"We made the paper...we made the paper!" - barely.

[TheSlashFiveTourer]

Not much of an article (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060721/NEWS02/607210311/1007) in the local newspaper today. I thought they'd be more impressed when 8,000 riders show up in their front yard looking to spend and have a good time.

("Vroom, Vroom" ???) ` ` :stick

Maybe tomorrow's edition will have better coverage . . .

[samtheeagle]

"High technology: A digital motor maintenance system performs self-diagnostics as the motorcycle is running, Pelkey said. "It means it's always running at its optimum."

Hahaha. That's true, as long as I've rebooted my moronic brain today. Otherwise, not so much.

- Sam

[Unreg Vermonta]

Yep, newpaper coverage is characteristically "low key" in Vermont. Folks up this way don't get real excited about very much, unless someone wants to put up one of those giant whirley things that makes electricity. Specially if it's on top of a mountain or in their back yahd.

But we are a friendly lot, once ya get to know us.

Vermonta from S Burlington

[rinty]

Did you post that from Vermont, Slash? That's a long ride from the Lower Mainland, even for a /5.

Rinty

[Unregistered]

However, there was great TV coverage both on the 20th in the evening and morning news on the 21st showing the economic impact of such a visit and appreciating it...

[Burnszilla]

Here's another news story about the Rally:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607200316

[Burnszilla]

I wouldn't say barely
Here's another...

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607210328

You have to use Topix.net news search to find ALL of the news...
http://www.topix.net/search/?q=bmw+motorcycle&x=0&y=0

[Unregistered]

I picked up the Burlington paper this morning and expected to see something about us on the front page. They had an article and picture of a vintage BMW in the middle of the paper. The article said BMW motorcycle had high technological features such as anti-lock breaks.

[Unregistered]

Yeah, and it also says that the public is not welcome. Doesn't do too much for the 'Elitist Snob' image of the 'BMW rider'! This should be open to the public with day passes. These people will remember this attitude when they decide to buy a touring bike. I know I will!! Bye, snobs!!

Burlington Resident

[Unregistered]

The paper was wrong.

[Unregistered]

You do not have to be MOA member either.
Cannot get into HOG or ABATE rally without being a member.

[Unregistered]

The paper was wrong.

Maybe technically. But the following is from THIS website:

Will there be Day Passes?
With a crowd of this size, there are NO day passes because they are too difficult for us to control. While we invite you to spend a few days at the rally you will find value in paying the admission even for one day. Even if you only stay one day you are eligible to win door prizes as you will not need to be present to win some of the grand prizes.

So I can pay $35 to see some BMW motorcycles? What a privilege!! It is exclusion by default. No one locally will pay that just to wander around and look at BMW motorcycles.....

Burlington Resident

[Unregistered]

Nuff said!

[Ksrob]

Maybe technically. But the following is from THIS website:

Will there be Day Passes?
With a crowd of this size, there are NO day passes because they are too difficult for us to control. While we invite you to spend a few days at the rally you will find value in paying the admission even for one day. Even if you only stay one day you are eligible to win door prizes as you will not need to be present to win some of the grand prizes.

So I can pay $35 to see some BMW motorcycles? What a privilege!! It is exclusion by default. No one locally will pay that just to wander around and look at BMW motorcycles.....

Burlington Resident

Thin skin?

I like the idea that not every hood is permited to enter. Most BMW rallies that I've been too, there are $1,000's of dollars of farkles on the bikes. If a day tripper was shopping, it would be a great chance to pick up a few V-1's, GPS', radios etc.

Thanks but I like the current system.

As for being snobs, sorry but what other brand rally attendees would visit with you and then give you the keys to the bike for a test ride. My wife became a BMW rider because a certain RED RIDER offered her bike to test ride. :lurk

Thanks for playing.

Rob Lessen
Arma, KS

'05 R12RT
'96 R11RS
'91 R100GSPD
'73 XL250

[TheSlashFiveTourer]

The Saturday edition (http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/NEWS02/607220309/1007) has another report on International # 34 for us. ` ` :lurk

[TheSlashFiveTourer]

Did you post that from Vermont, Slash? That's a long ride from the Lower Mainland, even for a /5.

Rinty
Allo, Rint! Naw, I'm stuck here in the wilds off the Coquihalla Highway this year. Family matters precluded heading for Vermont in '06 but Wisconsin in '07 is lookin' good 'specially after viewing Jeff Dean's pictures of the site (http://jeff.dean.home.att.net/2007_rally.htm) ` ` :thumb

As for the /5, it's pretty basic, you know, and always gets me where I'm going. A motor, two sets of drum brakes, wiring of some description here and there, a LOUD horn and a gas tank - that's pretty well it. It doesn't stop very good but then, I don't travel very fast. It's getting on in years but so am I. So I just ride s-l-o-w-l-y and let the 'K's, the 'R's', the 'RT's' and the odd '1200CLC' zoom on by in pursuit of whatever it is they may be pursuing. I can never figure out why the other guys are in such a hurry. The rally's not gonna start without 'em!

See you in West Bend next July, bud! ` ` :wave

[Belg]

I knew I forgot osmething when I left saturday, the paper! Grah! Anyone have an extra one? (not the "cream puff" one... the full-pager that was at the main building I heard about.... cream puff my arse!) PM me if you do :) TIA.

[Belg]

Paper located, Thanks a million! that was fast :=)

[GSCookeMnster]

Maybe technically. But the following is from THIS website:

Will there be Day Passes?
With a crowd of this size, there are NO day passes because they are too difficult for us to control. While we invite you to spend a few days at the rally you will find value in paying the admission even for one day. Even if you only stay one day you are eligible to win door prizes as you will not need to be present to win some of the grand prizes.

So I can pay $35 to see some BMW motorcycles? What a privilege!! It is exclusion by default. No one locally will pay that just to wander around and look at BMW motorcycles.....

Burlington Resident

Well, thank godness that the vast majority of Vermont residents are not so snobish as yourself. There are all manner of club events that occur in Vermont and at the fairgrounds, and I wouldn't think of "crashing" their event. If I'm interested in whatever is occuring, I'd join their club. Just because an event is occuring locally doesn't mean that all Vermonters must be included ( and besides are Burlington Residents really Vermonters? Many folks in Vermont think not!)

As a MOA member, I would prefer that only club members and their guess are allowed in to the rally. I don't believe that anyone off the street with $35 bucks should be allowed in.

Brian

[Unregistered]

Yeah, and it also says that the public is not welcome. Doesn't do too much for the 'Elitist Snob' image of the 'BMW rider'! This should be open to the public with day passes. These people will remember this attitude when they decide to buy a touring bike. I know I will!! Bye, snobs!!

Burlington Resident

Dear Sir

This was NOT a motorcycle show. This was a Club/Member event.

Chip
South Burlington, VT
K12RS

[mike cousino]

Sitting having dinner at Al's Thursday evening, I recognised some people from my home town and sat down with them. They're HD riders and he made the comment that there must be somebody at The Burlington Free Press that rides a BMW, because the HD rides hardly get a mentioned.

[CruiSin-XB12R]

Brian, as much as you'd like it, the fact is anybody off the street with $35 WAS let in to the rally. I agree that it added to the security of the place - anybody who's willing to pay $30 - $35 to get in the door usually respects motorcycles and motorcyclists enough to not go "shopping" in the parking lot.

Would day passes have been nice? Maybe - I had a friend who couldn't cough up the full rally price, her budget was too tight. Did she complain about the MOA not offering day passes? Nope.

It's also a lot easier for the volunteers to check for a single armband to allow entry instead of dealing with who's got a day pass and which day it's for, etc, etc. When that many people are coming and going it's just easier.

I think things went over great...it was great to see everybody come up to our neck of the woods.

Chris
S. Burlington

[Rob Nye]

Over 9,000 attendees and ZERO reported theft.

Offering a $10 day pass to anyone who would like to attend could have a negative impact on this statistic.

One other way to look at this is $35 is about what one could expect to pay to see David Bromberg at the Higher Ground (local venue) yet for the same price you get to see and experience all that is the rally.

You could also easily recoup the expense though discounts offered by many of the vendors.

In other words we do offer day-passes for $35. Our only requirement for entry is that you ride a BMW or you have a strong enough interest to register for the rally. If you don't see the value then chances are you won't mix well with our crowd.

It is and always be a private party which happens to drop over 4 million dollars into the local economy.

Best,

[jmerlino]

Over 9,000 attendees and ZERO reported theft.
Wow! That's truly amazing! With all the expensive GPS units, iPods, radios, radar detectors and tank bags with cash in them sitting around, it's astounding that not a single one grew legs and walked off.

[Unregistered]

Were the "misplaced" Kermit chairs recovered after last years's concert?