<p>True craftsmanship, the creation of beautiful things by hand is an art seen less and less today. Artisan work, the age-old design and shaping by hand is very much an old school craft, but what of the new school?&nbsp; </p>

<p>The returning Michael Laverty stormed to a wet weather podium at Brands Hatch Indy aboard the S 1000 RR, expertly mastering the conditions to take his first podium of the year. </p>

<p>Freezing temperatures and constant rain saw the first race of the year brought forward a day and presented riders across all classes with incredibly challenging conditions at Donington Park. </p>

<p>The 15-time Isle of Man TT winner will campaign the world's most famous road races for the marque which saw him dominate the event in 2014 and 2016. </p>

<p>With individual adjustment solutions for almost every model, BMW Motorrad supports a custom fit between rider and motorcycle. This promotes standing stability and therefore confident, secure handling at traffic lights or when maneuvering. BMW Motorrad offer a wide variety of different options to alter the position and height of our seats. This means you will always find a motorcycle that fits you. Below you will find an in-depth breakdown of all of our seat heights by model. </p>

<p>The biggest and busiest Bikeshed event yet held at Tobacco Dock in London saw BMW Motorrad take part officially for the first time this year and we brought together a host of stunningly customised motorcycles. The BMW Motorrad stand saw eight completely different takes on customisation of different types of BMW motorcycles from old to new; there was even the stunning factory-commissioned R 5 Hommage concept bike that was built last year at the request of BMW headquarters in Munich. </p>

<p>The Paris-Dakar Rally is legendary, just like the people and machines that competed in it. Joy Lewis explores the early days of the epic desert rally in the cities where the race started and finished. Her two companions: Hubert Auriol, who won the Paris-Dakar Rally twice with BMW in the 80s; and the R nineT Urban G/S – a motorcycle whose design is reminiscent of the legendary R 80 G/S. &nbsp; </p>

<p>For many, limits are the end of the story. For some, they are only the beginning. With the HP4 RACE, we show the passion of those who like to go beyond their limits. Whatever this may entail – it is something that was previously unimaginable. </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>Sarah Lezito is considered the best stuntwoman in the world. She was Scarlett Johansson’s double in the motorcycling scenes in <em>The Avengers 2</em> and left countless guys behind her at the stunt riding world championships. Now, the Frenchwoman is part of the BMW Motorrad community. </p>

<p>Girl power burns within you. You are in your element when you can kick up the dust on your GS. You love the two-wheeled challenge, and don't want to leave the field of the International GS Trophy to the men? Then it's time for a thrilling motorcycle adventure in Mongolia. Be part of the team and inspire GS fans around the world.&nbsp; </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>Inspired by the never-ending highway, the feeling of freedom and sheer independence, the BMW Motorrad design team came up with a completely new approach to touring motorcycles with their Concept 101: elegant, exclusive, extroverted and pure cruising power.</p>

<p>The final round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship was host to two dramatic battles for the two major prizes on offer, a season best weekend allowing Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon to cement himself as the 2017 Riders Cup Champion. </p>

<p>For the past 15 years, thousands of bikers from around the world have been flocking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains. BMW Motorrad Days, the motorcycle event of the year, has been taking place here for the past 15 years.</p> <p>Garmisch Partenkirchen sits like a story-book town at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Countless trails take hikers up to nearby peaks and beyond to ice-cold Alpine lakes. Once a year, this idyllic setting is a magnet for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. A festival atmosphere takes over in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the event. The locals celebrate together with bikers, who come to BMW Motorrad Days from literally every corner of the earth.</p>

<p>Brad Klynsmith is from Durban and a member of the band Gangs of Ballet. He rediscovered his passion for motorcycling three years ago and has been living and breathing motorcycles ever since. When he's not writing songs or following motorcycle news, you'll find him on his surfboard. Brad told us how he got back into motorcycling and why he never buys the same toothpaste twice.&nbsp; </p>

<p>A snow-covered landscape, frozen lakes – by looking into the distance, you can see your own breath start to freeze. Lapland shows its coldest and yet most beautiful side. But there's something different today: because not only the growling of the wolves can be heard – so too can the engine of the S 1000 XR. Amidst this winter backdrop, Robert Gull sets out on a unique undertaking: Crushed Ice made by Motorcycles </p>

<p>The road stops at the Darién Gap. To continue his journey from Alaska to Argentina, Dylan Wickrama builds a raft, powered by his BMW R 1150 GS, and starts his adventure in the Pacific. The Sri Lankan's story spellbinds very many people. Now a documentary film is going to be produced - using crowdfunding.</p> <p>Life sometimes invents stories that are more incredible than any Hollywood film maker could ever think up. One such life story is that of Dylan Wickrama. It is about a boy who often looked out to sea from his native Sri Lanka and passionately longed to know what lies beyond the horizon. It was unlikely that he would ever find out. Because Dylan grew up in poor circumstances. His father was killed by a burglar when Dylan was not even six years old. He had to grow up, and bear responsibility, much too fast. Years later he received the opportunity to discover the world he hitherto only knew from the journals that were passed around the village. On his BMW R1150 GS "Bruce" he travelled more than 210,000 km on four continents over a period of three years. But the real adventure begins at the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia.</p>

<p>As the first female marshal at the International GS Trophy, Jolandie, or simply "Jo" Rust has to assert herself in a typically male domain. It's not difficult for her. Rust doesn't get fazed that easily. Not even after being held up at gunpoint during her trip across Africa on an Enduro.</p> <p>The guys wipe the sweat from their brows. Temperatures are soaring past the 30-degree mark. But it's not the heat that's tough for these men, it's the incredible humidity in Mae Sariang, a town in the heart of Thailand's back country. At a loss for what to do, they stand around a team mate's motorcycle before making one last attempt to pull the 250 kilo R 1200 GS out of the mud. Forget it. They need Jo. Jo is the team leader, the boss, the pro. Jo has pulled her team mates out of the mud many times during the seven-day International GS Trophy Enduro adventure. And out of other messes.</p>

<p>He's travelled the Sahara, the Atacama and even Antarctica. Photographer and geographer Michael Martin is in his element in places where you almost never see another human face.</p> <p>Michael Martin travelled to the desert for the first time at the age of 17. He rode his moped to Morocco, looked out over the vast expanse of the desert, and was captivated for life. Since then, he has spent most of his time on brilliant beige sand beneath the deep blue sky. He lives rough here, holding out for the right moment to press the shutter.</p>

<p>Models and extreme sport are not mutually exclusive. And living proof of this is Patricia Gebauer. Born in Munich, she loves motorcycling with a passion and keeps herself in shape with the Thai martial art Muay Thai. Risking broken bones and bruises in the toughest martial art in the world in no way impinges on her passion.</p>

<p>The BMW Motorrad Days drew motorcycling fans from all over the world to meet up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Two of them even travelled all the way from British Columbia in Canada. As winners of the social media campaign #Rideandshare, they received a priceless experience.</p> <p>Naomi Tweddle and Alberto Lara Mendieta are more commonly known in the social media world as MotoLara. The pair's motorcycling adventures have gone down a storm in their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter communities as well as on their website. This is how BMW Motorrad became aware of MotoLara while on the lookout for a social media superfan, and invited them and other passionate bikers to post their experiences in a challenge under the tag #Rideandshare. In the end, the winner would be the one able to excite and motivate their community to interact and the one who got the most likes and shares.</p>

<p>For Dr. Hans-Henning &quot;Baba&quot; Bützow, every kilometre counts. During his motorcycle travels, the physician has frequently encountered people who are living in poverty, yet willing to share everything with him. Touched by the hospitality and welcoming smiles of these people, Baba set a goal for himself: On the Ride of Smiles Tour, he will ride 80,000 kilometres on an R 1200 GS Adventure and raise 50,000 euros for charity. At the end of the tour, the children in need will have a reason to smile again. </p>

<p>Medieval battles aren't just for video gamers. Motorcycle enthusiast Robert Nacke regularly puts on his knight's armour and travels back in time to the 15th century for medieval combat. He competes against other daring warriors in medieval combat, a full- contact sport in which opponents wear armour and use authentic weapons.</p>

<p>Freezing temperatures and constant rain saw the first race of the year brought forward a day and presented riders across all classes with incredibly challenging conditions at Donington Park. </p>

<p>The 15-time Isle of Man TT winner will campaign the world's most famous road races for the marque which saw him dominate the event in 2014 and 2016. </p>

<p>For many, limits are the end of the story. For some, they are only the beginning. With the HP4 RACE, we show the passion of those who like to go beyond their limits. Whatever this may entail – it is something that was previously unimaginable. </p>

<p>Sarah Lezito is considered the best stuntwoman in the world. She was Scarlett Johansson’s double in the motorcycling scenes in <em>The Avengers 2</em> and left countless guys behind her at the stunt riding world championships. Now, the Frenchwoman is part of the BMW Motorrad community. </p>

<p>When Sarah Lezito stunt rides, it looks like her motorcycle is dancing. At the BMW Motorrad Days, the Frenchwoman gets the S 1000 R to dance and puts her reputation as the best stuntwoman in the world to the test in an acrobatic “Street Dance”. </p>

<p>For the past 15 years, thousands of bikers from around the world have been flocking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains. BMW Motorrad Days, the motorcycle event of the year, has been taking place here for the past 15 years.</p> <p>Garmisch Partenkirchen sits like a story-book town at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Countless trails take hikers up to nearby peaks and beyond to ice-cold Alpine lakes. Once a year, this idyllic setting is a magnet for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. A festival atmosphere takes over in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the event. The locals celebrate together with bikers, who come to BMW Motorrad Days from literally every corner of the earth.</p>

<p>When Sarah Lezito stunt rides, it looks like her motorcycle is dancing. At the BMW Motorrad Days, the Frenchwoman gets the S 1000 R to dance and puts her reputation as the best stuntwoman in the world to the test in an acrobatic “Street Dance”. </p>

<p>On to the next challenge with the G 310 R – the Park ‘n’ Ride Challenge. This means: 2 teams, 2 bikes, 2 longboards, a multi-storey car park and a lot of riding pleasure. Curve by curve and level by level, both teams experience the flow. The challenge requires ability, riding skill and a generous slice of fun. Just right for Sarah, Chris, Guto and Sebastian.&nbsp; </p>

<p>For the past 15 years, thousands of bikers from around the world have been flocking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains. BMW Motorrad Days, the motorcycle event of the year, has been taking place here for the past 15 years.</p> <p>Garmisch Partenkirchen sits like a story-book town at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Countless trails take hikers up to nearby peaks and beyond to ice-cold Alpine lakes. Once a year, this idyllic setting is a magnet for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. A festival atmosphere takes over in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the event. The locals celebrate together with bikers, who come to BMW Motorrad Days from literally every corner of the earth.</p>

<p>BMW Motorrad is 90 years old – that's a real reason to celebrate. But we don't deserve all the credit. We couldn't have made it here without all the friends of BMW Motorrad who have remained so loyal to us over the years and have passionately represented the BMW brand. Relive 90 years of passion, 90 years of innovation and 90 years of progress here in our web special. Enjoy! </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>BMW Motorrad UK backed racers Peter Hickman and Michael Laverty took a break from their pre season training schedules to compete at Snowquake 2018. </p>

<p>The biggest and busiest Bikeshed event yet held at Tobacco Dock in London saw BMW Motorrad take part officially for the first time this year and we brought together a host of stunningly customised motorcycles. The BMW Motorrad stand saw eight completely different takes on customisation of different types of BMW motorcycles from old to new; there was even the stunning factory-commissioned R 5 Hommage concept bike that was built last year at the request of BMW headquarters in Munich. </p>

<p>Motorcycling is by its nature a very personal experience, often just you and the bike. Building, restoring and customising a motorcycle makes this connection grow even deeper. The significance of the bike and the restoration or customisations are unique and personal to every rider. </p>

<p>The R nineT heritage range delivers classic style to the modern age. A perfect blend of retro-cool and modern technology with the iconic boxer engine at their core, the R nineT provides the perfect basis to continue a long and proud tradition of customisation. An elaborate variety of customs have already been created since the launch of the R nineT by enthusiasts everywhere. </p>

<p>The Paris-Dakar Rally is legendary, just like the people and machines that competed in it. Joy Lewis explores the early days of the epic desert rally in the cities where the race started and finished. Her two companions: Hubert Auriol, who won the Paris-Dakar Rally twice with BMW in the 80s; and the R nineT Urban G/S – a motorcycle whose design is reminiscent of the legendary R 80 G/S. &nbsp; </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>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>Once just a popular meetup for bikers and surfers, now it's the symbol of an entire movement: The Wheels and Waves-Festival in Biarritz, France, is the place to be for motorcyclists and surfers. Amid magnificent architecture and perfect waves, kindred spirits come to the festival to share in a refreshing new zeitgeist that is not bound to conventions. Creative custom bikes are honoured, surfer and skater culture are celebrated. Everything goes. Everything is welcome. </p>

<p>This is the story of four "MotorCircus" lads from Berlin. On BMW oldtimer motorcycles and armed with a camera, they set out on a 4,000 km long journey. From Berlin, they rode through Belgium, France and London to the Isle of Man. </p> <p>The film of this journey – Mission Manx – premiered on 8 March 2014. A little while later, BMW fans around the world were able to view the result of this journey. In an exclusive interview, Christoph Köhler, Marko Kramer, Tim Adler and Martin “Lemmi” Lemcke tell BMW Motorrad about the realisation of a long-held dream.</p>

<p>The rumbling of powerful engines signalled a highlight of the London Fashion Week: the opening of the Belstaff shop. Headlights flared up in the evening twilight. Several bikers wearing leather and waxed jackets ride in front of the trendy shop. Exactly what the photographers had been waiting for. In the thick of it: fashion icon David Beckham. He almost brought the hustle and bustle of London's trendy Bond Street to a standstill. His companions arrived in front of the shop on fashionable Café Racers and Custom Bikes. Many of them brought along their own BMW custom bikes. Among them were Fred Jourden and Hugo Jezegabel from Blitz Motorcycles in Paris. And the BMW boxer fan trio of Berliners Christoph Köhler, Marko Kramer and Martin 'Lemmi’ Lemcke – better known as MotorCircus – were not to be missed either.</p>

<p>On tour with the R nineT Scrambler. We have come visit real men who do their own thing and in addition love motorcycles.Driven by their passion, they make their own rules instead of just following trends. Always searching for inspiration and new experiences. </p>

<p> BMW Motorrad was invited to a custom contest in Paris. French customisers were requested to submit drafts for an R nineT conversion. The artists were given total creative freedom. The jury, consisting of Fred "Krugger" Bertrand, two-time custom champion, and Ola Stenegärd, motorcycle designer, evaluated the large number of proposals. The winner, the French customiser Old School Engineering (OSE) won over the jury with their unique sidecar design. The prize: a brand-new R nineT, plus 10,000 euros. The winners can use the prize to implement the design they submitted. The result: "L'Echappée Belle" - "The Great Escape". OSE presented their sidecar at the Custom Contest in Paris. The team showed that sidecars are by no means out. </p>

<p>Inspired by the never-ending highway, the feeling of freedom and sheer independence, the BMW Motorrad design team came up with a completely new approach to touring motorcycles with their Concept 101: elegant, exclusive, extroverted and pure cruising power.</p>

<p>For the past 15 years, thousands of bikers from around the world have been flocking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains. BMW Motorrad Days, the motorcycle event of the year, has been taking place here for the past 15 years.</p> <p>Garmisch Partenkirchen sits like a story-book town at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Countless trails take hikers up to nearby peaks and beyond to ice-cold Alpine lakes. Once a year, this idyllic setting is a magnet for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. A festival atmosphere takes over in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the event. The locals celebrate together with bikers, who come to BMW Motorrad Days from literally every corner of the earth.</p>

<p>BMW Motorrad is 90 years old – that's a real reason to celebrate. But we don't deserve all the credit. We couldn't have made it here without all the friends of BMW Motorrad who have remained so loyal to us over the years and have passionately represented the BMW brand. Relive 90 years of passion, 90 years of innovation and 90 years of progress here in our web special. Enjoy! </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>After a brief stint in India, Edgar Heinrich returned to Munich to lead the BMW Motorrad design team. It was a happy return for the motorcycle enthusiast, who began his career at BMW in 1986. He spearheaded the design of many BMW motorcycles: the Paris-Dakar rally bike, the K 1200 S and R, the HP2 Enduro, the R 1150 GS, the R 1200 GS and most recently the S 1000 RR. </p> <p>Before his time at Indian automaker Bajaj, he was also involved in the design of the K 1600 GT and GTL touring bikes as well as the C 600 Sport and the C 650 GT maxi scooter. All of them were successful products that expanded the horizons of this established market segment and attracted many new customers to the brand. In an exclusive interview with BMW Motorrad, Edgar Heinrich talks about his passion for designing, collecting and restoring motorcycles of all kinds. </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>Lifestyle, adventure and travel: regardless of what drives you, BMW Motorrad brings you new products and features for every opportunity, trip and terrain experience. From innovations through to events – discover what BMW Motorrad has in store for you in 2018. &nbsp; </p>

<p>Sarah Lezito is considered the best stuntwoman in the world. She was Scarlett Johansson’s double in the motorcycling scenes in <em>The Avengers 2</em> and left countless guys behind her at the stunt riding world championships. Now, the Frenchwoman is part of the BMW Motorrad community. </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>For the past 15 years, thousands of bikers from around the world have been flocking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains. BMW Motorrad Days, the motorcycle event of the year, has been taking place here for the past 15 years.</p> <p>Garmisch Partenkirchen sits like a story-book town at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Countless trails take hikers up to nearby peaks and beyond to ice-cold Alpine lakes. Once a year, this idyllic setting is a magnet for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. A festival atmosphere takes over in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the event. The locals celebrate together with bikers, who come to BMW Motorrad Days from literally every corner of the earth.</p>

<p>Brad Klynsmith is from Durban and a member of the band Gangs of Ballet. He rediscovered his passion for motorcycling three years ago and has been living and breathing motorcycles ever since. When he's not writing songs or following motorcycle news, you'll find him on his surfboard. Brad told us how he got back into motorcycling and why he never buys the same toothpaste twice.&nbsp; </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>As the first female marshal at the International GS Trophy, Jolandie, or simply "Jo" Rust has to assert herself in a typically male domain. It's not difficult for her. Rust doesn't get fazed that easily. Not even after being held up at gunpoint during her trip across Africa on an Enduro.</p> <p>The guys wipe the sweat from their brows. Temperatures are soaring past the 30-degree mark. But it's not the heat that's tough for these men, it's the incredible humidity in Mae Sariang, a town in the heart of Thailand's back country. At a loss for what to do, they stand around a team mate's motorcycle before making one last attempt to pull the 250 kilo R 1200 GS out of the mud. Forget it. They need Jo. Jo is the team leader, the boss, the pro. Jo has pulled her team mates out of the mud many times during the seven-day International GS Trophy Enduro adventure. And out of other messes.</p>

<p>He's travelled the Sahara, the Atacama and even Antarctica. Photographer and geographer Michael Martin is in his element in places where you almost never see another human face.</p> <p>Michael Martin travelled to the desert for the first time at the age of 17. He rode his moped to Morocco, looked out over the vast expanse of the desert, and was captivated for life. Since then, he has spent most of his time on brilliant beige sand beneath the deep blue sky. He lives rough here, holding out for the right moment to press the shutter.</p>

<p>Models and extreme sport are not mutually exclusive. And living proof of this is Patricia Gebauer. Born in Munich, she loves motorcycling with a passion and keeps herself in shape with the Thai martial art Muay Thai. Risking broken bones and bruises in the toughest martial art in the world in no way impinges on her passion.</p>

<p>The BMW Motorrad Days drew motorcycling fans from all over the world to meet up in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Two of them even travelled all the way from British Columbia in Canada. As winners of the social media campaign #Rideandshare, they received a priceless experience.</p> <p>Naomi Tweddle and Alberto Lara Mendieta are more commonly known in the social media world as MotoLara. The pair's motorcycling adventures have gone down a storm in their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter communities as well as on their website. This is how BMW Motorrad became aware of MotoLara while on the lookout for a social media superfan, and invited them and other passionate bikers to post their experiences in a challenge under the tag #Rideandshare. In the end, the winner would be the one able to excite and motivate their community to interact and the one who got the most likes and shares.</p>

<p>For Dr. Hans-Henning &quot;Baba&quot; Bützow, every kilometre counts. During his motorcycle travels, the physician has frequently encountered people who are living in poverty, yet willing to share everything with him. Touched by the hospitality and welcoming smiles of these people, Baba set a goal for himself: On the Ride of Smiles Tour, he will ride 80,000 kilometres on an R 1200 GS Adventure and raise 50,000 euros for charity. At the end of the tour, the children in need will have a reason to smile again. </p>

<p>Medieval battles aren't just for video gamers. Motorcycle enthusiast Robert Nacke regularly puts on his knight's armour and travels back in time to the 15th century for medieval combat. He competes against other daring warriors in medieval combat, a full- contact sport in which opponents wear armour and use authentic weapons.</p>

<p>Sarah Lezito is considered the best stuntwoman in the world. She was Scarlett Johansson’s double in the motorcycling scenes in <em>The Avengers 2</em> and left countless guys behind her at the stunt riding world championships. Now, the Frenchwoman is part of the BMW Motorrad community. </p>

<p>For the past 15 years, thousands of bikers from around the world have been flocking to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the foothills of the Wetterstein mountains. BMW Motorrad Days, the motorcycle event of the year, has been taking place here for the past 15 years.</p> <p>Garmisch Partenkirchen sits like a story-book town at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain. Countless trails take hikers up to nearby peaks and beyond to ice-cold Alpine lakes. Once a year, this idyllic setting is a magnet for thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts. A festival atmosphere takes over in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the event. The locals celebrate together with bikers, who come to BMW Motorrad Days from literally every corner of the earth.</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>

<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>After a brief stint in India, Edgar Heinrich returned to Munich to lead the BMW Motorrad design team. It was a happy return for the motorcycle enthusiast, who began his career at BMW in 1986. He spearheaded the design of many BMW motorcycles: the Paris-Dakar rally bike, the K 1200 S and R, the HP2 Enduro, the R 1150 GS, the R 1200 GS and most recently the S 1000 RR. </p> <p>Before his time at Indian automaker Bajaj, he was also involved in the design of the K 1600 GT and GTL touring bikes as well as the C 600 Sport and the C 650 GT maxi scooter. All of them were successful products that expanded the horizons of this established market segment and attracted many new customers to the brand. In an exclusive interview with BMW Motorrad, Edgar Heinrich talks about his passion for designing, collecting and restoring motorcycles of all kinds. </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>