The club.

  I've been thinking recently about this idea of the 'motorcycling community' and the niches and cliques that happen within it.  It's a nice club to belong to but the whole thing has been a phenomenon to me ever since I got involved.  I could delve a little deeper into what causes this whole thing and some of the phenomenal experiences I've had as a result, but I've got a pretty simple explanation that someone once offered: "Motorcyclists are always genuinely looking out for each other because every time we ride and don't get hurt (or worse), it's like an instant Karma debt." 

  Owning a BMW has it's own little perks, but I've come to learn that it also certainly has it's own cost of admission.  The BMW club is one unlike anything I've ever really seen.. after all, I've got a 300 page book filled with the phone numbers of the BMW owners all over the world that'd be willing to help me out on the road.. what an incredible network of riders. 

  My bike has been in the shop 4 times since I've had it. (about 6 months). Mostly for scheduled maintenance but the fact is, while I knew what I was getting into with the maintenance schedule, it's always a surprise when the dollars start magically disappearing from your pocket.  Even having your bike in the shop has it's perks, though.. so far I've had the F800ST, R1200R, and G650 XChallenge as loaner bikes! 

  Point being, we beemer owners are perhaps a little more loyal to each other than another motorcycle brand.. which is a strange concept to me.. brand loyalty.. but maybe the simple fact is that we all know how quirky and bitter-sweet these damn things are!

  So is the cost of admission worthwhile? I think so! ;)

  Remember, until the roads are covered in snow, it's still riding season! (and even then, I might be willing to try my skills with knobbies on the GS!)