Rocky Mountain High | One year ago today we were enjoying our summer vacation in Colorado. I managed to rent a BMW GS 800 for a day in the high alpine meadows between Ouray and Durango. The Million Dollar Highway. Fantastic riding and a ride that sowed the seed for the Tiger.
Bayerische Motoren Werke | a visit to Motorworks today on S Western to pick something up gave me a chance to see their refurbished digs. As of this weekend they are now also an official BMW dealership. So they now represent the trifecta of European machinery: Triumph, Ducati & BMW. I spied this very sharp R90s sitting near the parts department. Teutonic Twentieth Century technology at its ‘allerbeste’. The classic black/silver smoke tank is pure seventies superbike.
Cooler King – slim chinos, cut down sweatshirt, cigarette and Persol shades: he epitomizes Cool. A Triumph TR-6 dresses up to look German hits the mark too.
Gilmore Car Museum – Hickory Corner, Michigan. One barn at the excellent automobile museum here in south west Michigan held a good selection of two-wheeled delights. From barn- fresh Harley Flathead to a polished to the nines Vincent Black Shadow. It was a good collection covering a century of motorcycling. One of The Fonz’s Triumph TR5 was there too; as well as an immaculate ’59 T120 Bonneville and a gutsy looking Indian hill climber.
Don’t mention the War – winding up a suitcase gramophone this period dressed BMW R75 owner carefully took out old crimson labeled 78’s from their protective manilla sleeves and played the likes of Marlene Dietrich across the parking lot. The combination had a small trailer that would have been used to tow matériel into hard-to-reach front line positions.
The car holds a non-functioning MG42 machine gun whose air cooled muzzle looks fearsome. The driver had a very Teutonic air about himself which completed the outfit.
Vive la France – today marks Bastille Day in Gaul. Much celebration across the French nation including some synchronized motorcycling by the gendarmes… however a couple of monsieur blundered into each other on their big BMW RT 1200’s at a Parisian parade. Zut alors!
Shadow Rider – low sun, empty roads and a good profile to the bike… US Route 550 southbound
Million $ Highway – great day taking a BMW GS800 over one of the worlds great roads. 76 miles of curves, steep drops, rocky bluffs, wooded slopes, glistening rivers, craggy mountains, blue skies, and sublime scenery. Colorado at its best! And I did the ride TWICE! That smile is the genuine thing!
The Healing Road – I’ve just finished a very good book: Ghost Rider. Written by maestro drummer Neil Peart of Canadian band Rush, it involves the outward experience and personal introspection on a 55,000 mile journey around North America. Carried out in late 1998 and through 1999 is occurs after a double family tragedy. With a world seemingly in tatters he uses the continuous movement on his big BMW GS to keep ahead of his emotional demons. Well written and heartfelt about the experiences of the ‘open road’, his descriptions of the many 500 or mile-a-day travels make me want to get on a big bike and aim for the horizon.
Beemer Smile – perfect riding weather today. A smashing round trip of 125 miles into Wisconsin, where the smooth roads roll across hay fields and shady woodland. We stopped at the ever hospitable Ed Zenders where row upon row of classic bike lie. We spied an older BMW parked on the grass, Ed’s current daily ride; he got it from the original owner who purchased it in 1953 new at Abt, a Chicago dealer. Period photo from ’57 shows proud said owner. He said ‘take her for a spin.’ It’s a 1953 BMW R68. A 600cc solidly built teutonic speedster which when given enough throttle smoothly wound up effortlessly to a die straight 70. A truly nice gesture on Eds part that put a grin on my face.
Autobahn Triumph – “It does not go 300 but for you is enough!!” This rocket-red Sprint 1050 is made for the hyperspeed roads of Germany – this bike’s owner see other deutchwagen as roadkill…
Mœbius- famed French comic book artist Jean Giraud had an impeccable hand for vivid graphic illustration. Mostly futuristic in vision his imagination stoked the creative minds behind Alien, The Empire Strikes Back, and Blade Runner. Here his moto related style shows off his line, use of color, and balance of the everyday with fantasy. I like how he shows the literbike slightly off the ground to define speed . .ROARRRr!
Big Opposing Twins – whether from Springfield MA, Milwaukee WI, Berlin Germany, or Mandello del Lario in Italy; these beauties all have a pair of cylinders in flat or vee form, longitudinal or transverse. But, the all make good power and each have individualistic looks, sounds, and heritage. Dang! This is all good stuff! Current motorcycle models on offer make the prospective owners spoilt for choice.
The better part of valour is, discretion. -Falstaff (Henry IV part 1) Today we celebrate the birthday of of of the greats of Shakespearean theatre as well as movies. Ralph Richardson 1902-1983 who, as well as adding unparalleled perfection to the parts he played was also a motorcycle enthusiast. He would be seen haring around London on the powerful bikes of the day. Here seen aboard BMW’s and a Norton.
Goose Island – I spied this nicely set-up BMW 75/5 in the City this evening. Black on black. The Teutonic lines of the bicep cylinder’d motor look mean under the streetlight.
