2020-01-01_Motorcycle_Trader

MOTORCYCLE TRADER 39

Charris and Cam have covered these in
numerous previous issues.
‘TS’ stands for ‘Touren Sport’ and is an
opportunity for BMW owners of any model
to enjoy a five-day sportstouring ride
on public roads. It’s also the only Safari
where pillion passengers are a practical
option, so the 2019 event was a predictably
social affair.
For this year’s event, the package
options included $1999 for the Tourer
and $2999 for the Grand Tourer packages
for solo riders, and $3499 for the Two-Up
Tourer pack. All packages comprise six
nights of four-/five-star accommodation,
four dinners (including a flash welcome
dinner and a farewell dinner) and four
breakfasts per person.
Yo u also get a support truck to carry
luggage, full-time technical support in case
you have any issues, tyre support, a doctor
in the group for medical care and a sweep
vehicle to clean everything up afterwards.
At each evening’s briefing, you get a

map for the following day’s ride, which is

handy, but it’s possible just to follow the

arrows along the way. Route GPX files are

also supplied. It’s still possible to get lost

but not very lost as the paper map tells you

where you should end up each day.

There’s a start time each day but you

can leave at your leisure and you can stop

for sightseeing, photos, lunch, drinks and

whatever whenever you feel like it. Plenty

of the participants had a friendship group

before they started so they tended to ride

together. As per the terms of the contract

I signed, Julia and I mostly set off a little

after the main groups, but we passed plenty

of Safari riders at cafes and pubs along

the route who were injecting substantial

capital into the local economies. Country

towns must love BMW Safaris.

WINE & DINE

The start point was Windsor at the Crowne

Plaza where the 84 participants assembled

the night before for a briefing and a

The goodwill among riders and

pillions was palpable and it didn’t

really matter where you sat for

dinner – you were among friends

By the numbers

70

riders

14

pillions

13

staff

78

Eldest rider

(Robin Neighbour plus pillion

Margaret Neighbour, 75, legends!)

304

km shortest day

416

km longest day

1910

km total distance covered