BMW MOA, is it worth the price???

[dwayne]

Been thinking about joining, though the only real reason would be for the BMW ON Magazine. I'm not a fan of clubs, didn't do well with the SCRC with having to deal with all the posers, and wannabees.

[mnnden]

dwayne, That is the reason I joined, It is a pretty good Magazine, and you also recieve a directory of people to call should you have trouble on the road. If you have the extra cash give it a try. another good one is
http://www.ibmwr.org/
Den

[R4R&R]

I asked for it last year for fathers day and even though I haven't had to use any of the services (towing/roadside assistance, and the anonymous book) I feel comfortable having it. The primary reason I wanted it was for the magazine also.

[xaque]

I say join!

Wonderful group of people
Anon. Book is fantastic during bad times
Online Forum is great
Did I mention wonderful people?
And the Owners News Mag is a great read.

You wont be dissapointed!

-Xaque-

[dragonmojo]

I also agree about the "security blanket" feeling. If I am not mistaken, they are not affiliated with BMWNA.

I haven't checked out IBMWR yet.

[Sit]

The magazine is a good read, but most importantly is that anonymous book. Went on a ride a few months ago before I had joined. The other rider I was with left his ignition on at a rest stop and drained his battery. I did not have jumper cables and there was NO ONE around. He whips out his anonymous book and about 20 minutes later, up pulls our savior. A quick jump start and we were back on the road after some quick introductions and lots of thank you's. I went home and joined.

[Jason]

in addition, some insurance companies offer discounts if you're a member. in my case i got a 10% discount which paid for my membership and then some. j

[sjbmw]

I joined the MOA after attending a rally with a Michigan chapter.

The magazine is top notch and I eagerly await it every month.
My sub to Cycle World will probably expire.

Where you gonna find a magazine that has instructions on how to do maintenance/repairs to your bike, complete with pictures?
I like the ride reports with How-to's to do it yourself.
I may try the National Highway tour from the last issue. PA to Ohio along the nation's first toll road west.

The are revamping the website now also.

Another very good magazine is the AMA's American motorcyclist.
There is a silent war going on against 2 wheeled machines, and the AMA is fighting it for us.

[GeoffJ]

I was an MOA member in the 80's. The Anonymous book and ON magazine were nice. I attended a few MOA national rallies. I never got into a local BMW club.

[munchmeister]

BMW R1150 R.... $10,000

10 days of motel rooms in a fabulous part of the country.... $1200

BMW MOA Membership.... $32


MOA Anonymous Book, used to get a ride and a workshop when your bike breaks down in a remote part of said country.... priceless !!

[WannaBeemer]

Been thinking about joining, though the only real reason would be for the BMW ON Magazine. I'm not a fan of clubs, didn't do well with the SCRC with having to deal with all the posers, and wannabees.

I'm another guy who didn't do to well with the SCRC, but help me out here whats the BMW MOA?

[dwayne]

... but help me out here whats the BMW MOA?

Oh, thats theses guys: http://www.bmwmoa.org/

From what I have been reading, its a good organization to get in with.

So the SCRC didn't work well for you either huh. It's a shame really cause some of the people were nice, but too many, especially in the leadership roles, were numb-skulls, and I really have no time for that kind of stuff. The Captain of this paticular Chapter had a personal problem with me, so when I made a comment about a guy I didn't like that also happened to ride a Harley, well that was an excuse to read me the riot act. Didn't say anything derogatory about Harley, just a comment about a guy who rode one. The other problem is this guy is now the Provincial Officer so with that I figured since its not working and this is the type of people they want represnting the organization I said to hell with it. I even tried to make peace with the guy, which I think did come about but the way the whole thing came down was silly, on both our parts.

[peterbulgar]

I've been a member for about 30 years now. I've never used the anonymous book myself, but have had a couple of people call me and I was glad to be able to help. The magazine has gone from a small, amateur effort to a large and very professional publication - by itself well worth the annual membership fee IMHO. The magazine can be a bit folksy, but there are excellent travel and technical articles. I suspect that there is a certain amount of club politics and infighting that goes on, but unless you are running for office in the club or trying to make changes the average member is insulated.

I'm not a club person, either, so I just pay my dues, read the magazine, and go to the occasional national rally. I don't like crowds that much, but in spite of that I've had a very positive experience at the few rallies I've attended: Lots of interesting bikes, very friendly people, good organization, hordes of BMW specific vendors, interesting rides in the area, valuable technical seminars, and a good excuse to get out on the road. This year's rally is in Vermont, which can't be too far from where you live.

The BMWRA (http://www.bmwra.org) is a smaller club, more idiosyncratic, and the club magazine (On The Level) is smaller than the Owners News, perhaps less useful, but also more opinionated and fun. BMWRA also has a national rally every year - this year's is in Boise and I'll be there.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

[dwayne]

...The BMWRA (http://www.bmwra.org) is a smaller club, more idiosyncratic, and the club magazine (On The Level) is smaller than the Owners News, perhaps less useful, but also more opinionated and fun.

I went to their site and was going to ask about them next. On the site it says they are a little on the opinionated side, but my question: is it just a lot of badgering the status quo to make a name or is there actually some substance to it?

They also made mention on their site about bashing the 'Loud Pipes make men with small penis feel normal'...wait, thats not it