I had a very different experience today with my dealer. The local BMW shop just got the license rights to sell Triumph and Ducati, today was the Grand Opening of the dedicated showroom for each bike respective. The emails and local ad stated es third party supply Reps to answer question, a helmet raffle, a BBQ starting at 11:30 discounts on branded merchandise and live music....sounds good,, eh? I got there about 11:15 to get parking and scope out the new showroom, quite a few off road and sport models, one Thunderbird, 2 Speedys, no BA's and about 6 Bonnevilles. I asked about the test ride and was told because they were basically landlocked in the showroom it would be next to impossible to get them outdoors. The branded attire was in the 24-32$ range for T-shirts, food was finally served at 12:30 (it was catered by a local BBQ joint...when I asked for a napkin I was told that they "were on their way", I saw no factory reps or third party reps, no band. The canopy providing shade held 10 tables with 4 chairs at each table...some old coots with BMW shirts (2 of them) brought all of their friends and neighbors for a free feast and took 12 chairs for their table. Did I mention that this was all in 100+ degree heat? It was a bad start for a new brand kick-off, I hope it improves in the future seeing how it is the only Trumpet dealer within 100 miles. The drawing for the Schuberth Helmet was slated for 2:00...winner had to be present....did I mention it was 100+ and no shade to sit under (Freaking BMW McDonald morning meet up club).
The highlight is that they had (pasting from the email: Rene Cormie who is the author of "The University of Gravel Roads". Rene Cormie was a 33-year old adventure rider who took a BMW G650 GS on a a three-year-long motorcycle journey around the world. Never one to let excessive planning get in the way of a good ride, Rene runs out of money half way through the tour and ultimately takes five years to cover his 41-country, 154,000-kilometre (95,000 mile) route. Written with equal measure of cultural insight and travel logistics, this light travelogue brings you alongside Rene as he pulls off the ride of a lifetime, doing it the old-fashioned way; no sponsors, no support vehicles, and no idea about what he is going to learn along the way
Rene and I spoke at length, he was a great guy with some very interesting tales. Almost 100,000 miles....now that is what I call an Iron Butt!
But, with all of my complaints, I had a good day, nothing like getting back on the road to renew good feelings.
Last edited by amglo; 06/01/2013 11:18 PM.
