Once
again, Bob Henig will be hosting the Annual Bob's BMW Excellent
Brunch and Ride — leaving from the site of the Finger
Lakes Rally in Watkins Glen, NY, to the Belhurst Castle in Geneva
about 30 miles away. The ride happens Sunday, August 31st. Proceeds
from the sale of tickets benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation*.
We all know that these are tougher economic times, but the folks at
Belhurst Castle have graciously agreed to keep their costs the same
as in 2007, so for only $33 per person you can still go on a wonderful
ride and enjoy one of the best gourmet brunches you’ll find
anywhere. And the fun of doing it with around a hundred (our record
stands at 117) of your fellow good citizen BMW riders makes it all
the more of an unforgettable experience.
Tickets can be purchased in advance either online HERE
or in person at our store. You can also purchase them directly from
Bob at the Rally, no later than Saturday night. What? You don’t
know Bob? Look for posters around the rally with his picture on it.
Don’t worry, he’ll be easy to find.
Brunch Riders will gather at the Rally Registration area and leave
for the castle at 8:30 am sharp following a very brief Riders Review.
This is a rain or shine event. The group will arrive at the Belhurst
by 9:30. Our exclusive seating will begin immediately following a
quick group photo.
What to wear? Good question. Bob humbly suggests that wearing the
Ultimate
Bike Raffle ROAD CREW T-shirts to look your best might
get you preferential placement front and center in the photo—
one you’ll certainly want to share with all your friends at
home. These special limited edition T-shirts are available now at
Bob’s, and also during the Finger Lakes Rally at various times.
Look for the big Ultimate Bike Raffle banner in the vendor area. Cash,
check or credit cards OK. The cost? Just $100! Oh,
and each shirt happens to come with 3 raffle tickets, yes, three chances
to WIN a brand new BMW F800 (your choice of models) and a TON of other
great stuff too!
“2 Ride the World” Presentation
— Saturday, September 13
Simon
and Lisa Thomas are two motorcycle riders from England who
have found a way to combine their twin passions, motorcycling and
traveling, into one exciting adventure. Together they are exploring
the world on BMWs: an R1100GS and an F650GS. Since departing their
home in 2003, they have exceeded the 105,000 mile mark and surpassed
the current world's record for the longest continuous motorcycle ride
by a team. Simon and Lisa are now traveling through the US, and we
have a special opportunity to meet them and hear about their amazing
travels around the world.
We are hosting two showings of the presentation starting at 9am and
again at 12:30pm. Space is limited and RSVP’s are required.
Email events@bobsbmw.com and
indicate which show you would like to attend.
Twenty-Five years ago the first K bike, a K100RS,
rolled off the assembly line at the BMW motorcycle factory in Spandau,
Germany. Nicknamed “The Flying Brick” because of the shape
of its powerful and revolutionary engine, it stunned the world.
To celebrate this anniversary, we’re dedicating our Show ‘n’
Shine Day on September 20th to the honor of the mighty K, a bike that
for many of us, characterized the 80s. But no matter when your K model
was produced, we want you to bring it here for the party. With luck
we’ll have one of every year and model and we’ll line
‘em up for a parade. Yes, our own K Pride Parade!
Come join us: awards, food, surprises, and a lot of Kolorful K-bike
Karacters to Kick off the FUN. Don’t miss it!
Scott and Joann's Food Truck
–July 23, 2008
Bob’s BMW welcomes Scott and Joann to the select group of vendors
who provide our customers with delicious lunches (and sometimes breakfasts)
during special events and on many “regular” Saturdays
too. When you visit Bob’s on a Saturday, be sure to check out
their truck’ to pick from a wide selection of menu items, including
their burgers and sanwiches that is prepared right on site. Scott
and Joann caterers will be at Bob's July 26, August 9, August
16, August 27, September 13, and September 20 so far this
year more dates coming soon.
We’re very pleased with all the food vendors we’ve been
able to sponsor at Bob’s, and our customers are obviously enjoying
the good eats as well. Whether it’s Dave’s Barbeque, Carbeque,
The Blue Knights, or Scott and Joann, please step up and enjoy their
delicious offerings. Your patronage will assure that we can continue
having the pleasure of a good meal to accompany our motorcycling fun.
Tsunami Jim and his BMW K75S
–July
21, 2008
Every year in tiny Towson Community of Wiltondale a "big splash"
contest at their community pool. While relatively small in size, the
event holds a special place in the big splash community. It draws
talent from all over the region, young and old. For years the reigning
Heavy Weight Division Champion has been Bob's BMW customer, and 1993
BMW K75S rider, "Tsunami" Jim Suttner, known only as "Tsunami"
to those in the know. A mild mannered Architect by day, Tsunami vacated
his Heavy Weight Big Splash title last year, a title he'd held for
decades, and appeared to be in exile, rumored to never return to the
boards of the Wiltondale Pool.
This year at the annual 4th of July celebration and Big Splash Championship
there was a buzz in the air that Tsunami might return to reclaim his
rightful title,......but surely this could not be true. At about 2:34pm
EST the unmistakable hum of a BMW K75S could be heard rumbling through
the parking lot, into the basketball court and then circling the pool,
finally arriving at the base of the fabled boards. Resplendent in
his orange beach towel and sporting a graying mane that spoke of his
experience and artful manner on the boards Tsunami strode from his
mount and took his customary position on board number 1. It was a
trying day for Tsunami as a young buck going by the name Sean "Yukon"
Cornelius took Tsunami into double overtime. The judges huddled, and
the crown roared as Tsunami ultimately took what was rightfully his,
the Heavy Weight Division Big Splash Championship. As he left the
boards, for what is rumored to be the final time, Tsunami thanked
his adoring fans, donned his orange beach towel, mounted his German
stead, and rode off into the distance.
The Long Way to San Diego
–July 21, 2008 Scott
Huff bought his GT at Bob's and this is what he did with it and is
doing with it as we speak. Here are some photographs he emailed back
to us.
After 8 days on the road, I finally arrived at Rancho Bernardo on
Sunday. I tried to squeeze as much into my trip as possible, but I
needed 2 weeks to do everything I wanted. Day 1 & 2 were travel
days to get to western Iowa. The next 4 days were spent sight-seeing
in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The last 2 days were spent traveling
to Rancho Bernardo. The weather was mostly perfect – some rain,
some hail, some COLD temps and some HOT temps, but mostly mid-50s
at night and mid-70’s during the day. Here’s a quick summary.
I had to decrease the resolution, hence the quality, of the pix to
keep the size of the email down.
— July 16, 2008
There was almost an air of euphoria floating amidst the women motorcyclists
who attended Bob’s first official Women’s Day last Saturday.
The 40 or so women who visited throughout the day to enjoy their special
Show ‘n’ Shine event were obviously eager to make the
most of it.
Our
special guest Jessica Prokup of Discover Today’s
Motorcycling, a motorcycle industry trade group in California,
gave an inspiring seminar called “Celebrating Women Riders.”
She spoke of the great women in the history of motorcycling who
paved the way for female inclusion in a sport that had traditionally
been dominated solely by men. Along with a great slideshow that
featured images of women on two wheels then and now, Jessica also
shared new demographic statistics showing a very strong trend upward
in the numbers of women taking up motorcycling. This in turn has,
at last, compelled manufacturers to respond by increasing
the products and services targeted to women riders — definitely
good news for women who have felt left out of the picture for too
long. Jessica’s warm personality and vibrant style make her
a persuasive communicator and we look forward to having her back
for future events.
Meanwhile, over in our service department, intrepid marathon rider Nancy Oswald demonstrated techniques for fixing a flat using the Stop-n-Go Tire Plugger to a throng of interested riders. By showing the ease and effectiveness of this roadside repair system, Nancy empowered riders — women and men alike — to confidently handle mishaps and emergencies.
The women who came to participate in our Women’s Day event got to express their genuine enthusiasm for riding and meet new friends who shared their passion. Women riders, no longer a nominal subculture, are justifiably emboldened by their growing numbers and marketplace clout. The optimism we could feel in the place was contagious!
Track Day Recap
— July 16, 2008 Performance. Speed. Skill. Courage. Confidence. Adrenaline. These are all the things our lucky group of Bob’s Track Day riders came out to experience and savor at Summit Point Raceway with Roger Lyle’s Motorcycle X-citement event on July 3rd.
Why do I say lucky? Well, 1.) the day was bright
and sunny – and HOT – all the better to increase tire
traction; 2.) everyone had plenty of time to test their abilities
on the track, as well as enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow BMW
performance enthusiasts; 3.) there were no mishaps or spills among
our group; and 4.) at the end of the day all our riders went home
grinning and knowing that they were now able to ride at a higher
skill level than when they came.
This was our third Track Day, each better organized and better attended than the one before. We know we’ll have more. When will it be YOUR turn to boost your riding skill to the next level — and have an incredible amount of FUN in the process?
Long Way Down — on the BIG Screen!
Two men, Two continents, 15,000 miles in 85 days.
It’s MOVIE time! We are happy to announce that there will be ONE area cinematic showing of the new adventure documentary film Long Way Down starring Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, and a couple of very tough R1200GS Adventures! You’ve seen these two traverse the globe on two wheels before in Long Way Round. Now, in this exciting sequel, follow Ewan and Charley on the BIG screen as they travel through volatile political hotbeds, treacherous road conditions, and stunning natural wonders to find adventure in some of the world’s most remote places. Bob’s has arranged for this special showing at Snowden Square Cinema in Columbia, Thursday, July 31, at 7:30 PM.
Tickets are only $5.00! You can purchase your tickets online HERE, or by phone, or at Bob’s, of course. There are a limited number and it’s strictly first come first serve, so hurry and get your tickets now!
Axles of Evil Sport Bike Day — AWESOME!
Chris
“Teach” McNeil burned enough rubber doing his spectacular
stunt shows in our parking lot on Saturday to cause another Antarctic
ice shelf to collapse into the sea. Wow! But that wasn’t the
only cause of the recent spike in global warming. Our “Umbrella
Girl” Kandyce raised the temperature around here so high that
the National Weather Service issued a health advisory. What we’re
trying to say is… HOT! Then to top off our politically incorrect
annual festival of Sport Bike mania, the combined cacophony of screaming
high-performance exhausts during our “Sound Off” competition
was apparently loud enough to set off the red warning alarms at Homeland
Security. They scrambled the F16s at Andrews AFB. Dick Cheney was
rushed to his undisclosed location. Luckily, no one was hurt, although
some of our guys were later taken away for “questioning.”
We hope to hear from them soon. Their families are getting worried.
Yeah, if you weren’t here to be part of this wild and amazing
day at Bob’s, you MISSED OUT. Around two hundred Sport Bikes
of every “nationality” showed up for our raucous rumpus
throughout the day. (By the way, it was a mighty MV Agusta that topped
the decibel meter in the Sound Off event. Man, that bike was loud!
In a good way.)
The indescribably lovely Kandyce — at least 10 feet tall in
spike heels, most of it leg — wandered the parking lot offering
herself willingly to anyone — for PICTURES only! Considering
these photos could certainly end up as Exhibit A in any divorce court,
we were surprised at how MANY guys were so eager to be photographed!
Seriously, Kandyce was great; she really put the SPORT in our Sport
Bike Day. She’ll be back.
Big crowds gathered to cheer on Chris “Teach” McNeil.
His two shows were nothing less than incredible, jaw-dropping spectacles.
We had watched his videos before he got here but no way could they
have prepared us for the sheer energy and excitement this skilled
showman would deliver. Why do they call him “Teach?” Well,
because before launching (literally) his career as a stunt rider he
taught Latin at a private middle school! Talk about a hairpin turn!
Teach showed us some breath-taking feats, defying gravity, cheating
the laws of physics, making his poor F800S do things that no motorcycle
should have to endure. And he absolutely RUINED our parking lot! Those
black tire marks are NEVER gonna come off. Teach will be back too
for sure.
Dear Valued Customers,
If you believe that your BMW motorcycle has or is experiencing an
operational failure that may have been caused by the EWS (Electroniche
Wegfahrsperre) or what is also known as the Annular Immob Aerial or
the Electronic Imobilizer surrounding the ignition key please contact
the service team at Bob's BMW for assistance. BMW Motorrad will not
authorize us to share any additional information on our website at
this time. We will do everything possible to take care of you and
your BMW motorcycle in the most professional and expedient manner.
Preferred Customers will be given
priority in scheduling any work required.
Sincerely,
The Service Team @ Bob's BMW
Winner of the TOP CSI 2 years in a row.
BMW Signs Xaus For WSBK Ride!
–June 26, 2008
BMW Motorrad Motorsport are delighted to announce that they have agreed
terms with Ruben Xaus and that he will ride their all-new BMW S1000
RR in the Superbike World Championship in 2009. The contract between
BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Ruben is for two years and is the first
step in BMW Motorrad Motorsport's entry into World Superbikes.
Ruben was born in Sant Cugat des Valles in Catalunya, Spain and now
resides with his wife (Mariona) and daughter (Julia) in Andorra. He
has been a WSBK regular since 1998 and has taken 34 podiums, including
10 victories.
Peter Mueller (Executive Vice President Development & Model Lines):
Ever since we announced that we would enter the 2009 Superbike World
Championship, there has been a lot of speculation about and interest
in our bike and our riders. Everybody has already had some information
about our new S1000 RR bike, and today we can reveal one of the riders
who will join us in this great adventure next year.
Ruben is a strong and combative rider, full of enthusiasm and with
a passion for racing. This fits our philosophy completely and together
we will take on this new challenge. We know that the Superbike World
Championship is a very hard and competitive series, but we are not
entering it just to make up the numbers: we will be taking part because
we want to win! Of course, we are starting with a brand new bike but,
together with Ruben, we believe we can progress quickly and maybe
surprise a few people along the way.
Ruben Xaus: When I met the BMW guys, I was very impressed by their
commitment, their passion for racing and their ideas about the future.
We discussed how the WSBK project was going and I realised that I
wanted to be a part of it straightaway. It is not often that you get
the chance to start a completely new project, but I am really looking
forward to the challenge. Although it's going to be tough racing a
new bike, I believe BMW will give me a good bike and great support
and that's all I ask for.
THIS JUST IN! Race Results from the 2008 World Superbike Championship
Surprise wins today at Round 8 of the
2008 World Superbike Championship in Misano, San Marino.
German Max Neukirchner took first place in the first race on
his Suzuki, with the charging Ruben Xaus winning the second
race on his Ducati. Perhaps Xaus was re-focused after the announcement
this week that he will be racing for BMW on their brand new
S 1000 RR Superbike next year?
Pole position starter Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
looked set for his first win of the 2008 season on two occasions
at Misano but he had to settle for a second in race one and
a good points score of fifth in race two after running off track
and ultimately avoiding a crash. He also set a new lap record,
1'37.580, on lap two of race two, which he led for 10 laps.
In the opening 24-lap race Corser looked on for his first win
of the year in race until Max Neukirchner surprised the whole
paddock by turning a tenth place in qualifying into a race win.
Haga was struggling through the race and finished just behind
Shinichi Nakatomi (Team YZF Yamaha) who had two great races
in the points, ninth and then 15th. Race two was taken by Ruben
Xaus, from Max Biaggi.
Troy Corser (2nd and 5th - Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team): "Race
one was looking really good until Max Neukirchner appeared and
our whole weekend hasn't been bad in general. Our rear tire
moved about a bit more in the second race than the first, especially
under braking. We had made a couple of little changes to the
front suspension for the second one, but not enough to affect
the rear in any way. I ran on when the bike jumped out of gear
in the second and lost some time, and the chance of a second
podium."
Looking for your pot of gold?
Photo by: Bob Henig
America’s Next Top MODEL…
Michelle Deighton — at Bob’s!
— June 18,
2008 CAUTION! If you or any member of your
family might be offended by the sight of exposed female flesh in
close proximity to motorcycles, read no further. Turn away NOW!
Okay,
full disclosure: The girls in these pictures aren’t really
motorcyclists and this isn’t really about motorcycle apparel.
So, here we are, ready for our big moment in celebrity fashion,
but things have gotten off to rocky start. Michelle
Deighton, one of the hot stars on TV’s America’s
Next Top Model was scheduled to be here Monday evening
for a photo session. First, a horrendous storm came through that
drenched everything, including our hopes of shooting outdoors in
the warm light of a summer sunset. Then Michelle phoned from somewhere
on I-95 deep in Virginia saying that a late start combined with
being stuck in impenetrable traffic meant there was no way she’d
be here before nightfall. Things weren’t looking good.
The people from Biker
Beauties Magazine were already here ready to pose Michelle
on the “BobsChopster,” a crazy custom BMW we built last
winter in partnership with our friends at Dirty
Hands Choppers. Even though the bike had already attracted
quite a bit of attention in its own right, Sam Dixon, the publisher
of Biker Beauties, convinced Bob that a glossy magazine spread featuring
the Chopster and a well known, glamorous model would catapult us
right into the hearts and minds of those whose lifestyle revolves
around the Custom scene. This is a subculture that seldom mixes
with the BMW crowd. Do we really want to go there? Are we prepared
for what this might unleash? Does it help convey our usual message
of safe and sensible motorcycling? Or is it just for fun? Well,
you can decide.
Anyway, at this point we weren’t sure there would be any pictures.
But Sam quickly got on the phone to a local model he knew who could
get here on short notice just in case the weather broke. We had
been expecting a crowd on hand to watch Michelle pose for pictures
with the bike, and we were feeling nervous that we’d end up
turning folks away disappointed. Well, whether it was the big storm
that changed people’s minds, or celebrity angst, we may never
know … only one person showed up to watch the proceedings!
Luckily, he got to see some action. Sure enough, just before the
sun dipped too low to be of any value to us, the skies suddenly
cleared and we had gloriously bright low-angle sunlight to shoot
some pictures of the Chopster with model Erin.
Later on that evening Michelle Deighton finally arrived and plans
were made to do another shoot with her on Tuesday morning. And here
are a few pictures we took of the proceedings.
–
May 13, 2008
Have you seen it? The bright yellow truck with the big glass windows
and the BMW inside it? Keep a lookout for it because, from now until
at least the beginning of July, we’re out there wandering the
highways and byways in the Baltimore–DC–Northern Virginia
region hoping to draw some new eyeballs to the BMW Motorcycle brand
and Bob’s BMW in particular.
Advertising and promotion can be a funny thing. You know, we’re
all out there riding our bikes every day, thinking of ourselves as
sort of rolling ambassadors for the pleasures and benefits of BMW
motorcycling and yet, realistically, only a limited number of people
ever seem to take notice. Then, the minute you put that same bike
in an altogether different setting, something out of the ordinary
and unexpected such as the back of a big glass truck, all kinds of
people notice it and react as though they’ve never seen a BMW
motorcycle before in their lives! We can’t say we understand
why it works, but if this is what it takes to get some attention,
it’s what we have to do.
Here’s where YOU might get involved if you want to have a little
bit o’ fun. You can join in with some motorcycle-related social
activity in conjunction with the truck’s schedule. There are
two ongoing bike gathering events where the truck will be headed to
make a showing. Sure would be great if some other BMW riders joined
in as well.
They are:
1. Every Wednesday night, 7pm - 10pm - TGIFridays in Greenbelt
(Directions & more info here: http://tgifridays.know-where.com/tgifridays/cgi/site?01759
)
Lots – maybe HUNDREDS – of motorcyclists are meeting here
regularly on Wednesdays. What’s the scene? Well some of our
customers have been going and tell us it’s pretty amazing. Check
it out for yourself, schmooze with the tribe, have a beer and a burger,
then — c’mon, try to convince some rice-rocket racer in
baggy shorts and T-shirt or some 350 lb leather-vested Harley rider
that he’s not a REAL biker unless he’s wearing a hi-viz
GORE-TEX & Kevlar riding suit with full CE armor and logging at
least 15,000 trans-continental miles a year equipped with GPS, rhino-proof
aluminum panniers and 1000 watts of auxiliary lighting! No, just kidding.
It’s about having fun and meeting other riders… all kinds
of riders, and maybe you’ll be the person that that REAL biker
can talk to after he sees the bright yellow truck and wonders aloud
what it’s actually like to own a BMW.
2. Every Thursday night, 7pm – 9pm (or later) at Hooters
in Towson (Joppa Road)
(Directions & more info here: http://baltimore.metromix.com/restaurants/american/hooters-of-towson-towson-area/121634/content
OK, this particular venue might offer a broad mix of attractions for
some of you, but Biker Beauties Magazine is co-sponsoring and it,
too, has been drawing in lots of folks with a keen eye for, um, a
quick and easy ride. Seriously though, Biker Beauties is revamping
their image, expanding their scope to include metric bikes and sport
bikes as well as American Customs, and yes, even cutting back on the
scantily clad eye candy to make the magazine more palatable to mainstream
readers. So join in and have some fun — guilt free!
Do you know of any OTHER places or events where bikers (or
wannabe bikers) are gathering? If so, please TELL US about it.
We’d like to direct our show truck there to make a memorable
impression and help spread the good word about BMW Motorcycling. Your
helpful suggestions are always greatly appreciated. Just email us
HERE!
BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE
August
14-17, 2008
Bob's BMW announces the 19th "Running of
the DOGS." This legendary ride, billed as the "world's highest, toughest, meanest, dirtiest,
dual-sport adventure ride" is the brainchild of our friend, the notorious Dr. Gregory Frazier. It starts with an unofficial Warm-Up/Photo-Op Day August 14, in Aurora, CO. Official start is August 15th from Dillon,
Colorado. To see if you have the "ride stuff" to join this
elite fraternity, look at www.horizonsunlimited.com/bigdog/ then contact:
bigdogbmw@yahoo.com or call (303) 715-9292 for a possible Invitation.
Experienced riders only. Entries are limited. WOOF!
GS Day Recap
—
April 28, 2008
We had yet another gorgeous Saturday to celebrate our month of Unstoppable
Fun! How can we be so lucky? A happy tribe of GS riders showed up
to show and shine on April 19th, marking the occasion of our second
annual GS Day festivities.
Our featured guest, young trials rider Laura Paugh, started off the
day with an informative talk about her sport followed by an impressive
demonstration of some tricky off-road riding techniques. Many have
been tempted to try riding up the steep hillside in front of our store.
Laura was the first to actually do it!
After Laura’s show our service manager Chris Maloney, assisted
by technician Patrick Crosson, held a class on the fine art of Tire-Plugging.
Lots of folks enjoyed learning the tips that can make this important
save-the-day flat tire technique easier to do.
We
gave some awards, of course. Winning the prize for “Dirtiest”
was our regular Maryland customer Bruce Watkins and his well-loved
F650GS. For “Most Accessories,” we found a very nice R1150GS
Adventure festooned with almost every imaginable gadget that belonged
to Greg Petchel of Hazelton, PA. A guy who came all the way Houston,
Texas, to be here easily won our “Farthest from Home”
prize — congratulations Len Ridgely. And finally, the “Highest
Mileage” award went to Ed Thompson from New Jersey. Ed’s
bike, a 1981 R80GS shows 150,000 on the odometer. But the odometer
quit working several years and countless tens of thousands of miles
ago. Actual mileage is probably pushing 250,000. Ed’s bike has
the additional distinction of having been ridden in two punishing
Iron Butt contests. Ed was the WINNER of one of them in 1984! Congratulations
to all our winners, and many thanks to all the GS enthusiasts who
came out to make our day special!
Bob & Fred’s Excellent
Adventure
October
18-26, 2008
This October join Bob Henig and Fred Rau on a seven-day ride on
Route 66! Cruise through some of the most beautiful
scenery our nation has to offer. Ride up California’s famous
Ortega Highway for breakfast at the legendary Lookout Roadhouse.
Follow the “Pines to Palms Highway,” then Old Route
66 across the Mojave Desert to the Colorado River Valley. Continue
on Rte. 66 to the ghost town of Oatman, AZ, then over Sitgreaves
Pass to Kingman and lunch at the original Mr. D’z Fifties
Diner. You'll head up to Hoover Dam, then two nights in Las Vegas.
Ride the Valley of Fire, then the Extraterrestrial Highway to Area
51. Spend two nights in Beatty, Nevada, while you explore Death
Valley's Artists’ Palette, Dante’s View and Badwater,
the lowest, hottest spot on the continent. Next, it's down the Camel
Driver’s Trail from the old Borax mines to the Crowbar Cafe
for some rattlesnake chili, then to the Dumont Sand Dunes (highest
in the country) and across the Devil’s Playground to the famed
Panorama Highway. And there's MORE, too much more to list here.
Join us for an adventure you'll never forget!
Tour begins and ends near Los
Angeles Airport. Make flight arrangements into LAX on Saturday,
Oct. 18, and fly out on Sunday, Oct. 26, in the morning. Shuttle
service provided. Click HERE to see a video of the Excellent Trip!!
Dates of Trip: October 18 - 26, 2008 Where: Touring Southern California, Arizona
& Nevada Price: $3395 Couple* and $2795 Single (double
occupancy)*
*Price Includes:
7-Day Motorcycle Rental*
8 Nights Hotel Accommodations
Tour Guides & Maps
Video Slideshow of Your Tour
Beginning & Ending Banquets
Breakfast at The Lookout Roadhouse
Souvenir T-shirt
An Incredible Amount of Fun!
Motorcycle Choices:
BMW K1200LT • R1200RT or R1200GS • Honda Gold
Wing or Shadow Aero
Harley Electra Glide • Road Glide • Fat Boy •
Road King or Softail
**Tour operator cannot guarantee you will
get your first choice of bike, though there is a 90% probability
you will.
Taxes and insurance are paid, but renter must provide a $300
loss/damage waiver in the form of a credit card authorization.
Note:Entire route is paved, though parts are a bit old and
rough.
For details or to sign-up, please call Fred Rau (951-672-0239)
or email him at Fred@FredRau.com
—
March 28, 2008
For the second consecutive year Bob’s BMW has received BMW’s
Excellence Award for highest overall Customer Satisfaction
in sales and service nationwide. The plaque shown here was presented
to Bob at the annual dealer meeting held in San Diego early in March.
It’s now proudly displayed in our showroom. We’re not
boasting, but…pretty cool, huh?
But we’ve got to tell you about another recognition that stands
even higher: BMW Motorrad USA has also announced that a member of
our sales staff, Karl Wagner, has received the highest individual
Customer Satisfaction score among all 404 BMW sales persons in the
US! This is truly an impressive achievement and, of course, all of
us here at Bob’s are extremely proud of him.
When asked if he has a secret to winning such praise and loyalty from
his customers, Karl says, modestly, that his methods certainly aren’t
a secret, they’re not even revolutionary. “What I do,”
Karl explains, “is simply listen to my customers. I think the
key is that I try not to impose my values on them.”
Karl
knows that a lot of potential buyers walk into the showroom expecting
to have an adversarial relationship with the sales person —
an unfortunate problem that exists in our culture mainly because of
the shenanigans used by automotive hucksters for generations. But
when riders come to Bob’s and meet Karl they soon realize that
they’re being treated with genuine respect. Most are pleasantly
surprised. Some are in outright shock. By keeping an open mind to
their needs and desires, and at the same time tapping into his deep
knowledge of BMW bikes and accessories, Karl is able to help buyers
make the choices that best suit them. The result is a rider who clearly
appreciates the value in the purchase he or she has made. In short:
a very happy customer!
Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Karl has been riding motorcycles
for over thirty years. He has owned and ridden all kinds of bikes
representing several brands, though BMW street and sport-touring models
have been his favorites. Having that well-earned voice of experience
is certainly another reason why Karl’s customers feel so comfortable
with him.
Karl also loves going to track days at Summit Point to hone his riding
abilities. Those skills got put to the test when he went riding in
the Alps last year. Karl says, “Riding in the Alps is probably
the most exciting experience a motorcyclist can have, and once is
definitely not enough!” He’s already planning to go back
to the Alps this year too!
Please take a few moments to watch our first-ever
in-house VIDEO production. You’ll undoubtedly notice many similarities
to your favorite films such as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Lawrence
of Arabia, and Revenge of the Nerds.
Do you think Bob’s BMW can win an Oscar for best Screenplay?
… a Golden Globe for Best Actor? … a Grammy for best Sound
Track? Umm, probably not. But have a look and let us know what you
think.
Click HERE to see Bob's BMW - The Movie! The shocking truth behind
the success of one of the nation's Top Destination Dealerships!!
See you at Sundance!
Bobschopster Lives!
–February
7, 2008
Bob's BMW and Dirty Hands Choppers
met last year at the Mid Atlantic Motorcycle Show in Timonium. Dirty
Hands was looking for something new and Bob told them about a BMW
R1200C project bike that he had at the shop. Bob's technicians helped
with the final touches. To see the work in progress, go to Dirty
Hand Choppers.
The bike rolled off the lift a few days ago just in time for the Mid
Atlantic Motorcycle show 2008. Stop by and check the bike out for
yourself.
One HUGE GRAND PRIZE worth up to $19,000(1)
includes ALL of this:
• Winner's choice of a new BMW
F800ST, F800S or F800GS w/ABS(2)
• $1500 worth of Riding & Casual Apparel from Our
Top Suppliers
• $1500 in Bike Accessories from Our Top Suppliers(3)
• A two-day on-the-road Riding School from The Rider's
Workshop(4)
• Transportation(5),
Hotels and Meals for 4 Full Days
• Fuel for first 600 miles, Break-in Service, plus personal
Tech Time
And… ADDITIONAL GREAT PRIZES TO BE AWARDED
are WORTH a total of OVER $2500:
Including Assorted Riding Gear and Motorcycle Accessories
from our Top Suppliers!
(Specifics TBA. Watch this page for more details!)
Proceeds from Bob’s
Ultimate Bike Raffle benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,
sponsors of the THANKS for
your important contribution!
Bob's Personal
Message about the PBTF and Ride for Kids:
I've
been involved with the Pediatric Brian Tumor Foundation
(PBTF) and the great people who run it along with attending
the Ride for Kids events, working with the many other
volunteers, talking with and giving sidecar rides to
the kids and their families for over a dozen years now.
In that time we've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
through Bob's BMW as a result of our terrific customers
helping us and having FUN in the process. Our best year
ever was over $70,000 and yes I hope that Bob's BMW
and its customers will one day (this year?) reach $100,000
in our collective efforts.
The ride is just around the corner, on September 23rd
and while we've raised a good amount so far this year,
we still have a ways to go. My hope is to have you there
turning in all the money you got from your friends and
co-workers but I know that's not always possible. It's
why I'm asking you to make a donation right here, on
the Bob's website; we've made the process very easy.
Please take a few minutes and make an online donation
and help us reach our goal. You are of course welcome
and encouraged to stop by the dealership and hand me
or any of the staff a check; just make it payable to
the Ride for Kids or the PBTF.
No amount is ever turned away and it all adds up at
the end; even all those coins and small bills our customers
regularly drop in the jar at the dealerships coffee
station. Your donations will help find a cure!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally
secure and every donation is tax deductible; the PBTF
and Ride for Kids is a fully chartered 501c3 non-profit
foundation. Many thanks in advance for your support
-- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you
think might want to donate too! The final results will
be posted on the website following the Ride for Kids
event here in the Baltimore-Washington area.
Sincerely, Bob Henig
Bob@Bob's BMW
That's right! Raffle
Tickets are only $40 each, or buy 3 for $100
and get a FREE Road Crew T-Shirt. Buy your tickets right NOW
at Bob’s,
or by phone: 301-497-8949 or go to The
Ultimate Bike Raffle!
Our Partners for this Incredible Fundraiser are:
Olympia Motorsports, First Gear, Revit!, BMW Riders Apparel,
Scorpion Helmets, PIAA, Remus Exhaust,
Marsee Designs, Arai, Clearview, Z-Technik, The Rider's Workshop,
Marriott Courtyard Ft. Meade,
Iron Bridge Restaurant, Cafe de Paris, Aida Bistro, Edelweiss/Tri-Community,
and Haul Bikes
* Shirts may be delivered at time of purchase or mailed
** Actual delivery date to be established with Grand Prize
Winner following selection of bike, color, accessories,
apparel and dates available for travel and delivery that takes
place at Bob's BMW in Jessup, Maryland.
Choose
the Basic Rider course
if you've never ridden a motorcycle, have limited riding experience,
haven't ridden in a long time, or you want the course that provides
the most information about safety and road skills. Be sure to read
the course
description for vital requirements and the Required
Safety Gear policy.
Choose the Alternate
Basic Rider courseif you need a license
and are an accomplished rider with recent riding experience. At minimum,
you must be able to use the clutch and throttle to get the motorcycle
in motion; stop the motorcycle properly on a designated spot, execute
gradual and tight turns, shift up and down smoothly, and achieve at
least 25 mph speed safely and skillfully. Don't choose this class
if you want to learn the maximum about safety and road skills—that
information is covered more extensively in the Basic Rider course.
If you have any doubt at all about your abilities and whether you
should take the Basic Rider or Alternate Basic course, take the Basic,
just to be safe. Be sure to read the course
description for vital requirements and the Required
Safety Gear policy.
Choose the Experienced
Rider courseif you are an accomplished rider who already has a Class "M"
license, and want to improve your skills by practicing under the watchful
eye of an experienced instructor. This class will help you solidify
good riding technique and eliminate bad habits. Be sure to read the
course
description for vital requirements and the Required
Safety Gear policy.
The
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic (TCARC)
is an advanced class and not for beginners. You must already have
your motorcycle license and a minimum of one year of street riding
experience. For students with less than two years of experience, it
is advised (though not required) that they have completed an MSF Experienced
Riders Course (ERC). If you’ve taken ERC this class is the next
step. Even if you haven’t taken the ERC but feel that your riding
skills have progressed as far as you can take them on your own, the
Advanced Riding Clinic will help you achieve the next level of riding.
If you are a racer or have participated in a “track day”
event the TCARC will improve confidence on the racetrack as well as
reduce your lap times.
Bob took the class last summer and he thought
that"The class really was great.
I came away with some good feedback as well as some refined
techniques that I'll polish further on my own".
Bob’s BMW recommends Howard Community College for MSF Basic
and Experienced Rider Training and the Total Control Advanced Rider
Course. Go to: www.howardcc.edu/motorcycle
Location
BALTIMORE RIDE FOR KIDS® RAISES
$200,163.00 FOR PBTF
–September
23, 2007
More than 600 motorcyclists and supporters at the Baltimore/Washington
Ride for Kids® event raised more than $200,000 for the PBTF
on Sept. 23.
It was a clear, sunny day as the police-escorted ride left The Mall
in Columbia, Md., traveling through the scenic horse country of
western Howard County.
The best part of the day, however, came at the end point, as 10
local brain tumor patients took the stage for the Celebration of
Life program. From 3-year-old Paige to Katelyn, 19, these "stars"
gave the motorcyclists an emotional connection to the day's cause.
Dr.
Greg Riggins, director of neurosurgery research at Johns Hopkins,
thanked the riders for their hard work. "Better treatment means
fewer side effects," he said. "Because of the PBTF and
you this is possible." Riggins was joined on stage by Dr. Roger
Packer, head of the brain tumor program at Children's Hospital of
Washington, D.C.
The event raised a total of $200,163. The individual who raised
the most was Bob Henig of Jessup, Md., who brought $22,741. The
Manassas Honda Riders raised $14,568 to be named the top fundraising
club. The top motorcycle business was Bob’s BMW of Jessup,
whose customers raised $47,318. Lisa Frushour of Myersville, Md.,
won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.
Special thanks went to the local task force leaders, Kevin Merrill,
Taryn Wilson-Wheatley, Joe Pruss and Marcy Rich, visitation leader
Julie Geery, and the dedicated task force volunteers.
About
the PBTF Ride for Kids®
Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and PBTF have
promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support
through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters,
online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America's
motorcyclists and motorcycle dealers, PBTF has become the world's
largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor
research.
To see more photographs from Sunday's event, click here.
And the winners are....
John O'Grady of Virginia Beach, VA won the complete BMW Riding Apparel
(ComfortShell jacket and pants, Allround glove, and Allround boots).
John stopped by during our annual Oktoberfest to pick up his new
riding gear. Congratulations and thanks for your support!
Diane Garrett of Highland, MD won the BMW Club Jacket
Terry & Joyce Barnes of Triangle, VA won a pair of BMW Street
Sneakers
Congrats to all, especially for the fundraising they helped
Bob's BMW accomplish for 2007!
Attention
all you Far-Flung Fashionista! Send us a photo of yourself wearing
a Bob’s T-shirt or Bob’s Road Crew hat from some interesting
spot anywhere on the planet and we’ll post it proudly here.
It’ll be like you’re (almost) FAMOUS! Hey, you there at
the Grand Canyon… Devil’s Tower… the Arctic Circle…
Rome… Rio… Beijing… or even beautiful downtown Baghdad,
pull on a Bob’s shirt or hat (c’mon, we KNOW you’ve
got one) and click the shutter.
Photo Tips:
GOOD photos are especially appreciated (because more people will want
to look at them!). Fuzzy, low-res shots from your cell phone might
not be of high enough quality to get on the site. Composing your shot
with signs or landmarks in the background showing us your location
is a good idea. And of course, posing in a way that the shirt or hat
is close enough to be recognizable in the photo is a bonus—not
to mention we’ll get to see YOU better too. Please include just
a few details about when and where the picture was taken; 5000 word
travelogues are not necessary. We want to see your Bob’s “fashions,”
but more importantly, we want to see happy faces in interesting places.
–January
10, 2006 Whenever you visit our store, be sure to drop by our coffee nook.
Grab a FREE cup of fresh brewed coffee (tea and hot cocoa also available)
and take a moment to look around you. The walls where you’re
standing are covered with the latest info that concerns all us Real
Riders. Learn about scheduled rides and upcoming events. Read interesting
travelogues, letters from customers, relevant news clips, safety bulletins,
and much more. We believe that to be informed is to be connected.
So get connected at Bob’s!
Our Calendar - Things to Do in 2008 Our Community Calendar has all of the information and links to
the "must-attend" BMW and Motorcycling events in the nation as well as in
our own back yard. Turn here to keep up-to-date on the events that are being
held right here at Bob's like our annual Open House and Holiday Cheer celebrations.
Once
again, Bob Henig will be hosting the Annual Bob's BMW Excellent
Brunch and Ride — leaving from the site of the Finger
Lakes Rally in Watkins Glen, NY, to the Belhurst Castle in Geneva
about 30 miles away. The ride happens Sunday, August 31st. Proceeds
from the sale of tickets benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation*.
Brunch Riders will gather at the Rally Registration area and leave
for the castle at 8:30 am sharp following a very brief Riders Review.
This is a rain or shine event. The group will arrive at the Belhurst
by 9:30. Our exclusive seating will begin immediately following a
quick group photo. 
Simon
and Lisa Thomas are two motorcycle riders from England who
have found a way to combine their twin passions, motorcycling and
traveling, into one exciting adventure. Together they are exploring
the world on BMWs: an R1100GS and an F650GS. Since departing their
home in 2003, they have exceeded the 105,000 mile mark and surpassed
the current world's record for the longest continuous motorcycle ride
by a team. Simon and Lisa are now traveling through the US, and we
have a special opportunity to meet them and hear about their amazing
travels around the world.
–July
21, 2008
Pool.
This year at the annual 4th of July celebration and Big Splash Championship
there was a buzz in the air that Tsunami might return to reclaim his
rightful title,......but surely this could not be true. At about 2:34pm
EST the unmistakable hum of a BMW K75S could be heard rumbling through
the parking lot, into the basketball court and then circling the pool,
finally arriving at the base of the fabled boards. Resplendent in
his orange beach towel and sporting a graying mane that spoke of his
experience and artful manner on the boards Tsunami strode from his
mount and took his customary position on board number 1. It was a
trying day for Tsunami as a young buck going by the name Sean "Yukon"
Cornelius took Tsunami into double overtime. The judges huddled, and
the crown roared as Tsunami ultimately took what was rightfully his,
the Heavy Weight Division Big Splash Championship. As he left the
boards, for what is rumored to be the final time, Tsunami thanked
his adoring fans, donned his orange beach towel, mounted his German
stead, and rode off into the distance. 
Our
special guest Jessica Prokup of Discover Today’s
Motorcycling, a motorcycle industry trade group in California,
gave an inspiring seminar called “Celebrating Women Riders.”
She spoke of the great women in the history of motorcycling who
paved the way for female inclusion in a sport that had traditionally
been dominated solely by men. Along with a great slideshow that
featured images of women on two wheels then and now, Jessica also
shared new demographic statistics showing a very strong trend upward
in the numbers of women taking up motorcycling. This in turn has,
at last, compelled manufacturers to respond by increasing
the products and services targeted to women riders — definitely
good news for women who have felt left out of the picture for too
long. Jessica’s warm personality and vibrant style make her
a persuasive communicator and we look forward to having her back
for future events.
Stop-n-Go Tire Plugger to a throng of interested riders. By showing the ease and effectiveness of this roadside repair system, Nancy empowered riders — women and men alike — to confidently handle mishaps and emergencies.
It’s MOVIE time! We are happy to announce that there will be ONE area cinematic showing of the new adventure documentary film Long Way Down starring Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman, and a couple of very tough R1200GS Adventures! You’ve seen these two traverse the globe on two wheels before in Long Way Round. Now, in this exciting sequel, follow Ewan and Charley on the BIG screen as they travel through volatile political hotbeds, treacherous road conditions, and stunning natural wonders to find adventure in some of the world’s most remote places. Bob’s has arranged for this special showing at Snowden Square Cinema in Columbia, Thursday, July 31, at 7:30 PM.
Chris
“Teach” McNeil burned enough rubber doing his spectacular
stunt shows in our parking lot on Saturday to cause another Antarctic
ice shelf to collapse into the sea. Wow! But that wasn’t the
only cause of the recent spike in global warming. Our “Umbrella
Girl” Kandyce raised the temperature around here so high that
the National Weather Service issued a health advisory. What we’re
trying to say is… HOT! Then to top off our politically incorrect
annual festival of Sport Bike mania, the combined cacophony of screaming
high-performance exhausts during our “Sound Off” competition
was apparently loud enough to set off the red warning alarms at Homeland
Security. They scrambled the F16s at Andrews AFB. Dick Cheney was
rushed to his undisclosed location. Luckily, no one was hurt, although
some of our guys were later taken away for “questioning.”
We hope to hear from them soon. Their families are getting worried.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport are delighted to announce that they have agreed
terms with Ruben Xaus and that he will ride their all-new BMW S1000
RR in the Superbike World Championship in 2009. The contract between
BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Ruben is for two years and is the first
step in BMW Motorrad Motorsport's entry into World Superbikes. 
–
May 13, 2008
August
14-17, 2008 
—
April 28, 2008
We
gave some awards, of course. Winning the prize for “Dirtiest”
was our regular Maryland customer Bruce Watkins and his well-loved
F650GS. For “Most Accessories,” we found a very nice R1150GS
Adventure festooned with almost every imaginable gadget that belonged
to Greg Petchel of Hazelton, PA. A guy who came all the way Houston,
Texas, to be here easily won our “Farthest from Home”
prize — congratulations Len Ridgely. And finally, the “Highest
Mileage” award went to Ed Thompson from New Jersey. Ed’s
bike, a 1981 R80GS shows 150,000 on the odometer. But the odometer
quit working several years and countless tens of thousands of miles
ago. Actual mileage is probably pushing 250,000. Ed’s bike has
the additional distinction of having been ridden in two punishing
Iron Butt contests. Ed was the WINNER of one of them in 1984! Congratulations
to all our winners, and many thanks to all the GS enthusiasts who
came out to make our day special!
—
March 28, 2008
Karl
knows that a lot of potential buyers walk into the showroom expecting
to have an adversarial relationship with the sales person —
an unfortunate problem that exists in our culture mainly because of
the shenanigans used by automotive hucksters for generations. But
when riders come to Bob’s and meet Karl they soon realize that
they’re being treated with genuine respect. Most are pleasantly
surprised. Some are in outright shock. By keeping an open mind to
their needs and desires, and at the same time tapping into his deep
knowledge of BMW bikes and accessories, Karl is able to help buyers
make the choices that best suit them. The result is a rider who clearly
appreciates the value in the purchase he or she has made. In short:
a very happy customer!
I've
been involved with the Pediatric Brian Tumor Foundation
(PBTF) and the great people who run it along with attending
the Ride for Kids events, working with the many other
volunteers, talking with and giving sidecar rides to
the kids and their families for over a dozen years now.
In that time we've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
through Bob's BMW as a result of our terrific customers
helping us and having FUN in the process. Our best year
ever was over $70,000 and yes I hope that Bob's BMW
and its customers will one day (this year?) reach $100,000
in our collective efforts. 
Choose
the 
The
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic (TCARC)
is an advanced class and not for beginners. You must already have
your motorcycle license and a minimum of one year of street riding
experience. For students with less than two years of experience, it
is advised (though not required) that they have completed an MSF Experienced
Riders Course (ERC). If you’ve taken ERC this class is the next
step. Even if you haven’t taken the ERC but feel that your riding
skills have progressed as far as you can take them on your own, the
Advanced Riding Clinic will help you achieve the next level of riding.
If you are a racer or have participated in a “track day”
event the TCARC will improve confidence on the racetrack as well as
reduce your lap times.
Dr.
Greg Riggins, director of neurosurgery research at Johns Hopkins,
thanked the riders for their hard work. "Better treatment means
fewer side effects," he said. "Because of the PBTF and
you this is possible." Riggins was joined on stage by Dr. Roger
Packer, head of the brain tumor program at Children's Hospital of
Washington, D.C.
About
the PBTF Ride for Kids®
