May/June/July Meeting Dates Changed



Just a reminder to our club faithful that planned rides in May, June and July mean that our normal first Saturday meetings at Shreveport Motor Sports will change to SECOND Saturday meetings! On May 1st, a contingent is leaving Shreveport bound for Birmingham, Ala., and the Barber Motorsports Museum, home of the AMA races. On Thursday, June 4, a group will be departing Shreveport for the Texas Hill Country. This trip will take us to the beautiful park at Blanco, Tex., and environs. On Friday, July 3, we'll motor up to Jasper, Ark., for the big BMW Bash at "The Hub" north of Hot Springs. There is still time to plan for any of these rides and we hope to see you on one or more of them! Our regular first Saturday meeting dates will resume in August (pending ANOTHER ride getting in the way!)

RR Riders Congratulate Bossier Harley Davidson!


No, he’s not a BMW rider, but he’s as close as you can get without actual title papers in hand. Todd Lynch, general manager of Bossier City Harley-Davidson and brother-in-law to our very own Beau Andrews (Beau and Todd are married to sisters Michelle and Sarah) is rightfully proud of a just-announced award. The Bossier City Harley-Davidson store has been named winner of the Gold Bar & Shield Circle of Excellence Award as one of the top 25 dealerships in the nation. A big deal? You bet. H/D has nearly 700 dealerships, so to be in the top 25 in terms of customer satisfaction, employee training, sales performance, facilities and overall dealership efficiency is major. Bossier Harley will be presented with the award at the big Harley Davidson conference this summer in Denver. Our congratulations to Todd and his award-winning crew!


(Todd, attempting to be incognito so he can scope out some nearby Bimmers.)

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' Raw Hyde!

BMW rep Mark Jamroz spent a fun several days in the California desert at the Raw Hyde Adventure "Introduction to Dirt" school. (Ed. note: Those of us who have seen Mark enduro ride know that he not only KNOWS dirt, he is on a first name basis with it.) Riders got to test out the big BMW GS and KTM 990 bikes and learn what they could do without pavement under them. The promotional material promises you will learn:
  • the top three mistakes all street riders make in the dirt

  • the dangers of ABS

  • the basics of controlling your bike on dirt roads
Sounds like a great class and we're looking forward to a ride report from Mark at an upcoming BMW club meeting!

For more information: http://www.rawhyde-offroad.com/home.html

Let Your Fingers Do The Snapping & Win!

BMW Motorrad is having a little contest now through May 31 that involves you, your bike and your best bike-related photos.


They are looking for the 'most inspiring' BMW motorcycling pictures from around the world to feature in their 2010 calendar. The theme for the competition is ‘Travelling with BMW Motorrad’ and it is open to all aspiring amateur and professional photographers.

Winning and having your photo printed would be neat, but the 'prize package' for winners leaves a little to be desired (Like airfare. Seriously.) 13 winners (one per month and the calendar cover) will be invited to BMW Motorrad Days 2009 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany in July, where they will enjoy a "fantastic" VIP package that includes two nights at a hotel, a fan merchandise package, free food and drink on site and special access to the VIP area in the main entertainment marquee in the evening. Winners must pay their own way to Garmisch. Ah, well.


Entering the competition is easy, according to BMW. Photos can either be directly uploaded online or sent in by snailmail. The main requirement is that one or more BMW motorcycles of any vintage are in the photograph and the overall theme is travel. Along with the photo, you should include a short report, a route description and a rider profile, including picture. If there is a GPS file to go with it, then so much the better. You should also include a brief statement as to why you chose this BMW motorcycle. Digital images are best, but prints and transparencies (slides from 4.5 x 6 cm, or copies 24 x 30 cm) can also be submitted.

Out of all pictures submitted by the deadline, 30 will be short-listed. These will then be shown online in advance and all visitors to the http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/ website can enter a rating for their favorite pics, although allegedly this will not have any direct influence on the final decision of the judges.




From the short-listed pictures, a panel of judges will then select the best pictures for the 2010 BMW Motorrad calendar.
To become part of the competition, visit http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/

April Showers Bring Flowers...And Riding Season!


Well, the weather is finally getting nice enough for some serious riding and our BMW group is definitely getting serious about their riding! Over the past few days, a contingent including Bob Critcher, Bruce Carrington, Jean and Dave Hanson, Jimmy Moss and Wellborn and Catherine Jack went over to Denton, Texas, to the RideSmart school and Bobby Swink and Drew Newcomer motored over to a BMW event at Lake Belton, Texas, near Houston. Drew reports the event was a nice one, but heavy rain on Sunday caused a lot of folks to head for the house early.


Liz and Steve are departing soon for some backcountry ghosttown hunting in southeastern Arizona and before you know it, it'll be time for the group to take off for Birmingham, Ala., and the Barber Motorsports Museum. If you want to ride, you'll have a lot of opportunities over the next couple of months.
In this month's update, we have a couple of ride reports from some of our free-wheeling members and some stories guaranteed to make you go "Hmmmmm", including why male bikers are good lovers but why that ridin' man may also be willing to break his little woman's heart. Enjoy!

Drew Hits the Dogwoods: RIDE REPORT

BMW Riders like to talk about miles ridden. It seems quite the normal order of things for a BMW owner to jump on his or her trusty steed and ride 400 miles for good bar-be-que...and then to ride 300 more miles to secure a lovely campsite, with or without the threat of mountain lions.

Our club is heavy with such intrepid souls. If either David and Jean Hanson, Dan Weber or Drew Newcomer don't pop out several hundred miles on most sunny spring weekends then things are likely not right with the world. The great thing for us is that all of them not only love to ride, they love to share their experiences. Let's start with Drew, who writes about the recently-attended Dogwood Trail Rally in Mississippi.
by Drew Newcomer

After having spent a considerable amount of money to get the R ready for the riding season, it was time to go somewhere. Less than 100 miles from the house, the BMW Riders of Mississippi offered an opportunity to sample some of their southern hospitality. Under clear skies on Friday, April 3, I headed east on I-20 to Mississippi exit 19. Finding Askew’s Ferry Road right next to the interstate, I easily found Askew’s Landing campground. What a nice location complete with pine trees, a couple of small lakes, and plenty of BMW motorcycle enthusiasts.



I stopped at the main pavilion and began the registration process. Motorcycle acquaintance Mike Hilton was there and I visited with Mike for a few minutes. I found a camping spot and set up my claustrophobic one-person tent for the evening. After a healthy serving of gumbo provided by the Mississippi Riders, the rest of the evening was spent visiting with folks from the southeast. While bad weather in the Midwest did cause some cancellations, 139 riders did show up from as far away as North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. The youngest rally rider was 19, and the oldest was 88!


Friday night was a bit chilly and I was cold and almost wet from heavy dew. The next morning I discovered many of my fellow riders did not sleep well either (guess we should have brought the heavier sleeping bags!) Well, I decided right then and there that if I was going to be doing this “rally thing,” I needed to upgrade my equipment. As luck would have it, a vendor from Catoma Outdoor (http://www.catomaoutdoor.com/) was present and more than willing to sell me a new tent. I purchased one on the spot!!

I have been somewhat itching to buy a new motorcycle (not an uncommon occurrence for many of us) and I decided to ride to the Triumph dealership in Jackson. I have been gazing with an interested eye at a Tiger. Mike Hilton and I rode northeast on Mississippi highway 22 through Flora then turned south on 463 to I-55 and on into Jackson. What a great ride! The weather was nearly perfect and the roads were very much “motorcycle enjoyable.” We found the dealership and even though I had the opportunity to “try one out”, I did not take up the offer to ride a Tiger. Guess I was thinking, given the current economic situation, that frugality may be the best course of action for now. So, after having gotten some local information from Wayne, the Triumph salesman, Mike and I headed back to Flora via some roads not on our map but through some very pretty countryside. We stopped in Flora for a good old fashion “country lunch” then found highway 22 that took us back to the rally. A nap was now in order and I closed my eyes for a few minutes trying to catch up on some of the sleep I lost the night before. I woke up in time for the door prize drawings and actually won some Amsoil Bike Wash. Now all I have to do is get off my butt and find some elbow grease to use it!


Saturday night was warmer and very pleasant. Supper consisted of fried catfish, ribs, beans, cole slaw, potato salad, and rolls. A local band played while folks enjoyed their evening meal. I picked up and set up my new tent in less than five minutes! Not being a Boy Scout or handyman, this was one of the draws towards a new tent purchase. I also found out that double wall tents are much dryer than single wall tents and I slept better on Saturday night. Sunday morning the tent came down just as easily and the bike was packed. No sense leaving too early as pancakes were being served as they had been the morning before. So, after filling my stomach, goodbyes were said and it was time to head back home. There was some fog, but no rain and the trip home was uneventful, which is exactly the way I like it. This was a great way to start the '09 riding season – good company, good roads, good food, and weather that still couldn’t be complained about. If I am free next year, I will be back.

David And Jean do Big Bend: RIDE REPORT

A few weeks ago, Jean Hanson got a beautiful new F650GS twin. Since then, she has been a woman on a mission...a mission that involves fun, good friends, and miles! Isn't it a great thing that hubby Dave loves all the same things? Recently, the Hansons found fun, food and fellowship on an entertaining ride to Texas' beautiful Big Bend region, or as some have been known to call it, 'Bib Bend.' To find out more, read on...

And moo to you, too...

by David & Jean Hanson

Jean was itching to take an extended trip on her new F650GS when she found on BMWSportTouring.com that a Big Bend trip was coming up. We started getting ready, reserved rooms and made some Garmin maps for possible routes avoiding any interstates. During discussions on the bmwsporttouring ride planning forum a member which we had not met yet (but heard a lot about) invited us to stop by his place in San Antonio for a mini group join up. Turned out to be 9 of us leaving from his house Friday morning.



Leaving Thursday morning Mar 26, we encountered fog and it was thicker the farther we proceeded on hwy 1. We took a right on hwy 84, then hwy 7 and finally hwy 21 to San Marcus. Fog changed to clear skies about 2 hours out, then later light showers. We discussed stopping and changing into rain suits but thought it was too light to worry about.
About 4 hours out, I did a quick stop at a yellow light, but Jean was prepared to speed up and was late braking. She locked up the rear tire and slid through 1 lane of the 6 lane intersection, then lost control when the front brake took over and she wrestled the bike to the ground. I unplugged my radio cord and killed and parked my bike, ran to get her up and then backed her onto the sidewalk out of the traffic. I restarted the Tiger and pulled next to her bike, all before the light changed for our traffic, so no delay to anyone just a little side show, ha.

She did no damage, the crash bar, hand guard and corner of caribou cases touched down (very minor scratches) and they did their job of protecting the bike. YEA! We had a little refresher MSF course discussion about using the front brake and only light pressure on the rear brake. We proceeded on. Soon, the rain grew heavier along with the wind, so we stopped and put on our rain gear. We ran for maybe 2 hours before the sun came out again although it was much cooler, we stopped and removed rain gear so our mesh gear would get a chance to dry out in the wind before reaching San Antonio.

From San Marcus we took hwy 12/32, very nice hill country road. From San Antonio our mini group hit highway 90 which provided some hill climbing and one 10-mph switchback. We stopped at the faux Alamo where they filmed the movie, messed around taking some pictures and ate lunch at the Cantina. We also stopped at Judge Roy Bean memorial and took some pics and rested. Several other bikers were there also.



Later we crossed over Lake Amstead, which had white caps of probably 5 or 6 feet, hard to tell from such a high vantage point on the bridge. Suffice it to say, I saw no boaters out. Around mid morning the winds started picking up out of the north and grew to 40+ mph, Jean was struggling to keep the little GS in her lane, plus holding any speed over 55 or 60 mph. We all encouraged her at every stop, but there was nothing we could do, she was on her own! She said she wanted to cry but knew it would be harder to see then, ha. She commented that we all seemed to be having no trouble while she was struggling, of course that was not true, we all were making many adjustments for the heavy wind, but we were relaxed where she was very TENSE!

Thankfully, the closer we drew to Big Bend and the later it got (like 5pm) the less the wind blew and the more speed we could coax out of Jean till finally about 90 miles out we were up to cruising 80 mph, which meant we might all get in before midnight now, whew!

Our leader (Whip) on the K1200RS (lead group of 4 riders had waited for us at last gas stop) got a performance award (speeding ticket) just outside of Alpine, TX, where the limits went from 75 mph to 70 mph. I had the only RD and I was back with Jean leading her so it was her fault for not keeping up, ha. (Ed. note: and David not getting a ticket!) We came by as they were discussing the award and I stopped to take a picture but thought better of it and we proceeded in to town to gas up and find out motel the Ramada Inn of Alpine.

Many other riders were waiting on us at the motel, some had arrived on Thursday, all complained of the heavy winds. Think they had over 25 bikes, several new 08 GTs that the new owners were enjoying ($16,000 deals). We had a wonderful supper at the eatery next to the motel, which was a short walk. Met and visited with new faces and shared ride tales. One fellow had ridden his 02 Kawasaki Mean Streak 1600 from Alabama and had been to Viet Nam year after me.

Two rides were planned for the next day, Davis Mountain loop and observatory with Whip leading or Big Bend Park. We choose the park as I like forest and animals. Twisties (Jan) and Bullet (Sharon) and Jean and I joined up for the ride to Marathon then Big Bend.


Nice ride and the winds had subsided, thank goodness. We ate lunch at the restaurant on top, many switchbacks and more learning for Jean, this time I followed her and found out that she was riding the brakes even after me coaching on the radio to down shift and get off the brakes. We passed a downed HD rider; lady had broken her ankle in tight steep downhill switchback.

More discussion followed at the restaurant on proper procedure for going down the mountain. Jean was able to come down slowly and came to a revelation that she shared later, she had been down shifting but did not let the clutch out, so no engine braking, I was so surprised, okay back to the basics. Once she realized her mistake it was much easier going. Next we ran the river road, it was washed out around 50 miles but we did not go that far before turning back and heading for hwy 118 and back to Alpine before getting too late. I spotted some desert rams on the high hillside and hailed Twisties up front to the Big Horns and we proceeded to turn around and go back. Jean could not negotiate the tight turn in-between hills so pulled over and waited and listened on the radio.

It was getting late we decided to take hwy 118 back to Alpine and had a nice ride till about 30 minutes out and I started to get a chill as I had removed my windbreaker under my mesh jacket. I announced on the radio that I was cold and was pulling over to gear up, Jean, my lovely wife responds, “Suck it up”, ha. She later said that she didn’t realize I had no windbreaker on.

Arriving at Alpine, we gas up and go shower and change for dinner at the Reata. We all hugged and said our goodbyes that night as all were off to different directions the following morning. Jean and I did a casual getup following morning, Sunday; continental breakfast was great each morning at the Ramada inn. Think we got on the road around 8:30 and not 30 miles out of Alpine on hwy 67N I saw 3 cow elk browsing on tops of yucca plants. When I did a U turn to get their pictures, they all took off, but I still got 2 of them.


Hwy 67N joined I-10 east bound, but I refused after 2 miles and we got off on a northbound road which I forget. But later rejoined Hwy 67N then 79, and finally hwy 84 all the way to hwy 1.

On a refuel stop 70 miles west of Waco, Tx I noticed Jean’s rear tire had a shiny spot, told her to move forward and sure enough on another revolution it was still there, bummer, got a tack. We push over to side and I get my kit out (mushroom plugs), pull the tack and rapidly insert rasp to stop the air from escaping. Then mushroom, while loosening hardly any air. As I was preparing to get out my air pump, Jean had checked with the modern station to find out they did have an air pump and would turn it on. A fellow pulled up in a nice pickup and offered to give me air, said he was flatted once and no one came. He asked to pay it forward; we told him that was one of Jean’s favorite movies.

On the way to Waco, Jean kept a close watch on her air pressure with the TPI on the GS, it was leaking so we refilled with my air pump then later obtained the worm/glue type plug and this held rest of the way to Waco. Jean and I stayed overnight in Waco and on leaving searched for her home when she was a child plus I found the rent house I stayed in when going to TSTC.

We had a very nice ride on hwy 84 (mostly 2 lane and trees finally again) and stopped for lunch at a Dairy Queen (Ed. note. Isn't eating at a Dairy Queen mandatory while in Texas?) before leaving Texas. Arrived home about 3:30, 1850 miles later, very enjoyable trip. We can't say enough about the many enthusiastic riders on bmwsporttouring.com. These folks have a collective ton of experience with roads, bikes and biking in general and I highly recommend joining up with any of their rides in the country.

For more info: www.bmwsporttouring.com

Looking for Love? Try the Biker Next Door.

Valentine's Day has come and gone, but romance is always in the air if you're a biker. Recently, the Progressive insurance agency conducted a survey of men, both bikers and non-bikers and discovered that biker guys aren't the tough, burly dudes stereotypes portray but are instead, hopeless romantics. Yes, 40% of male bikers surveyed used those exact words in describing themselves versus 34% of non-bikers. The riders told the survey that having their heart broken moves them to tears. The non-riders said it's watching a sad movie that makes them weepy.

Male riders are also more likely to be involved in charitable giving, especially those involving children.


There is one stereotype that did bear out: tattoos. Riders are nearly three times more likely than non-riders to have a tattoo (32 percent versus 12 percent), but the types of tattoos they have might surprise you. Bikers are nearly twice as likely as those who don't ride to have a tattoo of their significant other's name (18 percent versus 10 percent) although some of the men did amit to flowers, heart, unicorns and the Cookie Monster.

And Now the Nasty Flip Side of Biker Love...



Just when we gals were feeling all warm and fuzzy about our biker guys comes word that we may mean less to them than that tarty German vixen that gets most of their attention and money. Another insurance company, this time Allstate (is this what they all do in their spare time?), recently completed a consumer study that showed that virtually ALL riders who identified themselves as hardcore would give up their spouse or significant other before their motorcycle. 500 guys across the country got to weigh in earlier this year in a study called "Who I am and What I Ride." They could identify themselves as a Sports Bike Enthusiast, Stressed Out Executive, Hardcore Biker or Weekend Warrior - which led the field at 31 percent. The majority of the participants who could not identify their classification labeled themselves as Baby Boomer Riders.


In addition to spouses/significant others being potentially expendable, here are some of the other findings:


  • More than half of all the riders said they would give up their television rather than their motorcycle.

  • The highest percentage of respondents, 35%, said they own at least one Harley and spent an average of $20,600 for the bike and $2,250 more on accessories. 30% rode a Honda.

  • Seven in ten of bikers say they ride at least once a week; nearly half say they ride several times each week.

  • Why do men ride? Although "To get away from my spouse/significant other" wasn't a choice, maybe it should have been. Of the reasons available to choose, 'riding is more fun' came in first, with 'the feeling of freedom' in second.

  • One in five bikers belong to a biker club and those are predominantly the self-professed 'hard core bikers' (Red River Riders group IS a club, right? See hard core bikers, above.)

  • Thankfully, about 50% of men bikers will never have to make the dreaded spouse versus bike choice as that many have spouses who either ride with them or ride their own bike.

We female bikers are now waiting for a study of our own that will determine what WE think about these matters. Ladies of RRBMW Club, discuss amongst yourselves to prepare for a proper response.