BMWRA #207 BMWMOA# 235 www.gsbmwr.org The Newsletter of the Granite State BMW Riders An independent club based in New Hampshire for people who are interested in BMW motorcycles. You don t have to own a BMW or be a resident of New Hampshire to join us, but expect to be surrounded by people who own and enjoy BMW motorcycles! Loose collars are not always a good thing It is time to get ready for Spring! March 2019
Granite Beemer First, if I ever run into that little rodent from Punxsutawney who said we re getting an early spring, well, it s going to get personal. Having said that, in Southwestern New Hampshire, there s still quite a good amount of thick, white cover on the snowmobile trails and the clubs are grooming at night. I haven t seen that here in my neck of the woods in a number of years. So, just need to power up the sled to get that two cylinder noise in my ears that I ve been missing with the bikes snoozing in the garage. We ve had some new members join club in the past two months. So, I d like to welcome Jim and Nancy Goss from Moultonboro, NH, Duncan Cooper from Vineyard Haven, MA and Dave and Kelly Marsh from Manchester, NH. Looking forward to meeting you folks! Time to kick back, sip that warm cup of tea and watch the Red Sox in warm, sunny Florida. Jealous! Happy Motorrading! Vince
Granite Beemer Tales From the Roadside The club s board of officers and directors will be meeting soon to confirm the schedule of monthly events and rally details. Watch this newsletter next month for updates! March in New Hampshire is an awkward time for motorcycling a good time for working on projects or ordering new gear, but often a relatively quiet time in the motorcycle news front. There was the international motorcycle show in Chicago last month, and in another week it will be Daytona Bike Week (March 8-15). Many manufacturers rolled out their shiny 2019 models for the public to view in Chicago and, they hope, reach for their wallets. There certainly are some interesting new models and model upgrades happening from BMW and others this season. BMW s F850GS and F750GS models may look familiar, but there are many new features, and an actually new engine (still a parallel twin, but with new counterbalancers, crank, and 270 degree firing interval). The R1250 platforms get shift cam variable valve timing, among other new innovations. With Honda, Yamaha, Triumph, Ducati, KTM, Suzuki all upping the ante in the ADV bike segment, and in the touring bike and sport segments, 2019 is not the time to be caught resting on your rondels. The much-anticipated Moto Guzzi V850TT is slated for release in June, and I think that will also stir the ADV pot some more. The Royal Enfield Himalayan made a sizable splash last year, and rumors are it will receive ABS and more factory luggage and paint options for 2019 for the economical ADV market.. Now that Triumph is releasing a rather capable 1200cc scrambler for 2019, along with the Ducati model updates, BMW s R9Tscrambler and Urban GS models will also be seeing more competition in 2019. According to the latest Motorcycle Industry Council poll, female riders now make up about 20% of the total number of motorcycle owners, which is about double the percentage that it was 10 years ago. Industry experts anticipate female owners will reach 25% of the motorcycle riding population in the very near future, and some manufacturers are definitely anticipating the shift in ridership with more adjustable controls, ergonomics, and more attention to lighter and mid-sized models. These are all good things, as the rate of market growth has been declining for years. The greater variety of models, options, and adjustments on bikes is a boon for everyone!
Don t forget that the BMW MOA 2019 Rally is a month earlier this year (June 13-15) in Lebanon, Tennessee! Registration for BMW MOA members is now $65/person, $85/person for non-members. http://rally.bmwmoa.org/ Pssssst! Over here! Want to buy a fully restored BMW R60/2 for $25? Well, you can t buy it, but you just might WIN it if you buy a raffle ticket to support the BMW MOA Foundation in their Completely Vintage Bike Raffle. Tickets are available online until the end of March drawing is in April! https://www.bmwmoa.org/news/432388/the-completely-vintage-r602.htm
Watch for this newsletter next month when I start my annual list of motorcycle rallies around the area that might be of interest to you! Remember, this newsletter is for the GSBMWR club members, and anyone is welcome to submit content to be included in upcoming issues. Just contact the editor at: mafugere@tds.net.
Granite Beemer Notes From Cyberspace News about BMW Motorrad at Daytona Bike Week, as well as a new video on that custom 1800cc boxer twin It sounds kinda like a big V-twin cruiser. https://www.cyclenews.com/2019/03/article/bmw-motorrad-usa-bringing-its-newadventure-models-to-daytona-bike-week/ A new BMW R1250GS or F850GS? These guys help you out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hho6ky_yw3c While cruising the interweb for cool BMW pics, I noticed this custom bike which is actually for sale at MAX BMW. Looks beautifully done, and reminds me of the red-framed Moto Guzzi V7s of the past: Jim Pidgeon GSBMWR #38 Mechanical Repair Located in Manchester, NH Servicing: Motorcycles Light Automotive And ATV s They still just have the teaser banner on the website, but rumor has it this is going to be one really great electric motorcycle: http://lightningmotorcycle.com/ If you have information that you would like to share with the group, please contact the editor at : mafugere@tds.net Your Tires Mounted and Balanced! Interstate Batteries Call 668-5093 or e-mail housemanpidgeon@ comcast.net
GSBMWR Membership Form Membership runs from 6/1 to 5/31. If you join after January 1 st, membership does not expire until the following year. Date: New Member Renewal GSBMWR No. Information/Address change: Yes No I want to join/renew for 1 year ($20.00) or 3 years ($55.00) Associate member for 1 year ($10.00) or 3 years ($30.00) Member s Name: Associate s Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: E-mail: BMWRA # BMWMOA # AMA# Other Clubs: Year/Model Bike(s): Do you want to be in the club directory? Yes No Mail completed form and check payable to GSBMWR to: GSBMWR PO Box 169 Winchester, NH 03470 For office use only: Amount Rec d: Entered in DB Card/decal sent GSBMWR, Directors and Board President: Vince Chase gsbmwr@outlook.com Vice President: Jim Herrick jherrick@maytechnology.com Treasurer: Chris Benda cjb@myfairpoint.net Secretary: Vince Chase gsbmwr@outlook.com Directors: Louise Bendix: rapunzelbmw@yahoo.com Chuck Otto: gcharlesotto@gmail.com Harry Pendexter: harryp@roadrunner.com Newsletter Editor: Mike Fugere 56 Pond View Dr Barnstead, NH 03218 mafugere@tds.net Web Master: Louise Bendix rapunzelbmw@yahoo.com
Granite Beemer C/O M. Fugere 56 Pond View Dr. Barnstead, NH 03218 First Class