressed me as being a real lady or gentleman.
Ride Safe,
Bob