History

1984		Herbert's first African tour: He's going to Morocco

1985		Herbert is going to Syria, Jordan and Turkey. He made his aluminium panniers himself.

1986		Algeria. Herbert fixed a cycle speedometer onto the motorbike.

1987		USA, Mexico, Canada

1988		Herbert's going to Algeria. Jochen is on the way to Morocco.

1989		Jochen is on the way to Algeria. Herbert and Reiner are travelling to Nigeria with 5 Peugeots and 7 people.

1989		Herbert is travelling to Norway with a child and a skittle. The cycle speedometer has been put in a case and illuminated.

1990		Herbert is travelling to the Soviet Union.

1990		Herbert, an electronics engineer by trade, developed theIMO200T a motor cycle computer with many functions, waterproof, illuminated. First of all only for his own use. What he missed on the trip. Information on the length of the route, averages, saving daily mileage. Engine temperature and external temperature should also be able to be read off. Reiner programmes the required functions.

1990		100 IMO200T units were made by Herbert and Reiner. Registering TOURATECH Motorradausrüstung (TOURATECH Motor Cycle Equipment) and introducing the IMO to the press.

1990/91		African tour: Jochen, Hubert and Roland go from Germany to Kenya. Herbert plunges into Togo. Three IMO200T's are given a thorough testing.

1991		Herbert organises the first travel bug meeting with Patrick Pequet. Exchanging experiences with friends.

1991		MOTOR CYCLE road book tours: Herbert is engaged as a photographer and is soon accompanying the road book tours as a tour guide.

1992		Development of the CHALA12HD. As one of the first IMO200T customers Jochen develops the mechanics and Herbert develops the electronics.

1992		Kenya - South Aftrica. The ZEGA aluminium panniers were developed. After countless do-it-yourself constructions and the experience gained from this the ZEGA case is fitted with the ideal characteristics.

1992		The IMO200T gets a roadbook function. Here Herbert's work with the MOTOR CYCLE roadbook tours pays off: Scales for programming are set on tours which go according to the roadbook.

1992		A trip master, the IMO-100R, is developed. Speedo, rev counter and trip master in one: Perfectly designed for roadbook and rally use. The functions were already incorporated in the IMO200T but now there is an IMO with a much bigger display.

1993		These four pillars form the company's foundation: IMO-100R, IMO 200T, CHALA12 HD and ZEGA aluminium panniers. Further developments are based on these products: for example, the brilliant pannier bracket for aluminium panniers.

1993		Herbert continues to travel as a tour guide and photographer. Jochen must go to the engineer's school.

1993		Herbert and Heike are at the "Los 4 Dias" rally in Spain as photographers on two R100GS's. A good opportunity to test the IMO100R!

1993/94		Jutta Kleinschmitt and Michael Griep ride the Paris Dakar rally. With the IMO100R! Herbert and Heike accompany the rally on two R100 GS's as far as Mauretania.

1994		We give the new BMW R1100GS a complete pannier system.

1995		Jochen started his regular job in the company as a co-partner.

1995		The first catalogue: 12 pages! The roadbook holder and the roadbook editor are added as new products for rallies.

1995		Reiner leaves the company. For private reasons he can no longer manage to perform his day to day activities as a sideline. He will just continue programming.

1995		Many MOTOR CYCLE action team trips by Herbert and Heike to Hungary, Romania and Gascony: Direct contact with IMO and roadbook customers never ends.

1996		The second catalogue: now 24 pages already! They develop their own roadbook holder. Pannier racks for various models. Satellite navigation is included in the range.

1996		New building in Niedereschach: a 300 m² hall is built with many of their own ideas included.

1996		Herbert gives up his "normal" job as an electronics developer and now devotes himself to the company as his main job.

1996		The IMO-100R is used as standard at KTM.

1997		The third catalogue: 48 pages

1997		The first employee is appointed: Günter

1997		Jochen goes to Tunisia with the Adventure

1997		Contract with RIDE WEST in the USA: Importer for TOURATECH products.

1998		The fourth catalogue: 96 pages and in colour

1998		The Istria Scramble; a rally organised by MSC Mattighofen, gives them the opportunity to use the IMO once more and to have direct contact with the rally scene. Herbert and Heike are on the route with the motorbike.

1998		We can appoint new staff.

1998		They no longer go on long trips but Herbert and Heike travel to Tunisia for testing and taking photographs.

1998		The newly built hall is already too small: Purchase of a manufacturing and display building in Niedereschach.

1998/99		The BMW Rally team is equipped with our RB-TT roadbook for Paris-Dakar. The RB-TT wins the rally!

1999		The fifth catalogue: 152 pages. More staff are taken on.

1999		Founding of TOURATECH AG

11.09.1999		Our news brochure: Enduro and travel accessories for the new model comes with the introduction of the BMW R1150GS.

Nov. 1999		Product test and photo tour to Spain: Herbert and Heike with the BMW R1100GS and the BMWR 1150GS

23 Jan. 2000		The sixth catalogue: 228 pages.

Jan. 2000		At the Paris-Dakar-Cairo rally our roadbook holders on the BMW's go into the lead once more!!

May 2000		There are already pannier systems and specially adapted pannier racks for the new BMW F650 GS and Dakar models.

Aug. 2000		BMW F650 rallye by Schalber: We develop a rally motorbike from a design by Richard Schalber. Sport riders, travel enthusiasts, hobby enduro riders and rallyists now have the opportunity to ride a successful rally motorbike based on the F650.

Nov. 2000		BMW F650 rallye: Herbert and Heike organise a test and photo shoot ride in Namibia. Herbert tests the new motor cycle for three weeks and under different off road conditions. Heike rides the tried and tested BMW R1150 GS and can once again prove the benefits of the pannier system and the ceramic coupling.

Jan. 2001		The seventh catalogue: 292 pages.

Feb. 2001		Our new importer for the USA is Tom Myers from Cycoactive. Tom is one of our long-term partners and will take on the whole import business from now on.

Aug. 2001		Master Rally 2001: Michael Griep and Didier Py take 4th and 5th place with their BMW F650 Rallye made by Touratech!

Jan. 2002		Paris-Dakar Rally 2002: Our team starts at the rally, Gilles Algay and Michael Griep are placed 26th and 29th! Vehicle: BMW F650rallye made by Touratech

Jan. 2002		The eighth catalogue: 340 pages.

March 2002		BMW provides the R1150GS Adventure. We added the panniers!

May 2002		Test rides at more than 4000 metres: With the F 650 TT 39 and the Desierto in Tibet. Herbert and Heike test and photograph. There is a film on this in our shop.

June/July 2002		We're building once more. A production hall is created.

Sept. 2002		The Oryx is introduced to the public. The TOURATECH TB 652 ORYX is a lightweight construction motorcycle based on the BMW F650GS.

Sept. 2002		The ninth catalogue: 468 pages. Four languages

Sept. 2003		Touratech introduces the ReVamp: The BMW GS model up-to-date technology combined with new design. Dynamic and individual - sporty and light.

Nov. 2003		The ReVamp in Namibia: Herbert and Astrid are testing; Günther, also travelling on a ReVamp, is filming. You can order the Namibia film from us.

Dec. 2003		The tenth catalogue: 580 pages. Five languages

May 2004		Test rides with the R1200 GS and the ReVamp in Bolivia. Herbert and Astrid travel and test the equipment on the hardest paths. A film was made of this too.

June 2004		Certifying the company to comply with DIN ISO 9001 - 2000

Oct. 2004		The eleventh catalogue: 678 pages. Five languages.

May 2005		Touratech attends the 24h endurance race at Torgau. The race is racing with a highly modified Oryx extreme. Result -> the unbelievable 5th position!

September 2005		Touratech presents the Desierto 3 based on the R1200GS.
		A new production building is in use
October 2005

November 2005		Testride with the R1200GS Desierto 3 and the brandnew R1200GS Adventure in Mexico. Herbert and Astrid are testing material and bikes, for the first time officiale with the support of BMW. They shoot the 4th Touratech film.

December 2005		Catalogue No. 12: 772 pages. 5 languages.

January 2006		Touratech develops and produces the new pannier system for the R1200GS Adventure for BMW.

March 2006		The birth of the Touratech Race Team. For product test, the team starts at various international enduro races with BMW motorbikes.

October 2006		Herbert and Ramona are crossing the USA. The project Can2Mex is started. The testtrip is done by a HP2 and a G650X Challenge. An extraordinary film is the result.

January 2007		Catalogue No. 13: 836 pages. 5 Languages

May 2007		Herbert and Ramona are touring around Victoria-lake in Africa. Herbert is testing the BMW Parallel-Twin F 800 GS, which will be launched in 2008. A very personal film is the result- the end of the rains - give a close look to the trip, filmed only by the two travellers.

June 2007		More than 3.000 visitors are taking part of the 3-day Travel Event in Niedereschach

Summer 2007		The Touratech Race Team attends 14 Enduro-races with the new BMW Xchallenge and the HP2 Teil. Highlights are the 24h Endurance Day 2007 and the legendary "Dawn to Dusk" in England.

Fall/winter 2007		Touratech is growing again. Sales, the shop and the stock departement are mouving into the closeby "Tennishall" with 3000 qm. The shop on abour 800qm offers a whide range of our products. The new Streetline-Team starts working

January 2008		Catalogue No 14, 900 pages, 5 languages

February 2008		The Touratech Race Team changes into the BMW Touratech Race Team. With 5 riders (including Bernd Eckenbach)the Team is riding the German Cross Country serie. They will use two BMW G450X, two G650Xchallenge and one Husqvarna Te250.