BMW MOA

[Tipstall]

Does anyone else join this? I'm a member and wondering if anyone has done the Platinum level? Any thoughts? My favorite magazine by far.

Ken

[Deans BMW]

I have been a member since the early 70's, # 2794 and helped put on their first national rally in conjunction with the BMW Club of Northern Calif.

[Bones]

I am a member.....though I can't say the mag is my favorite.

Jeff

[GPM]

I was a member for awhile. Not being a fan of crowds, I don't attend rallies. Then they started having some internal squabling and I didn't bother to renew. Magazine was nice, but by nature kind of repetitive.

[arkline]

I've been a member for a while, have the Platinum membership and have never had occasion to use the benefits. But better to have them and not need them than to be without when needed.

I've gone to one big rally, held in Spokane several years ago. Got to see David Hough talk about staying alive and Helge Pedersen about how to get there from here in the world of GPS. But mostly it felt crowded. BMW NA didn't show, if I remember correctly because BMW was the featured marque at Mid-Ohio. It was okay, but I felt out of place. It was pretty hot on the other side of the Cascades and topped 100 in Spokane. Not as bad as Monterey/Laguna this last summer, but Spokane doesn't compare that well with the California coast.

There was a palace revolt in the MOA about a year ago. They made some decisions about the direction that the organization should take that sounded just like some of the sh..stuff my bosses have floated down the pipe. The result seems to have been a deterioration in the quality of the monthly magazine (spell checkers are not as good as educated human eyes) and a much more clubbish in-group/out-group atmosphere. I've renewed for another year and will make a decision about continuing the next time it rolls around.

I've never had the need of the Anonymous Book, but would surely use it in a pinch...

[Wild Will]

15 years for me. I enjoy the slick colored magazine, especially the classifieds. The mag is getting better, but the Best BMW magazine is the low tech, black and white, wonderfully written and informative On The Level, published by BME Riders Assn. Crew member Anton Largiader who was with the team at daytona in October writes for OTL regularly.
Highly recommended IF you are a BMW guy (or girl). These guys often have the inside scoop on what's next in the Beemer world. Almost as much as Dean...

[Dirty Doug]

I've been a member since 1999. I liked the original rag, but I've also noticed a decline in quality since the infighting, at least as far as I'm concerned. Then again I know a member that likes the way they are going so it's a personal choice.

I've been to a rally or two but it was with a good friend that was a rally rat. I enjoyed riding with him but since he quit riding ( lower back problems ) I haven't been to any. I do like the comfort of the Anonymous book though. Never used it but wouldn't travel without one. There isn't much change in them so an older one would be as useful. I'll take a wait and see about renewing next year. As of now I'm leaning toward not.

K-Rider
Doug

[Dallara]

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Ken (Tipstall) asked:



"Does anyone else join this? I'm a member and wondering if anyone has done the Platinum level? Any thoughts? My favorite magazine by far."


1.) Yep, I joined up, but it wasn't until 2004.

2.) Went for the whole boat - Platinum level - the works, primarily for the expanded roadside service, discounts, etc.... But then, I haven't ever needed it (which is really why you buy it, right? i.e. if you didn't buy it then you would need what you didn't buy the very next trip, but if you buy it you will never need it... :028: ).

Interesting question I have always had, but despite reading all the documentation have yet to feel I have a firm answer on... Way I read it the bike does NOT have to be a BMW for roadside assistance, etc., right???

3.) Magazine??? That's a tough question... I like the classifieds, and the fact most of the advertising is BMW-specific vendors, but as some have mentioned the articles, etc. seem somewhat repetitive, but then they almost have to be... almost by design. The writing is okay, but to me it's not captivating or very exciting. Just my humble opinion...

Mag is slick and nice, and usually has a beautiful cover shot. Perfect "Coffee Table" magazine - i.e. Nice look, good photography to browse through, quality finish, but no real substance. I do notice people pick it up and thumb through it when it is one left on the table...

I don't go to big rallies, so I have not found that aspect of the club ot be an advantage.

I do love the concept of "The Little Black" book, though again I have never had to avail myself of it's assistance.

Will I renew when it comes up next year???

Jury's still out on that one...

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara)



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[Acacia]

I think it all depends on what you want out of it.

I joined this year, just before my long August ride - mainly for the benifits of the Anon. book. It just so happened, if you recall, I had a quick disconnect break on the Friday of my return trip entering El Paso at 5pm - 750 miles from home.

30 minutes after calling a local fellow BMW rider he was next to me to help. The BMW roadside assistance was completely useless and would have left me stranded on the side of the road for days waiting for their service to arrive from 300 miles away - most of which I would have had to pay for.

That event alone paid for the membership many times over.

[fganger]

In 1969 I helped start the Chicago Region BMW Owners Association. As we were forming, some of us also helped get the national going as well. I believe the Chicago club was the third one in the National MOA. I was an early MOA member myself, my number was in the 20's, however . . .

I didn't renew my membership when I saw the path of the MOA at the time. It was quite clear the goal of the National was to get rid of the BMW motorcycle importer for the states - Butler and Smith. The Chicago club also took the same "one item agenda" flavor. I was more interested in riding than politics and never renewed either the National or the Chicago for the second year. I did start a second club called the BMW Cafe Racing Society where politics were supposed to be left at the curb. That club only lasted 2/3 years; politics seemed to be bound and determined to show its ugly head in the most unlikely spots one could imagine.

I’ve since joined the National again, enjoy the magazine, and went to a couple of nationals. I think I’ve been in six years now. I’m pretty sure we have some sort of towing “insurance” through them so perhaps we have the “upgraded membership.” My Bonnie is still sleeping or I’d ask her.

Opps, I just looked at the time . . . I’m off.

Stinkin' Frank