Ride Reports
From Randy Hermes:
PSSST!PSSSSSTT!PSSSSSST!!!!Is this thang turned on! I haven’t seen much activity on this site,so i thought I would update. We hade a great weekend at the Bluegrass rally (Randy, Steve Thoerner, his son Brett, and Tom Collins. We were met by Joe Berry and his son Morgan. Good poker run but very hot camping. The highlight was Morgan drawing his dads ticket for rocket city rally pases.
I have just returned home from the RA in Morgantown. Myself, Steve, Brett and Chris Long had a great ride down Thursday. We were blessed with no rain all weekend and clear skys up on the mountain. Total attendance was only 1400 but the beer was cold and riding great. We even had Bill Gardner there as a rally guest and not a vender. He and Wells were big fun and all seemed to enjoy. Rh
From Chris Long:
I added a few photos from the rally ride. As Randy said, the weather was PERFECT. We had a great time, I rode down with Steve, Bret & Randy. I saw Greg and Ed, Bill & Wells, I heard Jim & Deana were there but I never saw you two. I also got to meet a few people from a couple of the internet groups. See you all next time.
From Jerry Cummins:
Lynn and I left for Asheville, North Carolina on Tuesday of last week. The initial part of the ride was in the rain, but once we got further south into Kentucky, the weather became better. On Wednesday, we spent the day riding the Blue Ridge Parkway (excellent road for motorcycles!) and touring some of the nice roads in the Smokies around Asheville, even thought it rained part of the time. On Thursday we arrived at the BMW RA rally, as they opened up. This involved driving from Asheville to the rally in some thick fog.
At the rally, we managed to sign up for the first BMW demo ride that went out. Lynn and I got to try out the R1200C. Nice bike, very comfortable, a lot of low-end power, good handling, but not for me. The new F650CS was there and we are of the opinion that the bike looks better "in person" than in the pictures, although Lynn prefers her F650GS with the new lowered seat from Wunderlich (which lowers the seat about 2 inches).
We had our bikes painted, Lynn's F650GS with a bold scheme fitting the personality of her bike, and my KLT with a dual scheme matching the dual personalities of the K1200LT. Those of you who did not see the paint jobs at the rally can see them at Tristate's Open House this weekend or at the charity poker run on Sunday.
On Friday, we attended the Wings Over the Smokies (Gold Wing) rally. This rally, with over 5600 riders in attendance, had dozens of vendors, selling everything from trike kits to jerky. We met Julie selling her t-shirts there. That night we rode a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Motolights sure came in handy in lighting up the road.
On Saturday, we returned to the BMW rally. There were more people at the rally. The North Carolina Highway Patrol was there with two of their R1100RTP bikes. They led a large group of us in a parade through the town, which ended with everyone parking around the courthouse and visiting with the town's residents. A lot of them showed up to see the parade and to talk to the riders. Anyone who had some ties to Ohio noticed our plates and came up to talk to us. I can honestly say the residents of Morganton, North Carolina are a friendly bunch!
Later that day, we attended the official unveiling of the new F650CS, with the head of the BMW design team speaking. The presentation was bad. The speakers could not be heard in the back rows and no effort was made to resolve the problem, even though several people spoke up complaining that they could not hear. The slide presentation failed and the speaker ended up rambling until the problem was resolved. Not the kind of presentation you would expect from an executive from a major company like BMW.
We have to give kudos to the BMW Demo Team as they were very friendly, went out of their way to answer everyone's questions, and gave a good demonstration of how the bikes handle. One ride leader performed tight circles with the K1200LT, dragging the peg on the ground as he made the circle. I was impressed. Following this, he got off, laid the bike over and demonstrated how one person could easily pick this heavy machine up. The other guy used a R1150RT for the ABS demonstration, which involved making a panic stop from 60 mph. I was really impressed with the wheelie he popped going out to the road. In addition, the technicians traveling with the Demo Team assisted us in tightening up one of Lynn's saddlebags that had come loose.
Good rallies, nice area to travel to, great people everywhere, and the week ended too soon.
The Prez Sez
Our September breakfast ride to the Shawnee State Park lodge was a dandy. The weather bordered on perfect. 51; sunny and warm. There was a good turnout, including a couple of Triumph riders who spotted us at out departure point and rode with us for a few miles. We had lunch on the patio at the lodge where we had a wonderful view overlooking Turkey Creek Lake. As is customary for Greater Cincinnati rides, several smaller groups departed from the lodge in different directions. Attaboys to Greg for the idea and the execution, and to Steve Thoerner and Bill Berry for being good group riders and waiting at critical turns for us stragglers.
Those of you who attended local rallies instead of coming to our social gathering with the Battle Creek club at the Raybuck57;s missed a good time, not to mention some excellent ribs! The Greater Cincinnati turnout was um; meager, consisting of Greg Cullers and Kathy, and Gail and me. Mother Nature tried to wash the event out, but Gail and I managed to pull into Tom and Joni’s driveway just minutes before the rain started, and it didn’t last all that long. I believe I counted about eight folks that came down from Battle Creek. Needless to say there was plenty to eat. After stuffing our faces, we all ended up with some sort of Coke memento thanks to Joni. We had a fun evening talking with the Battle Creek members. If Tom and Joni decide to do this again, you don’t want to miss it! Thanks guys.
Since Jim and Deanna agreed to host the October meeting instead of the one in November, we are once again in need of a host for the November meeting. Please check your calendars prior to the October meeting to see if you can help for November.
It’s also time to start seriously planning the club Christmas party. If you would consider hosting our big event of the year, please let one of us officers know. Although we usually have our meetings on the second Saturday of the month, if some other Saturday in December would suit your schedule better and you are interested in hosting, we will certainly adjust our calendar. We have at least one alternative available to us. Greg Cullers friend Kathy works at a racquet club in North College Hill and has penciled us in for Saturday, December 8th. The cost to the club to rent the facility would be $125. I would like to finalize the location for the Christmas party at the October meeting
As I mentioned in last months comments, the club’s election process will begin at the October meeting. If you would like to throw your name into the ring for one of the offices but won’t be able to make this meeting, let me know.
Take advantage of this beautiful fall weather!
Bob
Motorcycle Safety Tidbits
You are out on an overnighter and are parking the bike for the evening. The winds are up. Do you use a cover or not? Put it up on the center stand or leave it on the side stand?
Let me deal with the second question first - it is the easiest. Rule-of-thumb: Unless you are parked inside a garage on concrete, use your side stand!
Your side stand provides a WIDE tripod as compared to your center stand. As such, it provides far more stable parking for your motorcycle. The sole exception to this is if you are unable to park such that the bike leans firmly on the side stand. For example, if your shocks or tire pressure are low, your luggage weight is high, or the ground slopes to the right. If the bike is not leaning firmly on your side stand it can rather easily be pushed over to the right side.
Though high winds and bike covers do not go well together, I always use mine when I'm out on an overnighter. This, to tend to minimize the risks of theft and curiosity seekers taking liberties (even good natured parents have taken the liberty of placing one of their children in a bike's saddle they were walking by without getting the bike owner's permission.) Further, I'd rather the cover get damaged from windblown sand and other debris than the finish on my bike.
Remember to use some form
of fastener to cinch together the bottom edges of your cover under the bike to
keep it from flying off (and to further deter someone who might even think about
stealing the bike.)
Copyright © 1992-2001 by The Master Strategy Group, all rights reserved
FTWO – Tip of the Day
There is a trick to getting those stubborn screws out and
it works on Phillips or standard screws. I learned this trick from an engine
builder, go to your local NAPA auto parts store or an engine re-builder and buy
a small can of valve lapping compound. Valve lapping compound has the texture of
toothpaste and has very fine grit mixed in with it. Apply it to your
screwdriver tip and the extra grip will keep the tip from jumping out of the
grooves.
It has saved my butt more than once and it is fairly inexpensive. It also works
well on sockets that are just starting to round of bolt heads.
Thanks to Pat H. for today's tip.
BMW NEWS
The new R1150RS is being shipped to U.S. retailers beginning October 15.
Available in Pacific Blue or Titan SIlver, it will have the engine and
transmission from the RT, but only partially integrated EVO abs brakes.
The F650CS will be introduced in the U.S. in March as a 2003 model.
The R1150GS Adventure will also be introduced in March. This machine will
have all of the equipment necessary to
explore the world, including longer travel suspension, new handlebars, steel
brake lines, 30 liter fuel tank and aluminum bags and top case.
BMW is building 500 K1200LT Elites which are Custom models further equipped with
intercom, GPS, CB radio and bag liners. The price will be $22,500.
These models will be shipped this month.
Effective immediately, the R1150GS will also be available in Alpine White.
Finally, all of October's production of the F650GS will be in the lowered
version. This version will be approximately 30 mm lower than the standard
model as a result of a shorter shock and lower front fork.
Internet Notes as of 9/30/01
GCBMWC.org hit stats 1797 Egroup messages 324 Egroup members 40
From Chris Long:
Anne and I plan on taking a ride to Hungry Mother State Park in VA... http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/hungrymo.htm . It is located in the northwest corner of Va. on Rt 16. 16 looks like a scary-awesome road. I have been about 60 miles north in the Beckley WV. area and there are some great roads around there also (New River Gorge). The part of Rt.16 that I want to ride and see is between Marion and Tazewell VA. We plan on leaving Fri. 26th and returning Mon. 29th. We are thinking about getting a cabin for a night or two at Hungry Mother or maybe a room close by, or camping!? Not real sure about accommodations yet but that can be worked out. 35 from Xenia to 64 in Charleston WV to Beckley is about 270 miles and about 60 more to H.M. in Va. 35 is a pretty nice road down that way. The entire area around Hungry Mother is littered with State Parks and the such, promises to be beautiful country and there should be some pretty colors! I would like to invite any and all of you to join us on this ride. The only details that are firm are the dates, (Oct.26-29) and the destination, VA. St. RT 16.
October 7th 9am
Breakfast and Queen City Tour. Breakfast at the Hitching Post in Hyde Park
(Madison & Edwards). Lead by Bill Berry
October 13th 7:00 pm
Meeting @ Jim &Deana Smiths in Monroe
November 4th Breakfast Ride
November 10th Meeting – to be determined
October 5-7 27th Return to Shiloh Picwick Dam TN
October 12-14 Falling Leaf Rally Potosi, MO
October 12-14 Colonial Virginia Motorcycle Rally BMW Motorcycle Club of Hampton Roads #73 Jamestown Beach Campsites.
November 2-4 Gatorally 2001 Key West Tri-County BMW Riders of Florida #36
November 9-11 2nd Cajun Guzzi Beemer Rally 2001 Swamp Scooters #253 Lafayette, LA
November 16-18 - 10th "Sun Your Buns" Rally The Florida Sunbeemers #211