Dakar Dream: Germany to Dakar on 2-Valve Boxers!

Reliving the Paris-Dakar Rally route with SWT Sports…

In 1978, 182 vehicles embarked from Paris’s Place du Trocadéro bound for the Senegalese capital of Dakar, a 10,000-kilometer journey that would take them across Algeria, Niger, Mali, Burkino Faso, and Senegal. Only 74 vehicles survived the race. No one knew then that the Paris-Dakar Rally (Le Rallye Paris-Dakar) would evolve into one of the world’s most iconic, grueling races.

The 1980s would be heady times for the trans-Africa rally, with BMW, Honda, and Yamaha all competing for dominance. Between 1979 and 1985, BMW would win four of the rallies with Hubert Auriol and Gaston Rahier piloting their R80G/S rally bikes — 2-valve boxer twins that birthed the multi-cylinder adventure bikes of today.

For Manuel “Manu” Schad, who grew up in the 1980s, making the journey to Dakar became a boyhood dream:

“As a child, I experienced the legendary Dakar Rally on television. This spectacular event sparked a dream in me early on to master this challenging route with my own motorcycle one day.”

In the early 2000s, at the age of 24, Manu set off to complete the journey on his BMW R100GS PD (Paris-Dakar). Unfortunately, armed only with a compass and map, he didn’t make it quite the whole way. Shortly thereafter, he founded SWT Sports, which has grown into the one of the world’s most renowned specialists in 2-valve BMW Boxers, offering parts, expertise, and custom modifications.

Manu has also established himself as an enduro racer of note, taking first place in the IGE “Standard Enduro” class on his race-prepped R75/6, and he’s continued tackling long-distance adventures on two wheels, often with his traveling companion, Jörg.

“We came together in 2012 and have since undertaken several tours through Finland and Russia alongside the European champion Simo Kirssi… Jörg is strong and resilient, and he can endure quite a lot while traveling. His determination and spirit make him an excellent companion for such challenging journeys.”

Twenty years after his first attempt at Dakar, Manu decided to tackle the course again. He and Jörg obtained a pair of BMW R100R street bikes and set about preparing them for the journey. The modifications were extensive, and actually took several years to complete in between their normal workshop duties.

Manu details everything below, but major changes include reinforced frames, WP forks, Dutch-made TracTive central rear shocks, custom swingarms, Haan wheels, 1070cc big-bore kits, and massive 42-liter (11-gallon) fuel tanks designed by none other than Franco Acerbis, founder of Acerbis — the well-known Italian parts manufacturer that bears his name.

Starting in the village of Üchtelhausen, Germany, and terminating in Lac Rosé, Senegal, the trip covered an astounding 13,000 kilometers (8000 miles), mostly on off-road tracks and old rally routes, and took five weeks to complete.

Below, Manu gives us a taste of the challenges, triumphs, and funny moments from the trip, along with more details about his and Jörg’s rally-prepped 2V Boxers. There’s also a 14-video playlist that documents their whole trip.

Dakar only sharpened their appetite for adventure, and now they’ve got Iceland on their radar, especially with a possible 4×4 support vehicle and crew they met in Senegal. We can’t wait to see where they go next!

Rider Interview: Manu Schad, SWT Sports

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

In the picturesque village of Üchtelhausen, near Schweinfurt, the company SWT-SPORTS was founded in 2004 with the mission to promote and preserve the fascination of BMW motorcycle 2-valve models. Under the leadership of Manuel Schad, the company has established itself not only as a reliable online parts retailer but also as a hub for customized customer solutions and tailored modifications.

SWT-SPORTS caters to the specific wishes of its customers and offers a wide range of services. In addition to an extensive inventory where products can be viewed on-site, the company features a specially equipped workshop. Here, customers have the opportunity to have their newly purchased parts installed directly on their vehicles. Custom modifications are also realized, allowing SWT-SPORTS to support clients on their journey to achieving their dream motorcycle.

Manuel Schad discovered his passion for BMW motorcycles at an early age. His travels on the BMW R100GSPD took him along challenging trails, allowing him to experience diverse landscapes and cultures up close. This deep connection to his travel machine motivated him to establish SWT-SPORTS.

Manuel Schad is not only active as a businessman but also in the enduro scene. He has made a name for himself at various enduro events, achieving first place in the IGE class “Standard Enduro” in 2013 with his BMW R 75/6 in SWT-SPORTS racing trim. These achievements highlight his expertise and passion for motorsport.

Over the past 10 years, SWT-SPORTS has established itself as a reliable partner for BMW motorcycle enthusiasts. The combination of personalized customer service, high-quality offerings, and a genuine passion for motorcycles ensures that the legacy of the 2-valve models continues to thrive. Whether for modifications, parts, or simply advice—SWT-SPORTS is the right place for every motorcycle lover.

• When did you decide to make this trip from Germany to Dakar, and what inspired it?

The inspiration for my motorcycle journey from Üchtelhausen to Dakar has deep roots in my childhood. I was born in 1979, and as a child, I experienced the legendary Dakar Rally on television. This spectacular event sparked a dream in me early on to master this challenging route with my own motorcycle one day.

At 24, I set off on this journey, but we were only equipped with a compass and a map, which prevented us from completing the project fully. Now, nearly 20 years later, after countless hours of planning and preparation, I am much better equipped to realize this dream.

The equipment has significantly improved, the motorcycles are better prepared, and we have all matured greatly. Over the years, I have continuously worked on this project, including developing a special tank in collaboration with Franco Acerbis in Italy to ensure the journey’s success.

• Who came with you?

On my journey, I was accompanied by my longtime friend Jörg, with whom I have shared many adventures. We came together in 2012 and have since undertaken several tours through Finland and Russia alongside the European champion Simo Kirssi. After those trips, Jörg and I continued our adventures on our own, exploring as far as the Chinese border and the northernmost regions.

Jörg is strong and resilient, and he can endure quite a lot while traveling. His determination and spirit make him an excellent companion for such challenging journeys.

• What bikes did you bring?

For our journey to Dakar, we used two BMW R100R road bikes that we specifically acquired and modified for the trip. The modifications took place alongside our regular workshop duties and other ongoing projects, which is why the process stretched out over several years.

Both motorcycles underwent numerous modifications to enhance their performance and reliability for the challenging conditions we anticipated on the journey. It was a labor of love that required time and dedication, but it ultimately prepared us well for the adventure ahead.

• What custom work was done to prepare these 2-valve Boxers?

For our Dakar tour, we made several significant modifications to the BMW R100R motorcycles. First and foremost, we extensively reinforced the frame and equipped it with a central shock absorber.

The rear frame and luggage rack were custom-fabricated to match the design aesthetic of 1984.

The front fork is a WP USD fork, providing sufficient travel and stability for the rough terrain we expected. The rear shock absorber is from TracTive in the Netherlands, ensuring optimal performance.

The wheels were sourced from Haan Wheels, also based in the Netherlands.

We also produced the plastic components ourselves, and these will soon be available as part of our product lineup. The tank, with a capacity of 42 liters, is designed by Franco Acerbis from Italy, allowing for an adequate traveling range.

We increased the engine displacement to 1070cc in a stable manner, making it suitable for touring. The transmission features a short first gear, a long fifth gear, and a kickstarter for added convenience. Additionally, the swingarm is another custom creation that was thoroughly tested during this tour.

The electrical system, including a dual ignition, is specifically designed for long-distance travelers and is easily accessible under the tank. These modifications collectively ensured that our motorcycles were well-prepared for the challenges of the Dakar journey.

• How long did the trip take? And what was the general route?

Our journey lasted five weeks, during which we covered over 13,000 kilometers. The first part of our route consisted mainly of highways and country roads, taking us to the southernmost tip of Spain.

The initial kilometers in Morocco were still on solid ground, but as we progressed, we transitioned to off-road tracks and old rally routes leading us into the Western Sahara.

It was there that we realized we had already consumed a significant portion of our time, and we needed to switch to faster routes to ensure we could reach our ultimate destination, Dakar. This segment of the journey felt somewhat monotonous, with the biggest excitement often coming from the border crossings.

• What was the most challenging or scariest moment of the trip?

The most challenging part for me was the initial segment in the sand. I had to convince my friend Jörg that he could overcome this hurdle without any issues. After the first 20 kilometers, we found our rhythm and felt more comfortable.

The scariest moment, however, was when I rode a loop of about 170 kilometers alone. During this stretch, I simply hoped nothing would go wrong. The speed was relatively high, and I was far off the beaten path. It was one of those “man things” that you probably shouldn’t do, but the adrenaline was palpable, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience.

• What was the high point of the journey? Any funny stories along the way?

One of the highlights of my journey was undoubtedly the arrival at Lac Rosé in Senegal. However, the most beautiful moment was returning home to my wife and children. That feeling of homecoming is something that comes with every journey, as a bit of homesickness travels with you.

A particularly funny experience was meeting two amusing travelers with their Land Rover at the border to Senegal. We ended up spending almost a week together with these two friendly people. It was always a great time filled with laughter, and the worry about potential problems shrank to a minimum since we were now a party of four.

As a quartet, we started to think about our next adventure, possibly in Iceland. Having a support vehicle would allow us to safely store our spare parts and equipment, making it an exciting idea for future travels! But for now, it remains just a thought.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

I could create a long list of people to thank, so I’ll try to keep it concise. First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, who endured my absence for such a long time. I also want to thank Jörg for being such a supportive travel companion.

A huge thank you goes to my crew in the workshop for keeping things running while I was away. Their efforts are truly invaluable. I’m also grateful to my friends and the entire neighborhood who helped with the assembly of the motorcycles; without their support, these two machines wouldn’t be standing on their wheels and tires today.

Additionally, I want to thank Acerbis for their generous support with the tank, and Wolf for assisting with the project on the plastic parts and fairings. I would also like to recognize TracTive for providing us with the excellent shock absorbers, and Jürgen for tuning our engines. Finally, a shout-out to Tom and Mario for the fantastic tracks they provided.