BMW community?

[boxercup2004]

I thought after reading so much about the family of BMW owners I would find advise from this forum. In preparing for a 10,000 mile ride, I assumed many members with similar experiance would share there ideas to make the trip as safe and trouble free as possible. As this is not the case, I can only guess this family of riders helping each other was invented by the BMW marketing team?

[kbasa]

A 4 corners ride is a pretty ambitious endeavor. Do you have any specific points you want to hit? Are you going to the Florida, Maine, Seattle, San Diego route? Or something otherwise?

If you can give a general outline of what kind of things you want to see, suggestions for nearby things will materialize. For example: do you camp? Does your wife like to shop? What kind of things interest you? Do you like airplanes? Do you like cars? Do you like baseball? Do you like museums? If you look for suggestions that focus to specific points, you'll probably get more responses.

I've ridden the entire lower 48, but I don't even know where to start to tell you what to see because I don't really know anything about you. Help us out and I'm sure folks will help you out. :)

It's a big, big, big country. :thumb

[boxercup2004]

I was just hoping others who had compeated the four corners tour could suggest routes that where good. We are starting with the San diego corner and heading for Key west, May1. I should have been more specific, you are right and Thanks. Gary....

[kbasa]

OK, here's a couple don't miss suggestions:


Las Vegas
Hoover Dam - take the longer tour that gives you a hard hat
Carlsbad Caverns - oh yeah.
Austin, TX or San Antonio, TX. San Antonio has a Riverwalk that is a whole load of fun.
If you want to tour south Texas, visit Padre Island and spend a day in Matamoros, Mexico. It's the richest of the border cities
New Orleans. Try and get there on a weekend night.
Take the bridge across Lake Ponchartrain, north of New Orleans.
The Barber Museum/Race track in Birmingham, Alabama. Plan on spending an entire day there.
TWO in North Georgia. It's a full on motorcycle resort. Plan on spending a couple days and using it as a base for Deal's Gap and the fabulous roads of North Georgia.
Cherohala Skyway. Outstanding road, outstanding views. Hit it in combination with Deal's Gap for a one day ride you'll never forget.
Florida? I dunno. It's pretty, but I'm not big on riding there. Where's JamesO. He'll know what's up there.


That ought to get you started. Also, you might want to pick up a book by National Geographic called Crossing America. It's about the Interstates, but it talks about things that are off the interstates and you may have missed while you blast along. I've always packed it and have used it to find cool things to see when I'm on the road.

[GeoffMiller]

If you are in the Austin, San Antonio area, look up some of the farm roads in Hill country! Find Luckenback! Another good source of information are some of the Route 66 groups. Lots of History and information on finding and travelling the original route. Personally, I do everything possible to avoid the freeway system. Look for the original Federal highways which usually parallel the interstate system. Guaranteed to be a more interesting ride. I've found too that with the interstate system in a state of decay in many states, that the old two lane roads are actually smoother riding.

[lorazepam]

I would have to agree, taking the US routes is the way to go. You can make great time, and see a lot more than on the slab. I would use the interstates to get through cities I was passing through, but use the two lanes to see the countryside. I would take a notebook and keep a journal. I would also have a copy of the annonymous book. Not only is it great for times of trouble, but I am also sure that you can find someone local in the areas you are going that would be more than willing to show you around, and tip you on the best eats and sights. If you had, and I wouldn't understand why, planned on coming to Cincinnati I would be glad to recommend routes in the area, and help get you to your next destination in the most entertaining way. If you would need service, I have tools, and can hook you up with the local dealership if you would need that. Just let me know a timetable on your arrival and I would be happy to make the time if at all possible.

[BradfordBenn]

Yup. The anon book is key. You may also want to check out LDRiders.org. If you find yourself in the South Bend, IN area, I'll show you around.

I have also gotten the "Off the Beaten Path" books for various states, you may want to check out the library.

Oh yeah, have fun!

[kbasa]

Originally posted by BradfordBenn
Yup. The anon book is key. You may also want to check out LDRiders.org. If you find yourself in the South Bend, IN area, I'll show you around.

I have also gotten the "Off the Beaten Path" books for various states, you may want to check out the library.

Oh yeah, have fun!

Roger on the "Off the Beaten Path" books. I have one for NorCal that is absolutely excellent.

I also like to stop at the Welcome Centers that states run. If you dig past the Cypress Gardens and World's Largest Rutabega Collection" flyers you can usually find some pretty cool things to see.

I'd add the following cool things:


The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, IN
Wright Patterson AFB Museum. It has all the airplanes the USAF has used
The EAA museum in Oshkosh, WI
Washington, DC. Allow a couple of days. Stay at a hotel in Georgetown so you can go for a walk at night for dinner.
The Blue Ridge Parkway
Skyline Drive
Any little road in Pennsylvania
Find an Amish restaraunt and be prepared for a nap that afternoon.


There's sooooo much here.

[DonHamblin]

Boxercup,

>As this is not the case, I can only guess this family of riders >helping each other was invented by the BMW marketing team?

THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION /CHALLANGE TO POST TO THE CAMPFIRE!!

As this was part of your original question, thought I'd take a shot at it.

The short answer is:

not really.

The kind of long answer is:

"Short History Lesson"

During the 60's and into the early 70's BMW motorcycles were getting a foothold in the US. The dealer network was pretty slim, and BMW riders started to band together their own support network using the only media they had available. The motorcycles were all designed for the owner to repair and service themselves, so this "network" took the place of the dealer networks marques like Indian and HD had established.

Word of mouth among riders and local clubs finally led to a rally (small by today's standards) and something like a national register (ok, a newsletter). At the end of that rally the group formed up, split up, and became a couple of clubs you already know of (around 1971).

Those two clubs (and their "chartered clubs") became the "community" you're talking about.

BMW MOA's methods of furthering that community have taken the shape of:

- the BMW Owners News
- the BMW Owners Anonymous
- our International Rally
- our Chartered Clubs
- THIS forum

But like any other community, once you pass the "city limits" sign it does help to ask your fellow citizens what you want to know (just like you did) and you'll start gettting your answers!

You could also have asked those questions about your planned ride through the "Rider to Rider" feature of the BMW Owners' News (or appropriate editor), called members who list "KK" (for coffee and conversation) in the BMW Owners Anonymous, brought it up at our International Rally while kicking tires or enjoying a brew in the beer tent with whoever was standing next to you, gone to one of our Chartered Clubs scheduled meetings and ask the club officers, or posted your plea on this forum (just like you did!).

So, the community is there and is kept alive by folks just like you and me and all the others who replied to your post.

Thank you very much for proving that this community still thrives for all of us!

Make sure say to HI! the next time you're within KK, Chartered Club, International Rally, BMW Owners News, or this fourm's range of me and my K1100LT! I'll be glad to share whatever info I've got.

Don

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by KBasa
I'd add the following cool things:



Find an Amish restaraunt and be prepared for a nap that afternoon.


There's sooooo much here.

In Indiana just south of Route 20 is a place called Amish Acres that is a nice place to stay and eat (http://www.amishacres.com) or for family style food, and lots of it try Das Essenhaus (http://www.essenhaus.com/) which is right on US Route 20.

If you post up your basic route, one can assume just around the outside, but we all know what happens when we assume, we can all probably add a little more to the plan.

[BradfordBenn]

Originally posted by Don Hamblin
Make sure say to HI! the next time you're within KK, Chartered Club, International Rally, BMW Owners News, or this fourm's range of me and my K1100LT! I'll be glad to share whatever info I've got.

Don

So what is the range of the K and you?

[basketcase]

When I read the original post, I took it to mean the four corners of the lower 48, as opposed to the “Four Corners” area out west where you can stand in four states at one time. I made a few notes (that now appear below) with the intention of posting it a day or two after the original question.

Then, I caught the gastrointestinal crud and was out of commission for four days, and then I went out of town for week, and then I spent a week trying to catch up on all the stuff I got behind on. Bejebus, how time flies!

Anyway, since the original question seemed to be about planning for a long trip, here is the approach I would suggest for heading out across country.

- Plan with a “menu” of potential campgrounds or motels in mind. If you see you are getting fatigued, go ahead and stop.

- Before you leave, be sure your bike (tires, maintenance, etc.) is completely up to par. If you know you will have to change the oil, carry a filter (or filters) and the necessary tools – but not the oil. You can find oil at any metropolitan Wally World or small town grocery.

- If you know you will be staying at some particular place for several days and will want fresh clothes, ship them ahead to yourself but in “care of” the establishment. Call and make a friend of the clerk on the phone so he or she can keep an eye out for your package.

- The same goes for tires. If you are going to be making a trip that will demand a tire change, figure out about where you will have to do it and order the tires in advance. If nothing else, have them shipped “care of” the dealer in your name. Again, a phone call will go a long way towards buying some good will and personal attention to “those tires we were not expecting.”

- Stay hydrated. My preferred routine is a bottle of water at one gas stop, and gatorade at the next. And more in between as needed.

- Wear earplugs.

- Plan a walk around stop every once in a while. Your butt and your knees will appreciate it.

- Watch your back (rear view mirrors), and your front – meaning, among other things, don’t follow too closely. Two weeks ago I was driving in from Atlanta and saw a line of cars behind me tailgating what I could see was the lead car. The lead car swerved to miss a huge recap, and car #2 hit it. In just a minute, he pulled over with his flashers going. For him, it was bodywork damage. On the bike, it would have probably meant a (fatal) fall in rush hour traffic.

- Don’t fall victim to the temptation to play “finger flicker” with idiot cagers. They outweigh you several thousand pounds, and you are totally exposed. Rather than contributing to their penchant for road rage, just let them pass and move on out of your life.

- Plan your travel through metro areas with a view to the peak commuter hours. For example, there is nothing quite as nerve-frazzling as getting stuck in 3 mph traffic on the loop (or at downtown) in a place like Atlanta at 4:00 PM. Hot, nasty, dangerous, etc.

- Even if you are using a GPS, don’t throw away your paper maps. Make notes on the major turns you expect and it will help fix it in your memory after you are forced to put away the map to ride. Also, most retail stores carry maps only for the immediate surrounding states. So budget to purchase a state map as you pass through each state. That way, you will get home with specific maps for those states the next time you plan a trip.

- Along the gadgets vein of thought, do all the button pushing and knob adjusting before you wobble out into the traffic. One of my brothers in law forgot that tidbit of wisdom and crashed about three weeks ago – because he was piddling with a knob when he should have been negotiating a curve.

Wrapping up, I suggest you familiarize yourself with what you can glean here: http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm

The link is to the Iron Butt Association Archive of Wisdom. Granted, you are not planning for an Iron Butt ride, but there is a lot of information on the site that can be useful to you in doing a long trip. Some of what I have said above echos key parts of their list that have been useful to me.

Finally, and thinking back on one of the first things I garnered from the IBA site several years ago – in terms of mileage, plan realistically. Because of the cumulative effect of fatigue, less is often better for traveling day after day. Some days it might be possible to make 500 miles – on others, 300 might be good. I would suggest starting out with a 300 to 500 mile goal, and adjusting from there based on what you experience.

And finally -- Part 2, make copious notes so you can write it up and post a trip report here. That way, the rest of the community can share in the experience with you! :brow

Ride safe!

PS: If you pass though Tuscaloosa, AL, on I-59/20, get off at the McFarland Boulevard (aka Highway 82) exit and go to the Books a Million store at the corner of McFarland and Skyland. Identify yourself to the manager on duty and ask him or her to call me. I'll come over and shake hands over a cup of coffee.

[DonHamblin]

Originally posted by BradfordBenn
So what is the range of the K and you?

Well let's see, K (as in K1100LT), about 160 miles until the low fuel light, 3 - 5 low fuel lights a day (so as to leave time for a cold one at happy hour).

Or did you mean K (coffee), about three cups then two bathroom breaks.

Or did you mean K (conversation), with high speed internet - wow! with unlimited nights and weekends on the cell phone, until the jaws get tired.

Or within the 256 area code...

Gee Brad, any of those will work for me!

Don ;)

[ian408]

I just went to my first Tech Day event and had a great time.
One guy came from San Diego to help put the event on and
two came from Oregon to participate. In all, there were more
than 15 riders at the event. Prior to that, I've met people for
lunch, in other cities and so on. So there is a very active
community (kbasa, I'll get up there soon for coffee at the
cow place...I swear) both on-lline and in the clubs.

Unfortunately, the activity level on many boards drops when
riders ride :) So you might not get the answer in a timely
fashion.

Try checking out some of the long distance sites. Including the
Iron Butt guys. Maybe even www.bmwsporttouring.com?

Best of luck on your trip and don't forget your ANON book.

Ian

[boxercup2004]

I was just getting a bit worried as I have not attempted such a distance. Thank you for assuring me there is a strong group of fellow riders who love there BMW motorbikes as much as I love mine!I can hardly wait to start, and will post the results. I hope to meet as many of the real men and women I have read about for years that ride the finest motorcycle in the world.

[Cliffy777]

Plan like plans are important, but be flexible enough to toss your plans out the window. Follow your gut, heart, instincts, stomach, or whatever - in addition to following your maps and/or GPS.
Leave room for a spontaneous side trip(s).
I would recommend side roads as much as possible unless you are just trying to rack up the miles and "get there".
Superslab travel will lead to franchises.
Side roads will lead to experiences and people (the best natural resource America has IMHO).

[kbasa]

If you can get access here at an internet cafe and let folks know when you'll be in town, I'd bet you'll make some new friends.

I have no doubt about that.