<p>Wicked weather turned the British Superbike championship on its head at Silverstone. With nine riders in mathematical contention for the top-six spots and a place in the Showdown, round nine of the 2017 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship was even more tense than usual.&nbsp; </p>

<p>Since he was 14 and read Jupiter’s Travels, Mark Kemp from Braintree, has wanted to ride around the world. A keen trials rider when he was young, Mark competed in the BMW GS Trophy UK Qualifier in 2015 to hone his skills before departing on the 61,000 mile adventure he had always dreamed of. </p>

<p>Around the world with a motorcycle Elspeth Beard from England fulfilled this dream 30 years ago - at a time when there was no satellite navigation, Internet or mobile phones. Beard was all on her own for this adventure. </p>

<p>From 7 to 9 July, Garmisch-Partenkirchen will once again become the party mile for motorcycling fans from all over the world. Adventurers, tourers, customizers or racers – the BMW Motorrad days bring the entire motorcycling community together in one place. </p>

<p>Tensions were high, and the competition close – more so than ever before – at the GS Trophy UK Qualifier this Bank Holiday weekend. More than 160 riders and their entourages arrived on Saturday night to check in to the Off Road Skills-organised event, before the action commenced early on Sunday.&nbsp; After completing a scored road ride, the competitors battled through a series of challenging off-road activities in an effort to win a spot in the grand finale and a chance to represent the UK at next year’s International GS Trophy in Mongolia. </p>

<p>Clemmie, BMW Motorrad UK’s Digital Marketing Assistant, heads out to Qatar this week for a Motorcycle Training Camp. Find out how it all started for our in-house track day addict… “Having been an avid motorcycle racing fan for years it was inevitable that I would eventually learn to ride. After completing my CBT last August it wasn’t long before I attended my first track day, and passing my A2 licence in April has made me want to try and progress even further.&quot; </p>

<p>Déjà-vu: Hubert Auriol returns to the places of his greatest achievements. What was it like to suddenly become famous while riding from Paris to Dakar and to have such a big impact on the next generation of motorcyclists? And which memories does the look of the R nineT Urban G/S bring up for him? These are the topics Hubert talks about to motorcycle lover Joy Lewis. </p>

<p>Big city. Endless urban canyons, among which there is something new to discover around every bend. But it is also the desire for movement, freedom and the possibility to get from one place to the next quickly. With the Concept Link, which BMW Motorrad will be unveiling at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2017, a concept vehicle has now set about to combine the challenges of urban mobility of tomorrow with the opportunities of a digitalised world. &nbsp; </p>

<p>Tokyo is a shining light – not only because of all the advertising screens that make the city glow. With a population of 38 million, Tokyo is also the world’s largest metropolitan area, but it doesn’t have the overwhelming feel of other megacities. In fact, it is an extremely liveable city that is constantly reinventing itself and has long been at the forefront of urbanisation. But the past is also alive in Tokyo and the motorcycle scene is an endless source of inspiration for customizers and vintage racers. &nbsp; </p>

<p>After the success of the UK team in the 2016 GS Trophy International Final, the 2017 UK Qualifier is set to be one heck of an event. A bank holiday weekend packed with riding, navigating, camping and competition. These two days of riding around the beautiful Welsh mountains, following a road book and tackling challenges along the way are an experience you will be hard pressed to match. For many, the GS Trophy Qualifier will be about great riding, enjoying the challenges and having a load of fun on their bikes. But for the competitive people out there, we’ll be totting up the points and announcing which riders make it through to the final afternoon where they’ll compete for a place on Team GB at the 2018 International Final. The event is suitable for riders of all abilities and levels. The open event involves a range of enjoyable on- and off-road riding challenges, as well as practical, teamwork and navigation tests on the stunning roads around the Welsh hills. Importantly, the event is not a race, but an experience designed to capture the spirit of the GS – the exploration and the enjoyment adventure riding should bring. </p>

<p><strong>CHARLEY BOORMAN EXPLAINS HIS OFF-ROAD ADDICTION.</strong> Charley Boorman is a regular visitor to BMW Off Road Skills, whether we want him or not... (just kidding!) On his most recent visit, we asked him where his life-long for off-road riding came from. And the answer was worth sharing.&nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;</strong> </p>

<p>As far as BMW Motorrad is concerned, GS is a promise – a promise of perfect functioning, reliability and robustness. The G 310 GS transfers these qualities to the below 500cc capacity segment, embracing them in its own distinctive, mature interpretation.&nbsp;The G 310 GS is a genuine GS: a highly contemporary product with a level of versatility that is currently unrivalled in the segment. It is nimble and agile in city traffic while over light terrain it is supremely robust. This makes it the perfect companion for the adventures of everyday riding. Extremely compact yet mature and comfortable, the GS opens up a whole new world of riding experience within its segment. It is precisely this versatility that makes the G 310 GS unique in the entry-level segment. </p>

<p>Allow us to introduce: Inga Birna Erlingsdóttir, currently the only female motorcycle police officer in Iceland. Motorcycles are Inga's great passion. For her job she rides all day, every day. In her spare time, she exchanges her police motorcycle for a BMW GS. </p>

<p>Riding glaciers from the South East Asian jungle to Iceland – for Byron Coetsee, the winner of the international GS Trophy, driving the GS opens up a world of opportunities. The destination of his latest mission lies 11,500 kilometres north of his native Cape Town. </p>

<p>“I’m back and survived my first FIM training camp! So, last Sunday morning I packed my luggage into my car and headed for Heathrow Airport straight from the last round of the BSB at Brands Hatch. Unfortunately, I was one of those people whose flight was delayed by an hour and a quarter, but nothing was going to dampen my spirits for the exciting week ahead. After landing in Abu Dhabi at 2am I nearly missed my connection to Doha, my luggage was not so lucky and never made the connection – it arrived at 7pm the next day! </p>

<p><strong>Richard Millington, Director of Motorrad Tours, explains why you shouldn’t just think of Bangkok and beaches when you’re considering Thailand.</strong> I have just returned from my third time riding through Thailand. If you were asked to list the world’s top ten motorcycle touring destinations, I doubt that Thailand would make your list but, if it didn’t, you would be missing out on something truly amazing. Think of Thailand and you probably think of sunny islands, great beaches and dodgy clubs. You would be right – Thailand has all this and more. But nearly everyone lands in Bangkok and heads south to the sunshine and the infamous tourist destinations – they are all going the wrong way. </p>

<p>MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and features the best riders in the world on high-performance racing prototypes. High-performance and motorsport genes – attributes with which the BMW S 1000 RR is also synonymous. </p>

<p>A wet and wild Qualifying kicked off the Brands Hatch weekend, a somewhat unusual grid forming up as a result. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) once again proved himself as one of the most adaptable riders on the British Superbike grid with fourth place, the leading BMW S 1000 RR for Race 1. Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) made his return to racing after injury, easily qualifying inside the top ten and narrowly missing a Q3 spot. </p>

<p>Clemmie, BMW Motorrad UK’s Digital Marketing Assistant, heads out to Qatar this week for a Motorcycle Training Camp. Find out how it all started for our in-house track day addict… “Having been an avid motorcycle racing fan for years it was inevitable that I would eventually learn to ride. After completing my CBT last August it wasn’t long before I attended my first track day, and passing my A2 licence in April has made me want to try and progress even further.&quot; </p>

<p>Millions of motorsport enthusiasts around the world are looking forward to the start of the 2016 MotoGP season. The best riders in the world and breath-taking race action – MotoGP is undoubtedly the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. This year marks the 18th season of BMW M as &quot;Official Car of MotoGP&quot; and once again features an impressive roster, spearheaded by the new BMW M2 Coupe. Despite not running a team in the MotoGP Championship, BMW are heavily involved at each and every round. BMW play a vital role in ensuring the safety of the riders before, during and after the race, which is made possible by an impressive fleet of cars and motorcycles. The BMW M MotoGP Safety Cars are specially modified versions of production M cars that utilise the very latest technology. Similarly, MotoGP teams develop high performance race bikes that are worlds away from the average production sports bike. </p>

<p>BMW Motorrad Days are the perfect contact point for you to check out the current range of models and to experience the latest highlights. The exhibition tent next to the event arena once again hosted the major BMW Motorrad exhibition and the BMW Motorrad Ride &amp; Style collection. Experts were on hand to fill you in on the newest bikes, details and background info. Try-outs were definitely allowed. </p>

<p>Next year, BMW Motorrad’s first ever helmet turns 40 years old. BMW was the first motorcycle manufacturer to design and create its own helmets. A wide collection of BMW Rider Equipment and BMW Motorrad Motorcycle Accessories are available, offering clothing, luggage and accessories suitable for riders of every model in the BMW Range. So just how far have they come? </p>

<p>I guess it started in the early 1980s. After decades of admiring and longing for the various generations of BMW RTs, I decided the time had come to live the dream. And who better than BMW Rider Training in Royston to get me there? That was how, after doing my detailed homework on training providers, I ended up at BMW Rider Training in Royston. To be honest it was a bit of a gamble. Would I even like it? Would I be able to learn new skills, or would I be too entrenched in the way I do things? Maybe it would be a nice distraction for a few days, and finally I’d put the idea to rest? Maybe I would decide I didn't like road riding, maybe my dyslexia would impact my learning, or maybe I would just fail. </p>

<p>Glasses in place of a helmet, smart clothing, full balance without a kickstand: Only three of the many inventions that could become standards for riding a motorcycle and add a new dimension to the sense of freedom in an increasingly digitised world. And the best thing about it: this vision vehicle is already here. Introducing the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. </p>

<p>From 7 to 9 July, Garmisch-Partenkirchen will once again become the party mile for motorcycling fans from all over the world. Adventurers, tourers, customizers or racers – the BMW Motorrad days bring the entire motorcycling community together in one place. </p>

<p>Racing isn’t always just about speed and performance. It’s also about fun and style, friendship and freedom. Japan’s vintage racers are celebrating precisely this spirit of racing. In the metropolis of Tokyo, Joy Lewis meets customizer Daisuke Mukasa and his Curry Speed Club. She rides her R nineT Racer through the megacity and heads out to lonely mountain roads near Mount Fuji and a vintage motorcycle race at Fuji Speedway. &nbsp; </p>

<p>The R nineT Racer is reviving the early days of superbikes. The BMW R 90 S and its spectacular performances at Daytona and the Isle of Man in 1976 are unforgettable. When we recall the racing scene of the seventies, we immediately think of Japan, where the modern motorcycle was invented and where an impressive revival is now happening. &nbsp; </p>

<p>Impassioned motorcyclist Laura Antoine travels on her Scrambler from her home town in Toulouse to Lyon. She is visiting someone there who has made his style into whole life's mission, and who – like Laura – loves vintage and motorcycles: Sébastien Chirpaz. A true free spirit, who understands his trade and also has a small present at the ready for his visitor.&nbsp; </p>

<p>In 1916, four years before women in the United States were given the right to vote, two sisters, Adeline and Augusta Van Buren, journeyed across the American continent to prove that women have what it takes to be couriers for the US military. Today, exactly 100 years later, a group of women remembers their brave driving endeavours and is following in the sisters' footsteps with the same spirit and determination. </p>

<p>Hayden Roberts lives in Long Beach, California. Here, he co-founded the renowned customizing workshop Hell On Wheels MC. This is also where the name for his vintage motorcycle race came from – all over the world. Because when Hayden is not tinkering with bikes, he is organising races. And because these are always just one big party, he is also known as "Chief Party Planner". A born entertainer and absolutely obsessed with motorcycles – a magnificent mix. </p>

<p>They're mechanics, style enthusiasts, and individualists. Each one of their bikes is a work of art unto itself. Customisers experiment with colours, shapes and materials to create one-of-a-kind motorcycles. The distinctive touches they put on the R nineT will thrill any custom bike enthusiast. On the following pages we'll show you some of these custom bikes and tell the story of how they were created.</p>

<p>Customisers have been preparing for this day for months, tinkering in their workshops at night to be ready on time for Glemseck 101. They'll present the finest custom bikes at the Essenza Sprint. The two-wheeled works of art combine performance and design and encapsulate the very essence of a motorcycle. The rules are quite simple: two wheels, two cylinders, a maximum of 1200 cc. But the implementation is an art in itself.</p> <p>A murmur goes through the crowd when the 16 custom bikes for the Essenza Sprint are presented to the audience at Glemseck 101. The multitude of visual treats could fill whole picture books. Skilled hands have freed roadsters, cruisers and naked bikes of their standard trim and transformed them into visionary one-offs. Because the creators of the sprint call for motorcycle manufacturers and importers to create the essence of a motorcycle – and to present it not just once at the sprint at Glemseck 101, but also a second time at the Intermot in Cologne.</p>

<p>BMW Motorrad Days are the perfect contact point for you to check out the current range of models and to experience the latest highlights. The exhibition tent next to the event arena once again hosted the major BMW Motorrad exhibition and the BMW Motorrad Ride &amp; Style collection. Experts were on hand to fill you in on the newest bikes, details and background info. Try-outs were definitely allowed. </p>

<p>Glasses in place of a helmet, smart clothing, full balance without a kickstand: Only three of the many inventions that could become standards for riding a motorcycle and add a new dimension to the sense of freedom in an increasingly digitised world. And the best thing about it: this vision vehicle is already here. Introducing the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100. </p>

<p>The 100th anniversary of the BMW Group is an opportunity to look back at the historic early days of the motorised two-wheeler and ahead to the future, where the role of the motorcycle will be completely redefined in an increasingly digital world.</p> <p>It's the 7th of March, 1916. Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (Bavarian Aircraft Works) begins operations on Lerchenauer Strasse in the north of Munich. Three years later, Zeno Diemer sets the world altitude record of 9,760 metres with the BMW IV six-cylinder inline aircraft engine.</p> <p>The small factory will later go on to reach new heights in other vehicle segments. Soon after changing its name to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the company begins developing the first motorcycle, long before it enters the automobile sector.</p>

<p>Every moment is a crossroads. You can turn left, you can turn right, or you can continue straight ahead. You could return to your starting point and then just keep driving. A million paths lie at your feet, each better than the last and no worse than the next. Choose a new path every second and never look back. Because everything you find on the road is forever yours. And that's how you Make Life a Ride.</p>

<p>My first taste of motorcycling was on dirt. I had a ‘play’ on a friend’s tiny 50cc dirt bike when I was about seven or eight. I had already fallen in love with the idea of biking by this point, but it was that very short blast on that petrol smelling dirty bike that set the dream in concrete. </p>

<p>After the success of the UK team in the 2016 GS Trophy International Final, the 2017 UK Qualifier is set to be one heck of an event. A bank holiday weekend packed with riding, navigating, camping and competition. These two days of riding around the beautiful Welsh mountains, following a road book and tackling challenges along the way are an experience you will be hard pressed to match. For many, the GS Trophy Qualifier will be about great riding, enjoying the challenges and having a load of fun on their bikes. But for the competitive people out there, we’ll be totting up the points and announcing which riders make it through to the final afternoon where they’ll compete for a place on Team GB at the 2018 International Final. The event is suitable for riders of all abilities and levels. The open event involves a range of enjoyable on- and off-road riding challenges, as well as practical, teamwork and navigation tests on the stunning roads around the Welsh hills. Importantly, the event is not a race, but an experience designed to capture the spirit of the GS – the exploration and the enjoyment adventure riding should bring. </p>

<p>As far as BMW Motorrad is concerned, GS is a promise – a promise of perfect functioning, reliability and robustness. The G 310 GS transfers these qualities to the below 500cc capacity segment, embracing them in its own distinctive, mature interpretation.&nbsp;The G 310 GS is a genuine GS: a highly contemporary product with a level of versatility that is currently unrivalled in the segment. It is nimble and agile in city traffic while over light terrain it is supremely robust. This makes it the perfect companion for the adventures of everyday riding. Extremely compact yet mature and comfortable, the GS opens up a whole new world of riding experience within its segment. It is precisely this versatility that makes the G 310 GS unique in the entry-level segment. </p>

<p>The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and R 1200 GS were the two most popular bikes in the UK in 2016 (over 125 cc), while there was further success for a number of other models in the BMW Range, several of which were bestsellers in their respective classes. For the first time ever in the UK, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure outsold the R 1200 GS with 1,525 total UK registrations, compared with 1,462 for the standard R 1200 GS model. The combined sales of the R 1200 GS models were 2,987, an impressive 1,296 total registrations ahead its nearest competitor. </p>

<p>The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure once again finds itself in uncharted territory - this time in Denmark. The joint project between BMW Motorrad and the LEGO Group not only sends the GS on a totally new adventure. </p>

<p>Last year saw the Test Ride Truck roll out to various locations across the UK proving a huge success. We saw hundreds of you test ride our bikes at hotspots, enjoying everything from the c evolution up to the BMW R1200 GSA. This year the Test Ride Truck is back and it's bigger and better than ever. We'll be hitting more locations and be able to get you on even more bikes. The Test Ride Truck will make a welcome return in Scotland, carrying a more diverse collections of bikes than ever before. </p>

<p>His mother calls him Fhatuwani. But his friends call him Steaz. He's a photographer, film maker and art director. Born in Soweto, he grew up with his twin brother Rendani&nbsp;Mukheli. His project &quot;I See A Different You&quot; seeks to change the negative view of Africa through design, art and photograph. He goes on patrol with his motorcycle – always on the lookout for the right subject. In this interview, he tells us what he loves about motorcycling and what adventure means to him. </p>

<p>Pack your bags and embark on a journey into the unknown. We are curious and know that adventure awaits around every corner. Every mile reveals the undiscovered, every second lends us new perspectives, and every sight ingrains a picture in our memory. We grow with every experience, every friendship, and every adventure – that's the #spiritofGS. Get to know the people behind the &quot;spirit of GS&quot;. Try out the GS yourself or experience GS Action at GS Experience. And for all those who are currently in the middle of an adventure, tell us about it and share it with us under #spiritofGS. </p>

<p>BMW Motorrad Days are the perfect contact point for you to check out the current range of models and to experience the latest highlights. The exhibition tent next to the event arena once again hosted the major BMW Motorrad exhibition and the BMW Motorrad Ride &amp; Style collection. Experts were on hand to fill you in on the newest bikes, details and background info. Try-outs were definitely allowed. </p>

<p>Driving experiences, driving shows, live performances: For three days, Munich's Olympic Park was a celebration of the BMW Group. The BMW Festival from 9 to 11 September opened up new realms of experience that transported visitors to the mobility world of the future. </p> <p>The festival pavilion between the Olympiahalle and the Olympic Stadium was a Mecca for motorcycle lovers. That's because BMW Motorrad was showcasing the brand's latest bikes on Coubertinplatz. Just a few steps from the main stage, BMW Yachtsport, BMW Golfsport and BMW Lifestyle's open-air showroom were bursting with luminous dreamscapes at the edge of the Olympic Lake. The BMW 7 Series and its innovations were presented in exclusive shows on the lake stage, while the peninsula of the Olympic lake became a fun zone for outdoor lovers and families with children. Vintage BMW fans encountered automotive gems from the past while they strolled through the park.</p>

<p>Every moment is a crossroads. You can turn left, you can turn right, or you can continue straight ahead. You could return to your starting point and then just keep driving. A million paths lie at your feet, each better than the last and no worse than the next. Choose a new path every second and never look back. Because everything you find on the road is forever yours. And that's how you Make Life a Ride.</p>

<p>Fast can also be clean – Eva Håkansson is sure of this. The mechanical engineer with a doctorate wants to prove to the world that environmentally-friendly electric vehicles are fast and fun, and that mechanical engineering is an outstanding choice of profession for women. On the move with the fastest female motorcyclist in the world, who posted a new world record of 434 km/h with her homemade "KillaJoule" streamliner.</p>