BMW Groups?

[tragsdale]

Just a curious thought I've heard a few stories of why BMW Groups were started.
I like the one about meeting people and finding riding buddies.

I heard a unique one and am wondering if anyone can help me validate?

A fellow Rider as we were in Arizona stated that "The Main BMW MOTO Group in USA?
Group was formed to help fellow BMW Riders deal with warranty issues some years ago."
(I'm leaving the question mark in there as I don't know if this is their proper name)

I've tried looking up that organization to validate his statement as we
were talking about clubs and groups and forums. I couldn't find them.

His statement caught my attention and wonder if this was ever true and does anyone know who they are and if there is truth to his statement?

Sincerely,

fun topic of the day?

tragsdale

[bamabmw]

Well, I don't think that's quite the way I heard it. But we have our founding member still in this Alabama club and he was one of the founding members of the National club..BMW MOA. STands for BMW Motorcycle Owners of America
website is www.bmwmoa.org
Nearly the same as our website....ours just has and "L" after moa.

Here he was in Alabama and read an article in a cycle magazine about some guys who were thinking about starting a nataional club and he packed up and rode out to California to meet with them and they all got this ball rolling. And what a wonderful thing they started.

His name is John Harper and his membership number in the BMW MOA club is # 5.

Now what I'm not sure of is what was in that article as to the reasons they were wanting to start a club. John could probably provide that info.
I'll see if I can get that from him and post back on it.

Connie

[tragsdale]

wow

Hi Connie,

I'll definitely wait for your reply.
If you or Mr. Harper wish to speak with me directly please let
me know.

Sincerely,

tragsdale

[bamabmw]

Haven't heard back from him on e-mail yet I may have to call him in a couple days.

[bamabmw]

Okay, Here is the answer straight from John Harper on why the BMW MOA (BMW Motorcycle Owners fo America) got started. Copied and pasted nere
connie

**************
When the BMWOA was founded it was to connect the various local clubs of which all were more or less clubs in cities or towns, we in Anniston were going to form the BMW Owners Club of Anniston, but I convinced the group to make it a state wide club, as I knew we were small in numbers in Alabama at that time and if a series of small clubs started they were doomed from the start. We might be the first State BMW club, I would have to research that, but can if you like ?

I remember nothing about Warranty being a issue. It was about tieing local clubs together and helping the individual rider, with information on Rallies, events , rides, technical question and the such. Remember this was
36 years ago, well before before bikes got complicated and warranty issues arose such as now, it was truly the uncomplicated good ole days as I remember it.
*************************

[Gator]

Could he be speaking of the BMW RA (Rider's Assoc.) instead of the MOA?
Ma'am Gator

[bamabmw]

No
He is telling about the MOA. The BMW RA club was formed later on when a disagreement amongst some members could not be resolved and some left the MOA and started the RA. The original National club was the BMW MOA.

In fact, here is a cut and paste of the first line of the RA's website under "about the RA".

The BMW Riders Association (RA) is one of the two organizations that grew out of one national BMW motorcycle club formed over 30 years ago.

connie

[tragsdale]

So Simple...who knew...?

Blessings and Thank you Connie and Mr. Harper!

I didn't think that was the full story I was hearing from my fellow rider.

Thank you both for your assistance with the validation.

Now I can dispel this minor rumor with him.

Was there ever a situation with the Warranty Program with BMW that
required clubs intervention?

I'm wondering that he may have gotten confused or interwoven with the
history of someones tale of their adventure.



Blessings,

tragsdale

[bamabmw]

I have been in both the National clubs and this club for 20 years. And while that isn't nearly the whole 36 they have been clubs, I personally don't remember any club involvement on warranty issues. Now that does not mean there wasn't some write ups in both National club magazines about warranty issues and cries to the general membership to write letters or something. That kind of thing is highly likely to have occurred.

connie