Saturday, October 13, 2007

Another Awesome Oktoberfest! It was a perfect fall day that found over 700 motorcycle enthusiasts gathering at Morton's BMW Motorcycles in Fredericksburg, Virginia. They enjoyed demo rides, great door prizes, presentations on our Morton's Mexico trip and world touring, a FREE German lunch, music, face-painting, sales on LOTS of stuff, a special mileage award for David "Million Mile" Swisher, and a visit from Nate Kern, a near-legendary racer in the BMW family. Enjoy the photos below, and stay tuned for more Morton's BMW fun!

Volunteer Rich Phillips signs in early Oktoberfesters at the registration table.	Volunteer Patrick Callahan and Hannah Massey hand out door prize and lunch tickets.
Volunteer Scott Mersiowsky (right) talks used bikes with a customer.	The first demo ride of the day heads for the highway -- and the back roads, too!
First, he tries out the XCountry...	...then she does!
Pricing out the awesome R1200S.	Friends check out the versatile and affordable R1200R.
MotoDiscovery's Bruce Anker talks to a customer about our upcoming Mexico tour.	The morning presentation was on the 2008 Morton's BMW / MotoDiscovery Colonial Mexico tour, set for February 16-27. The 2007 trip was so successful, we decided to repeat it in 2008 with some enhancements!
Out in the demo bike area, Tom Overman goes over the controls of the R1200R with a rider.	Volunteer Jack Heric points out the features of the XMoto before a demo ride.
Meanwhile, on the showroom floor, Nate Kern crew member Todd Cutchins talks about the Power Cup K1200R race bike on display.	And Nate Kern (right) chats with fans Bob Steele and Patrick O'Connor. Morton's BMW staffers Hannah Massey and Kristine Keesecker wait in the background.
Morton's BMW apparel specialist Patricia Verden helps a customer with a jacket purchase.	A pair of happy Oktoberfesters look for some of our many bargains.
As always, we had a lot of help with our open house. Here, Tucker-Rocky's Nat Wilder (center) discusses Arai helmets with a customer.	Neita White, of Scorpion Helmets, goes over the features of some of her models with a family of riders.
Gerbing's Craig Bennett talks heated clothing with David Struebing. Morton's BMW is the largest Gerbing's dealer on the east coast; we sell them because we use them.	Morton's BMW salesperson Jeff Dunkle talks to an attendee about the incredible R1200GS Adventure.
Henrico County Motor Officer Eddie Leabough puts the Morton's BMW R1200RTP demo through its paces on the cone course.	Then he and fellow Motor Officer Matt Pecka put on a show on their R1150RTP motorcycles. They wowed the crowd with their display of riding skill, and a few people even took the challenge on an old RTP we provided.
After his demonstration, Officer Pecka talks to amazed attendees.	Members of Motor Maids talk about the work of the organization, the oldest riding club for women, with Rusty Gross of the Richmond BMW Riders.
You can tell it's close to noon when people start lining up for the free lunch. Yes, Virginia (and Maryland and DC and...), there is such a thing as a free lunch, at least at Morton's!	Lunch time! Art Crow's Catering served up the free bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and spiced apples lunch we provided for the first 500 patrons.
Morton's BMW master technician Dewey Keeton paints a butterfly on six year old Sierra Castiglia.	The multi-colored K1200S drew some admirers.
F800ST, F800S -- which one is right for me? Decision, decisions...	Cindy Seay tries out the new F650GS she just bought!
Jeff Munn (right) chats with Oktoberfesters about his travels aboard his trusty R1150GS.	Jeff Munn starts the presentation about his around-the-world trip this past summer. He sandwiched a stint as a tour guide for Helge Pedersen's Silk Road Tour with a bit of riding before and after, completing a global circumnavigation.
Nate Kern talks racing with a fan after giving him an autograph.	BMW marketing guru Laurence Kuykendall (left) greets Nate Kern as David "Million Mile" Swisher and his wife Mary watch in the background.
Kern, Kuykendall, and Swisher are joined by BMW Bikers of Metropolitan Washington's Tina Fraembs (left).	At the start of the awards ceremony, Nate Kern thanks his fans and supporters, including BMW Bikers of Metropolitan Washington and Morton's BMW Motorcycles, as Morton's BMW owner Jeff Massey (left) looks on.
Morton's BMW customer Jay Huston (center) receives his 100,000 mile award from BMW's Laurence Kuykendall and Morton's BMW owner Jeff Massey.	A very special presentation preceded the usual door prizes. David Swisher (center) received the BMW Icon Award for reaching 1.4 MILLION miles on BMW motorcycles. BMW has had to design several unique awards to keep up with David's mileage-eating rides.
Grand prize winner Joe Ellis receives his new BMW Zumo GPS system from Jeff Massey. Other door prizes included a Gerbing's Cascade jacket, Olympia Airglide jacket, BMW cover, BMW tail bag, and numerous smaller items.	THANKS! Morton's BMW Motorcycles wants to extend its thanks to the following for all the help making this Oktoberfest celebration such a great success: First, of course, are our awesome customers and friends! Our incredible Morton's BMW staffers! Our loyal and hard-working volunteers: Erin Beatson, Patrick Callahan, Amanda Carmody, Jack Heric, Scott Mersiowsky, Tom Overman, Rich Phillips, Roger Sinclair, Jennifer Talken-Spaulding, and Kirsten Talken-Spaulding. Some of our suppliers and business partners, who were here and/or donated door prizes: Gerbing's Heated Clothing, Helmet House, Olympia Moto Sports, Scorpion Helmets, Tucker Rocky, and Western Power Sports. Thanks to you all and keep an eye out for more fun events over the winter!