BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Ends. Zero Technical Failure of Bikes

After seven days of intense, yet friendly competition, nearly 1,400 kilometres of memorable riding and a whole week’s worth of Special tests, the GS Trophy Southeast Asia 2016 reached its conclusion with Team South Africa crowned deserved winners by a margin of 31 points.

The trio of John Harris, Byron Coetsee and Charl Moolman had led the competition since day two and although they were pushed hard by both Team Germany and Team UK until the very last Special on the final day, they kept their cool under considerable pressure and in so doing, took the Trophy home to South Africa for the first time. In a historical first for the GS Trophy, two teams were tied for second place – Team Germany and Team UK.

There were many more highlights throughout the day, with a wonderfully flowing section through a pine forest high in the mountains followed by an extended and sinuous mountain-descent on tarmac to clearly demonstrate the versatility of the BMW R 1200 GS.

Then followed a rendezvous at km 126 with around 100 riders from Thailand, Malaysia and China, who had travelled in on their BMW bikes to support the GS Trophy. For the final 50 kilometres ride-in to the Rim Doi Resort in Chiang Dao, these enthusiastic, friendly riders joined the Trophy teams and marshals, and helped form a huge convoy that snaked its way to the location for the final Special test of 2016.

As for the GS bikes, they have held up remarkably well considering the extreme hard use they have been subjected to over the past seven days and more than 1,300 kilometres of competition.

Despite being dropped off ‘broken bridges’, dragged through boulder-strewn river crossings, hauled over huge logs, and ridden hard across every type of terrain and obstacle imaginable, there has been hardly any damage at all to the fleet of over 100 BMW R 1200 GS and GS Adventures. A few tyres have been changed due to punctures, a couple of clutches and coolers have been replaced, as have a few mirrors and levers, but there have been no technical failures at all.

Overall Position