9th Annual Big Sioux Rider Spring (Mother’s Day Dam) Campout

The 9th Annual Big Sioux Rider Spring (Mother’s Day Dam) Campout will be Saturday and Sunday, May 12th and 13th (Mother’s Day weekend). This is an informal campout. Though we can’t guarantee it won’t snow, friends and fellow riders are invited to join us at Randal Creek Recreation Area near the Fort Randall Dam, Pickstown, South Dakota.

For more details click your mouse here.

Members receive new 2012 K1600GTs

Doug Shonley sent the following story about his first ride this past weekend on his K1600GT.


So far I have 350 miles on the new K1600GT.  Thought I would give you an update that others could read.  This is a wonderful motorcycle.  This is also probably the most complex motorcycle I have ever ridden.  I have not got all the electronics figured out yet.  Reading on the forums I will probably go with the BMW Nav 4 GPS because there are a couple things that are proprietary in the connection with the bike.  I will probably have to change to the SENA blue tooth headsets also.  I will probably keep my Cardio head sets because of the advantage with them for group riding.

Ok, now about the bike.  It is very much like the K1200GT.  In fact I have a hard time telling the difference.  It has the BMW feel in the corners.  Just very solid and predictable.  I started a ride up Vanocker Canyon but the road was too ice covered and sandy so I decided to do a u-turn.  Being icy I decided to just baby walk the bike around.  What I did find is that the handlebars really crank a long ways to the side which made the turn quite easy.  Some bikes hit the stop way too soon.  I believe this bike probably has the best seat of any BMW that I have had.  I sat for a full three hours on it and it was noticeable, but not painful.  Had an interesting experience with the fuel on this bike.  I was driving out on the plains where the roads were dry and found this lonely road.  In fact it said next services 33 miles.  I looked at the fuel range and I had over 90 miles so no problem.  Also there was an intersection at 66 miles.  So off I go.  I'm trying to vary my speed a bunch and not just sit at one set speed.  Often dropping down to 1st and then blasting through the gears running it up to about 4000 rpm in each gear.  Oh, what a wonderful sound this six cylinder bike has.  I was bucking a wind and I was impressed with the windshield as it was really giving me quite good protection.  If I raised it all the way up the wind would actually push on the back of my helmet.  I normally have it set about an inch down from the very top.  I get up to the 33 miles and being a Sunday afternoon everything was pretty well shut down.  I didn't see any gas pumps either so I thought, well there has to be something up at this intersection which is only another 33 miles.  So I continued having fun with the bike hitting any sweepers with a high amount of energy and loving how the bike feels.  I check the fuel range and it has gone down a bunch.  If fact when I get to the intersection all that is there is just the intersection and the fuel remaining is 19 miles.  Hmmm.  The sign says Buffalo 24 miles.  This is not good.  I pull into the wind and set the cruise at 52 mph.  Had not used the cruise yet other than to just check that it worked.  I figure that it was better to run at a constant speed rather than run out of gas.  This bike has two fuel consumption meters.  I had been getting 36.4 mpg doing my running up and down through the gears.  I found that against the wind, strong wind at 52 mph it would usually get about 44 mpg.  Calculating in my head I'm thinking well this might work.  At least get me close enough I can get cell service so I could call AAA if I do run out.  I keep watching the remaining miles and it drops off and show me the temperature.  It had dropped below the 37 degrees and I got the snow flake on the dash.  The hand grips and the seat now have five levels of heat.  I had the hand grips all the way up.  I had the seat on the third level.  The fifth level of the seat I couldn't keep my butt on it.  Too hot, which can be a good thing.  I had my Gerbing jacket on over a long sleeved T-shirt and a jean shirt.  I only had my Stitch on over that.  Had I planned on going so far I would have dressed warmer.  Finally I come over a hill and can see Buffalo in the distance.  Maybe 5 miles.  The fuel range is done to 4 miles.  I pull into the gas station at Buffalo with 1 mile remaining on the fuel remaining.  I promptly fill with gas.  I put in 6.876 gallons of gas.  Hmmm that is interesting,  I didn't think it had that big of tank.  Now with a full tank a gas,  a call to the wife telling her I'm going to be late, and a potty break I head back home.  This time the wind is more behind me.  The temperature drops to 32 degrees, but the grips are warm and my seat is hot and my Gerbings is doing the job.  When I meet a car I slow down and then I hit it.  Now running the bike up to 5000 rpm. This thing really pulls without even getting close to full throttle.  Can't wait till I can do full on.  Anyway, passing a car it doesn't really matter what gear you are in it just goes.  By now I have most of the menus on the bike figured out and got things set how I think I am going to like them.  When I have a passenger I will probably mostly run in the rain mode.  I found in the dynamic mode if you hit a hard bump you will turn the throttle enough that I'm sure the passenger would probably complain.  The middle mode Road is probably the best all around.  I still have some things to work out with the electronics.  I am making a new version of the FarkleBar just for this bike and really missed having some of my gadgets with me.  This is really a great bike.  Did I tell you how great a sound it has...

Ride Safe,

Dougals

Doug on his new K1600GT

Here is a photo of Jim waiting for his new K1600GT to be un-crated and setup.  Of course it is red:

Jim with his new bike, not quite ready to ride.

Doug found a new feature on his bike (Spoiler Alert: Honda VFR fans need not watch this):

Christmas Party Survey and Nominations

We are trying to finalize our Annual Christmas Party plans. We are asking for everyone's input to get it right.

Please answer the following simple survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q2RGBTZ

We are planning on a gift exchange. I'll send out details later but basically you will need a $10 to $15 gift if you want to be in the exchange. The party is free for paid club members. Non-paid members will be welcome, but there will be a modest fee to cover their meal expenses. All brands and new and returning members and riders are welcome to celebrate with us.

We need nominations for the Annual Big Johnson Award in honor of its first goofy winner – “Big” Jim Johnson. The award is voted on and given at the Annual Christmas Party to the funniest silliest faux pas or mistake during the year. Nominations should be related to motorcycles or camping and hopefully no one was seriously injured. In 2008 the club decided that people should be eligible to win this award more than once - so everyone is eligible again!! You don’t have to at the party to win, heck you don’t even have to be nominated to win. Good luck and remember, the more people you can nominate, the better your chances of not winning this award. Everyone is eligible to win!! You can send your nominations to jimj@urban-inc.net and dalenordlie@sio.midco.net or enter them in on the above survey.

Updated BMW

Doug Shonley sent this to share with the group.  Looks like a R1100 or R1150 engine.

 

Jack Shoalmire Tribute SS1000 - South Dakota.

Brion Hase will be riding a Saddle Sore 1000 on October  15th.  This was something Jim Johnson originally signed up for, but due to scheduling conflict Jim cannot do it so Brion is going to pinch hit for him.  It’s called the Jack Shoalmire Tribute Ride.  Jack had a goal of riding a SS1000 in each of the 50 states and was nearly complete with that task when he passed away after a heart attack.  There will be people riding SS1000’s in all 50 states on the 15th and they will be compiling photos and satellite tracks for Jack’s Family.  Jim had signed up for the South Dakota in-state ride so we are going out through the Black Hills and back.  It’s going to be a fun ride so if anyone is interested in riding with Brion, drop him a message.  This does qualify as an Iron Butt ride and there is a discounted fee of $22 for the certificate and processing.  http://www.nmpcs.com/Jacks_Ride/FAQ.html

Upcoming Events and Club Schedule

Monthly Meetings
The Big Sioux Riders meet monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 PM. New members are always welcome. Drop by and introduce yourself. Regular meeting are held September through May. Other meetings with rides are arranged during the summer months. Check schedule below for locations and dates.

Saturday Morning Meetings
Members and friends get together weekly for breakfast. Most folks show up shortly after 8 AM. We are currently meeting at the Townhouse at 18th and Dakota Ave in South Sioux City (south off of I-29 on Dakota Ave/Hwy 77 (I-29 exit #149) in downtown South Sioux City).

Dues
Our annual dues are $20 member or $25 for a family. Most of the dues go to help pay for dinner at the Christmas party and other miscellaneous costs and expenses. You can pay your dues and complete a membership form at Bak BMW Victory in Sioux City. Dave is currently our club treasurer. The 2011 Club President is Chuck Swenson, Terry Hughes is Vice-President, and Brion Hase is the Secretary. You may also pay your dues online using the PayPal link on the left.

Upcoming Rides and Rallies of Interest
April 1-Oct 30 - European Motorcycle Nights, Lincoln, NE - First Wednesday of each month, Brewsky's between P & Q in the Haymarket.
Sept 24-25, 2011 - Bak Adventure Kamp (BAK) - Training weekend by Bak BMW - sign up at Bak - Sioux City, IA
Sept 24 - BSR Group Ride to Woodbine's Applefest - 10 AM Bak BMW

Sept 25 - Consours De Cornfield - Earlham, IA

Sept 30 - Oct 2 - Susan Galpin's On Road Seminar, Cruso, NC

Oct 1 - GLMC Harvest Road Rally - Albany, MN

Oct 7-9, 2011 - Falling Leaf Rally, Potosi, MO

Oct 8, 2011 - Baktoberfest - Fall Open House at Bak BMW, Sioux City, IA

Galpin On Road Seminar - Sept 30 to Oct 2, 2011

From Jim Johnson

I have stayed at this campground.  The cabins are Spartan, but dry.  Two single beds and enough room for your luggage, one light and not outlets.  They used to serve a cooked breakfast on the grounds that was pretty good.  The campground is within spitting distance (a few miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway.)  I have taken Susan’s course with Stan.  We learned a lot about riding in the right gear.  As a result, both of us are better on the curves.

Pass this along to anyone you think might be interested.  I will go again, if I can.

Jim

From: Susan Galpin 

Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 8:56 AM
To: Jim Johnson
Subject: Galpin On Road Seminar Coming Soon / Info You Need

Dave Cwi here, writing on behalf of Susan Galpin.  In the past you've attended on expressed interest in  attending one of Susan's Conquer Corners Before They Conquer You! seminars.    So the upcoming opportunity may be of interest.   More than just an updated seminar.  You also receive on-road coaching and we've plotted out great riding day rides in the Smokies where you can try out your new skills.  

Raider Sport Touring will be hosting our Octoberfest Ride the Weekend of Sept 30 - Oct 2.   ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED and we will be based out the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in Cruso, NC.   You are on your own to rent a furnished cabin with linens or pop a tent!

Everyone taking Susan's seminar comments that her techniques transform them so they become more confident riders. The first coaching session will be Friday afternoon September 30.   Next two sessions:  morning and afternoon  Saturday October 1st.

    

Susan as you know is techno challenged so we are acting as her secretary for this event; but feel free to contact her directly at SusanGalpin@gmail.com.   She'll be leading 3 groups in 4 hour sessions that begin with her great seminar.  You'll then test what you've learned on roads selected by Susan just for this event.  She'll ride with you providing comments that improve your ability to ride Corner Quick.

We will pass the hat among attendees so bring a $20 bill as we want to cover Susan's expenses.  That's it. 

If you are willing to share a cabin we can pair you up with others and you call the campground directly and give them your credit card.

Are you interested in attending?  Please contact dancindave@aol.com to get in touch and to get on the official list.

For the latest Raider Ride List and News go HERE  http://www.RaiderSportTouring.com/archive/newsmay2011.htm
 To get on the Raider List for future rides just click HERE or visit RaiderSportTouring.com 
The Rides Are Free and Worth Every Penny!

Thanks!