BMW's GS Trophy, Tunisia!

[Shadetree]

Guys, sorry I haven't been hanging out here since my brief visits around the time of our April Fool's ride. If you missed Troy's picture in Adventure Motorcycle/Dual Sport News, be sure to check out back issues. It'll make a great dartboard!

Also, I have been asked by BMW North America to share some news with you about their upcoming GS Trophy Competition in Tunisia this October. If you haven't heard of the GS Trophy, here's what it's all about. As most of you know, BMW is releasing their new F800GS this fall. To showcase the launch, they have arranged a competition between Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan and the United States. To date, I have been fortunate enough to hang until the final cut which will be this coming Thrusday in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Below is the official BMW press release on the competition.

Bill Dragoo
Norman, Oklahoma

One final test remains for USA GS hopefuls

After a lengthy selection process, BMW Motorrad USA is close to revealing its line-up of three riders to represent the United States at the inaugural international GS Trophy event this October.



The prospect of a week-and-a-half riding in Tunisia on F 800 GS bikes with teams from Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain captured the imagination of GS fans throughout the United States, and nearly 100 riders made the first stage of the application process to be considered for Team USA. These riders were subject to an email ‘mental test’ specifically designed by a dedicated BMW team of moto-psychologists to determine whether potential participants had the right credentials to progress through to the next stage.



From the 96 initial applications – in many cases from superlative off-road riders with great experience and skill – the team selectors chose 20 semi-finalists that demonstrated the required levels of riding excellence, teamwork, character, physical fitness, a true love of the GS segment – and of course, a sense of humour under conditions of great stress.



All 20 successful riders were informed separately that they had advanced to the next round, while the 76 who didn't ‘make the cut’ will receive a gift from BMW Motorrad to say thanks for participating and to encourage them to try again in 2009. The 20 International GS Trophy semi-finalists that remained were then subjected to further tests and all four judges commented that the process was quite difficult and took a lot of time to determine a final shortlist. The six chosen riders would then be invited at BMW’s expense to participate in further testing at the BMW Performance Center, in Spartanburg, SC, on August 28.



This, final test, will decide which of the ‘Spartanburg Six’ (as they have become known) will become the ‘Tunisia Three’ who will go on to represent the United States in the International GS Trophy in October. As BMW Motorrad USA’s Laurence Kuykendall explains, just getting down to the final six riders has been an extremely difficult task for his team:



“We’ve not only had many excellent riders to chose from, but the criteria was complex too, including not only riding ability and experience, but more intangible qualities like teamwork, personality, physical and psychological fitness, and the capability to spread the BMW faith. It would have been equally easy to end up with six other, equally deserving names, as the standard was so high, but as a consolation, there is always next year, when we will require new riders for the 2009 GS Trophy – wherever it might be!”



The six riders who will be evaluated at BMW’s Performance Center in Spartanburg on 28 August (to determine the final three) come from all over the USA and include Jason Adams from New York; Bill Dragoo from Oklahoma; Kevan Harder from California; Brad Hendry from Colorado; Jim Stoddard from New York and Brienne Thompson from California.



One of the ‘Spartanburg Six’ is Bill Dragoo, who is delighted at his selection and at the age of 52, will be the oldest competitor: “I feel blessed to make the cut as one of the six finalists for BMW’s GS Trophy in Tunisia and can’t wait to compete alongside four other men and one woman in Spartanburg, South Carolina. For me, this is the chance of a lifetime and should I succeed at Spartanburg, it will be the culmination of a lifetime of preparation for just such a challenge. It is a chance for one last hurrah, (hopefully not quite the last) and to represent the United States in a World Class event. I appreciate the prayers and support of my friends across Oklahoma and beyond.”



Also, there is a female competitor among the ‘Spartanburg 6’. Brienne Thomson is a highly competitive young motorcyclist, who has racing experience both on- and off-road. She also competes quite successfully in triathlon events.



Brienne Thomson: “The ability to ride with the best at BMW Performance Center on a brand new BMW F 800 GS is going to be an experience – an everlasting memory – no matter what happens. I’m honoured to be a part of the GS Trophy. As the only female in this high-ranking group, I will do my best to be an inspiration to other females to be involved in this sport of adventure. I am fully prepared to go to Tunisia; I have been to Africa before and I can’t wait to go back.”



We wish the ‘Spartanburg 6’ much success on their technical trials at the BMW Performance Center on 28 August.

[Hank Moody]

Good luck Bill we will keeping our fingers crossed for you. Be sure and ask the BMW folks if they are going to have a Husqvarna dealership in the KC area...

[Hayden]

If you could sneek one of those 800s out for me.......that would be grand


Just saw one of the 650 twins up on the Demster this month on my way back from Inuvik. Slick no doubt and about the same sized as my Dakar.




Hayden

[troy]

This really is exciting, Bill! I'm rooting for you despite the fact you suggested my picture could be used as a dart board.

[Shadetree]

I did that to see if you read the danged magazine! I see it worked.

I knew you'd take it in the spirit it was intended. You, my friend, deserve all the heckling you get. It's like the best coach getting the ice chest. We really do love you, Man.

Bill

[Nobiman]

Go get 'em Bill! Good luck!

(BMW's are the second best euro bike in the world! Ha!) OOOOOOORRRANGE Power!!!!!!!

Randy.

[Shadetree]

Hey, Guys. Sorry to let everyone down. The deal is, I rode pretty dang good. Most agreed I was easily in the top three and my score supported that. I goofed big time in the sand extraction test. I am not a big GS rider...only had a few hours training. The others except for Brianne have considerable boxer experience. I fought that beast getting unstuck, when I really just needed to pivot the danged thing on the head and ride it out. I've practiced levering it out in dry sand with good success, so didn't learn the next step. Anyway, I lost my cool. I'd done so well until then I was humiliated to be struggling and let it show. I also thought I had a poor spot since my place, deepest in the pit, was uphill and the hole I was in was filling with water as fast as I could lift the rear wheel. I made a comment, "That hole is filled with water. Put me on the other end and I'll get the bike out." Nothing major, but poor sportsmanship all the same. I had trained for everything but losing. My bad big time. That set the judges against me to the extent that a close finish cost me the spot. Lesson learned and honestly, it's fine. I had a great time and met some fantastic guys and gals. I wouldn't trade it. Thanks to you all for your support and prayers. I hope to be back next year! Here are some photos and a link to my blog for the latest updates.
http://albums.phanfare.com/3784232/2...ageID=44957973
http://www.bmwxplor.com/riders/Shadetree

[safiri]

"Let everbody down"!?!?!?! I don't think so.

Congrats on making it as far as you did. And as to "losing your cool" ... Gee, a 500 lb bike stuck in sloppy sand ... Hard enough to extract my 400 lb F650 or 300 lb LC4 from deep, nasty sand, let alone a big ole R-GS. You did well.

BTW, looking at your photo site, I saw a bicycle hoisted over your head after completing the TransAmerican bicycle trail. Congrats on that. I do some road and MTB riding here in KC and have crossed KS a few times, but nothing as extreme as C-to-C. Way to pack, too, as that bike didn't have much gear on it.

Looking forward to riding with you again, errr, being on the same ride, as I can't keep up ...
Mike.

[ajayhawkfan]

Sounds like you did great to me. With all you learned about a GS how about sharing it with others (me). We (I) could all use tips and pointers from an expert.

Eddie

[Shadetree]

Eddie, I learned a lot about 12GS's for such a brief encounter. There are those who have ridden them for years who could certainly do a better job and please, if you are one of those, correct me where I am wrong...but here's my take on a few characteristics.

Sand. The front end will plow, a normal characteristic of any heavy bike, made worse by the steep turning angle...which is a positive in close quarters. Steering with the Telelever is very light. Lighter by far than an F650Gs for example.

So, what to do? This bike, when under power with the rider centered over the pegs (weight inside or outside peg, depending upon where the bike is trying to go) rule! That method will counter the tendancy to plow and get you moving or changing directions in a heartbeat.

Getting unstuck. Shut off the engine (they'll run themselves to death on their sides). Then tip the bike on it's side, levering the rear wheel out of the rut by using the head as a fulcrum. Pivot the bike on the same head about 10 degrees or until the wheels are free of the rut. Pick the bike up and ride it out. I learnd this one the hard way. I had been doing the first part, then letting sand fill the hole by rocking the bike. It works well in dry sand, but not at all if it's wet. Cost me a trip to Tunisia!

Wheelies. This bike will wheelie at will. Third gear floaters over hilltops are super fun. But try your best to keep the bars straight. Telelever suspension lands harsh and will really bark the tire if the bars are turned. Watch out. Fun, easy, but a little discretion is in order.

If you're in an impossible situation without help, spend your time looking for materials to engineer your way out. You will pull a gut trying to get the bike out on pure muscle.

I have an F800GS on order, but honestly, I may move on up to a 1200 GS or GSA if I can sell my Triumph TR3. I love these bikes. I competed on the third one I've ever ridden. I had only a few miles/hours in the saddle, but it was so easy to ride I couldn't believe it.

I hope this has helped. Let me know if any more questions come up.

Bill

[ajayhawkfan]

Bill,

I advice and insight is welcome and appreciated. Would you be willing to come to KS and give a lesson or 2?

I have put 21,000 miles on mine over the last 2 years, mostly backroads, but still consider myself a novice rider. I don't ride close to the capabilities of the bike.

Two weeks ago was the first time I spent a lot of time on sand http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377944. I made it through the stuff but was very unsure of myself and would slow down when I should have sped up. I need more time on the soft stuff.

Can you explain this to me in simple terms? The owners manual recommends the following settings for the front forks: 3 for pavement, 5 for loose gravel and 9 for off-road. I have it on 5 and never changed it. How does changing the settings improve the handling for the different conditions?

Eddie