Picture Of The Month! Red Rocks Park, Colorado! (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 May / June POTM was contributed by Steve Farson of Park County, Colorado.. He says of this spanktacular shot... "The image was from last November, on the inaugural ride home from picking the new bike up. The camera was a Canon Powershot SX260 HS. The winter sun was setting fast as I dashed over to Red Rocks Park in Morrison, just west of Denver. Five minutes later the sun was behind the rocks and my behind was on the bike finishing the ride home into the mountains. One does tend to remember the first ride with a bike... no exception here!"

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.

Ch Ch Ch Changes... Turn and Face the Strange! Our Last Subscriber Newsletter..

I've been writing these cheese filled newsletters for over 10 years now and I've enjoyed every minute of it. I hope my readers have. From day one I've thought it necessary (and prudent) to put out two versions.. The on-line sanitized version for the masses and a non-PC, no BS, pedal to the metal subscriber version for sick bastages like myself. Unfortunately... that's about to change.

As an ex-writer and journalist, our newsletters have always provided a much needed venue for my skewed opinions and self absorbed musings as well as a way to showcase what we as a company are doing. I still receive more positive feedback about our newsletters than anything else. I actually have some subscribers who don't have motorcycles, have never owned motorcycles, and never plan on buying one, yet they subscribe just because they like my writing... Guess there's no accounting for taste. Some of my more loyal (and disturbed) subscribers have been around since the beginning. With that said.... I take my newsletters very seriously.

Many don't realize that each newsletter takes about 30 hours to write, edit,  and tweak. The subscriber version adds another 12 hours to the process. Are our newsletters worth the time it takes to write them?? Absolutely!.. Both spiritually and financially. The day after any and every newsletter goes out... we get a flood of orders. Never fails. Up until about 3 years ago I had plenty of time to craft and execute them. These days... not so much..

While business is still down about 50% under the Barry Obama presidency, my workload has increased by about 125% .. Amber is no longer a permanent employee.. We were forced to lay off our temp help. Even my umbrella girls and personal butt-wiper had to go. The result? I'm being forced to helm a massive ship ..crewless.. and I'm getting tired.  I warned my readers before last November's election that Pirates Lair probably wouldn't survive another 4 years of "Hope and Change" without some major changes and that has proven to be true. We've lost a dozen vendors over the last 3 years, due no doubt to similar pressures and burdens, and having witnessed their financial carnage I've been taking steps to avoid crashing on the financial rocks.

BMW K1200RS / K1200GT Owners Public Service Announcement: Your OEM Brake Lines Are About To Fail!

Pirates Lair been specializing in the K bikes since 1998 and we still carry more aftermarket parts for the 98-01 K1200RS and the 02-04 K1200RS/GT than anyone else in the known universe. Not only that, but we speak with RS and GT owners around the world on a daily basis so we stay current with the bikes and their lucky owners. Over the last 24 months we've had an astounding amount of calls and orders from customers .. usually in a panic.. who've had their brake lines pop, burst, start leaking, lose pressure, etc. They are usually out on the road... far from home.. in lower Bumf#*k, Egypt.. on a Sunday morning.. in the rain. Almost without exception they are stranded and need new lines overnighted to wherever they may be.. Overnight shipping these days is around $65US! Ouch!

When do manufacturers recommend replacing oem lines? No idea.. However.. while I'm certainly no expert.. I do have 20/20 vision and I see a trend here. With the recent rash of K1200RS brake line kit orders from all around the US, Australia, and Europe for these bikes, I'll go out on a limb here and theorize that oem lines grow brittle after about 10 years or so.. which is about now for any K1200RS owner.

While I'm generally the last person in the room to cry wolf, I feel this little blurb is warranted. At the very least, if you still have oem lines on your bike, I suggest you might want to think seriously about changing your lines in the near future or start saving for a kit. Whether you get them from us or some other vendor.. IMHO.. it'll be a smart move. Of course.. Pirates Lair carries complete Spiegler Brake Line kits here... They are cut to order and generally ship in 48 hours.. All we need to know is if you have risers on the bike and if so.. what kind? I can get kits for virtually every motorcycle upon request. Consider yourself forewarned. Feelin' lucky? Well.. do ya punk?

Pirates Lair... The New US Laser Exhaust Distributor.. Booyah!

Drum roll please!.... I am relieved to announce that with all  logistical details finally resolved.. ie.. costs, shipping, customs, marketing, etc.. we have started taking orders and receiving shipments from Laser Exhausts. Woohoo! I have to admit.. setting things up with the Dutch company has been a lengthy and frustrating process. Unlike every other vendor on earth.. they do NOT ship their own product.. If you want to sell Laser products.. you have to arrange your own shipping/transport from the Netherlands. WTF!?

After jumping through a myriad of hoops with UPS, we received our first shipment a few days ago and were shocked to discover that they charged us triple what we pay Staintune to ship one of their exhausts from Australia.. Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it other than A. cry like a little girl and B. bend over and ask.. "Thank you sir, may I have another." We adjusted our retail prices accordingly and surprisingly, with the price break we get from Laser... their prices are still in line with their competition. Dodged a bullet there.

While product is finally flowing from this company, I have to admit, dealing with them will be a challenge. I never know what items are on the shelf and it's hard finding out. It looks like I'll have to anticipate the needs/wants/desires of my fickle customers and order most things in advance. That should be about as easy as predicting the rain a month in advance. With every other manufacturer.. Remus, Staintune, Two Brothers, etc.. if I place an order.. they usually ship it within days.

Also.. communication with Laser is "sloth on Quaaludes" slow. If I email them for a price on an item, or to check on availability, or to ask a technical question, it takes days or weeks to get a simple answer.. Not good with this fast moving US culture which demands instant gratification.. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I've lost a dozen Laser sales simply because I couldn't get a timely answer.. Their loss.. Remus' gain. It is what is is and we continue to adapt.. Perhaps this is simply how they do biz in the Netherlands. I do know one thing.. I love their exhausts! Having seen and heard everything on the market.. I chose a Laser for my bike.

As of today, I have the K1300S, K1200S, K1600GTL/GT, and S1000RR pages on line and ready to rock with the new adjusted prices. In the weeks to come I'll be working on web pages for the entire Laser product line.. If there's a system you are looking for for your BMW (or some lessor brand motorcycle).. email me with your request and I'll quote a price and attempt to check on availability.

The 2013 I-BMW Blue Ridge Parkway Rally: Velocity Award Fest! and Angry PoPo!

Thanks again to the behind the scenes at www.I-BMW.com, for making this years event yet another success. We got word that over 30 people showed this year.. Still down from the old days, but not too shabby after 13 years. Wish I could have been there. I'm still having to pick and choose which rallies I can afford to attend until the economy turns around.. If the rally site goes back to the Topoco Lodge in 2014... I'll probably be there.

Everyone I spoke with said they had a great time. The weather during the rally was near perfect. Four lucky individuals received "velocity awards" this year. I'm still waiting for a few of them to check in for their FREE Pirates Lair tee, Plundering hat, or $25 gift card that we bestow for every speeding ticket "achieved" by any I-BMW member during these rallies... . If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.

There was one mentionable incident. One rally attendee got into some serious trouble. The (new to the group) rider chose to pull a "Richard Kimball" after being tagged speeding on the parkway, ran, got off the parkway, then pulled into a little store to hide out for a while. While trying to locate the fugitive, angered park rangers actually closed down a section of the parkway to look for him. Not good for tourism! The diligent popo eventually found him and gave him a pocket full of tickets and verbal beating. I'm surprised he didn't go to jail. I'm surprised they didn't throw him down and go 'Rodney King" on him. He fought the law and the law won.

From second-hand reports, he was not an I-BMW member, but came with one. Two rally attendees told me that his misdeeds really pissed off some locals and fellow rally attendees. Running is always a dumb move although many, including myself, have done the exact same thing during their riding career so I won't cast aspersions. The good news is.. I spoke with the owner of the Watsull Motel and she received no blowback from the locals or the police.

It seems as the years pass we get fewer and fewer pictures to share with our readers. I understand.. I take fewer myself. With that said.. have posted as many rally pics as I could plunder..er.. accumulate from the I-BMW site in our Pirates Lair Photo Album . It's the album cleverly entitled.. BRPW 2013 Enjoy!

3. OK... you've just purchased your bran spankin new 2013 BMW R1200GS... you've got it home and you realize that the oem horn is a total piece of steaming caca.. So what do you do? Here's a shot a customer of ours sent us of his Nautilus Air Horn install on his 2013 GS... We sell the Nautilus horn and plug-n-play wiring kits here..

4. MotoZen Levers are now available for the BMW K1600GTL and K1600GT!! They offer a smooth crisp feel with much better looks than the oem. Levers are CNC machined out of aircraft-grade aluminum and coated with a clear anodized finish. There are so many adjustment options (including length) on these that it'll make your head spin so getting the ergos right on your bike has never been easier. You can even adjust these on the fly! Individual replacement parts are available. You deserve the best and without plundering your wallet. Available in red/blue/gold/silver/black/titanium look. $170.US delivered in the USA.

The 1st Annual I-BMW Rocky Mountain Rally: July 14 through July 17, 2013

Where: Quality Inn of Gunnison
Nearest town: Gunnison, Colorado
When: July 14 through July 17, 2013
Reservations: 970-641-1237

Our base of operations will be the Quality Inn of Gunnison, which is located at 400 E. Tomichi Ave (also known as U.S. 50) in Gunnison. They are currently taking reservations for a block of rooms that are reserved for us. I encourage you to make you reservations early (like now), and to mention that you are with the BMW Motorcycle Group in order to get the rate of $95 plus tax per night (down from their advertised $119 + tax). Most of the rooms have two queen-sized beds, but there are also some available with one king or one queen. A hot breakfast is included.

Cancellation Policy: If you call as late as the day before (24 hours) you are supposed to arrive, they will not charge your card. Also, in case of a family emergency or hospitalization, you could call the day you're due to arrive and they would also not charge your card. And I also confirmed with them that if you make the reservation and tell them that you want to arrive earlier or stay later than the Sunday to Wednesday time frame, they will give you the $95 rate for all the days that you are there.

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."

...and don't forget... Pirates Lair will be offering I-BMW members who achieve a "velocity award" while in transit to or from or at the rally there choice of either Pirates Lair Plundering hats, Pirates Lair tees, or $25 gift cards Just contact us after the rally with "proof" of your award and as soon as we verify that you are a I-BMW member... you'll get your prize!! If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.

The I-BMW Kentucky Hill Country Rendezvous: Aug 8th- 10th, 2013

Where: Lure Lodge
Where: at Lure Lodge on the banks of Lake Cumberland again.
When: Aug 8, 9, 10 ( arrival Thur. depart Sun. am )
Reservations: Phone 800-325-1709 or 270-353-3111 or internet them for reservations

In 2013, the usual suspects will return to the Lure Lodge for I-BMW's Kentucky rally. The 63-room Lure Lodge overlooking beautiful Lake Cumberland offers full amenities. The indoor pool and high speed wireless internet service available at the lodge. Rooms available by late afternoon. Check-out by noon. A limited number of lodge rooms will be available for pets. Lake Cumberland cabins and campsites are also available. Check in at the Lodge on Thursday, August 8th, and check out on Sunday 10th. Please call 800-325-1709 or 270-353-3111 for your individual reservation and identify yourself as part of the I-BMW group!!

...and don't forget... Pirates Lair will be offering I-BMW members who achieve a "velocity award" while in transit to or from or at the rally there choice of either Pirates Lair Plundering hats, Pirates Lair tees, or $25 gift cards Just contact us after the rally with "proof" of your award and as soon as we verify that you are a I-BMW member... you'll get your prize!!.. If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.

The 6th Annual I-BMW Sierra Goldrush Rally: Sept 6th-10th, 2013

Where: Creekside Lodge
Where: Markleeville 14820 State Route 89, Markleeville, CA
When: Friday, September 6th… check out date is estimated to be Tuesday, September 10th
Reservations: Jeannie at the Creekside Lodge, 530 694-2229

In 2013, we will return to the Riverside Inn in Downieville for the pre-rally. We will check in at the Riverside Inn on Tuesday, September 3rd, and check out on Friday, September 6th for our ride to Markleeville. I have reserved the entire Riverside Inn, save for one room, for our group. Please call Mike or Nancy at 888-883-5100 or 530-289-1000 for your individual reservation, and you MUST identify yourself as part of the I-BMW group!!

Accommodations for the 2013 SGR event in Markleeville will be, once again, at the Creekside Lodge, and I have reserved the entire lodge for our group. Our check in date will be Friday, September 6th… check out date is estimated to be Tuesday, September 10th, but that can be determined individually when your reservation is made. Please call Jeannie at the Creekside Lodge, 530 694-2229, and once again, you MUST identify yourself as a member of the I-BMW group.

...and don't forget... Pirates Lair will be offering I-BMW members who achieve a "velocity award" while in transit to or from or at the rally there choice of either Pirates Lair Plundering hats, Pirates Lair tees, or $25 gift cards Just contact us after the rally with "proof" of your award and as soon as we verify that you are a I-BMW member... you'll get your prize!!.. If we don't reward bad behavior... who else will?? Arrrrrrg.

The 14th Annual I-BMW Deals Gap Rally: October 3-6th, 2013

Where: Fontana Village Resort
Nearest town: Robbinsville, NC
When: October 3rd-6th, 2011 [Thur-Sunday]
Reservations: Direct 800.849.2258

Geezz. Have we been doing this for 14 years? I've had marriages that didn't last that long. 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. 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."