<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>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>The Animal Boat custom shop is heaven for vintage enthusiasts. Here, Japanese customizer Daisuke Mukasa rescues classic motorcycles from extinction – and brings them back to the race track with his Curry Speed Club. &nbsp; </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><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>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>If you’ve been riding a little less regularly over winter, or your prefer to hold off riding altogether until spring comes around, then you might find yourself a little rusty. We asked our own riding expert – Chief Instructor Ian Biederman – for a quick guide on getting back into the swing of things this spring. </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>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>“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>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><em>Squash Falconer has climbed Aconcagua in Argentina, summited Cho Oyu in Tibet. She once rode a motorbike to France, scaled Mt Blanc and then flew from the summit, all in a normal day for Squash! Her numerous adventures often involve bikes, but they’re usually a bit more off-road orientated, so it was about time she hit the track.</em> </p>

<p>British Superbike Race 1 saw Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) make a solid start and attach himself to Haslam, Ellison and Mossey from the off. The S 1000 RR rider was steady in fourth, riding well within himself. His fourth would soon become third as Ellison slid out of the lead.&nbsp;Further down, Peter Hickman (Smith’s BMW) again fought his way through the field to establish himself as the second fastest BMW. Much of his race was spent holding off former champion Brookes and chasing down Irwin. </p>

<p>The 50th Macau Grand Prix proved to be the best yet for BMW Motorrad as Peter Hickman led a BMW-podium lockout.&nbsp;Macau has always been the traditional end of season race for much of the racing world, one last big battle before the winter break. It carried on this tradition in 2016, once again producing a thrilling battle for victory for those race fans looking for one last big-bike battle. Heading into the race, Peter Hickman on the Bathams/SMT BMW was a clear favourite after achieving his first win at the circuit in 2015. But it was Martin Jessopp who, on the Riders BMW, claimed pole position, the BSB regular keen to break his win-less run at the Far Eastern track. With Macau specialist Michael Rutter taking the third spot on the grid, the 12-lap race was sure to be the usual thrilling affair. </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>The North West 200 is one of the fastest races held anywhere in the world where 200mph slipstreaming is just a part of the racing and the BMW S 1000 RR has just enjoyed a hugely successful weekend of races at the 2017 event. We sat down with Tyco BMW’s Technical Support expert Stewart Johnstone to run through a full lap of the event using the data collected by the highly-sophisticated telemetry system on the Superstock version ridden by 21 times North West 200 winner Alastair Seeley. </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>Designer Stephen Kenn is known for his minimalistic, puristic work. His philosophy: authentic vintage materials with a modern design style. The Californian's "Inheritance Collection" demonstrates particularly impressively how he reduces simple seating furniture down and then stylishly combines it with high-quality vintage materials. Because he is convinced: good design should have the simplest and most functional form and the materials used should carry history and the past into the here and now.</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>“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>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><em>Squash Falconer has climbed Aconcagua in Argentina, summited Cho Oyu in Tibet. She once rode a motorbike to France, scaled Mt Blanc and then flew from the summit, all in a normal day for Squash! Her numerous adventures often involve bikes, but they’re usually a bit more off-road orientated, so it was about time she hit the track.</em> </p>

<p>British Superbike Race 1 saw Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) make a solid start and attach himself to Haslam, Ellison and Mossey from the off. The S 1000 RR rider was steady in fourth, riding well within himself. His fourth would soon become third as Ellison slid out of the lead.&nbsp;Further down, Peter Hickman (Smith’s BMW) again fought his way through the field to establish himself as the second fastest BMW. Much of his race was spent holding off former champion Brookes and chasing down Irwin. </p>

<p>The 50th Macau Grand Prix proved to be the best yet for BMW Motorrad as Peter Hickman led a BMW-podium lockout.&nbsp;Macau has always been the traditional end of season race for much of the racing world, one last big battle before the winter break. It carried on this tradition in 2016, once again producing a thrilling battle for victory for those race fans looking for one last big-bike battle. Heading into the race, Peter Hickman on the Bathams/SMT BMW was a clear favourite after achieving his first win at the circuit in 2015. But it was Martin Jessopp who, on the Riders BMW, claimed pole position, the BSB regular keen to break his win-less run at the Far Eastern track. With Macau specialist Michael Rutter taking the third spot on the grid, the 12-lap race was sure to be the usual thrilling affair. </p>

<p>If you’ve never been to Goodwood, imagine this: <em>You’ve parked some cars and motorbikes on your lawn and you’ve invited your mates to race up your driveway in some classic race cars.</em> Well, if your name is Lord March and you own the vast historic Goodwood Estate in Chichester, that becomes a far more appealing concept. Especially when the ‘driveway’ is a legendary 1.2-mile long uphill tarmac ribbon that's hosted the most iconic cars and drivers in the world... </p>

<p>Chris Northover is the embodiment of a passionate motorcyclist. As a stunt rider, instructor, journalist and studied motorcycle engineer, he spends almost all of his free time on two wheels. He became well known after his 'Storm the embassy' video, which actually started out as a bit of fun between friends. In the interview, he reveals how the video was made, why he no longer has any free time, what he thinks of the G 310 R and what all of this has to do with longboarding. </p>

<p>If you’ve been riding a little less regularly over winter, or your prefer to hold off riding altogether until spring comes around, then you might find yourself a little rusty. We asked our own riding expert – Chief Instructor Ian Biederman – for a quick guide on getting back into the swing of things this spring. </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>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>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>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>The Animal Boat custom shop is heaven for vintage enthusiasts. Here, Japanese customizer Daisuke Mukasa rescues classic motorcycles from extinction – and brings them back to the race track with his Curry Speed Club. &nbsp; </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>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>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>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>Designer Stephen Kenn is known for his minimalistic, puristic work. His philosophy: authentic vintage materials with a modern design style. The Californian's "Inheritance Collection" demonstrates particularly impressively how he reduces simple seating furniture down and then stylishly combines it with high-quality vintage materials. Because he is convinced: good design should have the simplest and most functional form and the materials used should carry history and the past into the here and now.</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>An idea from the Netherlands caused a tingling sensation in the fingers of customising experts and fans of customised machines: in collaboration with a famous motorcycle magazine, famous motorcycle builders were invited to develop their very own custom version of the BMW R nineT. Then, from a shortlist of design sketches, the fans voted on which version would ultimately be built for all to see. The name of the idea alone sounds promising: BMW Soul Fuel Challenge.</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>Imagine you and your friends are heading out on a motorcycle trip from Europe to West Africa. And imagine you're not only fulfilling your own dream, you're also making one come true for disadvantaged children in Africa.</p> <p>That's exactly what a club called MotorCircus from Berlin plans to do. These guys are already well known in the BMW Motorrad community for their MissionManx road trip film. The film documented their trip to the Isle of Man for the most legendary motorcycle racing festival on the planet: the Classic TT. MotorCircus combines the love of customising, building and riding old BMW boxers with another passion altogether: While racking up miles, they raise money for a medical aid project in Serrekunda that they've been committed to since 2008.</p>

<p>“Alaska in August was… hot. Especially in full biker gear unwrapping the metres of plastic swathing my 1982 BMW R 80 ST, fresh from its packing crate, in the parking lot of the Fed-Ex building at Anchorage airport. Eighteen months previously I’d started prepping the bike (that is, completely rebuilding it) to fulfil my dream of riding the James W. Dalton Highway (the ‘Haul Road’), in the far north of this huge and sparsely populated state of the USA. The road is now famous all over the world from the TV series ‘Ice Road Truckers’. Due to the remoteness and often severe weather, it is recommended that motorcyclists do not ride this road alone, so I had originally booked to do this part of my trip with a tour company before going solo for the rest. Unfortunately they cancelled the 2015 tour, so I decided “what the hell, just do it”, and decided to ride this iconic road alone. Before travelling north to the Dalton Highway, I rode south from Anchorage down to the very end of the Kenai Peninsula and a stop at the Homer Spit campground. </p>

<p>Lottie, BMW Motorrad UK's Digital Marketing Manager, and Tom, a Motorcycle Marketing Assistant, both made their first visit to the now-legendary BMW Motorrad Days festival in Germany. If you've ever thought about making a trip to the biggest celebration of all things BMW Motorrad (but have wondered what actually takes place) then read on. </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>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>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>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>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>Richard Millington, Director of Motorrad Tours, explains why a simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer. If you had a blank piece of paper, what roads would be on your bucket list to ride? For many people the snap answer is “A Round the World Trip”, which is great but where would you actually go? </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><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>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>Comics carry us off into a colourful parallel universe. One where super heroes are fighting an endless battle against evil villains in an attempt to save the world. Riccardo Burchielli is the maker of comics like these. His current work was inspired by his love for BMW bikes.</p> <p>In the graphic novel "Riders in the Storm" by BMW Motorrad and Panini, Riccardo Burchielli has immortalized real-life motorcyclists in a futuristic plot about the struggle against evil. Without giving too much away, readers can expect strong female characters (but not in the way the comic scene is mostly known for), genetic engineering, monsters, evil assistants and, of course, motorcycles.</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>Manoeuvring motorcycles over dilapidated bridges, crossing rivers with the GS and changing tyres in a hurry: the International GS Trophy is an enduro challenge like no other.</p> <p>In 2016 it was time for the event once again. 19 teams from all over the world rode their BMW R 1200 GS motorcycles across northern Thailand. The GS riders conquered 1,400 kilometres, 19 special tests and seven daily stages. They crossed jungles, dams and rain forests, enduring brutal heat and high humidity. The sixth International GS Trophy left them physically exhausted but satisfied in every other respect. </p>

<p>The geographer and photographer Michael Martin explored a variety of different icy and dry deserts for the "Planet Desert" project. Martin circumnavigated the Earth four times in order to complete the project. The BMW R 1200 GS Adventure accompanied him on his journey.</p> <p>Martin has now returned from his journey - with a book weighing five kilos and the "Planet Desert" lecture of the same name. The 52-year-old reports from the most extreme zones of the planet and on his experiences with his motorcycle in the desert. </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>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>It was only a month ago that the stars and celebrities were walking down the red carpet in the European film capital Cannes. Now the film industry has returned to the Mediterranean city. At the Green Me Festival for Sustainability, environmental issues were discussed and prizes were awarded to films dealing with the topic of sustainability. Sustainability also plays a central role when it comes to the BMW C evolution, So the maxi scooter was in its element on the Côte d’Azur.</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>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>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>