|
|
|
VOLUME IV | ISSUE 3 | MARCH 2013
|
|
|
» Editor | Dave Preston » Production Editor | Vanaly Keopanya
|
|
RIDE THE WEST!
THE JOURNAL OF TEAM RIDE WEST
|
ALASKA
Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. We were not able to get enough Team Ride West members to fill the slots for the potential Alaskan trip due to time and cost factors for many. This does not mean this ride will not take place, as MotoQuest International may run it with customers who are not necessarily Team Ride West members. However, it does mean that neither Dave Swezey or myself will be making the trip, as we have been re-prioritized to other events.
Registration form - If you are still interested, this link will allow you to sign up and pay for the trip. We will expect a full report when you return!
|
 |
SEMINAR SEASON WANES..
We have a few more terrific seminars scheduled as the "seminar season" winds down and we get geared up to spend more time riding!
Remember: Thursday evening programs are registered for on our web site calendar, and carry with them a $10 charge that defrays most of the cost of the pizza and pop served. We have the pizza ready at 6:30pm, and the seminars run from 7pm to about 9pm.
Saturday morning seminars are free and do not need registration. Coffee, pop, and perhaps some doughnuts are provided - but no pizza!
Check out the schedule below. For any that you like, just send an e-mail to team@ridewest.com with the number in your party. The $10 will be paid at the door in cash or check (no credit cards, please, as the store is closed). I have dropped the PayPal registration, as many people hated it!
|
03/07/13 - Thursday 2FAST TRACK DAYS | Mark DeGross
One of the best places to improve your riding skills is on a race track - at whatever pace you and your motorcycle prefer. Mark DeGross is the owner of 2Fast Racing, which puts on the best track day events in this state, for riders of all experience levels on any motorcycle. This will be an excellent intro for anyone who wants to try this and a good review for previous participants warming up for the 2013 season. Mark is also the #1 plate holder this year for WMRRA, but more importantly, he is an excellent speaker, teacher, and listener. Bring questions!
03/14/13 - DUAL SPORT | Dave Petersen/Steve Irby
At present, the backbone of much of the BMW lineup, dual sport riding and the "adventure lifestyle" are more and more of an attraction. These two experts will show you how to do it, and tell you (ahem) where to go!
03/21/13 - RIDERS FOR HEALTH AFRICA ADVENT. | Jill Oliver
Jill Oliver has been there and done that. This will be an exciting slide show as she covers how to get to Africa; what you'll see, and how to ride with Randy Mamola, and how to help Riders for Health!
03/28/13 - PLANNING THE EUROPEAN TRIP | Tim Bowman
Want to gallivant around Europe and have the adventure of a lifetime? Tim has been there and done that a few times, and will tempt you with slides and a lot of practical advice on how you make your dream a reality.
03/30/13 - DISTRACTED RIDING | David Hough
How many electronic farkles can you add to your bike before the distractions are too much? The popular myth is that we can "multitask", or think about several different things simultaneously. Brain researchers now report that we don't actually process several tasks at once-rather, we think of only one mentally demanding task at once, and quickly switch between tasks. What can you do to minimize the risks of adding multiple devices to the bike?
|
|
THE R-IDES OF MARCH XI
By Dave Preston
Saturday, March 16th brings us the R-IDES of MARCH for the 11th year in a row, placed as close to the 15th of March (the "ides") as possible. All proceeds are sent to Riders for Health.
For information on why donating to Riders for Health is a good idea, please visit www.riders.org. Riders for Health is supported by motorcyclists all over the world and, due to the background and friendships of its founders, by most Moto GP, WSBK, and Formula 1 teams.
Entry fee is a recommended donation of $10 (more welcome!) to Riders for Health, and your donation is tax deductible. If your company has a corporate matching program for charities, that would be terrific as well!
Following registration, you'll be given a set of route directions that are more specific than what is usually provided for our rides, and be off on an adventure of a few hours that will send you down a great riding road or two you may never have known existed.
.. read more.
|
|
|
TRW - LONGER RIDES!
Below is a list of SOME of the multi-day events we have planned for 2013! How many can you fit into your life? Of course there are many more available, but for these we'll have a Team Ride West group attending, "led" (loose definition) by myself, Dave Swezey, or one of our Dirty Dozen. Enjoy daydreaming - and then make it real! There are still others that are still in the "maybe" stage, but you can plan ahead on these!
(ST=street, D=dirt, DP=Dave Preston, DS=Dave Swezey, or Tracy Jeffries)
|
APRIL
4/6-4/7 Saturday & Sunday | DESERT 100 (D,DS) Odessa, WA |
JUNE
6/20-6/23 Thursday to Sunday RAWHYDE RALLY (D,DS)
Leavenworth, WA |
JULY
7/5-7/7 Friday to Sunday BLACK DOG RALLY (D,DS) Idaho
7/18-7/20 Thursday to Sunday BMW MOA (ST & D,DP) Salem, OR
7/25-7/28 Thursday to Sunday WSBMWR RALLY (ST & D, DP) Republic, WA |
AUGUST
8/9-8/11 Friday to Sunday RIDERS FOR HEALTH SCAVENGER HUNT (ST & D) Brinnon, WA
8/23-8/25 Friday to Sunday HOH RAIN FOREST RIDE (D,DS)
Hoh River, WA |
|
DINNER AT CAFÉ VELOCE
We enjoy a fine time and great food at Café Veloce for our club monthly dinners. "Our" night is the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Most people arrive between 6:00 and 6:15pm, and by 6:30pm we have looked at each others bikes sufficiently to sit down to order food. We're in the "club" room in inclement weather and out on the deck when the sun shines.
Our next Team Ride West Club Dinner will be on
TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH
Cafe Veloce is located in the Totem Lake mall area north of Kirkland and south of the Bothell/Woodinville I-405 exits.
DIRECTIONS TO CAFE VELOCE:
HEADING NORTH on I-405 take exit 20B (NE 124th St) and then the ramp to Totem Lake Blvd. You will go through the traffic light to 120th Ave and Café Veloce is to the right just past the auto parts store.
HEADING SOUTH on I-405 take exit 20 (NE 124th St) and turn left on NE 124th Street. You will go through two traffic lights and then take a left on Totem Lake Blvd. Into the right lane, and right at 120th Ave to the restaurant.
|
|
|
PICTURE CONTEST WINNER #5!
Kurt Langston wins the photo contest for this shot of Anand Namasivayam and his BMW F 800 GS having a great time. Kurt wins a snazzy Team Ride West shirt - And that means.... Entries for the April contest are now open! Send any digital pic entries to
If your picture is used in this newsletter and perhaps Ride West advertising, you win a shirt!
|
|
|
|
|
3/2-3/3 Saturday & Sunday
|
3/16 - Saturday 9am - 4pm
|
3/22-3/23 Friday & Saturday
|
3/30 - Saturday (Shelton)
|
DAVID HOUGH SEMINAR
3/30 - Saturday 10:00am |
|
SEMINARS ARE REGISTERED FROM OUR WEBSITE!
|
|
ATTENTION!
The TIMES they are a changin! We've decided to cement the starting times of ALL Team Ride West rides at 10am. In the past we've moved them back to 9am during the Daylight Savings Time months, but the 10am works better for both the store and for the riders, so from now on all of our Team Ride West rides and the Sunday Demo rides (coming!) will meet up at 10am.
|
|
COMING SOON!
Come in for some great deals on used bikes of all brands, or register with us to sell your own! To register your bike and get the details, please call (206) 527-5511 and ask for Sales. This event is a great sale for customers, but also a pretty interesting show! Join the fun!
|
|
THE RIDE WEST DIFFERENCE
Say you're chatting with friends about the varied events and rides you're enjoying with Team Ride West. Say further that these friends ask you, "What makes Ride West different?" Here are concepts we would thank you for putting across - the "Magnificent Seven."
1. With Team Ride West, more rides, dinners, and events than anyone else.
2. More in-store sales, swap meets, seminars, classes, etc. than anyone else.
3. Ability to purchase insurance for your bike, home, and auto - all in-house.
4. More demo bikes, longer demo rides, and even guided multi-bike demo rides.
5. Our track school and track day support program.
6. Service Department capable and happy to work on any brand.
7. Wide assortment of used bikes of all brands.
WE BUY BIKES,
LOVE TRADE-INS,
AND CONSIGNMENTS!
|
|
|
THE MEDIA CENTER
We have our own Team Ride West web site page on the Ride West site. Go to www.ridewest.com and locate the Team Ride West page. There you'll find lots of information, links to ride videos and slide shows from past adventures.
|
PITHY WORDS TO RIDE BY..
Beware the Ides of March. And the people with cell phones, bad drug habits, short attention spans, and not a clue about vehicle dynamics! Think for yourself and for everyone else you see
on the road - because they're probably too busy to be paying attention.
|
|
COMING SOON!
Come in for some great deals on used bikes of all brands, or register with us to sell your own! To register your bike and get the details, please call (206) 527-5511 and ask for Sales. This event is a great sale for customers, but also a pretty interesting show! Join the fun!
|
|
|
|
|
TEAM RIDE WEST "CONCEPT" RIDES
TEAM RIDE WEST CONCEPT RIDE PROCEDURES
Team Ride West rides are referred to as "concept rides" because route and destination changes evolve during the day depending on the wishes of those on the ride, the weather, and events of interest we find along the way. It is not required that everyone on the ride follow the same route or reach the same destination!
HERE ARE THE GUIDELINES THAT WE FOLLOW:
1. Arrive at the start of the ride (usually Ride West BMW) with a full tank of fuel and funds for fuel, food, and other expenses during the day.
2. Sign in and receive the printed instructions if needed. (Pause - if you do not have both a motorcycle endorsement on your license and insurance on your motorcycle, we ask that you wait until you do to ride with us.)
3. Be VERY careful as we turn out of the Ride West parking lot onto 16th. Cars can and sometimes do turn left from Lake City Way onto 16th - potentially at a lethal speed.
4. Once on the ride, find a group to ride with of 3 to 5 bikes - based on friends, model, experience, style of riding, and/or desired pace.
5. Allow LOTS of space around you - front, side, and rear. Do not "tailgate."
6. At major intersections that involve a turn, make sure the person behind you (in your group) has seen the turn before you accelerate away.
7. RIDE AT YOUR OWN PACE - always.
8. Pass on the left - well over the center line. Do not pass on the right - EVER, under any circumstances barring dire emergency.
9. Use hand/foot signals as needed. There's no required guide to these.
10. On the way home, once past the final group fuel stop, it's every person for him/her self. You may drop off at your exit or street without the need to let the entire group know - but mentioning your intent at the final stop is a nice gesture.
11. Other groups of motorcycles? We pass them carefully with lots of room.
12. For groups larger than 15 bikes or so, we'll expect people to take some responsibility for following the route directions and/or others in the group, or for finding their own route. This rule is called "YOYOMF" for "You're On Your Own My Friend." Kudos to Bill Hucks for coming up with the phrase, although his version is just a bit more colorful.
|
|
PRODUCT REVIEW: BMW F 700 GS
Ah, the mystery of the BMW F 700 GS!
First of all, there can be little argument that BMW invented the dual-sport genre of motorcycles. Many would go so far as to state that the dual-sport concept saved the company, as the R-based models sold well when introduced (at a time when nothing much else was) and have become a mainstay of the
product line. For simplicity I will define a "dual sport" as a motorcycle that can be ridden off-road, but also licensed and ridden on public paved roads.
As access to off-road riding areas becomes more problematic, the BMW approach makes more sense each year. People with "pure" dirt bikes also have to own either a trailer or a pick-up truck to get the bike to the riding locale, and that locale is getting less local each year.
As anyone with such a successful product idea would, BMW has been expanding and refining their offerings for the past several years and now have an impressive array of dual sport bikes to meet virtually any need.
A review of the BMW dual sport bikes might help here, especially for those new to or casually interested in the off-road world. BMW no longer sells any motorcycles that are not street legal. Here's a brief overview of their street bikes that are also designed with dirt capability. This not a comprehensive technical description - just a taste.
G 650 GS: Single cylinder 652cc engine with cast wheels. Comes in a low suspension model as well, which combined with relatively light weight makes it the first BMW to be certified for use in rider education and safety courses.
Sertao: G 650 GS made more dirt-capable. Taller suspension and wire wheels are the primary differences.
F 700GS: Vertical twin engine of 798cc (more on this later) with cast wheels.
F 800GS: Same vertical twin engine of 798cc with a more aggressive state of tune, wire wheels, and taller suspension than the F 700.
R 1200 GS: Classic opposed twin 1170cc engine in a durable off-road package with cast wheels.
R 1200 GS Adventure: R 1200GS with taller suspension, more crash protection, spoke wheels, and a huge fuel tank.
R 1200 GS "water": On the way, the R1200 GS with a new engine design that is partially water-cooled.
R 1200 GS Adventure "water": Not even announced as a future model, but bet any amount of money you want - it will happen.
|
|
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS KEITH THYE?
Keith Thye is currently spending four months recreating a motorcycle trip that he and Dave Yaden took to South America fifty years ago (50 YEARS AGO!). That first trip was just Keith and Dave, and they were gone over eight months. The trip was rugged, the roads were awful, they camped nearly every night and did it on a shoestring. 
This time the trip will be different. There are six on the trip: Dave, who is nearly fluent in Spanish; Jim Balz, a doctor; Michael Hansen, a decent technician; Donn Harvey, a computer guy; his wife Deby on her own bike (always good to have a female along); and Keith, who claims to have absolutely no special skills at all.
The roads will undoubtedly be much improved (most are paved now!), they're not taking camping gear, and should have sufficient money to do this thing right. There is no planned itinerary other than a general outline of following the earlier trip and they expect to be on the road for roughly 100 days, returning in late April or early May.
For those of you wishing to follow the adventure,
Dave Yaden also has a blog, and it is at http://yaden.org/motoraidblog
ENJOY!
|
|
Ride West BMW | 206-527-5511 | 8100 Lake City Way NE | Seattle, WA 98115
|
|
|
RIDE THE WEST!
The Journal of Team Ride West
VOLUME IV | ISSUE 3 | MARCH 2013
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © Ride West 2013. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
