Through South Africa with the GS
Ulf Böhringer has been working as a motorcycle and travel journalist for decades. He discovered his passion for travelling on two wheels at a very early age, and this passion has taken him all over the world. The BMW GS is particularly fascinating to him, and has accompanied him on countless reporting trips. In an interview, he talks about his most recent tour along the western coast of South Africa, up to Namibia – a BMW Motorrad Experience with the R 1300 GS.
An impressively diverse range of experiences.
”Ulf Böhringer
motorcycle and travel journalist
You took part in the BMW Motorrad Experience along the western coast of South Africa, up to Southern Namibia. What impressions did you take away from this tour?
Whenever the opportunity arises, you should always travel – the diversity of insights you can gain into foreign countries is simply overwhelming. For me, it once again confirmed: the motorcycle is the perfect means of transport, because it gets you a lot closer to the action than a car does. The BMW Motorrad West Coast Tour met all expectations you would have of an organised trip – from the flawless preparation to well-organised daily itineraries, right up to stops at impressive locations and culinary highlights each day.
The tour took us through a variety of landscapes and climates. Which sections of the tour or places were you particularly impressed by?
It was the diversity of experiences more than anything: the curve-packed roads of your dreams along the coast of South Africa, long desert stages with perfectly straight gravel roads, spectacular landscapes, such as the Fish River Canyon, and routes at the Cape of Good Hope that were incredible to ride on. The accommodations were impressive, too – from historical hotels to secluded guesthouses. I had goosebumps as we sat with a glass of wine in hand, looking out over Cape Town from Signal Hill.
Were there any cultural encounters or experiences with the locals that will stay with you?
Were there any cultural encounters or experiences with the locals that will stay with you?
Yes, particularly the visit to the coastal town of Elands Bay. There, we met Emma, a very petite lady, who takes care of almost 50 children between the ages of around nine to 14 and teaches them to surf. The children were excited to see our motorcycles – they were really delighted to be able to sit on one of these big BMW bikes.
You made this journey on the BMW R 1300 GS. How did the motorcycle perform under the conditions found in South Africa specifically?
You made this journey on the BMW R 1300 GS. How did the motorcycle perform under the conditions found in South Africa specifically?
It performed marvellously under all conditions – asphalt, gravel, sand. It’s a bit sportier compared with the 1250, but it’s still comfortable and stable. We were particularly impressed by the overall package, consisting of the drivability, performance and equipment – that was a real bonus on this mix of paved and unpaved roads. The GS conquered the approximately 1,100 kilometres of gravel roads with style.
Many people dream of travelling through South Africa by motorcycle, but the actual implementation can be a major obstacle. How was the process of planning the trip via the BMW Motorrad Experiences platform?
BMW works with experienced, certified tour operators, and you can see that in every detail. From the choice of routes and accommodations, right up to tips for riding on unfamiliar surfaces – they think of everything. The itineraries are planned to perfection, and the support vehicle offers real added value. Whoever takes part in a BMW Motorrad Experience can concentrate fully on the fun of the ride and enjoying the experience. For those travelling alone, the safety it offers is another advantage. Apart from the weather, nothing is left to chance.
How does a trip like this differ from a solo tour in terms of the shared experience and emotions?
The most striking example for me was: If I had been travelling alone, I wouldn’t have shared a nightcap with my fellow travellers in the form of a cool glass of white wine at a magnificent viewpoint, as we did almost every night. It was the perfect way to end the day, sharing the insights we had gained and letting our minds wander.
What tips would you give to other riders who are planning a similar tour?
What tips would you give to other riders who are planning a similar tour?
The most important thing is to take the information provided by the tour operators seriously and to apply it in practice. If you don’t have any experience riding on unpaved roads, you should ideally get some practice beforehand. You can’t go wrong with an enduro training course, which is even more useful for a tour like this.
What’s next for you? Are you already planning your next trip with the BMW Motorrad community?
What’s next for you? Are you already planning your next trip with the BMW Motorrad community?
I don’t have any specific plans yet – there are simply too many exciting destinations in the world. The South Africa tour was definitely a high point for me as a biker. However, the range of tours available is huge, and Southern Africa offers some extremely varied conditions – there’s certainly more to see there.
Freedom brings us together: motorcycle tours with like-minded people
For anyone who wants to experience true freedom on two wheels but doesn’t want to travel alone, the BMW Motorrad Experience platform is the perfect choice. BMW Motorrad Experiences brings people together who want to do more than just reach their destination – they want to experience the route for themselves. Experienced tour guides lead you through captivating landscapes, and take care of the organisation, navigation and luggage, so that you can focus entirely on the ride and the adventure. Be it through Alpine passes, deserts, or along the coast – every route is planned with great care and oriented towards creating a wonderful shared experiences. For beginners, it not only offers a high degree of safety, but also the opportunity to travel with like-minded people. If you’d like to make sure you’re perfectly equipped, you can take part in our training courses that are intended to prepare you for longer tours – mentally, technically, and with the right riding skills. Sometimes, freedom starts with the confidence that everything has been taken care of. And with the people who will share the experience with you.
