April 29th, 2008 James
Bakersfield, CA police officers are now patrolling the bikeway along the Kern River with greater ease and safety, thanks to two new BMW G 650 Xchallenge motorcycles recently delivered to the department by Valley Cycle and Motorsports in Bakersfield.
According to Frank Stevens, Authority Program Manager for BMW Motorrad USA, the Bakersfield Police Department is the first law enforcement agency to purchase the G 650 Xchallenge for patrol purposes.
“We have sold the F 650 GS-P — also an agile, multi-terrain motor — to law enforcement agencies for many years,” commented Mr. Stevens, “but the G 650 Xchallenge offers greater off-road capabilities with longer suspension travel and higher ground clearance for more aggressive off-road riding.”
“Officers will be patrolling the entire Kern River bottom on motorcycles equipped with patrol lights, anti-lock brakes and radios,” said Bill Abshier, owner and general manager of Valley Cycle and Motorcycles. “We hope to be successful adding R 1200 RT-P models to the Bakersfield Police Department’s street bike fleet in the near future.”
The BMW G 650 Xchallenge - a runner-up in the “Best Dirtbike” category for Motorcyclist magazine’s 2007 Motorcycle of the Year Award – is BMW’s most modern and aggressive dual sport bike, distinguished by its outstanding off-road riding performance and its air damping system.
BMW police motorcycles are currently used by more than 400 agencies throughout the United States, including the State of Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Idaho to name a few.
Posted in BMW News | 2 Comments »
April 24th, 2008 kevin
On June 15 we’re going on a dual-sport ride! Everyone knows it’s what all dads want. Caution! Kevin’s leading this one… You have been warned. Here are some details…
The meeting place will be the QT in Eureka on the corner of 4th Street and W. Exit 264 off of I-44 @ 8:AM We’ll head westward @ 8:30ish.
For folks coming from the North we will also stop at the gas station at the corner of YY & A. That’s between Washington and Union. Then the gravel riding begins.
Our lunch destination is in Fredricksburg. Bring a couple dollars for the ferry because after lunch we’re going to cross it as we make our way home via more gravel.
FYI The loop from Eureka back to 6 Flags will be around 190 miles. This won’t be a difficult ride as there won’t be any creek crossings (sorry) but a fun one just the same.
If anyone wants to lead a street ride with the same destination I have a really fun street route I’ll share with you. If interested, let me know.
PS
Remember. We will be organizing a shop ride every third Sunday of each month. Check here for updates. Meet up for each ride at 8:00. The adventures begin at 8:30ish.
Success! It was a great day of riding!
Posted in Rides & Events | 6 Comments »
April 18th, 2008 James
The photos of the S 1000 RR were released during a speech by Hendrik von Kuenheim, who has just become the General Director of BMW Motorrad after having served as the President of BMW Spain.
Mr. von Kuenheim officially confirmed the rumors: BMW will race in World Superbike. Here’s an excerpt from his speech:
“As you may expect of BMW Motorrad, the design of our BMW Supersports will be absolutely unique and very different. While it will of course reflect the usual design language in the segment, it will at the same time offer a strong and powerful message from the BMW brand.
Now let me briefly give you the status of our entry into the Superbike World Championship: Today I can confirm that our preparations are proceeding according to plan in every respect: In compliance with the rules of the Series, the new motorcycle will be available to customers in 2009 and we will build 1,000 production models by the end of next year.
We are implementing our racing activities in close cooperation with our partner Alpha-Racing, a specialist very experienced in motorsport. Located near Munich, Alpha-Racing have already started work in a special production hall specifically for this purpose.
The process of building up the team is proceeding at full swing and we have already filled the key positions. The team is a combination of specialists from BMW and members of the Alpha-Technik racing crew, as well as further specialists from professional Superbike racing.
Choosing the development and test riders for our racing machine, we are currently operating in a revolving system to gain as much experience as possible. The selection of test riders ranges from experienced riders still active today all the way to young “top guns”.
In the upcoming weeks and months we will systematically start production of the racing machine in its individual power and performance stages, testing the new model as we go along.”
“We naturally realize that the established teams have many years of experience. But we wish to take up this challenge in particular and have put together a highly motivated team precisely for this purpose, a team which will prove the performance of our new motorcycle in professional racing.
Naturally, we will have to go through a certain process of learning – which is precisely why we have set ourselves realistic targets for the time being: In our first year in the Superbike World Championship we seek to bring home several places in the Top 10 and to consistently close the gap to the top teams.
In year 2 we plan to catch up with the top teams and to win our first places on the podium. And our medium-term objective, obviously, is to win the World Championship!”
“You have been speculating a lot on the designation of our new model. So let us put an end to this speculation today. BMW Motorrad’s first Supersports will be the “S 1000 RR”.
In choosing the name and designation of BMW’s new Supersports, we’re consistently following our nomenclature at BMW Motorrad. In this name, the “S“ stands for Supersports, marking a new class of motorcycles from BMW. The “1000” designates the size of the engine, and the “RR” naturally stands for the model itself.”
“Dear Motorcycle Friends, many motorcycle magazines have published photos of a racing prototype which we have tested on several racing tracks. Today we would like to show you this racing prototype, offering you an initial impression of the package and the technology. But when you see the motorcycle in a minute, please note that neither the design nor the impression of quality are the same as on the production model following at a later point.”
This thing is going to be fast.
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April 16th, 2008 James
The Springfield BMW RoadRiders (Road Riders) are preparing for their 36th Annual Missouri State BMW Motorcycle Rally to be held at Crane City Park in Crane, Missouri. The event will take place rain or shine June 20-22, 2008.
Springfield, MO (PRWEB) April 16, 2008 — 36th annual Missouri State BMW Rally brought to you by the Springfield BMW RoadRiders. The Springfield BMW Road Riders Motorcycle Club is bringing you a magnificent event again this year so be prepared for a fun-filled weekend of food, games, camping, motorcycle rides, motorcycle judging and most importantly the camaraderie with fellow BMW enthusiasts. http://www.motomo.org
The Springfield BMW RoadRiders are a member of the BMW MOA. Their charter began October 1, 1971 and they are chartered member #8. The Springfield BMW RoadRiders have sponsored the Missouri State BMW Rally for 36 years and are dedicated to promoting safe motorcycling and encouraging riders to enjoy the sport no matter what type of motorcycle one rides.
The Springfield BMW RoadRiders sponsor many charities and local events. Among them is the MOA Foundation whose goal is to provide rider training and support for motorcycle safety and awareness programs. http://www.bmwmoafoundation.org In addition, the Springfield BMW RoadRiders sponsors new riders who wish to take the Riders Course. http://www.msf-usa.org This is done through scholarships being awarded towards the cost of the course which is offered locally. http://www.otc.edu/continuinged/MotorcycleSafety.php
“The Missouri State BMW Rally held in Crane, MO is perhaps one of the best kept secrets in rallies,” states Mark Rundel, Vice President of Springfield BMW RoadRiders.
Located in the city park in Crane Missouri, on State Hwy 413, just 30 miles southwest of Springfield or 35 miles northwest of Branson, MO. Beautiful shaded, creek-side camping, Ham and Beans with Cornbread on Friday night, BBQ dinner on Saturday with endless coffee and drinks. Self-guided tours and a Saturday group ride on beautiful Ozark Mountain roads. There will be Bingo and other events for those who want to enjoy the park.
All for only $25 pre-registered, $30 on site. Free Rally T-shirt to the first 75. Send registration to Randy Hone, P.O. Box 125, Turners, MO 65765. Phone 417-831-2900
“The Missouri State BMW Rally has a long tradition of repeat attendees due to the shaded park setting and being located in the midst of the Ozark Mountains, which offers so many wonderful, winding, two-lane roads”, states Randy Hone, President of Springfield BMW RoadRiders.
The Springfield BMW RoadRiders have launched two new blogs to provide appropriate information to the seekers of rally fun this summer. The first blog is dedicated to the Missouri State BMW Rally, http://www.missouristatebmwrally.com and the second is specific to the activities of the Springfield BMW RoadRiders and their members. http://www.springfieldbmwroadriders.com
You can also view some photos from our recent rides and events at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/motomo
Please join us for the 36th Annual Missouri State BMW Rally!
Contact:
Randy Hone, Club President
Springfield BMW RoadRiders
417-831-2900
http://www.motomo.org
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April 3rd, 2008 James
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 2, 2008…Motorcycle enthusiasts who appreciate the very latest in performance and technology can now find it on the new BMW HP2 Megamoto, now available at BMW Motorrad retailers. The ABS system is available as a factory-installed option through U.S. BMW Motorrad retailers at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,000.00; and, like the HP2 Sport, the system can be completely turned off. The street version of the mighty HP2 Enduro, the Megamoto is armed with tons of power in the form of a 113 hp Boxer motor that spits out 85 lb/ft of torque. Every extra detail has been stripped away to create a supermoto machine offering thrilling, out-of-this-world excitement in every gear. With a dry weight of just 393 lbs, low center of gravity, inverted Marzocchi forks, Ohlins rear shock, and plenty of wheel travel in both front and rear suspensions, the HP2 Megamoto delivers sharp, supremely responsive handling. An Akrpovic exhaust adds efficiency, while Brembo brakes assure maximum stopping power. Motorcycle enthusiasts also appreciate that a tachometer and a new headlight, as well as the significantly lower seat, give the Megamoto an even higher standard of everyday riding qualities. The BMW HP2 Megamoto has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $20,520 (excluding destination charge).
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