Troy finished the test early, thanks to a collision with a bird early in the afternoon of day two. He was going about 230 kph, when he hit the bird and the force of the impact on Troy’s left bicep was enough to wrench his left hand off the handlebars. Somehow Troy managed to keep the control of the bike and not crash, but the doctors advised him to sit out the rest of the day. Ruben continued his learning curve and was happy to end up far more comfortable with his S 1000 RR by the end of the test.

Troy (97 laps, best lap 1:32.9)
The tests went very well, though it’s a real shame that I had to finish early because we still had lots more to try out. But, I guess I’m lucky that I didn’t crash and hurt myself badly when I hit the bird. I’m really not sure how I managed to stay on the bike, because it’s not easy when you’ve only got one hand on the bars, but somehow I was able to recover. I had seen the bird on the track and tried to avoid it by going up the inside.

But instead of staying put, or flying away from my bike, it flew up right in front of me. Hitting a one kilo or so bird at over 230 kph is like hitting a brick wall, so I’m lucky that my injury isn’t any worse. We have learnt a lot in these two days and I’ve been able to get a better idea of how the bike works in different conditions and set-ups. What I can say though, is that my S 1000 RR feels as good as any other bike I’ve ever ridden round here.

Ruben (114 laps, best lap 1:33.5)
Generally I’m happy with the tests and how they went and it’s been really good to get more kilometres under my belt. I’m getting used to the S 1000 RR and it’s becoming more and more comfortable for me. We’ve done a lot of work here and made good progress so I’m pleased about our prospects for next weekend. We tried many different set-ups and have given the technicians lots to think about. Now we need to put everything together and keep on improving, but I am confident that this team will get better and better each time we go to the racetrack.

Photos by Kel Edge

For more information on the BEC, please visit http://enduronews.com/events/diss/muntjac.htm.

As a part of the 2009 U.S. stimulus package  signed by President Obama on February 17th 2009, you can write-off the taxes paid on a new motorcycle purchase on your 2009 Taxes. That is, as long as you’re single and make less that $125,000 per year, you’re married and jointly you make less than $250,000 per year and the motorcycle in question costs less than $49,500.

Can I get a WOOT! WOOT!

Following the Portugese test, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport had two days at the Circuit de la Communitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, where thanks to the commitment of both Troy and Ruben, and a tremendous all round effort, the team left the circuit happy and in a positive mood. Troy comfortably got into the low 1:36s, completing more than 150 laps, with Ruben improving strongly throughout to finish with a 1:36.5 after completing 106 laps - all on standard tyres.

The team now has a better understanding of the task ahead and will be spending the next few weeks analysing the data in preparation for the first round of the season in Australia. Behind the scenes meanwhile, production of the BMW S 1000 RR serial machine is getting underway in Germany.

This year’s Superbike World Championship has attracted a record number of entrants and no less than seven manufacturers will be involved, so the challenge to the team is a huge one. The team will be at a disadvantage this season because, unlike most or all of their competitors, they will not have any previous data with which to work with when they get to a track.

Each circuit this year will present a new challenge and so Troy, Ruben and the team will have to try and get up to speed with their bike set-ups in record time at every one of the 14 rounds if they are to have a chance of a good result. This season is not just a ‘learning year’ because everybody involved is determined to do the very best they can and try and pull off a surprise or two.

Australia’s double World Superbike champion, Troy Corser and the Spaniard Ruben Xaus have been working closely with their team to ensure that their factory prepared BMW S 1000 RR Superbike will be ready for the season opener, which begins on 27 February. The occasion will bring with it a huge amount of interest and media coverage - both nationally and internationally- with the Australian fans being the first to see the new 4-cylinder machine in full race trim.

As a result BMW Motorrad Australia will host a Hospitality marquee for BMW owners, enthusiasts and special guests who will be able to gather trackside to mark this historic occasion.

“BMW Motorrad’s debut in the 2009 Superbike World Championship is very exciting, not only for BMW but also for our BMW owners, enthusiasts and motorsport fans,” said Cameron Cuthill, General Manager for BMW Motorrad Australia. “Having a dedicated facility will really allow us to capture that unique passion and provide our guests with a complete experience. We are very fortunate, as not only do we have one of Australia’s best riders aboard the new superbike, but Phillip Island will also host the international debut of this amazing bike.”

For Corser, the chance to debut the all-new BMW S 1000 RR Superbike in front of his home fans is one that he will cherish for many years to come.

“All those who have been involved in the design and development of the BMW S 1000 RR have worked extremely hard and at this very early stage of its development everyone is very happy with the progress being made”, said Corser. “Being able to race the bike for the very first time in front of my home crowd and especially at a track like Phillip Island will be an honour. The team has a strong Australian feel about it as I have Tom Larson working with me as my Chief Engineer, so we’re both hoping to do well over the weekend.”

There is an incredible build up of anticipation for the team as the opening rounds looms closer, with many eager to see and hear the BMW S 1000 RR in anger. Practice for the opening round of the championship begins on Friday 27 February, with the two World Superbike Championship races scheduled for Sunday 1 March. If any BMW enthusiasts are planning to travel to Australia to follow the action live, and would like to be a guest at the Corporate Hospitality facility, three-day tickets are available for purchase at $645 per person (inc guest). For more information, please contact Motorrad Events by emailing motorradevents@bigpond.com

The package of this completely newly developed motorcycle with its 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is very compact and light. The dry weight of the motorcycle is 183 kg.

Both its supreme performance figures and its outstanding riding properties make the BMW S 1000 RR an extremely attractive offer in the supersports segment.

The engine has a very compact cylinder head and is narrow in shape. The valves are activated by means of very small, light cam followers, virtually at Formula 1 level in terms of their dimensions. This construction ensures very high engine speeds and allows maximum freedom in engine design in terms of torque and output.
For the supersports bike BMW S 1000 RR, a completely newly developed sports ABS featuring four different modes as well as the dynamic traction control system DTC will be available. The functional principle of the traction control system has been borrowed directly from racing.
The distinctive design of the S 1000 RR reflects the general style of the segment but also clearly represents the brand BMW. The new S 1000 RR will be available in the four finishes Mineral Silver metallic, Acid Green metallic, Thunder Grey metallic and - based on the BMW Motorrad racing colours - Alpine White/Lupine Blue/Magma Red.

The serial production machine BMW S 1000 RR will be presented to the public in the early summer of 2009 but can already be ordered in dealerships. In 2009 the price of the S 1000 RR in Germany is 15,150 euros incl. VAT.

One of the featured riders is Brienne Thomson, who made it through to the last six during the American team selection process for the inaugural International GS Trophy event in Tunisia. The “twenty-something” dirt bike fan teaches English to international college students at San Diego State University. She currently owns a G 650 Xchallenge but is willing to ride anything - including the big R 1200 GS that she rode for the selection trials at Spartanburg in South Carolina. The picture, which is currently featuring in top US bike magazines such as Cycle World and Rider, was taken after a day of gruelling tests and challenges, and conveys a definite sense of realism, showing rider and bike in a truly authentic setting.

“This picture was taken just after our ‘Spartanburg Six’ team rode, pushed, pulled and carried several R 1200 GS bikes down and through a wet creek bed, over logs and in-between trees, and then - since we apparently weren’t destroyed enough - all the way back again! I wasn’t just exhausted in the picture - I was beat,” said Brienne. “Also, as an Xchallenge rider, my technical experience on the bigger GS models was limited, to say the least. So when I found out that we’d be riding the R 1200 GS for the Spartanburg Six judgment instead of the F 800 GS, I took it as a weightier challenge … literally!”

Despite the physical exhaustion and having a swollen back from picking up the big GS again and again, Brienne thinks it was all worth the pain and that she would definitely go through the experience another time. Adventure is in her blood though, as is shown by her love of the ‘great outdoors’, counting running, mountain biking, road bike riding, skydiving, scuba diving, hiking, camping and even triathlon among her many hobbies. Brienne learnt to ride motorcycles after finishing college and within 18 months had started road racing. She started riding dirt bikes in order to improve her overall riding skills, but fell in love with it, owning a variety of smaller-capacity off-road machines before deciding on BMW’s big single-cylinder G 650 Xchallenge.

“My Xchallenge has taken me through the deserts and mountains of California and to the RawHyde Ranch - BMW’s outstanding dual-sport training center in Castaic, California. I love the bike’s lightweight and supple ‘dirtbike-esque’ handling, especially compared to the larger more street oriented models. It has the motor to get up anything and the capabilities to easily handle tight, technical trails.”

According to Brienne, featuring in one of the official BMW Motorrad USA print ads and seeing her image in bike magazines nationally is just “an unanticipated by-product of enjoying life” and she is looking forwards to hearing from old friends or riders who discover the advertisement while reading this month’s bike magazines. Also featuring in the series adverts are American GS Trophy team members Jason Adams and Jimmy Lewis, and there are currently plans to extend this campaign to cover the F 800 GS as well as the exciting, powerful new line of K Series bikes.

Unofficially though, many American BMW riders have been inspired by this ‘real riders’ ad campaign - so much so that one of them even created his own advertisement. BMW Motorrad USA liked this concept so much that they decided to make a ‘real riders’ template available for other BMW owners to insert a picture of themselves on their bike, add a title of their choice and then show it the world! The response to this facility has been fantastic, according to Shahram Shiva.

“We have had both male and female riders respond, via our BMWXplor.com website and most of the entries are on GS bikes, as you’d imagine. I think this is a concept that could take off internationally though, as BMW riders have a very special bond with their motorcycles and they would be eager to create their own ads if the opportunity is provided - and especially if there is a good online venue for these ads to be displayed.”

Shahram believes that BMW riders are naturally more adventurous than other riders and that the latest advertising campaign reflects the Unstoppable nature of typical owners, who want to ride further and faster than other riders - and to more exciting places.

“I think, in the US at least, motorcyclists come to BMW because they want to experience more than just riding their bikes to a bike night, or a weekend gathering. So, typically, a BMW rider would be more interested in the world and more seriously into riding their bikes. They buy BMWs to actually use, rather than pose or just go fast for a few miles on a Sunday morning. It’s the brand for serious riders.”

A&S DUCATI INVITES YOU TO THE MONSTER 1100 S NATIONAL PREMIERE WEEKEND
Saturday, January 10th

In typical A&S style, we’re opening our doors for an open house that promises to be memorable. What’s in store?

Aftershocks Suspension Phil Douglas:
Due to overwhelming demand, Phil will be here on-site to custom tune your bikes suspension to fit you and your unique riding style. Charging a reduced rate of only $20, you can’t pass up this opportunity!

BBQ Lunch:
Our infamous barbeque lunch will be complementary once again. Bon appetite!

Bikes, Bikes and more Bikes:
Although we’ve just opened our Ducati doors, we have plenty of bikes on the floor!

Parts, Apparel and Accessories:
We’re still getting ramped up in this area, but we’ll have a sample of what you can expect in the weeks to come.

Debut of the Monster 1100 S
The bike that started the naked bike revolution has been reborn and is, once again, breaking all the rules. The new Monster weighs in at an astonishing 47lbs less than its closest class competitor and the power of its 1100cc air-cooled engine give it an impressive power-to-weight ratio. The M1100 S combines the carnal nakedness of the original Monster with the latest technology and styling. An icon of individuality, features like removable tank panels make the M1100 S the perfect platform for personalization.

Where:
A&S Ducati
1125 Orlando Avenue
Roseville, CA 95661

When:
Saturday, January 10th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, please contact A&S Ducati at 800.689.9893.

Offer ends December 31st 2008 or while supplies last and is subject to availability and credit approval. Total cost for the free BMW Accessories can’t exceed the rebate amount.

New Print Campaign with “Real Riders”

Our new print ad campaign will return to using actual BMW owners, instead of those robot-looking fashion models we’ve all seen too much of in motorcycle advertising. Some of you may remember our famous “handwriting” campaign from 2001-2003 and product catalogues which also used actual BMW owners - this will be very similar.

The first two ads for the R 1200 GS, attached here, show Brienne Thomson and Jason Adams from their participation in the Spartanburg Six test. These two ads will appear in the February 2009 issues of the main cycle books. The upcoming F 800 GS ads will use photography from the International GS Trophy in Tunisia.

“If only the passing lane had a passing lane”

At this moment we are looking for K-bike owners who would be appropriate for a mini-portrait campaign on the new K 1300 S and K 1300 GT. We are looking for riders who won’t look too badly in front of a camera, but not models - real people who are comfortable around bikes and around other riders.

For the K 1300 GT we are looking for a loving couple, mid-30’s to mid-50’s accustomed to taking long rides together two-up. For the K 1300 S a hip-looking, fit guy in the same age range. Neither bike would be ridden as they are pre-production models - these are portraits taken with the bike. We’d add a link on the ad to the rider’s web profiles and bios on our XPLOR website and link that to all other K-Bike owners on XPLOR. (That’s why they do need to be current K-Bike owners.) We’ll ask these rider/models to provide some testimonials on the bikes they already ride and what they hope to experience when the new K 1300 bikes come out next year.

“Riding is too much pleasure to be left to the men alone”

In addition, we are shooting for a Woman’s Brochure, BMW’s first in almost a decade. In this case we are looking for women who are BMW owners at ages that span the spectrum. For the woman’s brochure some riding would be necessary, but we don’t need fancy stunt riding. We are looking for three to six riders. If you have a current model bike, we can shoot you with that: otherwise will we have a couple of other models available. In this case again, we’d hope for riders who are active bloggers or web users who can be role-models for non-riding women, who can then be inspired by the brochure to join the sport and discover how amazing it is to ride a bike (and a BMW, of course.)

Location, Location

Although this email is going to XPLOR members and riders all over the country, all photography taken will be in the Los Angeles area, so the riders/models should be from that area or willing to ride or otherwise get themselves to the area in question. Riders will be suitably compensated and local travel, hotels etc. will be reimbursed.

Contact Us

Interested? Know someone who fits the bill? Email both Shahram Shiva at shahram.shiva@bmwna.com and Polly Penna at Oblique Design (the ad agency that is coordinating the photo shoot) at polly@obliquedesign.com. They will compile responses and get back immediately to those who hit our short list.

The Dates

K-Bike Shoot - December 9-10

Woman’s Brochure Shoot - December 11-12

What We Need You to Provide Us

Send us pictures of yourself (preferably in riding gear, and with helmet off) and your bike (whatever your currently own). If you have a blog or site were you post often, provide this information too. That you be active in the riding community is a big plus as we are looking not just for models, but in end, for BMW ambassadors as well. Include a short paragraph as to why you love your BMW, and why you love to ride.

When You Need to Do It

Right now! The photo shoot is in just two weeks!

Remember that although you might not be selected at this time, we will build a file of BMW owner/models and there will be many future opportunities to gain your 15 minutes of fame!

Best wishes,

Laurence Kuykendall

Community & Communications Manager

BMW Motorrad USA

200 Chestnut Ridge Road

Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677