BMW Motorrad East Rand unveiling.
The team from Motorrad East Rand really do put on a good show as we saw with the R1300GS launch a few weeks ago, and this time, for the smaller Adventures it was no less enjoyable or exciting. We arrived early on Friday morning with all the bikes veiled in black cloth and disco smoke machines puffing away gently adding to the excitement. We got in a little bit early to make sure we got a good vantage point and as the hour drew nearer more and more people started filtering in in anticipation. Snacks and beverages were laid on and what a selection there was. If you left hungry or thirsty that was your own fault.
At 9 o’clock on the nose Rodney gathered the masses of people around the bike with a short welcoming speech, the music got louder, the smoke machines started double clutching and the team whipped off the cover to a huge applause and crowded around the new machines… And what beauties they are.Â
They had the full selection of F800 and F900GS’s for us to gawp and ooh and ahh at, some with the full enduro package and other with just a set of knobbly tyres fitted and yet other in stock guise.
With a lot of camera flashes going off, many people trying them out for size and comfort and others gathering around the bikes to discuss the new features and the merits thereof.
The Bikes:
The F900GS in the HP Motorsport with the Enduro Package is a firm crowd favourite and comes kitted out to the max with fully adjustable suspension front and rear, steel bash plate, enduro footpegs, taller windshield, aggressive tyres, steel reinforced brush guards…. plus, plus, plus. Coming in a close second were the other F900GS’s with the bright red frames and in the Sao Paulo yellow paintwork, one with road tyres and one with knobblies and a slightly lower spec with a fewless adjustments on the suspension a plastic bash plate and plastic handguards but also somewhat easier on the pocket, but no less capable in the dirt to the average rider. All three bikes come standard with Akrapovic pipes and the very sexy modern off-road styled headlights.
F900GS Adventure and F800GS also garnered a lot of attention, with the more traditionally styled GS headlight and slightly more recognisably designed bodywork and looks. And keeping to their standard format, the Adventure is quite a big machine and a bit more conservative in their appeal. Engine guards and steel bash plates do seem to be the order of the day as is the rear carrier. The F800GS is the entry model into this class for BMW Motorrad replacing the F750GS, which in our humble opinion was an exceptionally underrated machine by the buying public and we loved every second we spent in that saddle, so we have great expectations for the new F800GS.
We’ll let you know as soon as BMW Motorrad allows the media to ride them.
BMW Motorrad East Rand does have demos available and the queue is quite long to get a ride, but do get down to Boksburg, stick your butt in the seat of your favourite model and go for a ride. Rodney tells us they will happily trade in any premium brand, good condition, late model motorcycle and even just buy them in for cash if you like. They have finance available, full parts, accessories and hot shot professional workshop.
For more information or to chat to BMW MOTORRAD EAST RAND click here
