Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128333
~ Happ.nlngs In Mo'o",","ng B IG BMW MEETING More than 30,000 visitors, 26,000 of whom were motorcyclists, came to the upper Bavarian town of Garrnisch-Partenkirchen to attend the 4. International BMW Motorrad Biker Meeting. The motto was "Italy as a guest," so many Italian bikers came as well as guests from over 30 different countries. Apart from the European visitors, there were guests from countries such as the United States , China, Russia, New Zealand , Cyprus and Dubai. Visitors exchanged first impressions at the big opening party on Friday evening. Live music kept spirits high until the early hours of the morning , but everyone managed to get up in time to enjoy the following day 's comprehensive program. More than 300 visitors used the opportunity to ride the 2005 R 1200 GS on the enduro track , guided by instructors. The trials kids between the ages of 8 and 13 from the Enduro Park in Hechlingen showed their stuff on trials motorcycles and impressed spectators on the off-road course . In a separate motorcycle fleet area, bikers could choose from 60 bikes to take on 90-minute test rides. More than 700 test rides were conducted, covering a total distance of about 45 ,500 miles in three days. The current Ride r Equipment Collection was presented at a fashion show. Visitors were also given sufficient opportunity to get to know the different motorcycles, accessories, BMW partners and their special BMW Motorrad offers, as we ll as to get some tips for their next motorcycle trip in the Travel Point tent. Approximately 1000 riders took part in the motorcycle parade covering a distance of 46 miles around Garrnisch-Partenkirchen. On Saturday evening guests Despina Pajanou, Heiner Lauterbach and Ralf Bauer presented awards in the categories of highest mileage, longest journey, most original conversion and classics. The winner of the first category had approximately 344,OOOkm (213,280 miles) on the clock of his K 100 RS. Three Americans received the award for the longest journey. They had set off on April 27, in Shanghai, China, to travel to the Biker Meeting via Russia. The prize for the most original conversion went to the owner of a K I 100 LT with white and blue paintwork with a Bavarian diamond pattern and King Ludwig of Bavaria airbrush motifs. The oldest vintage bike to receive a prize was an R25/3 from 1954. After a drawing for the lucky winner of an R I 150 R Rockster Edition 80, a live band got the BMW Motorrad biker party hopping again in the big tent. The biker meeting came to an end with early morning drinks, a bikers' church service and a classic parade with over 100 part icipants. Next year, fans and friends of BMW motorcycles will meet once again on the first weekend in July in Garmisch -Partenkirchen for the 5. International BMW Motorrad Biker Meeting. 92 JULY 21,2004 • C Y CLE N EWS 40th Anniversary