Ever wanted to ride on a race track with no speed limits, no tickets, and no oncoming traffic?  Who hasn't?

Last year we worked with Mark DeGross of 2Fast track days and track schools to create an exciting new program.

1. A customer who purchases a new BMW of ANY model may select ANY 2Fast track day OR school event to be held at either Pacific Raceways or the new "The Ridge" track outside of Shelton.

2. We will support the customer by paying the entry fee for the track day. Customers who wish can pay the extra $ to do the track school. We'll attend the event with our events van, me (usually), and our "Friendship Station," with chairs, tables, canopy, Crystal Light beverage, red vines, etc. We will usually also have a Ride West staff member in attendance riding an S 1000RR or other demo

3. Once we have the date the customer selects, we'll put out the word to you so you can choose to take part with the assurance that there will be a van, table, chairs, cold water and such provided.  

Last year we went to about 10 track days, and this year we might get to 20, because... we've added Mike Sullivan track days at The Ridge and Pacific Raceways to the program!  

Our thanks to Mark DeGross and Mike Sullivan for their support of this program and each other, and stay tuned for news of our first scheduled track day!

Whatever your personal opinion, there can be no question that this type of motorcycle altered the perceptions of many toward BMW motorcycles, and that dual sports have been a slam bang success for the company and its dealers in almost every area of the world.  No surprise that the current line-up comprises 5 to 7 dual sport models, depending on whether or not you want to count the Sertao as separate from the G 650 GS and the "waterhead" R 1200 GS as separate from the air and oil cooled version.

All would be bliss, but in recent years other manufacturers have decided to climb on this bandwagon, albeit an unusual bandwagon with long travel suspension and an appetite for mud and dirt.  It has amused me (and others) no end that the motorcycles aiming to claw away some of BMW's market share deliver the best sort of ironic compliment to BMW. Most of them look almost exactly like the BMW's whose sales supremacy they seek to usurp!

Our Sunday Demo Ride series is not copied by any dealership that I know of.  We have 4 or 5 of these a year. All are held on Sundays, when the store is not open.

For each one, Team Ride West members (and some others) sign up ahead of time to sample one, two, and possibly three new BMW models on a ride that covers about 90 miles and has stops along the way for participants to swap bikes if desired. 

I come in and open the store and roll out the bikes. Participants arrive at 10am and we do all the usual demo ride paperwork, etc. Each ride uses a different route.  Unlike our usual rides, we do not stop for lunch along the way, but quite often we adjourn to the "Rainin' Ribs" BBQ joint two miles north of Ride West for lunch after the bikes have been returned and tucked away.

An important note is that these rides are open to everyone!  Many Team Ride West members choose to come along on their own bike, and this makes the ride better for all.

Of course, our preference is that people who sign up to take a demo ride are those actually interested in purchase, but we do not go so far as to ask questions or require a deposit.

If you're interested, the first one will be held April 21st.

Here are the demos we should have available by April 21st:.

          G 650 GS                    F 700 GS                      F 800 GS

                  F 800R                        S 1000RR                   C 650 GT        

R 1200 Rt                   R 1200 GS "waterhead"

Wayne Johnson took this picture of his BMW G 650 GS on the Mountain Loop Highway last summer.  It just has to make you want to go for a ride! 

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. 

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 centerline. 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.