My date with Charley

[DJ Downunder]

Charley Boorman was in town promoting the new Special edition 3 disc Long Way Round DVD.

The local BMW dealer at Southbank invited me to come along..knowing I'm a big fan of Charley.

I popped in earlier in the afternoon to check out what the go was..times...dress...etc.

It looked like they were getting ready for a big night...starting about 6pm...drinks..eats..thanks to BMW.





I got there on time and the place was packed...





Charley turned up in style...yes a new Roller.. ...I expected a BMW.



Time to meet the man...a bit shorter than I expected...just like he is in the DVD...very funny.



He had his mate Tony with him...they're working on the next epic...yes the Dakar...note the T shirt.





After a short exert from the DVD...and a talk from Charley (about 2 hours that seemed like 20 minutes)..it was time for signing...books,dvd's..legs..







The dealer had an offer for free dvd's...



The original movie was 2 dvd's (7 episodes)..the new one is 3 dvd's (10 episodes)..more footage from the trip in Canada and the US.

T'was a good date...

DJ

[BobFV1]

DJ -

You the man. We've got to get you up here for a visit!

Thanks for the pix!

[riceburner]

DJ - if you ever get up to the UK let me know.

[new2BMW]

DJ;
Cool post.

By the way, Rolls Royce is owned by BMW so technically he did roll up in a Beemer!

[Biff]

DJ,
What is the bike in the first picture behind all of the glasses? It looks like a 1200GS, but the beak is shorter, and the colors looked a little different.

[sshallen]

WHY doesn't BMW sell bikes in the US car dealerships? Seems like the perfect solution to a lot of problems. Just need one "bike guy" per dealership.

I know, I know... "This is how we've always done it...".

[DJ Downunder]

DJ,
What is the bike in the first picture behind all of the glasses?

It was an R1200GS that was set for racing...all dirty and lots of trick bits and mods all over it...nice.



There were some nice other bikes there including two K1200R's that they swapped the colored bits to make a black on black and a silver on silver.





There was a nice R1150GSA in white...and the brightest orange little 650GS.





The thing I liked the most was the new BMW system 5 flip helmets...they were very nice,well made and cumfee.

WHY doesn't BMW sell bikes in the US car dealerships?

This is the only one that I know of...they are next to each other (same building)...but run separately...the car section is huge.

Thanks riceburner and BobFV1...one day I might win the lotto and catch up with you guys..

DJ

[scottybooj]

thanks for the post dj. looking at that dealership, our local one is completely in the dark ages. uggh.

[dallara]

DJ...

You do know that BMW now *OWNS* Rolls-Royce, right?

Cheers!

Dallara

[DJ Downunder]

Thanks new2BMW and Dallara...yes I did know about BMW owning Rolls-Royce...I'd forgotten about that...it was a nice roller...sewercide rear doors and all.

Charley talked about his training for the Dakar....and there's talk of another Long Way Round type movie with Ewan around south Africa.

Anyone looking to buy the new version of LWR please note that it now has a different cover picture.



DJ

[collyers]

There are quite few auto/motorrad duo dealers in the US - Sante Fe, NM being one of them, but not very rider/service friendly (at least for Texans needing tires...). Car people & bike people together not always a good stew.

[QSIMDO]

I want a job like yours!

[dallara]

My apologies, New2BMW.

Somehow I missed your post prior to mine about BMW owning Rolls-Royce. Got to looking to closely at DJ's pics, I guess!

Cheers!

Dallara