The primary automobile I ever actually wished and thought that sooner or later I might be capable to personal was, of all issues, a BMW bike. This occurred throughout the summer time after I was 14 years outdated.

Someday early that summer time I walked into slightly BMW bike supplier in Tucson, AZ, and what I discovered inside made my younger head explode. There earlier than me was a bunch of bikes of a top quality that I had by no means seen earlier than. It was love at first sight. The boxer engines, the paint high quality, and the styling of the R100RS and RT fashions simply spoke to me.

The proprietor of the dealership, which was referred to as Iron Horse BMW, was an exquisite man named Marty Cohen, and he took the time to indicate and clarify the completely different bikes to me. He even let me sit on every considered one of them. I knew that sooner or later I might personal a BMW bike.

Quick ahead greater than 40 years and I’ve owned too many BMW bikes to rely and presently personal two, together with my all-time dream bike, a 1984 BMW R80ST. I nonetheless love these bikes and take into account them the most effective bikes on the planet.

Being primarily a collector auto journalist, I don’t have that many alternatives to go to bike occasions. This yr although, I obtained an e mail from my buddy Oleg Satanovsky, BMW’s Motorbike Communications Supervisor, asking me if I wish to attend the BMW Motorrad Days on the Barber Classic Pageant to rejoice 100 years of BMW bikes. After all I stated sure.

I’ve been writing about automobiles and bikes for greater than 20 years, and one of many negatives about doing this for therefore lengthy is that it’s tough to have what’s a very new expertise on the planet of bikes and automobiles. I imply whenever you go to Monterey for 20 plus years it may well all begin to appear a bit outdated. 

Regardless of my many years writing, I’ll inform you that the Barber Classic Motorbike Pageant was positively a brand new expertise for me. The easiest way I can assume to explain it’s as Monterey Automobile Week for bikes. 

This occasion which incorporates reveals, racing, a tremendous swap meet, devoted producer areas, and each fashionable and classic bikes actually parked in every single place, is for a motorbike fan nearly an excessive amount of to absorb. My thoughts was blown much more than after I walked into Marty’s dealership the primary time and simply as a lot as my first Monterey expertise.

Being a visitor of BMW, I spent lots of my time on the BMW Motorrad Days space, trying out the classic and new BMW bikes, equipment, gear, all of which had been on show. Word that whereas BMW Motorrad Days has been taking place in Berlin for years, that is the primary time this occasion has been within the U.S. Speaking to individuals who additionally attended the Berlin occasion this yr the final consensus was that this inaugural U.S. occasion was even higher.

Highlights included seeing the reside unveiling of the brand new 2024 1300GS, watching the Butler and Smith R90S on monitor, seeing so many uncommon BMW bikes that it was extra like a cellular museum, and better of all assembly a whole bunch of like-minded BMW fanatics. I had the chance to spent hours with these new pals sharing tales, taking a look at bikes, and simply having a tremendous time being immersed on the planet of BMW Motorrad. They even had a Wall of Loss of life present every hour.

You probably have by no means seen a Wall of Loss of life present earlier than it’s the place loopy skilled riders drive round contained in the partitions of what appears like an enormous picket barrel. These shows was once fairly frequent at county gala’s across the nation however have nearly disappeared. When you get the prospect to see one, do no matter it takes to take action.

Remember that BMW Motorrad days is occurring on web site with the Classic Pageant the place they’ve the aforementioned bike swap meet. Lots of you already know that all the swap meet factor appears to have dried up, however I’ve been going to swap meets for years and that is by far the most effective bike swap meet within the U.S. When you love British, Japanese, German, Italian, and even Jap Bloc bikes, there was one thing that you simply wanted to have. I simply missed out on the 1975 Honda Goldwing that was on the market with an indication that learn “Adoption Payment: $2,000.”

 The Barber Classic Pageant options different producer areas (Triumph, KTM, Royal Enfield, for instance), the superb classic racing on-track, and the magnificent Barber Museum. There are additionally take a look at rides from many producers, an off street take a look at using space, flat monitor racing and extra. 

Once you go to the Barber Classic Pageant you even get full race paddock entry the place you possibly can see the bikes which are racing on monitor up shut and meet their riders.

Watching the racing on monitor can also be lots of enjoyable as you get to see some superb monitor motion up shut. There are additionally parade laps on Saturday for individuals who join. This yr the Butler & Smith BMW R90S took to the monitor throughout the weekend to assist rejoice BMW’s 100 yr anniversary, and it was a sight to see!

Lastly one of many largest stars of BMW Motorrad Days was the primary reside in-person presentation of the extremely anticipated 2024 BMW R1300GS. This new GS, a very powerful single class of motorbike for BMW and the class that BMW actually invented with the unique R80G/S, is lighter and up to date in some ways. Some folks in attendance had been combined on how completely different the brand new bikes appears in comparison with the outdated. These folks should have forgotten that each new era of GS has been a lot completely different than the one which got here earlier than, and I personally prefer it as the present GS design has been with us mainly since 2004. The headlight could be very cool wanting and it appears like an actual sporting machine.

The Barber Classic Pageant is an absolute should attend occasion for followers of all bikes. It’s also inexpensive with tenting allowed on web site and cheap ticket costs that embrace nearly every thing there may be to do whereas on the occasion. As a result of sheer dimension and magnitude of the occasion, you aren’t prone to get to do every thing however will certainly come away with some nice reminiscences and plans to attend the following yr. The primary U.S. BMW Motorrad Days picked the proper location for this evet and it’s my hope that BMW Motorrad will carry again Motorrad Days to the Barber Classic Pageant subsequent yr.