It could only be done on a BMW.
Four seasons in one day is what I just experienced at the R 1200 GS and GS Adventure launch with BMW in Yosemite National Park California. I understand that the best way to test a “Duel Sport” machine is by using it both on and off road, but I don’t think the snow storm from hell at 7,000ft in Yosemite National Forest was in the itinerary. We arrived to thick clouds and no visibility on Tuesday afternoon. With everyone telling us that there could be a little snow the next day, we felt confident in going out, but we were in for a big surprise. The morning went exactly to plan, some fast on and off road riding, a little sunshine and rain, basically the conditions were perfect before lunch. Then at lunch, the “brown stuff” hit the fan.
As we swapped machines and I moved from the Adventure, which I loved to the smaller and lower GS, the heavens opened. Nothing wrong with a little rain, we all have to ride in it, it makes us better riders. But as we started to climb and the elevation increased the weather started to get colder. As we arrived at the entrance to Yosemite National Forrest the sleet was starting to come down, to the extent that visibility was becoming tough. We climbed and climbed with the GS, handling the conditions with ease, until we got to the afternoon break, where it started snowing like it was mid January in Colorado. I thought I had seen the last of this stuff this year, how wrong I was. The group ended up getting split up, and through discombobulation, I left on someone else’s bike with the lead group heading back to the Tenaya lodge, about 40 minutes away over the summit of the mountain.
I was already frozen when setting off, but the heated grips worked and my British Motorcycle Gear Adventure Jacket and Trousers were still holding up and keeping me dry. Even my Fly Racing Kinetic off road boots were O.K. It then all went horribly wrong. As we came out of the tunnel the snow really started to build up to the extent that cars, trucks ,and RV’s were all starting to get stuck going up the hill. We then went past a sign that said “Chains only from here” I knew we were in for a treat .
Keeping our speed down but now riding on compacted snow, the GS kept a smooth line and the knobbly tires were holding traction, but the camber in the road kept pushing the back wheel down the hill as we tried to climb. After passing a park ranger and starting towards the summit, we came across a passenger coach sliding backwards. Somehow our leader managed to take a wide line and get around the coach. I on the other hand tried to take the maneuver a little tighter up across the snow and ice…bang! The front wheel just dropped from under me, throwing me and my bike down like a sack of potatoes. My gear did its job, but now I had to get up.
I was riding on an ice rink, as I stood up the bike kept sliding back down the hill towards a drop over the ravine, and don’t forget the passenger coach is still sliding backwards down the hill. I managed to pick the 600 lb bike up, but couldn’t get my leg over due to the ice and snow. Finally, I get my leg over kicked it into first and started to try and pull away back up the hill…no such luck. I am spinning and still sliding backwards. At this point Neil Bayly is trying to get up the hill too. He went down earlier in the day, so he’s reluctant to push the limits, but looks like he might not have much choice with me sliding into him.
Thankfully I catch some grip and the bike pulls forward, with the back wheel spinning like mad, pushing me up the hill past the bus and over the summit. We then have another 10 miles to our destination, which out of only 47 bikes that attempted to get over the pass that afternoon only 7 bikes made it, so welcome the new BMW GS Magnificent 7. A warm shower and a few large single malts brought everyone back to life, including Todd Andersen from BMW, who was very relieved that the seven of us all made it back in one piece. After receiving news that all the other bikes got turned back and they closed the road, but were safe at the bottom in another resort, we all felt relieved.
In Yosemite Valley there were some 40 stranded BMW GS and Adventures waiting for the weather to clear. Thankfully the Tenaya lodge had a passenger coach with chains that was able to pick everyone up and get them back to the lodge in time for a late dinner. As a result, there were bikes all over the valley, which proved to be a logistical nightmare the next day. With only a few casualties and a few broken parts on the demo machines, the experience was really quite remarkable. I always say that two wheels and snow don’t mix, and I stick by that statement. However, if I am going to get stuck in a situation like that I would rather it was on a GS than any other motorcycle. Congratulations to everyone on that trip that made it home safely; keep logging on to read loads more content about the 2010 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and the Magnificent 7 experience.
Julian V Taylor
