Outback attack

The R 1200 GS is the most successful model in BMW Motorrad's eighty-six year history. Not only have the GS models created a legend, they have opened up the world for two-wheeled adventurers. Australia is very much GS country, with its vast expanses of open space, amazing and continually changing scenery and an abundance of unpaved roads.

Frenchman Eric Massiet du Biest was recently in Australia doing a final reconnaissance for GS Rallye Dundee 2009, a trilogy of tours. That will take French BMW GS riders not only into the interior of Australia, but according to Massiet du Biest, 'Into themselves as they test their ability to adapt to the varying conditions'.

In October the 4,000 km Brisbane - Darwin 'Voyagers Tour' will take the French riders up the coast and to the Great Barrier Reef, across the Gulf to Kakadu and on to Darwin. In November the 'Adventure Tour' will kick off in Perth and again head to Darwin. Both these tours over 16 and 18 days respectively will cover all the great sights and experiences and take riders into the dirt as well as bitumen roads.

The ultimate for riders with a degree of experience and ability will be the 26 day 'Explorers Tour' that sets out at the end of November. The 6,400 km from Perth to Brisbane will take riders across the continent through Kalgoorlie across the Victoria Desert and on to the Olgas and Uluru. From there the group will head down to Oodnadatta, Lake Eyre and on to Innamincka and Cunnamulla. GS Rallye Dundee 2009 has the full support of BMW Motorrad France.

Even before the bikes have been unloaded and readied GS Rallye Dundee 2009 has been a success with a full compliment of 20 riders booking in for each of the three journeys. In 2010 Eric is looking to repeat Dundee, this time with Belgian BMW riders.