BMW MOTORRAD BIKER MEETING ATTRACTS OVER 30,000 VISITORS
12 July 2004 - BMW Motorrad GB

Over 30,000 visitors, of which 26,000 were motorcyclists, descended on the upper Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen on 2-4 July 2004 to attend the 4th International BMW Motorrad Biker Meeting.

The theme of this year’s gathering was ''Italy as a guest'' and this drew hundreds of Italian bikers to the alpine resort. There were also over a hundred Brits in attendance including Guinness World Record holders Kevin and Julia Sanders, as well as enthusiasts that represented more than 30 countries and there were guests from nations as far apart as the US, China, Russia, New Zealand, Cyprus and Dubai. Approximately 1,000 riders took part in the motorcycle parade covering a distance of 75km around Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Riders and visitors got to know each other during the big opening party on Friday evening. The rocking Gerry and Gary Band kept spirits high until the early hours when everyone retired the worse for wear. Amazingly, most of them managed to get up in time to enjoy Saturday’s comprehensive program.

During the event-packed weekend more than 300 visitors seized the opportunity to ride BMW’s dynamic new R1200 GS on a special enduro track with guidance from BMW off-road instructors. The trial riding kids of Enduro Park in Hechlingen also impressed spectators on the same course. Children aged between 8 and 13 years showed their mettle on trials machines and astounded many adults with their breathtaking and precocious skills. In a separate motorcycle fleet area, bikers eagerly made use of the 60 available machines to go on 90-minute test rides. In the three days available, more than 700 test rides were completed over a total distance of 74,000km.

The ever-popular fashion show featured BMW’s current Rider Equipment collection and visitors were also given sufficient opportunity to get to know the different motorcycles, accessories, partners and special BMW Motorrad offers. In the Travel Point tent, veteran and novice touring riders received tips and vital information for their next motorcycle trip.

On Saturday evening distinguished guests, Despina Pajanou, Heiner Lauterbach and Ralf Bauer, presented awards in categories for the Highest Mileage, Longest Journey, Most Original Conversion, and Best Classic. The winner of the first category had approximately 344,000km on the clock of his K100 RS. Three Americans shared the award for the longest journey – they had set off on 27 April in Shanghai to travel to the Biker Meeting, via Russia. The prize for the Most Original Conversion went to the owner of a K1100 LT which had white and blue paintwork, the Bavarian diamond pattern, and King Ludwig of Bavaria airbrush motifs. The oldest vintage (classic) bike to receive a prize was a R25/3 from 1954. After drawing the lucky winner of the R1150 R Rockster Edition 80 (with the series No. 2003) the Blechblos’n Band got the BMW Motorrad biker party really hopping and bopping.

The Biker Meeting concluded with early morning drinks and a classic parade of 100 bikes and participants.

Next year, fans, friends and riders of BMW motorcycles, and other makes, will meet again on the 2-3 July in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the 5th International BMW Motorrad Biker Meeting. Start planning that trip – now.

Customers can call BMW‘s information line: 0800 777 155

www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

More News
  For July 2004
  From BMW Motorrad GB
  For Motorcycles
  Biker247.com Home Page