Picture Of The Month! Picos de Europa National Park, Spain! (Click Image for a Larger View)

Every month customers send us killer photos and I see no reason to keep them to myself so what better way to say thanks for sharing than to post them in this Picture of the Month spot..

Our August/September POTM was contributed by Gijs van Dijk (aka.. Mo'Gas) of the Netherlands . He says of the shot... "Just got back from a big trip through Spain. This shot was taken with my trusty 5D and 24-105 combo on a beautiful warm day in the ‘Picos de Europa’ National Park, which is located right in the middle along the northern Spanish coast between Oviedo and Santander. This is potentially one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It’s a bit remote and quiet, but as with most Spanish roads, the surfaces are as smooth as a pool table with insane traction and never ending turns. This is one of those places where you would need to ride every road at least twice: once going in attack mode for the road and twisties, and once to see the magnificent backdrop and scenery, cause you definitely don’t want to try doing both at the same time. ;) "

If you would like to contribute your own"worthy" shot for our newsletter, here's what I'll need. First.. just email me 1 or 2 of your best digital shots. It'll need to be at least 1024x768 in size or larger and preferably A. Of a BMW K1200S, K1300S, K1200RS, K1200R, R Sport, S1000RR, K1600GT, GTL, or any model year K1200GT or K1300GT and B. In focus.

Laser Exhausts at Pirates Lair?! Good News in a Bad Economy!

We get more requests for Laser Exhausts than any other brand and I'm not surprised. They are beautiful, sleek, sound great, and generally reasonably priced. I have their rbon Fiber Stealth HotCam II on my own K1200S that I bought a few years ago when FosterRadd ( the former US importer) carried them. It looks like this. I get questions about it all the time and I've seen nothing else on the market I like better. Unfortunately, there are currently no US distributors working with the company based in the Netherlands. That may change soon..

Recently, I saw a picture posted on a European site of the new Lasers for the BMW K1600 series (pic at right) and was floored by it. Decided then and there that I'd approach Laser and see if Pirates Lair could become the lone US importer. Within a week I got a call from their CEO and we spoke in depth to see what terms we could come to and they seemed very interested. Apparently they had been wanting to get back into the US market.

While I'm reluctant to jinx a deal that's not done... I had to share this potentially good news. I should have definitive info.. availability.. pricing.. choices.. etc on their entire line of exhausts by the time the next cheese filled newsletter hits the airwaves. For now.. If interested in a Laser for your bike..BMW or otherwise... go to the Laser Website and browse though their product line. If you see something you may want... email me and I'll put your name down on a call list should I set up an account with them.

Lets Get Naked!!! BMW S1000RR Naked Bike Spied Testing!

BMW is already well ahead in the development of a naked version of its class-leading S1000RR superbike as these spy shots taken at a BMW test facility reveal. Is anyone surprised? The naked S1000RR – to be called the S1000SR according to the psychic hotline– looks highly developed with a specially designed half-fairing with a passing resemblance to that seen on the Aprilia RSV4 Tuono.

The technical specification of the bike is also unknown. There is a chance BMW has taken the brave step of just ripping off the fairing and leaving the 197bhp inline four-cylinder motor, chassis and running gear alone – changing only the handlebars for a more upright riding position. This would be a unique step, as every other naked bike derived from a superbike, such as the Ducati Streetfighter and Aprilia RSV4 Tuono, have had power softened and some hefty chassis changes too. Guess we'll see.

It’s been a relatively quiet 18 months for BMW with only the revamped S1000RR superbike and the two 650cc scooters appearing as new models. It's not clear when the naked S1000 will be launched. I expect an official unveiling later this year at the EICMA or the Intermot.

2013 BMW S1000RR HP4: First Look!– 20 lbs Lighter w/ BMW’s Dynamic Damping Control!

Looks like 2013 is gonna be a good year for horsepower junkies and hopefully for Republicans.. but I digress. BMW is set to introduce the first-ever four-cylinder machine into the HP (High Performance) family - the HP4. The factory-modded HP4 uses the S1000RR as a platform offering 193 horsepower. The big advancement on the HP4 is the use of Dynamic Damping Control, the HP4 the first motorcycle to utilize such technology.

Speaking of the Dynamic Damping Control, BMW says "the new HP4 reflects its status as a high-performance motorcycle in terms of its suspension system with a world first for serial production motorcycles. It is fitted as standard with Dynamic Damping Control DDC. This system allows dynamic damping adaptation of the upside-down fork and spring strut to the specific situation on the road. The damping is adapted to the current maneuvering or road surface by means of sensor-supplied parameters via electrically controlled regulation valves. In this way, the HP4 offers optimum damping in every situation, handling long and short shocks virtually perfectly so as to provide maximum traction and safety."

The HP4 also arrives with Race ABS that features with IDM setting for maximum brake performance, a 200/55 ZR 17 tire on the rear wheel, finely adjustable Dynamic Traction Control in "Slick" mode, launch control and shift assistance for optimal gearshifts, among others. The HP4 will also be available with a competitive package upgrade, the package featuring refined HP carbon parts including a long, closed HP engine spoiler in carbon, an adjustable HP rider footrest system, folding HP brake and clutch levers, wheels finished in Racing blue metallic and a sponsor sticker kit provide additional enhancement of the new HP4. The final question is.. "what's in your wallet?"

3. If you have a K1300S or K1300R and have been wanting to shorten the total throttle movement on the right handle bar, here's a company in Germany making a product that can make it happen. 2Wheels 4You.. Clever company name.. not. The full length is about 80 degrees. The small aluminum insert shortens the length from 80 degrees to 65 degrees. Shows out of the box thinking.. Some modification is required. Price is a reasonable 29.95 EUR

4. New Colors for the 2013 K1600GT- . 1. Montegoblue Metallic 2. Dark Graphite Metallic

5. Sargent 2012 World Sport Seat for K1600GT is coming!! The World Sport Performance Seat for the BMW K1600GT is currently in Research and Development. It is targeted for a tentative Late Fall / Winter 2012 release. You can follow them on their website or pre-register for updates. I'll bet a BJ from Amber it'll be both cheaper and more comfortable than Corbin's offering...

6. Here's a juicy S1000RR Wallpaper for your 'puter courtesy UltimateMotorcycling.com

7. New BMWs for 2013! - Here's the latest BMW news and new bike info courtesy of Visordown

8. Thinking of getting a graphics kit for your late model BMW K1200GT / K1300GT?? Autotrimdesign.com has them...

9. Found this this am.... Thought it was informative... Have always respected moto-journalist Kent Kunitsugu's opinions... Have found 3 or 4 similar head to head comparos and the S1000RR has come out on top on all of them... Just thought I'd share.. Ducati 1199 Panigale vs BMW S1000RR! - On Two Wheels Episode 13

10. Here's a nice write up by Cycle World On-Line Magazine... BMW Releases Info on New S1000RR-based Superbike HP4

11. Pit Bull owner/founder and good friend, Charlie VanValkenburgh and his el grande cajones made history recently when he broke the land speed record in the 1000cc class at the Bonneville Salt Flats on his BMW S1000RR. Read the full story at RoadRacingWorld.com. Congrats, C!!

3. We've been selling American Machine K1200RS, K1200GT bar risers and peg lowering kits for years.They outsell every other brand by 20-1. We're still in shock that they recently closed their doors. As of today, we have only (2) pair left of the AmMa K1200RS Bar Risers. Their AmMa GT risers & K1200RS/GT Peg Lowering Kits are all sold out. Last call.

4. Now that the aforementioned American Machine Co has gone under, the Verholen RS/GT Peg Lowering Kit may be your last, best hope of giving yourself some relief. Machined out of T-6 aluminum and furnished with all stainless steel hardware, Pirates' Lair offers you a solution for cramped legs and/or bad ergonomics. This German made lowering kit includes left/right side lowering plates AND a shift lever lowering block. Agreed.. the kit ain' t cheap at $260 freakin' dollars, but as you'd expect.. they are top quality and maybe the only game left in town. The kit is a simple bolt on affair which is good since the German instructions are total crap. No mods necessary. Fits 97-05 KRS & 02-05 BMWK1200GT Only!

5. As our source for quick shift assist extension pieces (for the K1300S peg lowering kits we sell) .. Evoluzione.. went out of biz a few months ago, we've been scrambling to find another source.. After our extensive quest failed, I decided to have our machinists produce some for us.. The good news is.. we now have those in package kits for our Verholen K1300S Peg Lowering Kits and the remaining Evoluzione K1300S Peg Relocator Kits. I think we have maybe 10 Evo kits left. BTW.. Cost for the additional piece is a paltry $25 which is included in the combo price..Who loves ya, baby?!

6. As per the blurb in the section above... if all the planets align, it looks like Pirates lair will soon become the lone importer of Laser Exhausts. WooHoo! We're in discussions with the company. For now.. If interested in a Laser for your bike..BMW or otherwise... go to the Laser Website and browse though their product line. If you see something you may want... email me and I'll put your name down on a call list should I set up an account with them. Fingers crossed.

7. Scuffing up your K1600GT or GTL's gas tank with your knees and jacket? Sliding forward when coming to a stop? Your wife sliding off the bike during late night garage sex? If you want grip AND protection.. we got your back. The K16 TechSpec Gripster Tank Grips are now available and in stock! The peel-n-stick material is a rubber product 125" thick with a low profile diamond grip pattern to help increase the coefficient of friction. Each (5) piece kit includes R & L Grip Skins and three tank protector panels. As you can see by the pic at right... they even look sheik.

8. We just got a shipment of LONG SLEEVE Pirates Lair Plundering tees just in time for the fall riding season. Whether wanting to look stylish at your divorce proceedings or just stylin in the board room.. we have a tee for you.. Be the envy of your work place or AA meeting!! Pirates' Lair tees make great birthday, graduation, parole, Christmas, Hanukah, or Father's Day gifts. The XLarge tees also make wonderful sleepwear for your rug rats or that special person in your life. Also good for covering up back hair and/or aging tattoos. Guaranteed to get you laid more often.*
* Does not work on married or ugly customers.

The 13th Annual I-BMW Deals Gap Rally: October 4-7th, 2012

Where: Fontana Village Resort
Nearest town: Robbinsville, NC
When: October 4th-7th, 2011 [Thur-Sunday]
Reservations: Direct 800.849.2258

20 lodge rooms w/ 2 queen beds/ns: $85+tax - 6 2br cabins with 1 queen and 2 twin beds/kitchen/ns: $120+tax When calling, specify room or cabin. Lodge rooms are in the Garden units with parking outside the door. Cabins will be either the Laurel or Hemlock cabins. Reservations for blocked out rooms will end 45 days prior. Saavy? Be sure to mention i-bmw group when booking.

...and don't forget... Pirates Lair will be offering your choice of either Pirates Lair Plundering hats, Pirates Lair tees, or $25 gift cards to anyone who achieves a "velocity award" while in transit to or from or at the rally itself.. If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.

NOTE: I-bmw.com is not an official sponsor of any posted events. Event participation is the sole responsibility of the attendee. Motorcycle riding is potentially dangerous and can result in personal injury or death or lots of velocity awards.. You and you alone are responsible for your own safety. Ride within your own ability. It's called.. "personal responsibility."