Sports’ touring the Touratech way
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006 5:23 am
Sports’ touring the Touratech way
Friday, November 3, 2006 - BMW Press Release - worldofbmw.com
There is no better way to experience a product than in the environment it was designed for and Touratech boss Herbert Schwarz is well aware of this.
Every year Touratech produces a new catalogue packed with the firm's entire range of aftermarket accessories. Due to BMW Motorrad and Touratech's close working relationship many of these parts are for BMW motorcycles.
To photograph the 2007 version of the annual 670-page catalogue and to make a special DVD, Herbert has decided on one of his most adventurous trips yet. The Touratech Executive Director will lead a four-rider team from Vancouver, Canada to Mexico, comprising of Herbert, world-renowned explorers Helge Pedersen and Romana Eichhorn, and photographer Arnold Debus.
In previous years Herbert has taken his team to Bolivia, Mexico and Sardinia to get the necessary photographs and film footage but for this adventure they have taken on a bigger test to embrace one of BMW Motorrad's newest models - the new G 650 Xchallenge hard enduro.
This factor is what really makes the journey stand out. The adventure certainly is sports orientated with two new BMW G 650 Xchallenge motorcycles, a BMW HP2 Enduro and a Touratech HP2 special being chosen for the four-week, 4,500 km ride.
"We wanted this trip to be very different," confirmed Herbert. "It's going to be amazing because we will ride all the way through the USA and down to Mexico - not a road test of any sort, just to test our Touratech accessories and experience pure adventure on the new machines."
The team leaves Vancouver on 30 October and will spend the next four weeks riding the length of North America. "We will cover over 4000 km on unpaved roads," Herbert continued. "I originally got the idea from a story I read about some mountain bikers that did the same trip."
Due to the more 'extreme' nature of the BMW motorcycles the team are using (they are not built for carrying luggage or long-distance travel like Herbert's usual R 1200 GS Adventure!) there is greater need for the participants to have a regular rendezvous with the BMW X5 support vehicle. They will also leave the decision on where their final destination will be until they get close to the Mexican border.
A huge bonus for Herbert is the inclusion of Helge Pedersen in his team. The legendary Norwegian is one of the worlds most experienced motorcycle adventurers and was thrilled to be invited along for the ride.
"I've only just got back from three months on the road and had planned to spend a few weeks doing paperwork," explained Helge. "Then Herbert called me and asked me if I fancied coming along. Of course, there was no contest between sitting at my desk and riding a BMW enduro motorcycle through America.
"I'm not quite sure why Herbert asked me to come along but I've always wanted a lightweight bike to play with in the mountains and the Xcountry is perfect for that," he continued. "Maybe they'll let me keep it afterwards…"
Also on the trip is Ramona Eichhorn. The 30 year-old German worked in an office as an interpreter until the travel bug took hold five years ago and she decided to travel the world aboard a motorcycle. Fluent in five languages Ramona's experience of travelling on a motorcycle combined with her language skills will make her a valued member of the team.
The full Touratech catalogue will be available in five different languages (German, English, French, Italian and Spanish) and can be ordered from www.touratech.de or your local importer, details of which are available on the above website.
Friday, November 3, 2006 - BMW Press Release - worldofbmw.com
There is no better way to experience a product than in the environment it was designed for and Touratech boss Herbert Schwarz is well aware of this.
Every year Touratech produces a new catalogue packed with the firm's entire range of aftermarket accessories. Due to BMW Motorrad and Touratech's close working relationship many of these parts are for BMW motorcycles.
To photograph the 2007 version of the annual 670-page catalogue and to make a special DVD, Herbert has decided on one of his most adventurous trips yet. The Touratech Executive Director will lead a four-rider team from Vancouver, Canada to Mexico, comprising of Herbert, world-renowned explorers Helge Pedersen and Romana Eichhorn, and photographer Arnold Debus.
In previous years Herbert has taken his team to Bolivia, Mexico and Sardinia to get the necessary photographs and film footage but for this adventure they have taken on a bigger test to embrace one of BMW Motorrad's newest models - the new G 650 Xchallenge hard enduro.
This factor is what really makes the journey stand out. The adventure certainly is sports orientated with two new BMW G 650 Xchallenge motorcycles, a BMW HP2 Enduro and a Touratech HP2 special being chosen for the four-week, 4,500 km ride.
"We wanted this trip to be very different," confirmed Herbert. "It's going to be amazing because we will ride all the way through the USA and down to Mexico - not a road test of any sort, just to test our Touratech accessories and experience pure adventure on the new machines."
The team leaves Vancouver on 30 October and will spend the next four weeks riding the length of North America. "We will cover over 4000 km on unpaved roads," Herbert continued. "I originally got the idea from a story I read about some mountain bikers that did the same trip."
Due to the more 'extreme' nature of the BMW motorcycles the team are using (they are not built for carrying luggage or long-distance travel like Herbert's usual R 1200 GS Adventure!) there is greater need for the participants to have a regular rendezvous with the BMW X5 support vehicle. They will also leave the decision on where their final destination will be until they get close to the Mexican border.
A huge bonus for Herbert is the inclusion of Helge Pedersen in his team. The legendary Norwegian is one of the worlds most experienced motorcycle adventurers and was thrilled to be invited along for the ride.
"I've only just got back from three months on the road and had planned to spend a few weeks doing paperwork," explained Helge. "Then Herbert called me and asked me if I fancied coming along. Of course, there was no contest between sitting at my desk and riding a BMW enduro motorcycle through America.
"I'm not quite sure why Herbert asked me to come along but I've always wanted a lightweight bike to play with in the mountains and the Xcountry is perfect for that," he continued. "Maybe they'll let me keep it afterwards…"
Also on the trip is Ramona Eichhorn. The 30 year-old German worked in an office as an interpreter until the travel bug took hold five years ago and she decided to travel the world aboard a motorcycle. Fluent in five languages Ramona's experience of travelling on a motorcycle combined with her language skills will make her a valued member of the team.
The full Touratech catalogue will be available in five different languages (German, English, French, Italian and Spanish) and can be ordered from www.touratech.de or your local importer, details of which are available on the above website.