Just two and a half months after its global debut, the new BMW R 1300 GS has showcased its exceptional off-road capabilities and robustness in a daring expedition across South America. From December 6th to 7th, 2023, a fleet of fully equipped BMW R 1300 GS models achieved an interesting feat, ascending from sea level at the Nevado Ojos del Salado, the world's highest active volcano at 6,893 meters. In less than 24 hours, the team reached an altitude of over 6,000 meters, overcoming the challenging ‘Rock Channel’ on the northern flank of Nevado Ojos del Salado and peaking at 6,027 meters in just 19 hours and 22 minutes.
The journey unfolded against the backdrop of the Circuito de los Seis Miles in Chile's Atacama Desert, the world's highest active volcano chain. The expedition, featuring an international team of drivers, embarked from Bahia Inglesa near the Pacific Ocean, facing the extreme conditions of the Atacama Desert en route to Nevado Ojos Del Salado.
The destination was triumphantly reached on December 7th at 10:22 am local time. Riding the BMW R 1300 GS were Christof Lischka, BMW Motorrad Development Manager, Salvatore Pennisi, Metzeler Test and Technical Director, Michele Pradelli, Italian Extreme Enduro Champion, and Karsten Schwers, tester and journalist for German magazine MOTORRAD.
The expedition used standard motorcycles and standard tyres, showcasing the BMW R 1300 GS's prowess with 19' front and 17' rear tires, setting a new standard in adventure riding.
Christof Lischka remarked, “With this extreme ride up to more than 6,000 meters, 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 tires. It was important for us to emphasize these core competencies of the new GS once again with this expedition.”
The new BMW R 1300 GS comes equipped with Metzeler Tourance Next 2 tyres as original equipment but, for dedicated off-road use, Metzeler Karoo 4 tyres were chosen for this expedition. These tyres enhance the bike's riding characteristics both off-road and on adventure tours, offering exemplary off-road traction and compatibility with the advanced rider assistance systems of the new BMW R 1300 GS.
The climb to Nevado Ojos del Salado, reaching above 5,000 meters, poses a formidable challenge, demanding significant physical and mental effort from the expedition participants. Extreme temperatures, as low as -10 °C during the day and -20 °C at night, coupled with low oxygen levels, create an inhospitable environment. The expedition's success was ensured through meticulous long-term preparation, including acclimatization, base camps at different altitudes, simulations on Mount Etna in Sicily, and medical tests conducted in cooperation with the University of Enna.
At altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters, the BMW R 1300 GS faced rigorous testing of its electronic control systems, especially the air-fuel mixture of the Boxer engine, along with challenges to the chassis and tyres presented by varied terrains such as stony tracks, unpaved roads, sandy expanses, and even ice and snow.
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