Roger Lyle hanging out at Bob’s BMW booth at Timonium Motorcycle Show

Roger Lyle’s MotorcycleXcitement is an array of highly skilled riders and racers who meet at real motorcycle race tracks like Summit Point raceway, home track of Bob’s BMW-sponsored racer Jeremy Cook. “Riders are given the chance to experience what it is like being a racer, but doing so at your own pace,” stated Jeremy when asked about the program. Jeremy is also a coach for MotorcycleXcitement and has enjoyed working with all skill-level riders.

The idea is to have riders of all makes and models paired up with professionals to become more acquainted with their machines and themselves as riders. Taking your bike to a professional track is a way to ride without concern for everyday hazards typically encountered on public roads such as other motorists suddenly stopping, vehicles pulling out in front of you, or vehicles going in opposite directions; not to mention the race track is clear of bumps, gravel, and other debris that could potentially be a real danger to a motorcyclist, especially when traveling at high speeds.

Typically when you think ‘race track’ you think of speed. While it’s true” track days” can be used to get that need for speed out of your system so you are not breaking the law on public roads, exceeding speed limits, and increasing the risk for you or someone else to be injured; they also are meant to familiarize the rider with their bike— How far can it lean? What is it like to brake hard going from 100+mph to 30 mph in a very short period of time? These are just a couple things the day will provide to you.

Once signed up, you’ll have access to “track days,” which are periods of time that riders have on the track with a professional. Riders are split up based on skill levels: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, and Racer (which requires authorized racing license.) Coaches will either follow you, critiquing you along the way or you follow the coach mimicking what they are doing. Either way coaches will speak to you one-on-one and provide you suggestions on ways to improve your skills.

Bob believes “track days” are the safe solution for the adrenaline junkies out there. This is one reason Bob’s BMW partners with MotorcycleXcitement each year to provide an exclusive day for the dealership and anyone who pre-registers to enjoy a day at the track. And this year Charlie Goss (Sales Advisor), Darryl Carmichael (Service Advisor), Lex O’brien (E-Content Manager), Brett Ricketts (BMW Certified Technician), and Jeremy Cook (sponsored S1000RR racer) will be packing up the trailer and heading to Summit Point on June 24th for Bob’s Track Day.

Registration fees include a pre-inspection of your bike the week before the actual track day, and orientation at Bob’s explaining what to expect; a full day of racing at Summit Point; lunch, cold beverages and snacks in between races; and a comfortable and shaded area to cool down and refuel in between races; plus a one year membership to MotorcycleXcitement which offers discounts on more “track days” and a free t-shirt. So head on over to Bob’s BMW, to start another chapter of your riding history!

Linda Crill tells her inspiring story in the pages of her just released book, Blind Curves. Linda is a former corporate executive who at age 57 loses her husband to cancer. She finds her world upside down for the next 18 months as she tries to move on, however despite all of the suggestions and advice from friends and experts, she still finds herself asking, “What Now?”

With no prior experience riding a motorcycle and only 30 days to learn Linda commits to a 2,500 mile motorcycle adventure down the Pacific Coast Highway. Changing out of her corporate suit and into motorcycle leathers, Linda’s world is immediately broadened. She meets people she never would have met, see’s things she never would have seen, and learns life lessons she never would have learned had she not embraced the unknown and leaned into the ‘blind curve’ life put before her.

Join us on June 8th for Women’s Day at Bob’s as we celebrate women riders. Hear the experience, strength, and hope of “One Woman’s Unusual Journey to Reinvent Herself and Answer: What now?”

Books will be available for sale and Linda will be available 10-noon to sign copies. The day is an effort to unite men and women riders in celebration of the growing female riding community. A tech session is scheduled for the day as well as an hour long group ride that Linda will be joining us on, riding her 2010 BMW F 650 GS she purchased right here at Bob’s BMW! The first 10 people to RSVP to for the group ride will get FREE admission to Iron Bridge Wine Company’s 10th Anniversary Celebration ($25 value!) which is where the ride will end. To RSVP for the group ride, email hanna.creekmore@bobsbmw.com

To get more details on Women’s Day and other upcoming events, please visit www.bobsbmw.com

In lieu of it being Motorcycle Safety Month, now is an opportune time to share details of Bob’s Safety Program with our eclub members. This effort is our way of stressing the importance of safe riding. One way you can increase safety on the road is by taking the Maryland Safety Foundation (MSF) Motorcycle Safety Courses.

Bob’s safety program was established last year to support the MSF’s primary objective to provide rider education and training. And now for the second year in a row, we are pleased to announce we are running it again. We want to personally thank the dedicated instructors that teach these courses and encourage new riders to get trained by such professionals. Continue reading to learn more about the financial rewards provided to active MSF instructors and recent graduates of the BRC…

The program rewards active MSF instructors and recent graduates of the BRC a 15% discount. In addition to the discount, graduates that purchase a new or used motorcycle at Bob’s BMW will receive a credit of $250 to apply towards the motorcycle purchase or to apply towards accessories for the motorcycle.

“The unfortunate reality is that motorcyclists don’t have the protection that cars do which is why riders must always be prepared, watch and predict what other vehicles are doing, and wear all the gear, all the time—ATGATT,” states Bob. What is so often referred to as an accident is actually an incident according to Law Enforcement Experts. The reality is that 9 out of 10 incidents occur not by accident but rather by complete ignorance, lack of proper training, or not practicing the skills learned through proper training. “This is why rider education is so important; through proper training and regular practice, the number of incidents on the road can be reduced,” states Bob who goes out to practice his skills every time he gets on a motorcycle.

Qualifying instructors and BRC graduates can apply the 15% discount towards apparel, parts, and accessories now thru February 28, 2014. The idea behind the program is elementary: lead by example. If instructors are wearing top-rated safety gear that they have been properly fitted for, their students will follow suit. Then, assuming the recent graduate of the BRC follows the example set by their instructor, the new rider is rewarded for taking the safety course with a 15% discount at Bob’s; which in a perfect world they will spend on properly fitted, head-to-toe riding gear!

On top of the 15% discount, when new riders purchase a new or used motorcycle they receive a $250 credit to use towards the purchase or towards accessories for the bike. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!

Not to mention, when anyone who is buying a motorcycle mentions who referred them, the person making the referral can receive a Bob’s BMW gift card up to $100! You can visit www.bobsbmw.com for complete details on the Safety program and all other programs now available at Bob’s BMW.

To qualify for the Safety Program, MSF Instructors must provide a copy of their current MSF ID card and class schedule for the 2013 courses they are teaching. Recent graduates of the BRC must bring in a copy of their course completion certificate. Questions? Contact hanna.creekmore@bobsbmw.com.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month which is a nationwide initiative developed by The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to remind drivers the importance of safely sharing the road with motorcyclists and to remind motorcyclists to make themselves visible to other motorists.

Bob sits on the board of the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Coalition and is an avid supporter of motorcycle safety awareness not just one time a year, but every day of the year. In an effort to help carry the message to everyone on the road, maybe you have seen one of Bob’s trailers riding around town with “Share the Road” graphics, or maybe you have seen the hillside banner which is visible from Route 32 that also states “Share the Road.” We have also spent some time on various military bases these past couple months supporting the motorcycle safety days and sharing important safety messages like “all the gear, all the time”—ATGATT.

When asked what he would like to share with readers Bob explained his theory regarding every motorcyclist’s responsibility, “practicing your skills every time you go for a ride is key to attaining and remaining proficient at all the skills needed to be a skilled motorist. Doing so will prevent you from being involved in an incident where you or your motorcycle could be damaged or injured.”

According to NHTSA, motorcycle fatalities have steadily increased over the past 14 years (with the exception of one year); in 2011, 14% of fatalities were motorcycle fatalities, totaling 4,612. Bob believes this does not have to be the case and we can turn this statistic around. NHTSA provides some key safety reminders to keep in mind while traveling on the roadways:

• Never drive while distracted
• Obey all traffic laws including being properly licensed
• Motorcycles have the same rights and privileges as all other vehicles on the road
• Never share a lane with a motorcyclist. Motorcyclists need a full lane width to maneuver
• Motorcycles are difficult to see at times. Always check your mirrors and blind spots
• It is difficult to judge a motorcyclists speed
• Always signal before changing lanes so motorcyclists can anticipate traffic flow
• Wait to be sure a motorcyclist is actually turning before you proceed. A motorcyclists may forget to turn off their turn signal.
• Allow 3-4 seconds when following a motorcyclist
• NEVER drink and drive. In 2011 9,878 people were killed in highway crashed involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08 or higher.

Motorcyclists must remember to:

• Combine hand signals with turn signals when changing lanes or making a turn
• Position yourself in the lane where you will be most visible to other drivers
• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet
• Always wear proper fitting riding gear from head to toe; preferably hi-visibility gear or something with a reflective trim.

Read the questions below and if you answer YES to any, there is a very good possibility you are not riding in properly fitted gear, making it more likely for an injury to occur if an accident were to take place:

1. Does your helmet shake or move around while riding?
2. Is your helmet 5 years or older since you or someone else started wearing it?
3. Does your jacket and/or pants balloon up or beat you up while riding?

If you are unsure if your gear fits properly, simply ask one of our apparel specialists for full apparel assessment during your next visit.

Join us May 18, 2013 from 9am-4pm for Bob’s Vintage and Classic Day.

Every year, the day before the British and European Bike Show in Clarksburg, MD, Bob’s likes to invite Vintage and Classic enthusiasts out to kick off the fun-filled weekend! So crank up your precious OLD-TIMER and ride to Bob’s rain or shine for a fun filled day:

Food
Wild Dog Gourmet Hot Dogs onsite from 10-2.

Vintage Judging Tips Tech Seminar
Join our seminar at 11am in the museum to find out if your Vintage Bike is blue ribbon worthy?! Here to teach the seminar will be one of the British and European Classic Motorcycle Day Judges, Paul Rubenson, to teach you what judges are looking for as they walk around hundreds of bike studying them so closely. RSVP TODAY!

Bob’s Official BMW Expert Quiz
Think you are a BMW expert? You can find out by taking Bob’s Official BMW Expert Quiz. Try to answer all the questions without using your smart phone! You can look at nearby beemers but not all the parts are on the surface to find. The quiz will be posted all day in the museum. Person with the most correct answers will win a prize (TBD)…Good luck!

Museum Tours
The Vintage Museum has just been updated! Stop by and explore and learn about the new machines on display! If you have any questions, you can ask Paul, Bob’s Museum Curator and he will have all the answers!

Men and Women unite in celebration of the growing female riding community. Ride to Bob’s and help us celebrate on June 8 from 9am-4pm.

10am-Noon – Linda Crill will be returning for the second year in a row, this year with her JUST RELEASED book, Blind Curves: One Woman’s Unusual Journey to Reinvent Herself And Answer: What Now? She will share highlights from her 2,500 mile jaunt down America’s Pacific Coast Highway just 1 month after learning to ride! Get a copy of Blind Curves following the discussion and Linda will be available to personally sign your copy!

11am – General Maintenance and Roadside Safety Tech Session. Write down your service and maintenance questions – ask us ANYTHING!— drop them in the drop box, and Master Technician Steve Slunt will pull questions and answer them all face to face!

Noon-3pm – Group Ride to Iron Bridge Wine Company. First 10 riders to RSVP get free admission to Iron Bridge’s 10th Anniversary Celebration ($25 value!). Enjoy great food, fine wines, and fun among friends! RSVP for Group Ride TODAY!

Arrive Cape Town, South Africa on November 6 and depart Johannesburg, South Africa – November 19.

Experience an ADVENTURE of a lifetime! Ride South Africa’s Cape Peninsula with Bob and Suzanne this November.

The itinerary includes:
• Stay overnight in Cape Agulhas – where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet
• Spend a night at a wine and ostrich farm in a 4 star Cape Dutch Country House
• Stay 2 nights “on the waterfront” in Knysna – South Africa’s most popular vacation resort
• Enjoy an authentic Zulu cultural experience in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province
• Ride the beautiful Swazi mountains and stay at a mountaintop resort in Piggs Peak
• Spend 2 nights “on safari” in a 5-star game lodge inside Kruger National Park

For more information and to book your trip go to www.ayresadventures.com.

We believe: You ride the BEST bike, you should wear the BEST gear! Bob’s is proud to add the KLIM brand to the Premium Riding Apparel offered at Bob’s. Klim (pronounced: ‘Climb’) is the rising star in technical riding gear. With their superior GORE-TEX® materials and construction techniques, Klim guarantees your ride will stay DRY!

Check out KLIM gear NOW at Bob’s!