If I had to choose just two words to describe Ted Porter's Beemer Shop, they would have to be Trust and Competence. These folks really know their stuff and I can always count on them to do the right thing, the right way. I've been a customer of Ted's since 2003 and since then I've never taken my bike anywhere else. Over the years, I've had a lot of work done on the bike, as well as quite a few upgrades, and I've always been completely satisfied, sometimes even overjoyed, whenever I go in to pick it up. Anytime the bike's been in the shop, getting one thing done, and they find something that should be taken care of and bring it to my attention, I never hesitate to give them the go ahead. Because I have faith in their knowledge, expertise and the fact that they wouldn't say it if it didn't need it.
I have a 1978 R100/7 that I've owned since new, and you just won't find a better shop to take care of the Boxer Twins like they do. These old bikes just don't HAVE all the computer systems integrated into all the different parts, so you can't hook up a diagnostic machine to tell you what's wrong with the bike. You have to have someone who knows and is familiar with the bike and how all the systems mesh together. Not only that, but they have to have the vast experience that goes with it to be able to know what the possible problems are when the bike is making that odd noise that doesn't seem to be part of it's normal sounds. The Beemer shop is that place.
I recently brought my bike in with a concern about a cyclic resonance it was making at a high rate of speed. Now, this sound was VERY subtle and probably only noticeable by me, since I know my bike so well. It didn't seem like that big a deal, but I wanted to get the expert's take on it, so I stopped by the shop. I described it to Ted and he took the bike for a test run. I had my doubts he would even be able to hear it, since it only occurred during a fairly narrow speed range and you really had to concentrate to hear it. When Ted came back a little while later, he told me that he did, in fact, experience what I had described but went on to say that he wouldn't have noticed it at all unless I had gone into detail about what it was. (I DID say it was subtle!) He then informed me of all the possible reasons it was doing this, and then eliminating them one-by-one, based on other details the bike didn't have. We were finally left with the fact that sometimes it just happens that a particular set of circumstances on a particular bike will result in the noise I was experiencing. No problem to be worked out, but it made me feel 100% better knowing that Ted experienced it and knew what it was.
On another occasion, about a year and a half back, I was in the process of purchasing a heated jacket liner and gloves for cold weather riding. The manufacturer wanted to know how much extra power I had in my charging system. Not knowing this answer, I called the Beemer Shop and happened to get Ted on the phone. Turns out I had no power to spare. The bike produced just enough power to run the bike, and not a whole lot more. I must say, I was pretty crestfallen at this point. Ted then informed me of other options I had regarding my charging system. I could get the heavier duty components to replace the regular ones I currently had (cheaper), or I could upgrade one step further and replace the entire system with a DuraLast, which used the latest brushless technology (more expensive, but a much more robust and long lasting system.) He also mentioned that, due to the age of the bike, I was lucky to have gone so long without any problems in the original charging system. I decided to move ahead, opted for the DuraLast and had it switched out the following week. When I picked the bike up, Ted happened to be there and let me know that I could now run my heated gear, additional lights, heated handgrips and still have a power to spare. (I've since gotten all of those extras! Hey, why not?) I'm very happy with the new system and it was terrific to have all the options spelled out to me so I could choose the one I wanted.
In conclusion, I have to say that you won't find a better BMW Motorcycle shop in this area, ESPECIALLY when it comes to the old Boxer Twins. I know I'll never go anywhere else. read more