Chicago Region BMW Owners Association

The History of the CR BMW OA

1969 marked the year Chicago’s own prestigious BMW motorcycle club entered into existence. Now, more than 50 years later, the Chicago Region BMW Owners Association boasts nearly 200 members, making it one of the largest and most active BMW Clubs in the region. We enjoy a rich heritage of accomplishments and history.

Ted Strobl’s garage in the alley behind his house was a meeting place to go have your bike fixed free of charge!… Photo circa 1972.

BMW motorcycle riders in the early days of the Association had a different attitude from the riders of other brands. The BMW rider consequently had to have a different motorcycle to express this difference, one that would distinguish him or her from the somewhat defiant personality image of motorcycle riders as they were portrayed in the sixties and seventies.

The BMW rider also had to have a machine that could run for long distances and be very dependable. In many cases this rider became somewhat of a loner, as BMW motorcycles made up to only one-half of one percent of all of the other riders at that time, and dealerships were rare in the Chicago area. Even though BMW riders rode together years before the founding of the club, there was a need for them to maintain and service their own bikes and to order parts directly from various manufacturers. The riders also wanted a club to be able to exchange ideas and information about other motorcycle related subjects, such as camping, bike accessories, coordinated rides, etc.

This organization began as a result of BMW motorcycle owners’ frustration with the lack of an adequate number of BMW dealers in Chicago to serve the rapidly growing numbers of BMWs in the area, and the lack of qualified service technicians for these unique motorcycles. Some of the early BMW riders actually ended up going to other brands to protest this lack. At least 15% of the original members of the Association rode other brands of bikes–British and Italian motorcycles, Harley-Davidsons, Hondas, Yamahas and an assortment of other imported brands. After a few years, however, this all changed and the club became an association of BMW owners only. Today, while most of our members do own BMWs as their primary motorcycles, we welcome riders of all brands as we celebrate the joy of motorcycling.

The early days of camping with members proudly displaying the club’s new banner. Quite a few women riders were active Association members.

Over the years many technical changes occurred. Engine size capacities of 500-600 cc have grown to present-day levels of 1300-1800 cc; brakes from early drum types have evolved to double loaded disc brakes with vastly improved suspension systems. And electronic technology is a large part of the modern BMW motorcycle. All of these improvements have enabled BMW riders to go farther and faster.

Today’s club member may have a computerized global positioning mapping system, satellite telephone, a built-in music system plus heated apparel. The new rider can access information on bike technology, rider destination information, global riding opportunities all via the Internet at his or her finger tips. All information now is also shared in our Association via the monthly newsletter, this web site and through individual dialogue from its many members.

In the beginning, a family of like-minded riders got together to formulate an Association that to this day plans rides, helps members maintain and service their bikes, plan touring and camping trips together, and enjoy monthly meetings and in these ways make new friendships with fellow riders who own BMWs.

Every Sunday BMW riders would meet at Hal’s Drive-in for coffee and ride together to parts of Wisconsin or Illinois. Hal’s was located at routes 22 and 41, and became Art’s later, then Gee-Gees and finally the Highland House where bikers of all brands would meet. Sadly, Highland House also closed its doors, but riders now gather on Sunday mornings at the Full Moon Restaurant, a few miles north on US 41.

This is a unique and culturally diverse group of people, male and female, who celebrate the joy of living through such activities as rallies, presentations of members’ travel adventures, technical hands-on seminars, vintage rides, club picnics, social get-togethers, camping rides, the yearly BMW MOA National Rally, and a whole lot more.

The Chicago Region BMW Owners Association, in its first two years, helped the fledgling BMW Motorcycle Owners of America organize its national club by including our second club president as one of the MOA directors, and by providing the technical sessions with our own CHITECH group.

To this day we support the MOA National Rally each year by providing volunteers from our club. We take great pride in the fact that over the years we are not just members of a motorcycle club but good friends and riders with common interests. If you have not already done so, please visit our monthly meeting, make new friends, and see why this club is so unique!