BMW’s ambitious (fifth) International GS Trophy, the 2016 Southeast Asia edition, finished on March 5th after seven days of riding in Thailand, with Team South Africa taking the win after having been second twice previously.
This fifth edition brought together 19 teams (comprising 57 riders plus 19 embedded journalists), representing 25 nations, for a 1,300 kilometre trek through the forests, jungles and mountains of Northern Thailand on their R 1200 GS and GSA bikes. BMW say the riding was possibly the most technical yet.
The 2016 edition again saw the event grow, with 114 motorcycles on the tour and an entourage of close to 200 people (riders, marshals, medics, caterers, organisers and more).
Team South Africa consisted of John Harris, Charl Moolman and Byron Coetsee. Team UK and Team Germany shared second.
Three new teams took part in 2016 - Team China, Team Southeast Asia and the International Female Team - Stéphanie Bouisson (France), Morag Campbell (South Africa) and Amy Harburg (Australia).
The BMW R 1200 GS/GSA models used featured the latest engine revisions, including a new heavier crank that makes for smoother running and Shift Assist Pro that allows clutchless up- and down-shifts; the riders also had the code-plug that enables the Enduro Pro mode to modify the rider-assist systems to suit sportive off-road riding, aluminium enduro engine guard and steel crash bars and Metzeler Karoo 2 tyres.
Final results
