Sonor Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 While at the dealers today getting my 5th fuel strip I saw a pamphlet for the BMWRA. Being a member of the BMW MOA, I was curious what is this all about? I went to the web site and it seems to be yet another BMW sponsored club. Anyone have any comments on them, the reason why one is better than the other, or why someone should join? Link to comment
AZgman Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 Way back in time the BMW RA was a splinter group formed to be less formal and less political than the MOA. It remains so to this day, but, like most everything to do with motorcycles these days, it is struggling to maintain its membership numbers. They do a phenomenal job with what they have to work with and their national rallies are generally quite good. Link to comment
Bud Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Their Rally is smaller but you get a chance to really know people. They have been able to have their Rally in more interesting places because their requirements are not as difficult to meet. Their magazine, On The Level, is outstanding. I used to belong to both, now belong to only the RA. Link to comment
Sonor Posted April 16, 2018 Author Share Posted April 16, 2018 I find the biggest benefit to the MOA is the membership book. When traveling, it is really nice to know you have friends out there you haven't met yet. Does the RA have such a book? Link to comment
AZgman Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 No they do not and I agree the anonymous book of the MOA is great comfort to have with you on a trip. Link to comment
kioolt Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 The last BMWRA book that I can find is dated 2016. Maybe they have quit having it since then. Link to comment
AZgman Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 What "book" are you talking about ki00lt? The RA has never had a book like the MOA annonymous book. I have been a member of both for 15 years. Link to comment
kioolt Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 I'm sorry. I looked at my local club book. I mistook it for the BMWRA book. Link to comment
Rob L Posted April 24, 2018 Share Posted April 24, 2018 The RA has a lower number of members, the club has much less expenses than the MOA and the OTL magazine is very high quality. As mentioned, their rallys are smaller but are held in better places than DesMoines This year in PA. The magazine is published 6 times a year. I enjoy both clubs. Link to comment
OldBMWMaster Posted April 24, 2018 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Wellsboro, PA is the Rally site for 2018. "Grand Canyon of the East". See you there. Link to comment
pedro cerveza Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 Wellsboro, PA is the Rally site for 2018. "Grand Canyon of the East". See you there. Funny... Must be more than one Grand Canyon of the East. Letchworh State Park in Castile NY makes the same claim. It's worth a trip Link to comment
OldBMWMaster Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 The RA has a lower number of members, the club has much less expenses than the MOA and the OTL magazine is very high quality. As mentioned, their rallys are smaller but are held in better places than DesMoines This year in PA. The magazine is published 6 times a year. I enjoy both clubs. Very true Rob. BMWRA has no paid staff. Everyone is a volunteer with the exception of the OTL Editor and the related magazine expenses. Most of our member recruitment is done through our Regional Directors. Link to comment
flars Posted April 29, 2018 Share Posted April 29, 2018 Actually, it is "the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania". Been there, got the hat. Link to comment
OldBMWMaster Posted May 1, 2018 Share Posted May 1, 2018 I am looking forward to it. FREE hotdogs and beer on Thursday night. Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I have been peripherally involved in helping the RA out. The magazine has a new look, as does the advertising, and soon everything else you see and read. It is a club on the way up - less formal, less uptight, less conservative (I don't mean that in the political sense) than the MOA. -MKL Link to comment
Bud Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I agree. The newest On The Level magazine looks fantastic and they had a really informative interview with Michael Peyton, VP of BMW Motorrad Americas that gave insight into the direction BMW is headed. They are also reaching out for member content. Something that MOA seems to have let go by the wayside. Link to comment
Woodie Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I just got my first issue of OTL magazine. Wow...way different from what I remember of seeing a few old OTLs. Glossy - lots of pictures, and almost all member-generated content. I am very impressed. Link to comment
scout6 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 This month's issue had a great feature on our local BMW shop, BMWMC of Grand Rapids. My wife is the pretty brunette on the right! Blaine (the owner) and I have gone to a few RA rallies and had fun. As others have shared, much smaller, with less commercial stuff. Link to comment
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