Picture Of The Month! Gardenia Mountain Pass, Dolomites! (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 July / Aug POTM was contributed by Gijs van Dijk (aka.. Mo'Gas) of the Netherlands . His website is www.sport-touring.eu He says of the shot... "This was taken with my Canon 5D. It's in the Dolomites on the Gardena mountain pass. We were on our way back from a trip through all the Balkan countries in 2010 - almost 8000km roundtrip in 3 weeks. We were having a day to relax in Arabba, Italy, which is a great place to be when riding in the Dolomites. It has something like 10 passes within a 200km radius, which will pretty much guarantee you will have as much fun as you can possible have with your clothes on. So of course I used my relax day to explore some of those. :) "

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.

The First Annual 2013 I-BMW Rocky Mountain Rally: As Good As It Gets!

Last year I joined a group of riders who were invited to Colorado as part of a recon mission to scout out a location of what would eventually be the I-BMW Rocky Mountain Rally. It was simply some of the best riding and best scenery I'd ever seen. Here's my write up of that event .. My Colorado Adventure... another Pirates Lair Ride Report. The gathering was the brain-child of my good buddy, Rob Gross.. What makes this all the more impressive is that knowing Rob... you'd never imagine his brain would be up to the task. (Sorry Rob.. I couldn't resist.) Post-gathering intel in hand, Rob made plans, chose dates, booked a motel, then lit the beacons of Gondor. The news spread quickly... If you book it.. they will come.

This last weekend the first annual Rocky Mountain Rally which was held in Gunnison, Colorado became a reality. How'd it turn out? I've heard nothing but raves from every attendee. Some saying it was the best www.I-BMW.com rally ever!! That's saying alot. We had 34 people show up riding 23 bikes. Not too shabby for a first year rally. Apparently Rob pulled it off without a hitch. Wish I could have been there, but I'm still having to pick and choose which rallies I can attend due to the financial oppression of Obamanomics. Maybe next year.

If interested, I have posted as many rally pics as I could plunder..er.. accumulate from the I-BMW site in our Pirates Lair Photo Album. Look for them in the album cleverly entitled.. Rocky Mountain Rally 2013 A special thanks to Cabnfvr, K1dude, McFly, Lee, and others for sharing some great photos. Last but not least..a hardy pat on the back to Rob G. for making the rally happen. You da man!

New Product! Somebody Stop Me!!! CL Brake Pads! If You've Got a Bike.. We've Got Brake Pads For It

Pirates Lair is proud to announce that we are now carrying CL Brake Pads. Many will say.. "It's about f@#*in time!" For years I've been scolded and occasionally keelhauled for not carrying brake pads. I admit I've been just a wee bit apathetic to our customer's plight... No longer. After testing CL pads on my own BMW K1200S for months.. I deem them worthy of our most holy product line and our quasi-esteemed customers. Whether you are riding the Iron Butt Rally, commuting, road racing, or kicking ass at Deals Gap, your brake system is one of the most important parts of your motorcycle. Why not use top quality braking components? It's a no-brainer and I apologize for my tardiness..

The highly rated French-made Carbone Lorraine Brake pads are "high performance sintered metal" pads offering an ideal combination of value, durability and performance. They even have the German TUV approval! I'm guessing that's a good thing. I have most of the late model BMWs listed on our website with more to come.. and I can get kits not listed on our site for virtually every motorcycle in the Milky Way galaxy upon email request..

Michelin Pilot Power 3's: Shhwing! Mini Review!

Anyone who owns a BMW K1200S or K1300S will tell you that these bikes go through tires like Egypt goes through presidents. As this is a painful (and expensive) reality, I'm constantly in search of a tire that provides both grip and at least a modicum of longevity for the overweight BMW. Is that too much to ask in this time of financial woe? I think not. With that said... in my never ending search for the perfect tire for my "S".. here's my latest in a long line of mini-reviews on the subject..

I tried Michelin Pilot Powers a few years ago and wasn't impressed. They were harsh.. a bitch to install due to the hard carcass.. had a little too much turn-in.. and I didn't find them particularly sticky enough for the mountain roads around here. I trashed a pair then moved on. In the interim I've tried Pirelli Corsa 3s, Diablos, and a few pairs of the relatively capable and reasonably priced Dunlop Q2s. In our April/May 2012 Issue I decided it was about time to reexamine the Michelin brand and tried the then new Power Pures. I instantly fell in love with them. Feel and performance was a cut above the Dunlops and with the soft carcass.. mounting was much easier. Mileage-wise I got a yawn-worthy average 2270 miles out of the front Pure, but a whopping 3640 out of the rear. Wow! Big improvement over any previous tire that I've had on my venerable K1200S. Unprecedented in my curve infested world. At last!! I was happy and wanted to teach the world to sing in perfect har-mo-ny. I thought my quest for the perfect street tire (for my roads and my riding style) was over...then... Michelin discontinued them. DOH! Their replacement?.. the Michelin Pilot Power 3.

The Pilot Power 3s are designed for 85% street riding and 15% track use. That sounds just about right to this ex-track day junkie. Michelin claims that their goal for the Pilot Power 3s was improved wet traction and improved longevity over the Pures, but as these tires are new to me and I haven't ridden in the rain.. I can't attest to either..yet.. My initial impressions?? First.... Installing the PP3s is a breeze. They go on almost as easy as track-day tires. Sweet! That's an unexpected and always appreciated plus.. Kinda like a woman talking dirty to you during sex.

Once on the bike they warm up quickly so there's little drama and fewer sphincter imprints on the seat.. On the road I found the PP3s to be rock solid with nary a twitch until you're at extreme, "I shouldn't be doing this on the street" lean angles. Even at the brink of losing traction.. everything is predictable. No surprises. It makes me wonder how well they'd actually do on a track. I personally don't think they are track-worthy for a serious rider, but I could be wrong. In the dry, the tires are 100% predicable and confidence inspiring when riding like a mortal. Like the Pures, the PP3s are very neutral and that's just the way I like them. Ride quality is decent.. Not plush, but certainly not harsh. Steering effort is minimal. Line changes mid curve aren't an issue. Honestly, I simply could not find any fault with them other than the slightly higher than the competition price.

How can I eloquently sum up my feelings for the Michelin Pilot Power 3s? Shhwing! With less than 800 miles on them I have no idea how long they'll last, but if I get similar or possibly even better mileage than the Pures (like Michelin claims).. I'll be swearing my oath of allegiance to Michelin and forsaking all other brands... for a while. IMHO... the French actually delivered with a substantially improved tire. Merci, Michelin.

For those who wonder about my less than scientific evaluation process, I do virtually all my tire testing on the very abrasive Blue Ridge Parkway, in temps over 60 degrees, using 36psi front & 40 rear, wearing Paco Rabanne cologne. As with all my tires, I bought mine from my favorite go-to guys... Motorcycle-Superstore.com. Price for the rear was $189.99 delivered.. the front was $117.99 delivered. From the day of order to my door was 4 days.

&3. Last month I mentioned that a popular section of Blue Ridge Parkway from Milepost 374 (one mile north of Ox Creek Road) to Mt. Mitchell had closed! Apparently there’s a slope failure below the roadway due to the biblical rains we've been having. The good news is... that section has re-opened with a newly paved temporary detour.

4. Tail of the Dragon News: Beginning Thursday, July 18, 2013, US 129 (The Dragon) at Mile 9.5 will be reduced to one lane controlled by a temporary traffic signal as crews begin rock slide slope stabilization. This project is estimated to be complete on or before August 31, 2013. This will not close the Dragon and traffic on the rest of the roadway will not be affected.

5. Looks like we Northeast guys have a new track to play on.... Check out the New York Safety Track located in Harpersfield, NY. Track looks great, but what's with the name?? New York Safety Track?? Sounds like a place where soccer moms and beginners come to ride their vespas.. If they want to attract serious riders they're gonna need a serious name.. Duh.. Best wishes to them for a successful venue..

9. Newsworthy Event: I usually don't give non-K bike rallies 'screen time" in our newsletters, but I'm making an exception this once as it's a damn worthy cause if there ever was one....The following info was sent to me by good friend Monty Fuchs regarding the Cherokee Soul Revivers Motorcycle Rally.. he provided the following info..

BikerDownWNC.org is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to Lift-Up downed bikers. The Cherokee Soul Revivers Motorcycle Rally was created as an annual fund-raiser to provide resources to motorcycle accident victims. We want to make this event unique by providing a venue for Christian Motorcycle Ministries, Churches and other like-minded organizations to enjoy a sober biker rally with music, games, vendors, and speakers. Our plan is to provide a family atmosphere where Christians who love to ride can enjoy an atmosphere of peace, safety, worship, and fellowship. Leaders will enjoy the opportunity to share and learn how other ministries perform the labor of love and service that God has for them - their successes and their lessons learned - within a convention-like atmosphere. Of course, there will be plenty of time to take an organized ride on the most beautiful twisty roads the area has to offer; listen to Gospel music and Christian rock bands, and get a new T-Shirt or leather gear. Guest speakers will bring God's word to inspire, motivate and re-energize that spirit of service in your ministry. Join us - participate with us - enjoy the wonderful land of Cherokee.

3. Looks like we may be at the end of an era... The custom mold we had made 12 years ago for our original BMW K1200RS / GT Stealth Backrests is simply old and worn out. Kinda like Keith Richards. I'm guessing we sold over 6000 of our Stealth backrests since 1999 which is waaay longer than we thought possible. This was the product that put Pirates Lair on the global map and the single item that really got us started. These days sales are down due in no small part to the fact that A. the bike was discontinued over 8 years ago B. I'm guessing a high percentage of the bikes sold now have our backrest on them..and C. the economy is still stagnate due to an inept president. As of today, our metal people are evaluating the mold to see if it's still viable. They owe us about (13) brackets. If he gives us the OK.. we'll probably order one last production run.. Maybe 50.

6. New Product Alert! Tired of looking at those butt-ugly oem footpegs on your BMW K1300S & K1200S? Can't afford a pair of Sato rearsets? I feel your pain. Here's a cheaper solution. We just added Oberon's Touring Footpeg Kit to our menu. These imported billet aluminum peg kits (from Great Britain) are sleek, attractive, and durable. While we plan on keeping silver in stock, we can special order these in Blue, Red, Black, Gold, or Titanium. Expect about a 3 week wait on colors. Our kits come complete with (2) front and (2) rear pegs and all necessary mounting hardware to make your K13/K12 stand out. They are machined to precise measurements and is a direct replacement to the existing footpeg - No mods necessary. Chimp easy install.

The I-BMW Kentucky Hill Country Rendezvous: Aug 8th- 10th, 2013

Where: Lure Lodge
Where: at Lure Lodge on the banks of Lake Cumberland again.
When: Aug 8, 9, 10 ( arrival Thur. depart Sun. am )
Reservations: Phone 800-325-1709 or 270-353-3111 or internet them for reservations

In 2013, the usual suspects will return to the Lure Lodge for I-BMW's Kentucky rally. The 63-room Lure Lodge overlooking beautiful Lake Cumberland offers full amenities. The indoor pool and high speed wireless internet service available at the lodge. Rooms available by late afternoon. Check-out by noon. A limited number of lodge rooms will be available for pets. Lake Cumberland cabins and campsites are also available. Check in at the Lodge on Thursday, August 8th, and check out on Sunday 10th. Please call 800-325-1709 or 270-353-3111 for your individual reservation and identify yourself as part of the I-BMW group!!

...and don't forget... Pirates Lair will be offering I-BMW members who achieve a "velocity award" while in transit to or from or at the rally there choice of either Pirates Lair Plundering hats, Pirates Lair tees, or $25 gift cards Just contact us after the rally with "proof" of your award and as soon as we verify that you are a I-BMW member... you'll get your prize!!.. If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.

The 6th Annual I-BMW Sierra Goldrush Rally: Sept 6th-10th, 2013

Where: 49er Gold Country Inn
Where: Weaverville, CA
When: Friday, September 6th… check out date is estimated to be Tuesday, September 10th
Reservations: 530-623-4937

5 Economy rooms with one queen bed... $60 for 1 person, $65 for 2
1 Economy room with two queens... $75 for 2 people
5 Deluxe rooms with 2 queens... $85 for 2 people

Here is what they have available for Friday, 9/6 through Tuesday, 9/9...

They are located in the center of town with 6 restaurants within walking distance, including one next door that has a breakfast special for motel guests. The rooms are all well equipped, including wifi.

We need to move quickly to secure these rooms. If you plan to attend, you should call immediately to make your reservation, and be sure to tell them that you are part of the I-BMW motorcycle group!! 530-623-4937. PS... IMPORTANT... don't forget to cancel your reservation in Markleeville!! Jeannie at Creekside Lodge... 530-694-2511 or Sandy at Toll Station 530-694-2507

The 14th Annual I-BMW Deals Gap Rally: October 3-6th, 2013

Where: Fontana Village Resort
Nearest town: Robbinsville, NC
When: October 3rd-6th, 2011 [Thur-Sunday]
Reservations: Direct 800.849.2258

Geezz. Have we been doing this for 14 years? I've had marriages that didn't last that long. 20 lodge rooms w/ 2 queen beds/ns: $85+tax - 6 2br cabins with 1 queen and 2 twin beds/kitchen/ns: $120+tax When calling, specify room or cabin. Cabins will be either the Laurel or Hemlock cabins. Reservations for blocked out rooms will end 45 days prior. Saavy? Be sure to mention i-bmw group when booking.

...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.

NOTE: I-bmw.com is not an official sponsor of any posted events. Event participation is the sole responsibility of the attendee. Motorcycle riding is potentially dangerous and can result in personal injury or death or lots of velocity awards.. You and you alone are responsible for your own safety. Ride within your own ability. It's called.. "personal responsibility."