News

The MOA to RA American Heritage Ride
July 19 to July 23

This year the BMW MOA and the BMW RA are holding their respective rallies on consecutive weekends. Some riders are planning to attend both rallies. So in the spirit of cooperation, the MOA and the RA have decided to offer those riders two specials.

-- We will recognize those riders who attend both rallies. A special sticker will be awarded to each person that shows their MOA wristband when they register at the RA Rally. It will be a motorcycle version of a bumper sticker.

-- In addition we are organizing the "MOA to RA American Heritage Ride." It will be a rolling rally that will start in Johnson City , TN , meander for five days, and conclude in Canaan Valley , WV

Click for more details

Discontinued Models
The F800S, G650 Xchallenge and G650 Xmoto are discontinued for the 2009 model year (meaning now). The F800ST and G650 Xcountry will remain in the 2009 lineup, although the Xcountry might not make it beyond 2009. Details in the next OTL. Thoughts? Wish you'd bought one, or that you hadn't? Let us know.

Welcome to the BMW Riders Association
If you're serious about your riding, you're in the right place. The BMW RA is an international community of BMW riders focused on the machine, the marque and the company that makes it all work. It is our mission to enhance the BMW motorcycling experience for our members and provide a forum on the history, current offerings and the future of the marque. We're glad you're here.

Cool links
Latest newsletter of the International Council.

Notes

Preregistration ends July 3
Advance registration for the 2009 RA rally ends July 3. You can register online or with mail-in form. Save a few dollars and register now! See the rally page for details.

One of the chores of putting together the RA Rally is going to a brewery and selecting the beer for our rally. While there Chris Long took this photo through the window at Mountain State Brewing Co in Thomas WV.

"Does it get any better than this?"

Black Eagle Shop
Check out the new Pilsener and Hefeweizen glasses!

OTL
We've had a few reports of the May OTL missing pages. If your is, contact the admin for a good copy.
Those with a 5/31/2009 expiration date will not receive the June OTL.
Renew online or call the office.

Racing

World Endurance Cup Season Finale
For this final 24-hour race of the 2008 season, BMW Motorrad Motorsport fielded two three-rider teams on HP2 Sports. Richard Cooper, Thomas Hinterreiter and Rico Penzkofer rode the #17 bike, and Stephane Mertens, Sebastien Le Grelle and Brian Parriott were on #71. The other entrants in the Open Class were the Metiss 1000, Ducati Endurance team with a 1098R and an 848, and Thorn Bikes' Honda CBR 1000.
Within the Open Class, the #17 bike ran second place (behind the Metiss) most of the first half, stopping at one point for about an hour, with the #71 bike a lap or two behind. BMW moved to the front when the Metiss dropped out after 16 hours, but the #17 bike stopped less than two hours later. That left the #71 bike leading the class, finishing the 24 hours with 670 laps. The Ducati 848 also ran the full 24 hours and completed 627 laps. The CBR and the 1098 were early retirements, completing 40 and 10 laps respectively.
The overall winner, leading the entire race, was the Suzuki team with 747 laps.
This event marks the end of BMW's WEC efforts, and the end of the HP2 Sport's racing career with BMW AG. BMW will now shift gears for World Superbike with the S1000RR.

Clubs

Club elections
The RA doesn't have an election until 2010, but many local clubs will be having annual elections this winter. As mentioned, the RA can organize and host online voting for any chartered club. Club webmasters or election coordinators should contact the RA webmaster.

New Club Logos
The ICC has yet again updated logo requirements for chartered clubs. For regional clubs (typical clubs in the US) the biggest point seems to be that the 3D roundel is now required, whereas before BMW was willing to accept the older roundel due to printing difficulties. The final word on that will be here soon. The RA will assist any chartered club with logo design.