2009 GS Challenge

I have this pending sense of doom, perhaps brought forward by the international (soon to be local) financial turmoil. I have read on wheels 24 that Mercedes and BMW is in merger talks (what to believe - 3 months ago I would have laughed at it, but now, who knows?)

I attended my first GS Challenge last year and I enjoyed it a lot. There are always people that will say things like "it was not as good as last year", etc. But leaving the Challenge last year, I promised myself that I will never miss one, as far as is humanly possible.

Given all the problems internationally - what do you think are the chances of us having a GS Challenge this year? And if there is one, will it be scaled down, or will we as loyal riders be expected to pay a lot more to attend?

On the 2008 Challenge, I have only 1 criticism - the previous challenge was always followed up (on the website) by a few riders reports, pictures that were submitted by riders on the challenge etc. But this year, following the challenge, there was only one ride report, and NOTHING else. It was as if it never happened. I would have loved to see and read the perspectives of other people. Could it be that a total clampdown on the challenge came into effect after the tragic accident? I would think that BMW is sitting on a bit of a PR nightmare in that regard.

I would love to hear the views of the GS'ers and prospective GS'ers on this forum.

Must say, their way of handling the tragic side of the 2008 event - at the event as well as the silence after - left a bitter taste in my mouth. 2008 was also my first, went alone and rode alone, got to know very few people (but good ones) and I enjoyed it overall. So having joined the club this year I am sure it will be even better riding with new friends.

Whether it is going to happen? Well, seems like BMW bike sales are going strong, so if it was based on that alone I am sure there will be an event. I dunno what the car sales are like and what pressures the SA company are under, just know that if they up the price more than a few hundred rand I will not consider. And I just think that some things on offer are there for snob value, I can do with less - rather spend more money on marshalls, route safety/medical, GPS tracks that work and so on.

Agree completely - I would rather be eating braaivleis all weekend long under a tree, have decent GPS information with decent route markings and marshalls and still go, than pay R4k to lounge around the campsite, irritated at the days ride because of a lack of consistent riding.

I have heard a little birdie sing that there might be an alternative next year, one that brings a little more ruggedness (in line with what the GS stands for).

I was under the impression that the 2008 GS challenge enjoyed some television coverage on Super Sport?

And why have you not kick started (pun intended) the feedback by writing & submitting your rider report with photos?

I'm really looking forward to my first GS Challenge this year, so I really hope that it will take place. I doubt that the accident will put the brakes on something like this - just like the Dakar is still going strong despite a number of fatalities. At any rate, any publicity is good publicity, unfortunately...

I've noticed that since last year they have placed a limitation on the number of riders that can participate. That certainly seemed to have an impact on the registration fees. This makes me to believe that BMW does not contribute more, or less - the balance is taken up by the participants. And looking at the registration fees over the last couple of years, they just go in one direction - up. But I do have a hunch that we can expect an inflationary increase if they don't go and make the event even more exclusive...

I also believe that in tough times, companies will focus first on the stuff that hurts them from an income statement perspective - and I believe the only area actually growing within BMW is the motorcycle division I firmly believe they would rather go and cut on some advanced motor vehicle driving course than the GS challenge. Or they may just not give away a new motorbike as a skills challenge prize this year!

But we're living in a land of opportunity, so if BMW quits on the GS challenge, I'm sure that the GS challenge won't quit on us. Someone, or some club (*wink wink*) may just take over the event (with the assistance of some other sponsors too).

Although I did not have time to do a ride report afterwards, but I did send them a few pictures I took on the way there and on the ride...
When I sent them, the lady said that they will post them on the site at a later stage. ...

Anyway, here are a few pictures...

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What amazing pics.
Such a pity that there aren't more reports after the event.
Even for those who haven't experienced the GS Challenge, how great to share it with others !

I'll loudly echo that

deonp wrote:.....Even for those who haven't experienced the GS Challenge, how great to share it with others !

wil graag the GS challenge beleef maar jong daai ouens is rof kyk net vir SG soos hy daar sit en oorie plaas staar

very nice pics, thanks for sharing

die challenge is so rof soos jy dit wil he...

I was keen to do the challenge last year but finances were an issue. I would still like to do it, but keep this in mind, for the same price as the challenge, you can do the weekend at Country Trax. I know they are different experiences but rather spend the money on training and then on the event at a later stage.

I don't want to speak out of turn here, but the fatality as well as other injuries that have occurred have been with riders that did not attend the course. I am not saying a course will prevent an accident but my view is it goes a long way to preparing you.

For me first some decent off road courses and then tackle a challenge, if funds allow.

The original statement was wondering if the event will take place. I believe it will, no matter what the cost there will always be those among us that will pay it. A higher cost may make it more exclusive but at what cost to the sport of dual sport riding?

No one knows what will happen until the announcements are made. I think there is still more than sufficient interest in the event to warrant its continued existence.

Morpheus

The country trax course is still something that I will do at some stage. However, I believe that offroad riding has a lot to do with common sense, and one can learn a lot through time in the saddle and riding with someone with more experience. I found that fear of falling is sometimes the reason why you will fall. One needs to be decisive in doing offroad, hesitancy creates havoc. Decisiveness has nothing to do with increased speed!! Besides all that - it is not called a challenge for nothing! Why bother doing it if you are 100% sure you can complete it???

Last years challenge was my first, and I did the orange route. I managed to complete it easy enough (had one silly spill at very low speed on a sharp turn with slippery leaves). I did quite a bit of competitive mountainbiking many moons ago and quite a bit of the skill required in offroad motorcycling comes from there. Some good practice would be to do a bit of downhill exercise on a mountainbike.
Back to the topic - I would agree that the event will continue to exist, am more worried that the nature of the event will become more exclusive than inclusive.

As far as I know the GS Challenge will go ahead this year, for sure, I think the format will change however.

The fact that KTM has moved the Rally Raid to May, in stead of having it at the same time time as the GS Challenge means two things to me:

a) They do not want to "share" a week-end with the opposition. BMW and KTM competes for the same media at the same time.

b) The location of the KTM RR is in Natal (Kranskop) this year, maybe the GSC will be in the same area.

I would love to do the GSC this year, and will see closer to the time.

Here are some more stuff on the forum of the 2008 GSC:
http://bmwclubs.heavenforum.org/gs-challenge-f44/

The Challenge is definitely on this year. The format will be totally different than previous years. A little birdie told me we will use the GS's as they are supposed to be, rather than trying to negotiate the extreme technical stuff. BTW, the X Challenges will not be smiling like they did last year . The price will also be considerably cheaper, depending on your preferences

That is all I can say for now.... BMW will probably make an official announcement in due course

Here are my 2008 GSC solo pics, geocaching there and back, starting with my favourite one...

So that's how viral marketing works... I'm already looking forward.

Drix, in that first picture... it actually looks as if the tree is showing you the middle finger...

Wow.. great pics.. thanks!
Ek moet net eers Sani oorleef.

Tx Marnus. Daar gaan my screen saver down the drain.

focus on the bike...
Its a beautiful picture.

It looks beautiful on a cell phone as background - might just swing me to a GSA one day... not yet!

dakardrix wrote:Tx Marnus. Daar gaan my screen saver down the drain.

En lyk my ook die hele thread..................................

Well, you don't want to tell us more about this year...?

I swore an oath of silence to the Fuhrer. But do not worry it will all be revealed soon

Was at the Sabie mini GS Challenge over the weekend. Was frightening to hear the number of people say that they do not think there will be a GS challenge this year.... Luckily I have the benefit of this forum to know that the event will happen...

Maybe the organisers just need to put a public message on www.bmwmotorrad.co.za that there will be one this year...