M
Monches rider
Guest
I agree with the original post here.
Let me explain my situation first. I'm now 35 years old and have been riding road and off road bikes since I was 10 years old. I went through my rice rocket days and now and ready to "settle" down a bit and perhaps purchase a sport/touring type of bike. I've been reading about many of the models BMW has and have stopped in at Nick's near DePere and had a fantastic experience talking with everyone there. I've been reading several posts in this forum and many have helped me answer several questions I had. When I read that the rally was going to be in West Bend, I thought "what better way to look into the beemers than going to a rally".
So with that being said, take yourself out of your riding boots, and put yourself in mine. Unfortunately I was a bit pressed for time on Saturday (tis the season for weddings). So my Dad and I and my little one packed up the car and headed out to the site. After looking over several of the bikes in the parking lot. We headed to the tent for our admission. I realize these are all volunteers running the rally and commend them with all of their time and effort to get the rally off the ground! When I approached the registration tent, I was greeted by and volunteer which was directing people for the pre-registered line. With a very smug tone he explained that I need to goto the other line. This being my first impression of the rally. I walk into the tent only to find out as previously stated in the thread that for someone just wanting to learn a bit, look at the vendors booths, talk with riders and maybe the factory, $35 is awfully steep. At that price for the entire weekend is a bargin! But for 2 or 3 hours its certainly not worth it. I would believe the vendors would be happy to see a "1 day pass" for maybe $15 and an increase in traffic and possibly revenue as well. When I explained to the registration desk that I only wanted to go in for a couple of hours, I again got a very unpleasant reaction with no explanation behind the all or nothing pass.
After reading some of the replies to the original post, it seems as though that the rally has been run in this fashion for some years now and the thought of change is maybe never considered. Someone stating that this isn't a "show" in my opinion is wrong. Why are all the vendors there then? Maybe think about the rally outside of how it has been run in the past....consider locals to the rally and give them some incentive to come and see the rally, even if you don't own a BMW.
Within the next month or two, I will be buying a BMW for my wife and I but unless things change with future rallys, I will be staying home. It will be easy to reply to this quickly by saying something to the effect of "good and stay home" but this will even further explain the reasons why I posted in the first place.
I'm certainly glad that all the attendees that had a good time did! I live along the rustic ride route and talked with a few riders during the course of the weekend at gas stations etc.. and I was genuinely happy for you guys.
Future R1150RT owner
Joe
Let me explain my situation first. I'm now 35 years old and have been riding road and off road bikes since I was 10 years old. I went through my rice rocket days and now and ready to "settle" down a bit and perhaps purchase a sport/touring type of bike. I've been reading about many of the models BMW has and have stopped in at Nick's near DePere and had a fantastic experience talking with everyone there. I've been reading several posts in this forum and many have helped me answer several questions I had. When I read that the rally was going to be in West Bend, I thought "what better way to look into the beemers than going to a rally".
So with that being said, take yourself out of your riding boots, and put yourself in mine. Unfortunately I was a bit pressed for time on Saturday (tis the season for weddings). So my Dad and I and my little one packed up the car and headed out to the site. After looking over several of the bikes in the parking lot. We headed to the tent for our admission. I realize these are all volunteers running the rally and commend them with all of their time and effort to get the rally off the ground! When I approached the registration tent, I was greeted by and volunteer which was directing people for the pre-registered line. With a very smug tone he explained that I need to goto the other line. This being my first impression of the rally. I walk into the tent only to find out as previously stated in the thread that for someone just wanting to learn a bit, look at the vendors booths, talk with riders and maybe the factory, $35 is awfully steep. At that price for the entire weekend is a bargin! But for 2 or 3 hours its certainly not worth it. I would believe the vendors would be happy to see a "1 day pass" for maybe $15 and an increase in traffic and possibly revenue as well. When I explained to the registration desk that I only wanted to go in for a couple of hours, I again got a very unpleasant reaction with no explanation behind the all or nothing pass.
After reading some of the replies to the original post, it seems as though that the rally has been run in this fashion for some years now and the thought of change is maybe never considered. Someone stating that this isn't a "show" in my opinion is wrong. Why are all the vendors there then? Maybe think about the rally outside of how it has been run in the past....consider locals to the rally and give them some incentive to come and see the rally, even if you don't own a BMW.
Within the next month or two, I will be buying a BMW for my wife and I but unless things change with future rallys, I will be staying home. It will be easy to reply to this quickly by saying something to the effect of "good and stay home" but this will even further explain the reasons why I posted in the first place.
I'm certainly glad that all the attendees that had a good time did! I live along the rustic ride route and talked with a few riders during the course of the weekend at gas stations etc.. and I was genuinely happy for you guys.
Future R1150RT owner
Joe