The following is an email from Mike Stevens, a friend from the Richmond (Va.) BMW Riders. Dave Swisher has been a member much longer than I. Dave is a retired farmer, who turned the family farm over to his son many years ago, and jumped on his bike. He is in his 80's now, and still an amazing rider. I don't know how many miles he's ridden in 2014, but he was ticked off that he only rode 44, 000 in 2013. He is also a great guy and an inspiration, and that's who I want to be when I grow up! Syd
>David Swisher has recently received a 1,700,000 miles on BMW Motorcycles Award from BMWNA.This took place at Morton's BMW last week. David is now 83years old. His riding on long trips has been curtailed the last several years due to his wife, Mary, having health issues. Oh, David still rides more than the rest of us. He'll ride to Roanoke Rapids for lunch or Mathews for Breakfast at Hardee's where he's viewed as a "regular". David started riding BMW's in 1973. He's ridden in 49 states, Mexico, Canada and Europe (Alps). Her is a listing of his bikes and miles ridden on each:Year of bike Model Documented Mileage 1973 R75/5 26,4781974 R90/6 4,420 (bike bought in Germany to ride Europe)1974 R90/6 39,227 1976 R90/6 44,1571977 R100/7 38,3381978 R100/7 55,9701979 R100T 65,2181981 R100RT 91,1001984 R100RT 143,6321986 K100RT 60,2531987 K100RT 74,8831991 K100RT 308,6021993 K1100LT 19,9571994 K75RT 17,6211995 K1100LT 79,9831995 K1100LT 28,1521995 K1100LT 110,3721995 K1100LT 113,8311996 K1100LT 233,1791997 K1100LT 144,627 Since David bought his first K1100LT in 1993, he has been riding that model almost exclusively (he does currently have an K75RT in addition to a K1100LT). David views the K1100LT as the most reliable BMW ever. It is still simple enough that he can do his own service/repairs. Yes, he has had 3 final drive failures; but, that's in over 730,000 miles of riding or one every 243,000 miles. Keep in mind most of the 1100's have been bought used with up to 100.000 miles on the clock. Keep Riding and ENJOYING David!<
