Tech Tip Of The Month

Service Schedule   

The sun hasn't shown itself yet, but I'm sure it'll come out of hiding before we know it. The end of January felt like a busy summer month down in the Service Department with customers trying to get in at the last minute for the "oilhead" discount.  

A reminder that we still have one more month of other great Service Department discounts, so don't miss out on those; no matter which type of bike you own (BMW or another brand) you've got 28 days to save! I know I'm not the only one hoping for a better summer this year than last, and getting your motorcycle ready for the season early will let you take advantage of whatever kind of day mother nature throws your way.  

Now is the time to get those chain and sprocket kits coming, tires on the way or an inspection so there are no surprises when you head out for a ride. It's also time to plug in the battery chargers, air up the tires and get your cycle freshened up. And please do remember; if you can't get your motorcycle down to us, we can come to you!  Our sprinter van can fit at least two bikes in its cavernous hold.  

So give us a call or send an e-mail and we'll help you take advantage of our remaining service specials. :)

Mark Eddy

Service Manager

Parts Department
What's New in Parts and Apparel? 

Almost Spring! - February 1st   always gets our spirits up because we know the best riding of the year is almost here. And in mid February, we begin to receive many of our new riding gear styles and accessory items from Rev'it! and BMW. This year we continue to add more and more of the products you've been asking for, and have stocked up on those that continue in popularity, building on last year's success!

Featured Products

Kriega Luggage - You asked for it, we deliver! - Beginning in February, Ride West proudly welcomes this quality and versatile line of motorcycle luggage. Designed in England by a dedicated team of motorcycle-obsessed engineers, Kriega motorcycle backpacks, motorcycle bags and motorcycle accessories offer innovation, along with the highest standards of functionality and craftsmanship. Kriega kit is built to perform, with an exceptional 10-year guarantee on all packs. We'll be carrying their latest tail packs, aluminum pannier liners, tool rolls and tank bags, plus many others that we've been anxious to get our hands on. We think you will be too.

Schuberth C3 Globe - Schuberth adds a great graphic to their C3 lineup with their "Globe" theme in white or black. Supply will be limited and we'll be stocking only a few, so if you have interest, give us a call or stop by to reserve yours.

Z8 Interact and Pilot Road 3 - The latest (and greatest) sport touring tire from Metzeler and Michelin - The Z8 and PR 3 continue to lead the pack in quality, performance, and all weather handling, and we'll be stocking up on both early in the season.   We also have been very impressed with the road manners exhibited by the Bridgestone Battleaxe 023, as well as the Dunlop Roadsmart and Continental's Road Attack, just to name a few more. We'll have good stock of all these early in the year.

Heidenau K60 Tires for your GS - We're so thrilled about these tires we had to tell you about them again. This could be the ultimate and most legitimate Dual Sport tire to hit the market yet, and best of all its made in sizes to fit your R1200GS, R1150GS, R1100GS, F800GS, F650GS and G650GS. Heidenau produces a well-crafted product with a high standard of quality that truly lives up to the phrase "Made in Germany." We also carry full off-road knobby tires from Kenda (Big Block), Continental (TKC-80) and Metzeler (Karoo).

Did you know? We work on all brands of motorcycles!

More about Tires - When you buy tires from us, standard installation is only $10.00 a tire (most models), plus weights and stems, tire disposal and tubes (if needed). If we don't have your tire size or brand in stock, we can probably get it, quick! We'll be happy to install tires you provide as well, as long as they are new. Standard shop rate applies, along with the above listed incidentals (please call for a quote). Remember, new tires are a bit slick until they have 50 to 100 miles on them, or until they're "scrubbed".      

Pivot Pegz Toppers - Pivot Pegz has just introduced their Toppers, which are exactly like they sound. They attach directly to the top surface and "smooth out" the jagged teeth of your Pivot Pegz. Now you can have the comfort of a street peg when you want it and the aggressive grip of an off road peg when you hit the dirt. Simply zip tie on these composite toppers and clip them off when you have your next adventure. It's that easy!

Puget Sound Safety Motorcycle Recovery Kit - Still the best piece of safety gear you can carry off road! As your adventure travels take you to more remote and desolate areas, carrying a motorcycle recovery kit might be the best investment you will ever make, especially if your motorcycle decides to find its way into a ravine or down a steep embankment. With a few select pulleys, strong rope, some elbow grease and a few trees, you can literally winch your bike out of a jam yourself using this kit! Adventure riders, this kit is worth its weight in gold.

New Rev'it! Gear on the way - Be seen! - Later in the month we'll be bringing you the exciting new 2012 Rev'it Riding Gear, including the all new and redesigned Ignition 2, the groundbreaking innovation of the Horizon Jacket (and pants), The new ladies Indigo Jacket, an Hi-Viz all around! Stay tuned...

Ask MotoAdventureGal NEW!
Alisa Clickenger 

Dear MotoAdventureGal: Do you ever worry about traveling alone as a woman on a motorcycle?

MotoAdventureGal Says: Funny, this is the question I get asked the most by both men and women. The answer is an emphatic NO. I don' t worry about being a woman traveling alone.  Perhaps it is my attitude, and perhaps it is my approach to travel. I like to think I use keen judgment and listen to my "instincts" as I travel.

By attitude, I mean I don't act like a 'victim' and I don't assume that the world is out to get me. When I am off the bike I act calmly and confidently. If that doesn't come naturally to you, practice! Before embarking on a solo motorcycle trip, take yourself out to lunch alone and "pretend". Ever heard the expression 'fake it 'til you make it?' Try it. Each time it will become easier and easier.

By approach to travel I mean I personally don't care for large metropolitan areas or freeways (although sometimes they are a necessary evil). The majority of car travelers use those, so my theory is that's where the bad guys congregate looking for victims. Keep a tidy appearance about your bike, and lock things up. I avoid poorly lit areas at night and I don't park my bike or unpack in places that seem "seedy". I don't go to bars and I watch out for situations that seem "unsafe".

I do the majority of my riding during daylight hours (I am a safer rider when I can see better). I try to always be aware of my surroundings, and I always carry a charged cell phone. Plus I see added value in my riding in full gear beyond safety concerns-it means I am essentially sexless in my riding suit and full faced helmets. Most folks will assume I am a guy (I have short hair) if I don't wear pink and don't show body parts. Cover those assets!

Believe me, all this sounds like a lot to think about, but most of it really is second nature. Trust the good instincts that you have already developed in other areas of your life and apply them to traveling alone on two wheels. Go for a fun overnight ride with a girlfriend, participate in a motorcycle tour, or join a club to get more contacts and women to ride with. Pretty soon you'll be confident enough to go touring alone.

Dear MotoAdventureGal: Do you really wear a base layer year round-even in the heat??

MotoAdventureGal Says: Yes, I do wear a base layer in both hot and cold motorcycling conditions. I wore a Bodz Base layer top and bottom every day on my South America trip. Wearing a wicking layer keeps you cooler (really!) and better hydrated. Plus, it helps prevent overheating in harsh climates, even though it seems counter-intuitive.

The best part is these garments dry out quickly, can be washed in any hotel sink, and are attractive enough to wear as a regular shirt when you take your jacket off. The other advantage of wearing a base layer is it helps prevent chafing. Just ask any top racer what they wear under all that leather! Some companies even make thicker base layers for cold weather riding.

My tip would be to get a quality, performance base layer that is made from a technical fabric. These are most often man-made composite materials, but natural fibers such as merino wool and alpaca do a very nice job as well. The better materials also have abuilt-in anti-funk component. Avoid cotton and pure polyester.

What brand should you get? Of course I prefer to support the Industry by purchasing from motorcycle-specific retailers. Common brands are Alpinstars, Bodz, BMW, Dianese, First Gear, Joe Rocket, Klim, Knox, REV'IT! and Schampa. Non-motorcycling brands include Mountain Hardware, Patagonia, SmartWool, and UnderArmour.

About MotoAdventureGal:  

In 2006 Alisa Clickenger quit her job as Director of Operations for an IT company, sold her stuff, and decided to start living life outside the "box". This was when MotoAdventureGal was born.

In 2006-2008 she made several cross-Europe and USA touring trips, most of them solo. Summer of 2009 she rode 15,000 + dirt miles in the USA on the Trans America Trail and then the Continental Divide Trail (back to back).

After that, she rode solo through Mexico, Central and South America. She spent seven months alone on the road, and it was the trip of a lifetime.  

MotoAdventureGal is now a motorcycle tour guide, journalist, and motivational speaker; riding and writing and continuing to pursue her passion. MotoAdventureGal currently owns two motorcycles: A 2006 KTM 950 Adventure and the 2003 Suzuki DR650SE she rode to South America.  

A Message From Our Owners

Big Plans for Ride West BMW 

It's been an interesting era to be in business, particularly the retail business.  Since the fall of Lehman Brothers the finances of the world, and certainly the United States, have been in a discombobulated freefall and we have all witnessed a plethora of businesses closing, merging with one another, or downsizing to meet the realizations of the "new order".  Add to this the continuing advancement of online sellers that bring a whole new aspect of competition to our brick and mortar establishments and you have a whole new set of circumstances that  must be dealt with to maintain sales.  Many in our industry have not met the challenge, or are making downsizing or merging adjustments to stay in business.

On the West coast, we have seen the closure of four BMW dealerships over the last couple of years.  Marin BMW (across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco) is gone and has not been replaced.  Beaudry Motorsports in Post Falls, Idaho is no longer with us and has been replaced by Westside Motorcycles in Spokane, Washington.  BMW Motorcycles of Santa Cruz County closed and has not been replaced.  And most recently, Portland Motorcycles has disappeared but will be replaced as soon as BMWNA can find a qualified operator, and BMW of Salt Lake closed in early January. A replacement has not been announced.

The greater Seattle marketing area is scarred by remnants of an industry under stress.  Renton Motorcycle Company (RMC) closed their 86,000 square foot dealership in December and the owners are converting the facility to a Honda automotive center. A few years ago Lynnwood Cycle Barn closed their big facility on Highway 99 that catered to mostly Japanese brands and have downsized the remaining brands into the original facility.  This same owner sold Seattle Harley-Davidson to Lemco three years ago and upon the somewhat recent death of Ed Lemco that business is being sold again, supposedly to Eastside Harley.  Eastside Motorsports has shed the Japanese brands they once carried, sold the building that housed the dealership, and is moving to a new smaller location in Bellevue (officially Redmond) as Bellevue Ducati.  The Federal Way Yamaha dealer is gone.  Destination Harley in Fife closed their used bike center as well as their dealership in South Hill, Puyallup.  And on it goes.  Many of the remaining dealers in the area are hanging on.

We do not see this situation easing throughout this year; that is, our industry will continue to shift around trying to find a solution to each dealership's woes.  The good news is that Ride West has had strong operating performance throughout the past few years and our projections for this year are for another increase in revenue of above 10%.  So thank you for your continuing patronage.  Your support of this dealership enables us to be assured that we will be here for all of the tomorrow's to come.

Ann and Keith Thye

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