long way round

[rms000]

Just watched the series "long way round" and was just amazed at the punishment that the bmw bikes took and kept on running. I couldn't believe they could run in such deep water. Are they that reliable?

[Harrington]

They weren't actually BMWs. They were the new Urals.

[skidgillen]

They are BMW's. The books are great too. "long way round" and "long way down" You'll never want to put them down.

[acejones]

Just watched the series "long way round" and was just amazed at the punishment that the bmw bikes took and kept on running. I couldn't believe they could run in such deep water. Are they that reliable?

Certainly helps to have a 30 person support team with extra parts, tool, and gear following you around and going ahead to make arrangements for you.

[RoboRider]

A lot of people chide the guys for the "luxury tour" they took with sponsorships, support crew, etc., but they were making a movie to sell to us and so I expect them to have insurances to support success. And hey, if I could get someone to pay for my trip, give me a bike, and send a support crew I'm pretty certain I'd not say no!

If you do want to see poor guys do a similar adventure, with handheld cameras, beat up bikes, and having to get a job to earn money to get home, Google the DVD "Mondo Enduro" and "Terra Circa". You'll enjoy them as well.

Finally, if anyone knows of other movies of this ilk let us know. I'm in the middle of my cross country ride and I need more adventure riding DVDs.

[Plainsscout]

They whined alot about missing their wives in the book. But I am sure that gave them mileage when they got home.

It was a pretty good book.

[AKBEEMER]

Yes they held up well except for breaking in half............... Amazing that they carried such large loads when they had a support team available. Compare their loads to Helge Pedersen's little ole F650. Still I enjoyed both DVDs Ewan and Charlie made.

[oldhway]

Gonna move this to Motorad for better exposure.

[acejones]

Don't forget they approached KTM first with their proposal. Wonder why ?

Its been said KTM turned them down because they didn't think these guys could pull it off or KTM secretely didn't think the bikes capable.

Doesn't really matter, but I still think with the massive resources they had available that most anyone could do their trip and probably on most any similiar bike.

[Omega Man]

For me, I enjoyed the prep work. I also found the border crossings interesting. Trips of this magnitude require a lot of support-and cash. I didn't read the books but have both the DVDs. Gary

[TomDac]

i really enjoyed both of the films also...

[crazydrummerdude]

And hey, if I could get someone to pay for my trip, give me a bike, and send a support crew I'm pretty certain I'd not say no!

Exactly.

Actually, not only would I not say "no," I'd say, "let's go now."

Don't forget they approached KTM first with their proposal. Wonder why ?

It's been noted that Charlie, the more experienced rider, wanted KTM. Whatever that infers.

[rmarkr]

The GS has become the best selling bike in UK, largely due to this exposure.
The one issue that made me wince was how heavily the bike were loaded - why, when you have a chase vehicle?
I believe that KTM felt that they did not have the budget for this kind promotion - their story.

[XTrooper]

Even with all the resources at their disposal, the journey was a real accomplishment in my book and I found both films, especially the first one, very entertaining. I've actually watched both of them more than once. Hey, the winters are long and cold up here!

[AKBEEMER]

To put things in perspective I recall the first person to ride a motorcycle around the world did so back in the teens on a single cylinder, single speed bike.