
As I was loading my bike, Sopan from Zigwheels and Rishad from AutoCar walked in. They were riding a R series and the brand new inline-6, 1600 GT. Now this was going to be fun riding with these guys who are professional riders and they ride to make a living. There were supposed to be two more guys, another Indian from Bombay, Mr. Keki Modi and a Scottish fellow from Dubai with a huge sense of humour by the name of Kevin Hughes. Keki was riding the K1300R, one of my favourites and Kevin was riding the HP2 Sport which became one of my favourites! And ride was being led by Mr Christian Endres himself, one of the main responsible persons for imports, riding a GS 1200 as well.
And the bike that they give me to ride to the fairWelcome to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

There were motorcycles flowing around the town of Garmisch- Partenkirchen. The scent of a motorcycle festival was in the air. Surrounded by mountains topped with white cream, this beautiful small town provided the perfect backdrop for a roaring motorcycling fiesta! The crowds were beginning to pour in and the first evening count was closing in on 20,000 participants! But organisation by BMW was crisp and efficient like their machines with a regular dedicated bus fleet shuttling participants to and from their hotels and for bikers, parking was ample.

The Band that made a difference...

BMW Motorrad Munich had provided me with a press band on my wrist that worked like an access card and I could move around freely amongst restricted areas, shoot at will, check out their online Facebook and other Social Media teams in conversation with the world regarding the Motorrad Days. This band also gave me magical access to practically unlimited breakfast, lunch and sumptuous dinner spreads of the tastiest meats from some of the local piggeries and cow sheds. I also got to taste a lot of German beer and some good white and red wines! And all this was happening around some very interesting discussions around BMW motorcycles. The North American team was an interesting bunch. They were dedicated in their work, fun-loving in their partying, warm and helpful to fellow men and really good in their motorcycling knowledge.
The BMW Motorrad North American Team

The Pretty Bavarian girl in typical Bavarian attire who was the hostess at our table

The Food at our table

It was 10 in the evening, the sun was setting, the arc lights had come on and the band on stage was livening up the crowd. The merriness had just begun!
Good ol' American Rock and Roll... party time!

Night was falling... a view of the tents that were the stands of the various representing companies and teams

End of Day 1... more to come... soon...

Day 2The Older Race Spec

The Newer Race Spec Look at the difference in the exhaust systems.

Full Carbon Fibre

Full Taxi!

Wheelie Trial Machine No helmet required. No knee guards required. You just have to get a hang of the thing!

Husqvarna Practice Track

Sexy Lineup!

The BMW Motorrad online team replying to questions and reporting worldwide over the web!

BMW Classics Bikers from India, go do your homework and tell us what this is and the history behind the bike!

The afternoon was dedicated in meeting the BMW Motorrad Munich folks whom I had met in India in 2010, mostly responsible for Marketing and Imports. An intense two hour discussion followed regarding plans in India.
Ronald Moeller

Hans Blesse

Unfortunately the rains kept coming in intermittently and heavily through the day. Late in the afternoon I finally had to rule out a ride completely for the day. I went back to the hotel to freshen up and for the evening concert. Myrrd Davis, the responsible for BMW Motorrad US for Events, helped me with the huge GS out of the parking which by now had begun to resemble the tropical swamplands of Sundarbans!
BMW Motorrad Days 2011 at Garmisch-Partenkirshen, Welcome! - YouTubeEvent Courtesy BMW Motorrad
Visit Invite by BMW Motorrad
Text and Photos: Krishnendu. KEN, supported by Deutsche Motoren, New Delhi.
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