Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

Getting Reacquainted With My GS
By Eric Bertram, from the May 2009 Newsletter

     I recently started using my R1150GS Adventure for daily transportation, ironically something I was never able to do until I left the motorcycle business.
     Due to recent economic changes I had to close our motorcycle shop in Steger and took a job in Information Technology. I’m based out of a central office, but travel to several buildings each day depending on changing needs. I’ve found out that I can fit almost any piece of computer equipment on my bike, either in the bags or strapped across the back seat. Obstacles to motorcycle use have simply become minor challenges as there’s almost nothing I can’t carry with the help of rokstraps.
     The result of becoming a motorcycle commuter is falling in love with my motorcycle even more. Previously I generally used my bike for trips or overnight rides, and an occasional ride around town. When commuting I find that several short rides throughout the day really give me a mental boost.
     My clients love that I show up at their locations with computer equipment on my motorcycle. It’s always a conversation starter about a motorcycle they now own, have sold, or want to own. I’ve answered a lot of questions that started with “BMW makes motorcycles? and actually had a good natured argument over the fact that BMW has been making motorcycles longer than cars.
And it’s cheaper!
     A nice additional benefit to more frequent riding has been economic. My motorcycle gets about 40mpg, while my truck gets about 15mpg. My transportation costs have dropped considerably, I almost feel like I’m getting paid to have fun. Being on the bike throughout the day also provides a break from the intrusion of cell phones, a welcome respite.
     I think becoming a commuter with several short rides during the day will make me a better long distance rider. I’ve completed one Iron Butt ride and hope to do several more. Taking helmet, earplugs, gloves, and jacket, on and off several times throughout the day, as well as logging stops and mileage will translate directly to shorter stops on my next long ride.
     The BMWMOA Rally in Tennessee may be the only bike trip I’m able to take this year, but thanks to a career change I’m able to enjoy the ride every day.

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Ride in the snow … while dreaming of spring!

The following are a series of winter-riding "adventures" submitted by CRBMW members that originally appeared in the January, 2009 edition of Chicago Region News.

Heed These Riding Warnings!

by Hank Barta

Here’s proof that you can ride in the snow, with proper equipment, and a strong sense of caution. Hank Barta took this picture of his 1993 model R100R sidecar rig on a snowy day last winter, just after riding it around town on some errands.

“When you have the potential for slick pave­ment, riding a sidecar rig cer­tainly is not as scary as a regular bike. You have three points of contact with the pavement so you don’t have to worry about going down,” Hanks says. Still, while three wheels on the ground is better than two, he notes that four is better than three when there’s ice or snow on the road.

Hank has ridden the same bike-and-sidecar on this winter’s snowy days also, but less often than last year because temperatures this winter have been prohibitively low.

Which brings us to thoughts of Spring, which in fact is only two months away.