BMW Motorrad Days event review
We spent a few days riding down to Garmisch for BMW’s annual celerbration of all things Bavarian last week, Motorrad Days 2019. Here’s how to get there, what to do and how to get the most from the event.
What is BMW Motorrad Days?
BMD (BMW Motorrad Days) is a free to enter festival held about 100km outside Beemers hometown of Munich. It’s billed as a celebration of all things BMW, and features new bike reveals, stunt shows, demo and test rides of new and current models and of course, talks and demos by some round the world motorcycle adventurers.
How do I get there?
The event is located in the pretty ski resort of Garmisch which is about 630-miles from Calais. You could hammer out the trip in one hit if time is short or, as we did, opt to stop off at somewhere like Baden Baden, just to the west of Stuttgart.
Once you are in the Alps you can pick up Lake Constance and head to Bregenz - here you’ll see the largest lake stage in the world. As you continue through the Bregenz Forest, and along some amazing mountain passes, small villages will greet you as you head eastwards, following the Lech river. Now comes the highlight on this route: the Hahntennjoch pass: At 13.9 km long and an altitude of 1,894 m, it connects the two towns of Pfafflar and Imst.
Then from Imst you should see Zugspitze (Germany’s highest peak) appearing in the distance to your right, it’s a sign you’ve almost reached Garmisch and is the backdrop to the event.
How much will the French toll roads cost?
The French Autoroute is mostly covered by toll booths, also called a Péage. It would cost a single motorcycle riding autoroutes to Baden Baden about €50 in tolls. You could opt to take the back roads through France, which is a nice, romantic idea. In reality, it’ll almost double the amount of time it takes to get there, and the constant stop-start in towns and villages will soon hoover up your fuel.
In reality the, tolls are fantastic, with almost no delays or traffic and the ability to move along at about 90-95mph, it’s nothing like a UK motorway! There are also very well-appointed rest stops every 20-30miles with fuel stops, services stations and picnic areas along the way.
Where to stay at Motorrad Days?
Hotel options are plentiful in Garmisch thanks to the resort’s other role as a winter sports destination. We stayed at the Mecure just on the outskirts of town which was clean and pleasant – although it was noticeably missing any aircon, which was a pain in 32° heat!
For those wanting the full R1250 GS Adventure experience, you can opt to camp, with a large campsite being located just outside the show.
What if I want a day away from Motorrad Days?
If you fancy taking a day or two away from the show, or just extending the trip once its finished, the Alps and five other countries (Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia) are all within a day’s ride from the event. Most of those rides will involve travelling over or along the Alps which, while not the most direct route, it’s the most rewarding.
For a day out a little closer to the event, you could head north on the A95 autobahn towards Munich about 40km. Follow the satnav, or signs, to Seeshaupt on the banks of the Starnbergersee park which is a stunning lake, lined with beach bars and cafes. It’s a lovely spot and covered in small coves where you can take a dip in the lake – although it does get extremely busy at the weekend.
for more information regarding the 2020 event, keep an eye on the events page:
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
