 | Riding and camping Northern California and beyond, since 1965! |
About Us
We are BMW motorcycle owners and enthusiasts of all ages who enjoy riding, touring, camping, and having a good time with fellow BMW motorcycle riders. Whether you're a "seasoned" rider, the proud new owner of your very first BMW motorcycle, new to Northern California, or just ready for the best club experience, the BMW Motorcycle Club of Northern California is the BMW Club for you. And while riders of all makes of bikes are welcome at our events, only BMW owners are eligible for Club Membership!
Club History
The BMW Motorcycle Club of Northern California was founded in 1965, holds Charter Number 9 from the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA), and Charter Number 06083 from the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). We have always been a riding club, starting in the 60's and riding with a Harley Davidson group every weekend, then focussing more on BMWs only. In 1971 we started the 49er Rally and in 1972 the BMW MOA launched their first rally, at our 49er rally. In 1991 we hosted the first Range of Light Gypsy Tour.
The Club currently has 300 (+/-) members, some are novices, some are highly experienced, and most are somewhere in-between. We ride everything from vintage Airheads, to K bikes, sidecar rigs, R1200 GSAs, the mighty F650GS, and everything in between. Some enjoy sport touring, some travel with everything but the kitchen sink, some seek out dirt roads, and some consider a budget hotel roughing it.
Second Sunday Breakfast Ride
BMW NorCal meets for breakfast at 8 AM in different restaurants around the Bay Area on the Second Sunday of each month. After breakfast we depart for a casual group ride, which normally finishes somewhere around 1:00 or 2:00 PM. Come join us, all street legal bikes are welcome and membership is not required. Go to our event page for more information and registration.
Monthly Tour, Member Meeting, and Camp Out
BMW NorCal provides members with opportunities to ride and experience the Northern California region off the beaten track. We hold meetings on the last full weekend of each month (except December and May) at different campgrounds in the Northern California region.
Tours start with breakfast at 8 AM on a Saturday, and include an overnight trip. Some members take the Club's group tour to the meeting on Saturday, while others ride to the meeting individually or in small groups.
The Member Meeting is held late Saturday afternoon, and lasts about an hour. At the meeting we conduct official Club business and share information about upcoming Club events.
Following the meeting, some members go out to dinner while others cook in camp. We sometimes have a catered meal. A campfire or two usually follow; where tire kicking and story telling really begin in earnest.
Safety First!
Promoting and practicing rider safety is a big emphasis of the club. And we are huge proponents of AGATT (all gear all the time). Click here for more on rider safety.
Membership
Any person 18 years of age or older who is a legally registered owner of any BMW motorcycle and who attends two previously announced General Members Meeting in any six-month period as a rider or passenger on a BMW motorcycle shall be eligible for membership. Spouses of current Members in good standing are also eligible for membership. Any registered BMW owner can also become a member by attending the 49er Rally or Range of Light. Details are also stated in our club by-laws. Interested in applying for membership? Click here for more information.
Other Benefits of Club Membership
Members camp for free! BMW NorCal also holds Member Only Clinics and seminars throughout the year. The Club hosts the annual Club Holiday Party in December. During the course of the year many Club members travel together to rallies and other motorcycling events. All members receive the Club's monthly electronic newsletter which contains announcements of upcoming Club activities and other motorcycling events, classified ads, and articles of interest to BMW owners. Members also receive a membership directory, name tag, club decal, and membership anniversary pins in 5-year increments.