Motorrading Germany - Beemers and Bier Photo Gallery

Motorcycle USA hit the picturesque roads of Southern Germany, including the Black Forest en route to covering the Intermot Bike Show.

The Marienplatz in Munich, just a tipsy walk away from Oktoberfest.

The town center in the Marienplatz attracts many tourists.

Weissbier, bitte.

Our first day of riding took us to the scenic shores of Lake Constance, or as it is known in Germany - the Bodensee.

Germany knew we were coming, so the rain was ready for our arrival - Bodensee.

The Bodensee has ferry crossings, including this one to the city of Konstanz.

A ferry ride to Konstanz gives us a break from the R1200RT, a very capable mount for our German excursion.

The following day was calmer, although rain continued here on the shore-line of Konstanz - where the Bodensee becomes the Rhine.

The Black Forest proved whiter than expected with snow flurries on some of our early passes.

It may have been cold and dicey on the bikes, but the ride through the Black Forest passes was memorable and trouble free aboard the R1200RT.

Curse ye weather gods! Fortunately our gear kept us dry and warm - with the R1200RT heated grips a godsend... unlike the snow!

When the snow turned to rain, the roads got more fun, like this 180-turn in the Black Forest.

The Black Forest region in Southwestern Germany.

Here comes the sun... Our Black Forest ride wasn't all snow and rain.

The Schwarzwaldhochstrasse is a mountainous route snaking through the northern Black Forest from Freudenstadt to Baden-Baden

Black Forest ride aboard BMW R1200RT.

The roads through the Black Forest were the best of our trip.

The BMW R1200RT was a more than capable mount during our Black Forest tour.

The touring R1200RT is graceful and sporty, even in the mucky slush, and I remind myself to personally thank the engineer who came up with the heated handgrip concept.

We also see Black Forest ham, and not the stuff they sell at the supermarket deli either.

Yes, the Black Forest is where Americans buy all their cukoo clocks.

Baden-Baden is a popular tourist destination, the resort town gained fame in the 19th Century for its hot springs and casino.

Our road to Baden-Baden featured numerous scenic vistas.

Admiring the old stone bridge over the Nakar River and Heidelberg's old town center on the other side.

On the northern side of the river is a nature trail dubbed the Philosophenweg or Philosopher’s Walk – where great historical thinkers from the town’s university are reputed to have contemplated the mysteries of life.

The light didn't quite agree with out photo, but the view of Heidelberg's gothic castle is unforgettable.

The Rhine flows from Konstanz out to the North Sea and is a busy traffic-way for industrial ships.

The Rhine is dotted with numerous castles and other old fortifications.

The Rhine River valley.

View from atop the Lorelei.

Our first stop is the Lorelei, a large rock located on the east side of the Rhine. A winding road breaks off the river route and twists up to the top of the rocky formation.

The touristy town of Boppard caters to the numerous river cruises.

The rooftops of Boppard, Germany.

The half-timbered house of Schiltach, Germany.

Our trip centered around the massive INTERMOT Bike Show in Cologne.

Cologne has numerous bridges crossing the mighty Rhine, with this horseman watching as sentinal over one.

The Cologne Cathedral is rightly considered an artistic treasure and a World Heritage Site.

At night the gothic Cologne Cathedral is intimidating with its vertical grandeur.

The exterior of the Cologne Cathedral features medieval sculpture.

The Cologne Cathedral's interior houses numerous religious sculpture and is reputed to house the remains of the three wisemen.

Hofbrauhaus has been a tourist detination for well over 100 years.

The Hofbrauhaus was the Bavarian Dukes official weissbier brewer.