As a BMW MOA Ambassador and membership coordinator, I would also like to invite you to join BMW MOA.

Please contact me if you are interested, or go to www.BMWMOA.org.

Martin P. Hobbs.

My first bike was a 1966 Honda CT90 Trail, on which I earned my Class 6 drivers licence. Over time I graduated to a couple of Honda CB350’s and a Kawasaki 750 H2. In the early 80’s I stopped riding to focus on other interests: engineering and family life. Mary and I started going out in 1972 and it has been a lifelong adventure. Currently we have three sons and unfortunately no grandchildren. 

I have retired from a very satisfying career as a mechanical engineer, and Mary and I are now greatly enjoying a well earned retirement. My interest in motorcycles re-flourished in 2013 with the purchase of a 30 year old Honda Shadow. Soon after that I left my teenage attitude, and graduated to my first Beemer. 

I enjoy the people and events of our club, and want to contribute to its health and success. In Feb of 2023 I asked to take over the membership/treasure’s position which was gifted to me in abstention.

Currently I have two BMW’s a 2010 F650GS and a 2001 R1150RT, one for the spring and the other for the fall. When the time allows I hope the RT will be deserving of collectors plates. 

I plan on continuing with the riding (and maintaining) of my bikes and all the other toys I get to play with.

In closing I leave you with a fundamental truism:

 “Engineering is not about perfect solutions,

It is doing the best you can with limited resources.”    

Randy Pausch, The last Lecture

I’m still not sure how I got into motorcycles as I don’t have any motorcycle genes in the family tree. However, on my 16th birthday I simply had to own a bright blue Kawasaki 90 two stroke.  That started a lifelong love of riding that has never left me. 

Since then I’ve ridden cruisers, sport tourers and now dual sport motorcycles.  I think it was Robert Fulton Jr. (The author of “One Man Caravan” an early book about motorcycle travels) who said: “People always ask me how fast it goes, but I’m more interested in where it will take me.”  That line has always summed up my riding experience. 

I moved to Kelowna in 2005 and shortly after I met Tom Maxted and we began riding together.  I accompanied Tom to several Valley BMW Riders breakfasts and it didn’t take long before I realized that this was a great group of people to associate with, so I paid my membership dues and joined up.

I've always enjoyed the relaxed nature of this club.  Our Breakfast rides and Campouts are set up so that members make their own way to the venues which allows them to ride their own ride either singly or in small groups.  

In 2015 I joined the club executive as Vice President and in 2016 I finally bit the bullet and bought a BMW.  In what seems as a natural progression I was elected as the Club President in March of 2018.  I currently ride a 1992 R100RT and a 2009 F650GS.  

I'm looking forward to continuing my association with this fine group of people.  

Wayne