I bought my second BMW, a 1996 BMW R1100 RT #326 when Steve Coburn from the International Oilheads Group had been invited to do an introductory Pre-release ride on the new BMW R1100 RT. We were at the Watkins Glen, NY 4-H Fingerlakes Ride when Steve announced the introduction of the bike and showed us some pictures and also the most exciting news... He was granted the power, to take deposits on the new bike as well! Anyone who put a down payment on the bike was given low numbered bikes and T-shirts stating "I bought mine before it was released!" and the serial number of the bike in a line you could fill in. I received my bike about 6-months before production bikes were out and it was delivered to Blackmans Cycle.
The bike I received (pre-release before the production bikes came out) was Serial number #326 and had an RS motor and a GS transmission. The gas tank had a plaque on it with the serial number on it #326. It was a cool bike. I bought it from Blackman's BMW in Emmas PA from Gary Blackman (owner) and Walt Raypole (GM). Because I had two bikes now bought from Gary, I presented an issue of how to get there so I could ride the bike back to NH. Gary called and said, "Hey don't you have an airstrip in Portsmouth?" Well, Gary flew up to NH to Pease Air Base which has the ability to take private planes. I never knew that!
On the way back Gary let me fly the Twin engine Aerostar and it was a blast. We landed and got to the dealership and took possession of my new ride. I can remember Gary saying how cool it was to see a bike that hadn't been released to the public yet. In the years earlier I had such a great experience with the dealership, mostly because of Walt and Gary that I had purchased this '96 RT. I spent years after that riding one bike down to get serviced and then got on the '94 BMW R1100 RSA and rode it back to NH. Gary was gracious enough to keep my other bike there during this time as one or the other was in for service.
Unfortunately, on April 28th, 1997, Gary was killed in his newest plane because what I had heard was an error with the airport and its updating of intersections. This was an incredible man if you were ever able to get to know him personally you would have met a man who cared about his kids very much and was a great friend to me.
This was the start of owning my own BMW's and if there was ever a way to get into BMW bikes with a dealership with such class it this "had" and the staff that put in 110% to their work, it would be a dealership such as this. The respect of customers was from the top down to the salesperson.
RIP Gary Blackman.
The bike I received (pre-release before the production bikes came out) was Serial number #326 and had an RS motor and a GS transmission. The gas tank had a plaque on it with the serial number on it #326. It was a cool bike. I bought it from Blackman's BMW in Emmas PA from Gary Blackman (owner) and Walt Raypole (GM). Because I had two bikes now bought from Gary, I presented an issue of how to get there so I could ride the bike back to NH. Gary called and said, "Hey don't you have an airstrip in Portsmouth?" Well, Gary flew up to NH to Pease Air Base which has the ability to take private planes. I never knew that!
On the way back Gary let me fly the Twin engine Aerostar and it was a blast. We landed and got to the dealership and took possession of my new ride. I can remember Gary saying how cool it was to see a bike that hadn't been released to the public yet. In the years earlier I had such a great experience with the dealership, mostly because of Walt and Gary that I had purchased this '96 RT. I spent years after that riding one bike down to get serviced and then got on the '94 BMW R1100 RSA and rode it back to NH. Gary was gracious enough to keep my other bike there during this time as one or the other was in for service.
Unfortunately, on April 28th, 1997, Gary was killed in his newest plane because what I had heard was an error with the airport and its updating of intersections. This was an incredible man if you were ever able to get to know him personally you would have met a man who cared about his kids very much and was a great friend to me.
This was the start of owning my own BMW's and if there was ever a way to get into BMW bikes with a dealership with such class it this "had" and the staff that put in 110% to their work, it would be a dealership such as this. The respect of customers was from the top down to the salesperson.
RIP Gary Blackman.
