As we head into the 2025 riding season, I wanted to update you on two of our 2024 initiatives: executing a membership survey and supporting our membership. In December 2024, we conducted a membership survey with 3,000 members. Although we only received 508 responses (a 17% participation rate), this provided us the statistical baseline we sought.

Some interesting takeaways from the survey for me are the following.

• We are not a BMW-only club as our membership owns at least ten other brands.

• Although Adventure riding ranks third among our members as their favorite riding style (18%), following Sport Touring (33%) and Touring (35%), the Adventure/dual-sport style of bike was the number one style of bike owned at 53% followed by Sport Touring at 41%.
• With 44% of respondents having not purchased a new motorcycle in the last two years and 57% stating they are unlikely to purchase a new bike in the next 12 months, one assessment is that our membership is keeping their bikes around longer for one reason or another. Asked when they do plan to purchase a new bike, only 63% are considering a BMW.
• Not surprisingly, 64% of respondents perform at least some of their own maintenance, while only 28% let the dealer work on your bike. Could this be a factor as to why 37% are not planning on buying another BMW?

We have heard from many of our members regarding BMW Motorrad’s current position on printing maintenance/shop manuals for our machines. Our survey confirmed that the majority of our members perform at least some maintenance themselves. There was also a niche segment (6%) that utilizes independent mechanics, who are also reliant on BMW Motorrad making service manuals available.

During our attendance at the 2024 annual BMW Council of International Clubs meeting, we presented the lack of access to maintenance/shop manuals as our primary concern during our club update. Although this is a BMW Motorrad global policy, there were good discussions on how this policy is impacting enthusiasts’ ability to maintain the BMW heritage into the future. This is only exacerbated by the restrictive policy of some dealerships declining to work on bikes over 10 years old.

These discussions were fruitful and resulted in BMW Group Classic, the division of BMW AG whose mission is maintaining the classics and heritage of BMW and supporting clubs internationally, having an open ear, and recognizing the stance of our concerned members.

The other outcome of that meeting was the joint position statement signed by the presidents of the BMW MOA, BMW RA, and BMW CCA, which was presented to the BCIC and BCCM for consideration during the February conference call.

Your Board of Directors is continuing this momentum through 2025, putting plans into motion to achieve our strategic objectives. These objectives are all focused on growing membership, inspiring the ride, supporting the passion and delivering more value to you, the member. Watch for a future email allowing you to provide feedback.

As always, we are looking to hear from our members as we continue to bring you more value for your membership.