Rallye 2 suit - armour by choice

Any motorcyclist embarking on worldwide travel or riding near impossible
conditions has a tough decision to make when it comes to their choice of
protective rider clothing. These days a motorcyclist in EU-approved armour and
protective clothing may aim to conquer the rigors of the Dakar Rally or defeat
Mongolia's impossible terrain. With an extreme mission to accomplish, the
rider's preferred bike is inevitably a BMW while his or her protective clothing
will be drawn from BMW Motorrad's Rider Equipment collection.

When Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman travelled the Long Way Round from London
to New York they rode BMW R1150 GS Adventures and were equipped with Rallye 2
suits. A few months later Simon Pavey completed the 2005 Dakar rally on the
feisty little F650 GS and wore a Rallye 2 combination to protect him from
sandstorms, high winds and the inevitable tumbles. But Simon wasn't the only
one. Over half the Dakar's privateer competitors - irrespective of what bike
they were riding - wore Rallye 2 suits.

The Rallye 2 is an uncompromising item of equipment for serious riding and is
designed to resist and beat climatic adversity, physical abuse and extreme
terrain. There is no particular secret, just a combination of features and
high technology materials that work well together to define one of the best
motorcycle garments ever designed.

The outer shell of the Rallye 2 is made from BMW C.A.R.E.-quality Cordura 500,
which is one of the toughest modern textiles known to man and is reinforced in
all 'fall zones'. An inner membrane of GORE-TEX® gives the suit its definitive
water and weatherproofing capabilities and - in conjunction with a
scientifically designed venting system - ensures perfect body comfort
irrespective of climatic or riding conditions.

A number of the shell's strategic design features are major contributory
factors to the Rallye 2's durability and effectiveness. For instance, the
outside of the upper thighs of the trousers and seat are made from
exceptionally tear-resistant Dyna-Stretch material; Cordura Stretch is used in
the calf area for freedom of movement; and the innovative ventilation system
provides air flow to chest, arms, back and upper thighs.

As well as its purpose-designed efficiency, the Rallye 2 has a number of
thoughtful and practical features. These include a removable hip bag; a
retrofittable drink facility; strategically-sited reflective material; leather
grip-patches at the knees; removable protective padding and back protector;
optional chest protector; a plethora of pockets; a start number pocket (also
for map storage); a windowed sleeve pocket; and removable sleeves so that the
jacket can be worn as a waistcoat.

Simon Pavey, who completed the 2005 Dakar, was in no doubt about the suit's
functionality: "You need a suit [in the Dakar] that can face the cold and hot
conditions. It will be zero degrees in the morning and you will ride for
200-300 kilometers in low temperatures and then by lunchtime it will be 40
degrees. It's the only jacket that does everything," said Pavey. "The suit I
wore wasn't new. I had actually worn it for all the BMW Off-Road Skills courses
last year, raced in six enduros, took part in the Australian Safari and then
rode in the Dakar. The only thing that broke was the little tag on the zip...
I guess it's time to wash it now."

Actor Charley Boorman completed the Long Way Round in a Rallye 2 suit that took
more abuse in three months than the average rider could inflict in a lifetime.
"We looked at lots of different clothing and suits but truthfully we couldn't
find anything as versatile," said Boorman. "It took us through everything -
every climate, every type of road. It needed to keep us warm because we knew
that it would be really cold in a lot of the places. It also needed to keep us
dry and then cool in the really hot weather as well. When the suit did get wet
it dried out really quickly and if you take out the lining the ventilation
system really works. The BMW suit caters for everything."

Although designed as a professional enduro suit, the Rallye 2 is becoming
increasingly popular with long distance road riders and off-road weekenders.
It is a cult garment that is fast attaining a mainstream reputation.

The Rallye 2 suit is available from all BMW Motorrad dealerships in red/black
or grey/black in sizes 46 to 118 and has a RRP of £380 for the jacket and £270
for the trousers.

Ends

Customers can call BMW's information line: 0800 777 155 or visit
www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

For further press information please contact one of the following:

Kylie Maebus / Lauren Haslehurst 08000 131 282
Conrad Parker 01344 480704