Motorrad Article (English)

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US-Globetrotters
World-Tour at snail speed
(28.07.2004)
A US Globetrotter couple have been in Europe for more than 3 years with their BMW’s.

They have a lot of time: The US Globtrotters Verna Norris and Jim Seavey

Foto: fact

The stickers on their huge metal cases speak for them self. You can find the Swedish Elk near the circuit of the Nordscap and there are Flags of nearly all European countries neatly glued near The Flags of Canada and Mexico.

Nearly 4 years ago Verna Norris and Jim Seavey, the US Globetrotters, started in the State of Oregon. In fashion with BMW Textile suites and Schubert helmets riding Touratech full dresser BMW R1150 GS’s - with satellite navigation, GSM Phones, all band receiver, additional lights, and simply everything that can be mounted on two wheels. But most of all, time. Much time.

Not only their riding style is with deliberation, the snail logo has been chosen not without reason. Relaxed is also their way of life. Going slow is friendly for the soul. To take your time for the new - always without pressure and stress. How is it done? The recipe is simple: “30 Years of work, save all your money and then sell everything; house, car, simply everything”, says Jim. But it is going to work only under one additional condition adds Verna, “You have no children, otherwise the is nothing to save”.

No, that’s not the cold logic of capitalism that’s talking. The two of them don’t speak of themself as homeless for nothing. “All we own fits into the bags of the BMW’s - That’s our house”. There’s nothing that’s dragging us back in the USA right now, no relatives, and for sure not the politics. President Bush is a disgrace to the country and a problem for the world, they explained to the Test-Team from MOTORRAD. We met them by chance at the Albula-Pass in Switzerland while doing the ”Murmeltier-Test” for issue 16/2004.

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The two Americans got stuck in Europe: "Here is so much to see". Including the fresh baked EU-Countries, which they had already visited in 2003. They think the City of Prague is wonderful, and the old Baltic States quite picturesque. Strange for us to see our own continent through the magnifying glass of globetrotters.

Stickers from all over the world on their BMW R 1150 GS

Foto: fact

They have there US-specific sight of distances imported to Europe. Tomorrow the two of them are riding to Trento direction Lake Garda, in the following week they are going to visit some friends in Holland and after that they will head to the Mediterranean See again. Everything close by.

Zigzag across the Alps, miles and experiences are adding up. For example the multiple languages. While the Euro is helping them with currency in Europe. And the BMW dealer network is helping with the many defects on the bikes. Five fuel pumps, two wheel bearings in the final drive have gone by in the two times 90,000 Km on the R1150’s. For that Jim finds clear words: “The quality of BMW is not as good as it should be!”. Done.

How is it going on? Well, the life will lead them on. In 2005 the two restless 50 year olds will discover a new continent on wheels. Actually they had planed for Asia via Turkey, Iran, Pakistan to China. “That would be fine". But for political reasons this way is blocked for now. “Going east is very difficult now". Indeed their President put some big stones in their way.

But the snails on the big tanks will find another way. They will cross the equator and stretch their antenna towards South Africa. Collecting more flags for the bags. Only when and how, that’s not important today.

The traveler couple is telling their story on a extensive web site. http://www.norseaodyssey.com. Much of the story, the motorcycles the gear. Practically you can get up to date information about there stages and the plans ahead. In English of course, logically, and well worth reading. From Americans who are looking further than the “rim of the plate" (the boarders of USA) geographically and politically.

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