Riding the White Rim Trail on BMW R1200GS Motorcycles

Nate and I rode the White Rim Trail on BMW R 1200 GS motorcycles. This is a permit only, 100 mile loop, in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. You will not see tourists here. The National Park Service only allows high clearance four wheel drive vehicles, bicycles (with a support vehicle) and street legal motorcycles. We did the ride clockwise in 3 days and two nights. We camped at Airport Campground (if you can call it a campground) and Potato Bottom C. Potato Bottom sites are all gorgeous and have some shade. This ride is not for inexperienced riders or anyone with fear of heights. There were real challenges including up and down Murphy's Hogback and up and down Hardscrabble as well as sand washes that took us both down a couple of times each. It was dry for the three days we rode and I would NOT want to do this if it was wet. On a smaller bike maybe. We planned this trip for about 6 months and had no idea just how visual stunning it was going to be. I'm a photographer and I had all sorts of plans to stay up and shoot some long exposure night photography but by the end of each day I was so fatigued from the heat, my fried nerves and standing on my pegs all day, that I was almost too tired to stay up. Riding the White Rim Trail you are really on your own and a breakdown or major injury could be catastrophic and very expensive.

[@pzchannel6444]

wow, amazing. the views and you gentlemen !

[@mechcavandy986]

I wanted to see you ride across that arch! 😹😹🙀🙀

[@mechcavandy986]

In 2015 I rented a Triumph Tiger 800 XC bike from Colorado Motorcycle Adventures and rode all over The Western Slope with a friend who lives there. I wish I’d made a video. Good job guys!

[@kevinmcdonough9898]

I’ve been to Canyon lands twice and Arches 5 times. I need to move there and buy a dual sport. Great story I loved it!

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

Sleeping on the ground, snakes and large spiders... ;-)

[@samogden]

We were told to watch out for scorpions in our sleeping bags. Lucky no visitors.

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

@@samogden Never heard of scorpions in Canyonlands, that would be a real bad stinger.

[@advmatt]

Great production showing White Rim. This helped with my research for my upcoming trip this fall on a R1200GS beast.

[@ecosystems]

Well, did you ever run the White Rim on the R1200GS??

[@advmatt]

@@ecosystems I did ride White Rim on my R1200GS. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ69fnihZ71omc0si=eoVzJSVNmb8WSsrh

[@johnj.gazette921]

Really well done guys - loved the video and photos

[@JeffC1]

What a great adventure! Fantastic teamwork getting the bike up and out of the soft stuff.

[@swegotech8466]

Thank you for posting this very nice video !!! And your photography work is really cool :-)

[@CaptMaxADV]

Fantastic my guys! Great story and photo work.

[@lowrider9367]

Nice video. Way to break them bikes in!!! Good teamwork & great friends. I look to riding that possibly next year!!!

[@jdgreany]

were those beasts outfitted with knobbies?

[@sandybrenenstuhl]

I hate the key fob... I wish BMW would use a good ole fashion key. It makes no sense to have a wireless key on a motorcycle.

[@powerfulplasma]

Great job completing the ride and video production. What time of year did you go? It looked like early spring. I'm looking to ride it next year. I'll hauling my bike out from NH to CO then will ride a big loop over two weeks.

[@samogden]

Harry Mellott We went in early May. Seemed to be perfect weather. Also a popular time to ride (and bicycle) so campsites are competitive.

[@dwightnevins]

Great Footage , Hope to run into you guys at a YB event !

[@jasonmellor8069]

Thanks for sharing beautiful. What month did you guys do it ?

[@damytzeus]

fully loaded bike with gear probably weighs closer to 700 lbs

[@ecosystems]

Wait, where is the footage of you two going up Hogback?? Or for that matter Hardscrabble??

[@samogden]

Les Ordway Hi Les, thanks for your comments. When

[@samogden]

Les Ordway Hi Les, At the bottom of Murphy’s I knew I needed ever once of concentration I had so I decided to turn off my GoPro. I didn’t want my mind to wander to “how is this looking”. Afterwards I was sorry I didn’t have footage but I didn’t stumble or crash on the ascent. There is footage going down (sliding) but it doesn’t do justice to the angle.

[@ecosystems]

@@samogden I really admire you two taking those bikes on the White Rim. I've done it in each of the last 4 years with my Honda CRF450X. I also have a R1200GS but would never think to take it on that trail. A couple years ago I came across an abandoned R1200GSA in the middle of Hardscrabble. No rider in sight.

[@samogden]

Les Ordway Thanks Les. I’d do the WR again on a smaller machine like your Honda. It’s an incredible place!

[@curtkautsch]

Great video...Beemers are turds 💩. 🤣🤣