GLOBETROTTING CANADIAN MOTORCYCLIST BRINGS FREE EVENING OF ADVENTURE TO TORONTO.

Canadian motorcycle adventurer Rene Cormier brings an inspiring slideshow and talk to Toronto showcasing his four-year, 154,000 kilometers around-the-world motorcycle odyssey aboard a BMW F650.

BMW Toronto presents Cormier and his well-used motorcycle at:

Location: BMW Toronto, 11 Sunlight Park Road, Toronto
Date: Friday, May 14th, 2010
Time: 7- 9pm
Admission: Free

We apologize for the confusion regarding the dates from last month’s enewsletter. Good news is we got so much response from you that this event is shaping up to be a great night and we are really excited. So the date is Friday May 14th at BMW Toronto, we’ll see you there! Here’s a recap for those of you who missed last month’s newsletter and those of you still sitting on the fence! Cormier, who recently chronicled his unique travels in the book, The University of Gravel Roads: Global Lessons From a Four-Year Motorcycle Adventure, will read excerpts from it and welcomes fellow motorcyclists, world travelers and anybody with a spirit of adventure to share their passion with like-minded enthusiasts at this special gathering.

Backgrounder: Cormier started his journey to see the world from Vancouver in 2003 on a BMW F650GS motorcycle. He returned 154,000 kilometers later with Pakistani art gracing the front of his BMW and stamps from 41 countries in his passport. "And none of those small, ‘easy’ European countries, either," he jokes, pointing to his route map that includes such off the beat countries as Yemen, Iran, Tajikistan and Mongolia.

"The goal behind bringing my stories to other riders is to remind them that although there are inherent risks with any travel, we imagine them to be bigger and scarier than they actually are. I want to convince people of the overwhelming rewards of adventure travel by motorcycle."

The Edmonton resident admits there were challenges during his journey. One such experience happened at an Ethiopian checkpoint where a drunken border guard, wearing only a wrap-around beach towel, insisted Cormier take a guard with him to the next town, "for safety reasons." "Drunk guards never make good travel companions," says Cormier, who proceeded to race the BMW into the safety of the desert while the towel- wrapped guard and his AK-47-wielding partner wobbled unsuccessfully after him. "They were looking for bribes," says Cormier, "and I'm too cheap for that."

Cormier undertook his world journey without sponsorship -- roughing it on a skimpy budget of $25 a day. He persevered, found his future wife along the way, and he hopes his story encourages others to look rationally at the risk, and then go. As he likes to point out, "it's easier than you think."

Attendees 25 years or older with a valid motorcycle licence are welcome to enter the draw for an all-expenses paid guided motorcycle trip to South Africa and Namibia aboard a BMW motorcycle in October 2010. Trip sponsored by Cormier’s travel company Renedian Adventures, www.renedian.com.

The University of Gravel Roads: Global Lessons From a Four-Year Motorcycle Adventure has been on the Bestseller List for both the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal and is available from select Chapters and independent bookstores across Canada and from www.universityofgravelroads.com.

CLOTHING SALE STARTING MAY 8TH BMW CANADA MOTORRAD CLEAROUT SPECIALS

Come in to BMW Toronto Motorrad today and take a look at our special BMW Canada Motorrad Clothing Clearout Sale. This is a limited time event, on selected in stock items only. Unbelievable prices! Don’t miss your opportunity to purchase some Motorrad gear at up to 70% off.

BMW TORONTO MOTORRAD'S TEST RIDE EVENT - MAY 11TH

Looking to buy a new BMW bike but want to try the bike first? We have you covered, We are now taking bookings for the May 11th BMW Canada test ride event at BMW Toronto Motorrad. Call the Motorcycle Sales Department to book your ride today. As always a $25.00 charitable donation will be required for each ride.

FRANCOIS MARTIN BMW MOTORRAD EXCLUSIVE RIDER TRAINING AND RACE SCHOOL

Two Time Canadian Superbike champion and current BMW Motorrad Canada factory racer Francois Martin is currently offering premium BMW Motorrad exclusive rider training for racing and track days. Francois will be accompanied by championship tuner Patrice Goyette. Francois will provide classroom instruction and on track training while Patrice will offer suggestions and advice trackside for tuning and suspension setup. Participants will provide their own motorcycle.

Dates and times have not been established yet but training days will be offered at motorcycle race tracks across Canada over the course of the 2010 riding season. Small groups of eight or ten riders per instructor (Francois and another Canadian champion Superbike guest instructor) will receive a day of one on one interaction with Francois and Patrice. The day will include snacks, lunch and beverages. This training and track day will be a premium event offered only to owners of BMW motorcycles.

The cost of this event will be $500.00 per rider per day. Francois and Patrice will take care of everything. All participants need to do once they have registered for the event with BMW Toronto Motorrad is show up at the track ready to ride.

Details and schedules still need to be worked out but right now we are interested to know how many BMW motorcycle owners would be interested in participating in this event. Please contact Tim Sarch at BMW Toronto Motorrad at 416.623.2766 if you have any questions or if you would like to confirm your participation.

Tracks for these events will be:

Mission Raceway (BC)
Race City (AB)
Mosport small track (ON)
ICAR Mirabel (QC)
Shubenacadie (NS)

BMW TORONTO MOTORRAD’S ON ROAD GROUP RIDE - JUNE 5TH

Group ride - all are welcome! Details of the starting location to be announced. Richard is excited to be leading this ride and will start planning the route this weekend. The start location will be sent out at the end of May. If you have any route suggestions, please email Richard at richard.minott@bmwtoronto.ca.

BMW TORONTO MOTORRAD’S OFF-ROAD RIDE - MAY 29TH

Andrew Charters will be leading our first Enduro Ride leaving May 29th at 9:00am from the Tim Horton’s at 15-305 Hwy 27, Nobleton. This is going to be a great ride covering trails, dirt and fire roads and will take up most of the day. Riders will be breaking at a restaurant during the ride, so you don’t have to worry about lunch. Please contact Andrew Charters or Tim Sarch to confirm you are attending.

BMW TORONTO MOTORRAD’S LOWER GREAT LAKES 1000

In June, around the time of the summer solstice, a few of us are going to have a go at completing the Lower Great Lakes 1000. 1000 miles in 24 hours up around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, starting and finishing at BMW Toronto.

Check out www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm for rules and call Tim at 416-623-2766 if you are interested in taking part. More details will be posted on Facebook as they become available. Come out and join us - it’s definitely going to be an adventure to remember!

BMWTORONTOMOTORRAD.CA IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION

We apologize for the inconvenience. The good news is we will be launching our fully re-designed state-of-the-art website this month. In the meantime, you can still browse our pre-owned inventory, book a service appointment or request parts online and follow us on facebook to keep up to date on our latest rides and info.

Stay Connected with BMW Toronto Motorrad