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BMW Motorcycles

About BMW

BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. Motorcycle manufacturing now operates under the BMW Motorrad brand. BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG) introduced the first motorcycle under its name, the R32, in 1923.

BMW merged with Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1922, inheriting from them the Helios motorcycle and a small two-stroke motorized bicycle called the Flink. In 1923, BMW's first "across the frame" version of the boxer engine was designed by Friz. The R32 had a 486 cc (29.7 cubic inches) engine with 8.5 hp (6.3 kW) and a top speed of 95 to 100 km/h (59 to 62 mph). The engine and gearbox formed a bolt-up single unit. At a time when many motorcycle manufacturers used total-loss oiling systems, the new BMW engine featured a recirculating wet sump oiling system with a drip feed to roller bearings. This system was used by BMW until 1969, when they adopted the "high-pressure oil" system based on shell bearings and tight clearances, still in use today.

The R32 became the foundation for all future boxer-powered BMW motorcycles. BMW oriented the boxer engine with the cylinder heads projecting out on each side for cooling as did the earlier British ABC. Other motorcycle manufacturers, including Douglas and Harley-Davidson, aligned the cylinders with the frame, one cylinder facing towards the front wheel and the other towards the back wheel. The R32 also incorporated shaft drive. BMW has continued to use shaft drive on its motorcycles and did not produce a chain driven model until the introduction of the F650 in 1994.

In 1931, BMW introduced the single-cylinder shaft-driven R2, which, as a 200 cc motorcycle, could be operated in Germany without a motorcycle licence at that time. The R2 headed a series of single-cylinder BMW motorcycles, including the 400 cc R4 in 1932 and the 300 cc R3 in 1936.

The BMW R12 and R17, both introduced in 1935, were the first production motorcycles with hydraulically damped telescopic forks.

In 1937, Ernst Henne rode a supercharged 500 cc (31 cubic inches) overhead camshaft BMW 173.88 mph (279.83 km/h), setting a world record that stood for 14 years.

Construction was so good that during World War II Harley-Davidson copied the BMW engine and transmission—simply converting metric measurements to inches—and produced the shaft-drive 750 cc (46 cubic inches) 1942 Harley-Davidson XA.

The terms of Germany's surrender forbade BMW from manufacturing motorcycles. In 1946, when BMW received permission to restart motorcycle production from US authorities in Bavaria, BMW had to start from scratch.

In 1955, BMW began introducing a new range of motorcycles with Earles forks and enclosed drive shafts. These were the 26 hp (19 kW) 500 cc R50, the 30 hp (22 kW) 600 cc R60, and the 35 hp (26 kW) sporting 600 cc R69.

On June 8, 1959, John Penton rode a BMW R69 from New York to Los Angeles in 53 hours and 11 minutes, slashing over 24 hours from the previous record of 77 hours and 53 minutes set by Earl Robinson on a 45 cubic inch (740 cc) Harley-Davidson.

For the 1968 and 1969 model years only, BMW exported into the United States three "US" models. These were the R50US, the R60US, and the R69US. On these motorcycles, there were no sidecar lugs attached to the frame and the front forks were telescopic forks, which were later used worldwide on the slash-5 series of 1970 through 1973. Earles-fork models were sold simultaneously in the United States as buyers had their choice of front suspensions.

In 1970, BMW introduced an entirely revamped product line of 500 cc, 600 cc and 750 cc displacement models, the R50/5, R60/5 and R75/5 respectively and came with the "US" telescopic forks noted above. The engines were a complete redesign. The roller and ball-bearings in the bottom end had been replaced by shell-type journal bearings similar to those used in modern car engines. The camshaft, which had been at the top of the engine, was placed under the crankshaft, giving better ground clearance under the cylinders while retaining the low centre of gravity of the flat-twin layout. The new engine had an electric starter, although the traditional gearbox-mounted kick starter was retained. The styling of the first models included chrome-plated side panels and a restyled tank. The /5 series was given a longer rear swingarm, resulting in a longer wheelbase. This improved the handling and allowed a larger battery to be installed.

The /5 models were short-lived, however, being replaced by another new product line in 1974. In that year the 500 cc model was deleted from the lineup and an even bigger 900 cc model was introduced, along with improvements to the electrical system and frame geometry. These models were the R60/6, R75/6 and the R90/6. In 1973 a supersport model, the BMW R90S, was introduced. In 1975, the kick starter was finally eliminated.

In 1995, BMW ceased production of airhead 2-valve engines and moved its boxer-engined line completely over to the 4-valve oilhead system first introduced in 1993.

Moto blog

BMW Announces Recall Campaign for K1600 Family Motorcycles

Fri, 25 Feb 2022

The recall concerns all 2019-2020 BMW K1600 models due to the risk of rear suspension link failure caused by a manufacturing defect - the strength of the part does not meet the factory requirements. This linkage may be destroyed during normal road use, causing the rear of the motorcycle to fall onto the rear wheel. BMW dealers this spring will begin notifying owners of motorcycles that are subject of the recall campaign to visit an authorized dealership for a rear suspension linkage replacement.

BMW introduced the production version of the CE 04 electric scooter

Thu, 08 Jul 2021

The BMW CE 04 stands out from the crowd primarily for its futuristic appearance, which clearly echoes the previously demonstrated concept. In general, this is no longer a classic scooter, on which an electric motor and a battery were screwed instead of an engine, but a device that was built taking into account all the advantages of an "electric" design.

BMW has introduced the R18 Classic, the second model of the new family

Sat, 10 Oct 2020

The BMW R18 Classic received a wide 16-inch front wheel, a windshield and leather side bags. In addition, it is equipped with a passenger seat, two extra LED lights and cruise control as standard. If desired, both glass and bags can be quickly removed, quickly turning the touring into a cruiser.

BMW S1000RR: new speed record

Sun, 19 Aug 2018

The achievement was chalked up to the fearless Erin Sills of the Hunter Sills Racing team. 242 mph (389 km/h)! This is the maximum speed shown by the jet lady on the salt lake in Bolivia.

BMW Motorrad has shown what can be built around the in-line "two" from the middle "goose" F850GS

Tue, 26 Jun 2018

The 9Cento is a sports tourer with crossover features, and its appearance evokes associations of Italian design. So, for example, the short sportbike “tail” unobtrusively resembles the upturned, stunningly beautiful stern of Ducati Panigale sportbikes. The motorcycle is built on the basis of an in-line two-cylinder engine from the BMW F850GS, and we would not completely rule out the possibility of such a handsome man appearing in the production program.

Having successfully performed in the segment of maxi-scooters, BMW specialists decided to attack the average cubic capacity

Sat, 18 Nov 2017

But the mid-size Bavarian should also radiate some premium vibes! What is achieved with the unusual design and high-end equipment. So, the standard equipment includes LED lighting, traction control, also you can order - a keyless access system and a 6.5-inch color display with the ability to connect to a smartphone.

BMW showed the electric scooter of the future

Fri, 05 May 2017

Motorrad Concept Link is a two-wheeled gadget that understands its owner. An electric propulsion system with a traction battery located in the lower part of the “body” and a motor that transmits traction to the rear wheel via a belt drive is far from the most remarkable aspect of the concept. For example, it has a stretched wheelbase and reverse gear.

BMW is developing a carbon fiber sportbike

Sat, 22 Apr 2017

The super-exclusive version of the S1000RR, like the Superleggera, features a power structure, carbon fiber empennage and wheels, as well as Öhlins forks, Brembo brakes and an Akrapovič exhaust system. The bike will be released in limited edition.

Sportbike BMW S1000 RR received a turbocharger and almost 300

Fri, 06 Jan 2017

This formidable "bimmer" appears to have stylistic differences from the standard bike, although the main thing in it is not the design, it’s the technical stuffing. It turns the S1000 RR into a real rocket, dominating all the standard "1-litres". The master decided to increase the power and traction by installing a turbocharger!

New naked BMW spotted on track days

Sat, 03 Sep 2016

The future generation of the "1-liter" naked BMW S1000R was spotted during the development tests on the territory of the German racing "ring" Oschersleben. Apparently, the Bavarian streetfighter will receive a number of technical solutions that his older brother, the BMW S1000RR, was endowed with a couple of years ago. Just as the current generation of the SR was created on the base of the previous SR-era, the 2017 modification will actually become a stripped version of today's sportbike.