Ewan's bikes at Coventry Transport Museum - pics

John Smallberries · 11-30-2012, 02:06 PM

I spent today near London at Bletchley Park and the Coventry Transport Museum. The latter is the resting place for Ewan McGregor's GS's from Long Way Round & Down. I know: many love these guys, many hate them. I'm in the former category - so I took a few pics to share.

I love the beat-up AirHawk. I'd hate to make that trip on the stock saddle.

They had Ted Simon's bike as well

If you are in London with a day to kill, I highly recommend the trip. You can hit both Bletchley Park and the Coventry Transport Museum in one shot, with lots of time on the tube/train.

Girthy Knobkers · 11-30-2012, 02:36 PM

very cool!

Denalidirt · 11-30-2012, 02:39 PM

I don't get it myself. I see dozens of GS all summer long loaded just like that. Some folks I had the pleasure of talking to had over 450 days on the road and 100,000 miles. all of which had no camera crew/ support truck. Fixed all repairs themselves and slept on the ground. Though I'm a fan of Ewan as an actor I don't think his bike is "special". MO
Take Ted on the other hand, he road for four years and covered 64,000 miles and 45 countries, in 1973. 28 years later he did the same thing, at 70yrs old, but only took three years the second time around.

LaurelPerryOnLand · 11-30-2012, 02:54 PM

I'd prefer Bletchley Park...home of the CODE BREAKERS during WW2.
Now there's a story worth telling.

Read more?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletchley_Park

John Smallberries · 11-30-2012, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

I'd prefer Bletchley Park...home of the CODE BREAKERS during WW2.
Now there's a story worth telling.

Read more?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletchley_Park

The tour of Bletchley Park was amazing. We got a nice guided tour by a colorful expert. They have much of the original equipment working: many Enigmas, Bombes, The Colossus, etc. I've read several books on the subject and it was fantastc to see it all preserved. The intelligence and creativity of these people is nearly incomprehensible.

I agree that it makes a motorcycle trip seem trivial!

mtrdrms · 11-30-2012, 03:48 PM

Thanks john. I like the long way round/down series' and credit these bikes for contributing to the success of our passion. Like them or not, we owe them for getting the attention of the aftermarket that supplies us with all our great gear and farkles! And I've always wondered where those bikes went.

WindSailor · 11-30-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtrdrms

I like the long way round/down series' and credit these bikes for contributing to the success of our passion.

And to show everyone that the Adventure series can be semi 'crash proof' and ride ready - within reason.

Well tested.

lhendrik · 11-30-2012, 06:48 PM

Like it or not, BMW should realize that those 2 guys probably sold more GS's than any other advertising. I know I got mine after seeing the videos and then rode all over Europe and into Republic of Georgia and back and I'm 63 and though I had no support vehicles or camera crews, if I had the $$$ I would have :)

HoneyBunz · 11-30-2012, 07:05 PM

Charley and Ewan are awesome!
No other adventure riders did a better job of sharing their experiences with the rest of us.
Having camera and support crews probably complicated things as often as not.

vagueout · 11-30-2012, 10:14 PM

I like ewan and charlie and the films they make, great entertainment and to a degree inspirational, Ted Simon is on a whole other level. I would like very much to see all their bikes.

Sox Fan · 12-01-2012, 06:02 AM

Thanks for sharing neighbor. I like and respect Charlie and Ewan as well. Proabably wouldn't own a GS if I didn't see LWR.

If I had the resources these guys have, I would do the same around the world thing with a support crew. Who wouldn't?

Rockmuncher · 12-01-2012, 06:06 AM

Ewin and Charlie's first series was what inspired me to buy the BMW. Maybe they're not as bad ass as some others, but since when was it a contest. I've watched the Long Way shows more than once and probably will again.

Farmer Palmer · 12-01-2012, 09:58 AM

Two wheeled Landrovers!

Enjoyed LWR and LWD and it was nice to see Charlies bike 'in the flesh' and have a wee sit on it aswell............!

Had GS's way before Ewan and Charlie but the success of the films they made just re-enforced the fact that they are great travelling bikes and popular with everyone.

In the LWD series Ewan and Charley stopped at Lindesfarne or Holy Island which is only thirty five minutes ride from here and just over the English Border...........I often ride down there and park in the same spot next to the 'three bedroomed' castle!

FP.

Ridestrong · 12-01-2012, 11:24 AM

Just watching Charlie and Ewan push their bikes across Mongolia......they're qualified!

RomaDakota · 12-01-2012, 11:42 AM

Enjoyed the pictures!

11-30-2012, 02:06 PM	#1
John Smallberries ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Northville, Michigan Oddometer: 1,028	Ewan's bikes at Coventry Transport Museum - pics I spent today near London at Bletchley Park and the Coventry Transport Museum. The latter is the resting place for Ewan McGregor's GS's from Long Way Round & Down. I know: many love these guys, many hate them. I'm in the former category - so I took a few pics to share. I love the beat-up AirHawk. I'd hate to make that trip on the stock saddle. They had Ted Simon's bike as well If you are in London with a day to kill, I highly recommend the trip. You can hit both Bletchley Park and the Coventry Transport Museum in one shot, with lots of time on the tube/train. __________________ '05 BMW 1200GS '09 Honda CRF230 '10 Yamaha TW200

11-30-2012, 02:39 PM	#3
Denalidirt High Plains Drifter Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Denali, Ak. Oddometer: 733	nothing special I don't get it myself. I see dozens of GS all summer long loaded just like that. Some folks I had the pleasure of talking to had over 450 days on the road and 100,000 miles. all of which had no camera crew/ support truck. Fixed all repairs themselves and slept on the ground. Though I'm a fan of Ewan as an actor I don't think his bike is "special". MO Take Ted on the other hand, he road for four years and covered 64,000 miles and 45 countries, in 1973. 28 years later he did the same thing, at 70yrs old, but only took three years the second time around.

11-30-2012, 03:48 PM	#6
mtrdrms GGGGG-MEN!! Joined: Jan 2011 Location: NW CT Oddometer: 96	Thanks john. I like the long way round/down series' and credit these bikes for contributing to the success of our passion. Like them or not, we owe them for getting the attention of the aftermarket that supplies us with all our great gear and farkles! And I've always wondered where those bikes went. __________________ Bikers check the weather in the morning to see if they're gonna ride, motorcyclists check to see what they're gonna wear.. 2007 1200gs

11-30-2012, 06:48 PM	#8
lhendrik Truffle Rustler Joined: Dec 2008 Location: New York and Floridoodie Oddometer: 1,942	Like it or not, BMW should realize that those 2 guys probably sold more GS's than any other advertising. I know I got mine after seeing the videos and then rode all over Europe and into Republic of Georgia and back and I'm 63 and though I had no support vehicles or camera crews, if I had the $$$ I would have :) __________________ Normal is just a setting on the dryer. Armageddon was yesterday - Today we have a serious problem. 2009 R1200GS Adventure 2008 K1200GT

11-30-2012, 10:14 PM	#10
vagueout Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: sydney, east Oddometer: 1,123	I like ewan and charlie and the films they make, great entertainment and to a degree inspirational, Ted Simon is on a whole other level. I would like very much to see all their bikes. __________________ i just seek clarity

11-30-2012, 02:36 PM	#2
Girthy Knobkers Adventurer Joined: May 2012 Location: SoCal Oddometer: 57	very cool!

11-30-2012, 02:54 PM	#4
LaurelPerryOnLand Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 2,416	I'd prefer Bletchley Park...home of the CODE BREAKERS during WW2. Now there's a story worth telling. Read more? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletchley_Park

11-30-2012, 07:05 PM	#9
HoneyBunz Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2006 Oddometer: 3,253	Charley and Ewan are awesome! No other adventure riders did a better job of sharing their experiences with the rest of us. Having camera and support crews probably complicated things as often as not.

12-01-2012, 06:02 AM	#11
Sox Fan SoxFan Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Southeast Michigan Oddometer: 793	Thanks for sharing neighbor. I like and respect Charlie and Ewan as well. Proabably wouldn't own a GS if I didn't see LWR. If I had the resources these guys have, I would do the same around the world thing with a support crew. Who wouldn't? __________________ 2004 R1150 GSA 1976 R90/6 2007 530xi 1989 911

12-01-2012, 06:06 AM	#12
Rockmuncher I Like Tractor Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Alberta, Canada Oddometer: 532	Ewin and Charlie's first series was what inspired me to buy the BMW. Maybe they're not as bad ass as some others, but since when was it a contest. I've watched the Long Way shows more than once and probably will again.

12-01-2012, 09:58 AM	#13
Farmer Palmer Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: East Lothian, Scotland Oddometer: 244	Two wheeled Landrovers! Enjoyed LWR and LWD and it was nice to see Charlies bike 'in the flesh' and have a wee sit on it aswell............! Had GS's way before Ewan and Charlie but the success of the films they made just re-enforced the fact that they are great travelling bikes and popular with everyone. In the LWD series Ewan and Charley stopped at Lindesfarne or Holy Island which is only thirty five minutes ride from here and just over the English Border...........I often ride down there and park in the same spot next to the 'three bedroomed' castle! FP. __________________ 11 G650GS/FL, 10 GSA30

12-01-2012, 11:24 AM	#14
Ridestrong Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: Houston, TX Oddometer: 153	Just watching Charlie and Ewan push their bikes across Mongolia......they're qualified!

12-01-2012, 11:42 AM	#15
RomaDakota Khan! Joined: May 2006 Location: Land of misfit toys Oddometer: 990	Enjoyed the pictures! __________________ КМЗ Dnepr MT11 // КМЗ M72 // ИЖ Planeta 5 // КМЗ MV750 // BMW R1200GS 30th

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