Cycle Torque Jan/Feb 2017

CYCLE TORQUE FEATURE 2016 BMW GS SAFARI
cycletorque.com.au JAN/FEB 2017 I 63
and the traction control only kicking in if things got crazy, the 800 GSA feels
like a big dirt bike. I was able to throw it around in ways which surprised me
immensely.
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I could only join the Safari for the final three days, so I threw my leg over the
new 800 on the Wednesday, and spent most of the time trying to remember
how to ride an adventure bike again – it had been a while. The Thursday was
stinking hot, the on-board thermometer telling me the air temperature was
40.5 degrees at one point, but I didn’t care by then: nothing mattered but the
next stretch of dirt, the next set of corners, the next spectacular view, the next
conversation with a stranger enjoying all the experiences I was.
So I missed the start at the plush surrounds of Jupiter’s Casino for the welcome
dinner, and the ride to Tenterfield, joining the crew at the end of their second
day in Toowoomba.
The conditions, especially the heat, made this year’s event pretty tough, but
I heard no complaints about the conditions, heat or sand… Kingaroy wasn’t
everyone’s favourite place (especially after the lovely Toowoomba) and I saw
a few heads shaking at their rate of tyre wear, but it was an adventure they
signed up for and it was an adventure they were getting.
“This year’s GS Safari was a great event. It provided challenging terrain and
conditions at times and really pushed some of the riders to their limit. The
route surprised many with its variety and the heat made the first beer each
night taste even better. As usual, the first timers were really excited to have
completed their first event and many new friendships were made.” said Miles
Davis, BMW Motorrad Australia Marketing Manager and former Cycle Torque
journalist.
Many of the participants I spoke to believed the best day was right in the
middle of the week, Wednesday, Toowoomba-Kingaroy. With a little winding
bitumen getting out of town, incredible scenery and good dirt, there was a lot
to like about Wednesday, but Thursday was my pick.
By then I had the F 800 GS Adventure locked into Enduro Pro mode (I’d been
experimenting with the other modes the day before) and was really getting
the feel for the 800 again. I was feeling more comfortable on the bike and had
some great periods chasing Miles, and Ollie from Australasian Dirt Bike – I go
OK on adventure bikes, but chasing experts is fun, challenging and gets the
adrenalin pumping.
We go on these events for the riding, but the camaraderie at the end of
each day is wonderful, too. There were always animated talks about the near
misses and close calls, quieter explanations about the crashes, punctures
and problems but most of all a sense of belonging to the group and looking
forward to the next day or, at the farewell dinner on the last night, the next
ride.
Each night there would be a meeting to discuss the day, have a few drinks and
hand out maps for the following day’s ride. There was also a bucket of money
destined for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which people often donated to if
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