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Show ‘n’ Shine Day: CLASSIC &VINTAGE Bikes (and
Cars!) Half the fun of owning a classic
or vintage vehicle is showing it off!
C'mon, if you've spent countless hours, not to mention countless
DOLLARS on your baby, you want the opportunity to share your pride
and joy with your fellow enthusiasts, right?
Well, this is it. We love our vintage BMWs, of course, and there's no doubt that the glorious old pre-1974 Beemers will be well represented at this event. But this year, to prove that we're not stingy with our affections, we're inviting owners of ALL Brands of vintage bikes and sidecar rigs to join us. And not only bikes, but CARS too!
Have we lost our minds? Well, no, but since
it's our specialty to actually listen to our customers
we've learned that many of them have just as much interest in their
old 4-wheelers as they do in their bikes. So why not open the gates
and see what shows up? This could be fun.
• Got a classic vehicle of whatever persuasion —
bring it to Bob's. See and Be Seen!
• Informal concours for the benefit of hard-core show-offs.
• Awards given to outstanding participants. (But
we're the judges and what we say goes.)
• Bob's Vintage BMW Museum is on the premises -- always
worth a visit.
• A vendor of scrumptious grilled goodies, sandwiches,
and munchies will be on hand.
• Enjoy a fascinating array of history on wheels. We
promise. Saturday, May 17th,
9:00 AM till 4:00 PM at Bob's. Don’t miss it!
Make it a VINTAGE WEEKEND, because on Sunday... May 18: British & European Classic Motorcycle Day, Germantown, MD
British & European Classic Motorcycle Day is one of the largest of its kind, with over 2,000 attendees, Door Prizes, Tech Sessions, and more. Held at Butler's Orchard in Germantown, Maryland from 10-6. For more information, visit the web site (http://www.classicmotorcycleday.org)
May 18: Bob's leads ride to Classic Motorcycle Day
Our own sales manager, Ashton will lead the ride from Double T Diner
in Catonsville, MD, to Classic Motorcycle Day in Germantown. Starting
time and other details: TBA right here. Stay tuned.
Click HERE for a printable Vintage and Classic Show 'n' Shine flyer!
Sending Out the Message —
a NEW Way
–
May 13, 2008
Have you seen it? The bright yellow truck with the big glass windows
and the BMW inside it? Keep a lookout for it because, from now until
at least the beginning of July, we’re out there wandering the
highways and byways in the Baltimore–DC–Northern Virginia
region hoping to draw some new eyeballs to the BMW Motorcycle brand
and Bob’s BMW in particular.
Advertising and promotion can be a funny thing. You know, we’re
all out there riding our bikes every day, thinking of ourselves as
sort of rolling ambassadors for the pleasures and benefits of BMW
motorcycling and yet, realistically, only a limited number of people
ever seem to take notice. Then, the minute you put that same bike
in an altogether different setting, something out of the ordinary
and unexpected such as the back of a big glass truck, all kinds of
people notice it and react as though they’ve never seen a BMW
motorcycle before in their lives! We can’t say we understand
why it works, but if this is what it takes to get some attention,
it’s what we have to do.
Here’s where YOU might get involved if you want to have a little
bit o’ fun. You can join in with some motorcycle-related social
activity in conjunction with the truck’s schedule. There are
two ongoing bike gathering events where the truck will be headed to
make a showing. Sure would be great if some other BMW riders joined
in as well.
They are:
1. Every Wednesday night, 7pm - 10pm - TGIFridays in Greenbelt
(Directions & more info here: http://tgifridays.know-where.com/tgifridays/cgi/site?01759
)
Lots – maybe HUNDREDS – of motorcyclists are meeting here
regularly on Wednesdays. What’s the scene? Well some of our
customers have been going and tell us it’s pretty amazing. Check
it out for yourself, schmooze with the tribe, have a beer and a burger,
then — c’mon, try to convince some rice-rocket racer in
baggy shorts and T-shirt or some 350 lb leather-vested Harley rider
that he’s not a REAL biker unless he’s wearing a hi-viz
GORE-TEX & Kevlar riding suit with full CE armor and logging at
least 15,000 trans-continental miles a year equipped with GPS, rhino-proof
aluminum panniers and 1000 watts of auxiliary lighting! No, just kidding.
It’s about having fun and meeting other riders… all kinds
of riders, and maybe you’ll be the person that that REAL biker
can talk to after he sees the bright yellow truck and wonders aloud
what it’s actually like to own a BMW.
2. Every Thursday night, 7pm – 9pm (or later) at Hooters
in Towson (Joppa Road)
(Directions & more info here: http://baltimore.metromix.com/restaurants/american/hooters-of-towson-towson-area/121634/content
OK, this particular venue might offer a broad mix of attractions for
some of you, but Biker Beauties Magazine is co-sponsoring and it,
too, has been drawing in lots of folks with a keen eye for, um, a
quick and easy ride. Seriously though, Biker Beauties is revamping
their image, expanding their scope to include metric bikes and sport
bikes as well as American Customs, and yes, even cutting back on the
scantily clad eye candy to make the magazine more palatable to mainstream
readers. So join in and have some fun — guilt free!
Do you know of any OTHER places or events where bikers (or
wannabe bikers) are gathering? If so, please TELL US about it.
We’d like to direct our show truck there to make a memorable
impression and help spread the good word about BMW Motorcycling. Your
helpful suggestions are always greatly appreciated. Just email us
HERE!
Sudden Family Expansion Causes
Web Site Delays!
–May
13, 2008
The "fat" girl pictured to the left is our webmaster or, as she likes to be called, the Wicked Witch of the Web. Good news: that little bundle of joy she'd been waiting for has arrived! Though he decided to make his entrance a few weeks early, we're happy to report that Susan and baby Rex are
doing fine.
For the next 30 days
or so you may notice that updates to our web site are taking a little longer than usual. That's because work on the site occurs pretty much around Rex's sleep schedule which no one
can predict. We apologize for the delay, but you understand, it's a family matter.
Thanks for your patience!
BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE
August
14-17, 2008
Bob's BMW announces the 19th "Running of
the DOGS." This legendary ride, billed as the "world's highest, toughest, meanest, dirtiest,
dual-sport adventure ride" is the brainchild of our friend, the notorious Dr. Gregory Frazier. It starts with an unofficial Warm-Up/Photo-Op Day August 14, in Aurora, CO. Official start is August 15th from Dillon,
Colorado. To see if you have the "ride stuff" to join this
elite fraternity, look at www.horizonsunlimited.com/bigdog/ then contact:
bigdogbmw@yahoo.com or call (303) 715-9292 for a possible Invitation.
Experienced riders only. Entries are limited. WOOF!
GS Day Recap
—
April 28, 2008
We had yet another gorgeous Saturday to celebrate our month of Unstoppable
Fun! How can we be so lucky? A happy tribe of GS riders showed up
to show and shine on April 19th, marking the occasion of our second
annual GS Day festivities.
Our featured guest, young trials rider Laura Paugh, started off the
day with an informative talk about her sport followed by an impressive
demonstration of some tricky off-road riding techniques. Many have
been tempted to try riding up the steep hillside in front of our store.
Laura was the first to actually do it!
After Laura’s show our service manager Chris Maloney, assisted
by technician Patrick Crosson, held a class on the fine art of Tire-Plugging.
Lots of folks enjoyed learning the tips that can make this important
save-the-day flat tire technique easier to do.
We
gave some awards, of course. Winning the prize for “Dirtiest”
was our regular Maryland customer Bruce Watkins and his well-loved
F650GS. For “Most Accessories,” we found a very nice R1150GS
Adventure festooned with almost every imaginable gadget that belonged
to Greg Petchel of Hazelton, PA. A guy who came all the way Houston,
Texas, to be here easily won our “Farthest from Home”
prize — congratulations Len Ridgely. And finally, the “Highest
Mileage” award went to Ed Thompson from New Jersey. Ed’s
bike, a 1981 R80GS shows 150,000 on the odometer. But the odometer
quit working several years and countless tens of thousands of miles
ago. Actual mileage is probably pushing 250,000. Ed’s bike has
the additional distinction of having been ridden in two punishing
Iron Butt contests. Ed was the WINNER of one of them in 1984! Congratulations
to all our winners, and many thanks to all the GS enthusiasts who
came out to make our day special!
Bob & Fred’s Excellent
Adventure
October
18-26, 2008 This October join Bob Henig and Fred Rau
on a seven-day ride on Route 66! Cruise through some of the most beautiful scenery
our nation has to offer. Ride up California’s famous Ortega
Highway for breakfast at the legendary Lookout Roadhouse. Follow
the “Pines to Palms Highway,” then Old Route 66 across
the Mojave Desert to the Colorado River Valley. Continue on Rte. 66 to the ghost
town of Oatman, AZ, then over Sitgreaves Pass to Kingman and lunch
at the original Mr. D’z Fifties Diner. You'll head up to Hoover Dam, then
two nights in Las Vegas. Ride the Valley of Fire, then the Extraterrestrial
Highway to Area 51. Spend two nights in Beatty, Nevada, while you explore
Death Valley's Artists’ Palette, Dante’s View and Badwater,
the lowest, hottest spot on the continent. Next, it's down the Camel Driver’s
Trail from the old Borax mines to the Crowbar Cafe for some rattlesnake
chili, then to the Dumont Sand Dunes (highest in the country) and
across the Devil’s Playground to the famed Panorama Highway.
And there's MORE, too much more to list here. Join us for an adventure you'll never forget!
Tour begins and ends near
Los Angeles Airport. Make flight arrangements into LAX on Saturday, Oct. 18, and
fly out on Sunday, Oct. 26, in the morning. Shuttle service provided.
Dates of Trip: October 18 - 26, 2008 Where: Touring Southern California, Arizona
& Nevada Price: $3395 Couple* and $2795 Single (double
occupancy)*
*Price Includes:
7-Day Motorcycle Rental*
8 Nights Hotel Accommodations
Tour Guides & Maps
Video Slideshow of Your Tour
Beginning & Ending Banquets
Breakfast at The Lookout Roadhouse
Souvenir T-shirt
An Incredible Amount of Fun!
Motorcycle Choices:
BMW K1200LT • R1200RT or R1200GS • Honda Gold
Wing or Shadow Aero
Harley Electra Glide • Road Glide • Fat Boy •
Road King or Softail
**Tour operator cannot guarantee you will
get your first choice of bike, though there is a 90% probability
you will.
Taxes and insurance are paid, but renter must provide a $300
loss/damage waiver in the form of a credit card authorization.
Note:Entire route is paved, though parts are a bit old and
rough.
For details or to sign-up, please call Fred Rau (951-672-0239)
or email him at Fred@FredRau.com
—
March 28, 2008
For the second consecutive year Bob’s BMW has received BMW’s
Excellence Award for highest overall Customer Satisfaction
in sales and service nationwide. The plaque shown here was presented
to Bob at the annual dealer meeting held in San Diego early in March.
It’s now proudly displayed in our showroom. We’re not
boasting, but…pretty cool, huh?
But we’ve got to tell you about another recognition that stands
even higher: BMW Motorrad USA has also announced that a member of
our sales staff, Karl Wagner, has received the highest individual
Customer Satisfaction score among all 404 BMW sales persons in the
US! This is truly an impressive achievement and, of course, all of
us here at Bob’s are extremely proud of him.
When asked if he has a secret to winning such praise and loyalty from
his customers, Karl says, modestly, that his methods certainly aren’t
a secret, they’re not even revolutionary. “What I do,”
Karl explains, “is simply listen to my customers. I think the
key is that I try not to impose my values on them.”
Karl
knows that a lot of potential buyers walk into the showroom expecting
to have an adversarial relationship with the sales person —
an unfortunate problem that exists in our culture mainly because of
the shenanigans used by automotive hucksters for generations. But
when riders come to Bob’s and meet Karl they soon realize that
they’re being treated with genuine respect. Most are pleasantly
surprised. Some are in outright shock. By keeping an open mind to
their needs and desires, and at the same time tapping into his deep
knowledge of BMW bikes and accessories, Karl is able to help buyers
make the choices that best suit them. The result is a rider who clearly
appreciates the value in the purchase he or she has made. In short:
a very happy customer!
Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Karl has been riding motorcycles
for over thirty years. He has owned and ridden all kinds of bikes
representing several brands, though BMW street and sport-touring models
have been his favorites. Having that well-earned voice of experience
is certainly another reason why Karl’s customers feel so comfortable
with him.
Karl also loves going to track days at Summit Point to hone his riding
abilities. Those skills got put to the test when he went riding in
the Alps last year. Karl says, “Riding in the Alps is probably
the most exciting experience a motorcyclist can have, and once is
definitely not enough!” He’s already planning to go back
to the Alps this year too!
Robert Hellman
It
is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Robert Hellman.
He died Sunday, March 9, 2008 at his home in the company of those
he loved. He was 62. Robert Hellman was perhaps best known in the
world of motorcycling for being a principal founding member of The
BMW Riders Association and, for over twenty years, the editor (“Chefredakteur”)
of the club’s magazine, On The Level. Mr. Hellman’s erudite
and witty style, combined with his uncanny ability to get the scoop
on the inner workings at BMW in Germany well before anyone else, earned
him great devotion among his many readers and high praise from his
fellow journalists — even those with whom he occasionally had
well documented disagreements.
In recognition of his years of allegiance to BMW he became the first
recipient of the Friend of the Marque Award in 1997 and the first
individual to receive BMW of North America’s Icon Award a decade
later.
Bob and Suzanne Henig were close friends with Robert Hellman for many
years. Together they were among a core group of active BMW enthusiasts
in the Washington DC area and “riding buddies” since the
days when Bob’s Used Parts was just a dream in the making.
There was hardly anyone more dedicated to the BMW marque and to the
people who make up the unique culture of BMW motorcycling than Robert
Hellman. He will be missed.
Please take a few moments to watch our first-ever
in-house VIDEO production. You’ll undoubtedly notice many similarities
to your favorite films such as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Lawrence
of Arabia, and Revenge of the Nerds.
Do you think Bob’s BMW can win an Oscar for best Screenplay?
… a Golden Globe for Best Actor? … a Grammy for best Sound
Track? Umm, probably not. But have a look and let us know what you
think.
Click HERE to see Bob's BMW - The Movie! The shocking truth behind
the success of one of the nation's Top Destination Dealerships!!
See you at Sundance!
Bobschopster Lives!
–February
7, 2008
Bob's BMW and Dirty Hands Choppers
met last year at the Mid Atlantic Motorcycle Show in Timonium. Dirty
Hands was looking for something new and Bob told them about a BMW
R1200C project bike that he had at the shop. Bob's technicians helped
with the final touches. To see the work in progress, go to Dirty
Hand Choppers.
The bike rolled off the lift a few days ago just in time for the Mid
Atlantic Motorcycle show 2008. Stop by and check the bike out for
yourself.
Bob
left for a three week ride with Edelweiss tours last Autumn to ride
through Japan to see if it would be another part of the world to explore
on a BMW. The exact locale didn't disappoint with the abundance of
exotic foods, beautiful temples and crazy gadgets that you'll only
find in Japan. Please enjoy the photographs from his trip and we'll
keep you posted if and when this wonderful trip takes place.
Japan and how it came to be:
I was raised traveling around the world with my parents when I was
a little kid. My father was a director with the GAO (General Accountability
Office) and I guess I developed a sense of adventure and wanderlust
early on. I got involved with motorcycles in high school and then
bought my first bike in 1972 (a Suzuki TS250) it simply got worse---or
better depending on your perspective. I was often off traveling and
camping from my motorcycle instead of the back packing I did when
I was younger. You could take more, over more territory and still
enjoy the forest. As I got into BMW's in the mid 1970's and purchased
my first machine a used 1972 R75/5 that I still own I really discovered
what traveling by motorcycle was all about. My fist long trip was
a 700 plus mile day as part of a 3000 mile trip through New England
that I still think about and grin. Later on I learned about riding
in Europe because I way constantly going over to Europe for Flea markets
to hunt and gather rare bits to bring home and sell to my growing
used parts business.
It was not until about 1991 when Bob's Used Parts first because a
franchised dealership becoming Bob's BMW that I had an opportunity
to actually ride on another continent. Thanks to BMW I did just that
and in some very exotic
locations like Lanzarote located in the Canary Islands near Spain.
Some of these early adventures were attached to new bike intros and
meetings and others because I had learned about Beach's Tours and
Edelweiss Bike Travel
and what both companies had to offer. On a few occasions I was simply
able to borrow a used BMW from a business associate who lived in Germany.
Then around 1995 my wife Suzanne and I were talking about our upcoming
10 year anniversary and what we should do. We talked about a trip
to Alaska, something we both wanted, but we also talked about how
busy we were at the dealership, the fact that we had a 5 year old
son and a zillion other things going on in our lives. We planned and
then we decided that Alaska and that 10 year celebration should just
wait a bit.
One HUGE GRAND PRIZE worth up to $19,000(1)
includes ALL of this:
• Winner's choice of a new BMW
F800ST, F800S or F800GS w/ABS(2)
• $1500 worth of Riding & Casual Apparel from Our
Top Suppliers
• $1500 in Bike Accessories from Our Top Suppliers(3)
• A two-day on-the-road Riding School from The Rider's
Workshop(4)
• Transportation(5),
Hotels and Meals for 4 Full Days
• Fuel for first 600 miles, Break-in Service, plus personal
Tech Time
And… ADDITIONAL GREAT PRIZES TO BE AWARDED
are WORTH a total of OVER $2500:
Including Assorted Riding Gear and Motorcycle Accessories
from our Top Suppliers!
(Specifics TBA. Watch this page for more details!)
Proceeds from Bob’s
Ultimate Bike Raffle benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation,
sponsors of the THANKS for
your important contribution!
Bob's Personal
Message about the PBTF and Ride for Kids:
I've
been involved with the Pediatric Brian Tumor Foundation
(PBTF) and the great people who run it along with attending
the Ride for Kids events, working with the many other
volunteers, talking with and giving sidecar rides to
the kids and their families for over a dozen years now.
In that time we've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
through Bob's BMW as a result of our terrific customers
helping us and having FUN in the process. Our best year
ever was over $70,000 and yes I hope that Bob's BMW
and its customers will one day (this year?) reach $100,000
in our collective efforts.
The ride is just around the corner, on September 23rd
and while we've raised a good amount so far this year,
we still have a ways to go. My hope is to have you there
turning in all the money you got from your friends and
co-workers but I know that's not always possible. It's
why I'm asking you to make a donation right here, on
the Bob's website; we've made the process very easy.
Please take a few minutes and make an online donation
and help us reach our goal. You are of course welcome
and encouraged to stop by the dealership and hand me
or any of the staff a check; just make it payable to
the Ride for Kids or the PBTF.
No amount is ever turned away and it all adds up at
the end; even all those coins and small bills our customers
regularly drop in the jar at the dealerships coffee
station. Your donations will help find a cure!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally
secure and every donation is tax deductible; the PBTF
and Ride for Kids is a fully chartered 501c3 non-profit
foundation. Many thanks in advance for your support
-- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you
think might want to donate too! The final results will
be posted on the website following the Ride for Kids
event here in the Baltimore-Washington area.
Sincerely, Bob Henig
Bob@Bob's BMW
That's right! Raffle
Tickets are only $40 each, or buy 3 for $100
and get a FREE Road Crew T-Shirt. Buy your tickets right NOW
at Bob’s,
or by phone: 301-497-8949 or go to The
Ultimate Bike Raffle!
Our Partners for this Incredible Fundraiser are:
Olympia Motorsports, First Gear, Revit!, BMW Riders Apparel,
Scorpion Helmets, PIAA, Remus Exhaust,
Marsee Designs, Arai, Clearview, Z-Technik, The Rider's Workshop,
Marriott Courtyard Ft. Meade,
Iron Bridge Restaurant, Cafe de Paris, Aida Bistro, Edelweiss/Tri-Community,
and Haul Bikes
* Shirts may be delivered at time of purchase or mailed
** Actual delivery date to be established with Grand Prize
Winner following selection of bike, color, accessories,
apparel and dates available for travel and delivery that takes
place at Bob's BMW in Jessup, Maryland.
Choose
the Basic Rider course
if you've never ridden a motorcycle, have limited riding experience,
haven't ridden in a long time, or you want the course that provides
the most information about safety and road skills. Be sure to read
the course
description for vital requirements and the Required
Safety Gear policy.
Choose the Alternate
Basic Rider courseif you need a license
and are an accomplished rider with recent riding experience. At minimum,
you must be able to use the clutch and throttle to get the motorcycle
in motion; stop the motorcycle properly on a designated spot, execute
gradual and tight turns, shift up and down smoothly, and achieve at
least 25 mph speed safely and skillfully. Don't choose this class
if you want to learn the maximum about safety and road skills—that
information is covered more extensively in the Basic Rider course.
If you have any doubt at all about your abilities and whether you
should take the Basic Rider or Alternate Basic course, take the Basic,
just to be safe. Be sure to read the course
description for vital requirements and the Required
Safety Gear policy.
Choose the Experienced
Rider courseif you are an accomplished rider who already has a Class "M"
license, and want to improve your skills by practicing under the watchful
eye of an experienced instructor. This class will help you solidify
good riding technique and eliminate bad habits. Be sure to read the
course
description for vital requirements and the Required
Safety Gear policy.
The
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic (TCARC)
is an advanced class and not for beginners. You must already have
your motorcycle license and a minimum of one year of street riding
experience. For students with less than two years of experience, it
is advised (though not required) that they have completed an MSF Experienced
Riders Course (ERC). If you’ve taken ERC this class is the next
step. Even if you haven’t taken the ERC but feel that your riding
skills have progressed as far as you can take them on your own, the
Advanced Riding Clinic will help you achieve the next level of riding.
If you are a racer or have participated in a “track day”
event the TCARC will improve confidence on the racetrack as well as
reduce your lap times.
Bob took the class last summer and he thought
that"The class really was great.
I came away with some good feedback as well as some refined
techniques that I'll polish further on my own".
Bob’s BMW recommends Howard Community College for MSF Basic
and Experienced Rider Training and the Total Control Advanced Rider
Course. Go to: www.howardcc.edu/motorcycle
Location
"ROAD WARRIOR" R80 G/S Gets a New Home
at Bob’s BMW MUSEUM
– October 11, 2007
The
famed 1981 R80 G/S belonging to Dr. Gregory Frazier which he rode
to the ends of the earth is now on permanent display at Bob’s
BMW Motorcycle Museum in Jessup, Maryland. Featured in numerous motorcycle
magazines and travel books, along with stories of Dr. Frazier’s
adventures around the globe, the scarred and road-worn R80 G/S has
earned a place of honor in the museum next to a pristine, straight-from-the-crate
R80 G/S that was already part of the permanent collection. The "before
and after" comparison of the two bikes adds another fascinating
dimension to the display.
According to Bob Henig, owner of Bob’s BMW:
“With this historic bike on display the public can view the
true durability of the original ‘Adventure Motorcycle.’
Greg literally rode this BMW into the ground as he wandered the earth
and yet it always got him home. Today these motorcycles have become
extremely collectible given their cult status, contributed to considerably
by adventure seekers like Greg and those who later followed his tread
marks through sand, snow, mud and over some of the highest, toughest
roads and tracks on the planet. Some of the road grunge from Alaska,
Africa and South America is still on the motorcycle! Most of the bikes
in our museum are still in running condition, but considering what
this one has been through, the fact that it too still runs is truly
amazing. We’re extremely proud to add it to our BMW collection.”
Dr. Greg says of the motorcycle:
“It’s been hammered, often ridden hard and sometimes put
away wet. There is not much left on it that has not been replaced
or repaired. It‘s on the third speedometer, and my guess is
it should have somewhere around 240,000 miles on the odometer. Several
times I took the panniers and tank bag off and rode it in the BIG
DOG RIDE.
I had been moving it around my private studio to make room for other
projects, only riding it a few times a year. So when Bob Henig offered
it a public resting place where aficionados of these BMWs could see
how one could be pushed, pulled and ridden to the extremes, I jumped
at the chance. This one broke on me a few times, like in Bogotá,
Colombia, when the front page of the newspaper said in big print,
‘Yankee Go Home!’ The sub-frame has met welders around
the globe. The one set of parts I did not replace was the rod and
main bearings, wanting to see just how long they would last.
Sometimes when I would look at it in my studio, thinking about putting
in a new battery and mounting fresh tires on it for a run to Prudhoe
Bay or down to Mexico I could almost here it whimper, ‘No, not
again.’ If it were a horse I would say it was now out to pasture,
but like a good stud or race horse, this R80 G/S, one of the real
warriors of the road, would rise to the challenge and still get me
home.”
Dr. Frazier’s motorcycle adventures around the world can be
followed by clicking HERE.
For information on Bob’s BMW Motorcycle Museum click HERE.
BALTIMORE RIDE FOR KIDS® RAISES
$200,163.00 FOR PBTF
–September
23, 2007
More than 600 motorcyclists and supporters at the Baltimore/Washington
Ride for Kids® event raised more than $200,000 for the PBTF
on Sept. 23.
It was a clear, sunny day as the police-escorted ride left The Mall
in Columbia, Md., traveling through the scenic horse country of
western Howard County.
The best part of the day, however, came at the end point, as 10
local brain tumor patients took the stage for the Celebration of
Life program. From 3-year-old Paige to Katelyn, 19, these "stars"
gave the motorcyclists an emotional connection to the day's cause.
Dr.
Greg Riggins, director of neurosurgery research at Johns Hopkins,
thanked the riders for their hard work. "Better treatment means
fewer side effects," he said. "Because of the PBTF and
you this is possible." Riggins was joined on stage by Dr. Roger
Packer, head of the brain tumor program at Children's Hospital of
Washington, D.C.
The event raised a total of $200,163. The individual who raised
the most was Bob Henig of Jessup, Md., who brought $22,741. The
Manassas Honda Riders raised $14,568 to be named the top fundraising
club. The top motorcycle business was Bob’s BMW of Jessup,
whose customers raised $47,318. Lisa Frushour of Myersville, Md.,
won the grand prize, a new Honda motorcycle.
Special thanks went to the local task force leaders, Kevin Merrill,
Taryn Wilson-Wheatley, Joe Pruss and Marcy Rich, visitation leader
Julie Geery, and the dedicated task force volunteers.
About
the PBTF Ride for Kids®
Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and PBTF have
promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support
through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters,
online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America's
motorcyclists and motorcycle dealers, PBTF has become the world's
largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor
research.
To see more photographs from Sunday's event, click here.
And the winners are....
John O'Grady of Virginia Beach, VA won the complete BMW Riding Apparel
(ComfortShell jacket and pants, Allround glove, and Allround boots).
John stopped by during our annual Oktoberfest to pick up his new
riding gear. Congratulations and thanks for your support!
Diane Garrett of Highland, MD won the BMW Club Jacket
Terry & Joyce Barnes of Triangle, VA won a pair of BMW Street
Sneakers
Congrats to all, especially for the fundraising they helped
Bob's BMW accomplish for 2007!
Attention
all you Far-Flung Fashionista! Send us a photo of yourself wearing
a Bob’s T-shirt or Bob’s Road Crew hat from some interesting
spot anywhere on the planet and we’ll post it proudly here.
It’ll be like you’re (almost) FAMOUS! Hey, you there at
the Grand Canyon… Devil’s Tower… the Arctic Circle…
Rome… Rio… Beijing… or even beautiful downtown Baghdad,
pull on a Bob’s shirt or hat (c’mon, we KNOW you’ve
got one) and click the shutter.
Photo Tips:
GOOD photos are especially appreciated (because more people will want
to look at them!). Fuzzy, low-res shots from your cell phone might
not be of high enough quality to get on the site. Composing your shot
with signs or landmarks in the background showing us your location
is a good idea. And of course, posing in a way that the shirt or hat
is close enough to be recognizable in the photo is a bonus—not
to mention we’ll get to see YOU better too. Please include just
a few details about when and where the picture was taken; 5000 word
travelogues are not necessary. We want to see your Bob’s “fashions,”
but more importantly, we want to see happy faces in interesting places.
–January
18, 2007
Pictured to the left (taken by Barry Prom) is Dr. Gregory Frazier
with a R1200 GS Adventure near the Golden Triangle, where Thailand,
Burma and Laos meet. Greg winters in this part of the world, preferring
to ride motorcycles, hunt temples and poke through jungles than shovel
snow back in the USA. Big displacement motorcycles here
are rare due to high import taxes. A used $3,000.00 motorcycle
imported for use here can end up costing you $9,000.00 more by the
time you are done with the shipping and paperwork. 99% of the
millions of motorcycles on the roads are 125-cc or smaller, used more
as the family car than for entertainment or leisure. His adventuring
and research this winter has taken him into Cambodia and Myanmar
(Burma) and the Philippines.
He says: "The best riding roads in SE Asia are probably in the area of the Golden Triangle of Northern Thailand, with the exception of possibly Japan. If you are not afraid of military coups, earthquakes, snakes, and drug runners, this can be a great place to ride. The big beemers do not much like the wet jungles tracks, but for $10.00 a day you can rent a 250-cc dirt bike to slog through those.
Myanmar was the toughest riding this winter. The government does not allow big bikes into the country and there are large areas closed to any entry on any size motorcycle. It's not possible to go from border to border in Myanmar due to the closures, but there were large areas, or states, inside the country where I was free to roam.
I've spent some of the winter working on The Mekong River Guinness Record Motorcycle Jump. I'll not be the rider, nor this 1200 GS Adventure the rocket bike, but BMW's will be around to pull pilot and bike out of the river if they fall short."
Just Another Saturday at Bob's This
is the typical scene at Bob's BMW at 8:00 AM on Saturday, when
our Service department seems to be our biggest attraction.
Riders start lining up more than an hour before we open. And
by 9:00 AM, there can be 15, 20, or even more people waiting! Why
the big lines? Well, unlike our weekday service which is done by
appointment, Saturday service is provided on a first come first
served basis. Those who appreciate the high level of service we
provide everyday at Bob's will gladly show up early to have their
maintenance completed in time to get in some good Saturday riding
time. Of course, keeping riders riding is our prime objective. Click
here to read about a particularly busy Saturday last year.
No this isn't a commercial for Dunkin Donuts,it's
what you'll find outside our service department on a typical
Saturday morning.
Since we know so many people arrive early for our fantastic while-u-wait
Saturday service we make sure we're here early enough to take care
of folks while they wait.
Also on Saturday...
Dave and his wonderful smoker and grill is on site most Saturday's
at Bob's serving up different fare each time. It might be
barbecue and burgers or pork chops and turkey legs; but it's
all good stuff. Stop by and have a great lunch, generally
from 11 until 3, on any Saturday when we're not holding special
event.
“Information Central” at
Bob’s
–January
10, 2006 Whenever you visit our store, be sure to drop by our coffee nook.
Grab a FREE cup of fresh brewed coffee (tea and hot cocoa also available)
and take a moment to look around you. The walls where you’re
standing are covered with the latest info that concerns all us Real
Riders. Learn about scheduled rides and upcoming events. Read interesting
travelogues, letters from customers, relevant news clips, safety bulletins,
and much more. We believe that to be informed is to be connected.
So get connected at Bob’s!
Our Calendar - Things to Do in 2008 Our Community Calendar has all of the information and links to
the "must-attend" BMW and Motorcycling events in the nation as well as in
our own back yard. Turn here to keep up-to-date on the events that are being
held right here at Bob's like our annual Open House and Holiday Cheer celebrations.
–
May 13, 2008
August
14-17, 2008 
—
April 28, 2008
We
gave some awards, of course. Winning the prize for “Dirtiest”
was our regular Maryland customer Bruce Watkins and his well-loved
F650GS. For “Most Accessories,” we found a very nice R1150GS
Adventure festooned with almost every imaginable gadget that belonged
to Greg Petchel of Hazelton, PA. A guy who came all the way Houston,
Texas, to be here easily won our “Farthest from Home”
prize — congratulations Len Ridgely. And finally, the “Highest
Mileage” award went to Ed Thompson from New Jersey. Ed’s
bike, a 1981 R80GS shows 150,000 on the odometer. But the odometer
quit working several years and countless tens of thousands of miles
ago. Actual mileage is probably pushing 250,000. Ed’s bike has
the additional distinction of having been ridden in two punishing
Iron Butt contests. Ed was the WINNER of one of them in 1984! Congratulations
to all our winners, and many thanks to all the GS enthusiasts who
came out to make our day special!
October
18-26, 2008
—
March 28, 2008
Karl
knows that a lot of potential buyers walk into the showroom expecting
to have an adversarial relationship with the sales person —
an unfortunate problem that exists in our culture mainly because of
the shenanigans used by automotive hucksters for generations. But
when riders come to Bob’s and meet Karl they soon realize that
they’re being treated with genuine respect. Most are pleasantly
surprised. Some are in outright shock. By keeping an open mind to
their needs and desires, and at the same time tapping into his deep
knowledge of BMW bikes and accessories, Karl is able to help buyers
make the choices that best suit them. The result is a rider who clearly
appreciates the value in the purchase he or she has made. In short:
a very happy customer!
It
is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Robert Hellman.
He died Sunday, March 9, 2008 at his home in the company of those
he loved. He was 62. Robert Hellman was perhaps best known in the
world of motorcycling for being a principal founding member of The
BMW Riders Association and, for over twenty years, the editor (“Chefredakteur”)
of the club’s magazine, On The Level. Mr. Hellman’s erudite
and witty style, combined with his uncanny ability to get the scoop
on the inner workings at BMW in Germany well before anyone else, earned
him great devotion among his many readers and high praise from his
fellow journalists — even those with whom he occasionally had
well documented disagreements.
Bob
left for a three week ride with Edelweiss tours last Autumn to ride
through Japan to see if it would be another part of the world to explore
on a BMW. The exact locale didn't disappoint with the abundance of
exotic foods, beautiful temples and crazy gadgets that you'll only
find in Japan. Please enjoy the photographs from his trip and we'll
keep you posted if and when this wonderful trip takes place.
It was not until about 1991 when Bob's Used Parts first because a
franchised dealership becoming Bob's BMW that I had an opportunity
to actually ride on another continent. Thanks to BMW I did just that
and in some very exotic
I've
been involved with the Pediatric Brian Tumor Foundation
(PBTF) and the great people who run it along with attending
the Ride for Kids events, working with the many other
volunteers, talking with and giving sidecar rides to
the kids and their families for over a dozen years now.
In that time we've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars
through Bob's BMW as a result of our terrific customers
helping us and having FUN in the process. Our best year
ever was over $70,000 and yes I hope that Bob's BMW
and its customers will one day (this year?) reach $100,000
in our collective efforts. 
Choose
the 
The
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic (TCARC)
is an advanced class and not for beginners. You must already have
your motorcycle license and a minimum of one year of street riding
experience. For students with less than two years of experience, it
is advised (though not required) that they have completed an MSF Experienced
Riders Course (ERC). If you’ve taken ERC this class is the next
step. Even if you haven’t taken the ERC but feel that your riding
skills have progressed as far as you can take them on your own, the
Advanced Riding Clinic will help you achieve the next level of riding.
If you are a racer or have participated in a “track day”
event the TCARC will improve confidence on the racetrack as well as
reduce your lap times.
Dr.
Greg Riggins, director of neurosurgery research at Johns Hopkins,
thanked the riders for their hard work. "Better treatment means
fewer side effects," he said. "Because of the PBTF and
you this is possible." Riggins was joined on stage by Dr. Roger
Packer, head of the brain tumor program at Children's Hospital of
Washington, D.C.
About
the PBTF Ride for Kids®
–January
18, 2007 
No this isn't a commercial for Dunkin Donuts, it's
what you'll find outside our service department on a typical
Saturday morning. 
