2012 BOSS IronMan Challenge

The first event for 2012 in the Philippine Motorcycle calendar is the 2012 Boss, here is the article posted by BOSS:

The BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) is the only motorcycle club in the Philippines recognized by the BMW Clubs International Council. BOSS is now preparing for the motorcycling community's most awaited and prestigious annual event, the 2012 BOSS IronMan Challenge VII, set for January 14-15, 2012.

This endurance challenge started in 2006 with just a handful of BOSS members looking to see if they could ride the 1,200 kilometer route within 24 hours, a real test of man and machine. After 5 successful years, the number of participants, coming from all walks of life exceeded 300! Riders were given the opportunity to test their skills while keeping in mind safe riding, navigating, orienteering and physical endurance and at the same time, meet other motor sports enthusiasts from other clubs all over the country while enjoying the beautiful sights of Northern Luzon. Due to the events' success in the past, we've opened the invitation to car enthusiasts as well. For 2012, we are expecting the participants to go over 400.

The event is not a race as we do not award medals, trophies, nor publish a list of finishers according to position or time. To successfully become a BOSS IronMan is a feat that money cannot buy.
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As early as now participants are training hard and doing ocular inspections of the official route that would be ridden by all. I hear there are a lot of Road Works in Dalton Pass, this would pose to be the most difficult section of the ride.

The weapon of choice for this event would be a BMW GS 1200. All previous 1st finishers were all riding a BMW GS 1200 and it has proven to be the ultimate tour bike for the Ironman challenge. There are possible new challengers: Ducati MS 1200 and KTM 990 Adventure. However, I would not expect the Ducati and KTM to claim the top finisher position just yet. There is fuel consumption to deal with. The Ducati MS 1200 and KTM 990 does a range of about 250 to 270 kilometers depending on how the rider rolls the throttle. The Mighty BMW GS does about 310 to 340 kilometers possibly even more, depending on how the rider rolls the throttle as well. Just do the math, the mighty BMW GS will always have fewer fuel stops than any other bike. That advantage can be nullified if the other contending bikes would have special fuel tanks made to carry more load. This however is not the solution, because the rider will have to deal with the added weight o the bike.

If your thinking of using a superbike, then you are out of your mind. You might as well have a whole SPA waiting for you in the finish line because surely your whole body will feel like it aged 50 years after riding 1200 kilometers in a cramped position.

If your thinking of using a standard bike, then I would say it is and always will be a better choice than a superbike. However, do not expect to be the top finisher because of the same reason the great pretenders I have mentioned above. FUEL CONSUMPTION is the key in finishing first.

If I were joining, I would certainly use the Mighty BMW GS 1200 with a flashy paint scheme to make me go faster.

To all the participants, Good Luck and GODSPEED!