114 BMW R1200GS Motorcycles Set Sail for 2016 GS Trophy

December 19, 2015

2016 BMW GS Trophy Prep

114 BMW R1200GS motorcycles set sail for Thailand and the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2016.

For the fifth time, the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy has invited the best GS riders from around the world to take part in an event with several daily legs and numerous special stages on Feb. 28 through March 5 in Thailand.

The national qualifying rounds have now built an impressive nineteen international teams, including a groundbreaking all female team. For seven days, they will be competing against each other as they trudge through the Ciang Mai Province in northern Thailand which is the location for this year’s International GS Trophy.

Read our What Exactly is the BMW GS Trophy?

Helping the riders along the way are their trusty R 1200 GS motorcycles, a total of 114 in all, which are currently being transported by sea to Thailand. Included in the bunch are 14 BMW 1200 GS Adventure bikes for use by the marshals of the event. Having already left BMW Motorrad headquarters in Munich, Germany, it will take roughly 40 days from Hamburg to arrive in their port of call: Laem Chabang.

To master the most extreme conditions that the teams will be facing on the GS Trophy course, certain aspects of the R 1200 GS bikes – which are already extremely well equipped in their standard form – have gone through a round of modifications. Select Original BMW Motorrad Accessories have been added to resist the adversities of the GS Trophy competition, which far exceed the norm. Things like an aluminum endure engine guard and steel crash bars, to protect the integral components to safety screws for the oil filler neck and a durable headlight guard round these bikes out.

On a tough journey, ergonomics and comfort are important. An adjustable footbrake lever and wider enduro footrests have been added, as well as Metzeler Karoo 2 off-road tires.

The conditions are set, the bikes have been shipped and the teams have been chosen for the 2016 International GS Trophy, with its unique combination of adventure, exotic cultures, new friendships and terrain of all shapes and sizes await this one of a kind off-road rally.