Parts Department
NEW NEW NEW! 

July is all about new products and we've got a great lineup of useful gear to help you have a wonderful riding season.  Here's a few of the hottest and latest new products we've come across that we can't live without:

Stabil and Startron Ethanol treatment - Chances are you've had the pleasure of getting a bad tank of gas from your local petrol dealer.  We've even found that some brands of gas or even batches of gas are worse than others, and when you put this junk in your tank all kinds of bad stuff happens - missing, sputtering, knocking and pinging, sluggish performance, CORROSION ON YOUR FUEL SENDER!!!, you name it.   Ethanol treatment products will help with all these symptoms and issues, evaporate the water and make today's fuel easier to burn. We suggest you get in the habit of using it until gas is gas again. 

Moose Adventure Soft Luggage - Check out the all new expandable tail bags from Moose racing, complete with locking straps and rain covers.  And if you've got a standard R1200GS, there's a perfect tail bag that conveniently fits underneath the tail rack, totally out of the way!

Kaoko Throttle Locks - Cruise controls shouldn't just be for touring bikes.  You'll love these magical mechanical devices by Kaoko.  Friction based, these simple throttle locks bolt on easily and can be activated with the flick of the wrist.  They apply just the right amount of tension to hold the throttle in place, but can easily be adjusted or released.  Rest your right arm, finally!  Now available for your late model GS.

Rox Bar Risers - Bar risers are a must for any serious dual sport rider, or for anyone who just wants more comfort out of their motorcycle.  Rox risers are infinitely adjustable and help take the crouch out of standing on the pegs (for taller riders), as well as ease the shoulder tension for riders who are looking for a more upright position.  Perfect for the F800GS, F800ST, R12R.  Note that some bikes will require a longer brake and / or clutch cable.  Let us help you find the right combination for your bike. 

BMW SportDry Boots - Similar in protection to the over-the-top Double R race boots, complete with toe sliders and ankle support, but is now fully waterproof via the GORETEX insert.  All this adds up to a seriously aggressive, 4-season sport rider boot suitable for the street or track.  

Schuberth S2 is here! -  The next big thing on the way is the brand new S2 full face helmet, complete with some of the same big features as the C3, including the drop down sun visor, anti-fog face shield insert, and an optional Bluetooth neck roll, all in a super quiet sport touring / road racing lid.  If you have been considering a new full face helmet, you must try one of these on before you decide. 

Maier Plastics and Accessories - Check out the latest fender extenders for the RT, or the simple replacement, X-tall hand protector spoilers for the R12GS.  These are just a few of the must have new products by Maier.  We're adding more as the season continues - stay tuned.

Wolfman Luggage - New heavy duty dry duffels are here, complete with tie down and carrying straps, these bags hold a lot and are super tough.  Made in USA by Wolfman.      

Utah Backroads Discovery Route - Get the new DVD and decals at Ride West!

Cardo Systems Scala Rider G9 - This may be the best, most versatile Bluetooth system yet for rider to passenger or rider to rider communications.  Now connect up to 8 riders, with voice commands!  Pair your modern smart phone wirelessly for streaming stereo music.  Talk to your passenger, take an important phone call, then get GPS directions.  It's easy with the latest G9 headset by Cardo.

Did you know? We are your local source for All Things Touratech! - One of the nicest looking cases we've seen (especially in black) is the Zega Pro Panniers.  These super strong aluminum panniers compliment any R12GS, F800 GS or R1200R.  When you need big storage and rugged protection, Touratech Zega Pro sets the pace for durability and style.  We'll also be adding various other Touratech goodies throughout the month for your F800GS and R1200GS.

Ask MotoAdventureGal  

By Alissa Clickenger

Article #1 (Riding)   

Dear MotoAdventureGal: There's a group ride I want to go on but I've never ridden in a group before... should I go?
 
MotoAdventureGal Says: You should definitely go! Group rides are great because they are a good place to meet other riders and to see some new scenery. They can be daunting at first, what with the commotion and number of bikes, but if you show up on time and with a full tank of gas, I bet you'll have a good time. Personally, I always feel more comfortable riding at the back of a group of riders I'm not familiar with. From that vantage point I get to watch how the others ride, and I am able to give myself plenty of stopping distance for my own comfort level.

Speaking of comfort level, my #1 rule for a group ride (or any ride for that matter) is to ride within my comfort level. Don't let others push you into riding at a pace at which you are not at ease. That can lead you down a bad road and you'll end up having no fun, which, for me, is what riding is all about. If you are the type of person that likes lots of information, here is a link to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Guide to Group Riding: http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Group_Ride.pdf . Enjoy your ride!

Article #2 (Gear)

Dear MotoAdventureGal: I just started riding and I would like to purchase some riding gear, but I don't even know where to start. Can you help me?
 
MotoAdventureGal Says: First, I'd start online at www. GearChic.com. Joanne Donn is a motorcycle gear expert that loves helping other riders. She works part time in a motorcycle shop's apparel department, is an MSF Rider Coach, and is an enthusiast just like us. Her web site will give you the low-down on gear selection-be sure to click the links to her detailed overviews for shopping for boots, gloves, jackets and pants.  She can also give you personalized recommendations for gear, depending on your measurements / fit sizing, your riding needs and budget. Also check out her Gear 411 page, which gives you a great overview of what you need and how to get started.
 
Then, second, I'd head to my local dealer to see the gear and to try it on. Be prepared to tell your dealer what type of riding you'll be doing and what your budget can afford, and they'll get you pointed in the right direction.

Alisa Clickenger is MotoAdventureGal. On a motorcycle she's crossed the USA multiple times, ridden up to Alaska, all over Europe, and traveled solo to Argentina in 2009. She rides and writes for a living, and leads a women's motorcycle tour that teaches and empowers women to tour in groups or alone. 

A Message From Our Owners

It's the changing of the guard at BMW Motorrad USA---again.  The head honcho of BMW motorcycles in the US has the title of vice president and once again we have a new leader.  We have been at this for seventeen years now and this is the sixth iteration of this position.  It's always interesting when this happens, because the new guy usually comes from somewhere else (other than the US) and it takes up to a year for them to realize that this is a big country with a culture that takes some getting used to.  Sometimes they have accents that are hard to understand and our communication gets confused.  And their demeanor and management styles are always divergent from the last VP and that takes getting used to on our part.

BMW is a worldwide brand with motorcycles, cars with BMW, Rolls Royce and Mini logos, and other products that they produce.  And therefore they have his huge, diverse pool of executives that move around the countries of the world shifting from position to position.  BMW Motorrad USA is one of the stepping stones that these executives land on  in their quest to reach the upper echelon.  And they never stay here for long. A three year stint is the normal leap from one stone to the next and it seems like about the time they get used to us (the dealers) and we get used to them (the new team) they leave and we start all over again.  We reference the new team, because more often than not, the new VP wants to create the new Motorrad in his own image.  And that means a management team that he is comfortable and familiar with.  Which also means that we are not familiar with.  So the learning process starts all over again.   And of course this new team brings their own set of policies and procedures, with a kind of slide or creep into the next rendition of how we are going to operate over the next three years, or until the new VP's tour terminates.

Our last VP, Pieter deWaal, was of South African lineage and was with with us for a little over four years.  This was the longest tenure of any of the VP's that we have experienced.  He would have liked to have stayed with us longer, except for a novel rule that BMW has regarding upper management positions.  They require individuals in these positions to retire before the last day of the month in which they turn 61 years of age, in other words, while they are still 60.  So we now get Hans Blesse, who unlike his name may suggest, is of Canadian origin.  He has lived in many different countries and speaks several languages fluently and has recently held high positions with BMW in Munich.  Hans took over the reins just a few months ago.  We do not know him well yet, and we have yet to hear what kind of changes are in  store for us.  But we can rest assured that they will be forthcoming, because we have been here before and the future once again looks blurry.  But it will come into focus.  It always does.  We just roll with the punches.

Ride West BMW Owners

Ann and Keith Thye

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