Just beautiful.
It’s become a must-attend event for BMW motorbike fans. Set amidst the stunning mountains of Germany’s Zugspitze, more than 35,000 visitors came from all over the world to celebrate their common passion for motorised two-wheelers. This year’s highlights included break-neck performances by Busty Wolter and his freestyle motocrossers, as well as breath-taking shows by stunt riders Mattie Griffin and Dirk Manderbach, who got the audience cheering in astonishment. The wooden “cauldron” of the Motodrom was all about four roaring BMW R 25s, while tyres smoked and screeched at the drift show in the event arena. Another must-see was the presentation of the new series colours and special paint finishes – thanks to the design range “Option 719”, colourful new combinations spruced up the atmosphere of the exhibition tent. The excitement didn’t die out in the evening either: bands and DJs did their part to keep spirits high well into the night. The event was an all round success, entertaining from the start and ending on Sunday with typical German “Gemütlichkeit” (a cosy, relaxing feeling). Even as everyone started packing up to return to every corner of the world, plans are already in the works for the 19th BMW Motorrad Days, from 5-7 July 2019. Mark your calendars today! We look forward to seeing you.
New bikes, fresh colours, bespoke accessories.
First-hand experience is what BMW Motorrad Days is all about. In the exhibition tent, right next to the event arena, visitors were able get the lowdown on the current model range, as well as the BMW Motorrad Ride & Style Collection. On all three days, experts gave talks there, answered questions, shared stories as well as divulged intriguing facts and background details about the motorbikes. In the “Spezial” exhibition tent, the brand showcased hands-on customisation. Visitors explored the design range “Option 719”, where they could find milled cylinder head covers, footrests, brake and clutch levers, forged wheels, special paint jobs and performance-enhancing parts to customise their machines. The new paint trends and colour creations were a particular favourite.
Action & Shows
Motocrosser extravaganza.
Motocrosser extravaganza.
Simply breath-taking. What a show by the talented freestylers Busty Wolter, Kai Haase, Davide Rossi and Lukas Weis! Their FMX Show defied gravity with tricks and jumps that sent them soaring through the air on their machines, one hand on the saddle or, for a fraction of a second, with no contact to the bike at all. It’s unbelievable the backflip variations these guys can pull off. For example, a handstand in a backflip, plus rollover and superman backflips. Pure buzz that demanded an encore.
Stunt rider duet.
Stunt rider duet.
Thunderous applause for such steady-handed artistry. Stunt riders Mattie Griffin (Republic of Ireland) and Dirk Manderbach (Germany) took their bikes to the limit – even on wet asphalt – dazzling the audience with their top-notch Street Bike Freestyle Show. The duo took turns showing the crowd their backward burnouts, rolling stoppies, wheelies, bike surfing and front flips – tyres screeching all the time. No one wanted this show to come to an end!
Pure thrills on eight wheels.
Pure thrills on eight wheels.
The daredevil show in the original Motodrom, built in 1928, is always a crowd-puller. With nerves of steel, these motorcycle acrobats simultaneously rode four BMW R 25s round the steep incline of this six-metre high wooden construction that looks like a witch’s cauldron. On all three days, these artists of the steep curve appeared nearly every hour to put on their amazing show. We followed the show live.
Sliding, drifting, speeding up.
Sliding, drifting, speeding up.
Tyres heated up – you could see them glow and blur – in the Ritzmann Motorsport drift show at the event arena. The drivers of two BMWs ventured to the limits of transverse and traction driving, showing off the elegance of drifting. The crowd was up close to the action, excitement etched on their faces.
Full throttle on the runway.
Full throttle on the runway.
The best of 40 years were on display at the BMW Motorrad Ride & Style Fashion Show. The brand presented its vintage motorcycle wear as well as its current collection in the extra-special “40 Years Collection”. Although styles and materials have changed a lot over the decades, then, just like now, it’s all about an unbridled love of riding and lust for adventure. At the same time, the core message always comes through loud and clear: wherever your passion takes you, your second skin offers you safety and comfort. For a perfect riding experience.
Join in & try out
Checks and Workshops.
Checks and Workshops.
Assembling, talking shop and getting the lowdown: right from the first event day, visitors embraced the BMW “Bike Check” und “Navigator” motorcycle workshops. Through to Sunday, colleagues from BMW Motorrad were offering guests the fruits of their knowledge in the after sales area, checking over their vehicles in detail. They were also ready with a range of tips on mounting accessories. At the Navigator Training School, workshop participants got invaluable first-hand hints about how to make optimum use of the BMW Motorcycle’s Navigator VI. Watch the Facebook Live Video here.
Kids only.
Kids only.
No noise, no exhaust. But kid-friendly didn’t mean it was easy. BMW Motorrad Days offered 6- to 14-year-olds, the next generation of riders, a chance to experience the world of motorcycles for the first time and get a feel for test riding too. The “Kids’ Trial” in the event arena was all about dexterity and concentration, as well as learning how to control both body and the vehicle. Why without noise and exhaust? Everything was done exclusively on electric trial motorcycles. Something many grown-ups were also keen to try out!
Revving up together.
Revving up together.
Surrounded by such stunning alpine scenery, unforgettable road trips were the icing on the cake of the BMW Motorrad Days. Full- and half-day tours as well as “panorama” tours threaded through idyllic mountain landscapes on all three days. Once again this year, motorcyclists from around the world took part in the traditional convoy. Just as traditional was the legendary “Classic Convoy”, with a swarm of dazzling machines rolling through the streets of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. At the Custom Ride-Out, dozens of diverse yet all impressively assembled machines also shone in the spotlight.
Exhibitions
What’s new on the custom scene.
It’s all in the names. This is also true for the constantly growing customising scene, whose exhibition tents were located at the so-called “Custom Village”. This is who was showing their stuff from Friday to Sunday: Bad & Bold, Dr. Footers, Fabrica Svizzera, Hammer Kraftrad, Kingston Custom, MotorCircus, Nagel Motors, Senger, South Garage, Temple Choppers, Berham Customs, Unit Garage, Urban Motor, VTR Customs and Walzwerk.
Stronger together.
Stronger together.
Any motorcyclist’s heart would race faster here. Approx. 80 exhibitors and partners were showcasing their exclusive products for motorcycle fans. You could find a wide offering to help put those the finishing touches on your bike, from outfitters like Touratech, Wunderlich, SW-Motech, Siebenrock, Hornig, Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde, ZTechnik and Sena. Prestigious tire manufacturers like Metzeler and Bridgestone also had their current range of tires on sale. Lots of other practical services were available at BMW Motorrad Days 2018 – visitors could get an oil change, their tires serviced or a repair estimated on any day of the event. The tent “BMW Motorrad Travel, Training, Testride” was a great place to start planning your next adventure, arrange a try-out training or book a test ride.
People & Motorcycles
One big family – a great community.
One big family – a great community.
Wherever you looked, you found people from all over the world at BMW Motorrad Days. You didn’t just hear English, Italian, Spanish and French. You could also meet Dutch, Poles, Swiss, Austrians – and Scandinavians as well. A group of bikers from Denmark marvelled at the breath-taking stunt shows. "We can also get up to speed on the latest equipment for our motorcycles," said one Danish rider. What attracts people to Garmisch-Partenkirchen? According to Hans and Petra Faßbender: "BMW Motorrad is our passion, so there’s no other place we’d rather be than here. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the smell of gasoline and burning rubber! All in all, the atmosphere here at Motorrad Days can’t be beat."
Petra Faßbender, visitor
On the road.
On the road.
The Pure&Crafted Signature Bike has been hitting the tarmac for four months around Europe. A variety of riders have been taking turns seeking out exciting routes, out-of-the-way manufacturers and top-talent mechanics. On Friday evening, the baton was handed over in the event arena. Watch the Facebook Live Video here. Mile Stevic and Ben Arslan drove the Signature Bike from Paris to the U.K., to visit the manufacturer of Marshall amplifiers, amongst other places. At BMW Motorrad Days they handed the bike over to Craftrad editor Jan Joswig. Now the R nineT Pure Custom with its canvas panniers and milled and machined customised parts is once again on the road…
Stars & glamour.
After coming to BMW Motorrad Days for the first time last year, Wincent Weiss was back again in 2018 as a special party guest. The singer and brand ambassador for BMW Motorrad was inspired by the wide variety of exhibitions. He was specially amazed by the Friday shows in the event arena. The singer was also picked out as the lucky winner of a F 850 GS. Another regular star in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is actor Hannes Jaenicke. Since 2008, he’s been mingling with the crowd on every day of the event. His reasoning is clear: "This is where I meet all my friends from BMW Motorrad once a year. It always feels a bit like coming home." Hannes arrived with the K 1600 Bagger. "This is the perfect bike, it feels like driving a car. The Bagger is so safe on the road, even in bad weather conditions – it’s a great motorcycle.”
Hannes Jaenicke, actor
Atmosphere
Party, party, party.
Party, party, party.
A three-day party, who could resist the fun? It all started with a performance by the Bogus Brothers at the welcome bash in the BMW Motorrad party tent. The five-piece band revved up the crowd and set the stage for a full-throttle mood all weekend. There was also some serious fun going down at the Rob Ryan Roadshow in the Motodrom – with old-school rockabilly, country and blues. After a day packed with events, lots of visitors kicked back around the bonfire to the guitar sounds of Jimmy Rogers. In the party tent, the atmosphere was no less memorable thanks to the Radio Gong DJ team and the band Dreirad. DJ Robert got the crowd moving in the US Lodge.
Markus Schelkle, visitor
