BMW MOA

Post by **OU812** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:05 pm

Funny, I just canceled mine. The mods there are way too controlling for my freedom of speech. They can have themselves. Plenty of riders to ride with here and elsewhere.

Post by **Bill Stevenson** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:56 pm

It is interesting to read this thread. I have been a member of MOA for years and years, but I have mixed feelings about it. I find the magazine a mixed bag at best. The articles are mostly written by the membership so there is a lot of variation in quality. On the other hand there is no question whatsoever about the enthusiasm that just seems to jump off of every page. That same enthusiasm can be experienced at any of the many rallies that are listed in the magazine every month. Any beemerphile should attend at least one MOA National Rally in his or her life.

The anonymous book can save your bacon on the road. Since BMW motorcycle dealerships are few and far between, and since beemer riders are often people who ride far and wide, the anonymous book provides a safety net in an emergency. Many are the stories of someone getting rescued from the middle of nowhere by a fellow MOA member found at the critical moment from this book. It is amazing what some people will do to help each other in an emergency. This aspect of membership really can be priceless.

I think everyone should join for at least a year to find out for themselves whether MOA is for them or not. It is OK to opt out if it is not your cuppa tea.

Regards,

Bill

cbesey · Post by **cbesey** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:32 pm

+1 for MOA. I agree the mag is a mixed bag. The bike reviews are, well, lets say just a little one sided. The bulk of it is just trip reports written up by members, YMMV. A few regular columns are mostly interesting and informative.

As others have noted though, it's worth the price just for the anonymous book. I also have the platinum membership which, for a few dollars more, gets you towing (only 50 miles) and delivery of oil/gas/water should you need it. I've never tried using it but have heard good things and it's good to know that it's there if I ever need it.

jimcameron · Post by **jimcameron** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:20 am

I just received my 20 year pin.

You'd think they could have sent me a Rolex with all the members they have now.

tor1150r · Post by **tor1150r** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:39 am

Been a member since my 1st BMW in 2004. Magazines are excellent. Anonymous book is well worth the cost of membership. Web site has lots of info as well.

Post by **mogu83** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:48 pm

Member since the early 80s. Magazine is usually interesting and a good way to pick up rallies and events. Usually make 4 or 5 MOA rallies a year and the National every other year.
BUT - If I only belonged to one national motorcycle organization it would be the AMA as I believe they do the most to protect our right to ride (IMHO naturally)

Post by **Bill Stevenson** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:10 pm

I gave up my membership in the AMA after 20 plus years because of their stand on helmets. I believe in helmets and decided that sending money to an organization that fights against helmet laws was not a good use of my money. I do understand the issue of freedom and the importance of choice but after struggling with these countervailing sides of the debate decided that my best choice was to opt out. Your choice may vary.

Bill

Post by **OU812** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:36 pm

Bill Stevenson wrote:I gave up my membership in the AMA after 20 plus years because of their stand on helmets. I believe in helmets and decided that sending money to an organization that fights against helmet laws was not a good use of my money. I do understand the issue of freedom and the importance of choice but after struggling with these countervailing sides of the debate decided that my best choice was to opt out. Your choice may vary.

Bill

I to belonged to the AMA because I had to for racing. I have not belonged since because of the helmet issue.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:03 pm

I just signed up for AMA membership for the first time in close to 40 years of riding. I didn't realize they had the libertarian view on helmets.

geo

Post by **mogu83** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:08 pm

Wait --

One doesn't like the AMA because it's against helmets,, and the other doesn't like it because it supports wearing helmets ???

From what I see, the AMA strongly supports wearing a helmet and other safe type riding gear, but I can't find anywhere they have taken a legislative stand on the issue one way or the other. Maybe your confused with ABATE whos position, it seems, is that anyone that wears a helmet is a wussy idiot.
The AMA has taken measures to make sure our health insurance couldn't be denied because we ride a motorcycle, opened up some toll roads and parkways to bikes, made it legal to ride in High Occupancy Vehicle lanes with a bike. They've taken steps to support government run and financed motorcycle safety programs in many states. I could go on.
I'll admit some of the changes they make to the motorcycle racing rules often times seem to have the object of destroying motorcycle racing in this country (naturally IMHO)

Post by **OU812** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:47 pm

Oh, believe me, back in the 80's they took a strong stance against mandatory helmet laws.

Post by **OU812** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:41 pm

You may have to look back a ways, but they were on the side of living free and helmet less in the 80's.

I had the monthly magazine to see it.

Post by **scottybooj** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:44 pm

From what I see, the AMA strongly supports wearing a helmet and other safe type riding gear, but I can't find anywhere they have taken a legislative stand on the issue one way or the other. Maybe your confused with ABATE whos position, it seems, is that anyone that wears a helmet is a wussy idiot.
The AMA has taken measures to make sure our health insurance couldn't be denied because we ride a motorcycle, opened up some toll roads and parkways to bikes, made it legal to ride in High Occupancy Vehicle lanes with a bike. They've taken steps to support government run and financed motorcycle safety programs in many states. I could go on.

ABATE just doesn't want anybody to force someone to wear a helmet. The wussy comment is a tad off base.

In NY, ABATE was the group most vocal in getting two-wheelers access to the HOV lanes. I remember cause my dad was active in their group back then.

As for the MOA, I just joined last month at the NY Cycle show. I meant to a few years back but didn't. I'll see how it goes for a year or so.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:13 am

Where ABATE is probably most off base is their mantra that safety gear promotes a sense of false security and should not be considered a major portion of ones defenses against injury.

I always wanted to go to one of their meetings dressed up like the Michelin man. I'll bet somebody would buy me a beer since their meetings around here are usually held at bars !

geo

ColumbiaBMW · Post by **ColumbiaBMW** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:06 am

So I should join the BMW MOA?

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:21 am

Ride over to headquarters and meet Vince and the staff and decide for yourself. I'm positive about it. You certainly will learn enough from ON magazine to make the membership worthwhile. In any case, come out to Wyo for the national rally this year. I think it will be fun.

geo

ColumbiaBMW · Post by **ColumbiaBMW** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:05 pm

Wyo?? I'm a little apprehensive of going that far on my bike, although I have always wanted to go up there, from what I've seen it is gorgeous country. I've put just a few thousand miles on it since buying it and I've already had a few problems, nothing too serious, but is has stranded me once due to some bad wiring. I'm sure I will become more confident with it the more I ride, and that's why I bought a BMW, because I wanted to be able to ride very long distances. But for now I will take baby steps....going just a little farther from home each time. Of course, "the book" I am going to get with the MOA membership should add to the confidence.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:39 pm

Yes, by all means join and get the book. We rescued an airhead rider a couple years ago not too far from home and got him going fairly quickly. All he needed was some silicone grease on the back of his ignition module which would heat up and fail without good heat transfer to the mount. Hope to see you sometime at some of the rallys. Potosi, late in the fall is a fairly large rally that you may be able to attend.

geo

Post by **wncbmw** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:31 pm

I have already posted my opinion on the worth of MOA membership but feel the need to join in on the AMA issue.

Quitting the AMA over the helmet issue is short sighted I believe. With both the Feds and the state legislatures constantly trying to impose draconian measure on motorcyclists (bike insurance, health insurance, helmets, airbags, off-road riding, horsepower limits, etc., etc.), being a member of the largest organization which lobbies for your rights is a smart thing. Even if you disagree with some policies. Who else is going to look out for our interests?

For similar reasons, I am an NRA member. I don't have to agree with every position they take to understand my rights are stronger with them fighting for me than without!

BTW, I oppose helmet laws but feel it is foolish to ride without them. Helmet laws interfere with the Darwin principles of natural selection!

Post by **OU812** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:42 pm

geothepencil wrote:Ride over to headquarters and meet Vince and the staff and decide for yourself. I'm positive about it. You certainly will learn enough from ON magazine to make the membership worthwhile. In any case, come out to Wyo for the national rally this year. I think it will be fun.

geo

I heard there is nothing in WYo.

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