Motorrad Days - Istanbul, Turkey to Heidelberg, Germany via Garmisch Partenkirchen

[enkil]

I had an opportunity recently to join a ride to the famed BMW Motorrad Days which is on their 11th annual rally since inception. Planning was since March with briefing and arrangement by Two Wheel Garage's Mr Azman. Motorrad Malaysia Prez Mr Minesh and Capt Dato Nik Huzlan also helped out with the preparation and routing planning. thanks to all who made it happen.I only had my BMW r1200GS for 6months so it is a bit daunting for me. But i already had some good training with capt nik on few occasions with a variety of surfaces. Also i have done the Mae hong son, golden Triangle loop back in March. that all boosted my confidence a bit.After getting excited and itchy to ride i started pestering my boss for a 21 days annual leave. Luckily all was well . If he had said besok balik lu kerja mana? Aiyo habis la itu macam. Also had to break all the piggy bank under the bed and look under the car seat for some loose change just in case hehe..

All pics taken from my samsung s3 and can only upload 3 pics at a time to photobucket so pls bear with me

 

[enkil]

Preparation stage..

Jacket thermal liner zipped in. Never been used here in Malaysia. Hooottttt!

Fully loaded panniers. Luckily the panniers are big enough yay!

GPS and some back up food. Maggi is a must hehe

Bike prepped for shipping. All stuff inside the box or tied to the bike to make it legal.

Send to the port ready for shipping. This was way back in May. Take care baby, see you in Istanbul

 

[enkil]

This is basically the route we are taking. There are 10 bikes shipped to Istanbul. 3 more bike will join us there fresh from completing the Kembara Bumi Suci ride from Kuala Lumpur to Mecca. Salute!

On paper the journey will cover roughly 5000kms passing thru 9 countries.

 

[enkil]

My international driving license.. cost rm150 for 1 year period. Its good to have just in case you're stopped by police. And indeed we did got stopped! Hahha for speeding summore. More on that later

Ooops iklan sikit. My other ride the MV Agusta F4R, with my mate on his Ducati Multistrada sport during genting night ride.

My ride to the airport for the trip. Rm 1 for 3weeks parking hhmmm good deal indeed. I travel light just my pouch and a 15litre dry bag. No check in baggage necessary.

 

[enkil]

Welcome to Istanbul..

2 bikes are with their wives as pillion. Lucky them ada bantal peluk

Istanbul is busy like KL

The tram is a good way to move about the city. Fast n cheap.

 

[BlackCat]

Subscribed!

 

[535i]

cis - could have left the kapchai with me ...

 

[Herbert]

Nice pictures, enkil. Nice to be sponsored by BMW Club Council.

 

[enkil]

Since we had the day off before collecting the bike tomorrow i played tourist with the rest of the gang after checking in to our hotel.

The blue mosque..

The Asian side and Europe side of Istanbul also known as Constantinople

The sofia mosque. Also known as Hagia Sophia. Previously it served as an orthodox church before it was converted into an imperial mosque during the ottoman empire rule.

The grand Bazaar

Hold hands bros you can seriously get lost in here. Amazing selection of clothing, craftwares and carpets. not cheap too. A pure silk prayer matt was going for usd 6000.

Info board

 

[enkil]

cis - could have left the kapchai with me ...

Hahahhah.. mu larat ke muto tu selowww

 

[enkil]

Nice pictures, enkil. Nice to be sponsored by BMW Club Council.

No sponsors bro all on our own. We only had arrangement made by Motorrad Malaysia and BMW Malaysia for the factory visit in Berlin.

 

[enkil]

The next day went to the port to collect our bikes around 10am. Must be the owner himself present during inspection. We expected a long day.

tadaaaa... this guy is the shipping agent handling our bikes. 10 bikes in the container all tied down nicely with proper chokes nailed to the floor.

my bike in one piece

the only lady biker Maznah Zolkifli

Bikes inspected and started..

my baby looks good and ready to roll

The only k16gtl in the convoy, owner mr Nazli a very nice and soft spoken chap

Lepak kejap err actually about 2 hours waiting for the paperwork and customs to clear

roaring to go

all is good says mr Mannu,

Mr azman the group leader n organiser

Emmm thats a nice bed too..

 

[Abe Jak]

kemahh bohhh

 

[enkil]

The bikes are all back at the hotel. We have another free day on our hands before starting our journey tomorrow.

Breakfast at the hotel. We need ENERGY!

View of the harbour from my balcony

 

[enkil]

Time to go sightseing again..

early morning

plenty of tourist around

sunrise..

Careful. Tram taking a corner

Double decker tourist bus... Hhmm

 

[enkil]

Bazaar visit..

spices anyone ?

always bustling with people

or sweets maybe..

 

[enkil]

We went for a boat cruise along the bosphorus. The Bosphorus is the 32 km (20-mile)-long strait which joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea in Istanbul, and separates the continents of Europe and Asia.

the bridge which separates the 2 continent

another view

castles and high walls on each side

beautiful and expensive properties along the river

splendid!

 

[enkil]

Dinner time. Our last night in Istanbul so lets make it grand ya.

rooftop restaurant with the blue mosque view

this is almost 9pm.. well summer time

jemput makan geng..

night falls..

Hhmm where did this pic come from

 

[Fireblade]

More pics please

 

[XXX]

Wellcum back!...