BMW Track Day with Nate Kern at Mid American Raceway, August 22
An opportunity to ride with BMW racer Nate Kern. Nate really knows how to make a BMW go around at speed!! Come spend time at Mid American Motor Plex – 30 minutes south of Omaha - and explore what you and your machine can do within the safety of a closed course. Everybody goes the same way. No trees, signs, poles or dogs. Control riders and instructors insure safe practices. Strict rules tailored to your group level for your safety. Group Levels: BMW Novice (passing only on straights), BMW Intermediate/ Advanced (passing on the outside of curves) & BMW S1000RR.
Kansas City BMW Motorcycle Club, Engle Motors and Omaha BMW, Gina's BMW, & Grassroots BMW are sponsoring the Event. Contact any of the above to participate. $150 fee - $175 day of event. The possi-bility to sit in on tech sessions only is being discussed.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
“Spur of the Moment” Saturday Ride
Gary Johnson decided on Friday that he wanted to go for a ride after breakfast the next day, Saturday, June 19th. His plans were to ride to Judson Cycle at Lake Crystal and then visit the Schell Brewery at New Ulm. He e-mailed his plans to 4-5 Autobahners and hoped a “spur of the moment” ride would develop.
Saturday morning found Doug Schafer, Dale Nordlie, & Larry Hawes ready to go. Marlin Wolter who had riden into breakfast from Ocheydan, Ia, decided to ride along. James Anderson decided to ride as far as Mt. Lake and visit his son.
The six headed for Judson dropping James off at his destination. The five remaining “kicked the tires” on all the bikes Ron had in the show room and outside. With that completed four of them headed on to New Ulm. Doug lagged behind to drool over the GS models on display. Arrival at the Schell’s Brewery found it to be closed for the annual Schell Family Reunion.
Not to be disappointed they decided to ride another 50 or so miles west to Lucan, MN, and visit the Brau Brothers’ Brewery. It is a small family owned brewery run by three boys and their father. They arrived at the brewery to find the father and sons were “tasting” beer – Larry’s, Dale’s, Gary’s and Marlin’s kind of people!
The boys gave the Autobahners “the tour” and a few
“samples”. It was a very nice day ride. Proof that a great ride can be coordinated on the “spur of the moment”. Marlin & Larry try new Guzzi’s on for size
Saturday morning found Doug Schafer, Dale Nordlie, & Larry Hawes ready to go. Marlin Wolter who had riden into breakfast from Ocheydan, Ia, decided to ride along. James Anderson decided to ride as far as Mt. Lake and visit his son.
The six headed for Judson dropping James off at his destination. The five remaining “kicked the tires” on all the bikes Ron had in the show room and outside. With that completed four of them headed on to New Ulm. Doug lagged behind to drool over the GS models on display. Arrival at the Schell’s Brewery found it to be closed for the annual Schell Family Reunion.
Not to be disappointed they decided to ride another 50 or so miles west to Lucan, MN, and visit the Brau Brothers’ Brewery. It is a small family owned brewery run by three boys and their father. They arrived at the brewery to find the father and sons were “tasting” beer – Larry’s, Dale’s, Gary’s and Marlin’s kind of people!
The boys gave the Autobahners “the tour” and a few
“samples”. It was a very nice day ride. Proof that a great ride can be coordinated on the “spur of the moment”. Marlin & Larry try new Guzzi’s on for size
34th Iowa (Pure Stodge) Rally
Submitted by Dan Saterlee
Early on in April, I talked to Tom Melick about riding down to the 34th Iowa Rally in Middle Amana, Iowa. We decided to take off on Friday June 11th and ride down. The forecast was for monsoon type rain with wind and lightning. After packing everything in plastic including extra plastic bags, we head off Friday morning. Luckily the weatherman was wrong and it turned into a beautiful ride down to Amana. The one thing I failed to plan for was the fact that this time of year in the Midwest it is either pouring rain or a thousand degrees with 99% humidity.
We arrived at the rally in time for dinner and free beer (which is all the time), set up camp and hooked up with Bill, Larry, and Dale from the Autobahn Society. They rode down the day before with rain the entire way. We all sat and listened to the entertainment while taking advantage of the free beer. The last thing I heard Tom say was that he was going to get his $40 worth of beer. (Tom it actually lasts all three days). During the night a good strong thunderstorm came though and soaked down everything.
The next morning, we rode down to Ned’s Bike shop for hotdogs and then on to Gina’s BMW in Iowa City. The weather started to clear up just in time to see Chris “Teach” McNeil do motorcycle demonstrations on the new G450, F800GS, and the super fast S1000RR. If you haven’t seen him he is impressive. We returned to camp, ate dinner and settled for another night of entertainment.
Sunday morning, everyone headed out for home in the rain. I continued on to St. Louis for the week and had a terrific ride through the wine county of Missouri.
On a side note, during my trip home, I stopped along I-29 in Iowa at a rest area. Three gentlemen in a motor home approached me asking where I was from, where I had been, and where I was going. We talked awhile and they told me that they were on their way to Jackson Hole for a “Then Came Bronson” reunion. I was unfamiliar with this. They told me it was a TV show in 1969 that had inspired them all to ride. Three years ago they met each other on the internet and discovered that they had all been restoring 1969 Harley Sportsters to replicate the bike that was in the show. Across the county there are ten of them and they were having their 2nd reunion in Wyoming. They gave me a copy of the pilot show and showed me their bikes. To say they are enthusiastic would be an understatement but they were very nice and glad to see another rider. If you are interested, their website is www.jimbronson.com.
Early on in April, I talked to Tom Melick about riding down to the 34th Iowa Rally in Middle Amana, Iowa. We decided to take off on Friday June 11th and ride down. The forecast was for monsoon type rain with wind and lightning. After packing everything in plastic including extra plastic bags, we head off Friday morning. Luckily the weatherman was wrong and it turned into a beautiful ride down to Amana. The one thing I failed to plan for was the fact that this time of year in the Midwest it is either pouring rain or a thousand degrees with 99% humidity.
We arrived at the rally in time for dinner and free beer (which is all the time), set up camp and hooked up with Bill, Larry, and Dale from the Autobahn Society. They rode down the day before with rain the entire way. We all sat and listened to the entertainment while taking advantage of the free beer. The last thing I heard Tom say was that he was going to get his $40 worth of beer. (Tom it actually lasts all three days). During the night a good strong thunderstorm came though and soaked down everything.
The next morning, we rode down to Ned’s Bike shop for hotdogs and then on to Gina’s BMW in Iowa City. The weather started to clear up just in time to see Chris “Teach” McNeil do motorcycle demonstrations on the new G450, F800GS, and the super fast S1000RR. If you haven’t seen him he is impressive. We returned to camp, ate dinner and settled for another night of entertainment.
Sunday morning, everyone headed out for home in the rain. I continued on to St. Louis for the week and had a terrific ride through the wine county of Missouri.
On a side note, during my trip home, I stopped along I-29 in Iowa at a rest area. Three gentlemen in a motor home approached me asking where I was from, where I had been, and where I was going. We talked awhile and they told me that they were on their way to Jackson Hole for a “Then Came Bronson” reunion. I was unfamiliar with this. They told me it was a TV show in 1969 that had inspired them all to ride. Three years ago they met each other on the internet and discovered that they had all been restoring 1969 Harley Sportsters to replicate the bike that was in the show. Across the county there are ten of them and they were having their 2nd reunion in Wyoming. They gave me a copy of the pilot show and showed me their bikes. To say they are enthusiastic would be an understatement but they were very nice and glad to see another rider. If you are interested, their website is www.jimbronson.com.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Prez Sez
Well, by now we are very much into the new riding season. What a great spring we have had so far. I hope you are getting your MOA mileage forms signed and sent in. It looks like some great Wed. night supper rides are coming up and some great regional rallies to look forward to. I often think about how lucky we are to be alive now, in the entire history of the earth we are alive now to enjoy hundreds of technological advances. If we'd been born, say 500 years ago, our days would have been spent just trying to stay alive. That is if we weren't born into nobility. We would have probably never ventured more than a mile or so from our birthplace. Work was drudgery, food often scarce, weather was a major problem, no hope for a better life. And if that wasn't bad enough, NO motorcycles!!
Count your blessings, ride safe and ride often.
Gary 'Das Prez' Johnson
Count your blessings, ride safe and ride often.
Gary 'Das Prez' Johnson
A GOOD START by Doug Schaeffer
About seven years ago the Mad Norwegian and I moved out into the country. Great view, lousy roads. Many things have conspired to keep me off the bike. Whether its Mother Nature with snow or rain, kidney stones or a couple of knee replacements, the bike just hasn’t seen the miles that I have historically put on and that I would like to put on. And I missed that a lot. A good ride has always been my poison control center. Twenty miles and life is just better, brighter. Our house is up on a small hill. A moraine ridge. Around us is a lot of low county. Having water around us like a moat is interesting but has its drawbacks. Water over the road is common for weeks at a time, both on the gravel/dirt road to the North or South. Not a problem for the Subaru's but can be a problem for the bike. If you keep driving in a track you can keep the road firm, even underwater. But the local maintainer guy has an unquenchable need to blade our road just after a firm track has been established. 2 wheels gets kinda squirrelly in freshly bladed gravel/dirt. Then in their infinite wisdom they trucked in 2 loads of LARGE crushed Sioux Quartzite. The only time I tried to go over it on the bike I had 80 yards if shear panic and was constantly on the edge of imminent crashing. Guess I won’t go over that for a while. To the North is 2 1⁄2 miles of soft, frost heaved gravel/dirt, but if you go fast enough you can kinda skim over the top. Until you crash that is.
I have been managing to get out the North route with only minimal chest pain and gonadal migration. Then I have a paved road with 9 of the 10 curves in Hutchinson County between home and work. I know there is a 10th curve out there someplace, just haven’t found it. So if you can get to the blacktop you’re in pretty good shape. I met Marge at her work and we rode together to the Tea Steakhouse. Not a big deal for you but a good deal for me as it had been a long time since we had been riding two up. There “the Prez” signed my MOA mileage form and I actually got it mailed in.
Marge informed me before the ride that I needed a new motorcycle, helmet and riding suit. Now you know why I have been with her for 45 years. Why she stayed with me that many really is the question.
Thursday I had a plan. Twisty roads and good food. At noon I headed East towards Newton Hills and Canton. I texted my love from the café about the curves at Newton Hills and a “combo on Grainery Bread” at the Garden of Eat’n. She texted me back “poop head”. Ah, married life. Lesson learned: get some road time in before you tackle some tight curves and yes, the sandwich is as good as it was 27 years ago. On into Sioux Falls then back home. The odometer read just short of 500 miles for the week. An accomplishment for you, maybe no, but a good start for me!
I have been managing to get out the North route with only minimal chest pain and gonadal migration. Then I have a paved road with 9 of the 10 curves in Hutchinson County between home and work. I know there is a 10th curve out there someplace, just haven’t found it. So if you can get to the blacktop you’re in pretty good shape. I met Marge at her work and we rode together to the Tea Steakhouse. Not a big deal for you but a good deal for me as it had been a long time since we had been riding two up. There “the Prez” signed my MOA mileage form and I actually got it mailed in.
Marge informed me before the ride that I needed a new motorcycle, helmet and riding suit. Now you know why I have been with her for 45 years. Why she stayed with me that many really is the question.
Thursday I had a plan. Twisty roads and good food. At noon I headed East towards Newton Hills and Canton. I texted my love from the café about the curves at Newton Hills and a “combo on Grainery Bread” at the Garden of Eat’n. She texted me back “poop head”. Ah, married life. Lesson learned: get some road time in before you tackle some tight curves and yes, the sandwich is as good as it was 27 years ago. On into Sioux Falls then back home. The odometer read just short of 500 miles for the week. An accomplishment for you, maybe no, but a good start for me!
AUTOBAHN CELEBRATES 33RD ANNIVERSARY
Autobahn has a birthday in May – 33 years old. Four of the 19 charter members are celebrating 33 years of membership also – Dennis Erickson, Margaret Galland, Paige Herrig, & Jim Pentico. That’s dedication! An article printed in the Autobahn newsletter when the club was 10 years old is reprinted below to give you a bit of Autobahn history.
(Originally printed in 1987.) Ten years ago this May a handful of BMW riding Sioux Falls people gathered together for a very informal meeting. This meeting was THE BEGINNING OF AUTOBAHN SOCIETY!!!
The story begins with Bob Galland, on a BSA, and his friend Jim Pentico, on a Honda, accompanying Jeff Ecker, a BMW rider, to the MOA National at Branson, MO., in July, 1975. The rally left a deep impression on Bob & Jim. BMWs ridden to the rally from all over the US convinced the two that if they were to get serious about bike touring they had better have a dependable bike - a BMW. (Even then Bob was having vehicle trouble on his trips.) Jim remembers that the people at the rally were so friendly . . . and honest. A very expensive camera had been left on the seat of one of the bikes. Jim felt sure that it would not be there long. To his astonishment the camera remained there, untouched, throughout the day. If this was the way people who ride BMWs acted and BMWs were so dependable then the only thing to do was to trade off the BSA and Honda for BMWs. And that is what Bob and Jim did!!
During the next two years Bob and Jim came across other area people who also rode BMWs. They discussed how much fun it would be to get a group together for weekend rides, picnics, etc. A club organizational kit was ordered from MOA, and an organizational meeting was set for April, 1977. BMW riding acquaintances from rallies and Sunday afternoon rides were notified as were all people from SD who had registered a BMW that year. (Pentico had a friend in Pierre.)
A lot was accomplished at the April meeting although only seven people attended. The group decided to go ahead with an application to be chartered by MOA.. They named themselves “BMW of South Dakota”. They discussed articles to be included in the by-laws; and they scheduled the first meeting for May, 1977.
The May meeting produced a president, Bob Galland, and a secretary-treasurer, Linda Williams, and the by-laws which had been completed by Jim Pentico. The June meeting produced a committee to design a club logo and Jim Pentico began printing “The Newsletter” about this time.
By August the club had received their MOA charter - they were #79. August had been set as the deadline for membership applications to be eligible for the club’s “original charter”. Nineteen members made this list. (Complete list included at end of story.) The August meeting brought discussion on changing the club name to something more
outstanding - something to get away from a geographic name.
The first annual Weigand Campout was held near Yankton in September. The beginning of “the country store” (to be managed by Bob Galland) was made by a motion at the meeting to purchase oil filters by the case for sale to club members.
By March, ‘78, the list of new club names had been narrowed down to Bahnstormers and Autobahn Society. The outcome of the vote we already know and then the race was on to have a logo designed and club patches made. Wednesday night dinner rides and Saturday morning breakfast rides began in April, ‘78. Autobahn Society also became associated with BMW Rider’s Association. February, ‘79, became a reality for the club patches. The MOA National at Brainard in July produced the first club banner. A very striking white banner with “Autobahn Society” encircling a large BMW logo (designed by Audry Slater) congregated the Autobahners as they arrived. The banner was retired in 1981 for a new light-weight banner displaying our club logo.
As the years passed the club grew and so did the outings. The annual campout became two with the addition of the Oakgrove Campout at Hawarden in October. The election of officers in January has become an overnight event with the addition of the awards banquet. The club took on a big challenge in 1985 when they decided to host their first Iron Butt Rally.
The memories from these events and others are filed for posterity in the club “picture book” or at the “Hall of Fame” where the “high club attendance” and “high club miles” trophies from the Hiawatha Rally and the authentic wooden shoes from a Dutch visitor are housed. The “Hall of Fame” is located in the Krien’s Construction offices. Autobahn Society has grown to approximately 100 people and covers a large area of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa as well as several other states. The members continue to fulfill the purpose of Autobahn Society as stated in the by-laws by “further developing motorcycle touring and camping as a recreational sport, social ideal and way of life superior to all others”. The club members “firmly resolve to ride as much as possible recognizing that work is the curse of the touring biker”. And as one club member has so adeptly put it, “Where else can you have this much fun for $6 a year?”
(Originally printed in 1987.) Ten years ago this May a handful of BMW riding Sioux Falls people gathered together for a very informal meeting. This meeting was THE BEGINNING OF AUTOBAHN SOCIETY!!!
The story begins with Bob Galland, on a BSA, and his friend Jim Pentico, on a Honda, accompanying Jeff Ecker, a BMW rider, to the MOA National at Branson, MO., in July, 1975. The rally left a deep impression on Bob & Jim. BMWs ridden to the rally from all over the US convinced the two that if they were to get serious about bike touring they had better have a dependable bike - a BMW. (Even then Bob was having vehicle trouble on his trips.) Jim remembers that the people at the rally were so friendly . . . and honest. A very expensive camera had been left on the seat of one of the bikes. Jim felt sure that it would not be there long. To his astonishment the camera remained there, untouched, throughout the day. If this was the way people who ride BMWs acted and BMWs were so dependable then the only thing to do was to trade off the BSA and Honda for BMWs. And that is what Bob and Jim did!!
During the next two years Bob and Jim came across other area people who also rode BMWs. They discussed how much fun it would be to get a group together for weekend rides, picnics, etc. A club organizational kit was ordered from MOA, and an organizational meeting was set for April, 1977. BMW riding acquaintances from rallies and Sunday afternoon rides were notified as were all people from SD who had registered a BMW that year. (Pentico had a friend in Pierre.)
A lot was accomplished at the April meeting although only seven people attended. The group decided to go ahead with an application to be chartered by MOA.. They named themselves “BMW of South Dakota”. They discussed articles to be included in the by-laws; and they scheduled the first meeting for May, 1977.
The May meeting produced a president, Bob Galland, and a secretary-treasurer, Linda Williams, and the by-laws which had been completed by Jim Pentico. The June meeting produced a committee to design a club logo and Jim Pentico began printing “The Newsletter” about this time.
By August the club had received their MOA charter - they were #79. August had been set as the deadline for membership applications to be eligible for the club’s “original charter”. Nineteen members made this list. (Complete list included at end of story.) The August meeting brought discussion on changing the club name to something more
outstanding - something to get away from a geographic name.
The first annual Weigand Campout was held near Yankton in September. The beginning of “the country store” (to be managed by Bob Galland) was made by a motion at the meeting to purchase oil filters by the case for sale to club members.
By March, ‘78, the list of new club names had been narrowed down to Bahnstormers and Autobahn Society. The outcome of the vote we already know and then the race was on to have a logo designed and club patches made. Wednesday night dinner rides and Saturday morning breakfast rides began in April, ‘78. Autobahn Society also became associated with BMW Rider’s Association. February, ‘79, became a reality for the club patches. The MOA National at Brainard in July produced the first club banner. A very striking white banner with “Autobahn Society” encircling a large BMW logo (designed by Audry Slater) congregated the Autobahners as they arrived. The banner was retired in 1981 for a new light-weight banner displaying our club logo.
As the years passed the club grew and so did the outings. The annual campout became two with the addition of the Oakgrove Campout at Hawarden in October. The election of officers in January has become an overnight event with the addition of the awards banquet. The club took on a big challenge in 1985 when they decided to host their first Iron Butt Rally.
The memories from these events and others are filed for posterity in the club “picture book” or at the “Hall of Fame” where the “high club attendance” and “high club miles” trophies from the Hiawatha Rally and the authentic wooden shoes from a Dutch visitor are housed. The “Hall of Fame” is located in the Krien’s Construction offices. Autobahn Society has grown to approximately 100 people and covers a large area of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa as well as several other states. The members continue to fulfill the purpose of Autobahn Society as stated in the by-laws by “further developing motorcycle touring and camping as a recreational sport, social ideal and way of life superior to all others”. The club members “firmly resolve to ride as much as possible recognizing that work is the curse of the touring biker”. And as one club member has so adeptly put it, “Where else can you have this much fun for $6 a year?”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
FROM THE PREZ!!!
Hello riding enthusiasts! I think the season is here, after a
trying winter, the roads are ice free and the grass is greening.I
know most of you have had a ride or two by now. A few things
to consider; tires (pressure and condition, road surfaces
(gravel, sand, potholes, flooded, etc.), & maybe a tune-up
(machine and mental). I would also like to ask you to make
suggestions as to rides or activities that the club members
might be interested in. I don’t have anything specific planned,
but a joint breakfast with the Big Sioux Riders would be fun
again (like in Alcester). Maybe a Wed. night supper further
east, so some of our members don’t have so far to go, or
north, or whatever direction, and try out some place new to
most of us. A ride to Judson and New Ulm is always fun. This
is still a motorcycle club so let’s get some riding in, enjoy
our times together, and be safe.
Gary "das prez" Johnson
trying winter, the roads are ice free and the grass is greening.I
know most of you have had a ride or two by now. A few things
to consider; tires (pressure and condition, road surfaces
(gravel, sand, potholes, flooded, etc.), & maybe a tune-up
(machine and mental). I would also like to ask you to make
suggestions as to rides or activities that the club members
might be interested in. I don’t have anything specific planned,
but a joint breakfast with the Big Sioux Riders would be fun
again (like in Alcester). Maybe a Wed. night supper further
east, so some of our members don’t have so far to go, or
north, or whatever direction, and try out some place new to
most of us. A ride to Judson and New Ulm is always fun. This
is still a motorcycle club so let’s get some riding in, enjoy
our times together, and be safe.
Gary "das prez" Johnson
Let me introduce you to...
Ed Hill
I’m Ed Hill (BMW MOA # 756), a new member of
Autobahn Society. I live a couple miles west of Yankton, SD.
My wife Sue and I moved here from Alabama when I finally
retired 3 years ago. We have four children, nine grandchildren
(plus one on the way), and two great grandchildren.
I had 30 years active (enlisted) duty in the Air Force
working in electronics maintenance, followed by 24 years as a
contractor to the AF before retiring to South Dakota.
My current riding BMW is a late 1992 K1100LT, my first
was a 1958 R60/2 in 1960. I’ve been fortunate to ride
extensively in the US and Europe over the years thanks to my
military assignments. I also moon-lighted as a BMW mechanic
in several dealerships around the states and was able to
attend several BMW factory training classes. The training was
on the /2 series, and early /5 BMW’s...and those bikes are still
my favorites.
I hope to get to meet you all this riding season.
Ed Hill
I’m Ed Hill (BMW MOA # 756), a new member of
Autobahn Society. I live a couple miles west of Yankton, SD.
My wife Sue and I moved here from Alabama when I finally
retired 3 years ago. We have four children, nine grandchildren
(plus one on the way), and two great grandchildren.
I had 30 years active (enlisted) duty in the Air Force
working in electronics maintenance, followed by 24 years as a
contractor to the AF before retiring to South Dakota.
My current riding BMW is a late 1992 K1100LT, my first
was a 1958 R60/2 in 1960. I’ve been fortunate to ride
extensively in the US and Europe over the years thanks to my
military assignments. I also moon-lighted as a BMW mechanic
in several dealerships around the states and was able to
attend several BMW factory training classes. The training was
on the /2 series, and early /5 BMW’s...and those bikes are still
my favorites.
I hope to get to meet you all this riding season.
Ed Hill
Let me introduce you to...
Perry and Kim Bly
I work for Wollman Insurance Agency in Sioux Falls. I
write health, life, and dental, but specialize in health insurance
– group, individual, and over 65 with Medicare. Kim works for
the Brandon School district in Child Nutrition. We have four
children. Becky is finishing her sophomore year at Northwest
Missouri State. Megan is about to graduate Brandon High,
and plans to attend SDSU this fall. Chris and Molly will both
be in middle school next year.
My first motorcycle was a Honda XL250 with a broken
kick start. The farmer pulled me with his tractor to get it
started. I bought it for $75 dollars. It ran like a champ and was
a ton of fun. With extremely limited mechanical skills - I
eventually sold it off for 50 bucks. I couldn’t get the kick start
fixed. It was too hard to start. We didn’t have a tractor. I
sold my second bike, a Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 right before
Christopher was born. We had it for a couple of years. With
busy lives, a baby on the way, and a career change that
moved us to Indiana, I just couldn’t justify having the bike any
longer, and knew it had to go. I don’t think I put 2,000 miles on
it, and it wasn’t really meant to ride with a passenger. It wasn’t
much fun for Kim anyway. It was really fun for me!!!!
I started searching for a bike again, nearly two years ago.
Months of time spent shopping, researching and looking,
mostly by way of the Internet. In April 2009, I found a 2002 LT
for sale by owner in Rapid City. It looked like a good deal, but
I didn’t know a thing about an “LT” I had lots of questions and
even more apprehension. The patient owner finally said “The
best way to describe it is - it’s a crotch rocket with heated
seats.” We didn’t set out to be BMW owners, but a crotch
rocket with heated seats. I had to have it!
The previous owner suggested I join the LT owners online
community. He told me how great the information was. I
don’t know if I would have kept the bike if not for LT on-line
community and the wealth of knowledge they share. They
have saved our relationship. We love the bike more every day.
Not long after getting the “LT”, I met James (Anderson).
He walked into my office to compliment my bike and tell me
about the BMW club, and where they meet. Soon after that, I
pulled up to a gas pump on a Sat. morning to meet Larry and
Mary Hawes on their way back from breakfast with the club.
We got introduced and they told me about the club, the big
event they host each year, and invited us to come out to meet
everyone. I went home and told Kim that we should check this
group out. It might be kinda fun to join. We just thought we
were buying a used motorcycle last April. We didn’t have any
idea all the extra’s that would come with it. We are looking
forward to meeting more people, and getting out to ride with
everybody. We have been slow to get to dinners, but we are
making a better effort now that we know how much fun they
are. We are planning to attend at least one rally this year. We
hope to make it over to Rushford, MN, the first weekend in
June. My dad lives close by so we can see him too.
We hope to see you all soon.
Perry and Kim Bly
I work for Wollman Insurance Agency in Sioux Falls. I
write health, life, and dental, but specialize in health insurance
– group, individual, and over 65 with Medicare. Kim works for
the Brandon School district in Child Nutrition. We have four
children. Becky is finishing her sophomore year at Northwest
Missouri State. Megan is about to graduate Brandon High,
and plans to attend SDSU this fall. Chris and Molly will both
be in middle school next year.
My first motorcycle was a Honda XL250 with a broken
kick start. The farmer pulled me with his tractor to get it
started. I bought it for $75 dollars. It ran like a champ and was
a ton of fun. With extremely limited mechanical skills - I
eventually sold it off for 50 bucks. I couldn’t get the kick start
fixed. It was too hard to start. We didn’t have a tractor. I
sold my second bike, a Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 right before
Christopher was born. We had it for a couple of years. With
busy lives, a baby on the way, and a career change that
moved us to Indiana, I just couldn’t justify having the bike any
longer, and knew it had to go. I don’t think I put 2,000 miles on
it, and it wasn’t really meant to ride with a passenger. It wasn’t
much fun for Kim anyway. It was really fun for me!!!!
I started searching for a bike again, nearly two years ago.
Months of time spent shopping, researching and looking,
mostly by way of the Internet. In April 2009, I found a 2002 LT
for sale by owner in Rapid City. It looked like a good deal, but
I didn’t know a thing about an “LT” I had lots of questions and
even more apprehension. The patient owner finally said “The
best way to describe it is - it’s a crotch rocket with heated
seats.” We didn’t set out to be BMW owners, but a crotch
rocket with heated seats. I had to have it!
The previous owner suggested I join the LT owners online
community. He told me how great the information was. I
don’t know if I would have kept the bike if not for LT on-line
community and the wealth of knowledge they share. They
have saved our relationship. We love the bike more every day.
Not long after getting the “LT”, I met James (Anderson).
He walked into my office to compliment my bike and tell me
about the BMW club, and where they meet. Soon after that, I
pulled up to a gas pump on a Sat. morning to meet Larry and
Mary Hawes on their way back from breakfast with the club.
We got introduced and they told me about the club, the big
event they host each year, and invited us to come out to meet
everyone. I went home and told Kim that we should check this
group out. It might be kinda fun to join. We just thought we
were buying a used motorcycle last April. We didn’t have any
idea all the extra’s that would come with it. We are looking
forward to meeting more people, and getting out to ride with
everybody. We have been slow to get to dinners, but we are
making a better effort now that we know how much fun they
are. We are planning to attend at least one rally this year. We
hope to make it over to Rushford, MN, the first weekend in
June. My dad lives close by so we can see him too.
We hope to see you all soon.
Perry and Kim Bly
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