BMW Motorrad Days

Though I will be going to Germany in three weeks to rock out at a German heavy metal festival, I will not be riding a motorcycle. But regardless, if you plan to be in Deutschland from July 2-4 this year, you must make it a point to get to Munich.

BMW Motorrad will be celebrating two anniversaries. First is BMW Motorrad Days, (the largest meeting in the world featuring Beemer motorcycles) will be held for the 10th time which sounds like an awesome get-together. Second, the weekend will also mark the 30-year anniversary of the GS models.

The BMW R 80 G/S founded the market segment of large-volume travel enduros in 1980. If you've ever been to Europe and especially Germany, you already know how passionate they are about motorcycles. You can find them pretty much everywhere as not just fun weekend toys but largely as daily transportation. The fact that it takes a lot of money as well as the successful completion of numerous tests to be able to ride there is a testament to their passion.

The location of BMW Motorrad Days-Garmisch-Partenkirchen boasts impressive Alpine panoramas which shall make the whole event that much more special.

For the GS fanatics it gets even better-there will be contemporaries from various GS decades - decision-makers, developers and riders on hand to mark the anniversary. There will also be a special BMW Classic exhibition featuring milestones from three decades of GS, showing the success story of the then brand new concept of the large-scale enduro.

Visitors will be able to try out the current state of development for themselves: training courses will be provided on BMW GS models at the 10,000 m2 BMW Enduro Park Garmisch.

And on the adjacent cross-style "x-track" there will be BMW G 450 X and Husqvarna models available for test rides. Virtually all other BMW motorcycle models can be borrowed for extensive test rides, too. Nice!

There will be a drawing for a F 800 GS on Friday evening and for an R 1200 GS on Saturday evening so two lucky folks will be winning those.

2009 German Open stunt-riding champion Chris Pfeiffer will be on hand to amaze visitors with his trademark fast trick combinations.

World Superbike BMW factory riders Troy Corser (Australia) and Ruben Xaus (Spain) will be at the party for an autograph session and photo opportunities with fans. The parties on Friday and Saturday evening will feature live bands and DJs that have long achieved legendary status.

It is possible to make hotel reservations in various categories at bmw-motorrad@gapa.de.

Alan Tecchio is a freelance writer based in the NY metro area who has interviewed hundreds of celebrities. He is an avid motorcyclist and active Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach. Alan has also written a weekly motorcycle column for nine years in Steppin' Out Magazine, a NY metro area entertainment publication. He is also the lead singer of the rock band Autumn Hour. Alan also sings for prog-metal wizards Watchtower, metal pioneers Hades and the prog-metal project Minds Mirrors.