Motorcycle Journalist Dies at a BMW R1200 GS Launch Event in South Africa

Kevin Ash has been a motorcycle journalist for the past 15 years for the Daily Telegraph. He was an accomplished motorcycle rider and a well know motorcycle journalistic voice in the UK. Tragically, Ash died Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 in a motorcycle accident whilst test riding a BMW R1200GS at a media launch in South Africa.

For new bike launches, the motorcycle manufacturers often invite journalists to test ride motorbikes and tell the story of their experience and of course, review the bikes. These types of rides can be held all over the world and events like this can be a bit crazy with a number of journalists riding together on bikes they may, or may not be comfortable on. This particular launch in South Africa was to celebrate the 2013 BMW R 1200 series 90th anniversary special models.

According to reports, the accident occurred as groups of journalists were on a two-day ride to test BMW's new R1200GS motorbike. It's not clear what transpired, but apparently Kevin Ash died at the scene in front of a group of other journalists. It's a one in a million freak accident for a truely experienced, well respected and dedicated rider.

We heard from fellow journalist, Costa Mouzouris, who was also on location at the time of the launch; he wrote: "I'm at that launch, knew Kevin quite well. It's very sad indeed. BMW hasn't said anything as to what happened. All we know is that it was on a straight stretch of dirt road, and it was very dusty."

Ash was the father to three children, his eldest daugher released this statement on his website Ash on Bikes: Straigh Talk http://www.ashonbikes.com/ "... The phrase 'he died doing what he loved' sprang to mind, but I would like to stamp that firmly out. He loved his family more, and we loved him."

Our most sincere condolences to Kevin Ash's family. A motorcyclist lost is a soul deaply missed.

More related stories as they develop:

• Bike Exif recently published an interview with Kevin Ash that is absolutely worth reading: INTERVIEW: KEVIN ASH
• The Daily Mail Story: British motorcycle writer killed in accident in front of fellow journalists whilst trying out BMW motorcycle at press launch
• The Telegraph Story: Telegraph motorcycling correspondent Kevin Ash dies
• Telegraph Obituaray: Kevin Ash Obit

Below is an image of the R1200 GS model Kevin Ash was riding.