FROM SEA LEVEL TO OVER 6,000 METRES IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS ON A BMW R 1300 GS
After its recent world premiere, the new BMW R 1300 GS proved its off-road prowess and durability in South America when a crew took a fleet from sea level on the Nevado Ojos del Salado, the highest active volcano in the world, up to over 6,000 m in less than 24 hours. Riding the fleet of BMW R 1300 GS bikes were Christof Lischka (BMW Motorrad Development Manager), Salvatore Pennisi (Metzeler Test and Technical Director), Michele Pradelli (Italian Extreme Enduro Champion and tester for Italian magazine InMoto), and Karsten Schwers (tester and journalist for German magazine MOTORRAD). “With this extreme ride up to more than 6,000 metres, the new BMW R 1300 GS has shown what it can do and what it is made for. It masters off-road and adventure riding as well as a sporty pace on tarmac and long tours. Even in standard trim with off-road tyres. It was important for us to emphasise these core competencies of the new GS once again with this expedition.” said Christof Lischka. The new BMW R 1300 GS fleet was fitted with Metzeler Tourance Next 2 tyres as original equipment ex works. Metzeler Karoo 4 tyres are available as an option, and they were used for this expedition because they offer up great off-road traction and can be used on everything surface from sandy trails or desert tracks and even deep mud.
The climb to Nevado Ojos del Salado is an extreme challenge that requires considerable physical and mental effort, the high climb had to be completed in under 24 hours. Above 5,000 metres things become quite inhospitable to humans with temperatures dropping to around -10 °C during the day and at night it gets even worse, around -20 °C. When you add the lack of oxygen above 5,000 m, even the fittest athletes can run into problems. This affects internal combustion engines too, the cold and low air pressure puts particularly high demands on the electronic control of the air-fuel mixture of the Boxer engine, and other vehicle components also suffer. The chassis and tyres are also put to the test by the varied terrain with stony tracks, unpaved roads, endless sandy areas and sometimes even ice and snow. The expedition climbed to 6,006 metres in just 19 hours and 22 minutes and went on to reach a maximum altitude of a high 6,027 metres - an amazing achievement. “I am delighted that we were able to take on this challenge with the new R 1300 GS and mastered it with flying colours. On such adventurous rides, the new GS has already demonstrated its great off-road expertise in standard trim and shown what it can do in extreme situations,” concluded Christof Lischka.
Take a look at the YouTube video that gives you an idea of just how tough it can be to get to 6,000 m above sea level on an enduro bike, especially when the route is basically up the northern flank of the Nevado Ojos del Salado in the “Rock Channel”, a route well known for how hard it can be: Metzeler Karoo 4 - BMW R1300GS - 0 to 6000m above sea level | Two Tyres Ltd
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