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BMW Rally 2007 -
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We didn't have far to go, only about 125 miles, but we booked a hotel room in nearby Germantown for the weekend. Not being campers, we took the easy route - however, I think that the complete rally experience is only completely appreciated by those who camp. Leaving at dinner time, we miss the evening entertainment, and more importantly - the beer tent.
I did not miss the shopping experience of the 2007 BMW Rally, however, and was able to replenish myself with a new jacket, pants and a great new tankbag - (links and reviews to follow)
A very clean, used KTM with a "for sale" sign, parked outside of the BMW Milwaukee tent, one of the larger tents at the 2007 BMW Rally.
I saw a very similar BMW GS X at the BMW demonstration area - pretty radical seat. (The BMW demonstration area was also one of the larger venues at the 2007 BMW Rally.)
I'm not sure if this is model is available yet in the States.
Need a BMW motorcycle for the 2008 rally? Ebay motors has some great motorcycles on auction............
Another "For Sale" perfect 650 GS - this one could have very easily have come home with me.
This was a 1200 GS, with a custom lowered seat. I sat on this, and with the seat lowered, I could "right" the front end of this bike.
I would love to ride a GS, but even with my height, I would need to seat lowered, just to change my ability to control the front end. This is the curse of the short-waisted woman.
Bikes, bikes and more bikes:
2007 BMW Rally photos from the rally grounds
I spent a great deal of my time snapping photographs of the motorcycles that surrounded me - everywhere. I love to look at the parking lots at large motorcycle gatherings - just for the aesthetics of all those 2-wheeled vehicles.
While the majority of the motorcycles parked on the fairgrounds of the 2007 BMW Rally were BMW's - of all varieties and vintages - there were also some non-BMW models - I spied a Ducati or two, a few Hondas, MotoGuzzi's - you name it. All were welcome, once the registration fee was paid and the blue wristlet in place.
The vendors were sprinkled throughout the fairgrounds - some outside, some inside, and some even incased in the 'small animal' barn.
The vintage motorcycles were safely parked in a livestock barn, where they could be oogled and ahh'ed over - justifiably, I might add. Those vintage bikes are beautiful. Undoubtably one of the highlights of the 2007 BMW Rally was the vintage bike display.
The Vintage BMW's:
Perfection in a livestock barn
At the 2007 BMW Rally, I spent a lot of time drooling over the vintage BMW's in a covered barn, taking photos and watching the judging. These bikes are all magnificant - some restored and some perfectly intact with original paint and equipment.
In my opinion, these motorcycles - or motorbikes as they are properly called in their country of origin - are truly works of art. And the people who lovingly maintain them are curators. Keepers of art.
I was truly humbled, and so glad that people are willing to maintain the beauty of these magnificant machines.
And, I want to go wash my bright yellow BMW - I want the wheels to shine, the jugs to be flawless. I want my motorcycle to be as perfect as these 50 year old machines.
I have a feeling that the most perfect of these vintage BMW's appear at the annual rally. They are obviously lovingly maintained, and meticulously cleaned and shined prior to the judging. The blue ribbons are abundant, and the "losers" must be banished to the far corners of the grounds.
All of the remaining motorcycles in the barn, after the judging, are deserving of the ribbons. There is not a speck of dirt, no rust on the chrome, no dents in the metal. Perfection at its most perfect.
Wheels, wheels and more wheels
I am sure that quite a few people thought that I was a bit daft, but I just couldn't help snapping some pictures of front tires. First of all, they were SO clean - the spokes, the rubber, the chrome.
Yes, I'll take the credit - the crazy photographer at the 2007 BMW Rally.
My favorite wheel of the 2007 BMW Rally. This wheel, in particular, caught my eye.
Isn't it beautiful?
This wheel was so shiny that I could almost see my reflection in each spoke.
Found on a vintage motorcycle in the small animal barn.
This is the front wheel of one of the first RT models - which I wondered may have been marketed as a "comfort" bike for women. There were about four motorcycles, identical at the 2007 BMW Rally- all were a lovely light periwinkle color.
(Back from "BMW Rally 2007 Page" to "Her-Motorcycle Home Page")
Related Pages:
"Motorcycle Rallies""Rally Stories"
"BMW Rally - Part II"
"BMW Motorcycle Auctions"
