BMW Motorrad

BMW Motorrad has been building motorcycles for a hundred years -- literally. This is its centennial year and there will be celebrations next month. Over that time, the company has sold 2 million motorcycles. ("Motorrad" is the German word for motorcycle.)

You probably know I own two motorcycles. They're both BMW's. That's no accident. I chose BMW after riding other brands (Yamaha; Kawasaki) and finding BMW to be superior. In my opinion, they make the best bikes in the world. The engineering and build-quality are amazing, better than I thought possible. The brand is expensive but when your life is on the line, you don't cut corners. When you're a thousand miles from home, you don't want to break down on the side of the road. My machines do exactly what I need and ask from them. You can't put a price on that.

BMW motorcycles are serviced every 6,000 miles and I rode to my dealer today for that service (BMW of Manhattan). I used the occasion to snap a few pictures. The people there are exceptionally nice and competent, starting at the top. My old friend Chris is the Sales Manager.

Fifteen years ago, I went to a grueling, two-day riding competition with a group of ten riders. During breakfast it started pouring rain. Eight of the riders bailed and went home. Chris was the only hardy soul willing to endure the rough conditions and complete the event. I was the only crazy rider willing to follow him. The two of us rode through every kind of weather. The ride turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Facing and overcoming adversity is deeply satisfying.

Happy Birthday, BMW!