BMW RA - OTL Bimonthly Publications
May / Jun 2019 - First ride (2019 f 750 GS)
Motorcycles of Charlotte lent me a demo F 750 GS for an adventurous weekend. The F 750 GS is a commendable successor to the F 700 GS. Here are my thoughts on this impressive motorcycle.
May / Jun 2019 - Exploring Horizons (real pi(e) day)
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14. I explore if this date is the best for Pi Day compared to February 22 or March 17. This year, I rode my RT to get pies for a party with friends.
Mar / Apr 2019 - exploring horizons (Beam me up!)
Choosing the right location and types of aftermarket lighting can enhance visibility to oncoming traffic. I share how I light my motorcycles and reference studies supporting effective lighting configurations.
Jan/Feb 2019 - A day at the BMW Performance Center
Improving skills is essential in any profession or hobby, as it allows individuals to reach their full potential and enhance their capabilities. I would like to share an overview of my training day at the BMW Performance Center, highlighting the specific skills I practiced and the valuable insights I gained about their comprehensive program.
Nov/Dec 2018 - Exploring New Possibilities (Finding Safety and Freedom)
This issue discusses a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on motorcycle deaths, summarizing recommendations from analyzed accidents and offering tips for safer riding.
November/December 2018 - Book Review (Motorcycle Adventures Books 1-3)
RA member Hawk Hagebak shares routes and tips for riding in the Southern Appalachian Mountains through three books. Read my review to find the best book for enhancing your riding experience at the 2019 RA rally in Woodstock, VA (Sept 5-8).
November/December 2018 - letter from the board.
The BMW RA proudly announces the appointment of John Flores as the new editor in chief of OTL, as well as the Chief of Content for the club. Additionally, in this edition, we also cover the club's ongoing and important election process for the board of trustees, highlighting key candidates and initiatives.
News releases from Nov and Dec 2018.
BMW has launched its new 1250 boxer engine and an innovative self-driving motorcycle to enhance the riding experience. Additionally, a new bike rental program aims to make their motorcycles more accessible to enthusiasts and potential riders.
Sept/Oct 2018 - Discover New Possibilities (Are You Prepared for Your Journey?)
In this edition of Exploring Horizons, I discuss techniques for preparing for two-riding, long-distance traveling, and practicing riding fundamentals.
SEPT/ OCT 2018 - Canyon to Mountains rally recap
The BMW RA’s annual rally is the time to connect with friends and other fun, adventurers riders in the motorcycle community. As discussed in this rally recap, the Canyons to Mountains Rally in Wellsboro, PA was no exception.
Click here for the full article.
SEPT/ OCT 2018 - letter from the board of trustees
Read about the BMW RA's Board and what we are up to, including the successful Canyons to Mountains Rally in Wellsboro, PA. We look forward to seeing rally goers at next year’s rally in Woodstock, VA (Sept 5-8, 2019).
Click here for the full article.
SEPT/ OCT 2018 - NEWS releases
Read about what’s new in the BMW Motorrad world, including new dealerships throughout the US.
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July/ aug 2018 - exploring horizons (reflecting on motorcycles of charlotte's weekend rally)
Motorcycles of Charlotte held their annual rally at the Iron Horse Lodge in Robbinsville, NC. It was a perfect opportunity to test out BMW's latest offerings, but with a twist... I rode all the test bikes two-up with some interesting results.
Click here for the full article.
July/ aug 2018 - letter from the board of trustees
Read about the BMW RA's Board and what we are up to, including our focus of putting together a world-class rally in Wellsboro, PA and building a community that focuses on fun events for riders.
July/ Aug 2018 - news releases
BMW Motorrad USA announced the new, portable 3D printer system to print spare parts. Also, BMW now offers a line of black aluminum cases for certain GS models.
MAY/ JUNE 2018 - exploring horizons (mentoring the future)
Knowledge sharing can be the key to building a strong motorcycle club that bridges the gap between seasoned and new riders. In this Exploring Horizons, I discuss how making a new friend at a local meet up turned into new opportunities for both of us.
MAY/ JUNE 2018 - Dealer spotlight: Motorcycles of charlotte
In this review of Motorcycles of Charlotte, I discuss how the staff came to the rescue when I need them most. They cured the ailments of my 2013 R 1200 R and sold me a new R 1200 RT at a reasonable price under unreasonable circumstances.
MAY/ JUNE 2018 - Discover lcoal routes in wellsboro, PA with eatsleepride
EatSleepRIDE (ESR) provides an excellent platform to share riding stories, routes, pictures, and more. In this article, I discuss how ESR work and how riders can take advantage of its features for the upcoming BMW RA rally in Wellsboro, PA.
May/ june 2018 - letter from the board of trustees
Read about the BMW RA's Board and what we are up to, including our strategic focus and what we are doing to make the RA the preferred club for its members.
May/ june 2018 - news releases
BMW Motorrad USA released a video that reminds us why we ride. For more details, see the press release and short YouTube video.
MAR/ Apr 2018 - Exploring horizons (Finding balances with my DOPPELGÄNGERS)
After reading an interesting articles about our selection of motorcycles in Motorcycle Consumer News (MCN), I examined whether my motorcycles reflect my personality or are my alter egos.
MAR/ Apr 2018 - letter from the board of trustees
Read about the BMW RA's Board and what we are up to, including our strategic focus and what we are doing to make the RA the preferred club for its members.
MAR/ APR 2018 - news releases
Find out about the latest BMW news updates and events, including updates on BMW Motorrad USA's sales and racing contingencies.
jan/ feb 2018 - exploring horizons (all told... it's not serendipity or happenstance)
After being on the road for seven months and clocking over 30,000 miles, I discuss how small steps can turn into large actions that revolutionized my life. When thinking about whether some of these major changes are due to serendipity or happenstance, I realize that... (you'll need to read to find out).
jan/ feb 2018 - king of fleece - waterproof seat cover product review
The King of Fleece seat cover provides a water proof barrier for any motorcycle seat. After clocking over 30,000 miles on my King of Fleece, I reveal my verdict on this product.
NOV/ DEC 2017 - exploring horizons (execute with razor-like precision)
A trip to a family hunting cabin in Kansas rekindled a lesson from business school. In the lesson, I learned how UPS transformed its business by improving the efficiency of its delivery system. Similarly, I observed how my uncle Cub executed his tasks with precision and I explored how those same techniques could extend a motorcycle ethusiast's travels across the country.
NOV/ DEC 2017 - CAPETOWN: A STEP INTO A NEW BMW MOTORRAD DEALERSHIP DESIGN
I paid homage to the BMW dealership in Cape Town, South Africa. This location highlights the model for BMW motorcycle dealerships, featuring a coffee shop, club meeting areas, and modern decorative appointments. I talked with the dealer's principal for a discussion of the history of the design and its impact on the business.
NOV/ DEC 2017 - news releases
Find out about the latest BMW news updates and events, including updates on Nate Kerns, the HP4 Race, and C evolution electric scooter.
SEPT/ OCT 2017 - Exploring horizons (no sacred cows)
With nagging operational issues that no one can resolve, I decided to purchase a new motorcycle to continue my cross-continental journeys. That decision had its consequences, but prioritizing what is important helped keep me focused on my goals.
JULY/ AUGUST 2017 - EXPLORING HORIZONS (I love this! But where am I again?)
Finding the perfect roads while navigating in unknown territory can be daunting, yet exhilarating. In this edition of "Exploring Horizons," I discuss techniques for finding one of the most memorable rides during my cross-country journey, and how I was not going to allow anything to get in the way of my incredible trip.
JULY/ AUGUST 2017 - NEWS RELEASES
See the latest BMW news releases, including pricing and other details for the HP4 Race, C evolution, and select 2018 models. BMW Motorrad also welcomes the latest dealership in Palm Bay, FL.
MAY/ JUNE 2017 - EXPLORING HORIZONS (Bending the Rules and Hitting the Twisties)
After several months of planning, I hit the roads for a multi-month, cross-country expedition. In this column, I talk about some planning considerations, plotting the course, and finding meaning in the trip. If you ever wondered what the importance of the rubber frog and lizard that you see in many of my pictures, I reveal their importance too.
MAY/ JUNE 2017 - DEALERSHIP SPOTLIGHT (Preventing an Unpleasant Adventure on My Expedition)
While riding across the country, I hit operating snag that required some expert help. Fortunately, Falcone Powersports in Indianapolis was there to help. I met some new friends and captured my positive experience with their staff and service department.
MAY/ JUNE 2017 - NEWS RELEASES
BMW announced product updates, new gear offerings, and other information for riders.
MAR/ APRIL 2017 - EXPLORING HORIZONS (Leveraging Cell Phone for Riding Comfort and Cost Savings)
In this month's column, I provide simple solutions for using cell phones to replace multiple navigation and communication devices. By considering some of the tips and apps I regularly use, riders can improve their riding comfort and save money.
MAR/ APRIL 2017 - NEWS RELEASES
Find out about the latest BMW news updates and more! Here's a summary of the product releases and changes, along with other announcements for BMW Motorrad enthusiasts.
Jan/ Feb 2017 - Exploring Horizons (IMS - nYC 2016)
As much as I love seeing the latest motorcycle releases and attractive salespeople, I prefer chatting with the innovators and small business owners in our favorite sport. In this article, I introduce the riding community to two key innovators in motorcycle navigation and safety education.
JAN/ Feb 2017 - news releases
Find out about the latest BMW news updates and events! Here's a summary of the product releases and changes for 2017, along with other announcements for interested BMW riders.
