Johnathan Gifford
Bike Judging Chairman

Bike judging will have the standard BMW Motorcycle categories like, vintage, oil head, etc. But the bike judging is still lacking one thing. YOU!!! Yes, you. We need you to enter your bike into a category and section.

Each category will have a concours and modified section, with the exception of sidecars and the ‘half-a-beemer’ categories. The sidecar, vintage, and ‘half-a-beemer’ category will only be judged in the modified section.

The ‘half-a-beemer’ category? Well this is for the bikes, um, rather vehicles that have either the frame or engine from a BMW motorcycle. This category is for that vintage BMW frame with the VW Bug engine, those aerodynamic trikes with the K1200 engine, and the side car rig with the Mazda rotary engine in the side car.

Anything just older than 1969 or before will be vintage. So let’s see, that’s any BMW built. But why is there no vintage concours? Who knows vintage better than the folks who run the vintage display. The vintage display will have a slew of categories and will be giving their own awards away. After all, a vintage BMW should always receive special recognition. Vintage display bike are also still eligible for the People’s Choice award.

People’s Choice? Yes, you get to be a judge and you don’t have to know anything about mechanical workings of a motorcycle, what a BMW part or option. The criteria! It’s whichever bike tickles your fancy. But there’s a catch. After all anything this good has to have a catch. Each ballot requires a donation to the rally charity. So, not only do you get to vote for your favorite bike, you also get to help out a local group or organization in need.

Since BMW released a new engine type this past year, the K bikes will be split into two groups, ‘horizontal’ and ‘transverse’. The horizontal K is the K bike we all know: the mosquito killers, land yachts, and flying bricks. The transverse K is the new K1200S and soon to come K1200R bikes. The other categories will be F bikes, oil heads, and airheads.

Concours judging will be based on how original, factory original that is, the bike is. Basically the more factory original and best condition it is in, the better your chances of winning. This is pretty typical for any kind of concours judging. This means if you have the Jesse bags on your GS, this is probably not your section, especially if it’s dirty. The modified section is the place where you want to be.

The modified section is based upon the items and or changes done to your bike. This doesn’t mean the bigger your credit card bill, the better your chances. You must list all the modifications you have done to the bike. The more creative and more functional the modification is to the bike and or the rider, the better the impression to the judges and dirt on a GS does show function.

Awards. No gold stars here. You’ll know who won. When you came back next year, you’ll know where the bar is. But there’s no point entering if don’t have a chance right? We’re going to give three awards for each category and section. First place winners will also receive a special gift in addition to their award. Remember, if only three bikes enter for a category and section, all three bikes will take home an award. Now, do you want someone to get an award just because they entered their bike and you didn’t?

Still need an incentive to bring your bike to be judged? Well how about the most prime spot for motorcycle parking the entire day. Yes, you may leave your bike there until either the doors close if we’re inside, or until your ready to call it a night if we’re outside.

If you want to volunteer as a bike judge, help with the registration, or sell People’s Choice ballots, drop me an e-mail at jgifford@jgifford.net. I’ll need all the help I can get and any help will be greatly appreciated.

• Airheads (concours, modified)
  
• F Bikes (concours, modified)
  
• Half-a-beemer (modified)
  
• Horizontal K (concours, modified)
  
• Transverse K (concours, modified)
  
• Oilheads (concours, modified)
  
• Sidecar (modified)
  
• Vintage (modified)
  

Picutures of first place winners at Spokane 2004: