Picture Of The Month! Alone Time in Illinois! (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 March POTM was contributed by .. Doug Littlejohn ..of Marshall, IL. He says of the shot... "Pic was taken on a short stretch through Illinois farm country called Wilderness Road, south of Marshall Illinois around 4PM CST. The backroads in my part of the world are interesting and provide some nice motorcycling experiences, because they are almost all paved - even the remote county roads. Â During WWII, the largest petroleum tank farm in the US was situated not far from here (Marathon Pipeline still operates the tank farm in size-reduced form to this day, and it can be easily seen on Google Earth just west of Martinsville, IL) and the roads were typically paved at that time for the tankers to visit both the tank farm and the outlying pump stations. Â Since then, they have largely remained paved, simply because, well, that's the way it's always been.... I was out for a ride on my new-to-me 2009 K1300S on an almost-cloudless 58-degree Friday afternoon - a rarity for January in Illinois - when I noticed the afternoon lighting was offering a really nice contrast between bland-colored surroundings and the metallic paint on my bike. Â Pic was taken with a Canon G10. "

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.

There are few people in this world that I'm actually envious of. I could count them on 3 fingers. One is a tennis player, the other a surfer, the third is my good friend Ara Gureghian. I've known Ara for about 10 years or so. We met at the Georgia Mountain BMW according to him. I thought it was Deals Gap, but my memory ain' t for chit these days so he's probably right.

Ara, you see, is living the true adventurer's life. The last I heard, the 60+ year old youngster has been on the road close to 6 years. He and his trusty companion Pit Bull, Spirit roam the world on his '96 BMW R1100GS (with 260,000 original miles) and side car rig. Life plays by his rules rather than the other way around. Google "motorcyclist" and I'll imagine his picture will come up. If it doesn't.. it should. He's the real deal in a world of personal branding and marketing, relentless social media and networking, and Kardashians.

Besides being a unique individual who is fun to hang out with, a world traveler, and a world-class photographer, (you have got to check out some of the mind blowing pics on his site...) Ara is also a trained professional chef. He got his Culinary at the "Institut International de Glion Sur Montreux," in Switzerland then owned or worked in various restaurants around the world, before deciding to change his lifestyle by hitting the road. Actually.. there's a back story to Ara's lifestyle.

Ara was dealt a dark card 8 years ago when he lost his only child, his son "Lance" to liver cancer after a two year battle. He tried to maintain his business for another two years, but to no avail. Broke from his life savings going toward Lance's medical bills, having nothing else to loose, he turned to what he also knew and felt best about. "Riding" and "Mother Nature." Currently, he gets a meager monthly social security check so with free camping they make due.

Up until recently, besides the government checks, he financed his adventures as a hired chef to the wealthy. I'm not 100% sure, but I think he worked maybe 2 months a year, getting paid big bucks, then hitting the road again with Spirit. Can you imagine? Me either. If curious as to what his life must be like, you can always follow his adventures on-line as he blogs about it daily (and it's posted weekly) on his website... The Oasis Of The Soul.

Recently, Ara came up with a new idea for financing his travels and as my friend I thought I'd mention it here in this cheesiest of newsletters. For a limited time he's offering his personal recipes for a small donation which can be made via Paypal on his site. Simple and brilliant. If you go to his site, just click on "One Pan Recipes" and it'll take you to where you can order his culinary offerings.. A few examples.. Balsamic Cranberry Dijon Chicken, Pasta Carbonara, Grilled Salmon topped with Guacamole, Chicken with a Garbanzo Bean Salad, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Tilapia with Black Beans, Shrimp over Pasta, Chicken with Feta Cheese and Bacon, Pineapple Mango Pork or Chicken.. and the list goes on. He's recently also started a T Shirt and merchandise store. Of course Spirit, always in full gear with his goggles and helmet, is the star.

I could never do what Ara is doing and I'd bet my kingdom not many of our readers could or would either. Most of us have become domesticated divas needing a hot shower, Tempur-pedic mattress, and our trusty remote at the end of the day. Tonight, Ara will be sitting under the moon and stars with only his thoughts and his faithful companion by his side. Kicked back under the heavens with nary a sound, but the wind and crackle of a roaring camp fire.

If you'd like to help keep Ara and Spirit's 's adventure alive and get some one-off recipes, tees, mouse pads, etc, etc, I'm sure he'd appreciate any support and/or donations no matter how small..

1. MV Verholen Of Germany delivers yet again with this impressive K1600GTL / K1600GT Peg Lowering Kit. Bad knees? Join the club. This adjustable Driver Peg Kit for your K1600GTor GTL offers so many positions, the possibilities are almost endless! The adapter can be mounted upwards or downwards to either raise or lower the pegs! The universal adapter can be rotated 360 degrees and extends up to 40mm from the stock position. The footrests can be mounted further forward and under for comfortable riding or further back for a racing style positioning. It mounts using an M10 screw, making it absolutely stable and secure. If you don't want to take the time of ordering from Germany... of course you can get them at Pirates Lair.

2. "Q" probably came up with this little gadget for 007. Hide your motorcycle plates with the touch of a button from red light cameras or the blue meanies! This kit (which ships from Poland) fits the BMW S1000RR and K1300S. If the link doesn't work, type in Ebay product item # 110797072576.

3. Shorai Batteries just had an across the board price increase... Up to a sphincter bustin' $229.95... While they may be light as a feather and have the best warranty around... IMHO the price is pushing the boundaries of reason..For the weight savings, I'd still buy one but I'd sure whine about it afterwards..

4. According to Roadracing World.com... BMW Motorrad USA Sales Grew 7.4% in 2011! Guess what the best selling model was?? I would have guessed wrong.

5. Looking for highway pegs for your BMW K1600GTL or K1600GT?? Look no further than Ilium Works. The infinitely adjustable set sells for $299.US + shipping.

6. Speaking of Illium Works.. Looks like they are also working on K1600GT / GTL Engine Guards for the aforementioned bikes.. Price is yet to be announced. Here's what they look like.. Click Here.

7. Most experienced riders or pilots know that you should always keep your eyes moving while riding. Never fixate.. Never heard this?? Then aren't you glad you are reading this cheese? Here's a demonstration that proves how important this premise is.. Motion Induced Blindness.

8. It's a sign of the times... Remus just had an across the board price hike on all their exhausts... A lot has to do with the economy... some of it has to do with the fact that shipping costs worldwide rose about 7% on Jan 1st..

9. I found a very nicely done Step by Step Power Outlet Install on K1600GTL over at the www.I-BMW.com site.... Thx, Matthew..

10. Not many things these days are FREE... Other than this cheese filled newsletter, lies from politicians, and oxygen... I'm pullin' a blank.. Just got word from Vics (big Kahuna over at www.I-BMW and huge HD fan) that they are offering FREE, I-BMW reflective stickers... Check them out for details!!!

11. Looking for a sleek way to centrally mount a GPS on your BMW K1200RS?? There are few decent mounts out there these days for the venerable RS. Most are ugly as Jane Hathaway on a meth bender... This one isn't.. the Single-Flex Cockpit-Mount from Saeng / TA.

12. No idea how legal this is, but lest ye forget.. I am a pirate. Here's a completely downloadable BMW S1000RR Service Manual 1st Edition 06-2010 CD/DVD

13. Motorcyclist On-Line just published their 2012 BMW S1000RR | First Ride - More Than Skin Deep .. If you were on the fence on the RR... this will push you over to the dark side..

2. As mentioned in the section above... Shorai Batteries just had an across the board price increase...

3. It's a sign of the times... Remus just had an across the board price hike on all their exhausts ...I should have all the 2012 prices in place on our website by the time this goes to press. A lot has to do with the economy... some of it has to do with the fact that shipping costs worldwide rose about 7% in the last few months..

4. The factory BMW K1200S & K1200R tail light is an abomination to anyone with sight and quite possibly .. even the blind. The factory piece looks like a baboon's ass after a gang rape.. What were the Germans thinking?? Enter the Wunderlich with the Triton 2 LED Taillight. Turn your tail section into a crowning highlight of the bike rather than an affront to humanity. Completely Can-Bus compatible. Read my full review of the Triton 2.. Expensive yes.. Worth it?? Hell yes..!! How do you put a price on ridding yourself of reoccurring baboon-ass dreams? Fits the K1200S, K1200R, K1200R Sport, R1200R.

5 In case you haven't visited in a while, I've revamped the Pirates Lair How-To Page to make it easier to navigate. I now have sections for different bikes.. Why? Because I love you... If you'd like to help others by contributing a How-To-Survive On A Motorcycle, How to Survive Deals Gap, or any How-To link.. First... check out the tips we already have and if you have something new... just send to me and if it's worthy... I'll add it.

11. Over 11 years ago, one of the first products we added to our then fledgling website was our Pirates Lair K1200RS/GT Headlight Protector Kit. At the time I purchased a $3800 roll of thick 3M material, came up with a pattern for the RS/GT headlight, and have been cutting off this roll and selling kits for now over a decade. Well my fellow pirates... that roll is about to run out and we're not going to buy any more. Demand these days has dwindled. As of this post I think we have about 7 kits left. These are be 100% invisible once installed. If you've been wanting some cheap protection for that godawfully expensive RS / GT headlight.... now might be the time to snatch one of these last $40 kits.. No pressure. Just informing...

12. Speaking of headlight protectors... New on our K16 menu.. . Cee Bailey K1600GT / K1600GTL Headlight Covers Any idea what it would cost to replace the K1600GTL or GT headlight? Take a guess..! Higher! Guess again.. Not even close.. FYI, you're looking at a sphincter busting $1200.US and that doesn't include foreplay or dinner afterwards. Hedge your bets against the randomness of mother nature with these aircraft quality grade acrylic covers from Cee Baileys. They install easily and securely with the 3M Dual-Lok fasteners. Easy on/off for cleaning. Clear in color for 100% Light Transmissibility. Protect yourself.. or not.. The question is.. "Do you feel lucky? Well.. do ya punk?"

2012 Texas Hill Country I-BMW Rally: April 16-19, 2012

Location: Hwy 39 near Hunt - 22 miles from hwy 83
Where: River Inn Resort in Hunt, Texas
When: Monday thru Thursday, April 16th thru 19th (arrive Monday - leave Friday)

Prices stay the same as last year. 2 night minimum stay. 1-800-841-0501 or 1-830-238-4226 ask for Cindy. A one bedroom is $60.00 plus tax, some do have sofa sleepers. Lodging is limited, so Book early to guarantee a room. You can secure your reservation with AMEX, MasterCard or Visa....7 day cancellation policy, however there is a $25 service charge. They all have a refrigerator and microwave.

Agenda: Meet. Ride. Talk, Eat. Ride. Talk.

2012 Blue Ridge Parkway I-BMW.com Rally: May 17-20, 2012

Where: Wattstull Inn, just north of Buchanan, Virginia
When: May 17th thru 20th, 2011 (Thur – Sun)

Call Wattstull Inn for reservations.
540-254-1551 / Mention: i-bmw group
SPECIFY ROOM TYPE - single, double, king.. / Rooms are 68 (ish*) per night plus tax (*2011 rates)

Blue Ridge Parkway info and maps can be found here and here

Alternate Lodging (info only) : Super 8 – Bedford or Days Inn – Bedford or Peaks of Otter Lodge

The 13th Annual I-BMW Deals Gap Rally: October 4-7th, 2012

Where: Fontana Village Resort
Nearest town: Robbinsville, NC
When: October 4th-7th, 2011 [Thur-Sunday]
Reservations: Direct 800.849.2258

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. Lodge rooms are in the Garden units with parking outside the door. Cabins will be either the Laurel or Hemlock cabins. Reservations for blocked out rooms will end 45 days prior. Saavy? Free Pirates Lair tees to all attendees who get speeding tickets. Woohoo!! Be sure to mention i-bmw group when booking.

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."