Garage Spotlight: Israel P., Fort Payne, Alabama

Fort Payne, Alabama, sits at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, where Lookout Mountain drops into the Tennessee Valley. 

It is the kind of place where two-lane roads wind past waterfalls, across ridgelines, and through small towns that have not changed much in decades.

And gravel roads are just as impressive, bringing you deep within the backcountry. 

One of Twisted Road's most active renters, Israel P. keeps seven BMW motorcycles here.

Yes, seven. And every one of them was built for exactly this terrain.

The Fleet: Seven BMWs, One Focus

Israel's lineup reads like a BMW GS catalog. He runs a tight, focused stable of adventure and touring machines that cover a wide range of rider experience levels and budgets.

2009 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ($225/day)

The flagship of the fleet. The R 1200 GS Adventure carries a 1,170cc boxer twin, a 8.7-gallon fuel tank, and the kind of long-travel suspension that makes 400-mile days feel routine. This is the bike for riders who want to load up panniers and disappear into the mountains for a long weekend.

Rent the 2009 BMW R 1200 GS here.

2006 BMW R 1200 GS ($198/day)

Same boxer twin platform in a slightly lighter, more nimble package. The 2006 R 1200 GS delivers 100 horsepower and remains one of the most capable all-road motorcycles ever produced. It handles everything from gravel forest roads to fast highway sweepers.

Rent the 2006 BMW R 1200 GS here. 

2012 BMW F 800 GS Triple Black ($75/day)

At 75 dollars a day, this is the most affordable entry point into Israel's fleet. The F 800 GS packs an 798cc parallel twin with 85 horsepower into a chassis that weighs just 472 pounds wet. Newer riders and experienced tourers alike appreciate its low center of gravity and predictable handling.

Rent the 2012 F 800 GS Triple Black here.

2017 BMW F 700 GS ($93/day)

The F 700 GS uses a detuned version of the 798cc parallel twin, producing 75 horsepower. A lower seat height and softer suspension tune make this a confident choice for riders returning to motorcycling or stepping up from smaller machines.

Rent the 2017 BMW F 700 GS here.

2013 BMW F 700 GS (two available, $93/day and $75/day)

Israel keeps two 2013 F 700 GS models in the stable. This makes group rentals straightforward. Grab a pair, bring a riding partner, and split a route through DeSoto State Park or along the Lookout Mountain Parkway.

Rent the 2013 BMW F 700 GS here.

2014 BMW F 800 GS Adventure ($75/day)

The Adventure variant adds a larger fuel tank, hand guards, and a skid plate to the F 800 GS platform. It is the most off-road-ready bike in the fleet and a solid pick for riders who want to explore fire roads and unpaved forest service routes.

Rent the 2014 BMW F 800 GS Adventure here.

Where to Ride from Fort Payne

Fort Payne sits less than 30 minutes from Little River Canyon National Preserve, one of the deepest gorges east of the Mississippi. Ride the canyon rim road for views that rival anything in the Smokies. DeSoto Falls is a 10-minute detour.

Mentone, a quirky mountain town on the brow of Lookout Mountain, is 20 minutes east. Head north into Tennessee and you are on the Natchez Trace Parkway within two hours. Go east into Georgia and you hit the start of the Tail of the Dragon's neighbor roads in Chattanooga within an hour.

Browse Israel P.'s full fleet and book a bike on his Twisted Road profile.