What a Winter!
I’ve almost felt guilty about not writing more in the last couple months…almost. It’s been a very curious winter. We had to postpone 3 movie night events, and it seems that our wicked weather is going to co-operate for this Friday’s showing of Dream Racer at Gulf Coast Motorcycles.
We’ve been looking forward to sharing this great movie with our friends for a few months now… I remember in November stressing that the special order movie wouldn’t arrive on time for our SW Florida Debut. Boy, we couldn’t have been more wrong.
Since then, we’ve had tornado’s, flooding, frost, and a host of other atypical weather events here in our area. Both of the showings of Why We Ride, the movie we ran last year and that we are working on in connection with Harley Davidson Naples, were postponed due to horrible weather. The new date is still planned for sometime in March.
I wanted to make a special mention to all of you that participated in our Toy’s for Tot’s drive that ended in December. We helped raise a record number of toys to provide our local kids in need with the joy, hope, and goodness that Christmas is all about. Thank you from all of us at Gulf Coast Motorcycles.
This past Sunday, a few brave and warm hearted souls braved the frost, and the breezy conditions to enjoy our first Shop Ride of 2016. We had a nice turnout, and even met some of our friends from out of town along the way. Yes, I had my heated seat & grips on, enjoying one of the distinct advantages of riding a BMW motorcycle! Breakfast was a real treat, and we had a great time, with riders showing up from as far away as Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Naples.
The next ride is set for February 21st, and promises to be another great time with great friends, and a chance to get a little riding done.
There has been a few of our customers that have asked us about the possibility of doing an Iron Butt Saddlesore 1,000 ride, so that they could participate as a group. If that’s something that is of interest to you, let’s talk about it to see if we can make this happen. It’s not exactly the easiest shop ride to put on in a day, but it’s something that we should be able to put together if there are enough interested riders. Its up to you to say something about it though, as I’m putting a list together of people that would participate.
Last for this post, I want to talk about support. Not support hose, or no visible means of support, but supporting your local riding group. Here in SW FL, the Big Cypress Riders chapter of the BMW MOA work really hard to promote not just the ownership of BMW Motorcycles (a very worthy endeavor on its own,) but the experience of some of the finest riders in the area, and the joy of riding in specific.
Did you know that we have a BMW MOA National Ambassador right here?
Did you know he is one of the highest mileage riders in the dealership, and probably in the country? There are a lot of exceptional things I can say about Dan Andrews, he’s just an amazing rider, a great mentor, and teacher. Leading by example is really Dan’s strong suit, and if you like following someone who really know’s how to lead, he’s your guy. Jim Forry, (email jrforry@gmail.com) and the group of regular members of the Big Cypress Riders meet here at Gulf Coast Motorcycles Monthly on the 2nd Saturday are a just a great group of people to meet. If you haven’t yet, then you should definitely check them out. Here’s a really rare picture of Dan, we took it when he was taking delivery of his new bike last year…it’s one of the few times it (and Dan) wasn’t moving. He just had his 60k service done on that great GS Adventure!
We’d like to see you at movie night, or a shop ride, or just a Saturday riders eat & greet. Just come by and visit us, you’ll be glad you did. If you have any questions, suggestions, or just things that you’d like to see, drop me a message: webb@gcmotorcycles.com and we’ll get you covered in short order.
Again, thanks for spending time with us, and we’ll see YOU at Gulf Coast Motorcycles!
Webb Benninghoven
BMW-Ducati-KTM & Select Pre-Owned
16090 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Office 239.481.8100
Fax 239.425.3100
webb@gcmotorcycles.com
http://www.gcmotorcycles.com
Stand UP! And Be Counted!!
One of the very most enjoyable aspects of my job here at Gulf Coast Motorcycles is when I get to help someone get the most our of their motorcycling experience. Yes, I will be the first one to admit that it is a spectacular feeling to help someone get their new, “dream machine,” and seeing the smile on their face when I take their picture is really a great experience.
It does go deeper than that though. Part of what we do is help educate our riders on being safe, in control, and to help lay the foundation of a great ownership & rider experience. One of the parts of many of our bikes that takes a fair amount of training to master is one of the most overlooked parts of our motorcycles…namely, the infamous center stand.
Not all of us have dropped our motorcycles trying to figure out the best way to get them up on the center stand, but more of us than have not.
For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, either on our Facebook page, or on our website, I wanted to take one more opportunity to help with a little bit more rider training. Just this past week, by popular demand, we made a video on the correct & easy way to get your bike up on the center stand. You can take a moment, and watch it here.
If the center stand isn’t one of the most comfortable options on your motorcycle, watch the video, take your time and practice the proper techniques shown here, and then you too will be able to stand up and be counted…as another motorcycle rider that knows how to use their center stand!
Thanks for watching, and please drop me a note at webb@gcmotorcycles.com if there’s a topic you’d like to see us cover in video!
Ride Safe & Best Regards!
BMW-Ducati-KTM & Select Pre-Owned
16090 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft. Myers, FL 33908Office 239.481.8100
Fax 239.425.3100
webb@gcmotorcycles.com
http://www.gcmotorcycles.com
‘Tis the Season
Yes, it is that fabulous time of year again. I am not sure what’s better, Christmas, or the week before with all the anticipation running up to it. It’s been a truly amazing year, and next year promises to be even better.
This past week I was up at the Salvation Army of Lee County, volunteering to help the kids and families that need help this season. Our county has 4,300 families registered for help. We’ve been collecting toys and bikes, and we’ll keep doing so right up to Tuesday the 23rd. I’ll be making a special run on Christmas eve to drop off any last minute donations, so don’t forget…there is still time for the people that need you! Give yourself a Christmas to feel good about by making it special for a child in need.
This past week Jeff & I were out at the all new Florida Tracks & Trails with Rachael Ketterman, the Marketing Director for the park, out the trails to help get our GS’s, and Multistrada’s that well used look.
Florida Tracks & Trails is an amazing place that has to truly be seen to be believed! There is going to be a spectacular Country Life Festival there in just a few short months. Over Three Days, the festival will feature some of the biggest names in today’s popular country music, accent the park, and help celebrate the way of life that makes our area so special! Yesterday, we were speaking to the promoter of that event too!
Here’s a look at the from the Big Hill on the Professional Motocross Track…Yes! It IS taller than the trees!
There are tracks for little kids, ATV and UTV trails, GS Trails, 22 miles of one direction trails, a drag strip, a mud area, 80 acres of paintball, speedball (look that one up, it’s way cool!) a beach with a tiki bar, zip line park, PLUS the big concert venue. This place has got just about it all. Can you imagine zooming a new Ducati Scrambler around there?? For folks who like motorcycle racing like I do, it’ll have full on AMA Motocross in the not too distant future too. IF you have the ability to amuse yourself, then this is YOUR Amusement Park!!
A couple weeks ago, we announced that there is going to be a move in our future. This is just about the most exciting thing since our grand opening 13 years ago. All of the staff here have been up to the new facility and the ideas are starting to flow in great order. We’re talking about integrating a riding school at the facility to have the ability to help people become better, and safer riders. One of my next blog posts will be another episode about fitment for the new rider. It’ll be great, and will help those looking for a new or first bike make sense of it all.
A great aspect of the new place will be space. We’ll have room to grow and to be the perfect dealership for each and every one of our great customers. There are some amazing things in store over the next few months, and the new year promises to be the best year ever. Are there more great things in store? You bet. Just keep an eye on our website, or come by the store. There are so many new things, exciting events and cool happenings on the horizon, we will make history together.
This Sunday, come celebrate the winter solstice with us by enjoying a great ride, great company and lunch at Solomon’s Castle in beautiful Ona, FL. We’re taking a great ride from the Alva diner, out Old State Road 8, (a local favorite) and out to the Castle for Lunch. The ride starts at 8:00 am from the Alva diner out on Rt80, we hope to see you there. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
After that, it’s time for Christmas, and New Years. Enjoy the time with your family and friends. Note that we have some special holiday hours this year for any last minute gifts, or that perfect shirt, or jacket for the rider in your life…and hey, if it’s for you, all the better, bring a Toys for Tots toy, and get a discount.
So, from Our Family to Yours, Have the Happiest of Holidays! We’ll see YOU at Gulf Coast Motorcycles!
Be well and ride safe!
Web Benninghoven
BMW-Ducati-Select Pre-Owned
16090 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Office 239.481.8100
Fax 239.425.3100
webb@gcmotorcycles.com
http://www.gcmotorcycles.com
Thanksgiving…time to give thanks for…
You can fill in the blank at the top. Each and every one of us has something unique, wonderful and exciting to be thankful for.
Thanksgiving! It’s my favorite holiday! One that revolves around eating & napping. What could be more perfect??
Maybe an early morning ride? A bit of a chill before breakfast and hitting the roads or trails? What ever your perfect day is, please celebrate it. Be thankful for it.
Our phone has been ringing off the hook this week, and we’ve had a tremendous outpouring of support in answer to all the questions. As you celebrate your day, please know each of our customers that no matter what changes happen on the front of our building, YOU are the reason that the store exists. We are so completely and truly grateful for you. Gulf Coast Motorcycles is here to serve our great customers.
Surely motorcycles are what we enjoy, or even love in most instances, and riding, whether its on the road, off the road, in nice weather or in the most inhospitable environment, we’re all thankful for the ride. As we move forward in the months and years ahead, we’ll all experience more new, different, and exciting changes. We so thankful to be able to share them with you. Don’t forget that coming up next week there is our spectacular dinner & movie night! Please let us know that you’re planning to attend so we can get our order right!
So…enjoy your ride, have another plate a food and enjoy an excellent nap…I know I will!
See you on the road, ride safe, and we’ll see YOU at Gulf Coast Motorcycles!
Best regards,
Web Benninghoven
Sales & Marketing Director
BMW-Triumph-Ducati
Gulf Coast Motorcycles
16090 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Office 239.481.8100
Fax 239.425.3100
webb@gcmotorcycles.com
http://www.gcmotorcycles.com
Feeding the Restless
It’s funny, working at a motorcycle dealership.
Particularly one as truly amazing as Gulf Coast Motorcycles, I am just about the luckiest guy in the world. I get to work with great bikes, write about all kinds of cool stuff, see new gear, go on great trips, hell the list almost never ends. However, it all pales compared to the great people. We simply have the greatest customers on the globe. Much of what I do isn’t just for me or because it is something that serves my own interests (which it often does,) but I just can’t get past the enjoyment I get feeding the restless desires of our customers.
Whether it’s selling a great bike to someone that has 20 in their collection, or helping a new rider not be so terrified of making a wrong decision, fitting the bike, and helping make sure all the boxes are checked is just as thrilling for me as it is for our riders. If there was a way to get more enjoyment out of what I do, I am not aware of how I could. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it seems that outside of my family and my relative health, the list of what I have to be thankful for all starts and ends right here at Gulf Coast Motorcycles.
Yesterday I went on a ride to check out the roads for our shop ride this upcoming Sunday, and I do hope to see you there. I was lucky enough to see the largest Rattlesnake I’ve ever seen. I pulled off the side of the road to get a good picture of it, and I guess I scared him off. There were wild boar all over the place, Caracara, lots of migratory birds, and other cool stuff to see. It was just an amazing day…just like our shop ride will be. While I was out on the road, I got a couple texts and emails, and sold a couple bikes along the way. What a GREAT day!
Our last blog post talked about some of the great new bikes coming from our manufacturers. What an exciting time to be in the bike business. It seems that our initial allotment of the new bikes are almost all spoken for. We are pulling strings now to get extras for everyone that has a need.
BMW has made a lot of changes for us as dealers, and for the customers too. Their last ad campaign “feed your restless” has gone into the history books as the most successful motorcycle advertising that BMW has ever done. However, “Make Life a Ride” we strongly suspect will make history too. Just see for yourself:
There are some cool sub-advertisements that are a part of that they debuted for us in Wyoming. I know you’re going to like what is ahead on the horizon.
Speaking of what’s ahead on the horizon, in addition to our shop ride coming up on November 16th, we have a really special Movie night coming up on Friday night December 5th. The night is so special that we’re packing a lot of celebrating into this one spectacular event!! We are celebrating our 13th anniversary, debuting some of the new models, and having a holiday celebration all at the same time. So, join us for dinner, a campfire, and a movie all at Gulf Coast Motorcycles. This is a really special event and if you remember our new model debut last year, this is going to be AMAZING! Again, it’s dinner, a campfire, desert, and one of the best movies you may have never seen! All under the stars at Gulf Coast Motorcycles…mark your calendars, as you really need to be here.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we want to once again say that we are so grateful for our customers. All of you give all of us the reason to be here. We really, truly, appreciate…YOU!
Thank you, ride safe, and we’ll see YOU at Gulf Coast Motorcycles!
Best regards,
Web Benninghoven
Sales & Marketing Director
BMW-Triumph-Ducati
Gulf Coast Motorcycles
16090 S. Tamiami Trail
Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Office 239.481.8100
Fax 239.425.3100
webb@gcmotorcycles.com
http://www.gcmotorcycles.com
The Breakfast Club
This story starts with “and a good time was had by all!”
We make a real effort here at Gulf Coast Motorcycles to be a fun place for our customers, their friends, people that ride & appreciate motorcycles. For just about a year now, we’ve been putting on shop rides every 6 weeks or so. Our turnouts have varied from over 100 riders to 5 on a particularly nasty rainy day last year.
The 5 rider day was funny, the forecast was for rain. I, and my wife, were at the store, ready to go. I had persuaded her to come along, based on several other folks telling me their wives were coming. That plan had to have changed that morning, as they looked outside & then checked the forecast. So, we were sitting at the store, having coffee, kind of hoping that no one would show up…we would go home & back to bed like sensible folk. As we saw the headlights turning onto the access road to our store, one word came to mind.
8 people showed up. The skies were cloudy, with a little hint of sun. Go time comes, and we head out. About 4 miles from the store, we run smack into a rain cloud, and we pulled over to don rain gear. Then when we pulled out, 3 of the 8 pulled off to head back to their respective homes. So there we go, 5 bikes, on a several hundred mile brunch trek to Lake Okeechobee.
We caught a break in the rain, and had lunch at a cool restaurant.
As we were heading out, we saw the angry front of thunderstorms between us and our destination, and there was no stopping us. So, a damp ride home & we were all present & accounted for.
So, this past Sunday’s ride was an absolute blast. We had a great turnout of about 15 bikes, a fantastic breakfast at one of our favorite places to go, and some cool bikes to look at & talk about. Our picture at the top of this post is the group centered around Lee & Lorrie Parks, and their brand new 2014 BMW R1200RT Precision Water Cooled bike. What a great bike to center on too, he & Lorrie are LOVING the ride of this bike. “The very best bike I’ve ever owned,” is how Lee terms it. After a great breakfast, we went out & hit some of the great roads in the surrounding area. You don’t have to go all the way to the mountains to find some twisties & elevation changes. A full 225 mile day, and we’re back at the store in time for lunch & the rest of the honey do list for the day. Just a really nice time, and as a store, we were glad that everyone came along & had a good time.
The last shop ride we did before this was a destination (and lunch) ride down to the Everglades.
We toured Ted Smallwood’s store, a very cool historical place, and being right in the 10,000 Islands, it had some incredible views, and great wildlife.
We welcome everyone on our shop rides. You’ll find them listed on our calendar of events and info posted should you be in the store. We look forward to seeing you on the next one!
Also, if you haven’t been by on a Saturday afternoon, we have a special Eat & Greet here at the store. It revolves around a great cookout we do between 11am & 2pm weekly. Everyone is invited to attend, and it’s a great place to meet other riders, and have a good time.
We’d really like to hear from you. Again, please email me: It’s webb@gcmotorcycles.com & let me know what you’d like to see for blog topics, and give us your thoughts & feedback. The last suggestion we had was for shop talk which is coming soon. Topics and conversations with some of our technicians in the shop to help you with your motorcycle!
Talk to you soon & thanks again for joining us!
Best regards,
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