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Dr. Frazier’s Big Dog BMW GS Adventure Photo Gallery

Surrounding the oldest and newest BMW GS models the 2010 “BIG DOGS” celebrated 30 years of adventure riding by throwing a wild party high in the Rocky Mountains.

Dr. Frazier looks back at the bike that spawned the adventure-touring genre and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the BMW GS with his fellow Big Dogs. Check out his full report in Dr. Frazier’s Big Dog BMW GS Adventure.

Nose to nose, 30 years apart: the iconic 1981 R80 G/S and an anniversary edition 2010 F800 GS prepared to ride the Rockies.

BMW GS’s welcomed adventure models from Kawasaki’s KLR 650 to Honda’s Transalp and serious adventurist models in between.

This couple drove their BMW to the BIG DOG ADVENTURE RIDE from Michigan. The pilot off-loaded his pillion and luggage, and then hammered the hills while howling, “It’s so light now!”

This rare model in the USA, the Honda Africa Twin, was ready to test itself against the numerous BMW’s.

A “sleeper” 705 cc KLR was entered by the Happy Trails Company from Boise, Idaho. It tagged the highest passes, complete with luggage panniers.

A BIG DOG with his Big Boy Toy, a highly modified BMW “Montana G/S.”

An entrant BIG DOG negotiates the treacherous “steps” below Black Bear Pass. A tip to the left meant a 100-foot fall into the rushing white water glacial stream below, not unknown to happen to motorcycle drivers who error even slightly. This one stayed dry.

At speed along a loose gravel pack mule track carved into the side of a mountain, this entrant on his BMW slowed not one MPH, with a 1,000 foot drop on his left.

This picture shows what is “over the side” meant if a motorcyclist slid out: 1,000 feet of air, then rocks and water.

Grrrrrr! The growling BIG DOG in the back was tired of eating dust, but could find no way around the speedier and steadier BMW GS driver out front. Wide BMW cylinders, a cliff on the right and drop-off on the left meant no room for passing, unless it was to be done riding on air.

Waving at speed, the other hand on the throttle, over loose gravel, looks easy when done by a multi-Baja race winner. This pose is not suggested for the newbie adventure rider.

Clearance and superior suspension help big adventure motorcycles nearly fly up to passes like Engineer. Helping was pilot skill and a well pushed envelope.

The track in the back ground, up the side of the mountain, took the riders well over the 13,000 foot level.

Time was taken out by these entrants to enjoy the unique tunnel and time-of-day opportunity for a photograph capturing memories.

A Pit Stop in Telluride for lunch slowed entrants between Black Bear Pass before starting up Imogene Pass, time for tire kicking as they compared makes and models of BIG DOG motorcycles entered.

The iconic BMW R80 G/S was at home on the “Roof of North America.” 30 years young, with 7,000 miles on the odometer, it was nearly broken in and breathing well at 10,000 feet.

Topping Imogene Pass was a significant accomplishment for the “over 640 cc” adventure motorcycles, some with luggage and others with weight close to 500 lbs. and stock tires.

Camaraderie amongst celebrants of BMW’s 30 years of adventure riding, whether racing or riding around the world, was shared at one of the highest points they could reach on two wheels.

Cresting high passes meant time for reflection and wonderment at the colors that make Colorado’s San Juan Mountains some of the most spectacular on the planet.

After piloting a Honda Transalp over some of the toughest and ugliest rocks in the San Juan Mountains, this entrant took a few minutes to catch his breath above 13,000 feet before riding higher.

Two winners cool their heels at the end of a day before the evening celebration started.

The BMW worker told his watchers, “My wife expects her BMW back in the same condition she lent it to me. We must support my story about it not being off road, and stick to it!”

$Pictured are two DOGS asking a third to pass judgment on who has the better fractured digit after a day of riding and stepping off once or twice.$
Pictured are two DOGS asking a third to pass judgment on who has the better fractured digit after a day of riding and stepping off once or twice.

Pictured here was a Friday evening inspection of the Happy Trails Dutch Oven Idaho “Chick-A-Salmon” Big Dog Stew rumored to have fresh road kill added for a “mild battered tastiness.”

Pictured are some famed 2-inch thick BIG DOG T-bone steaks for the Saturday night BBQ.

Evening meals were a time for trading tales and sharing adventures from around the world.

Wives and lady friends were invited to share in the evening celebration meals and enjoying the multi-media shows presented by the DOGS. As one DOG quipped, “We get tired of looking at and being with DOGS all day, it’s nice to share some time with those that let us play.”

Pictured are a V-Strom adventure rider and his helper DOG using free water in a deep hole to wash the dust of the day off his motorcycle.

BMW owner pictured here (and one of the event founders) shows how to cool the left cylinder of a R100 GSPD in shallow water.

Two DOGS are pictured here comparing wounds at the end of the day – severe ankle sprains starting to turn rainbow colors.

An unnamed DOG unknowingly asks, “How did you know I was a BIG DOG?” Note the level of the zipper of his Aerostich Darien pants.