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RUST magazine: BMW GS Trophy Special Edition 2016

Welcome to our latest RUST special, this time reviewing the 2016 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy. This great adventure-competition takes place every two years, pitching amateur adventure riders from around the world into a seven-day battle with each other and you could say with nature too, as they pilot a fleet of BMW R1200GSs through a wilderness location. This time it was Northern Thailand. And what a ride - too good to keep to ourselves. With RUST editor JB along for the ride - for the fourth time - we weren't just front row, we were centre stage! So it makes sense to share the experience. So here's 108 pages on all things GS Trophy. And if you like what you see and read, why not give it a go yourself? Details in the magazine...

Welcome to our latest RUST special, this time reviewing the 2016 BMW Motorrad GS Trophy. This great adventure-competition takes place every two years, pitching amateur adventure riders from around the world into a seven-day battle with each other and you could say with nature too, as they pilot a fleet of BMW R1200GSs through a wilderness location. This time it was Northern Thailand. And what a ride - too good to keep to ourselves. With RUST editor JB along for the ride - for the fourth time - we weren't just front row, we were centre stage! So it makes sense to share the experience. So here's 108 pages on all things GS Trophy. And if you like what you see and read, why not give it a go yourself? Details in the magazine...

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Adventure Test<br />

<strong>GS</strong>s in the road sections, while deep-deep<br />

cornering, at least one of those two actually<br />

flipping (high-siding) on the exit. Both<br />

confessed that they were riding with ABS<br />

and ASC switched-off, having chosen to<br />

switch the assists off for the off-road (which<br />

was some riders’ preference) and forgotten<br />

to re-activate before setting off again. Both<br />

confessed to pilot error. In any case, it’s<br />

worth remembering <strong>BMW</strong>s own words of<br />

caution – their rider aids allow you to ride<br />

safer, but they can’t completely overcome<br />

the laws of physics. Use their systems, but<br />

try not to abuse them. Or in the case of<br />

these two (uninjured) fallers – just use the<br />

system!<br />

MORE OF THE SAME<br />

The motor, by the way, was just great.<br />

The boxer has always made good off-road<br />

suitable power, the waterboxer simply make<br />

more. You can ride it anywhere in the rev<br />

range, from bottom to top, it’s great everywhere.<br />

Sat on it, it sounds tough and gruff.<br />

Stood to one side, watching the competitors<br />

boss their <strong>GS</strong>s, the exhaust note sounds a<br />

few octaves higher-pitched, especially when<br />

revved hard, but you can tell the <strong>GS</strong> has got<br />

fight. The gearbox is good too, the gears<br />

spaced well for all occasions. It took a while

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