Three days of partying, motorcycling and talking shop: around 34,000 visitors both with and without a motorcycle attended the 8th BMW Motorrad Days from July 4th - 6th 2008 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Thousands of motorcyclists from over 30 nations met in glorious weather once again this year at the picturesque holiday resort at the foot of the Hausberg mountain for the world's biggest BMW Motorrad party. A diverse program of events was provided, enabling visitors to enter the world of BMW Motorrad.
Breathtaking stunts were presented by the Indoor Streetbike Freestyle World Champion Chris Pfeiffer. On his converted BMW F 800 Pfeiffer demonstrated outstanding acrobatic feats, surprising his audience with lots of new tricks.
And on the BMW G 450 X Sportenduro and HP2 Megamoto, Chris also delighted spectators as he showed that even apparently impossible stunts can be carried out on a serial production motorcycle.

There was also top-class racing spirit on the demanding enduro circuit "x-track" at the centre of the party area. Such distinguished personalities as the BMW Motorrad enduro racing riders Joel Smets, Andi Lettenbichler, Gerhard Forster and Bernd Eckenbach of Team Touratech competed against one another in exciting show races on their 450 cc sports enduro bikes.

2008 BMW Motorrad Days

In between the show races, many off-road enthusiasts took the opportunity to demonstrate their own enduro experience on the new BMW G 450 X and the
BMW G 650 Xchallenge, emulating the professional racers with their jumps and drifts. This was equally rewarding for the spectators, with some of the demonstrations by private motorcyclists offering unintentional entertainment value.

A slightly more laid back but no less demanding alternative to the x-track was provided by the Enduro Park at the foot of the Hausberg. Under the guidance of BMW Motorrad instructors, numerous enduro riders covered the circuit on the BMW R 1200 GS, the BMW G 650 Xchallenge and the BMW G 650 Xcountry.

The active riding program was rounded off with guided half-day or day tours through the region as well as the grand motorcycle parade on Saturday with about 1,000 participants and the classic parade on Sunday with approx. 100 participants.

2008 BMW Motorrad Days

Away from the heat, dust and roads, hundreds of motorcycling adventure enthusiasts were inspired by the stories told by Michael Martin. A motorcycling globetrotter and photographer with over 30 years of experience, Martin provided insights into his fantastic adventure trips around the world as well as giving tips on how to be perfectly prepared for a motorcycle journey.

For those who were still ready to rock and roll in the evening despite the intense riding program, there was plenty on offer in the main party tent. On Friday the Goodfellas and Gitti Fischer created a great atmosphere in which to round off the day over a beer and a snack. On Saturday, the Munich band Gerry & Gary and Gitti Fischer drove everyone wild, with guests literally dancing on the tables.

On a slightly smaller scale but with the same intense atmosphere, the bands Steinzeit and Plug In put on a great show in the US Lodge. Incidentally: the bass player of the four-man rock band Steinzeit is none other than Berti Hauser, the head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport.

To summarise: the BMW Motorrad Days in Garmisch was three days of sheer enthusiasm, party atmosphere and enormous interest in the new motorcycle models as well as all motorcycle-related offers and services.