- The BMW GS Rallye blends world-class organisation with some of the best adventure riding roads in the lower North Island
- BMW’s F900GS proves impressively capable across long-distance touring, gravel and technical terrain
- Integrated BMW navigation tech makes rally-style riding easier and safer than ever
Words: Paul Pics: Paul & BMW NZ
An invite to join the annual BMW GS Rallye in Whanganui was an offer too good to pass up — especially when a plan was hatched to ride down on BMW’s newest boxer-powered sport tourer before swapping to the dirt-focused F900GS for the main event.
Like many motorcycle brands with a strong adventure riding heritage, BMW Motorrad hosts annual events that allow riders to experience its machines in the environments they’re designed for. For BMW — the brand that arguably kick-started the modern adventure bike movement when an engineer decided to drop a boxer motor into an off-road chassis — the GS Rallye is a chance to showcase just how broad the GS family’s abilities really are.
Unusually, the Rallye isn’t limited to BMW riders. Entries are open to all brands, and rolling into the Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park just outside Whanganui on a fluorescent São Paulo Yellow F900GS (check out our review HERE), I was greeted by a diverse mix of bikes — albeit with a distinctly German flavour to the crowd.
Perfect Location, Perfect Planning
After Rotorua hosted last year’s event, relocating the Rallye to the lower North Island could have been a logistical challenge. Instead, BMW NZ and the organising team nailed it again. The holiday park offered camping for the truly adventurous, while Whanganui itself — just a few kilometres away — provided plenty of accommodation options for those preferring a roof and a real bed.
The venue worked perfectly: ample parking, a large grassed area, and a spacious hall with catering facilities formed ground zero for the weekend. BMW NZ also brought along a fleet of demo bikes for Friday test rides, including the R 1300 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure, RT tourer — and the R 1300 RS I’d ridden down from Hamilton that morning.
By Friday evening, the place was buzzing. Riders reunited with friends from previous Rallyes, dealerships mingled with customers, and stories flowed as easily as the kilometres ridden to get there. Some had come a long way too — including a Dunedin-based contingent planning to tackle Molesworth Station on their way home.
With entries capped at 220 riders for safety and logistics reasons, the Rallye sold out early, underlining its popularity. Catering could easily have been a pressure point, but the team delivered in style, serving generous meals on Friday and Saturday nights with breakfasts both mornings. No one went hungry — far from it.
Briefings, Boundaries and Backup Plans
A compulsory briefing on Friday night and a rider’s briefing Saturday morning set expectations clearly. Well-known motorcycling identity Pete McPhee delivered the rules in his trademark no-nonsense fashion, emphasising rider behaviour, courtesy, and safety.
All participants were also required to download the LIFE360 app, effectively turning smartphones into locator beacons. With a 360km route covering sealed roads, gravel and remote areas, it added a valuable safety layer should someone fail to return to base.
Maps, GPS and BMW’s Tech Advantage
Navigation has evolved, but old-school route books still have their fans. For some, there’s something satisfying about cutting, taping and scrolling paper directions while manually managing trip distances.
I went the high-tech route. On the advice of BMW NZ tech guru Dennis, I synced the F900GS with the BMW Motorrad app and uploaded the GPX files. Scepticism vanished instantly. Turn-by-turn navigation appeared directly on the TFT dash, complete with countdown distances and road names. It was intuitive, clear and faultless — a genuine highlight of the weekend and a big tick for BMW’s integrated tech.
Getting Dirty (Or Not)
BMW wisely offers a sealed-road route option for those less keen on gravel. For everyone else, the main adventure loop covered 360km of outstanding sealed and gravel roads, with an optional 20km private farm section reserved for bikes wearing full knobbly tyres.
As the first riders rolled out beneath the inflatable BMW arch on Saturday morning, it felt like the entire field departed at once. The lead group was reserved for classic air-cooled GS models, in tribute to a long-time Rallye attendee who had recently passed away.
Once rolling, the F900GS immediately impressed. Metzeler Karoo 4 tyres (thanks for fitting theses BMW NZ!) offered confidence straight away, although the Enduro mode on the F900 softened the throttle and still included some partial electronic intervention which required some adjustment to my riding style. Without Enduro Pro, rear ABS and traction control couldn’t be fully disabled, but the system remained predictable and unobtrusive once the limits were understood.
Finding the Rhythm
Early gravel was straightforward, but freshly graded sections with coarse metal demanded commitment. Carrying speed allowed the 21-inch front wheel to cut through and find grip — far more effective than tiptoeing along. Riders on larger GS models with 19-inch fronts had to work harder, though some made it look effortless, sliding and carving with real intent.
Once settled, the F900GS felt purpose-built for this terrain. Its narrow midsection, generous ground clearance and supple suspension encouraged standing and attacking the trail. The seat grew firm over time, but that’s a compromise I’ll happily take off-road. Loaded to around 219kg with fuel, it never felt unwieldy — stable, composed and impressively forgiving when pushed.
Optional Extras and Hidden Gems
Midway stops added real character. Paloma Gardens — hardly an obvious motorcycling destination — hid a remarkable private collection of 43 bikes inside a shed labelled Moto 71, ranging from 1928 through to modern classics. From Honda RC45s to early Ducatis, Nortons and Benellis, it was a surprise highlight.
Those running full knobbies could divert onto the private farm challenge loop. The standout obstacle? A steep clay hill rising sharply from a tight corner. Plenty of pushing, pulling and teamwork followed — Rallye spirit at its best.
Lunch in Hunterville coincided with the town’s annual Shearers’ Shenanigans, adding colour, crowds and no shortage of dogs to the scene. With over 250km completed by that point, the ride back to Whanganui felt almost relaxed.
Another Rallye Done Right
Back at base, it was clear BMW had delivered again. Riders were buzzing, food flowed, and a local brewery’s beer truck — plus shuttle transport into town — ensured everyone stayed safe and sensible.
The following morning, I pointed the F900GS north for the ride back to Hamilton via the Para Paras. Despite long-travel suspension and dirt-focused tyres, the GS handled tarseal with impressive confidence. Yes, it’s a compromise — but BMW has made those compromises remarkably small.
Parked back at BRM HQ, still dust-covered and unapologetically yellow, the mid-capacity GS looked every bit the adventure bike it claims to be — and after a weekend like that, it had well and truly earned its stripes.
BMW GS Rallye Gallery
What is the BMW GS Rallye?
The BMW GS Rallye is an annual adventure riding event run by BMW Motorrad New Zealand, designed to let riders experience long-distance sealed roads, gravel and off-road terrain in a structured and supported environment.
Where was the 2025 BMW GS Rallye held?
The 2025 BMW GS Rallye was based near Whanganui, with headquarters at Kai Iwi Beach Holiday Park and routes extending through the Rangitikei region and surrounding countryside.
Do you need to ride a BMW to enter the GS Rallye?
No. While the event is organised by BMW Motorrad, the GS Rallye is open to riders on all motorcycle brands, making it one of the more inclusive adventure riding events in New Zealand.
How long is the BMW GS Rallye ride?
The main adventure route for the 2025 Rallye covered approximately 360 kilometres in a single day, combining sealed roads, public gravel roads and optional private land sections.
Is the BMW GS Rallye suitable for beginners?
The Rallye is best suited to riders with some experience in long-distance riding and gravel roads. However, multiple route options are provided, including sealed-road alternatives, allowing riders to choose a level that suits their confidence and ability.
What navigation system is used at the BMW GS Rallye?
Riders can use either traditional paper route books or GPS navigation. BMW riders can also use the BMW Motorrad Connected app, which displays turn-by-turn directions directly on the bike’s TFT dashboard.
What bike was tested at the 2025 BMW GS Rallye?
The event featured a wide range of motorcycles, but the primary test bike ridden for this review was BMW’s new F900GS, a mid-capacity adventure motorcycle designed for both road touring and off-road riding.
How does the BMW F900GS perform off-road?
The BMW F900GS performs strongly off-road thanks to its 21-inch front wheel, long-travel suspension, narrow midsection and predictable electronic rider aids, making it well suited to gravel and adventure terrain.
Are tyres important for the BMW GS Rallye?
Yes. Tyre choice plays a major role. Riders tackling optional off-road sections are required to run full knobbly tyres, while dual-purpose adventure tyres are sufficient for the main public-road route.
How many riders attend the BMW GS Rallye?
The Rallye is capped at around 220 riders for safety and logistical reasons, and entries typically sell out well before the event takes place.
Why is the BMW GS Rallye popular in New Zealand?
The BMW GS Rallye combines excellent route planning, strong safety systems, social riding, and access to some of New Zealand’s best adventure riding roads, making it a standout event on the local motorcycling calendar.
SUMMARY
The 2025 BMW GS Rallye in Whanganui showcased the strength of BMW’s adventure riding community, combining expertly planned routes with sealed roads, gravel and private farmland. Riding BMW’s new F900GS, the event highlighted just how versatile modern mid-capacity adventure bikes have become, backed by smart navigation technology and strong safety planning. From social riding to technical terrain, the Rallye reinforced BMW’s leadership in the adventure segment.
