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®2017 BMW Motorrad USA, a division of2017 BMW North America, LLC. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks. 2 | ON THE LEVEL March/April
GS JANE rides again T
hese days I drive and ride more in Europe than in the US. When in Europe, I take many major highways as well as the back roads. The backroads in Europe, but also the highways, have a quaintness - possibly due to the continuous string of historical markers along the way. They are the antithesis of America’s stripped-down, sterile, concrete super slabs, which create our roads and byways. As a result, I feel more at home and connected riding in Europe, where there’s a particular communion between nature and history. This feeling is difficult to pinpoint or describe, but it can best be understood by looking at the ruins of centuries-old houses and landmarks that decorate these European roads.
As I stare at the crumbling architecture of these ruins, I can’t help but wonder who lived there and what they were like in their prime. Some of these houses are now small piles of rubble, some are intact, and some still stand tall among large, long-deserted compounds. Some houses had been sheltered in the cradle of a great mountain and others, with their mass, had broken the expanse of a wide-open plain. Regardless, as time progressed, the highways I now traverse invaded their once tranquil settings. The owners abandoned these houses long-ago for indeterminate reasons; maybe one was because they did not want to awaken each morning to the new highways? And still, I wonder: How many long-forgotten stories do I pass each minute?
One of my favorite passengers. Times Square, New York City
In this state of wonderment and curiosity, I think about how our personal stories are like tiny sprouts growing from the seeds of experience we’ve collected from the infinite choices we’ve made, and then planted in the gardens of our lives. Some people tell the stories sprouting from their physical and cerebral travels. Others are readers and dreamers, and they take stories they’ve heard and cross-pollinate them with their own experiences, creating new and different stories. I have always been a storyteller, but also a reader, creating my own experiences and absorbing others’. I am an inquisitive person and perhaps pursue too many diverse avenues. (My colleagues and friends are definitely in GS Jane Rides Again continued on 5
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 3
OTL
BMW Riders Association
Join BMW RA Today! Membership includes member card, club decal, and 6 issues annually of ON THE LEVEL Magazine. For new memberships, renewals or change of address visit our website: http://www.bmwra.org/membership/ or call 866-924-7102 Contact BMW RA BMW RA Officers RA Headquarters: P.O. Box 435 George Nyktas President Clarksville, OH 45113-0435 Karen Jacobs Vice President Toll-Free: 866-924-7102 Bob Ulrich Treasurer E-mail: RAadmin@bmwra.org Jessie Ratermann Trustee Website: http://www.bmwra.org Hans Rosenstein Trustee Martin Fischer Trustee RA Rally Information Jerry Dockery Trustee rallyinfo@bmwra.org Matthew DeWald Trustee Website: http://www.bmwra.org Sibley Poland Trustee Complaint Department RAPrez@bmwra.org Club Charters Jessie Baublitz – Chartered Clubs Coordinator Email: charteredclubs@bmwra.org
ON THE LEVEL-OTL-(USPS 023-559; ISSN 0199-9036) is published bi-monthly, six times per year by BMW Riders Association Inc., 2764 Gum Grove Road • Clarksville, OH 45113. OTL arrives to most members at the end of each issue month. RA members may submit an address change online at bmwra. org/membership or to the address below by the last day of the month for the next OTL issue to arrive at a new address. Periodical postage paid at Clarksville, OH and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to BMW Riders Association, P.O. Box 435, Clarksville, OH 45113-0435
Looking for Storytellers, Technicians, Gadget Gurus and Adventurers.
Tell us why you were drawn to motorcycling and the adventures... it took you on. Technical modifications that worked and those that didn’t. Gadgets for bikes and Apps for the ride. Each issue, a collection of twists and turns and eclectic passages. Contact Jane Schluter- GSJane@BMWRA.Org
SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2017 Vol. 46 No. 5 COVER PHOTO: ON THE LEVEL
Official publication of the BMW Riders Association RA HQ Toll-Free Number: 866-924-7102 E-mail: OTL@bmwra.org Website: http://www.bmwra.org
OTL Staff Editor-In-Chief Buy-Sell-Swap Contributors Editor Emeritus Layout Editor Rally Map
Jane Schluter Andy Pretzl Elizabeth Allen Matt DeWald Tamela Rich Jay Schwartzapfel Shawn Thomas Robert Hellman Nicole Hesse Andy Pretzl
Editor Jane Schluter E-mail: editor@bmwra.org Assistant Editors Neil Jones Ethan Powsner Technical Questions Online at: onlinetechline@bmwra.org Anton Largiader OTL Deadlines Deadline for submitting all material for publication in OTL is on the 1st day of the month prior to printing. Advertising Sales Manager Jane R. Schluter Cell: 917-689-8993 E-mail: advertising@bmwra.org Want ads and Rally info Free to BMW RA members and chartered clubs. See respective section in OTL for requirements. Back Issues Contact RA Headquarters $10.00 each/reduced rates for large orders Fine Print
Except in those rare instances in which OTL pays monetary compensation for an article or photos, the submission of any text or photos to OTL grants to OTL, for a period of not longer than thirty (30) days from submission, a first-right of refusal regarding publication of said material. OTL reserves the right to refuse publication, to edit or modify any submitted material prior to publication, and to hold material accepted for publication for a period of not longer than six months. Upon publication of any submitted text or photos, OTL thereafter retains a non-exclusive right to reproduce this material in printed or electronic media. Submission of text or photos to OTL constitutes acknowledgement of and agreement to these terms.
(ISSN 0199-9036)
4 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
GS Jane Rides Again from 3
agreement with this statement.) I admit that this curiosity could be considered a detriment as it obscures focus. I choose to see it as a plus, giving me new ideas every day to pursue. I meet each new day with the anticipation of learning and of discovering the world and people around me; which leads to more seeds of experience to plant and watch mature into stories. I was born with this curiosity, and it has governed my life in the form of my continuous quest for new adventures and knowledge. Motorcycling was irrevocably begotten from this curiosity. Motorcycling provides endless sprouts of choices from that first seed. In my finite remaining life and time, I try to make the most of each day and of where I am. As Arthur, in the movie Passengers advised, “You can’t get so hung up on where you’d rather be
that you forget to make the most of where you are.” Motorcycling is about experiencing and making the most of each day. It requires that I be present and in touch with the moment in which I am currently living. It’s about taking the day’s adventure in stride - for better or for worse - rain, sleet, snow or sunshine. I wake up each new day with that thirst for adventure and curiosity to appreciate every minute, whisper of wind, and blooming flower. I hope that OTL can add ideas and provide inspiration to your personal stories, as it has mine. This issue of OTL contains both product reviews that dive into design and manufacturing intricacies, and historical pieces that take us back to the very first RA communications. If you haven’t already ridden one, you can ride along with Sibley Poland on K
1600 B Bagger, learn about exploring Bhutan with the only government-sanctioned motorcycle tour company in that remote country, visit Long Beach BMW in the Dealer Spotlight, continue enjoying Matt DeWald’s adventure around the country, and laugh, smile, and fill your imagination with travelers Tamela Rich, Ethan Powsner, Cher Gunderson and Jay Schwartzapfel (who just became a grandfather, Congrats!). We also check in with Shawn Thomas, BMW’s (off-road) Adventure Ambassador and superstar, to see what he has been up to. Stay tuned; there will be more GS Trophy and HP4 coverage from my secret agent in our next issue. While watching the movie Passengers, I heard something else that resonated with me and probably will with every motorcyclist. GS Jane Rides Again continued on 9
Having lunch along N94, view from my table.
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 5
Sneak Peek
Next Issue: Barber Vintage l GS Trophy l Jim Ford’s Book l South Africa l AIMExpo l
(credit for photo) http://blog.motorcycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/101012-2013-bmw-r1200gs-48.jpg 6 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
TOP STORIES
On The Level
Kevin Wing Photography
The Service Department
3 GS Jane Rides Again 6 Next Issue 7 The Service Department 8 Acknowledgments 10 OTL Mail 12 Exploring Horizons 14 Riding The Diamonds 16 Out Of The Saddle 19 Rock On! 23 Bike Review 26 Hocking Hills Fall Adventure Ride 30 Pikes Peak pecial ections 32 Tales From The Lift 33 What Do You want? 35 The Fifth Dimension 36 Bhutan TUSK Motorcycle Tours 40 Dealer Spotlight 41 Member Profile 42 Custom 44 Product Reviews 50 Press Release 52 Future View 53 Book Review 54 History 58 South Africa Here I Come! 62 Advertisers Index 63 Black Eagle Shop
S
S
Jay Schwartzapfel
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 7
Acknowledgements On the Cover
Cover Model: Sibley Poland Photo credit: KEVIN WING PHOTOGRAPHY, INC. kevin@kevinwingphotography.com
Back Cover
Photo credit: Shawn M. Thomas www.stromoto.com
THANK YOU Thank you, Ethan Powsner for all your
help editing and your ideas. This issue would not have gotten out if it weren’t for your help. A fellow Kenyon College graduate who wrote me in June regarding the magazine and who is now working full-steam on the magazine. Thank you.
Thank you to all our columnists: Matt DeWald, Tamela
Rich, Jay Schwartzapfel, Elizabeth Allen, and Shawn Thomas; without whom we would have a much duller and emptier magazine! Thank you, lastly to all the secret agents who prefer to remain nameless but work tirelessly on OTL’s behalf.
L’Anse aux Meadows the reconstructed Viking Village
REES
TUNNEL OF TREES
y, Michigan
RA Rally Petoskey, Michigan GS Girls
Mother and daughter riding buddies
Last Issue:
Photo by Sam Langham
GS Giants awards
Bob Alexander, Rally Commitee Chair, post-rally
Photo by Matt DeWald
Colin Sandbach
GS Giants off-road rides
Photo by Sam Langham
Photo by Sam Langham
OTL-July/August-NEW.indd 19
GS Giants competition
Photo by Sam Langham
Vintage
July/August 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 19
9/1/17 12:33 PM
8 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
RA’s Petoskey, MI; Tunnel of Trees Rally picture collage: The two women on the new R 1200 RS in the Petoskey photos were Nicole (mother) and Caitlyn (11-year old daughter). Keep riding!
In the section, Tunnel of Trees RA Rally Petoskey, Michigan; Kenneth Yarwick’s name was misspelled on page 18. We regret the error.
GS Jane Rides Again from 5
“If you live an ordinary life, all you’ll have is ordinary stories. You have to live a life of adventure!” Aurora Lane – a character from the movie Passengers.
Motorcycles take that “ordinary” out of our lives and give us adventure, more stories, and more chances to connect with people, even our inner selves. I hope the stories in this issue will lead to new experiences for you and take you away from the ordinary and to the extraordinary. If you have a story or stories to share – even those that happen in your own “back yard” please send to me at GSJane@ BMWRA.org. We will give a prize every issue to one winning story. OTL’s following issue will feature the winning story as well as many of the other runners-up. P.S. One adventure recommendation – if you have the chance. Good food, decent weather, and incredible riding. That’s how I’d summarize the roads between Italy and France, specifically N94 (yes, a genuinely creative name). I went on a round trip from Rome, Italy to Les Deux Alpes, France in August; lots of time on the road, but never a dull moment. For the best riding, head up from Turin, Italy and go towards Grenoble, France. Here the norm is breathtaking scenery, motorcycles, and, as a bonus - people who respect driving and know how to drive with motorcycles on the road! This area is dappled with quaint towns, thrilling bike parks (for all our downhill mountain bikers), and skiing (even in the sum-
mer); adventure is around every corner. I have attached a few photos as well as a GPS photo. When your route of travel looks like something a two-year-old scribbled on the page - you know you are in for a treat!
Largest lake on N94, sporting the glacial iridescent green.
A heard of cows running loose, blocked all traffic except the GSs on the highway outside of Florence, Italy. September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 9
OTL MAIL Hi Jane, Larry Pepper here, returning member from the late eighties, received my brand-new membership card about 6 weeks ago and received my first OTL yesterday. Reading through, nice, nice, wow she (you) is busy! Later I got to your article about the Nolan tour and read Harry....Sue. Wait I know them! Harry MacPherson and Sue K from CIMA the importers of Nolan. I met Harry when I went to CIMA because I was having trouble installing some repair parts for my wife’s old Nolan. Harry and I hit it off wonderfully, we talked while one of his people rebuilt the helmet, he showed me his helmet museum/collection, also he showed me a new helmet model that would soon be released in the US- the X-Lite. A beautiful helmet (I now own one) After the impromptu tour I took my wife’s helmet, and Harry stopped me and said very seriously, very genuinely “You really should replace that helmet.” We now have new helmets from Nolan a N100 something and an X-Lite purchased with Sue’s expert assistance. I have visited CIMA several times and have always been warmly welcomed. I thought I would write you about this small experience in the vein of your editorial for this issue. Larry Larry, Thank you very much for your email. Yes, never a dull moment here! So, happy you have returned to the RA and you like the magazine. It is a lot of work and I am still learning. I have managed to find some good people to help which surely makes the magazine that much better. Nolan- yes, Wow! Meeting Harry and Sue and then visiting the factory - I am impressed with the people involved with Nolan and the product itself. Harry sold me on the helmet immediately with all the technical explanations and then the comfort! I can see why you and your wife are happily in Nolan helmets for good now. Glad you enjoyed the stories! All the best! Jane 10 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
ry.
Jane, Just thought you might enjoy this little sto-
A couple of nights ago, a friend stopped by on his new Triumph Sport Tourer motorcycle and off we went. We had about 20% light as the sun had set, but not being one to be slowed, I challenged my friend to a quickie race on the NM state line highway north. My BMW GTL is electronically limited to 141 mph; however, I was riding a mere 131 when I saw and remembered this section of highway had a slight kink in the road.... a small turn...almost unnoticeable at 50 mph. All my years of racing yelled at me to WAKE UP! I hit the brakes just as I’ve done for thousands of hours on race tracks, counter steered in a weak attempt to make to turn. I quickly realized the Laws of Physics wouldn’t allow me to negotiate this turn. I abandoned the curve efforts, let Newton and his Seven Laws, of Motion take control as I straightened the bike and around 110 mph.... departed the road. I cut a speedy path through dirt, weeds, insects, frogs and other entomologically challenged critters. In about eight Nano seconds, I was back on the tarmac, traveling but 99 mph. My friend behind me was convinced, because of the flying debris, dust, weeds, etc., I had joined the latest obituary list, a new customer for friend, Russell Muffley. However, as quickly as I disappeared, just as rapidly, I was back on the road. We semi-wisely slowed and compared thoughts of this “Close Encounter” and knowing the road was now straight, once again twisted the throttles to “Patient Pending” for another rapid progress of two-wheel performance comparison. The old saying “You gotta get back on the horse that ALMOST throwed you” was our mantra during this somewhat exciting ride. That night I slept extremely well, regardless of 73 years of age, affected with Parkinson’s, (which reportedly slows your reactions), I had met an unexpected and potentially deadly incident anf challenged it quickly with success. LIFE IS GOOD! - Keith Ingram Hello Jane and All, Petoskey was a lovely rally site and we had perfect weather too. Great venue, good eats, good music. And it was a pleasure to meet you, Jane. As I’ve said, the magazine looks good and reads well. Thank you for jumping in. I was surprised and disappointed that, al-
though Michigan was the host state for our national rally, not one Michigan BMW dealer chose to attend. That’s not a very glowing endorsement of the RA. I would have thought that the Michigan dealers could muster a trailer full of bikes to look at, if not demo, and some promotional gear for the 900 plus BMW riders in their backyard. Even for the Dells Rally, just held in Wisconsin Dells this September, Schlossman’s BMW of Milwaukee brought some nice new bikes, including the mockup 310, for the 350 potential buyers to drool over. No demo rides, but the Schlossman rep was busy talking with folks morning to night. Lots of goodwill, if not outright sales generated. (As an aside, it made me happy that I have bought bikes from them and would do so again.) Maybe next rally site the RA should encourage “area” dealers to support our rally. Or, maybe, shop business was just too good to represent at our rally. Yeah, that’s what probably happened. However, while I was in the rally area, I demoed an inflatable paddleboard in Harbor Springs. Bought two of them. Worked out well for the dealer and me. Very nice rally. See you next time. Cheers, Joann Hayes Madison, Wisconsin Dear Joann, I hope this finds you well! Thank you very much for your email! Always terrific to hear from you and you look fantastic on that paddleboard. I did not know there were inflatable ones. Looks fun! I have not yet had a chance to try it yet but I hear it is good exercise. Of course, it is definitely important that the Michigan BMW Motorrad dealers come to our event, since it was in Michigan. Offhand, I know that the two Michigan dealers, both contributed towards an EnduroGuard Suit as a raffle prize. John Horner’s dealership, BMW of Southeast Michigan also sponsored the Vintage ride and lunch for the vintage ride. I am sorry you did not see the MI dealers who were there. Blane Kamp from Grand Rapids volunteered at registration. John Horner the owner of BMW of Southeast Michigan also came and brought display bikes as well as attended the seminars. Thank you again for your email! Look forward to speaking to you again soon! Best! Jane
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 11
EXPLORING HORIZONS:
No Sacred Cows By Matt DeWald RA #43635
I
n April 2017, about a week prior to the launch of my extended cross-country trip, I sat at a bar and consumed a couple of afternoon margaritas with a new friend of mine. She asked me what I would do if my bike bombed-out during my trip. I said very matter-of-factly and stoically that I would ditch the old bike, buy a new one, and continue the ride. What I didn’t expect was that I would be confronted with this exact scenario. How I responded to it turned out to be highly therapeutic and empowering. Early signs of trouble On the second day of a 6-month-long trip, my trusty 2013 R 1200 R, nicknamed “Beaute Noire” (“Black Beauty” in French), started hiccupping and misfiring mid-flight. At stops, the idle bobbed up and down between 800 and 1,200 rpm and it occasionally stalled. I pulled over, inspected the engine for any obvious problems, but didn’t see anything. The symptoms continued as I passed Columbus, OH heading south on I-71. Within the range of 4,000 - 5,000 rpm, the hiccups weren’t as bad, so I held the pace steady at 65 mph until things cleared up, at which time I opened the throttle without any further problems. The next day I headed west toward Indianapolis and the problem re-emerged, but worse. I pulled over and called for help from the Indy BMW dealership about 50 miles away. The bike ran smoothly the rest of the way. The Indy team determined that the issue stemmed from throttle bodies that needed to be synched. I picked Beaute Noire up and she ran great.
12 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
But on another day of riding, the same issue resurrected and it intermittently continued across the country. It never amounted to anything meaningful until San Francisco; very suddenly the bike became virtually un-ridable while I was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. The local BMW dealership replaced the throttle position sensor (TPS) and the bike ran great for thousands of miles to come. Troubles continue I thought things were squared away until the bike went haywire again at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, only one day after having the 24k-mile service done. The frequency and severity of the hiccups continued on the ride from the RA rally in Petoskey to the MOA rally in Salt Lake City. Outside Durango, CO, I met a local BMW mechanic who looked things over and reset the TPS with me. That seemed to help, until I got to St. Louis. At my wits’ end, I talked to Gateway BMW about the purchase of a 2017 RT. I passed on making the purchase, but felt much more empowered. At Beaute Noire’s 30k maintenance in Tulsa, OK, I asked the team to look for any problems that could explain what was happening. They found nothing. Staying true to my word The engine’s performance continued declining from Tulsa to my home base in Charlotte, NC. Returning home for three days, I met the local dealer, negotiated a price for a new RT, identified my desired accessories, and took delivery two days later.
In good conscience, I cannot trade-in or sell Beaute Noire until its problems are identified and fixed. So it stays in Charlotte while my 2017 R 1200 RT, named “Beau Cheval” (“Beautiful Steed” in French) and I continue the cross-country trip. I reconnected with my margarita-drinking friend when I returned to Charlotte. Proudly, I let her know that I had stayed true to my word. This journey is bigger than one bike, the show must go on, and I need reliable equipment to transport me around our vast and beautiful continent. Not a small decision Buying a new bike is not a small decision, especially when it entails a cross-country trip. Preparing Beaute Noire for the trip took years of modifications, including a custom seat, handlebar risers, power supplies for electronics and heated gear, a radar detector, a windshield, and engine guards. Switching bikes meant sacrificing many of these creature comforts as well as getting accustomed to a new machine onthe-fly. A cross-country journey is not really the best place to discover bugs or familiarize oneself with new controls. But I knew that if the show was to continue, I needed to let go of any sacred cows, take control of my ride and move onward. Progress report Within two weeks of purchasing Beau Cheval, I had clocked over 3,000 miles on my new RT; including a trek from Charlotte to British Columbia. I’ll keep heading west until I reach Vancouver, where I will turn around and head east again.
While I’m away, the Charlotte BMW dealership picked up Beaute Noire for an extended review of the nagging mechanical issues. This is a better solution than trying to ride across the country and being frustrated with her poor performance. Unfortunately, my butt hurts after a couple of hundred miles of riding each day. I’ll need to swap out the stock seat, but won’t have the time to get my new Bill Mayer saddle until I reach a resting stop long enough to mail the seat back and forth. Because I transferred the top case from the old bike to the new one, the top case key doesn’t match the rest of the bike; I’ll get this corrected at a later date. Also, my radar detector uselessly resides in my top case until I purchase the necessary harness and have it professionally installed. Already, this resulted in one roadside conversation with a policer officer; however, my charming politeness excused me from a ticket. What really matters The truth of the matter is that none of the distractions really matter. My goal is to ride across the country and in Canada, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. The sore butt is worth it. So is being pulled over by the police. And using two keys only affects me a couple of times per day. As long as it means my trip is not hindered, I will address the minor nuisances later when I have time to spare. In the meantime, I have important places to ride to, experiences to cherish, and family and friends to hug.
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 13
Riding the s d n diinaymouo r own e h t g n D i R d i A R Y BACK s d n diinaymouo r own
BACK YARD
Trestle Park, Algoma Township, MI By Ethan Powsner, RA # 83840
E
ver since I bought my first motorcycle, 5 years ago, I have cherished the fact that I can go out for short rides in the evenings. I live in Grand Rapids, MI and I can be riding out in the country within 5 minutes of leaving my home. These rides, usually taken after dinner, often last an hour - sometimes two. Occasionally I have a motive, such as to practice slow-speed maneuvers, and sometimes not. It is these latter rides that lead me to little gems of history located in my own back yard, so to speak. I call this kind of ride a “Riding the Diamonds in Your Own Back Yard” ride. The name comes from the famous speech by Russell Conwell, the first President of Temple University. Conwell’s speech, which is reported to have been delivered over 6000 times in the mid-1800s (remember, this was in the time before telephones, TV, movies, and Facebook), is sometimes referred to as the “Mining the Acres of Diamonds in Your Own Back Yard” speech.
Editor’s note: We are looking into starting a regular feature called “Riding the Diamonds in Your Own Back Yard” as a vehicle, pun intended, for our readers to contribute short ride reports, descriptions, or stories of interesting natural or historical landmarks. Ideally, these are located near your home, “near” being loosely defined, but generally not being more than a day’s round trip from your home. The point is to celebrate the spontaneity of riding and discovery in your own “neck of the woods.” Your contributions do not have to be epic, profound, or otherwise out of the ordinary. Simply write something about the day and the ride in the same language you’d use if you were talking to someone about your ride. We are not looking for a cookie-cutter format. Cher Gunderson’s and Ethan Powsner’s contributions are offered as examples and a kick-off to what we hope becomes a popular way for us to bring our readers into the publication. Please send your story, description, or ride report and pictures to: editor@bmwra.org.
One of my volunteer activities is to participate in the Grand Rapids MotoPatrol, a volunteer group of riders that provides triathlons and similar events with motorcycle safety patrols. On August 15th of this year, I rode my F 800 ST to the volunteers meeting for the Michigan Titanium Triathlon at a location about 7 miles north of my home, where we discussed the overall logistics of the riding support that we were going to be providing at the race. After the meeting, with the weather being perfect for an evening ride, I decided just to randomly ride down roads I hadn’t been on in this part of town. As I was riding, I saw a sign that said “Historical Marker” and that pointed to an upcoming left turn. I decided to see what was so interesting, and these pictures capture what I saw.
Quicksilver, my trusty steed, averages 10,000 miles a year, 2 Saddlesore 1000s and 3 camping trips. 14 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
February 22, 2017 On My F 700 GS By Cher Gunderson
“D
o it. Turn back!” my head said to my heart. I had just ridden past a familiar barn (at least familiar in the sense that I had seen this structure many times on my work-related traveling) on Highway G in Porterfield, WI. My heart spoke, “You have nothing to lose but regret.” Within two minutes I had turned my F 700 GS around, parked in the driveway of the home located beside the antiquated barn, walked past the shiny burgundy vehicle, and was stepping up the stairs to the front door. I was delighted to hear the peaceful chirps and wings of small birds in the sweet spring air, but disheartened that no one was coming to the door. After some time, I headed back down the stairs. As my feet sank slightly into the soft dirt and gravel driveway, I felt joy at the sound of someone’s voice. “Hi,” came a man’s voice. Heeding his dog’s high-pitched bark of alert, a gentleman of short stature had opened the door. I turned, a smile across my face. “Hi. My name is Cher. I travel between here and Marinette and Menominee for my job and I often see your barn. I like to take pictures of barns and I’m wondering if it would be OK for me to take a picture of yours?” “Sure.” “Thank you. I appreciate it. Do you know about how old it is?” I asked. “I’m not sure,” he remarked. Hoping to gain more information, I probed further. “Has it been here as long as you’ve had the property?” “40-some years. It’s probably 100 years old.” I told the gentleman how pretty I thought it was and how I noticed the pigeons’ enjoyment of the tan concrete silo. “Yeah - it’s hard to keep ’em away. Where do you work?” After mentioning that I’m a speech-language pathologist at three skilled nursing facilities in Marinette, Menominee, and Crivitz, a smile arose as the man gently shared that his daughter-in-law was a speech language pathologist at a school in Madison. We talked about where his daughter and I had gone to school. I related to him how once, last summer, I knocked on his door and heard his dog but no one answered. I had been riding my new motorcycle and had misread the gas gauge (since it is less specific than my old motorcycle’s gauge) and had run out of gas near his home. He shared a memory. “Well, I was in Oklahoma coming back after I was discharged from the Air Force and my wife was seven months pregnant. I had to leave my cycle on the road and get a ride. She never lets me forget that.” “So I’m not the only one that’s done that, hah,” I replied with relief at the feeling of some camaraderie. I felt joy at our ex-
change - this pleasant, seemingly humble man was taking his time to share commonalities with me. He proceeded to tell me that that’s not the only time it had happened either. I then shared my previous escapade in Montana when I thought I could push my F 650 GS gas tank’s limit. Sitting roadside on the earth, soaking up the beauty of the hills and fields in my view, I had waited for my husband to return on his cycle with fuel from a country bar with old-fashioned gas pumps. We rode back up to those pumps and quenched “Lulu’s” thirst for good. The Adventure Gods had blessed us with the bonus of watching motocross riders jumping moguls and sailing their cycles high above steep hills. The time was right; our conversation had run its course. I acknowledged my appreciation for this spontaneous meeting on this 60 degree day and started walking down the stairs. The man turned and called “Jay-Jay” to a cute Lhasa Apso that had stood by my feet listening to us talk. “Well, Jay-Jay, should we go in?” his master asked. “And what is your name?” I inquired. “Jack.” I walked back up the porch and extended my hand. “Jack, thank you very much. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me take the picture.” “You’re welcome. Let’s go Jay-Jay,” remarked Jack. Down the steps I went, noticing yet more striking subjects: a shed, the pigeons at the top of the silo, the humble tree in front of me, and the blue sky and the broad field behind it. Angles framed the beauty of the camera’s shots amidst nature’s sounds (including the near silence of the country). I was thankful that I had been riding my motorcycle as I passed by the barn and that my heart and mind worked together to lead me to this gratifying experience. These are the moments my soul encodes and reflects back on again and again.
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 15
OUT OF THE SADDLE with tamela rich
Freya Stark, Lois Pryce, and Me (Kinda) By Tamela Rich RA #40500
I have no reason to go, except that I have never been, and knowledge is better than ignorance. What better reason could there be for traveling? ~Dame Freya Madeline Stark (1893 - 1993), British explorer and author of 25+ books
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Just days after the November 2011 bombing of the British Embassy in Tehran, intrepid motorcycle traveler Lois Pryce found a note on her Yamaha TTR250, which was parked near the Iranian embassy in London. It read: Dear Sir,
I have seen your motorbike and I think that you have travelled to many countries. But I wonder, have you been to my country? That is Iran. It is very beautiful and the Persian people are the
most welcoming in the world. Please do not think of what has happened here and in Tehran. These are our governments, not the Iranian people. WE ARE NOT TERRORISTS! I wish that you will visit Iran so you will see for yourself about my country. WE ARE NOT TERRORISTS!!! Please come to my city, Shiraz. It is very famous as the friendliest city in Iran, it is the city of poetry and gardens and wine!!!
Your Persian friend, Habib
Now that’s an invitation to adventure! Although Lois had motorcycled the length of North and South America solo, and from London to Cape Town via many Muslim countries in North Africa, she faced several obstacles that Habib had not considered. I’m not sure he would have made the invitation had he known the owner of the little Yamaha was a woman. After all, Iranian women are forbidden to ride bicycles and motorcycles in their country, although foreign women are technically allowed to do so. Technically. We Americans know that the Iranian government refers to our country as the “Great Satan,” but most of us are unaware that the title “Little Satan” is bestowed upon the Brits. Would Lois be putting a target on her back as a woman riding a motorcycle with British license plates through the country? As Lois researched what she came to call the “Habib Challenge,” which she ultimately documented in her book Revolutionary Ride: On the Road in Search of the Real Iran, she took comfort and inspiration from her fellow British author and traveler, Freya Stark. In the 1930s, Freya spent much of her life in the Middle East—including Iran (then called Persia).
Lois’ first challenge was the condition placed upon her visa - that she must travel on public transportation, not a private vehicle. Where’s the fun in that? She not only defied that condition, she brought her bike with her. She recounts that even before boarding the train from Turkey to the Iranian border, her bike is inspected for hours. Finally aboard, she is singled out by the police for questioning, fingerprinting, and entry to Interpol’s database. The tension mounts as the train rattles on; will she be thrown in the notorious Evin Prison for defying the conditions of her visa? For taking a photo? For not wearing the headscarf properly?
wore the chador, the long black cloak that covers the entire head and body. After wearing one for a few weeks, she found herself deep in the Zagros mountains, lost and weary. She stopped by a stream and took shade under an oak tree, deciding to bare her hair and feet while studying a map. Showing either in public is illegal. “I realized then, sitting silent and alone in the wilderness, that it wasn’t just the traffic, noise and pollution of the cities and highways that I’d found wearing, it was also the sensation of being constantly on display, even if the attention I attracted was almost always well-meaning.” Many women travelers, especially those of us who travel solo, can empathize with her statement. But Lois would go on to face scary encounters with Iran’s paramilitaries, the Basiji, and a gas station attendant hopped up on methamphetamine that make my American experiences with catcallers and panhandlers not worth mentioning in the same paragraph. American hostages, Iranian exiles
The first Iranians that Lois met on the train from Turkey were members of the Bahá’í faith, a faith that I share. I was shocked that she even met any Bahá’ís, since they are a persecuted minority in the region. Thousands have been mar-
Let’s talk about the headscarf
Her adventures with the headscarf continue throughout the book, as are the conversations it evokes from the stream of locals who inevitably befriend her at every destination. She quickly discovered that the way a woman wears her headscarf is a political statement. A lot of the younger women, and the more obviously fashionable, pushed their hijab to the limit, wearing it hanging off the back of the head or teetering on the top of a high bun, with plenty of hair on show at the front. The older women, and the religious and politically conservative, Freya Stark September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 17
tyred, imprisoned and forced out of Iran for believing that a Messenger of God appeared after the Prophet Muhammad. I was a senior in high school when the Iranian Hostage Crisis dominated the evening news. Like many Americans— then and now—I considered Iran to be a country of terrorists and religious fanatics. My teenaged-self never envisioned a future where some of her closest adult friends would be members of the Bahá’í faith from that complex country. While traveling Iran, Lois came to understand Persians (as Iranians prefer to be called) in a way that I have not; for this country persecutes my friends. Lois’ visit to ancient Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BC), helped me brush up on my sketchy memory of the Islamic Revolution. She writes that in 1971, the Shah transformed 160 desert acres outside Persepolis into a tented city to celebrate 2500 years of the Persian monarchy. French chefs prepared a banquet that included 50 foie-gras-stuffed peacocks. Each course featured a different vintage wine, and over 5,000 bottles
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of champagne awaited royalty, presidents and prime ministers from all over the world. That degree of decadence was problematic, and the series of “preventative arrests” targeting anyone who might cause trouble during the celebration “lit a match” under people who were already chafing at the Shah’s corruption and coziness with Western governments. By the time the party in Persepolis started, Iran’s prisons were teeming with innocent citizens. The Ayatollah Khomeini, then in exile, publicly denounced the commemoration as the “Devil’s festival” and proof of the “westoxification” of Iran. Lois observes, “The Shah’s decision to hold such a lavish and ostentatiously expensive gathering turned out to be the catalyst for his downfall, and ultimately, the Islamic Revolution of 1979.” Overthrowing the Shah and installing an Islamic Republic is a classic case of jumping from the frying pan into the fire for most of the Iranian people Lois met. Until reading Lois’ account of her travels in Revolutionary Ride, I didn’t fully appreciate that the same Persian spirit of independence that conceived the Islamic
Republic, now encourages everyday acts of low-level subversion against its strictures. Lois, the unaccompanied motorcyclist, gets the inside scoop. She was met with warmth and legendary hospitality by people eager to be understood by the outside world. Two of her hosts, Omid and Tala, took her into their social milieu, drinking alcohol, listening to illegal hip-hop and heavy metal music, and partying sans headscarf. “‘I can get you bacon if you want,’ offered Omid, with the sneaky wink of a playground drug dealer. ‘The authorities know exactly what goes on,’ said Omid... ‘They organize all the smuggling, the booze, the satellite TV, prostitution; it’s a big racket run by the Revolutionary Guards. And everyone knows it.’” Lois concludes, “For me, this was the most important theme of my journey: the government and its people are separate entities. Making this separation felt important, on both sides.” Lois’ Twitter bio refers to her as a “‘Persophile,’ a lover of Persian culture, history and people.” When you read Revolutionary Ride it’s easy to see why.
ROCK ON with Shawn Thomas A photo journal of his trip to the Bonnier Adventure Rally, Gunnison, CO. Shawn Thomas, BMW Adventure Ambassador
For more than 14 years Shawn Thomas has been a staple of the adventure riding community. During his humble beginnings as a salesman at a BMW dealership, Shawn became infatuated with adventure riding. After taking lessons on how to ride off-road, he ascended to the position of lead instructor and tour guide at the BMW Off-Road Academy. He has since traveled the world teaching and leading adventure riders, and has been appointed as the Adventure Ambassador for BMW Motorcycles in the USA. Â Shawn M. Thomas Motorsports Training - Consulting - Media www.stromoto.com
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AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT… The K 1600 B: A B agger for Everybody? By Sibley Poland RA #39845 Photos By: Kevin Wing Photography
F
orgive me Motogods, for I have sinned. As an R-bike girl, I like the quintessential flat-twin in all its iconic glory and with its quirky pull to the right when you snap the throttle. I have never ridden a K-bike before. What am I in for? In late July, BMW Motorrad invited OTL to ride the new K 1600 B for Bagger at its US Press Launch on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. At the entrance, two K 1600 Bs were perfectly poised to greet their judges. Seeing the understated, triple-black and chromed machines in-person for the first time, I could take in their true stature. Some of my initial intimidation melted away as the cockpit was a lot narrower than photos had implied. At 5’4”, I approach new bikes with caution, aware of my limitations - whether they are real or imagined. “I got this,” I said to myself, and strode into the evening cocktail reception to compare initial impressions with the assembled moto-press and to attend a technical presentation. The following morning, BMW took us through a pre-ride meeting followed by roughly 200 miles of riding. Getting familiarized with the saddle while tucked away on the grounds of the Biltmore, as opposed to being shot out of a cannon onto a freeway post-haste, was very much appreciated. This gave me some time to start feeling the balance and weight distribution, settle into the controls, and practice taking off from ground zero; which curiously proved to be the most dif-
ficult aspect of the bike for me. I have been accustomed to giving all bikes I ride a certain amount of throttle to get rolling. This bike, in contrast, does not require much throttle; if any. One only needs to let out the clutch and she effortlessly pulls forward. This does leave the rider with the feeling that the throttle is not going to be very responsive, but that’s not the case. When throttling out of a curve or passing on the highway, the throttle response of the torquey in-line 6-cylinder engine leaves nothing to be desired. Thirty-five riders and bikes rode out of the Biltmore grounds in small groups and we navigated our way through Gatlinburg and then out to the Vineyard at Betty’s Creek for lunch. A special treat was viewing the eclipse, as we were in the “Zone of Totality;” well played, BMW Motorrad. Our route was the perfect mix of 4-lane freeways (I’m giddy when I think about how fast I was actually going at times and there was seemingly no end to the throttle), requisite Smoky Mountain sweepers, hairpins, and heavy traffic (the post-eclipse, interstate-turned-parking-lot) that could come from no other place than the underbelly of the Devil himself. Note: Lane splitting is frowned upon in the South. Using the K 1600 platform, first introduced in 2010, and which replaced the venerable K 1200 LT, the B model (or Bagger) is the little sister, if you will, to the beefy K 1600 GTL full-dress luxury tourer and the sister-from-another-mister of the K 1600 GT sport tourer. All share the same 1649 cc 6-cylinder engine with 160 hp and 129 ft/lbs of torque, as well as
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electronic fuel injection, three ride modes, and a 5.7” LCD multi-function display with on-board computer. Unique to the B is the redesigned rear styling which nods heavily to that iconic bagger look: the low-profile backward-sloping design. The restyled seat is 2.8 inches lower than the GT’s, as is the rear frame. These are the features I feel afforded me the ability to ride such a large machine with confidence. The chopped (and electronic!) windscreen and streamlined cases, accented with integrated rear lights, give it that perfect bagger look perfect from nose to tail. I rode the fully-equipped Premium Package model, which gave me a chance to check out the most notable upgrade features: Gear Shift Assist Pro, Reverse Assist and the audio system.
Gear Shift Assist Pro & Reverse Assist
Infotainment, instruments and controls
Suspension
Having not paid attention in class, I am in the dark on how to operate the Bagger’s infotainment center. Stop-andgo traffic during the post-eclipse exodus affords me time to see just how instinctive the controls are; I find them to be surprisingly intuitive. In no time, I am surfing local FM radio stations and obnoxiously competing for the loudest sound level against my Bagger-riding cohorts. What fun! Worth noting, having never turned off the engine in 90 degree plus temps, was that the K never overheated and the electronically adjustable windscreen easily allowed a welcome reprieve from the heat. 24 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
These are two features I could get used to, and did. This was my first experience with Gear Shift Assist Pro and I was skeptical that my brain would allow it, for it would have to forget some of its muscle memory. In the up-shift, as long as you aren’t lugging it and keep the RPM at a minimum of 5,000, it is as smooth as butter and it didn’t take me long to get the hang of it (and to want every bike I will ever ride to have it). In the down shift, you have to be completely off the throttle, which takes a little too much to get accustomed to, and eventually I found myself reverting to the archaic means of downshifting. For those of you who have ever had your foot slip on loose gravel or dirt while you were backing your bike up, Reverse Assist’s benefits speak for themselves. Impressively equipped with standard Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment), which features automatic damping with Road and Cruise modes, I could tell the difference when I toggled between the settings. Road mode automatically adjusts for comfort and traction on a variety of surfaces. Hitting pothole-laden hairpins and sweepers doesn’t threaten to throw you and the bike off course; mangled pavement, like everything else, is taken in stride. Cruise mode offers a softer course of action. The Bagger also offers three ride modes as standard features: Rain, Road, and Dynamic, all of which utilize the lean-angle sensor. The Rain mode
dampens the sensitivity of the throttle and braking, a fantastic safety feature. The bike’s standard ABS Pro cannot be switched off. Ergonomics
I could touch the ground - with both feet - at the same time! All the bikes came with the low seat option and I could also reach the handle bars without having to lean forward. Though, after about 150 miles in the saddle, it was apparent that the seat could be improved and many riders were standing on the pegs, myself included. For me, I wanted to test the bike’s boundaries and lean capabilities and also just take a break from the saddle. With a small amount of bodyweight pressure on the pegs, the Bagger rounded corners at speed without missing a beat. My legs never felt cramped in the normal riding position and I didn’t hear complaints from my much taller compatriots. The front floor boards (which seem to stand-in for highway pegs) were the perfect option for giving the legs a nice stretch. The electronically adjustable windscreen provided ample wind protection and no buffeting. Attention to Detail
The sexy lines of the bike, taken from the Roland Sands Concept 101 design, are the most obvious details; however, upon further inspection you discover other gems. The mirrors have a convex blind spot feature and they never vibrated at high speeds on the freeway. The multi-controller wheel allows the rider to easily toggle through heated grip settings, the tire pressure monitor, and suspension settings; all with the touch of your thumb. Inside the right-rear pannier you will find a mounted, but removable, hard case charging station. Just a few of the other neat features: Bluetooth, Keyless Ride, a self-leveling Xenon adaptive headlight that points into all corners, different audio system, and being prepped for GPS. Conclusion
At a base MSRP of $19,995, the B’s technology, suspension, and ergonomics make a mid-size touring machine that brands X, Y and Z do not. After about 50 miles in the saddle I really started trusting the bike’s handling capabilities in a big way and I could tell I was pushing it, and myself, around corners harder than I would on my own trusted R 1200 GS. The B wanted to tackle the hairpins, as well as pass cars on the freeway in a nano-second; or, maybe that was me. The engine’s smoothness and responsiveness still wow me. Its low center of gravity, dynamic suspension and responsive throttle gives it a fun-factor of 9 out of 10. So, I get the K-bike thing now, but why does this make me want to call up Jack Riepe? September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 25
Hocking Hills Fall
ADVENTURE RIDE
Presented by Motohio
By Elizabeth Allen
E
ach fall, in the beautiful Hocking Hills region of Ohio, Motohio European Motorbikes sponsors an Adventure Ride that is hosted by the Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club (HVMC). October 8th, 2017 will mark this year’s date for friends to gather, ride, and enjoy the scenery that Southern Ohio has to offer. October is superb riding time in the area. The cooler Midwestern temperatures make for a most pleasant ride; not too hot, but just crisp enough to relish the air. The fall colors are spectacular with the greenery changing to vibrant orange, red and yellow. Leaf season is simply stunning while riding the twisting, winding roads around the
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foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The Adventure Ride is a 125 mile route laid out by The HVMC and is a mix of primarily blacktop, dirt, gravel, and forest service roads. This “big bike” friendly route is the perfect length to thoroughly entertain you for the day and allows you time to take in the highlights of this unique countryside. Knobby tires are not required for the level of difficulty. At signup, each participant is given either a roll chart or route map so they can enjoy the ride at their own pace or link up with a smaller group of riders. A catered BBQ lunch stop at Lake Hope State Park is provided about mid-way through the ride to give you an opportunity to rest and replenish yourself before you complete the remainder of the route. Lake Hope makes up almost 3,000 acres with visible structures and relics from the mining and iron producing industries that closed in the 1800’s. A nature
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lover’s paradise, the park lies within the 28,000 acre Zaleski State Forest. Friends can enjoy camaraderie, discuss the ride, take photos, and soak up the sights, smells, and the good vibes felt during every visit to the Hocking Hills area. In addition to following the route of the 125 mile Adventure Ride, you can detour to enjoy the many natural features of the area. Besides the Zaleski State Forest, the region boasts several other natural attractions, such as the Wayne National Forest, which itself encompasses over 832,000 acres of protected land. Outdoorspeople flock from all parts of the Midwest to enjoy camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and zip
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lining along the Hocking River; you may even find Native American artifacts in the shallow streams along the river beds. Rock House, Cantwell Cliffs and Old Man’s Cave are among the favorite sites for visitors and locals alike. The HVMC is a non-profit AMA-chartered motorcycle club located in Logan, Ohio. The club was started in 1972 by a fun loving group of enthusiasts, and is still made up of a group of dedicated volunteers who lay out the race course for the Appalachian Championship Enduro Series as well as create routes for sanctioned Adventure Rides. The 120 acres of club grounds house an extensive trail system for holding Hare
Scrambles, Dual Sport and Enduro races. The club’s longstanding member base shares its collective expertise on the area and partners with others to host rides on private land, not accessible to the public. The club is an asset to both the local motorcycling community and to the American Motorcyclist Association. If you can’t make this year’s Adventure Ride, ride down some other time to enjoy the numerous unique events that take place throughout the year in the small towns throughout the Hocking Hills. Memorial Day weekend in New Straitsville holds the Moonshine Festival, which features a pie-eating contest, a working moonshine still display, a cruise-in and a parade. Over Father’s Day weekend in Logan, the Washboard Music Festival takes place, where you will be impressed when “…a washboard, an empty jug, along with a stick and string attached to metal tub turned upside down, became the backwoods answer to Saturday Night at Carnegie Hall.” (quoted from http://washboardmusicfestival.com/ about/) Finally, Moonville, a small coal mining town established during the mid-1800s, pays homage to the paranormal with the infamous Moonville Tunnel. Despite documented reports of the 4 named ghosts who haunt the tunnel, motorcyclists still brave the unknown and ride through it. Mark your calendar for Motohio’s Fall Adventure Ride, as October 8th is sure to be the riding event of the season. Come out for a day filled with enthusiasts, community and fun! After experiencing the scenic back roads of Southern Ohio, you will look forward to returning time and time again.
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P IK E S PEAK By Jay Schwartzapfel RA #40159
M
uch has been written about the Pikes Peak Highway. Over time it has rightfully become the stuff of legends. The road as we know it was built as a commercial venture in 1915 by a fellow named Spencer Penrose. A born serial entrepreneur, Penrose was a co-owner of the most successful gold mine in Cripple Creek, CO, and he also co-owned a leading copper-ore mine. Spotting an opportunity, he acquired a 20-year license from the United States
Secretary of Agriculture to operate and enhance the existing Pikes Peak roadway and complete it to the peak. It cost him $500,000 in 1915 dollars, but as a part of his license, he was allowed to charge the sum of two dollars for the drive on his new road. In an effort to build tourism, he dreamed up The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. It is an understatement to say that his idea was a major success; it is still an international phenomenon today - 102 years later. It is ironic that the explorer Zebulon Pike not only never reached the summit of his namesake mountain, but he did not believe it possible. “After a failed attempt to climb to the top in November 1806,” Pike wrote in his journal, “...here we found the snow middle deep; no sign of beast or bird inhabiting this region. The thermometer which stood at 9° above 0 at the foot of the mountain, here fell to 4° below 0. The summit of the Grand Peak, which was entirely bare of vegetation and covered with snow, now appeared at the distance of 15 or 16 miles from us, and as high again as what we had ascended, and would have taken a whole day’s march to have arrived at its base, when I believed no human being could have ascended to its pinical [sic]. This with the condition of my soldiers who had only light overalls on, and no stockings, and every way ill provided to endure the inclemency of the region; the bad prospect of killing anything to subsist on, with the further detention of two or three days, which it must occasion, deter30 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
mined us to return.” Who would have dreamed about the vast drop in temperature that can take place over the length of a mere 19-mile road? When I rode on the Pikes Peak Highway this year, it was 75 degrees and sunny at the entrance, which is located at about 7,700 feet above sea level; the conditions at the top will be revealed in due time. As I started up the road, the sun was shining and the curves were not banked or too tight. My thoughts were that this is not tough at all. Perhaps my apprehension was all for naught. This was a fun time. Once I rode past 10,500 feet, the road changed quite a lot, and it continued to change as I ascended further. Perhaps my apprehension was warranted after all. The curves were now banked and 180 switchbacks were
added to keep things interesting. (See the roadmap for reference.) By 13,000 feet I wondered if I was ever going to get to the top of this road. Finally, at 14,100 feet above sea level, a heavily fog-enshrouded vista came into view. I had anticipated a paved, striped, and lighted parking area surrounding a modern visitor’s center after all, over 320,000 visitors a year drive up the Pikes Peak Highway. I was almost stunned to see only a red clay open area with large water-filled pot holes that were hard to see and negotiate due to the fog. The Visitor Center had an old log cabin design with a narrow steel entrance door that would look right at home on a construction trailer. The gift shop sold “Pikes Peak doughnuts” which were made from a special recipe, as standard dough mixes do not rise at this altitude. At the top, Pikes Peak’s air only has about 60% of the oxygen density of the air you breath at sea level; that means that it is hard to breath. Perhaps not for all, but it was for me. (There are some hardy people that bicycle up the road to the top, but I am not one of them.) After getting the obligatory photo of me standing at the official summit sign, which is at 14,115 feet, and a few other assorted pictures attesting to the arctic landscape, I needed to head down the mountain. On the Pikes Peak Mountain Tours website, one of the frequently asked questions is “What do I do if I start to feel dizzy or lightheaded?” Their salient advice - “The best treatment is to retreat to lower altitude.” So that’s what I did and I began breathing better after I started my descent. There are many more things to do and see in the surrounding area of Colorado Springs. The small artsy tourist town of Manitou Springs was a favorite of mine and it sits just below the base of Pikes Peak. I feel that the town is best described as Woodstock meets the mountain. I am glad that I attempted and succeeded in my personal summit victory. The pictures tell the tale of what it looked like in June, but don’t do justice to the amazing views. By the way, while it was 75 degrees at the starting point of the Pikes Peak Highway, by mile 19 – at the summit - it was only 35 degrees. Dress warmly! For more information, see www.pikes-peak.com September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 31
Tales from the Lift By Armen Armirian
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ometimes, I just need to explain stuff in a way a layman can understand. This guy shows me his very clean R75/5. He says, “It was totally gone through, needs nothing.” “Yeah, right.” I notice the tires are old; suggest new tires. I ask if the brakes had been attended to. Blank stare. I grab the front brake lever as hard as I can. Push the bars, the bike rolls. “Kinda exciting, riding with no brakes, eh?” “I won’t be going very fast,” he says. Shake my head, “Lemme paint you a picture,” I say. “This is NYC. The roads look like Dresden in ‘46. Following distances in traffic are measured in inches. You’re heading up the FDR drive at 70 mph behind some T___ F____T____ W_____ (Editor’s translation – “wealthy person”) in a 911 Porsche. Suddenly the driver sees a pothole that could swallow a refrigerator, thinks about blowing up about $3K of wheels, and stomps on the brakes. With big honking tires, brakes that could stop cancer in your lymph system, and lots of groovy electronics, the car stops in about 108 feet. So do you, except you do it by hitting his rear bumper at 50 mph. As you’re flying over that a____-e____ ____ s___ car (Editor’s translation – “Porsche”), the wing-tipped wonder boy behind the wheel is speed dialing his lawyer to sue you for rear-ending his toy. You spend the rest of your life in a metal chair with big wheels on the side, peeing into a bag tied to your waist. Blank stare, “Uh, what should I do?” “Besides the tires, ditch the old/hard/nasty asbestos brake shoes. Install EBC brake shoes, scuff up the drums so they’ll seat, new brake cable, dismember everything, lube pivots, repack/shim wheel bearings, adjust carefully. Stop better. Be less dead.” He went for it.
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WHAT DO YOU WANT? And What Would You Do For It? By Armen Armirian
L
ife is full of choices made, paths not taken, doorways not entered, opportunities ignored..and often..recurring doubts about all of them. A “few” years ago (possibly 35).... What if...You were a head mechanic in a BMW shop and lived and breathed the bikes. You had all the factory tools, manuals, service bulletins and so on. You worked a bit with the best BMW race team in the US in the Battle of the Twins - you did it just for the rush of it all - and you still have the sleep deprivation twitches to show for it. You wrote articles, taught tech seminars, and, basically, worshiped the beasts? What if...Even back then, you knew that the BMW factory moved pretty slowly and the machines had become ‘kit bikes’ - too many areas needed work. You saw only too clearly what it would take to really make a nice one. And it wasn’t until you were buried in the adulthood stuff like a house, a kid, multiple jobs, and overwhelming debt, that the Fatherland decided to make the bike of your dreams? What if...That bike is a ‘91 BMW R100 Classic, a one-year production model. It’s black, like a BMW should be (albeit, with a dorky chrome headlight bucket that will go on the shelf and be replaced with a proper black one). It has a decent front end, real brakes, electronic ignition, Nikasil-lined cylinders, a real suspension, tubeless tires, a monolever rear - in short, all the nice improvements the bike cried out for in those days. To one of the great unwashed, it might as well be a late ‘70s model, but having those timeless flowing lines - it still looks like a proper classic BMW. Easy to ride and to live with. You’d find yourself opening the garage door just to look at the bike each morning, because it is beautiful. It is the high-water mark of the old airhead boxers, and they’ll only end up importing 186 of them?
What if...You walked into a BMW dealer and saw it. You took an ad brochure, knowing that this was as close as you were going to get to owning one. You didn’t even bother looking at the price; you couldn’t even afford insurance back then. What if...Years pass...Truly a shot in the dark, you punch ‘R100 Classic’ into Google even though it’s 20 years after they were new, and there it is....one of the very few. It is for sale in Maine with 26k miles, an upgraded alternator, in decent shape, and factory bags. You could get on this bike and ride to the grocery store, or to somewhere far away. This week or in 15 years. And there are fewer decent examples as the years go on, and they’ll never make a bike like that again? What do you want, and what would you do for it? What if...You don’t have the
you’d like to reconsider. And all it would take is to drop everything and move 800 miles away. But you think... “I was in the casting call for that show and skipped the try-outs. I’m now too rational to gamble. Too settled to move. Someone else got the lead and the run-of-show contract...It’s time to keep moving on with the choices I made. What did Caesar say, ‘The die is cast!’”?
What do I want, and what am I going to do for it?
Or is it? I figured life only throws you so many second chances. Got to grab this one. I’m kicking myself enough for all the other missed chances. I’m already thinking about the work I’ll do on the BMW once I get it - with the money I don’t have, and with the time that doesn’t exist. And it’ll make my ‘79 R65 jealous. “A boy’s gotta do whatta boy’s gotta do.”
I had to do it. I couldn’t help room. You REALLY don’t have the myself. money and will have to sell a perfectly sorted out Suzuki SV650 that handles like an S 1000 RR right off the boat and accelerates like it has a JATO rocket under the seat. And is dead reliable. And needs almost no maintenance?
What do you want, and what would you do for it? What if...Reason starts to take
over...It’s like when the girl that got away a million years ago calls and asks if
Check went in the mail on Monday. “Peace,” I wrote that after making the deal with the seller. That was supposed to be the end of the story. Except that after the deal was made, and I had made all the arrangements for time, money, and transport, the dirtbag sold the bike out from under me. I tried to convince myself that everything happens for a reason. I lit a candle and prayed he’d suffer for eterniTOUGH / STYLISH
X-Head for R nineT
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September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 33
ty and then I moved on. I went back to the SV and tarted it up a bit. Did a few
really fun track days, as well as a nice trip to New Hampshire. In my life, machines were most often my closest friends, and by now the SV was pretty close. Guess the SV was pretty special, because a bud of mine constantly pestered me to sell it to him. I would repeatedly politely tell him to “piss off”.
What do I want, and what am I going to do for it? A couple of years later a co-worker comes in one Monday and announces that he has bought a new bike and has to sell one of his old ones. “Whatchagot?” I ask. “Oh, a ‘91 R100.” he says. “R100 Classic?” I ask. “Dunno, it just says R100.” “So, tell me about the bike.” “Well, it’s got about 27k miles, factory bags, upgraded alternator. Nice shape. Owned it for a little while, but never rode it much.” “Uh, what do you know about it’s history?” “Well, I bought it a year ago from some guy in Mass who didn’t ride it much either. He bought it the year before from some guy in Maine.” “Mary, Mother of Jesus....”
34 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
What do I want, and what am I going to do for it? I reach into my pocket, give him what cash I have on me and tell him it’s a deposit without asking how much he wants. I call the guy who had been razzing me about selling him my SV. Not easy to say, but I tell him it’s for sale now. Ask for enough to cover the cost of the R100, tax, title, registration, etc. He just says “Cash or check?” In no time, the SV is gone and the R100 moves into the garage. Sometimes things work out in ways you’d never imagine. So here is it, 2017, 4 years and 10,000+ miles with the bike. As predicted, thousands of dollars and many tens of hours have gone into the Classic. I did a 10 day 2k+ mile trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway 2 years ago. Today we’re halfway through a 10 day/2k+ mile trip to Nova Scotia.
I knew what I wanted, and I did what I had to. What do you want, and what will you do for it?
The Fifth Dimension and Hot-wiring My 650GS
By Cher Gunderson
S
we all walked out to the bike. This young fellow’s ministrations to Lulu had the desired effect and to our very pleasant surprise, Lulu started right up. I threw my arms around this young man. “Yea! Homebound!” He accepted our financial token of appreciation. Now we were off to get gas. “Crap! The gas cap needs a key!” We stopped for a wrench. More ministrations ensued and all but one stripped screw came off! “Break it open?!” I offered. Kevin pried it open enough to make room for the gas nozzle. “Voila! Off to Wisconsin!” Lesson #1 learned: Have someone else on your ride carry your spare key. Lesson #2 learned: Soon after returning from Florida, I was at work. I called Kevin to let him know I’d be on my way home. “Guess what!” His intonation piqued my curiosity. “Guess what I found in the bottom of the washer?” In a flash, I could smell the Subway garbage that Brittney and I had picked our way through. “The key – I found the key.” The bigger lesson learned? When your key is lost, give your luggage a real toss - search the way a Customs officer would search if they suspected you of trying to bring in contraband. The fifth dimension’s portals back to the normal world are located in mysterious places. CHER GUNDERSON As a practicing speech-language pathologist, I’m passionate about helping clients and their families grow from challenging medical issues. My soul-food: scuba diving, off-road motorcycling, P90X, photographing nature, traveling, writing, and hanging with my husband and two Chihuahuas, George and Lila.
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ometimes we share stories to connect with people, or to share our excitement, or to purge feelings of embarrassment. The first and third purposes are my motivation for writing this. We are all familiar with the four dimensions – length, width, height, and time. Have you ever heard of the fifth dimension? That’s the dimension in the space-time continuum where lost items are located until they are found. At one point in time you may have found yourself interacting with the fifth dimension in a predicament similar to the one I describe below. On our way back from Florida, my family and I pulled in to Subway for a brief healthy lunch. Finished, and ready to fire up the bikes, I reached into my right jacket pocket. Worry appeared in my eyes in the shape of a narrow squint, but soon evolved into the full blown look of panic. “Ok, I put it in the other pocket.” Nope. “It’s in the side bag’s lock.” Negative. So ensued my - and soon to become my family’s – long lunch break. I checked all the pockets in my jacket and pants. I shook them vigorously! I once again felt the outsides after groping the insides. I engaged the help of my husband, Kevin, and my daughter, Brittney. They shook and groped. I got on the ground by Lulu, my cycle, and surveyed the pavement. Visually scouring the path from Lulu to the Subway door, I greeted the new face of panic - desperation. We re-entered Subway and scanned the top of the table and underneath, as well as the seats. The key was also not in the bathroom or the bathroom garbage! Plan A: Search the trash. Sarcastically, my mind uttered, “Wowie! We get to dig through the main garbage next! Yes! This is exactly what turns me on! Not!” Britt and I gloved-up, courtesy of the Subway staff who also offered us a free drink in the process as a condolence. Piece by piece, carefully we sifted through…Nil. No key! Britt went to the neighboring stores asking if anybody had turned in a key. Nein. We accepted that the key was gone. Plan B: Call the locksmiths. We called a number of locksmiths. “Sorry. We don’t do work for motorcycles.” “Oh! What year is your bike? No. I won’t be able to do it.” Plan C: Wishful thinking. Call our Wisconsin BMW dealer – “Jim to the rescue,” I quietly hoped. “No. BMW won’t do that…” Plan D: Fed-Ex. Stay overnight, have Kevin’s mother Fed-Ex our spare key, and return back to work late. “Nope.” Meanwhile into the Subway walks a young man with his significant other. He politely joins in. “I had a four-wheeler I hot-wired once. I can show you what to do.” He explained the details of the process. At this point we had nothing to lose, so
HE
U.S. A
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September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 35
B H U T A N
T USK
MOTO RCYC LE TO U RS
36 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
By Ethan Powsner RA# 43840
F
BH U TAN
or those looking for a very unusual place to have a motorcycle adventure, Bhutan may be the perfect place. Located south of Tibet, north and west of India, and east of Nepal, Bhutan isn’t a place where you can easily fly for a weekend getaway, unless you can charter the Concorde. But you wouldn’t want to visit Bhutan for only two days, after all, “Bhutan” translates into English as “The Land of the Thunder Dragon.” Situated on the ancient Silk Road and located in the Himalayas, Bhutan has what might be the highest unclimbed mountain - Gangkhar Puensum - in the world (according to one of Wikipedia’s fun facts), lush sub-tropical plains, and very diverse wildlife – including its national animal, the takin, which looks like a cross between a musk-ox and a sheep. Bhutan is a country so remote that it has never been conquered and occupied by any outside forces. Located in Southeast Asia, Bhutan ranks first in gross national happiness – yes, “happiness”, economic freedom, and in the ease of doing business. It is considered the least corrupt country in the world. According to
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 37
38 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
the Global Peace Initiative, Bhutan ranks as the most peaceful country in Southeast Asia and 13th most peaceful country in the world. For those who don’t travel overseas very often, you might be surprised how many well-known countries are currently on the U.S. State Department’s Alerts and Warnings web page; Bhutan is not on the list. Bhutan has had a parliamentary democracy since 2008. Bhutan opened its borders for tourists starting in the mid-1970s, but now is becoming known as a premier destination for the human-powered adventure sports, such as hiking, trekking, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing, and, the subject of this article, motorcycle touring. Since tourism is a growing part of the economy and because of particularly good foresight, Bhutan established the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) and it created strict rules for tourism. This was partially in order to avoid some of the negative environmental effects seen in and around Mt. Everest, and also to develop a reputation as a premier tourism spot. A travel experience in Bhutan starts with some natural advantages. In addition to the friendliness of the citizens of Bhutan and the breathtaking architecture of the Buddhist temples, the TCB makes sure that tourists receive quality service and good accommodations by regulating tour operators and tourist facilities. The TCB has established minimum standards of comfort and services that all tourists must receive, referred to as the “Minimum Daily Package”. TCB also regulates the charge for the MDP - $200 per person per day (Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, & Dec) and $250 per person per day (other months). Here is a summary of the MDP: • A minimum of 3-star accommodation; 4 & 5 star accommodations may be extra • All meals • A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for each day of your stay • All internal transport (excluding internal flights) • Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours • All taxes and charges, including the $65 “sustainable development fee” that supports free education, health
care, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure All of the fine print, a list of approved hotels and lodges, as well as a list of tour operators, are available on the TCB website www.tourism.gov.bt There are hundreds of approved tour operators on the TCB website, but if you filter by the word “motorcycle” you find only one - Bhutan T.U.S.K. Motorcycle Tours. If you perform a Google search for “motorcycle tours in Bhutan”, a dozen or more show up. The reason for the difference in search results is that Bhutan Tusk boasts that it is the only tour company in Bhutan that has been established for the purpose of exclusively promoting motorcycle tours. Bhutan TUSK offers tours on Royal Enfield models - Machismo, Standard, Classic, Classic Chrome, and Thunderbird - or KTMs - the 640 Adventure. (They love BMW Motorcycles but they are expensive to purchase and service as well as difficult to import to Bhutan). You are required to wear a helmet in Bhutan and it is strongly suggested that you bring your own, as well as the rest of your gear. All tours are accompanied by highly trained mechanics and experienced tour guides, as well as a backup vehicle with spare parts. As mentioned above, accommodations will be 3-star, though in certain parts of the country only 2-star are available. The “Lair of the Dragon” tour is a 7-day - 6-night tour, with a combination of riding, sightseeing and hiking. The “Around the Dragon” tour is a 15 day - 14-night tour. The tours are not “Iron Butt” tours since Bhutan lacks interstate highways, but also because the unique sites and features that you’d miss if you were only on a motorcycle. Custom tours are available. For more information about motorcycle tours in Bhutan, contact Bhutan T.U.S.K. Motorcycle Tours at their website www.bhutantuskmotorcycle.com. Email: Tuskbhutan@gmail.com Bhutan TUSK Motorcycle Tours P.O. Box 1902 City Mail Chubachu, Yardren Lam, Thimpu, 11001 17 16 36 46
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 39
DEALER PROFILE BMW MOTORCYCLES OF VENTURA COUNTY
BY Steven M. Green
I
had just moved to California and while I was deciding on a place to live, I was also looking for accessory lights for my GS. I paid a visit to BMW of Ventura County, located in Newbury Park, a northwest suburb of LA. I found the staff so knowledgeable and helpful, that I actually decided to move close to the dealership! That was 5 years ago, and since then, I’ve bought not only accessory bits but also three motorcycles
from this group of dedicated BMW riders and enthusiasts. I recently entertained a couple of riders from Germany who have traveled the globe on their GSs. I took them to BMWVC and one of my guests, Eckhardt, stated that this was the nicest dealership he had ever seen; he was awestruck by their large service area and well stocked parts and apparel departments. He was impressed that some of the Master Technicians and staff have
been here since the shop opened 13 years ago. The dealership is a clubhouse for local riders. Being located near the world famous Rock Store (a motorcyclist and biker hangout) and Mulholland Highway, the sales department sees its share of S 1000 RR, R, and XR riders. Going the other direction from the dealership, the roads branch out to LA, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the coastal mountains. BMWVC has several monthly rides for the road riders and for the adventure crew, plus monthly moto-camping seminars and an overnight moto-campout. If that is not enough to get you to visit them, they always have a pot of hot coffee plus donuts ready on Saturday mornings!
BMW MOTORCYCLES OF VENTURA COUNTY
830 Tourmaline Dr. Newberry Park, CA 91320 www.bmwventura.com
40 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
MEMBER PROFILE- Jessie Ratermann
I
wasn’t sure what to say when Jane asked me to do a member profile. Karen Jacobs is a tough act to follow! She has been known to ride 500 miles just to have dinner with a friend and then ride 500 miles home the next morning. I hope when I am retired I have that much stamina! Personally, I still think 500 miles is a long day. My family disapproves of motorcycles. When I moved to Cincinnati, I had already caught the motorcycle bug from riding on the back. I decided I did not want to have to depend on someone else to get my motorcycle fix. Now that I was far enough away from home to dodge my parents’ wrath, it was time for me to get my own bike. My first bike was a scratched and dented vintage Honda CM450E. It was slow and heavy, but it was a great bike to learn on. I rode that little bike everywhere. I was getting up to 80 mpg during post-9/11 gas prices. Unfortunately that little bike could not keep up at highway speeds. I outgrew that bike and moved up to a CB750SC, also vintage. After several years of trying to work on my own bikes, I decided that I was a terrible me-
chanic. My husband Eric was spending a lot of time hanging out at shop called Autobahn Craftwerks, where they specialized in old BMW’s. He had bought an old airhead there. When the owner had back surgery, Eric helped out as much as he could in exchange for tips on how to work on his own bike. I started hanging out there too, which led to the realization that I needed a BMW. As soon as I got a better job and could afford one, I got a K 75 RT. Now I was ready to join the touring world. Since then I have been on many adventures. I went to the Bonneville Salt Flats with the Autobahn Skunkwerks team and raced a 1955 R50 at the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials in 2008 and again in 2009. My first solo trip was the week between Christmas and New Year’s in 2009. I got a heated jacket liner for Christmas and I had some “use it or lose it” vacation time. So I rode off to Deal’s Gap, The Devil’s Triangle, and the Cherohala Skyway. In 2011, Eric and I rode the Blue Ridge Parkway and it rained on us every day. My first big rally was the BMW RA rally at the Biltmore in 2012. I saw what the GS Giants were doing and I thought I was going to die if
I didn’t get a GS. In 2013, I bought a F 700 GS. I rode it 10,000 miles that year. The GS opened up a whole new world for me. I rode beautiful gravel roads in amazing places on three different GS Gypsy tours and at March Moto Madness in the years 2014 - 2017. My next big adventure will be going to South Africa with the BMW RA this fall. From a simple start commuting to work on a small twin, to racing at Bonneville, touring, attending rallies, and GS adventures, motorcycles have become not just my passion but a way of life. I joined the board of the BMW Riders Association to share that passion. Currently I am handling the charter clubs and the BMW Riders Association Facebook group page. Come join us on Facebook. Share your own pictures and adventures to inspire us all! September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 41
CUSTOM BIKES
DHP11, a tribute to the HP2
By Dirty Gas Garage’s Fabrizio Minuz www.dirtygasgarage.com info@mindesign.it
D
irty Gas Garage is a custom garage in Italy that is owned by two brothers who are interested in sharing our work with the RA membership. DIRTY GAS GARAGE is a combination of passion for motorcycles and precision mechanics. We, the Minuz brothers, pursue the objective of creating custom motorcycles such as the Scrambler, Cafe Racer, Bobber etc. In addition to designing and building custom motorcycles, DIRTY GAS GARAGE specializes in design and production of customized parts, such as fenders, swing arm plates, structural elements from solid, frames etc. Our purpose is to create motorcycles that “excite,” for everything else then there are the official dealers ... For the DHP11 we decided to build a tribute to the legendary HP2 based on the R 1100 GS. This way we combined the ease of riding and technical simplicity of the old 1100 series with the aesthetic livery of the most modern HP2. The R 1100’s chassis has not been modified, so the bike is completely reversible to its original state. We are very pleased with the results and hope that you like what you see. Here is a list of changes that we made to accomplish this project:
High front low-beam headlight and front fender - Aluminum mudguard and rack attachment - Fully reconstructed engine and front and rear suspension - New clutch - Domino handlebar controls - Radial Brembo brake pump - HP spray paint – Powder coated wheels - Disassembled and polished homologated Remus exhaust - Michelin Anakee Wild tires – We retained the original mounting brackets for the BMW touring luggage. 42 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
Building the G/S 120
T
his is a one-off custom project by Pier Francesco Marchio, a private collector and former Formula 1 race-engineer, who was interested in sharing his work with the RA membership. Three characteristics define Garage221’s philosophy: Passion, Professionalism and Style. According to Garage221, to begin a dialogue with a motorcycle, one gives her a soul and allows her to represent us and lead us in our daily lives; this is a unique mindset that a motorcyclist knows well. Understanding this psychology,
gives Garage221 the ability to create and style a motorcycle with care so that SHE will be YOUR unique custom. Garage221 has quite a collection of new bikes they have beguiled to look like older BMW Motorcycle models while also retaining their elements of individuality. For more information, please visit: www.garage221.com email: info@garage221.com.
1 The start – a fully original 2007 yellow BMW R 1200 GS. No ABS, 60,000 km / 37,282 miles.
2 Dismantling the bodywork - fuel tank, front/rear fender, seat, lights.
3 Taking off the front frame light, cockpit, oil radiator.
4 Assembling the new - front frame, front light and cover, crash bars with new oil radiator and pipes, and the original dashboard.
5 Assembling the new - bodywork, seat, rear fender, new brackets for the original bags (aluminum parts are painted black), and rear light.
6 Refurbishing the exhaust system.
THE RESULT -
The New G/S 120, modeled after the R 80 G/S Paris-Dakar.
7 Mounting new Continental TKC 70 tires.
8 September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 43
PRODUCT Review Nolan X-Lite® X—1004 XCOM Modular Helmet
W
hen I started riding motorcycles, I only knew about two kinds of helmets, fullface and half-helmet. For me, this always translated to “safe” or “not safe.” When I was younger and feeling more invincible, the style of the half-helmet was appealing but as I got older, and reason and sensibility took hold, I switched to solely wearing a full-face helmet. Yes, a full-face helmet is hot, and yes, it is hard to talk with people when you are wearing it (barring an integrated communication system). However, it is an integral part of your safety on the bike so what is a little discomfort? It was about ten years ago that I discovered that “double homologation” helmets existed. These were helmets that either had a flip-up chin guard or a removable chin guard, and could be approved for use either in their full-face configuration or their open configuration. I thought they were a novel idea, but were probably heavy, and I was a little suspicious of something that could open “by accident” especially “in an accident.” I finally tried a non-Nolan one and thought it was neat but still too heavy. To this day, I still have that expensive 10-year old flip-up helmet in my garage, and it was barely used (anyway, it is now well-past a safe shelf-life for helmets of 3-5 years.) When I went to the Nolan booth at Americade, and I was shown the X-Lite X-1004 XCOM Modular Helmet, I approached it with curious reserve. I never consider flip-up helmets when looking to purchase a helmet due to my perception of their bulkiness, clunky operation, and ungainly weight. When I picked up this helmet, it was lighter than I expected. When I put the helmet on it was lighter and more comfortable than I thought possible. OK, maybe... possibly... But could I really reconsider
44 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
my tunnel-vision helmet selection behavior? The X-1004 was being demonstrated to me by Harry, and as he explained more of the helmet’s features, my mind began opening up to all the possibilities. Maybe a flip-up helmet was in my future? In case you have not heard of Harry, he has been the importer of Nolan helmets to the US for 40 years; the X-Lite’s features were being presented to me by an expert. The X-Lite helmet seemed so much more than just a flip-up helmet. Harry pointed out that it had an inner sun shade visor (VPS) with UV400 protection that was fog and scratch resistant. I was first drawn to the sun visor, in part due to my son’s obsession with the internal visor on his helmet and, in part due to its “cool” element and smooth mechanism. I put it on, and it felt like it was made for me. It was an incredibly comfortable helmet to wear; I couldn’t believe the fit! All of the Carbon Fitting comfort padding and the Unitherm2 touring performance fabric, which itself wicks away moisture and helps maintain a constant temperature, is removable and washable. It was hot out, and the helmet was not stifling! There are also removable cheek pads available in variable thicknesses to customize your fit. Most remarkable were the visor’s scratch resistant and fog resistant qualities, thanks to the anti-fog Pinlock visor insert and the quality of the plastic used by Nolan to make the visor. I tried to fog it up with all I had, but there was no fogging up the helmet! I still don’t believe it as I am writing this. Since first being introduced to the X-Lite helmet I have ridden many miles with it, and there has never been an issue with visor fogging or scratching. Unfortunately / fortunately, I was also able to test the scratch resistance with my European Nolan, ECE-2205 certified, beautiful carbon-fiber X-Lite
X-1004 XCom helmet when it accidentally rolled down a small rocky hill in Italy. I went to retrieve the helmet which was, basically, unscathed; I, however, did not get away so easily. After I climbed up the hillside, I found that I was covered by flesh-eating ants. Yes, I was dancing around with ants in my pants and up my shirt. Ants that I was finding even hours later in some odd places. But that is another story.
Another incredible feature is that the closure and opening system for the X-Lite has received P/J ECE Homologation, which means that this helmet has been an approved as a means of protection in more than one configuration. The ‘P’ means that the helmet is certified when used in its full-face configuration, and the ‘J’ means that it is certified when used in its open (chin guard up) configuration. Not all flip-up helmets carry the P/J certification of approval. My former flip-up helmet, which is now collecting dust in my garage, has a closure mechanism that did not always ensure that the helmet stayed closed. It was this uncertainty that created a nagging a fear that it would not protect me if I went down. The X-Lite clicks-in to engage, and it takes the pinching of two fingers to positively release it. For those of you who are wary of small plastic pieces – especially when used in integral, multi-use, or continual use mechanisms - you’ll understand why I was suspicious of the reliability of the X-Lite’s visor mechanism. I’ve had too many bad experiences with a particular un-customer-friendly door company and their plastic levers that break all the time. But, as I related in the last issue of OTL, I toured the Nolan factory after my trip to the Nolan tent at Americade and saw the manufacturing process – they build all of the parts themselves and personally saw the battery of tests performed on each part. I now know that they are not only tested to the usual standards but even far beyond. After seeing the extent of the tests and knowing that Nolangroup only uses the highest grade of plastic materials, I have absolutely no qualms trusting these small pieces of plastic in a Nolan helmet. Since acquiring my X-Lite, I have worn it for many thousands of miles and a few SaddleSore 1000s. I have found that all the elements of great helmet design shine through. I do not suffocate in the unbearable heat of a “roasting oven” helmet. The anti-fog Pinlock visor insert works amazingly well. I can handle and use this helmet without kid-gloves and not have to worry about the visor devel-
Photo by Sam Langham I wear a very specific, unusual prescription which I have in my dark glasses in this picture. No issue wearing them with the Nolan X-Lite X-1004 XCom.
oping visibility-impairing scratches – it seems to me that some of my past helmets had visors that spontaneously generated their own scratches. The X-Lite is significantly less noisy than the full-face helmet I was using. Although lighter than other flip-up helmets, it is still heavier than a light fullface helmet. I love that it is made of composite fibers and is more resistant to multiple impacts – which was demonstrated to me during my tour of Nolan’s testing facility in Bergamo, Italy. In my most recent accident, my helmeted head suffered multiple impacts, so I’m sensitive to that issue. It is also the only optically correct helmet on the market. For all these reasons and more I would give this helmet a two thumbs up rating. My Nolan helmet has replaced all of my previous helmets – now collecting dust in the garage - as well as my non-Nolan helmet I had just purchased in April of 2017.
Features: • Three shell sizes: XS-SM MD-LG XL-2XL
• Ultra-wide face shield, anti-fog
Pinlock visor insert-ready, and with silicone-sealed profile and quick release system. • Double-action visor mechanism which allows for variable adjustments and prevents high-speed helmet openings. • Efficient Touring Ventilation System (TVS) includes head and chin intakes and rear exhaust. • Microlock2® chin strap. • VPS inner sun-screen which has UV400 protection, and also is scratch resistant and fog resistant. • Removable Wind Protector – chin and neck roll. • “Eyewear Adaptive” for glasses and sunglasses. • N-COM® BX5 and BX1 ready and is compatible with ESS Emergency Stop Signal Light. • DOT Certified in US and ECE2205 in Europe. More information can be found at http://www.nolan-usa.com.
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 45
PRODUCTReview
The Aerostich Roadcrafter R-3 riding suit
By Jerry Riederer RA #42654
L
ike most riders, I have accumulated an assortment of riding gear over the years. Various jackets, pants, insulated liners and rain covers now fill more than half of our mudroom closet. Any time my wife expresses frustration at the sheer volume of waterproof, windproof, cold-proof, reflective, padded, and breathable fabrics preventing the closet door from fully closing, I point out that different riding conditions require specific pieces that help ensure my safe return to her loving arms. This explanation had been working well to justify my penchant for buying the next, newest thing. That ended the day I came home wearing an Aerostich Roadcrafter R-3 suit. More than 15,000 miles later, I have yet to open the mudroom closet for another garment. Aerostich is not a company that rests on its laurels. The Roadcrafter R-3 is the third generation Roadcrafter suit, and as such utilizes the latest in materials, craftsmanship, and features. The Roadcrafter R-3 is an unlined, one piece suit that is designed to be worn over any base layer, from street clothes for a ride to the store or office, to comfortable riding clothes for a long day on the road. The 500d Cordura® GORE-TEX® fabric shell is cut on a computer-guided machine and then sewn and all seams are sealed for consistency. Other than the main zipper and the wrist/cuff adjustment zippers, which are carefully covered under layers to prevent water penetration, all zippers are rubberized (think dry-suit zipper) to keep the rain out. The oversized shoulder, elbow and knee pads are made of Aerostich’s proprietary TF impact armor. The pads are removable, and each armor attachment point is adjustable to allow the fit to be fine-tuned for comfort and to ensure it stays in place for the best protection. Optional hip, spine and chest armor are available for further protection. Fitted with nine pockets, the Roadcrafter has a 46 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
place for everything. In fact, there are so many pockets, that I discovered one that I did not know existed until two months after I started using the suit. I particularly love the pocket located near the right wrist, which is a great place to keep money for tolls, etc. Road testing this suit took considerable time (and miles) in order to really appreciate all of its features. Having now ridden with this suit for two entire years and over 30,000 miles, I can honestly say that I no longer give much consideration to the weather conditions in preparation for a ride. I look at the thermometer to decide on my base layer and how much venting to open, then hit the road. While I have yet to find any protective clothing that keeps me from feeling too warm when temperatures rise above 85 degrees, I was surprised that the one piece R-3 was comparable in comfort to flow-through mesh gear. When I wear a wicking tee shirt and shorts as a base layer and open the vents fully, I can ride all day in relative comfort. Anecdotally, I am under the impression that I don’t dehydrate as quickly when I do long rides in the suit. I can’t
determine whether this is due to reduced airflow over my skin, or perhaps just my imagination, but I have done some long days in this suit including an Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000 around Lake Superior and I do notice a difference in fluid demand. In cold weather it’s all about the base layers. The R-3 essentially removes wind chill from the equation with great, glove friendly, hook and loop closures at the wrists, ankles and cozy collar; just layer your garments to your liking and ride. On a recent 320 mile ride to the Canadian border, my on-board thermometer never read above 34 degrees and got as low as 31, but my comfort and safety were assured with the right layers, which included a heated liner. When a heated liner is one of your base layers, the Roadcrafter accommodates with a thoughtfully located rubberized port through which you can thread your power cord. Whatever the temperature, rain gear is no longer a consideration when preparing for a ride; you’ll stay completely dry, even during the wettest conditions. I really put this suit to the test on a recent trip to northern Manitoba. I
rode the 500 miles from Steinbach to Thompson, Manitoba in sleet, drizzle, steady rain and intense downpours for the entire day. While it would be a considerable stretch to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the day’s ride, I can honestly say that not a drop of water got through the Roadcrafter. I like to visit motorcycle dealers and rally booths where I can look at the latest in riding gear. A review of the country-of-manufacture tags on these garments, regardless of quality or price, reads like a travel journal for a Far East adventure. Made in China, made in Cambodia, made in Korea, and made in Indonesia. In contrast, every Roadcrafter is made in Duluth, Minnesota. Mine was made by Mary. In fact, riders are encouraged to stop by the factory, meet the dedicated craftspeople and see the production facility. It is a must-visit destination for any rider passing through Duluth on their way around Lake Superior. There is a nice rider lounge, generously supplied with bottles of water, maps, and camaraderie.
The Roadcrafter R-3 costs $1197. There are too many options and features to cover on these pages, so visit http:// www.aerostich.com for all of the details. Roadcrafter suits are available in an impressive range of standard sizes. Add to that the ability to get custom alterations and you will be hard pressed to find a better fitting piece of riding equipment. Over 30 standard color combinations give you the freedom to make your suit truly your own.
MudSling™ by MachineartMoto
I can honestly say that I ride more now because the Roadcrafter makes it easy to wear “All The Gear All The Time.” I get dressed in clothes for a business meeting, zip on the R-3 and throw a leg over, instead of climbing in my Camry and driving to the office. I typically like to make comparisons between products in order to form the basis for a review, but this suit is in a class by itself. It is really more a piece of safety equipment than riding apparel. Its function-first design is bold and revolutionary.
J
ust shortly after my start of the editorship of OTL, I received an email from Jay Schwartzapfel. This was a name from the past. I had sold him a motorcycle in 2004. He no longer has that bike; instead, he rides a Triple Black R 1200 GSA. He is retired and, according to his wife, has way too much time on his hands, which he directs to riding, reading motorcycle magazines and thinking about necessary motorcycle parts to be invented and manufactured. As a member of the RA, he was reading the magazine when he came across my name and subsequently wrote me. We started talking. When he heard that I rode an R 1200 GS, it didn’t take him long to tell me that the very first product I needed for my bike was the MudSling™ and that the second product I needed was the Avant_LC™ front fender, also made by MachineartMoto; but, first things first. I looked them up and found out that September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 47
PRODUCTReview MachineartMoto was founded by Andrew Serbinski, and that this knowledgeable motorcycle enthusiast and BMW rider still runs the company. Of all the parts and accessories out there, why did Jay choose the MudSling™? (He has read almost every motorcycle interest magazine he can get his hands on - so his endorsement was heartfelt.) I asked, of course, this very same question - he said it is not only well-engineered but also incredibly necessary for the protection of the suspension, the underside of the bike, the rear components, the shock, and the battery. The MudSling™ not only keeps these areas from being gummed up with tar from the road, the mud from unpaved paths, and rock scrapes, but also protects the rider’s legs from the long-bemoaned soaking that arises from rain and mud puddles. I needed to contact MachineartMoto. They were in NJ and not far from my house. Living my life a “mile-a-minute,” time got away from me and I headed for Americade without calling them. But not to worry Jay, the motorcycle powers-that-be met me at DirtDaze. I spoke to a couple of guys at the MachineartMoto booth. They were more than happy to explain the importance of the MudSling™ and get one on my bike. MachineartMoto’s MudSling™ is constructed of injection molded polypropylene. Its surface has a subtle texture that matches the other molded surfaces on the GS. Designed to exactly fit to the rear fender of the liquid-cooled R 1200 GS and securely to the frame between the suspension and the rear tire, the MudSling™ almost seems to be an original part. Installation takes at most 5 minutes, so it was quickly installed on my bike and I could go play. The MudSling™ pops/snaps on under the BMW R 1200 GS stock inner fender - without drilling any holes - and then it is fixed to the frame with two twist-ties on each side of the frame; a quick installation 48 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
On GSA models Michelin Wild knobbies do fit.
MudSling™ fits with standard fitment street based dual sport tires, like Metzler Tourance Next, Michelin Anakee, Continental Trail Attack and TKC-70 for both the GS and GSA.
that provides extra coverage of six inches in length and two extra inches of width. Pretty cool! The two MachineartMoto guys at DirtDaze dared me to get my bike dirty - so for people who know me well - that meant I HAD to go and find as much mud as possible! Riding on my street tires, I went and played out on the trials course - the only readily available mud I could find. The MudSling™ delivered! The next day I went out on one of the off-road rides that DirtDaze organized. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, it had been dry and there had not been much rain
for a while; the little that there was appeared almost dried-up. For my tires, it might have been a saving grace but for my stubborn head and challenge, there was not enough mud. I was able to find some mud and water in the coming days and was able to see that the MudSling™ worked as well as Jay promised. My shock - and the whole area the MudSling™ was designed to protect - remained virtually free of road debris (small errant splashes were all that I saw) and minimalized the splash on my legs. For more information: http://machineartmoto.com
PRODUCTReview Excel Throttle Control - Gen 3 Model By Matt DeWald RA #43635
E
Excel Throttle Control: Gen 3 components & materials
xcel Throttle Control’s “Gen 3” throttle-locking device offers a comfortable and easy-to-use solution to relieve or prevent cramped wrists on long-distance rides or monotonous roads. Constructed with powder-coated brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and nylon components (see the illustration), the Gen 3 uses a simple set of ball bearings and springs to allow for smooth engagement while on the move. It features a ball and post to actuate the locking mechanism. Installation is a breeze and requires about 15 minutes of labor using only a Torx or Allen wrench to remove and replace the OEM bar end. Since the Gen 3 replaces the existing bar end, all the necessary hardware to install the unit is included in the purchase. I watched Excel Throttle Control’s YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMwNTKrD1s) for proper installation and to understand the workings of the inner adjuster. Using the device is easy, requiring only the pinky to actuate the throttle control switch. To disengage the Gen 3, I use the outside part of my right hand to release the control. This helps ensure a smooth deceleration process. Additionally, even with the throttle lock activated, adjusting the throttle
position to account for changes in elevation and gentle turns is easy to do. The Excel Gen 3 provides three stages of engagement - none, slight, and full. (Note that the “slight” engagement level is new compared to the Gen 2 version.) I did not use the slight setting, as I prefer to use it either all the way or not at all. I mounted this device in April 2017, before starting a cross country trip. After four months of use, outdoor storage, and exposure to the rain, sleet, sun, and temperatures ranging from 30 - 100 F degrees, the Gen 3 operates as smoothly as when it was installed. This is a testament to its solid construction and the quality of its internal components. Price varies by bike model and ranges from $150 to $190 (plus $8 for shipping). The American-made Excel Throttle Control Gen 3 device is available for numerous BMW and non-BMW models, including most F, R, and GS series bikes. Check a complete listing of available models, prices, and ordering details at www.excelthrottlecontrol.com. This device is a great substitute for cruise control, and it provides an excellent alternative to sore or tired hands on long-distance rides. September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 49
PRESS RELEASE
San Jose BMW / CC Products
S
uperbike Handlebar Conversion for BMW R nineT Racer. San Jose BMW Superbike Handlebar Conversion swaps out the standard uncomfortable clip-on handlebars for a 1970’s Superbike look. Better control and more comfort, all with a factory look and finish. Available Now:
R nineT Racer Superbike Top Clamp Part # 170412 Retail List $695.00 R nineT Racer Superbike Bar Conversion Kit
• Top Clamp • Handlebars - BMW Tapered Alloy • Front Brake Line Stainless Steel Braided • Clutch Line Stainless Steel Braided • Bar Ends Part # 170412K Retail List $1,295.00
Elegantly designed and CNC machined from aircraft aluminum alloy, the San Jose BMW R nineT Racer Top Clamp provides improved comfort and control with a factory fit and finish.
San Jose BMW’s Superbike Handlebar Conversion features a well-engineered and functionally designed custom top clamp that provides secure mounting for a genuine BMW tapered alloy handlebar to reposition the handgrips 3” higher and 3” rearward, and slightly farther apart. The result is a 70s Superbike style riding position offering improved comfort and control, while retaining the Cafe´ racer look and displaying factory fit and finish. The R nineT Racer Top Clamp is available separately or as part of a complete kit including the BMW OEM tapered alloy handlebar, stainless steel braided brake and clutch lines, bar ends, and all miscellaneous parts necessary for the conversion. San Jose BMW www.sjbmw.com 408-295-0205 parts@sjbmw.com
The stock ergonomics of the R nineT Racer are very low and far forward. 50 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
Available separately or as part of a complete kit, the San Jose BMW handlebar conversion does not require any modifications, fits as factory and features straightforward installation.
SJ BMW Superbike bar conversion places grips 3” back, 3” higher & slightly farther apart.
Acmemoto2 Presents its New ToughLuggage® System with “Smarts to Match its Strength.” (Asheville, NC) ”Seems to me,” said the road-worn rider, “nobody makes really good top-loading luggage.” For Acmemoto2 founder Scott Olofson, hearing this chance remark sparked the creation of the industry’s newest, complete motorcycle luggage system. The process was powered by intensive conversations and brainstorming sessions with every rider Olofson knows – a veritable herd, given Scott’s gregarious nature and decades in the powersports industry. Compiling the best ideas gleaned from future users, Olofson enlisted Fred Heys, a seasoned product design engineer with numerous commercially-successful products to his credit. “By blending riders’ road-honed wish-lists, with Fred Heys’ product-design and manufacturing savvy, we’ve given our ToughLuggage® the smarts to match its strength,” Olofson proudly notes. The resulting luggage system, now in full production and entering distribution, includes Acmemoto2 ToughLuggage® top-loading hard cases, a well-engineered, truly universal mounting system, and a complementary line of “Brown Bag” soft luggage. A roomy 33-liter (7.8 gallon) side case heads Acmemoto2’s growing family of ToughLuggage® hard cases. Made of dense, virtually-indestructible polypropylene, the side case carries a one-year crash damage limited warranty. “We built this case to endure and prevail through the most extreme adventures,” says Olofson. Anticipating owners’ long-term, high-mileage relationships with their ToughLuggage®, Olofson and Heys designed the system to deliver usability, versatility, performance and convenience that will wear well over the long run, breeding satisfaction, loyalty, and strong word-of-mouth marketing. Olofson ticks off ToughLuggage® features that he believes owners will especially appreciate: • When opened, the lid rests in a near-horizontal position, providing a strong, secure and handy surface for organizing during loading and unloading. • Silicone rubber lid gaskets, and closure straps made of special, UV-resistant long-lived rubber, work in tandem to protect case contents from the hardest rains and point-blank truck-spray drenchings. • Lids feature solid aluminum tie-down bars/handles bolted in place to firmly anchor tie-downs and items thereby attached. • The cases can be ordered with automotive-style locks installed. • Triple hinges on the lid are through-pinned with a onepiece stainless steel hinge pin for durable, wobble-free strength. • Hinge pins, strap pins and bolts are stainless steel. • All parts are available and easily replaceable.
• The case surface is paintable and sticker-friendly to encourage owner-customization and bike-night bragging rights. • An optional drain kit is available, facilitating fast and easy hose-outs for thorough interior cleaning, and to readily drain melted ice when the case is used as a cooler. Complementing the hard luggage, Olofson found a local North Carolina manufacturer to work with him to design and produce a line of soft luggage. “We wanted it to be rugged, functional, and attractive enough to use beyond powersports applications,” says Olofson. “With this in mind we chose a tough waxed-cotton canvas material. Instead of going with black, like the majority of soft motorcycle luggage, we choose a stylish, attractive and dust-hiding brown.” The “Brown Bag” collection includes items specifically for the Acmemoto2 luggage such as the Top Tool Kit and the 33 Liter Traveler. “We sized larger bags for larger panniers such as the 40-plus liter panniers used on the BMWs and comparable bikes,” explains Olofson. “Our concept is for owners to use this luggage on their weekends on two wheels, and use it in aircraft overhead bins when they’re flying. It’s attractive enough to proudly use anywhere.” For complete details, photos of ToughLuggage® on a wide variety of bikes, and easy online ordering, visit acmemoto2. com.
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 51
FUTURE VIEWRidar Systems - A Rider’s Safety Net
By Brent Massey, RA Member #41095
H
aving been an off-road rider for many years, I wasn’t too concerned with auto and truck drivers and their level of situational awareness, or lack thereof. When I began riding my R 1200 GS on the road, my perspective changed entirely. It didn’t take long to become alarmed by the number of drivers who were “distracted driving,” but that is nothing compared to the fear and uncertainty created when approaching an on-coming car that is waiting to make a left turn across your path of travel. These left-turn drivers can look directly at you and still not see you. This is due to several scientific phenomena such as Motion Induced Blindness or Saccadic Masking, both of which are sometimes lumped together in the phrase “inattentional blindness.” I’ve tried a number of ways to make myself more visible - additional lighting kits, high-viz riding gear, and some others - but nothing really made me feel that I could overcome an on-coming driver’s inattentional blindness. As a motorcyclist with a computer programming background, I set about at pulling together a team to see if we could overcome this problem and level the “visibility playing field” by making motorcycles more visible to drivers. With others, I established Ridar Systems, LLC in Massachusetts. I am pleased to announce that we have developed a cloud-based mobile technology that will alert drivers of the impending interaction with a rider (motorcycle or bicycle) approximately 5 seconds prior to a potential collision. This patented system requires no additional hardware other than a smartphone with a cellular connection. Eventually, this technology will be coordinated with rapidly developing technologies that will be built into
52 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
both motorcycles and automobiles. These upcoming “Vehicle to Vehicle - V2V” systems are currently under development by major players in the automobile and electronics industries. While the future V2V technology will be a significant advance in the transportation industry, it will be for newer vehicles. Ridar Systems wants to become the “Poor Man’s V2V” for all older vehicles that do not have built-in connectivity to either V2V or CV2X (“Cellular Vehicle to Everything”). Further, the V2V technology under development by the larger companies is only intended for automobiles and trucks - there are no plans to include motorcyclists and bicyclists into this exclusive “connectivity club” and the cocoon of safety that V2V promises. We feel that riders - the most vulnerable of our commuting population - should not have to wait to have this effective safety technology. With our system, which utilizes hardware that most drivers and riders already have in their possession, V2V communication for two-wheeled vehicles is a virtual “off the shelf ” technology that can be readily installed and deployed. Of course, the biggest hurdle we face is achieving a level of saturation from drivers and riders to make the Ridar system effective; but, we have a plan to make this a reality. We are currently working with one of the nation’s largest automobile insurers to have it provide an incentive for its customers (both drivers and riders) to download the technology and allow it to run in the background on their smart phones. With this financial incentive, drivers will be more likely to download the Ridar app and allow the Ridar technology to run in the background. This insurance company is also going to provide resources for an upcoming pilot study. We are also in discussions with a motorcycle Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to provide financial and technical resources in conducting a pilot study to validate the technology in the “real world.” If the study goes well and we can provide this OEM with the data that convinces them that this is a viable solution, they will work at adding the technology into their motorcycles during the manufacturing process. And, because this OEM is a co-founder of a Safety Consortium, this technology will be shared amongst all other motorcycle OEMs. The technology has very low battery usage and can detect whether the system is being used by a driver (the phone moves at greater than 10 mph) or a rider (the phone moves at greater than 10 mph and the gyroscopic lean and accelerometer detectors denote sufficient deflections). Our proposed solution is currently in beta-development for both iOS & Android platforms with the expectation of making this solution available to the public sometime in 2018. For more information, visit our website at www.ridarsystems.com
BOOK REVIEW
Meditation by Motorcycle
By Tod Rafferty
M
editation by Motorcycle, the new book by John P. Metzger, owes a debt to Robert Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Where the subtitle of the 1974 treatise was “An Inquiry into Values”, Meditation might be subtitled “A Throttle to Enlightenment.” While Pirsig framed his thesis on the meditative aspect in the classical relationship between man and machine, Metzger’s premise designates the motorcycle as the primary tool in the “Motivation by Movement Movement.” Aimed clearly at middle-agers and older, but not without guidelines for novices, the basic lesson of the book is that you’ll feel much better if you get off your ass and go ride a motorcycle. Even better if you do it well. The meditation component of motivation in motion is more finely defined in the book, and not to be confused with any meditative form designed to empty the mind completely. For, as most us have surely witnessed, an empty mind on a motorcycle is a frightening thing to behold. The goal of the mindful rider is to reach the level where the precise action at the right time becomes second nature, the right move without thinking about it. Metzger’s moto mantra derives from what he terms the union of Repetition and Rhythm, with corollaries in sports like golf, in which the exact repetition of a rhythmic motion can produce that wonderfully satisfactory result. The author shifts from golf ’s poetry of physics to a rant on extreme sports and their devoted media spectators, then to the evolution of his own educational perspective on Zen and the art of motorcycle motion. “After a lifetime of skateboarding, skiing, bicycling, driving fast cars, and riding motorcycles, I finally figured it out. My Nirvana Moments emerge
from… making turns. We not only owe a debt of gratitude to the Frisbee-playing hippies for mainstreaming Meditation by Movement, we must also thank the cavemen for inventing the wheel. The supreme carving tool, the wheel is key to the Holy Grail we seek in meditative movement: the corner. And as it turns out, two-wheels win first place for the most rewarding turning experience (four-wheels, skis, hulls, boards and blades are fun but remain runners-up). The Corner Gods thus deem – the finest, inner peace-producing turns are carved by motorcycles.” Not that the book becomes a long litany of philosophical ruminations or distressed metaphors on the relationship between eastern religions and road smarts. In fact it soon becomes more of an instruction manual, with explicit do’s and don’ts on the road to nirvana. The lessons include apexes early and late, looking through rather than into the turn, how to deal with traffic, scanning, situational awareness, and passing etiquette. Metzger manages to combine the techniques of a coach, den mother, safety instructor, and psychologist. While most of his curriculum will be familiar to veteran riders, it could prove useful for those who haven’t ridden for some time, and serve as a primer for novices and those moving up the adventure bike scale. The author is also founder of Colorado’s Motomarathon Association, whose annual event is set for Sept. 8–11, 2017, and features several 300-400mile routes in the Rocky Mountains. Meditation by Motorcycle is available as an eBook on Amazon at $4.99, and illustrated paperbacks are scheduled for mid-July. For more information visit motomarathon.com
The latest book from Tod Rafferty, The Pismo Calamity, includes a contemplative clam, a nod to beveldrive Ducatis, and an enlightening ride on the Big Sur coast road. Available on Amazon. Reprinted with permission from RideApart.com
BMW R1200RTW
DB1 - Footpeg lowering kit Down 1.4” and back 1.0” See these and other comfort kits for driver & passenger at www.suburban-machinery.com 1-440-951-6555 September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 53
HISTORY
I
would like for OTL to have a “History” section and will hopefully find some more gems to share. (Of course, I’d love to see anything people would like to share as well; this is after all OUR (collectively as a group) magazine – editor@bmwra.org). Readers, I will take you back, way back before OTL (yes - can you believe it?!), to the very first newsletter the BMW RA sent out. Thank you, Karen Jacobs for finding this and sharing. (This newsletter was sent out two days before I was born, almost the exact date of my birth, and I do not believe in coincidences!)
Have fun with our newsflash from the past!
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56 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 57
SOUTH AFRICA
HERE I COME!
I
want to share my curiosity and enthusiasm for my future travel to South Africa. I have reserved the hotels and booked my bike. My sons’ godmother, who thankfully is also a dear friend, is staying with my boys. What I haven’t done yet is to determine the airfare. I have several friends in South Africa with whom I could possibly meet up. I have spoken to a few South Africans to decide how to best travel and whether or not to travel alone. The consensus is “No, not the best place to travel alone.” On the other hand, if I were to ask world adventurers like Tiffany Coates, I am sure they would say “Go for it!” Why am I going to South Africa? A number of reasons – including some that have been simmering on the back burner for years. When I was young, I had heard stories from my father who had traveled there a number of times. Over the years, I have read about and listened to many stories about South Africa, including friends’ honeymoon travels, dream trips fulfilled, and the lot. In the last issue of OTL, Lisa Malachowsky wrote an article about her trip to South Africa, “Jo Rust Adventures: Launch of the Exclusive All Women’s South Africa Tour.” All of these influences pinged my adventure bug and South Africa was rapidly bubbling to the top of my “next adventure” list. What finally brought the simmer to a boil is the BMW Clubs and Community Global meeting to be held in Cape Town, South Africa. I am someone who prides herself on knowing about the world around us; however, I realized that I don’t know too much about South Africa except for its rumored beauty, Nelson Mandela, geographic natural wonders, and the possibility of taking a safari. (Note to self: I will have to get a guide to South Africa audiobook and listen to it before landing in Cape Town.) My father, on the other hand, knew South Africa well in his day. He was born in 1933 and graduated from Cornell in 1955. At that time, the jet had recently been introduced as a 58 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
commercially feasible method of travel, so engaging in international business was becoming easier. Countries all over the world saw an influx of foreigners looking to diversify their investments. South Africa and Africa, having had ties to the Europe through the establishment of multiple colonies (you might remember the phrase ‘The sun never sets on the British Empire’), saw a relatively large influx of European travelers and emigrants. For example, my father met many RAFs (Royal Airforce) who settled in South Africa after World War II. (During WWII, the British trained their air force in South Africa). Americans also were curious about these distant countries that were now much easier to reach. South Africa is unique to other African countries as it is so modern. It is also extremely wealthy due to its abundant natural resources such as, diamonds, gold and platinum. My father joined the fray and worked with a consulting group, traveling the world looking for new investment opportunities for his American clients. In South Africa, whose industry was based on mining, he found the country to have quite an entrepreneurial spirit; one that he recognized, being cut from the same cloth. He traveled extensively in Africa and was able to establish a number of foreign investment opportunities in Africa, one such being textile mills in South Africa. All of this was prior to his work in the United States’ space exploration program. My father got married and had children later in life. (Maybe I should credit/blame my wanderlust spirit on him.) According to my father, South Africa empathized with America. Maybe in that it, too, was a former colony and maybe also because both countries were considered new frontiers of civilization. He said it was an extremely beautiful country with quite a variety of climates and many different influences: Cape Town was a Dutch colony, Durban was a British colony and Johannesburg had a strong Boer influence (The Dutch colonists and the descendants of the Dutch colonists in South
Africa who first arrived in the 1700s and emigrated in the subsequent years. The word literally means “farmer” in Dutch and Afrikaans as the majority of the early settlers were just that, farmers.) He saw apartheid and its negative effects, and watched the turning of the tide against it, embodied in the person of the iconic statesman Nelson Mandela, whom my father considered a “…truly moderate, ethical, responsible revolutionary in the world.” MY ROUTE ON THE MOTORCYCLE IS: September 28: Aquila Safari September 29: Cape Town September 30: Barrydale October 1, 2: Mossel Bay October 3, 4: Oudtshoorn October 5: Houw Hoek October 6, 7: Cape Town
• It is the 25th largest country in the world by land area. The population is 56 million people, which makes it the 24th most populous nation. There are 11 official languages and three capital cities Cape Town (Legislative Capital), Bloemfontein (Judicial Capital) and Pretoria (Executive Capital). South Africa is made up of deserts, wetlands, grasslands, bush, subtropical forests, mountains and escarpments. Wikipedia – www.wikipedia.org • Table Mountain is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world and one of the planet’s 12 main energy centers, radiating magnetic, electric or spiritual energy.
A COUPLE OF FUN FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA (Yes, more than a “couple,” but there
were so many interesting ones...):
• South Atlantic boasts 1,739 miles of coastline and is situated on the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe surround South Africa to the north, and Mozambique and Swaziland to the east and northeast. The Kingdom of Lesotho is located within the South African confines.
Google Maps
Photo Credit: http://www.cycletorque.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/BMW-R-1200-GS-1.jpg September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 59
• South Africa’s water is rated 3rd best in the world for being “safe and ready to drink.” • There are about 560 wineries and 4,400 primary producers. • Route 62 is considered the longest wine route in the world. (850km - Ashanti.co.za) • It has the largest brewery in the world, by volume, South African Brewery. SABMiller supplies up to 50% of China’s beer. • It is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapon program. • South Africa is home to the world’s largest themed resort hotel, The Palace of the Lost City, which is located on 25 hectares of manmade botanical jungle with almost 2 million plants trees and shrubs.
• In regards to mining and minerals, it is considered the world’s leader with nearly 90% all the platinum metals and around 41% of the world’s gold. • The oldest meteor scar in the world, the Vredefort Dome, is in a town called Parys. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. • It is home to the highest bungie jump in the world at 710 feet. • There are more than 2000 shipwrecks off the coast, most dating back at least 500 years. • The oldest remains of modern humans were found in South Africa and date back over 160,000 years. • The Karoo region in the Western Cape is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs. It is estimated that some 80% of the mammalian fossils found to-date were found in the Karoo. Republished from 1st Contact 1stcontact.com (written in 2010) • The country has lots of record-breaking animals: largest bird - the ostrich, the largest fish – whale shark, the tallest animal –
60 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
the giraffe, the largest land mammal – elephants, and the fastest land mammal – the cheetah. • Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest game reserves - at about 19,635 square kilometers. • The dassie, a cute little rodent which you can find on Table Mountain and Lions Head is closely related to elephants! Ashanti.co.za • South Africa is the second largest fruit producer in the world. • It is home to the world’s smallest succulent plants (less than 10mm) and the largest (the baobab). • It is the first country to develop coal-to-oil technology. • It is against the law in South Africa to sit closer than 2 meters to any individual of the opposite sex, if he or she is wearing nothing but swimming attire. • The first heart transplant in the world was done December 3, 1967 in South Africa on Louis Washkansky. Answersafrica.com
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September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 61
ADVERTISER INDEX
PLEASE TELL OUR ADVERTISERS THAT YOU SAW THEIR AD IN OTL
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2 Wheel Power Hour
49
Adaptiv 60 Aerostich 62 Beemer Shop
28/34/51
Bing Agency International
32
BMW Motorrad
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BMW Motorcycle Magazine
61
BMW Motorcycles of S.E. Michigan
60
Boxerworks 18 Clearwater Lights
32/61
Federal Motorcycle Transport
61
Ilium Works
8
Jessie Luggage
28
Kermit Chair Company
35
MachineartMoto 33
Photo: Joe Pasquarello - 2015
aero otl 9 2016.indd 1
©Aerostich - 2015
1/5/16 4:19 PM
Palo Alto Speedometer
32
San Jose BMW Motorcycles
29
Sargent Cycle Products N.A.
13
Suburban Machinery
53
Workshop Hero
34
Wunderlich America
11
HOW TO LIST YOUR CLUB EVENT
Click bmwmoa.org/3free. Or call 864-438-0962.
62 | ON THE LEVEL September/October 2017
Rally-Map is a free service for all BMW Clubs. Please limit to 90 words or less. Material may be edited. Deadline is the 12th of the month prior to issue month. Send rally or special event information to: BMW RA, Rally Map, PO Box 435, Clarksville, OH 451130435. Best way to get published is to use E-mail: rallymap@bmwra.org. If you have access to email, PLEASE send your notices that way. No files over 2MB. (If you send graphics files or pictures, we won’t print graphics you send, but might include them on the web page). And, as always, if you don’t name your event, I will.
Black Eagle Shop It’s about the Ride
Multipurpose Pandanas. Get yours today.
BMW Ride Club Inte rs Ass rnat ocia iona tion l
BMWRA.org Serious Riders Since 1971 BMW Ride Club Inter rs Asso natio ciatio nal n
BMWRA.org Serious Riders Since 1971
front back
back The Anthem shirts are back in larger sizes and in 100% soft spun cotton
Call headquarters toll-free and place your order or purchase a gift certificate for that special person in your life.
866-924-7102 www.bmwra.org/blackegl/
front
$35 Unisex sizes M, L, XL, 2XL
BUY-SELL-SWAP
FREE to all BMW RA members. Up to 50 words – for non-commercial purposes. Ads for different categories must be submitted separately. Ads must state asking or firm price. BMW RA cannot be responsible for accuracy of descriptions.
E-mail to: OTL Ad Editor Buysellswap@bmwra.org
September/October 2017 ON THE LEVEL | 63
On The Level Volume 46, No. 4
BMW RIDERS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
BMW RA P.O. Box 435 Clarksville, OH 45113-0435
twitter@bmw_ra
64 | ON THE LEVEL March/April 2017
September/October 2017