Wing Ding 32 e-News

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month! I loved Sharon's article in Wing World, "What Do You Do to Be Seen?" There was so much beneficial information and great questions in that article. I sincerely hope we take all the information to heart, put it to practice and not only use it for ourselves, but help educate others as well.

We are now, hopefully, at the beginning of the riding season and everyone has taken the proper procedures to get their bikes ready to ride, especially all the safety stuff. Don't be so foolish to think you can get an extra hundred-or-two miles out of those tires by getting to that rally to save $20 or $50 on those tires. Your life or the life of a loved-one is not worth it. And remember, if it has been awhile since you have taken a rider education course, or if you are a co-rider and have not taken a class, maybe now is a great time. You'd be amazed how much a co-rider can help in case of an emergency.

GWRRA is very pleased to tell you about another program we will be previewing at Wing Ding. Oprah's "No Phone Zone." GWRRA's Rider Education Division, particularly Charles Mallett and the Motorists Awareness Division, is promoting this program. We are hoping to get 100,000 "No Phone Zone" pledges signed. We will need everyone's help. Please contact your Educator or Director to get some of these pledges and get all your family and friends to sign them. Maybe, if we get enough of them signed, it will get the attention of Oprah and she will have us on her show...what do you think?

Another program in progress is the High Mileage Contest. Check www.gwrra.org for the latest details.

So, as you can see, we are very excited about more riding programs and, don't forget, we have some new advanced Rider Education programs at Wing Ding, as well as some new 2-up Team Challenges there too.

Have a safe riding season,

Ed Price

Marketing Director, GWRRA

"BuildingRelationships"

GWRRA Chapter Profile:

Texas "O"

Chapter Director:

Randy Reese

Located in Austin, Texas, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, GWRRA Chapter TX-O enjoys the opportunity to ride in a variety of beautiful back roads. We are blessed with a temperate climate that allows year-round riding, and we certainly take advantage of it! Last year, we had over 50 rides to choose from. Over the years, we have also taken extended rides that have included Big Bend National Park, the Ozarks, and the Canadian Rockies. Our latest ride took us to South Texas and Padre Island for Valentine's Day.

Texas Chapter O was chartered in April 1987. While the Chapter uses the name of Austin, Texas, as a location identifier, Chapter O's participants come from many cities, towns and communities in Central Texas. We currently have over 100 regular participants in our Chapter events and gatherings.

Chapter O prides itself in the close relationships we build. We strive to create a true "family" atmosphere where our participants not only ride together but enjoy good times off the bikes as well. We encourage each person to get involved in planning and participating in Chapter activities; this is the best way to get to know everyone and have FUN. Our staff is dedicated to promoting the GWRRA motto of Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge.

Please visit our website at www.goldwingaustin.orgto see pics from some of our rides and events. TX-O was selected Texas District Chapter of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and was honored as the National Chapter of the Year in 2007.

If you are ever down Texas way, please stop in and visit us - we'll show you some real Texas hospitality!

"No Phone Zone"

GWRRA is pleased to announce it will be participating in the "No Phone Zone" Program as seen on the popular Oprah program. One of GWRRA's Chapter Rider Educators from Chapter D-2 in Indiana, Dave Williams, suggested we try to get as many GWRRA Members, as well as non-Members, to sign the "No Phone Zone" pledge.

The pledge merely states that you will not drive a vehicle while texting or use a cell phone, and that you will encourage others to not talk on a cell phone or text while driving. Or, you will use a hands-free device while driving. It also states that if you must use a cell phone while driving you will safely pull over to the side of the road.

This Program will be run under GWRRA's Rider Education Program, specifically the Motorist Awareness Division. Charles Mallett, MAD Director, will oversee the Program and coordinate it through all our Rider Educators, as well as all the other divisions.

GWRRA's goal is to get 100,000 pledges signed. This Program has all ready begun and will continue at Wing Ding 32 in Des Moines, Iowa. Please contact Charles at rideaware@yahoo.com to sign up to help get pledges at your events. The more events that have the pledges for our Members and guests to sign, the faster we can reach our goal and maybe be on Oprah representing GWRRA!

Thank you Dave and Charles and the folks who are going to support this lifesaving program!

Joke of the Month

What is at the bottom of Shamu's tank?

...Sham---poo!

(Submitted by Matt at the Home Office)

Volunteers Needed at Wing Ding

I am looking for some Volunteers to assist me at the marketing table at Wing Ding 32 in Des Moines. We will be helping people sign the "No Phone Zone" pledges, asking people for their stories for Wingin' It e-Newsletter, getting testimonials and basically being there to collect our Members' special experiences in GWRRA.

My goal is to create a small Team of powerfully, positive people to greet our Members and guests, and let them know how great GWRRA is and then take their stories and "spread the word" after Wing Ding!

Send me your information and let me know what days and times you might be able to help. Please e-mail me here, if you are interested and want to help.

Thank you!

Member Story

A Story from Scotland

by Brian Hayes, Scotland

I have been a Member of GWRRA for just under a year but look forward every month to receiving my magazine and the Newsletter. There are always interesting articles and tips and information about Gold Wings and the experiences of Members. The education program is also great. Of course it will not suit everyone all the time, but what does. People are different and have their own views about all subjects; and, in my experience of bike clubs and associations over the years, there are always those who have a negative attitude. Unfortunately, I am on the other side of the water, otherwise I would be hoping to be actively involved. Still, at 63 and recently retired, I'm enjoying my Wing at every opportunity, although I do look forward to the weather improving. Gold Wings don't like road salt.

In the recent newsletter I noted with interest the saga of Jim Ege, C-2 Michigan, with his Gold Wing. I'm glad he eventually found a good Honda dealer. In Scotland we have few authorized Honda dealers. The one we had in Perth, 10 miles from where I live, closed down and the nearest one now is around 40 miles away; and I am unsure about the quality of their hm, hm,'Honda trained' mechanics.

My 2003 1800 Wing is looked after at a local Aprillia dealership in Dundee (10 miles from home). It's a small outfit and the owner was Honda trained when he used to work for the Honda dealership in Perth before he started his own bike business. He is an excellent mechanic. Fortunately for me, he spotted a problem alternator bearing last July when he serviced our Wing just before my wife and I went to Italy on holiday. It was expensive but much less so than if he hadn't spotted it.

Such a situation happened to my friends, GWRRA Members Ed and Jen Robertson (Doune), when we went to Austria on holiday with the Wings a couple of years ago. We had accommodation with Gold Wing Owners Club of UK friends and Gold Wing owners, Cyril and Liz Cannard, at a small village in Tyrol called Mulldorf. We went out for a trip one day and Ed (2000 GL 1800) stopped after about 10 k's and said he had a strange noise from the engine. Sure enough, he had. We turned around and went back to Mulldorf where Cyril said there was a small Honda workshop in the village. They dealt in small bikes and mopeds etc. We were doubtful but the mechanic had a listen and said he believed he knew what was wrong but it would entail the engine being stripped down. He suggested we return the following afternoon and he would have more news. We returned next day to find the engine out, stripped and boxed on shelves, everything laid out neatly and the offending items (what remained of them) identified. An alternator bearing had failed and disintegrated into the engine causing a lot of damage.

Parts had to come from Belgium and would take a few days. Meantime, Ed and Jen had a hired car covered by their insurance so they could get out and about albeit on 4 wheels as opposed to 2. My wife and I had to leave for home before Ed's bike was ready but contact with them indicated the bike was back on the road after 5 days and they were heading for home. Ed was totally impressed with the work carried out at the little Honda shop in deepest Austria and the mechanic couldn't have been more helpful. Cost, yes it was expensive, about £1.500 in UK money. I guess that's well over 1000 dollars. Not what you need on your annual holiday. It does demonstrate, however, that you don't always get the best service or treatment from the big Honda dealerships.

I think the GWRRA format is just fine. I have belonged to the UK Institute of Advanced Motorists/Motor Cyclists for over 30 years. Although we try to provide the best assistance for drivers/riders to pass an advanced test, the organization does not have the 'family feeling' I see in GWRRA. There is much more going on in GWRRA with everyone welcome to be involved. Keep up the good work.

Member Suggestions & Comments

I'm Dan Davis, GWRRA #179781, member since 2003 and have just become active with Illinios Chapter G in April 2009. I have just attended the OCP in Davenport, Iowa on February 20-21, 2010. This training was led by Dave Carter and his staff. I have one comment for this training.

GREAT !!

Looking forward to future updates and training.
IF WE DONT LEARN SOMETHING NEW EACH DAY THEN THE DAY IS A WASTE!

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I thought you guys might enjoy this photo of one of

GWRRA's newer Members. Judy is also a customer of GW Pin and Patch. You can see her patch on her vest and decal on her camper. She has ridden a bicycle across country 3 times over the years (she is a senior Olympic cyclist) and visits with churches and Christian groups in her travels. After helping Judy with her patches, she decided to join GWRRA and buy a Wing and camper to make her traveling easier. Judy will be stopping by the Home Office in May while on one of her cross-country trips.

(Submitted by Denny at GW Pin & Patch)

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Ed, I couldn't agree more with the article you wrote in "Wingin It!" My wife, Dee, and I and our "new" ACDs, Brad and Kathy Foss, attended the OCP at Newport Beach this past weekend - and enjoyed EVERY minute of it. Anita is an awesome teacher, but she had excellent material to work with. Dee has been a teacher for over 12 years and has attended hundreds of well-meaning but BORING classes over the years, often already knowing the information and considering it a waste of time. She told me this was the "best" training she'd ever been to with every module and bullet hitting "right on" what we need to know. There was nothing wasted, no time that didn't go by that wasn't well used and the exercises were definitely a "hit!"

When we first got involved with GWRRA, I was the 'primary' person with the interest and Dee was just tagging along, often wondering what I was doing. But, this class piqued Dee's interest, showed her how and what the GWRRA's Officer Corp is all about and NOW I HAVE A PARTNER who can help me with all this work. The OCP made us a "team" and I can't thank GWRRA enough. Well done!!!

Oh, and I think it scared the crap out of our new ACDs now that they know what they've gotten themselves into. But hey, using the training Dee and I now have, I'm sure we can bring 'em along and they'll be great Officers. Besides, I've got all of "you" to call when I need help!

Gary and Dee Bowers
Chapter Directors - CA-1A

How GWRRA Has Positively Effected My Life!

by Ron Harper, Walton, Kentucky

I just want to say how much GWRRA has done for me. If it were not for GWRRA, I feel confident in saying I would no longer be riding. I am 67 years old and started riding in 1965. Once I married, I stopped riding in the early 70's to raise a family. In the late 80's, I went back to riding. I rode until after the turn of the century. I was contemplating selling my bike when a friend of mine convinced me to attend a GWRRA meeting. I thought it was probably a waste of time, but I went with him to keep him happy. What a great decision that turned out to be. I have never felt so welcome in any organization.

As it turned out, I sold the 1500 Suzuki I was riding at the time and purchased a 1500 Wing. I later sold it and purchased a 1500 Trike. I am now riding an 1800 Trike and have been out West pulling a camper three summers in a row. We are planning a trip leaving Kentucky this June 13th with plans on spending 2 weeks touring Colorado. What a blessing it has been for me to be part of KY-G. I am now the Awards Coordinator and look forward to all of our get-togethers.

Thank God for GWRRA.

Member Feedback---Honda Dealer

Shawnee Honda, Shawnee, Oklahoma

Paul Brenner, Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania

I left my home in Sugarloaf, on April 1 for my destination of Las Vegas on my 2006 Gold Wing towing my 2002 Escapade trailer. Everything was great for the first two days of my trip. On my third day, I left Fort Smith, Arkansas, about 6:15 am heading west on I-40. About 7:45 am, my trip came to an abrupt end. I had my cruise control set at 75 mph (which we all know is about 71 mph on our Gold Wings) traveling in the passing lane when I thought I had a blowout on either my rear tire or on one of my trailer tires. My bike began to violently wobble from side to side. After disengaging the cruise control and trying and failing to regain control of my bike, I high sided off the bike and slid along the berm of the highway before tumbling in the grass median between the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-40. After deciding I was still alive and able to move around, along with the help of some passersby, we found the bike and trailer along the berm of the road only being held together as one unit by the safety chains. Upon inspection we noted that all the tires were inflated.

After being transported to the hospital and having the Oklahoma State Police arrange to have my bike transported to a cycle shop, I was informed that my bike was going to be delivered to Shawnee Honda in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Upon being released from the hospital after a few hours in a borrowed pair of sweatpants and some hospital slippers, I was given a ride to a local hotel. I called Shawnee Honda and told them that my damaged Wing and trailer was on the way to their shop. I was informed that it had already arrived, and they had paid the tow truck driver on my behalf. I told them all my clothes were in the trailer and asked if they could retrieve my luggage and put them in a cab to my hotel. They said that Luke in the Service Department would be happy to bring my luggage to the hotel and wait until I changed before taking me back to the shop.

After getting a good look at my Wing along with the Progressive Insurance adjuster, Service Manager Ray Jones asked what I would like them to do. I told them to prepare an estimate and if the insurance company was not going to total the bike, then we would fix it. I talked with Mike, the top Gold Wing mechanic, and he said he could fix the bike and make it look like new. Mike assured me that if he could not do it perfectly, he would not do it at all. He then asked me if I had a place to stay and invited me to stay at his house. Luke then took me back to the hotel so I could rest my bruises and broken shoulder.

The next morning, upon arriving at Shawnee Honda to clean out my Wing and purchase a new jacket, helmet, gloves, and chaps (which were all destroyed in the accident), I decided to catch a flight to Las Vegas. Ray told me he would be happy to get me a ride to the Oklahoma City airport about 30 miles away. Again, Luke was dispatched to take me to the airport.

Shawnee Honda prepared an estimate on the damages in about 4 days and submitted it to my insurance company for their decision to total or repair the bike. When the decision to repair the bike was made, Ray said it would take about 2 to 3 weeks. After about a week and a half, Ray called me and told me the bike was done, and it looked and ran great. I asked Ray if he had any leads on which company I should use to transport my bike to Las Vegas. He asked me to give him a few days to think about it, and he promised to call me back. A few days later Ray called and gave me the name of a good customer of Shawnee Honda who said he would be happy to ride my bike to Las Vegas at a cost much less than having the bike shipped. I called the gentleman that Ray recommended and my repaired Gold Wing was driven to Las Vegas and arrived on the agreed-upon date in great shape.

Shawnee Honda, and each and every employee who helped me, are top-notch people who work in a top-notch dealership. Thank you for everything you did for me.

GWRRA Discount Program Links!

Here are links to some GWRRA Discount Programs.

TravelNow AmeriPlan

AVIS/BUDGET

OfficeMax

If these Discount Programs may be of interest to you, just click on the link or call 800-843-9460 or 623-581-2500 (in Phoenix) for more information.

Save +16%

Featured Official GWRRA Product:
Motorcycle Accessories!

Battery Bug--reg. price = $49.95----Now ONLY=$42

Click here

EZ Air Combo--reg. price = $29.95----Now ONLY = $25

Click here

Click on above links to go to the GWRRA Official Products website and view accessory items. These products are sold separately for the sale price! Make sure you mention the special code on this coupon.

Answers to "Did You Know?"

1-You become a Life Member at the beginning of your 21st year.

2-Yes, you are covered as a passenger in ANY vehicle, except commercial and vehicles over 1 ton (towing capacity).

Answers to "Iowa Trivia"----

1-Railway = Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque

2-Island city = Sabula