STUNNING SOUTH AFRICA CHOSEN AS BMW R1200GS LAUNCH SITE

Motoring press and select BMW dealers from every corner of the globe descended upon the prosperous town of George in South Africa to catch a sneak-peak and celebrate the launch of the all new, much anticipated BMW R1200GS motorcycle.

George lies on a coastal plateau eight kilometres from the Indian Ocean, at a junction along the Garden Route. Here, the main road continues to run along the coastline while an intersecting route heads north over the Outeniqua mountain range to the Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, famed for its ostrich farms and the Cango caves.

It’s no accident that BMW Motorrad selected this South African town as the launch site. It’s the perfect base from which biking enthusiasts can put the new motorcycle through its paces, providing ready access to a myriad of both tarred and dirt roads. These wind curvaceously through the dusty mountains for an off-road riding experience whereas well-surfaced streets offer the perfect cruising conditions as they dissect the luscious tropical coastal countryside.

Karoo Biking has it on good grounds that South Africa was chosen as the launch site for the excellent value for money the destination offers, its favourable climate and relatively easy accessibility with the influx of international flights. That said however, its vast and varied landscape and untouched beauty also provides the perfect backdrop for photo opportunities certain to show the stylish machine off to its best advantage.

Rest assured that Karoo Biking will be offering these for rental and on both self-guided and standard tours as soon as the BMW R1200GS is made available in South Africa.

BMW R1200GS The bikes are being washed for the next test ride

Rod Chapmann from “Motorcycle Sport and Leisure” is filling up his test-bike at a garage in Oudtshoorn

A group of English motorcycle journalists in Oudtshoorn