BMW Motorcycle Owners of America

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Founders of BMW MOA in Chicago in 1972.
Founders of BMW MOA in Chicago in 1972.
A cover of BMW Owners News.
A cover of BMW Owners News.

The BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (BMW MOA) is a private, nonprofit membership association for owners and admirers of BMW motorcycles.

BMW MOA was founded in 1972 in Chicago by five enthusiasts, Vern Hansen (Detroit), Jeff Dean (Madison, WI), John Moore (California), Charlie Smith (New York), and Frank Diederich (Chicago) - left to right in the photo. The association reported in February 2008 that it had surpassed 40,000 members.[citation needed]

The organization is based in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. It publishes a monthly magazine, BMW Owners News and an annual Anonymous book to assist touring riders in difficulty.

[edit] Annual rally

Every year since 1973 the BMW MOA has held an annual rally that is the largest gathering of BMW enthusiasts in North America. Rallies have been held all over the United States and once in Canada:

  • 1973 — Morgan Hill, CA
  • 1974 — Tablerock, SC
  • 1975 — Branson, MO
  • 1976 — Oshkosh, WI
  • 1977 — Colorado Springs, CO
  • 1978 — Rutland, VT
  • 1979 — Brainerd, MN
  • 1980 — Prineville, OR
  • 1981 — Hurricane Mills, TN
  • 1982 — Shreve, OH
  • 1983 — Lake Placid, NY
  • 1984 — Missoula, MT
  • 1985 — Lake Wales, FL
  • 1986 — Laguna Seca, CA
  • 1987 — Escanaba, MI
  • 1988 — Madison, IN
  • 1989 — York, PA
  • 1990 — Rapid City, SD
  • 1991 — Flagstaff, AZ
  • 1992 — DuQuoin IL
  • 1993 — Oshkosh, WI
  • 1994 — Moodus, CT
  • 1995 — Durango, CO
  • 1996 — Morgantown, NC

The 2006 rally was held in Vermont and was attended by 9,230 BMW enthusiasts.[citation needed] The 2007 rally, the 35th, was held July 12-15 in West Bend, Wisconsin and was attended by 7875 people.[citation needed]

[edit] External links