Beemers, Brats & Buzglyd?
1 - 20 of 59 Posts
Brats? There were no stinking Brats...
Dont worry you didnt miss a thing. The rally was the biggest joke Ive seen or paid for... My wife and I had a fabulous ride up on Friday, we took 49 and Downieville needs to be seen to be believed. Talk about a pristine mining town (as you now know). We arrived around noon thirty to a nearly empty parking lot.
Once we got our wristbands and swag we wandered in. Of course all the demo rides were booked by 8:30 a.m. There were only 3 very small food vendors and the 10 billion seat beer garden with only 2 people actually in there. Spaten being the only German brew, no Warstiener? What the hell... Five minutes later we had checked out all 10 booths full of nothing to buy or even interest to anyone. We did cruise through the "Museum" and while it had some nice bikes more info would of been great. Instead each bike had one small paragraph about it and on to the next. About that time the stunt show started and had my wife and I in stitches. Something about a crazy Frenchman doing stoppies and wheelies on a R1200C will bring a smile to anyones face. Ten minutes and about 3 tires later the stunt show was over and we checked out the clothing display. Figuring they had more than what was on display my wife and I headed off to lunch.
We had to leave the rally and went over to the resort to find real food. After a fine lunch on the patio we wandered back in to pick up a shirt my wife wanted. Guess what, they only had what they had. Half way through day 1 and they were out of most everything. So, disgusted and bored we headed for the gate, on the way out we checked out the off road seminar. It was very informative for anyone that hadnt ridden a bike off road, or a bike at all for that matter. Just the basics on off road control, which was good for my wife as she is starting to become interested in moving from pillion to rider. We got to the bike and cut off our wristbands then I figured out how to strap on the swag to the already loaded bike and headed off to our room in Carson City.
Traffic around the lake sucked but the scenery is as fabulous as ever. The drop down 50 to Carson City was a blast, several miles of long 40mph sweeping 180 degree turns with no traffic. Even two up fully loaded the Speedo was reading 90 with the pegs grinding. The temp just got hotter and hotter with every turn down the mountain along with the grin on my face getting wider and wider. Once at the light at 395 with no more twisty goodness the 30-degree temp change really set in. We sweated our way to the room, thank God for AC Along with the fabulous ride up 49, Dinner at Adeles in Carson City has to be experienced to believe. Culinary Heaven I tell you, the 3 hours we spent at dinner vanished faster than the road behind us. If anyone is within 100 miles of Carson City, make the trip to Adeles. Its by no means cheap, but worth every penny
Saturday morn I awoke at the crack of early to head back and sign up for the demo rides. The ride back up 50 was even more fun solo with an unloaded bike. I definitely shortened the life of my tires on that stretch. No caffinated beverage can compare to miles of your knee inches off the pavement (no sliders on the stich) with the Speedo over a ton. I pulled into the lot at Squaw right at 8 a.m. SURPRISE!!!! 75 riders already in line for the demos. So after an hour in line anything worth riding was taken and the bike I really wanted to test wasnt even available. For the record it was the CS650, wanted to test it for my Wife, as apparently everyone was right, they did design it for women
After finding out my early morning rise was for not I milled around the lot bsn with many riders from all over. After many great conversations and about an hour and a half I figured I would walk on over to registration and get a new wrist band so I could enter. "Hans" asked if he could help and I said "Sure, just need to get another wrist band." To my shock and horror you were expected to wear the $.02 baby blue plastic wristband the entire 3 days. "Hans" is threatening me with having to pay another $50 just to get in the door. He grabs me by the arm and starts dragging me over to the table telling anyone within earshot not to give me anything. Im about 2 seconds from knocking "Hans" out when the lovely folks behind the registration table convince him to allow me to have another band. "See, his name is right here on the list." He finally lets go of my arm, still giving me the riot act for not going to a $150 dinner the night before wearing my baby blue POS wristband
At that point I was ready to bail but figured I would at least stroll in and see if anything new appeared overnight since Saturday was the main day. Nope, not one thing new. Disgusted and still nobody there I was on the way out when the stunt show started. This time he was going to play on the K12LT, I had to stay for that. But as it turns out the altitude made for no fun on the LT, not enough power to get the front up even dumping the clutch. 11 A.M. and I was on the road back to Carson City (complete with another blast down 50). Luckily "Run what you Brung" was going on in Carson, Classic cars and hot-rods everywhere. My wife, her friend and I lay out by the pool and watched the rods cruise by, made for a fine day.
The next morning we arose early and packed up for the ride home. Found a nice place for a greasy breakfast then headed down 395 to 88 to 89 to 4. 4 along the Carson River is even more fun than 49. The ride up over the pass is just as fabulous. If anyone gets the chance take Highway 4 up and over, its worth every mile
All in all I had an excellent weekend, great roads, great weather and great people. Just the rally sucked
Dont worry you didnt miss a thing. The rally was the biggest joke Ive seen or paid for... My wife and I had a fabulous ride up on Friday, we took 49 and Downieville needs to be seen to be believed. Talk about a pristine mining town (as you now know). We arrived around noon thirty to a nearly empty parking lot.
Once we got our wristbands and swag we wandered in. Of course all the demo rides were booked by 8:30 a.m. There were only 3 very small food vendors and the 10 billion seat beer garden with only 2 people actually in there. Spaten being the only German brew, no Warstiener? What the hell... Five minutes later we had checked out all 10 booths full of nothing to buy or even interest to anyone. We did cruise through the "Museum" and while it had some nice bikes more info would of been great. Instead each bike had one small paragraph about it and on to the next. About that time the stunt show started and had my wife and I in stitches. Something about a crazy Frenchman doing stoppies and wheelies on a R1200C will bring a smile to anyones face. Ten minutes and about 3 tires later the stunt show was over and we checked out the clothing display. Figuring they had more than what was on display my wife and I headed off to lunch.
We had to leave the rally and went over to the resort to find real food. After a fine lunch on the patio we wandered back in to pick up a shirt my wife wanted. Guess what, they only had what they had. Half way through day 1 and they were out of most everything. So, disgusted and bored we headed for the gate, on the way out we checked out the off road seminar. It was very informative for anyone that hadnt ridden a bike off road, or a bike at all for that matter. Just the basics on off road control, which was good for my wife as she is starting to become interested in moving from pillion to rider. We got to the bike and cut off our wristbands then I figured out how to strap on the swag to the already loaded bike and headed off to our room in Carson City.
Traffic around the lake sucked but the scenery is as fabulous as ever. The drop down 50 to Carson City was a blast, several miles of long 40mph sweeping 180 degree turns with no traffic. Even two up fully loaded the Speedo was reading 90 with the pegs grinding. The temp just got hotter and hotter with every turn down the mountain along with the grin on my face getting wider and wider. Once at the light at 395 with no more twisty goodness the 30-degree temp change really set in. We sweated our way to the room, thank God for AC Along with the fabulous ride up 49, Dinner at Adeles in Carson City has to be experienced to believe. Culinary Heaven I tell you, the 3 hours we spent at dinner vanished faster than the road behind us. If anyone is within 100 miles of Carson City, make the trip to Adeles. Its by no means cheap, but worth every penny
Saturday morn I awoke at the crack of early to head back and sign up for the demo rides. The ride back up 50 was even more fun solo with an unloaded bike. I definitely shortened the life of my tires on that stretch. No caffinated beverage can compare to miles of your knee inches off the pavement (no sliders on the stich) with the Speedo over a ton. I pulled into the lot at Squaw right at 8 a.m. SURPRISE!!!! 75 riders already in line for the demos. So after an hour in line anything worth riding was taken and the bike I really wanted to test wasnt even available. For the record it was the CS650, wanted to test it for my Wife, as apparently everyone was right, they did design it for women
After finding out my early morning rise was for not I milled around the lot bsn with many riders from all over. After many great conversations and about an hour and a half I figured I would walk on over to registration and get a new wrist band so I could enter. "Hans" asked if he could help and I said "Sure, just need to get another wrist band." To my shock and horror you were expected to wear the $.02 baby blue plastic wristband the entire 3 days. "Hans" is threatening me with having to pay another $50 just to get in the door. He grabs me by the arm and starts dragging me over to the table telling anyone within earshot not to give me anything. Im about 2 seconds from knocking "Hans" out when the lovely folks behind the registration table convince him to allow me to have another band. "See, his name is right here on the list." He finally lets go of my arm, still giving me the riot act for not going to a $150 dinner the night before wearing my baby blue POS wristband
At that point I was ready to bail but figured I would at least stroll in and see if anything new appeared overnight since Saturday was the main day. Nope, not one thing new. Disgusted and still nobody there I was on the way out when the stunt show started. This time he was going to play on the K12LT, I had to stay for that. But as it turns out the altitude made for no fun on the LT, not enough power to get the front up even dumping the clutch. 11 A.M. and I was on the road back to Carson City (complete with another blast down 50). Luckily "Run what you Brung" was going on in Carson, Classic cars and hot-rods everywhere. My wife, her friend and I lay out by the pool and watched the rods cruise by, made for a fine day.
The next morning we arose early and packed up for the ride home. Found a nice place for a greasy breakfast then headed down 395 to 88 to 89 to 4. 4 along the Carson River is even more fun than 49. The ride up over the pass is just as fabulous. If anyone gets the chance take Highway 4 up and over, its worth every mile
All in all I had an excellent weekend, great roads, great weather and great people. Just the rally sucked
I'm suprised anyone could get Buz out of the Bingo tent long enough to take a picture. After being seen at this gathering, you are hereby banned from attending the 100th, and will be promptly arrested at the border of Wisconsin. I have the wanted posters all over the state. I'm sure you won't be interested in attending anyway, since the cancelled the free Geritol transfusions, like they had there.
Joined
·
10,903 Posts
I wasn't seen attending this event because I didn't. It was such a snooze fest there was no way I was throwing down $50 to watch a wet Depends contest.
Brian and I sneaked through the back while the gates were open for the food service trucks. We met EBass had one beer and walked right out. The two floosies I have in the picture were met at a bar and didn't know anything about the event.
Have you noticed on H-D's website that the tickets for the event are sold out? I wasn't planning on getting a ticket because I couldn't care less about a t-shirt and a pin. And well, I saw Foghat when I was 14 and don't need to see them ever again.
I'm still trying to decide my itinerary so I can get through the damn desert without melting. Can I borrow your trailer?
Brian and I sneaked through the back while the gates were open for the food service trucks. We met EBass had one beer and walked right out. The two floosies I have in the picture were met at a bar and didn't know anything about the event.
Have you noticed on H-D's website that the tickets for the event are sold out? I wasn't planning on getting a ticket because I couldn't care less about a t-shirt and a pin. And well, I saw Foghat when I was 14 and don't need to see them ever again.
I'm still trying to decide my itinerary so I can get through the damn desert without melting. Can I borrow your trailer?
Trailer? I ain't got no stinking trailer! I got my tix mailed last week. No tee shirt, but I did get selected as one of 5000 to do the parade on Saturday the 30th. Maybe it's because of my high standing in the Grey Ponytailed Brotherhood. Hell, I'm not even sure if I'm going, but I have the tix if I decide to. There is going to be so much free stuff there isn't a need for a ticket anyway. Just get here and the fun will find you.
Joined
·
10,903 Posts
I'll make sure to line the route so I can throw something at you.
Can you imagine the amount of staging time for that parade? You'll be sitting there for hours waiting to go.
Why don't you ***** 'em all off and ride your Kawasaki in the parade. You know the shovel won't make it without overheating or needing a top end rebuild!
Can you imagine the amount of staging time for that parade? You'll be sitting there for hours waiting to go.
Why don't you ***** 'em all off and ride your Kawasaki in the parade. You know the shovel won't make it without overheating or needing a top end rebuild!
They are staging it at the Milwaukee Zoo (perfect eh?) and I never thought of riding the Shovel. Damn that sounds like a good idea. All I need is you to follow me and pick up the parts, as well as push when it dies. You'll have a great time.
Joined
·
17,458 Posts
Crossing the desert?
Do what I do. Hang an i-v full of gatorade from the sissybar and plug in.
Comin' from ****, right? Ride up the coast to LA then head east on I-10, catch I-15 to Barstow. Then stage out of Barstow at 5 AM. You can make Mesquite by 10 AM if you don't dawdle and miss the worst of the heat. Then you can spend the day in the AC pulling handles. Or just blow through to St. George (another 1/2 hour or so), once you head up the grade out of St. George it'll cool right down.
Do what I do. Hang an i-v full of gatorade from the sissybar and plug in.
Comin' from ****, right? Ride up the coast to LA then head east on I-10, catch I-15 to Barstow. Then stage out of Barstow at 5 AM. You can make Mesquite by 10 AM if you don't dawdle and miss the worst of the heat. Then you can spend the day in the AC pulling handles. Or just blow through to St. George (another 1/2 hour or so), once you head up the grade out of St. George it'll cool right down.
You want to see what the REAL BMW folks do at a National Rally (Sorry BMW NA, you don't put on as good a party as either the MOA or RA or even HD)? Well check out http://www.bmwra.org/rally_2003.htm and head to Birmingham, Alabama October 2-5. This would be the BMW Riders Association's National at Barber's Motorsports Park. No, there will be no cole slaw wrestling, but there will be a good time had by all, even if you show up on a Harley (or a Ducati, or anything else for that matter)! And yes, there will be BEER and demo rides (just don't do them in that order, please) and yes, you still have to sign up early to get to ride anything....BMW NA graciously provides demo bikes at the rallies.
BigJames
(yes, the same BigJames that does the Rally Map and BSS for On The Level)
BigJames
(yes, the same BigJames that does the Rally Map and BSS for On The Level)
Joined
·
10,903 Posts
Heck I'd be stuck in traffic all day if I went through LA. I can catch 15 North just 15 minutes from my home in Carlsbad. I was thinking about doing Carlsbad to Grand Junction the first day (800 miles).
My company is based in Junction so there will be a lot of friendly faces and a place to crash. It's about 2150 miles from here to Milwaukee. I'd like to ride it in three days but we'll take four just in case.
Damn it's gonna be hot!
My company is based in Junction so there will be a lot of friendly faces and a place to crash. It's about 2150 miles from here to Milwaukee. I'd like to ride it in three days but we'll take four just in case.
Damn it's gonna be hot!
Just got back from taking in the beautiful Wisconsin countryside near Lake Geneva on my BMW CLC. I stopped after the ride for a latte at Starbucks and spent an hour taking to the admirers who wanted to know all about this wonderful machine. One guy claimed he owned an LT and wanted to try the CLC - I offerred him a helmet and the key. He said he was a cop and declined the helmet but took me up on the offer to try out the bike. He returned in ten minutes exhuberant from his first ride on BMW's version of the American cruiser impressed at the excellent powerband, handling and comfort. Folks - it's that good and makes no claim to be anything other than a rock-solid, comfortable and beautifully engineered bike built to cruise. Read whatever you like, but this is an fine piece of German machinery. Just me 2 cents worth...
Joined
·
17,458 Posts
What was that about avoiding the desert..... LOL.
I don't think there's any way that you could ride through MORE desert.
Just don't forget the i-v. Last time I rode I-15 in July I drank a half gallon of gatorade between Vegas and Mesquite (about 100 miles) and when I stopped there I couldn't pi$$.
It also helps to soak your self with water when you gas up and take a shaker bottle to wet yer trousers. Though the thought of driving a shovelhead through Nevada in July/August is enough to make anyone wet their trousers. Can you say "rear cylinder"?
I don't think there's any way that you could ride through MORE desert.
Just don't forget the i-v. Last time I rode I-15 in July I drank a half gallon of gatorade between Vegas and Mesquite (about 100 miles) and when I stopped there I couldn't pi$$.
It also helps to soak your self with water when you gas up and take a shaker bottle to wet yer trousers. Though the thought of driving a shovelhead through Nevada in July/August is enough to make anyone wet their trousers. Can you say "rear cylinder"?
BMW CLC Marketing Meltdown
My friendly BMW dealer claims the CLC has become the company's second best selling bike behind the RT. That fact left me wondering what kind of marketing strategy BMW is using to peddle the CLC and make it competitive with Harley. Formitable challenge that it may be to take a chunk out of Harley's cruiser sales, it nonetheless seems (in my biased opinion) BMW has a rock-solid entry with the CLC in the cruiser market. I'd therefore expect to see BMW heavily market the CLC - especially on television - just as BMW does with it's automobiles. The hell with the whole notion of BMW being a "niche" in the USA motorcycle marketplace; when you are competing with Harley and truly believe in the CLC as a platform for future cruisers then why not set sales goals high and use marketing dollars to meet those goals?
Out the door the CLC will cost around $18K. That is less that the typical Harley cruiser buyer pays. Mechanically and aesthetically the CLC wins hands down. The test ride is the deal-maker to sell the CLC. Have the marketing geniuses at BMW get some butts in the saddle for a test ride. Get a crowbar and pry open BMW's marketing wallet and pony up the dollars. It just can't be that difficult. Can it?
My friendly BMW dealer claims the CLC has become the company's second best selling bike behind the RT. That fact left me wondering what kind of marketing strategy BMW is using to peddle the CLC and make it competitive with Harley. Formitable challenge that it may be to take a chunk out of Harley's cruiser sales, it nonetheless seems (in my biased opinion) BMW has a rock-solid entry with the CLC in the cruiser market. I'd therefore expect to see BMW heavily market the CLC - especially on television - just as BMW does with it's automobiles. The hell with the whole notion of BMW being a "niche" in the USA motorcycle marketplace; when you are competing with Harley and truly believe in the CLC as a platform for future cruisers then why not set sales goals high and use marketing dollars to meet those goals?
Out the door the CLC will cost around $18K. That is less that the typical Harley cruiser buyer pays. Mechanically and aesthetically the CLC wins hands down. The test ride is the deal-maker to sell the CLC. Have the marketing geniuses at BMW get some butts in the saddle for a test ride. Get a crowbar and pry open BMW's marketing wallet and pony up the dollars. It just can't be that difficult. Can it?
Joined
·
10,903 Posts
So you're saying I'll be better off taking 15 up to I-80 rather than I-70?
I use the wet shirt technique and I have one of those cool vests that you soak in water like the highway workers wear.
The geezer-glide doesn't have that much airflow through my chest though. I may have to leave the fairing lowers at home.
I use the wet shirt technique and I have one of those cool vests that you soak in water like the highway workers wear.
The geezer-glide doesn't have that much airflow through my chest though. I may have to leave the fairing lowers at home.
Re: BMW CLC Marketing Meltdown
Unfortunatly, it has less power, is less confortable and can haul less than the equivalently priced (Electra Glide Classic) Harley! I know, I own a '03 Eglide Classic and a '00 BMW K1200LT (that out handles, is faster and is more comfortable than the Harley or the CLC and can cost less than either).
Would not take a CLC for either one of them. It still looks like an old R100RT on acid to me! Now if BMW would put the R1150RS or R motor in the CLC, well now, that would be a different story...
But if you want to try one, head to Alabama in October and attend the BMW RA National Rally....
Unfortunatly, it has less power, is less confortable and can haul less than the equivalently priced (Electra Glide Classic) Harley! I know, I own a '03 Eglide Classic and a '00 BMW K1200LT (that out handles, is faster and is more comfortable than the Harley or the CLC and can cost less than either).
Would not take a CLC for either one of them. It still looks like an old R100RT on acid to me! Now if BMW would put the R1150RS or R motor in the CLC, well now, that would be a different story...
But if you want to try one, head to Alabama in October and attend the BMW RA National Rally....
Joined
·
10,903 Posts
Re: BMW CLC Marketing Meltdown
My guess is that there is not a lot of cross-shopping between a Beemer and a Harley.
The only Harleys more than $18,000 are the big Electra Glides and SVO bikes.
Aesthetics are more personal and personally I think the Beemer cruiser is fugly. Also there is really not much you can do to "hop up" a boxer without spending piles of cash. Harleys are easy to mod to whatever performance level one prefers.
My guess is that there is not a lot of cross-shopping between a Beemer and a Harley.
The only Harleys more than $18,000 are the big Electra Glides and SVO bikes.
Aesthetics are more personal and personally I think the Beemer cruiser is fugly. Also there is really not much you can do to "hop up" a boxer without spending piles of cash. Harleys are easy to mod to whatever performance level one prefers.
1 - 20 of 59 Posts
Join the discussion
