Bob's Blog

Last month we announced we are giving away a 2-Day Off-Road Adventure to one lucky customer. You can enter to win as many times as you like throughout June simply by visiting Bob’s and filling out an entry form by coffee. The box will be emptied daily, so no double entries or you will be disqualified.

Xplor-Int. is a MSF certified and AMA sanctioned off-road training facility located just a couple hours away in Western Pennsylvania. They offer a 2-day adventure that combines skill building taught in the Basic Off-Road Course with advanced techniques for single track and obstacles, plus outdoor survival skills and camping tips. You’ll ride for two days on a combination of dirt, gravel, and bedrock roads, and camp overnight. The last half-day is spent wrapping up the concepts and giving you time to pack. If you are comfortable riding at the speed limit on public roads, you are ok to enter the drawing. And if you have taken any kind of training before, there are still plenty of skills to be learned and/or perfected!

The course enables riders to transition from the basics of off-road riding to the more complex techniques needed for multi-day trips on dual-sport machines. It teaches you skills that will enable you to transition from asphalt to double-track, single-track, and fire trails. You will also learn the fundamentals of straight lines, turning, body posture, and braking are combined to handle obstacles, stream crossings, and tight single-track. The course is intended to build confidence and break down barriers without destroying you and your gear.

You will be presented with real-world challenges so you can assess terrain and risk, then make good choices using the skills taught to you by the instructors. Xplor-Int. instructors have taken motorcycles into the world’s most challenging places, so you will learn from pros how to pack appropriately and manage your resources, as well as deal with emergencies. You’ll learn how to pack right, and how to ride your bike fully-loaded.

There are regular breaks throughout the day, and two breaks for meals each day which are cooked onsite. You’ll start riding at 8am and finish by 6pm, break for dinner, then continue with strategy sessions and a night ride.

Sounds pretty cool right?! While we work with Xplor to firm a couple dates exclusive just for our customers we thought it would be fun to send a GS rider of Bob’s BMW to check it out and report back and all you have to do to be that lucky person is fill out an entry form (or two or three or more!) next time you are at Bob’s! Questions? Contact hanna.creekmore@bobsbmw.com

Most people either love reality TV or hate it. Either way you are going to want to keep reading about the latest addition to the reality mix that premiered last Sunday Neale Bayly Rides (NBR). It is a 3 part series that documents a group of friends traveling on a motorcycle adventure that ultimately changes their life perspectives. If you missed the premier this past Sunday, no worries; these days between re-runs and on-demand you can quickly get caught up and ready to tune in to Part 2 airing this Sunday at 9pm (EST) on Speed channel. Whether you are a motorcyclist or not, this show will impact you in a humbling and positive way.

Neale Bayly is a motorcycle journalist that has traveled 45 countries over the past 35 years. A few years ago his travels landed him at an orphanage in Peru. Inspired by the children, Bayly formed Wellspring International Outreach, an organization dedicated to raising awareness, resources, and hope for abandoned children worldwide.

Neale’s journey changed his life to the point he was inspired to invite friends to ride with him, as a film crew documented the epic journey. Neale leads his 5 friends through the deserts and mountains of Peru. Beginning in Lima, the group encounters unbelievable challenges and create unforgettable memories along they way as they pass through the Ica Desert, Andes Mountains, and eventually arrive at the Hogar Belen Orphanage in Moquegua, Peru.

Tune in this Sunday at 9pm on the Speed Channel for Part 2 of Neale Bayly Rides, reality TV with heart! Get a taste of what drives motorcyclists to pack their bikes and depart for epic adventures of sight-seeing, meeting new faces, and making life long memories along the way.

By: Colin Busch

Day One:
There was a big storm hammering up the east coast and as if on some sort of spiteful mission to ruin my plan of taking the long, twisty way…. it started dumping buckets as I was packing up my bike to leave on a long ride. Undaunted and wrapped in every bit of rain gear I own, I scrapped my sunny day route from North Baltimore to the Woodward Cave campsite in Mifflinburg Pennsylvania and begrudgingly hit the boring but more direct highway route. The first few hours were a forgettable blur of low visibility and moderately heavy traffic, but as I made it just north of Harrisburg PA and started heading west on 322 the rain and traffic lightened up and I was able to complete the rest of the ride without stress or incident.

A few well marked turns off the highway took me through some scenic backroads and directly to the campsite where I was greeted by Nancy from AltRider who was setting up the registration tent and handling the rider sign in. I parked my bike, shed my damp gear and hung out in the pavilion to have a snack and decompress.

I was a little bummed that I was too tired to ride to the EnduroCross expo/ race (featuring legendary Dakar Race Champ Jimmy Lewis as well as several other extremely talented ISDE riders!) which was being held a few miles up the road, but I was equally happy to stroll around, chat with some fellow riders and set up my camp.

At around 7pm there was a keg full of deliciously dark beer flowing and at 8pm a phenomenal dinner of smoked chicken, spinach, mac and cheese and salad was thoroughly enjoyed by all. After dinner there was an informal rider meeting where we were encouraged to team up in small groups based on skill level and sign up for the appropriate routes. As I was hoping to spend most of my ride time relaxing, stopping frequently and taking lots of pictures, I passed on the advanced and intermediate sheets and signed up for what was very tactfully described as the “scenic ride” group. Little did I know just how brilliant a move that would turn out to be….

Day Two:
Woke up early and delighted over clearer skies and absolutely perfect weather. After a hearty breakfast of fresh fruit, granola bars, bacon, eggs and cheese covered potatoes, the 70+ participants were summoned to the pre ride meeting where Jeremy from AltRider. We went over some rider safety pointers, trail rules and a few basic off road riding tips. We then separated into our skill based groups which were then sent out at appropriate time intervals to avoid getting bunched up on the trails.

The scenic group consisted of two husband and wife teams, Stephanie and Brooks and Kristin and Ryan, as well as Ryan’s brother Sean and yours truly, Colin. The skill level of our little group ranged from “I’m lazy and in no hurry” world traveler to “I’ve NEVER ridden off road” MSF instructor, so before we left we collectively shared a few pointers and reviewed some basic off road riding techniques. The most important thing we covered and all unanimously agreed upon is that we would go slow, stop as often as we wanted, help each other as much as needed and have as much fun as possible along the way.

And we were off. The first section was muddy as hell from the rain the day prior (It was so slippery that when I asked Jimmy Lewis about it at dinner later that night he described it as “unnerving peanut butter…”), but the proudly self-titled Team Turtle did what we set out to do: we took it slow and steady and made it through without a hitch. After 30 minutes or so of moto slip and slide, the slimy muck gave way to wonderfully groomed and well packed gravel trails, some interestingly challenging big, chunky, rocky downhill sections punctuated by sweeping curves and breathtaking scenery at all of the many overlooks. An hour or so in Team Turtle took our gained confidence and picked up the pace by a few MPH, but always took time to stop and smell the honeysuckle and pine.

There were a few minor oopsies along the way involving a dropped bike here and there, but the incidents were always handled by some quick teamwork followed by genuine encouragement to keep riding and, most importantly, keep smiling. The absolute stars of the show were Stephanie, who after only half a day of instruction took her BMW R1200GS Adventure to places that most experienced trail riders only dream of and Kristen, who after only a few minutes of the most basic pointers that morning was making light work of the roughest terrain with seemingly effortless aplomb.

At the approximate half way point of the ride, all the riders converged from their various routes and had a lunch of chicken or beef wraps, fresh salad, tons of fruit and lots of Gatorade and water at a State Forest picnic pavilion. During lunch some riders from other skill groups were asking around about “those guys from Team Turtle who are going slow, goofing off and having fun…”. As it turned out there were a few riders who felt they were in a little over their heads in the groups they chose to ride with, so after lunch Team Turtle nearly doubled in size! We broke up into two smaller packs and started out around five minutes apart, but when we all arrived back at the campsite for dinner that evening we all reconvened and cheerfully recounted the endless fun we all had along the way.

When all was said and done, riding with the scenic group allowed me to have a relaxing ride and stop to take in the sights and such, but more importantly, it allowed me to share in what I believe is the most important aspect of motorcycling: the unbridled joy of sharing good times with fellow riders. If giggling like a bunch of silly kids about the ride was the mission, we surely accomplished it that day!

After delicious whole roast pig dinner there was a prize ceremony, during which both Stephanie and Kristen were officially recognized by the folks at AltRider for their achievements in the area of “press on with a smile” and awarded with door prizes (well…. actually…….Kristen was more recognized for an incident involving an Amish family who witnessed the untimely end of one of their chickens that was crossing the road at the wrong moment in time, but that’s another story for another day…..).

After everyone settled down a bit and the second keg was tapped, the one and only Jimmy Lewis took the stage for a very down to earth and insightful audio visual overview of how an “average joe” managed to make his way to the top and leave an indelible mark on the world of hardcore, world class enduro racing. Everyone was pretty well worn from a day of excellent riding, so after an open floor, info packed Q&A session with Jimmy, it got pretty quiet very quickly and we all slept like…. well… like we had been riding off road all day then got stuffed with amazing food and beer!

Day Three:
All good things must come to an end, but when they do, sunshine and clear blue skies take the sting away and make us all look forward to next time! I spent the early morning wandering around the site saying goodbyes and trading email contact info with some great new friends. I packed up camp, threw everything on the bike and easily made my way home with a giant smile on my face knowing that the past weekend was only the beginning of many fun adventures for Team Turtle………..

Bottom line: Conserve the Ride 2013 was brilliantly organized, incredibly well planned, everyone in attendance of all skill levels had lots and lots of fun. Many thanks to the fine folks at AltRider for hosting and promoting such a fun and enjoyable event.

Especially big Kudos to the Seven Mountains Conservation Corps for not only mapping and pre-riding the routes, but also for running sweep rides on all the courses throughout the day to make sure everyone was having a safe, enjoyable time.!
See you all next year!

View Conserve the Ride 2013 Photo Album

When the motorcycle was invented they said “cool.” When the BMW “boxer” engine was created they said “awesome.” Both cool and awesome have been used to describe what Suprine Machinery is going to show us at Bob’s BMW on July 13th, and you’ll find “exciting” applies as well.

Join us to see the Exodus, a recumbent motorcycle that offers industry leading performance and ultra design. Designed to improve nearly every aspect of personal transportation, from 155+ top speed to 80+mpg fuel efficiency, the Exodus is based on Suprine’s concept of the “SPV”, the “Single Person Vehicle.” Suprine has discarded the traditional “horse-and-rider” approach to the motorcycle and has produced a two-wheel mid-engine design similar to what we see in Formula 1 auto racing. Suprine has combined many standard BMW parts, including a BMW 1200cc four-cylinder engine, with a bucket seat 7″ above the road, to create this never-before-seen ultra machine!

The public is invited to join us at Bob’s BMW Motorcycles on July 13th to experience the Exodus in person and meet several representatives from Suprine. Patrons wiil be able to view, critique, and make suggestions before this pre-production prototype is finalized for sale. John Chelen, the Chairman of Suprine, will join us to share Suprine’s vision for the future and hear what you have to say. The machine will be on display until 3pm and Mr. Chelen will be speaking at 11am.

Visit www.bobsbmw.com for more details.

Visit www.suprine.com for complete details on the Exodus including pictures, video, and more.

Mark your calendar: June 17th is Ride to Work Day. If you regularly ride your motorcycle to work, keep up the good work! If you typically find yourself walking by your motorcycle each morning to get into that gas guzzling 4 wheeled machine, this is a reminder to join motorcyclists worldwide and ride to work on Monday June 17th.

2013 marks the 22nd Annual International Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day. Motorcyclists are encouraged to ride to work “to show the positive value of motorcycles and scooters as transportation: they are economical, efficient, and a socially responsible form of mobility that saves energy and helps the environment.”

Make a detour on Monday and ride to Bob’s and enter to WIN a 2 Day Off-Road Adventure!

The BEST Sport-Touring Experience For ONLY $289 Per Month!*

Bob’s BONUS Ride Free in 2013 promo has been extended through July! Purchase any In-Stock 2013 K1600GT/GTL before July 31 and get:

FREE Maintenance thru 2013*
• 600 Mile Break in Service
• 3,000 Mile Oil Change
• 6,000 Mile Service

FREE BMW NAV IV GPS!
Tour confidently using your FREE BMW NAV IV GPS. Manufactured by Garmin, the most trusted name in GPS technology.

FREE Engine Guards!
Keep going in the right direction—and keep your bike protected from those who aren’t with FREE engine protection guards.

Two years after its release, the K1600 continues to out-perform its competitors. According to Rider magazine in May 2013 the K1600, “Mr. Big Stuff,” won the comparison test. “When asked to choose only one bike, four out of five chose the K1600GT!”

Contact Bob’s TODAY to schedule a test ride on the award winning luxury sport-touring bike! Shop all K1600 GT/GTL colors and options, and enjoy unbeatable added value ONLY at Bob’s BMW! This offer ends July 31…ACT FAST while supplies last!

Shop Online Inventory

*Scheduled maintenance is based on BMW service checklist. It does not include wear and tear items such as tires and brakes. All services in this promotion must be completed by December 25, 2013. A minimum of 600 miles is required for the 600 mile service, 3,600 mile minimum for 3,000 mile service and 6,600 mile minimum for 6,000 mile service. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Listed monthly payment is based on $3,000 down, excludes taxes, tags, and applicable fees. 48 month term through 3asy ride financing. 3asy Ride is a retail installment sales contract with a balloon payment. Financing provided to well-qualified customers by participating BMW motorcycle dealers and assigned to BMW Financial Services NA, LLC or BMW Bank of North America. Rates are subject to change and are dependent upon credit approval. Contact a Sales representative for complete details.

Bob’s will be donating a portion of every helmet sale TODAY thru July 6th to the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center in Howard County.

$50 donation made with the purchase of the NEW Schuberth PINK C3W Pro helmet.

$25 donation made with the purchase of ANY in-stock helmet.

Shop Online or visit Bob’s today!

10% OFF any in-stock Kathy’s Bag liner now thru July 6th. Get a FREE BONUS shoulder strap when you purchase a set of 3 bag liners (2 side and 1 top case)…make transporting your things from the bike to your destination easier! Select colors, while supplies last.

Use Promo Code KATHYSALE

Order Yours Today

With any oil change completed now thru July 6th, receive a FREE oil filter for your next scheduled service! To serve as a reminder to come back in 3,000 miles, you will literally ride home with your complimentary oil filter this month! You MUST bring it back at the time of your next scheduled service or the deal is void.

Call us TODAY 301-497-8949 ext. 502.

Schedule Your June Appointment Today

September 21-22, 2013
Western PA

Today thru July 1 you can enter to win a free 2 day off road adventure by visiting Bob’s BMW and filling out an entry form by coffee. Enter as often as you like, it’s FREE! One entry per visit to Bob’s BMW (and yes we will be emptying the box daily!)

Over the weekend, one lucky winner will learn:

• Advanced techniques for single track and obstacles
• How to transition off asphalt
• Fundamentals of straight lines, turning, body posture, and braking
• Essential outdoor survival skills
• And more!

Winner must be:

• Comfortable riding at the speed limit on public roads
• A GS Rider of Bob’s BMW*

Available September 21-22
*Must have purchased their dual sport bike from Bob’s BMW

Winner Announced July 1st. You do not have to be present to win.

Ride hosted by: Xplor-Int. Learn more at www.xplor-int.com.
Questions? hanna.creekmore@bobsbmw.com