/news en editor@bmwmoa.org Copyright 2012 2012-02-08T20:19:01-06:00 /news//general_interest/weekend_getaways_are_back /news//general_interest/weekend_getaways_are_back The BMW MOA has four special Weekend Getaway events planned for this year. -         Gettysburg, Pennsylvania  April 13 - 15 -         Oxford, Alabama  April 20 - 22 -         Cedar City, Utah  September 28 - 30 -         Tomah, Wisconsin  October 5 - 7  All Weekend Getaways include a Friday night reception, Saturday night group dinner/banquet, guided and self-guided rides and maps, and various other goodies. In this issue we'll detail the two April Weekend Getaways, taking place in Alabama and Pennsylvania. REGISTRATION IS OPEN. Sponsored by Touratech and the MOA. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania  April 13 - 15 The first of our… General Interest 2012-02-08T19:19:01-06:00 /news//general_interest/breaking_news_r50_5_predicts_early_spring /news//general_interest/breaking_news_r50_5_predicts_early_spring Orford, NH It will be an early spring again this year according to Chuck Otto's (#57121) R50/5. For the second year in a row, Chuck pointed his /5 north, checked for a shadow from his kickstand, pushed the kick starter a couple times, tickled the carbs, turned the key and - the /5 started, purring like a kitten after choking a few times on the ethanol being pumped through its system. Snuggled up next to Chuck's Model A Ford, they nodded to… General Interest 2012-02-07T22:33:00-06:00 /news//ride_stories/winter_writing_summer_riding /news//ride_stories/winter_writing_summer_riding By Kathy Jelaca-Maxwell #91672 The 2011 winter in Southern California was exciting, odd, unusual, and definitely not motorcycle riding weather. I took this downtime opportunity to write about a ride my husband and I took last summer.  Starter buttons pushed on at 0' dark-thirty as we began our motorcycle journey from Ventura, CA to the canyons of Zion and Bryce for our first visit to these spectacular creations of nature. The eye opening sunrise over Hwy 14 to Pear Blossom Hwy was a radiant morning wake up. We followed some of the old Route 66 (now I-40). I got my… Ride Stories 2012-02-06T15:01:00-06:00 /news//general_interest/mexico_special_report /news//general_interest/mexico_special_report Mexico: BMW Owners News Special Report The MOTODISCOVERY tour to attend the XV anniversary of the annual BMW Convenicon de Moto Clubes México was an adventure that introduced our tour group to some fascinating scenic, cultural and historical highlights. This year the rally was held in Durango, DUR, Mexico which put us near the birthplace of Pancho Villa-one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals. But that Rally was just the tip of the story. Mexico remains an intriguing destination for U.S.-based motorcyclists. A land filled with adventure whether it's on pavement, dirt, sand or mud. In the February BMW… General Interest 2012-02-06T13:53:01-06:00 /news//general_interest/entertaining_a_bikers_fantasy /news//general_interest/entertaining_a_bikers_fantasy   Entertaining a Biker's Fantasy By Jack Riepe February 2012 BMW Owners News The month before us is February, the middle of which is Valentine's Day, when men across the country will present their wives, sweethearts, and intended romantic targets with roses, candy, jewelry, and in many cases, the kind of lacy lingerie that might embarrass a professional pole dancer. These gestures are part of the Valentine's Day fantasy (and fallacy) that a public display of generous romantic ardor will be returned in Cupid's embrace. The truth is that the Valentine's Day candy/roses/jewelry/lingerie-passion exchange fantasy lingers because it may… General Interest 2012-02-01T19:52:01-06:00 /news//general_interest/new_head_of_design_for_bmw_motorrad /news//general_interest/new_head_of_design_for_bmw_motorrad Edgar Heinrich will be taking over the BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio as of July 1st 2012. He succeeds David Robb. After completing his university degree in design, Edgar Heinrich started his career as a motorcycle designer with BMW back in 1986. Within the BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio he was Head of Vehicle Design Motorcycles under the overall direction of David Robb from 2007 to 2009.  In July 2009 his career took him to India. As Vice President Product Design with the Indian vehicle manufacturer Bajaj Auto LTD he currently heads up the styling and model studio,… General Interest 2012-01-31T17:20:00-06:00 /news//racing_stories/husqvarna_rallye_team_earns_six_podium_finishes_at_dakar /news//racing_stories/husqvarna_rallye_team_earns_six_podium_finishes_at_dakar The 2012 Dakar Rally rolled to a finish in Lima, Peru on January 15, with France's Cyril Despres taking his fourth Dakar title in the motorcycling category. The champions in each class were applauded on the podium on Lima's Plaza de Armas by a huge crowd who welcomed the arrival of the greatest rally raid in the world to the country's capital. All in all, 97 motorcycles, 12 quads, 78 cars and 60 trucks made it to the finishing line of the 33rd Dakar, which is just 249 of the 443 vehicles that started the rally in Mar del Plata,… Racing Stories 2012-01-23T15:27:00-06:00 /news//general_interest/classic_alpine_adventure_exclusive_for_bmw_moa_members /news//general_interest/classic_alpine_adventure_exclusive_for_bmw_moa_members   A very special BMW MOA 40th Anniversary Tour June 24 - July 8, 2012 Includes 2 days at Garmisch BMW Days The European Alps are the most magical place in the world to ride motorcycles. This tour focuses on that magic.  Beginning and ending in Munich, the first day on the road is a pleasant, relaxing ride through the Bavarian countryside. The scenery takes an exciting turn as the Alps come into view, dominating the horizon. Your introduction to mountain riding is via the relatively wide, easy Fernpass or the narrow, wild Hahntenjoch. These high mountain roads that climb… General Interest 2012-01-20T21:13:01-06:00 /news//general_interest/the_devil_and_dick_bregstein /news//general_interest/the_devil_and_dick_bregstein The Devil and Dick Bregstein… General Interest 2012-01-12T18:43:01-06:00 /news//general_interest/2011_2012_ims_show_dates /news//general_interest/2011_2012_ims_show_dates The 2011 - 2012 Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS) schedule contains 12 venues, and will tour cities that represent the most motorcycle-dense populations in the United States, reaching 75% of the nation's motorcycle enthusiasts. The 31st annual International Motorcycle Show will offers attendees the unique opportunity to be the first to see the newest models, speak with knowledgeable product experts and be well-prepared for the upcoming riding season. For the Canadian Shows, please scroll down. 2011-2012 Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Dates: January 27-29, 2012 - I-X Center Cleveland, OH (Visit The MOA Booth) February 3-5, 2012 - Minneapolis Convention Center… General Interest 2012-01-03T17:16:00-06:00