Attendance record at the 13th BMW Motorrad Days
The 13th BMW Motorrad Days from July 5th to 7th 2013 was a success across the board. Last year's record attendance was outdone once again with a total of over 40,000 visitors from all over the world. Perfect biker weather, a record crowd, the 90th anniversary of BMW Motorrad and the richly diverse program of events and activities provided the perfect setting for the world's biggest BMW motorcycle get-together.A promising start on Thursday evening more than 700 bikers came to the Warm-Up Party at the BMW Museum in Munich to get into the mood for a superb weekend at the foot of the Zugspitz massif. Already on Friday there was a huge turn-out with attendance figures eventually exceeding all expectations. This was hardly surprising: in addition to all the attractions, new products, breathtaking stunts, motor racing stars and test rides, guests were also attracted by the event's now legendary party atmosphere.
Visitors from 40 nations. Three days were spent at the Hausberg in Garmisch with everything focused on two-wheel riding pleasure. Whether in the party tent, round the camp fire, on test rides or in the exhibition area - the spirit that bonds the friends of BMW Motorrad into one big community could be felt everywhere, regardless of age, origins or gender. Fans both with and without a motorcycle came not just from Germany and neighbouring countries but from 40 countries around the world. The longest journey was probably undertaken by a visitor who took the land route from China on this BMW.
Word has clearly got around that boredom is simply not an option at this event - and the program certainly offered lots of new, interesting and breathtaking activities. As a result, the 1.5-hectare camping area was full up throughout the entire weekend, and even though all beds in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the surrounding district were booked up, all guests still managed to find suitable accommodation in the area.
A journey through time: nine decades of BMW Motorrad
At the BMW Classic tent there was a special exhibition entitled '90 Years of BMW Motorrad' which took visitors off on a journey through time: milestones of the brand's history were displayed over an area of 500 square metres. These included the R32 dating back to 1923 and the K1, not to mention motor racing legends such as Gaston Rahier's winning bike at the Dakar Rally and various prototypes. And the new book '90 Years of BMW Motorrad' was presented in public for the first time.On Friday evening, guests joined up for the Classic Convoy with their vintage BMW motorcycles - including some genuine rarities.
New models and exciting studies
BMW Motorrad presented the current model range such as the new BMW F800GS Adventure at the big exhibition tent, not to mention an extensive range of rider equipment.Visitors were especially keen to see the BMW Concept Ninety, a concept study based closely on the BMW Motorrad design icon BMW R 90 S that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Roland Sands had been closely involved in creating the study with his customer bike design team and was in Garmisch in person to present this modern interpretation of a sporty boxer motorcycle.
The fact that this machine not only looks good but also moves fast was demonstrated by BMW Motorrad head designer Edgar Heinrich and American racing biker Valerie Thompson, who rode it for the first ever BMD Classic Boxer Sprint. Valerie Thompson is the fastest woman in the world on a BMW S 1000 RR and holds five speed records.
Top German model, TV host and actress Alena Gerber presented the electrically-powered pre-series scooter prototype C evolution in the event area.
