From Munich to Bangkok

As the launch of the new F 800 GS draws even closer, riders all over the world are thinking about the kind of places that BMW Motorrad's latest enduro could take them to and wondering if the new middleweight sports twin will be the bike on which they plan their first 'Big Trip'.

One rider fortunate enough to already be quite a long way 'down the road' with his own special plan is Sebastian Klein, who will be leaving Germany next month for a seven-month enduro trip on an F 800 GS that will see him travel 25,000 kilometres from Munich to Bangkok.

Klein's plan for his voyage of discovery is to plot an off-road focused route wherever possible, which will keep him 'off the beaten track', away from the tourists and put him in contact with the local population wherever he rides.

"I'm not sure exactly where I'm going just yet, but for sure my journey will take me through many countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Burma, on my way to Thailand. My plan is to experience adventure at its most basic, so there will be no support vehicle or satellite phone for me, just a few small pieces of luggage and my bike gear - I can't wait!"

Klein had his first taste of motorcycle adventure in 2005, with his first big trip on a motorcycle - a five-month, 7,000-kilometre ride through central America on a lightweight single-cylinder enduro bike that took him through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

After experiencing the fascinating and diverse terrain that can be explored with an enduro bike, encountering different cultures and amazing hospitality wherever he went, Sebastian was hooked and was determined to get back in the saddle again, but first there was the small matter of a university degree to complete.

"Although I have been working at BMW Motorrad in the International Marketing and Strategy Department, I am also a sports economics student," said Klein.

As part of his role with BMW Motorrad, Klein is fortunate to have already ridden plenty of kilometres on the new F 800 GS, as well as the F 650 GS, as he was part of a team that carried out some early testing with both bikes. The off-road fanatic - who has always owned enduro bikes and rides on motocross tracks with his BMW colleagues whenever he can - was also fortunate enough to be picked for a special assignment earlier this year when he was one of the riders selected for a BMW film shoot in Uruguay.

Enduro fans will be able to follow Klein progress on BMW Motorrad's Enduro World website www.bmw-motorrad.com/enduroworld which will be regularly updated with travelogues and video podcasts. Klein will also be setting up his own website (www.seppotage.com) featuring a regular 'blog and satellite tracking information'.