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| BMW | Mercedes | Ducati (Not yet released) |
The Ultimate Biker Party - The 80th Anniversary of BMW Motorcycles.
|| Greg Chambers – CRBMW Librarian
Who says the Germans can’t throw a party?
A new video entitled The Ultimate Biker Party: 80th Anniversary of BMW Motorcycles has been added to our library.
Produced by GearheadDVDs, the disk beautifully chronicles the 2003 BMW Motorad held in the Bavarian Alps during the weekend of July 4,5 and 6. Although the Motorad is an annual event held on the first weekend in July, this one was special.
In 2003 BMW motorcycles celebrated its proud 80 year heritage with a huge birthday bash for 30,000 enthusiasts.Through interviews, historic footage and on-site reportage the disk entertainingly documents this unique event. Bonus features include extended interviews with David Robb (BMW Chief Designer), Fred Jakobs (Head BMW Historian) and Jean Pierre Goy (world famous BMW stunt exhibitionist).
Considering the nationwide extravaganza that Harley-Davidson threw for its 100th anniversary this past summer, calling the BMW event “the ultimate biker party” seems like a bit of a stretch. However, the rally did appear to be extremely entertaining.
Many colorful characters (Philippe Gutil of Nordingan, Germany being my favorite) are interviewed and share their impressions during the course of the long weekend. It certainly appeared that everyone had a wonderful time – most saying that they were planning on returning next year.
The added historical racing footage, beautiful shots of vintage bikes and the David Jakob interview lends an air of historic significance to the disk. I especially enjoyed the extended interview with David Robb.
David, with his team of cutting-edge designers, has arguably made the most significant contributions to the current resurgence of popularity of BMW motorcycles. He is not often available for interviews and his inclusion on this disk underscores the significance of this anniversary.
The disk was crafted with superb production values – the video quality, sound and cut scenes were first-rate. Even the cover sleeve was carefully designed. These folks are obviously BMW fanatics and are passionate about sharing the “BMW Experience”.
I highly recommend that CRBMW members borrow or reserve the disk that we have in the library. Order a copy for your own library by clicking over to gearheadDVDs.com and purchase a copy for $19.95. The site itself is extremely entertaining and worth a look.
|| Rick Korchak – WebBikeWorld
"BMW celebrated its 80th anniversary of motorcycle manufacturing with a huge blowout party in Germany in 2003. Over 30,000 people attended from all over the world to celebrate one of the most famous marques in motorcycle history.
BMW's party may have been overshadowed in the U.S.A. by the Harley Davidson celebration, but it was huge by any standard. So if you didn't get a chance to attend, or even if you did, check out this unique DVD. The high-quality video puts you right in the heart of the action, with beautiful rides through the Alps, interviews with the people and the sites and sounds of the big multi-day party!
The videography is excellent and nicely edited -- it makes you feel like you were really there!
[DVD Received Four Helmets out of Four Helmets] "
|| Trevor Rossack – Victoria, Australia
“Just received the BMW DVD, thanks for the quick delivery. I enjoyed the disc, particularly the David Robb extended interview.”
|| “Draco“ – member of the BMW sport touring website forum
“It made we want to go there”
|| Ian48 – member of the bmw sport touring website forum
“I remember the German guy more than anything else... What ever the guy's country of origin, his loyalty to the brand was evident. He evidently had a good time as I'm sure most did. How could you not in such a nice place?
The one thing I did notice that maybe I wasn't paying attention to
in Squaw Valley was the number of couples. That was surprising to me as well.”
|| BMRDAD – Chromehead Forums
“Cool movies, Gearhead. Thanks for letting us know about the CD. Seems like a good idea for Christmas. (The ONE time I wished my wife read this site.)”
|| SteveD518 – I-BMW forums
“I saw the show on FLN. Nice job. I was envious.”
|| Rattus – Pelican Parts Forum
“I'm definitely going to order this. I really enjoy motorcycling DVDs. I wish there were more... Thanks for bringing out such a neat product!”
|| Jesper – GalneDansken.com
“I have received the DVD´s. Very nice, I really liked the Interview section - especially with the Designer.”
|| Leonard Bade – Woodbridge, VA
“Good product!”
|| Jose Ortiz
“As a first time rider, ever, it brings a great sense of pride into the
ownership of a BMW motorcycle. I'm new to motorcycling, and chose to step
into the ring with the best. I'm glad I did”
Reviews for:
In Pursuit of Excellence - The Story of Mercedes Benz
|| Richard Madison – Webmaster of sl113.org
A few comments after viewing a pre-view disk furnished by GearheadDVDs.com.
The “Mercedes Benz – In Pursuit of Excellence” DVD is 92 minutes long and
organized into eight sections. In summary, the disk is professional in look
and sound. It is a review of the early history of the Mercedes company and
its founders. As examples of the “Excellence” mentioned in the title, a few
cars are given some detailed treatment: the Gullwing, The Mercedes 600, and
some of the pre-war racing cars. The disk is not a review of Mercedes cars
and does not discuss other Mercedes models.
The first section presents the history of the Mercedes Benz company, the
origins of the company, and the accomplishments of Daimler and Benz as
inventors and businessmen.
Next is the history of the Silver Arrow racing cars. Other sections cover
the Gullwing and the Mercedes 600. It was interesting to learn that an
unrestored Gullwing in good condition commands about the same price as a
restored car. Nice to know that preservation and originality are being
rewarded.
A tour of the Classic Center in Germany and the Mercedes archives make up
two other sections. Another covers the holdings of The Hidden Garage, the
building in which Mercedes houses its collection of over 500 cars, some of
which rotate in and out of the Mercedes Museum. Unfortunately the cars are
under protective covers. A tour of the Mercedes Museum is the final chapter.
The DVD is professional in image and sound quality. It features a voice-over
narration and three Mercedes representatives: the Director of the Archives;
the head of the Classic Center; and a Chief Engineer. They all have in-depth
knowledge of their areas.
The camera cuts back and forth from the speaker to views of what is being
discussed. The images are mostly stills. I found the Archive section a
little long with a bit too much talking by the head of the Archive.
Racing fans will like the views of the pre-war racing cars including the
W25, W125, W165 and others. Formula 1 fans will not see very much as the
disk is concerned with early history. The Archive and Museum sections focus
on the early days although the current restoration activities of the Classic
Center is discussed.
It would have been helpful to North American viewers if references to
kilometers and kilograms were also given in miles and pounds.
Some shots in the racing section show a racing car moving around a track or
road. The view is composed of a still shot of the car moving along a still
photo of the track. The car wheels do not move and the whole thing looks a
little silly, more like the opening graphics of Monty Pythons Flying Circus.
Disappointed that archival footage was not used. This almost cartoonlike
composite is used in several places on the disk. A film shot of a 60’s sedan
racing along a European street is one of the most exciting images on the
disk. Unfortunately, it lasts only a few seconds.
The Hidden Garage was new to me as I didn’t even know it existed. Would have
liked have seen some of the 500 classics with covers off but perhaps the
Mercedes does not permit showing individual automobiles.
Those who are looking for particular models such as 190 SL’s, Pagodas, W107,
W114 or the many others produced by MB over the years will not find them on
this disk. A W113 Pagoda does drive by in the opening and closing credits
but it’s gone in a few seconds.
The disk is not a history of Mercedes cars except for early racing, the
Gullwing, and the Mercedes 600. As an historic resource, the disk could be a
nice addition to a Mercedes collection to sit alongside the books and
magazines. The disk has the advantage of motion and sound. Those familiar
with the Mercedes story will not learn much new here but it is nice to see
the inside of the archives and the Museum if you have not visited these
sites.
The disk at $19.95 plus shipping seems competitively priced and is nicely
packaged. The clips on the geraheaddvds.com website give a good taste of the
full disk. Perhaps the producer will consider a series on individual
Mercedes models. Maybe the W113 Pagodas will be first: great history, near
perfect classic elegance, and ready for its closeup.
- Richard M
Thanks to gearheaddvds.com for the pre-view copy.