When only the best will do

Any motorcyclist embarking on worldwide travel or riding in difficult
conditions has a tough decision to make when it comes to their choice of
protective rider clothing.

It's easy for a clothing manufacturer to claim that their products are good
enough to wear for riding around the world or even competing in events such as
the infamous Dakar rally. However it is far better to let those who actually
wear them in these situations to comment on their effectiveness.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that last year saw many adventure and competition
motorcyclists choose to wear BMW Motorrad's Rallye 2 suit. It is an
uncompromising item of equipment for serious riding and is designed to resist
and beat climatic adversity, physical abuse and extreme terrain.

Now, BMW Motorrad has launched the brand new 2006 Rallye 2 Pro suit - a direct
replacement for the popular Rallye 2, and the first BMW textile suit to offer
enhanced body armour across the shoulder, elbow, back, knee and hip areas.
Simon Pavey is a regular Dakar rally competitor and chief instructor on BMW's
Off-Road Skills courses in the UK. He entered the 2006 Dakar with Charley
Boorman and both riders wore the new BMW Rallye 2 Pro suits:

"The main thing I always notice when competing in the Dakar is regardless of
the type of motorcycle being ridden, the vast majority of privateers are
wearing a BMW riding suit. The new BMW Rallye 2 Pro suit was the perfect answer
for me thanks to its specially designed venting systems perfect for heat; along
with gore-tex inners for the wettest of days and a water hydration system
built-in," said Simon.

He added: "When you are competing in a demanding event such as the Dakar, you
need to have confidence in what you are wearing. The newly improved
CE-protectors are more hi-tech and better shaped to suit the body, which
undoubtedly contributes to an increased level of comfort and protection."

Herbert Schwartz is the Executive Director of Touratech and a well-known
'globetrotter'. He has ridden BMWs all over the world and was one of the first
to experience the outstanding capabilities of the new R 1200 GS Adventure.
He recently travelled extensively in Central America on the new Adventure,
where he also made many of the photographs incorporated in the 2006/7 Touratech
catalogue.

"The Rallye 2 Pro equipment is the only realistic option to ride in. I recently
rode from Delhi in India to Tibet and the temperatures we encountered went from
52°C in India with a humidity of 75-80% down to minus 15°C through the
mountains on the way to Tibet.

"If it's hot it's perfect because I can open all the vents and just have a
t-shirt on underneath and then with the Gore-tex liner in it is perfect when
it's freezing cold. The Rallye 2 Pro suit is just about unbeatable."

As well as its purpose-designed efficiency, the new Rallye 2 Pro 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.

The new BMW Rallye 2 Pro suit is available at all BMW Motorrad UK dealer
showrooms from early March in grey/blue or grey/black colour options. The suit
is priced at £395 for the jacket and £280 for the trousers.

Customers can now take advantage of an exclusive 'try before you buy' service -
available at all BMW Motorrad UK dealerships. To find out more, customers can
call BMW's information line on 0800 777 155 or visit www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

Ends

For further BMW press information please contact one of the following:

Andy Dukes / Lauren Haslehurst 08000 131 282
Conrad Parker 01344 480 704