Wearing a helmet is one of the safest things motorcyclists can do; and they really don’t come much better than the GS Carbon helmet range.
I’ve spent the better part of 2021 riding off-road largely due to my participating in the GS Trophy 2022 qualifiers. During that time my head gear of choice has been my GS Trophy inspired helmet, from the GS Carbon helmet edition. Sleek and athletically designed, the GS Trophy helmet, looks ready for action both on tarmac as well as on gravel. Here are 5 things I like about the GS Trophy helmet.
Lightweight, Comfy & Safe
Apart from its design, the first thing I noticed about the GS Trophy helmet was that it is quite lightweight, thanks to its 100% carbon-fibre reinforced plastic shell. It weighs 1,450grams (with shield and dual visor) and is extremely comfy.
I didn’t put its ability to absorb impact to the test as that would mean I would have taken a nasty fall. Rather, I believed BMW Motorrad when they offered that the GS Trophy helmet’s inner layer is made of multi-segmented expanded polystyrene which makes the helmet’s ability to absorb impact quite outstanding.
Removeable Head And Cheek Pads
The GS Trophy helmet, (as with all the helmets in the GS Carbon collection), has removeable and washable head & cheek pads. These are easy to detach and reinstall making cleaning the shell a breeze. Plus, we live in an age where cleanliness is the key to good health so the removeable inner pads are quite reassuring.
Three Dimensionally Curved Visor
There are two visors fitted to the GS Trophy helmet. The inner visor has anti-fog material which many riders will appreciate, while the outer visor has anti-scratch coating on both sides. Best of all, the visor is very wide and helps immensely with peripheral vision. Unlike with my other adventure helmets, I found that I didn’t have to turn my head very much to see what has happening around me.
Removeable Chin Vent Flap
The GS Trophy helmet has an integrated dust filter and removeable chin vent flap both of which were handy in off-road and hot-weather riding. I also found that the flap worked as a highly effective ventilation system. Due to low-speeds used when riding off-road I often unfastened the flap so I could feel the welcome breeze on my parched face. Once on the tarmac, and because travelling speeds are much higher, I kept the flap in place to reduce the amount of wind from getting in and around my neck.
Removeable Peak
I’ve saved the best feature for last and you are probably surprised that the peak of the GS Trophy helmet gets special mention. The thing is, after years of riding I have had more than my fair share of damaged peaks. Some simply couldn’t be screwed back on well enough to be as effective while others were damaged riding on treacherously rocky and slippery gravel. As a result, I own more than one helmet and have learnt to use those without a peak for on-road riding and not to tamper with the peak on my adventure helmets. Fortunately, the removeable peak means it can be replaced without incurring the cost of replacing the entire helmet.
I later learned that the GS Trophy helmet is put through its paces in a wind tunnel to test how well it holds up in various riding scenarios such as wind and rain. Having worn it over long distance rides, I can attest that my GS Trophy helmet has been aerodynamically designed to increase rider safety. Even the integrated neck straps are scrutinised!
Without a doubt the GS carbon helmet edition offers maximum rider safety and I absolutely enjoy it. With all that riders have to contend with on the roads wearing the correct gear means one less thing to worry about.
When I first laid eyes on the GS Pro boots my thoughts immediately went to images of Autobots and Decepticons from the Transformers movie franchise.
In truth, I absolutely love the GS Pro boots! Of course, there are a few things I am not crazy about but on the whole, I love the colours and the look of my ‘Robocop Boots’ as I like to call them. Initially, I was intimidated by the size and weight of the boots when I first held them…..
I am aware that my love for the GS Pro boots doesn’t extend beyond a handful of off-road riders. Those I have interacted with, who aren’t fans of the sci-fi-looking footwear, cite weight and difficulty in maneuverability when wearing them, as their main areas of contention.
Having worn the GS Pro boots in many different riding conditions over the past few months, (including participating in the GS Trophy try-outs); I hope my opinions on these beefy adventure boots will benefit those who haven’t had the opportunity to experience them as extensively as I have.
Soft and Plush On The Inside
The inside of the GS Pro is nice and soft because it’s made from 100% calf leather. As a vegetarian, I would ordinarily protest at the thought of an animal’s coat being used to adorn my feet but when it comes to materials used to enhance my riding safety and comfort I don’t have any quibbles with animal skin!
A Bootie In A Boot
Once I had gotten past the look and weight of the GS Pro boots, the next thought that invaded my mind was that I would get the most painful blisters of my life. This notion was based on the fact that the GS Pros are made from hard-wearing materials which make them sturdy and inflexible. Only when I slipped one on, did I discover that they have an inner shoe or as I call it, a ‘bootie’, which in fact, is what you wear.
Think of it as a two-layered Russian Doll; you wear the bootie inside the boot so that your foot is not directly in contact with the GS Pro itself. The comforting thing about this is that the bootie protects you from the hard outer shell of the GS Pro boot. This swiftly resolved my concerns about the possibility of getting agonizing blisters.
The bootie is comfortable and made of durable yet breathable material. It is removable, making it easy to wash and dry. Designed with gel ankle cushions, the booties aids mobility within the GS Pro boots which are pretty unbending especially when brand new. Thanks to the inclusion of the bootie, you are able to move your ankle as freely as you ordinarily would when wearing any other type of shoe, the only exception being that your feet are clad in protective armour.
A Cuff To Keep The Dirt Off Your Pants
A lot of detail has gone into the production of the GS Pro boot and in as much as that’s something all motorcycle boots have in common, one unmistakable standout highlight that I picked up on, become my all-time favorite feature; being the cuff at the top of the opening of the boots.
Located at the top of GS Pro boot, at its opening, is a cuff designed to reduce small stones and other debris from getting in between your pants, boot and possibly underfoot. It’s not 100% foolproof but over the course of the many months I have worn these boots, I can honestly say the cuff is impressively effective.
Here’s an example; imagine you are on an off-road adventure, where your focus is fixed on remaining upright on your motorcycle as you bounce over stony terrain. Suddenly, you feel the prick of something sharp in your shin and, no matter how hard you try to ignore it, the unrelenting stab in your shin threatens to divert your attention from the gravel track. The cuff on the GS Pro boot helps minimise the occurrence of such instances; something you’d only appreciate when you are riding between a mountain-side and a sheer drop.
Strangely Not Water Proof
The cuff also helps minimise the amount of water that would otherwise splash into your boot but in spite of its plastic-clad look, the GS Pro boots are not waterproof. I learned this the hard way having ridden in the rain for the better part of a particular excursion. On the bright side though, as soon as you remove the bootie and boot to dry out, they do so fairly quickly. Perhaps the hot summer sun helps in that regard; I didn’t try it in winter.
Awkward To Walk In
In a nutshell, let’s just say these boots weren’t made for strolling around in!
With hard protective reinforcements all around, the GS Pro boots proved quite difficult to walk in. Being rather heavy, the weight of the boots felt as if you’ve set your feet in blocks of cement. Coupled with the tall stable shaft, form-fitting calf & shin protector and plastic reinforcements at the heel and toes, I found myself mechanically stomping around like an angry toddler, much to the astonishment of onlookers.
On a serious note though, the protective materials used to manufacture the GS Pro boots hold your lower limbs in place, so that there is minimal risk of you twisting your ankle or leg.
As with all new gear, it was critical that I wore my GS Boots as often as possible before riding in them. This allowed me to get a better feel for them, as by wearing them, I was breaking them in. After becoming comfortable in the boot, my next step was to start riding in them. This felt strange because the dynamics between walking and riding in them will be vastly different.
Even though I had worn my boots for quite a while, riding in them felt like a completely new experience and once again the GS Pros felt rigid. As any rider would know, it is critical that your ankle can flex comfortably when using the rear brakes and changing gears. Being unable to do so when I first started riding in my boots was my most pressing worry.
Initially, I made rookie mistakes such as putting too much pressure on the rear brakes simply because I couldn’t “feel” the brakes. At times I was too soft on them and at other times too hard. I was in a constant state of either wondering why the bike wasn’t slowing down or at risk of going over the handlebars.
Equally embarrassing was my changing into the wrong gear every so often purely because I couldn’t feel which gear I was in. Granted, my motorcycle has a gear change indicator, but with 11 years riding to my name (a lot longer than the gear change indicator technology has been on the market), I intuitively listen to my bike rather than rely on technology – as good as it is.
In spite of all their good qualities, I found the GS Pros to be quite slippery on-road. Granted, they are off-road boots but one often has to ride on the tarmac in order to get to the gravel roads. Although I had spent quite a long time wearing them, I eventually realised that being slippery wasn’t a result of the boots not being sufficiently broken in, rather, I think it’s the material used on the sole.
The steel toe caps give the GS Pro boots a sense of ‘bling’, but these also proved to be dangerously slippery. At my height, my idea of tippy-toeing is actually me being on the balls of my feet. However, if you are not blessed with the gift of height and you tiptoe in these boots, chances are you will have a disgraceful dismount of mammoth proportions.
Off-road though, the sole and steel toe caps have magnificent gripping ability. Perhaps the solution would be to ride in different boots on road with the GS Boots in your top box!
Saturday’s events at the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa culminated in the announcement of Team South Africa, destined to compete in the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania
After the activity of the first full day of Qualifier action on Friday, the competitors were keen to catch up on some sleep ahead of another busy schedule on the final day. Just after midnight, though, the night air was pierced by sirens summoning the competitors from their tents to their motorcycles for two more night-time exercises.
They were back in their tents two hours later, only to be woken again at 05:00 for a skills test in the bush. This proved to the warm-up exercise before a hearty breakfast, whereafter the competitors continued with several sand exercises, and tackled challenges to test their resilience on steep hills and corners. One of the exercises played out at the dreaded Wall of Life at the CountryTRAX facility, a deep circular pit set at an angle of about 60 degrees that tested the competitors’ nerves, while battling gravity and a tricky entry and exit point – keeping their motorcycles upright.
The competitors were kept busy until the late afternoon, after which time it was the turn of the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa marshals to tally the day’s scores.
Saturday evening’s dinner was followed by the final points ceremony and the announcement of Team South Africa that will compete in the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania.
Team South Africa for the 2022 competition is: Gerrit du Toit (Limpopo), Dalton de Bruin (Free State), and Warren Venter (Gauteng).
Christelle van der Meulen and Hanneli Zondagh were the highest-ranking ladies after the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa. The International GS Trophy 2022 organisers now have the task of determining who will compete in the final women’s teams, based on the global entries received. The announcement of the official ladies’ teams to compete in the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania will follow.
All-in-all, the weekend’s activities near Amersfoort in Mpumalanga again demonstrated the breadth of skill held by GS riders in South Africa. Once the weekend celebrations taper off, preparations will begin in earnest in the hunt for a fourth consecutive International GS Trophy win.
The search for members of the South African team headed to Albania 2022 continues!
It was a busy day at the Country TRAX Enduro Park, the site of the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa on Friday, 10 September. Everyone had had a good rest after the navigation ride the night before, and the day’s action started immediately after breakfast.
A static exercise on the lawn was followed by various tests of riding skill, teamwork, endurance, and technical know-how. The competitors again treated the organisers and marshals to an awesome display of the finest technical riding despite the tough competition.
After dinner, the scores were announced, and the rankings are as follows:
MEN:
Gerrit du Toit
LIM
1
Dalton de Bruin
FS
2
JP Boer
NW
3
Corzel Schoeman
FS
4
Gerrit Coetzee
EC
5
Ruhan de Villiers
WC
6
Johan Harmse
MP
7
Warren Venter
GP
8
Mark Van Rensburg Jnr
NW
9
Tyrall Cosby
EC
10
Cliff VD Westhuizen
GP
11
Mark Van Rensburg Snr
WC
12
Johan Thiart
MP
13
Braam Esterhuizen
EC
14
Chris Jonker
MP
15
Dishen Valjee
KZN
16
James Kennedy
WC
17
Tony Mc Cree
KZN
18
Bruwer Nel
FS
19
Andrèas van Heerden
NW
20
Herman Niemand
LIM
21
Mishan Valjee
KZN
22
Jurie Snyman
GP
23
Herman du Bruyn
LIM
24
WOMEN:
Christelle van der Meulen
1
Charine Botha
2
Hanneli Zondagh
3
Liesl Geyser
4
Di McLean
5
Celeste Diener
6
Bongiwe Didiza
7
Another full day of challenges will be undertaken on Saturday ahead of the announcement later that evening of the five-person Team South Africa to tackle the International GS Trophy 2022 in Albania!
On 9 September 2021, top amateur GS riders will head to Amersfoort in Mpumalanga to battle for a chance to represent Team South Africa in the International GS Trophy to be hosted in Albania in 2022.
There is little doubt that South Africa is home to some of the best off-road riders in the world, as evidenced by victory in three successive International GS Trophies – 2020, 2018 and 2016 – and two second place finishes.
Thirty-one riders will from September 9 to 12 encamp to the sprawling 600-hectare Country TRAX Enduro Park, outside Amersfoort. There, on a mix of sand tracks, water passages, rocky terrain and gravel tracks, the riders will be put through their paces in a range of challenges to test their riding prowess, fitness, navigation and technical expertise.
Image: Penny Sterley, Head of BMW Motorrad South Africa
Country TRAX is an official training partner of BMW Motorrad South Africa and will facilitate the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa. The Country TRAX team has been core to the International GS Trophy contest since 2010, and its experience is a boon for the seven women and 24 men who have successfully progressed through the eight regional qualifiers hosted this year.
South Africa has built a reputation as the team to beat.
– Penny Sterley, Head of BMW Motorrad South Africa
Competitors will compete in various exercises designed in collaboration with the International GS Trophy organisers to challenge the riders in a safe and fair environment. After the first day of exercises, up to 20 riders will progress to Saturday’s testing rounds.
The final scores will be announced at the finale on Saturday evening where the three men and two women to represent Team South Africa and the #SpiritofGS in Albania in 2022 will be declared.
Penny Sterley, Head of BMW Motorrad South Africa, says: “The GS Trophy is traditionally a highlight on our GS owners’ calendars. Despite the challenges presented by a global pandemic, this year’s GS Trophy will nevertheless have all the elements to Make Life a Ride!
“I wish all participants in the GS Trophy 2022 Qualifier South Africa the very best of luck. South Africa has built a reputation as the team to beat, and we are determined to make history with an unprecedented fourth successive win in Albania next year,” Sterley concluded.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the course will be devoid of supporters and the event will be hosted in a sealed environment where all marshals, instructors, suppliers, staff and participants will be party to safety protocols in line with the current national regulations.
With seven riding modes and the GS’s boundless spirit for adventure, you can master any driving situation with confidence.
Tarmacked roads, wet roads or unpaved gravel roads: The seven riding modes of the R 1250 GS ensure optimum grip and superior handling at all times. When the vehicle is stationary, you can pre-select up to four riding modes individually in the menu, which you can then select quickly and conveniently during the journey using the riding mode button.
The new dynamic engine brake control provides more stability and easy control of the bike in the Pro riding modes; it prevents the rear wheel from slipping or jerking. And in the new standard ECO Mode, you get the maximum range from every tank of fuel.
The BMW R 1250 GS is priced from R322 900.00
The BMW R 1250 GS Adventure is priced from R343 700.00
To mark the end of a difficult 2020, my Editor (and sister), Vuyi Mpofu and I, put on our big girl drawers and set off on our annual Pride Of Africa Ride, aptly themed the “Mbokodo Edition”.
– Bongiwe Didiza, motorcycle journalist, driving in heels
Pride of Africa Ride (POAR) celebrates and highlights various historical, cultural and geographical elements in South Africa while focusing on societal values that embody the meaning of Ubuntu. Unlike the 2019 PAOR, the 2020 ride was an all female team, which served as a good platform to raise awareness for Gender-Based Violence.
Riding out in style on the morning of our long-awaited departure day, Vuyi looked confident on her Racing Red BMW F 900 XR, while I perched upon a Black Storm metallic BMW R 1250 GS. We were ready for the trip ahead and determined to enjoy the adventure to Durban, KZN. Having already taken ownership of the bike a few days before the ride, I was looking forward to playing with the riding modes on my R 1250 GS, which comes standard with two riding modes (Road, Rain), Automatic Stability control, and Hill Start Control.
I was fortunate that the bike was still brand new, leaving it up to me to break in the stallion under my command.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
I happily discovered that my bike was fitted with the Pro riding mode, an optional extra which features additional riding modes (Dynamic Pro, Enduro/Pro), ABS Pro, Hill Start Control Pro, Dynamic Traction Control, and Dynamic Brake Control. I felt assured about my safety on the 600km journey which lay ahead.
The BMW R 1250 GS’s 1254 cc engine produces a power output of 100kW and a max torque of 143 Nm, which made me want to open the throttle and just get going.
Prior to leaving Johannesburg I had adjusted the bike’s seat height to its lowest position, so as to experience the as the ride from a different angle from what would be my normal. The standard seat height of the 1250 GS can be adjusted between 850mm(low) and 870mm(high).
I was fortunate that the bike was still brand new, which left it up to me to break in the stallion under my command. That said, this meant we had to ride easy for the first 200-250kms so that I could wear the new tyres in. The pace of our gentle ride turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed us to have much more fun than anticipated. We frequently stopped to enjoy the scenery, take pictures and wave at passing truck drivers who tooted their foghorn-like horns at the sight of two women on motorcycles.
At our last rest and refuel stop, I noted that the bike’s fuel consumption which was at about 4.5l/100km
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
We encountered many forced stops along the way because of road works and the ever changing weather. That said, we were fully prepared, thanks to the rain riding modes on each motorcycle and the protective riding gear we had on. I was kitted in a GS dry suit and GS Pro boots, while Vuyi wore a GS Rallye suit and BMW Venture Grip boots.
At our last rest and refuel stop, I calculated that the bike’s fuel consumption which was averaging 4.5l/100km. It differed to the estimated fuel consumption of 4.75l/100km, which was rather strange. I had expected the consumption rate to be higher or at least much closer to BMW Motorrad’s estimated consumption rate.
Then it me dawned on that the 4.5l/100km was on account of the moderate riding we had done over the first 200kms as well as the rain and road works which had required us to further adjust our riding speed.
After refueling, we headed back onto the main road and continued on our trip. Aware of the fading daylight, thinning traffic and improved weather, we picked up the pace and finally arrived safely our destination. Still in high spirits we settled into our lodgings for the next few days.
As I drifted off to sleep, I reflected on the superior build quality of BMW motorcycles which are well known for long-distance comfort; in this regard, the R 1250 GS had affirmed one of the German manufacture’s long standing brand promises.
One man admitted that we are putting the male gender to shame as most men are too afraid to ride motorbikes
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
Day 2
We spent our time riding in around Durban, visiting the many tourist attractions offered by the seaside city. This included riding along the Golden Mile – a bustling stretch of beachfront, and well-known holiday destination.
We also visited many other popular destinations, such as the Blue Lagoon, Moses Mabhida Stadium and uShaka Marine World and the beachfront markets which are always filled with a rows and rows of brightly colorful Zulu arts and crafts, some made on the spot by the cheerful and skilled vendors.
At one stall, we successfully negotiated an agreeable price with one of the vendor’s for Vuyi’s traditional Zulu skirt – something she had wanted since the beginning of the trip. She wore it immediately, hopped onto her motorbike and started the engine much to the surprise of the small crowd which had loosely gravitated towards the “Joburg girls on big motorcycles”.
We had caused quite a stir from the very start of our trip when leaving Joburg. Motorists and the public in general seemed bemused at the sight of 2 Black women riding unaccompanied. Not that people have never seen women on motorbikes before, but rather, that we were on dual purpose bikes which are not usually associated with our race and gender. Some on lookers gave us disapproving scowls while other greeted us with encouraging curiosity.
That said, we were generally met by more people who enthusiastically shared positives attitudes towards us. They were inspired by what they called our bravery and demonstration of fearlessly going against the customary grain of what is traditionally acceptable behaviour, from African women.
With our Pride Of Africa Ride, Mbokodo Edition nearing the end, we visited BMW Motorrad Umhlanga, where we had our bikes inspected in preparation for a safe trip back home.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
At one rest stop, a man admitted that we are putting the male gender to shame as most men are too afraid to ride motorbikes. He added that the large majority of men were incredibly intimidated by women who rode motorcycles.
On the opposite end of the spectrum and at a different destination, a woman, accompanied by her husband, gushed about her secret desire to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Judging by the look of alarm on his face, he was hearing this for the first time. Undeterred she asked how we had gotten into the world of motorcycling, before asking how to climb onto a motorbike. As they drove away, Vuyi and I joked about the perceived mood in the car.
On an afternoon when we felt too tired to leave the hotel, we opted to do a basic maintenance chain check (clean and lubbe) on Vuyi’s F 900 XR.
We did not need to check the R1250 GS since it has a drive-shaft. The drive-shaft however does need maintenance even though its maintenance frequency is less than that of a chain. If the drive-shaft is neglected and not maintained well, rust can get to the seals and cause damage to the bearings.
Though not entirely surprising to me, I found the R 1250 GS suspension much harder in comparison to that of the R 1250 GS Adventure.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
With our Pride Of Africa Ride, Mbokodo Edition nearing the end, we visited BMW Motorrad Umhlanga, where we had our bikes inspected, in preparation for a safe trip back home.
The inspection included the paramount checks which bikers should never ignore or bypass prior to any ride: tyre pressure, front & rear brake, throttle & clutch response, lights and turn signals, hooter, oil & other fluids, and checking if the engine power cuts when the side stand engages.
While at Umhlanga Motorrad, I decided to adjust the seat height to high for a different experience. The bike felt more comfortable riding with the high seat adjustment so I decided to use that seat level on our journey back home.
We proudly raised our fists in salute to the man whose sacrifices had made it possible for us as Black women to enjoy the freedoms we now do
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
Journeying back home
Though I was not quite ready to head back home, the day finally came and the return journey back was greeted with an all-seasons type of weather conditions. Although accustomed to inclement weather, which tests both the rider’s skill & endurance and the bike’s handling & comfort capabilities, I always approach such a ride with caution and due respect.
Heading out of the city and onto the N3, our route back home first took us to Howick where we visited the Nelson Mandela capture site. Here we sealed the end of our 2020 Pride Of Africa Ride with raised our fists in salute to the man whose sacrifices had made it possible for us as Black women to enjoy the freedoms we now do.
Unlike superbikes, the GS is more forgiving in curves and bends.
– BONGIWE DIDIZA, MOTORCYCLE JOURNALIST, DRIVING IN HEELS
The remainder of the ride was peppered with intermittent downpours of rain and crosswinds, but my iron stallion held firmly to the road and I confidently darted between trucks and other slower moving traffic. The power of the 1250 GS never ceases to take my breath away.
As I opened the throttle and weaved my way through the delicious twists of Van Reenan’s Pass, I let loose a scream of delight then immediately heard myself laughing happily inside my helmet; if you are a biker, you’ll understand.
Another impressive thing about the 1250 GS is its leaning ability, which, if one is not accustomed to may feel daunting; but to a more seasoned rider feels as graceful as a professional ice-skater gliding effortless across the rink. Unlike superbikes, the GS is more forgiving in curves and bends. It allows you to adjust minor mistakes a rider may make as they enter the bend, making the 1250 GS a menace to superbikers on track day.
Though not entirely surprising to me, I found the 1250 GS suspension much harder in comparison to that of the 1250 GS Adventure. The dynamic pro riding mode made the bike even more responsive; the kick and the punch it produced, made me feel as though I was riding the 1250 GS.
The 1250 GS is in the adventure category, but in my opinion, informed by my 10 years riding experience and due to all the things it encompasses, the 1250 GS truly cannot be contained in just one specific category as it can be whatever you want it to be.
I can honestly say, and without hesitation that if one is looking for a versatile bike then the 1250 GS is the two-wheeler for you. That said, be warned, once you straddle this horse, there will be no coming back as you will most probably get hooked.
Day 5 changed the 2020 GS Trophy in a big way as the South Island served up a sizable new challenge: mountains! As promised, the riding intensity had been raised to a new level.
The morning started with a steep and winding 20km rocky climb up Mount Richmond. The riders travelled through forest which took them above the cloud base before reaching the 754m Maungatapu Saddle where they found the first test of the day: the Emirates Challenge.
In this test all the riders had to navigate tricky trials between the rocks and bush while remembering three key flight details to be relayed to the marshal at the finish: flight number, boarding time and seat number!
The ride down the mountain was no less tricky and for sure the riders were grateful for the coffee stop in Nelson (the capital of the Tasman Bay region), known for its spectacular sea fishing as much as the local fruit and wine cultures.
However, the coffee break was soon forgotten when the riders found themselves fighting their way up and over yet another mountain. This one was even more technical than the first.
After a tough morning, the afternoon took on a more reflective attitude as the riders got to enjoy the spectacular ride on highway through the Gorge, to come out upon the west coast and the Tasman Sea. Here the riders found a stunning ocean road bordered by limestone cliffs and rainforest dotted with New Zealand’s unique and beautiful Nikau palm trees.
The riders´ final destination was Punakaiki Beach were they embarked on the second test of the day: the Rab Challenge. This test brought many a laugh as the teams had to run across the beach, remove their boots, unpack and climb into their Rab sleeping bag, then reverse out, pack the bag, slip on their boots and run back to their next teammate.
Day 4 was something of a liaison as the 2020 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy transitioned from the North Island to the South Island of New Zealand.
The riders interpreted this as a chance to rest and recharge their batteries, but with a 3:30 am call to breakfast – so as to catch the early inter-island ferry – they soon realised, that there really is no rest in this competition until the finish.
Nonetheless, this was a great opportunity for the GS riders to share experiences, as with three hours on the ferry they had plenty of time for inter-team chats. Albeit that was after they had completed their first challenge of the day – the ‘40 years of GS Quiz’ in which they were tested on their knowledge of this iconic motorcycle that has become so much more than just a brand.
In fact it was a ferry ride in three parts: knowledge test, sleep and sightseeing, the latter coming as the ferry made its way down the spectacular Queen Charlotte Sound to the port of Picton.
In Picton the GS Trophy riders created a stir as all 140 F 850 GS motorcycles disembarked the ferry, followed by the vast entourage of cars and trucks that support the event. Once out of Picton – which took all of two minutes, it’s that small – the GS riders enjoyed a scenic ride through the Marlborough Sounds.
Although this region is world famous for its wine production, the route followed the national park trail along the sounds and then up into the valleys before reaching the small town of Havelock (population: 486) where the GS riders gratefully stopped for a refreshment break. From here it was a short ride to Pelorus Bridge where they found their campsite set deep in a forest.
The early afternoon finish was not an opportunity to rest as the GS riders found two more challenges waiting for them. First was the ‘GPS Challenge’ in which the teams took their BMW Motorrad Navigator VI GPS units and had to find their way – on foot – through the forest to find another Navigator VI unit from which they extracted data to be reported to the marshal at the end of the challenge.
No sooner had they finished this, than the riders were shepherded to the ‘Metzeler Challenge’ where they needed to demonstrate their prowess with the tools, changing the rear wheel on their F 850 GS. Again, as this was against the clock the teams needed to have intimate knowledge of the wheel spacers, chain run and brake arrangement if they were to set a fast time.
Day 4 was the halfway point of the 2020 GS Trophy and the competition was really getting heated. The top three teams were very close together on points indicating that the remaining days would indeed be a battle for the top spot.
The International GS Trophy is an event that celebrates the “spirit” of the legendary BMW GS models. It offers everything that a GS motorbike was made for: riding fun, adventure and challenges.
“Explore the unexpected” is the motto of the eighth edition of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, which will take place in Albania in 2022.
The International GS Trophy is an event that celebrates the “spirit” of the legendary BMW GS models. It offers everything that a GS motorbike was made for: riding fun, adventure and challenges.
The International GS Trophy is not a race but a team competition in which an international line-up of off-road enthusiasts compete together in various special stages. Not all of these tests are purely designed as riding tests. It is also about knowledge and teamwork. As the competitors spend a lot of time together and also sleep in bivouacs, this adventure event also promotes a feeling of togetherness. It is not uncommon for friendships to be made here which last a lifetime. In this way the GS Trophy connects people, cultures and motorcyclists from all over the world in the same way as the GS motorbikes do.
One team can already look forward to participating in the Int. GS Trophy 2022, being the Chinese Team 2020
The participating nations look forward to exciting, but also work-intensive times as they organize the qualifying events and select their teams for this unique adventure competition. Twenty-two international teams and, for the first time, six international women’s teams will be selected in the coming months.
The Southeast Europe Event 2022 is the eighth edition of the International GS Trophy.
Qualification events for the int. GS Trophy 2022 Southeast Europe have been confirmed in:
Brazil
China
France
Germany
India
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Netherlands
Russia
South Africa
South East Asia
South Korea
United Kingdom
USA
One team can already look forward to participating in the Int. GS Trophy 2022. The Chinese Team 2020 received a wildcard because it could not participate in New Zealand due to the COVID-19 restrictions in force at the time.
The Southeast Europe Event 2022 is the eighth edition of the International GS Trophy.
Previous editions were held in 2020 in Oceania (New Zealand), 2018 in Central Asia (Mongolia), 2016 in South East Asia (Thailand), 2014 in North America (Canada), 2012 in South America (Chile, Argentina), 2010 in South Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique) and 2008 in North Africa (Tunisia). In the current edition 22 teams compete with 60 riders from all over the world. The field of riders is accompanied by the GS Trophy Marshals, media representatives, doctors, sponsors as well as a photo and film crew.
Based on the experience of the past GS Trophy events, the most successful team will be the one that prepares the best, has the best teamwork and rides most skilfully, while having heaps of fun and enjoying the great feeling of international camaraderie.
We will share details of the GS motorcycles which will be used, the equipment that will help the participants master the event and more information on the participating countries and selected teams as soon as we receive.
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