Picture Of The Month! Norweigion Rest Stop! (Click Image for a Larger View)

Every month customers send us killer photos and I see no reason to keep them to myself so what better way to say thanks for sharing than to post them in this Picture of the Month spot..

Our Jan/Feb POTM was contributed by an anonymous rider from Norway. It was sent in with no real details and when I replied to the email asking for a name and other photo information.. I got nuthin' but crickets... So be it... I really like the shot.... And if the owner of this shot checks in.. I'll be glad to add your name and photo info...

If you would like to contribute your own"worthy" shot for our newsletter, here's what I'll need. First.. just email me 1 or 2 of your best digital shots. It'll need to be at least 1024x768 in size or larger and preferably A. Of a BMW K1200S, K1300S, K1200RS, K1200R, R Sport, S1000RR, K1600GT, GTL, or any model year K1200GT or K1300GT and B. In focus. C. No GS's for Gods sake.

Product Evaluation: Signal Dynamics LED License Plate Frame

I have had a Kisan Sequential LED License plate frame on my K1200S for at least 8 years. For the most part I have been very happy with it. It's not the brightest on the market, but any additional rear lighting is potentially a life saver especially when your greatest fear (other than Hillary being elected as our next president) is being rear ended.

On one of the last rides of the season my Kisan frame finally called it quits. As those have been unavailable for over a year now while they are being redesigned, I decided to try one of Signal Dynamics Single Row LED frames. They have a great reputation industry wide. In fact, we used to carry their products years ago. It's been so long that I don't remember why we stopped. It certainly wasn't a quality issue. Probably pricing.. Anyway... I ordered one of their most simple single-row LED frames off their website and within a week I had my new kit in hand. Cost to my door was a reasonable $64.95

Quality is first rate. I didn't particularly like the black gloss powder coating. The Kisan comes with a textured black finish which, IMHO is less gaudy and better matches the flat black plastic at the rear of most motorcycles, but I admit I'm borderline OCD. It may be a non-issue to others. Otherwise.. the frame is unobtrusive which is what I was hoping for.

For some reason Signal Dynamics shows these frames on their website with the LED bar at the top as if that's they way they think most will install them.. IMHO they're wrong... These look much better when the LED bar is at the bottom giving it some distance from the oem tail light. Obviously you can install them either way.. And yes.. they are Can-Bus compatible.

Install: Unlike my Kisan sequential frame which had what seemed like a dozen thin, fragile wires coming out of it, the Signal Dynamics frame was Luddite-simple by comparison with only 3 sturdy little wires protruding.. A black ground wire, a red brake light wire, and a white tail light wire. That's it.. Even a 'luded out chimp could install this in 1/2 hour. Took me an hour as I'm borderline obsessive compulsive and I had to redo a lot of the wiring that I had mangled for the Kisan install. Once installed and the key on.. the Signal Dynamics frame is everything I was hoping for. The LEDs stay on with the tail light and then get super bright when the brake light is activated. I do kinda miss the modulating deceleration warning sequence of the Kisan, but I ordered simple and that's what I got. I'm pretty sure Signal Dynamics offers a frame that does everything the Kisan did so I'm kinda comparing apples to oranges. Overall, the Signal Dynamics frame is brighter. It certainly looks more durable. Time will tell.

Postscript: After the success or my recent install I have decided to carry the Signal Dynamics Single Row LED Frame from our website. How could I not? I love this thing and think my customers will too. East to install... inexpensive...and it's made right here in the USA. Bam!

A Motorcycling Legacy... or Last of the Mohicans?

While my whole life revolves around motorcycling and I could no more give it up than I could give up breathing or cunnilingus, the sport has cost me dearly. My first (and only) street accident in the first few months of my riding career put me in the hospital for 9 months followed by 2 years of rehab with a final result being a permanently f@#ed up knee, mental and physical scars, and neck issues which will last to infinity and beyond. Due to the aforementioned close encounter with a Buick, I eventually had to give up many things I lived for... tennis.. running.. karate.. climbing.. bicycling. That was a dark period in my life. One I never think or talk about. Of course history will record that I got back in the saddle after my lengthy recuperation. Riding is simply in my genes... It's who I am.

A while back I got a call from my daughter warning me that my newly married 18 year old grandson, Christian would be calling soon wanting advice (and I suspect.. my blessing) on buying his first motorcycle. After all.. I am the designated motorcyclist in the family and I am "mostly" respectable and I've survived for eons against all odds. While I was not surprised this day would come,.. I'd been dreading it for a long time. I had already been asking myself... (after what happened to me)... "should I promote motorcycling within my family?" Could my obsession with motorcycling be hereditary? While I awaited the inevitable call.. I pondered my past, the possibilities of things to come, and my responsibilities as elder of the clan.

Stepping aboard the wayback machine, my memory struggles mightily into the distant past to a singular moment.. A life changing decision with implications that would resonate for generations to come. At 18 years young, after the birth of my only daughter, I chose to have a vasectomy. Why? For the simple reason that I never wanted a son or the trials and tribulations that come with one.. My own father, who was all about "family," pleaded with me not to do it.  After-all, I was the last to carry the family name.. The heir to the throne.. By default, I was Chingachgook... Last of the Mohicans. Continued here...

1. Deals Gap Rally Venue Change Notice: The Tapoco Lodge (near Robbinsville,) site of our first 9 or so DGR's re-opened just recently under new (motorcycle friendly) management and members at I-BMW.com have voted overwhelmingly to change venues this year from the Fontana Village Resort back to the Tapoco. While the Fontana is a decent, reasonably priced venue, due to the layout of the place they simply could never keep our group together. Not good when most people come to hang out with friends. After 4 years of them spreading us all over bumf#@ Egypt.. it was time for a change.

The newly renovated, upscale Tapoco Lodge has reserved (20) cabins for our motley group. No rooms in the resort. All cabins are $189 a night. They have 2, 3, and 5 person cabins available. Reservations at the discounted rally rate will end May 1st and then go full metal jacket retail which is $249 a night so book NOW or feel the burn of paying full retail during peak season. Be sure to mention i-bmw group when booking. You guys and gals can start making your reservations now at 828-498-2325 Amber and I will be there. Full rally details and dates can be found at I-BMW.com or in our "2015 Rally Section" below"

3. Woohoo!! The R1200GSW Stealth Backrest is finally in stock at Pirates Lair. Honestly... it's the sleekest, one of the best looking designs we've ever offered.. Easy 5 minute install. Available in Black or Silver. With or without BMW logo. No modifications necessary. When you do NOT want the backrest on your bike, it slides off in seconds. Worried about protecting the finish of your oem rack from our stealth metal bracket? No worries... Our bracket never touches your bike, but instead is suspended over the oem rack via (4) aluminum spacers. We also offer soft luggage that slides over the backrest.. You asked for it... We delivered. Bam..

4. If you have an older BMW K1200RS or GT with a bad ABS module, you probably have a gun in your mouth right about now after hearing what a replacement unit will cost.. Most dealers want over 2K for the part and that doesn't even include a reach-around. Here's another solution. An outfit in TN called ASI can fix these things. The nice ASI folks will bench check yours for only $55 plus shipping. From what a couple of my customers told me.. they can repair them for around $400.. Worth a look..

3. NEW PRODUCT for 2015: We are now carrying the Signal Dynamics Single Row LED Frame. The Signal Dynamics frame is Luddite-simple to install (on any motorcycle) with only 3 sturdy little wires protruding.. A black ground wire, a red brake light wire, and a white tail light wire. That's it.. Even a 'luded out chimp could install this in 1/2 hour. Took me an hour as I'm borderline obsessive compulsive. And yes... it's CanBus compatible.

4. Woohoo!!If you suffer from ADD or Alzheimers after reading the blurb above.. let me refresh your memory... FYI.. our R1200GSW Stealth backrest is finally in stock. Honestly... It's the sleekest, one of the best looking designs we've ever sold .. Easy 5 minute install. Available in Black or Silver. With or without BMW logo. No modifications necessary. When you do NOT want the backrest on your bike, it slides off in seconds. Worried about protecting the finish of your oem rack from our stealth metal bracket? No worries... Our bracket never touches your bike, but instead is suspended over the oem rack via (4) aluminum spacers. You asked for it... We delivered. Bam..

5. NEW PRODUCT for 2015! We've been selling T-Bags Soft Luggage with our Stealth backrests for over 10 years now offering 2 choices.. The standard Roll Bag and their Universal Helmet Bag... We just got notice that the Universal bag has been revamped, enlarged, and is all new for 2015. Here's a shot of the new bag. As you can see the ends now have expandable pockets. Sweet! We have the new bags in stock!

The First 2015 Australian I-BMW Rally: March 14-16th, 2015

Where: Meet Friday arvo/evening the 13th of March at Jingellic Pub/Hotel
Address: 3149 River Road Jingellic, NSW 2642
Nearest town: Jingellic, New South Wales
When: March 14-16th, 2015 (Arrive on and meet Fri )
Reservations: Tel: 02 6037 1290

All rally details including detailed maps showing the daily routes, lodging, etc... can be found at I-BMW.com Motorcycle rentals are available out of Sydney and Melbourne with quite a few BMW's on the menu. Costs are about $200-300+ a day plus insurance, deposit etc. The tentative (and fluid) plan is for 3 days riding together through and around the snowy mountains. This rally will make I-BMW history... and it's been a long time coming.. Be a part of (hopefully) a new tradition.. and watch out for the 'roos.

The 3rd Annual I-BMW Rocky Mountain Rally: July 19 through July 22, 2015

Where: Quality Inn of Gunnison
Nearest town: Gunnison, Colorado
When: July 19 through July 22, 2015
Reservations: 970-641-1237

Our base of operations will again be the Quality Inn of Gunnison, which is located at 400 E. Tomichi Ave (also known as U.S. 50) in Gunnison. They are currently taking reservations for a block of rooms that are reserved for us. I encourage you to make you reservations early (like now), and to mention that you are with the BMW Motorcycle Group in order to get the rate of $95 plus tax per night (down from their advertised $119 + tax). Most of the rooms have two queen-sized beds, but there are also some available with one king or one queen. A hot breakfast is included. Here is a link to the motel's website

2015 I-BMW KHCR: Aug. 6-9th, 2015

Where: Blue Licks Battlefield State Park
Address: 10299 Maysville Rd, Carlisle, KY 40311
Nearest town: Maysville, Ky
When: Aug. 6,7,8, and 9 (Arrive on Thur, play Fri and Sat and depart Sun )
Reservations: 800 443-7008

For reservations call 800 443-7008. There is a restaurant on the grounds. The rooms will be held until July 7. The site is roughly 15 miles South of Maysville Ky on us 68. It is 42 miles North of Lexington Ky on us 68. It is 78 miles East of Cincinnati Ohio. 114 miles East of Louisville Ky and 104 miles West of Huntington W.Va. Ridge land abounds with nice roadways and long views.

The 16th Annual I-BMW Deals Gap Rally: October 1-4th, 2015 New! Venue Change Notice!!

Where: Tapoco Lodge
Nearest town: Robbinsville, NC
When: October 1st-4th, 2015 [Thur-Sunday]
Reservations: Direct 800.849.2258

The Tapoco Lodge (near Robbinsville,) site of our first 9 or so DGR's re-opened just recently under new (motorcycle friendly) management and members at I-BMW.com have voted overwhelmingly to change venues this year from the Fontana back to the Tapoco. The newly renovated, upscale Tapoco has reserved (20) cabins for our motley group. No rooms in the resort. All cabins are $189 a night. They have 2, 3, and 5 person cabins available. Reservations at the discounted rally rate will end May 1st and then go full metal jacket retail which is $249 a night so book NOW or feel the burn of paying full retail during peak season. Be sure to mention i-bmw group when booking. Amber and I will be there. Neither of us will be wearing panties.

Alternate Lodging in Robbinsville, NC. Microtel Motel or Fontana Village Resort
Closest BMW dealer: Eurosport of Asheville, NC

...and don't forget... Pirates Lair will be offering your choice of either Pirates Lair Plundering hats, Pirates Lair tees, or $25 gift cards to anyone who achieves a "velocity award" while in transit to or from or at the rally itself.. If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.