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

Reminder: 20% off deal on GPR exhausts

The celebration of the launch of the new GPR website is coming to a close, the deal from Moto Legends offers 20% off all exhausts and free UK delivery, until the end of this weekend. A wide variety of exhaust systems are available in the deal. Including the weight saving, dual titanium slip-ons for the K9 GSX-R1000 - dropping the RRP from £699.00 to £559.20.

Latest on my S1000RR

Not sure what's going on with the sound in this vid, but it calms down after a minute - sorry! As my long term BMW S1000RR does most of its miles working hard on track days, I felt an early 6000 mile service might be a good idea. A quick phone call to my local dealer (the friendly and efficient Pidcocks) saw my bike in the workshop the following week and back in my hands by lunchtime.

MINI Scooter E Concept Revealed

MINI has just officially revealed not one, but two of its MINI Scooter E Concepts that will officially debut at the Paris Auto Show next week. Created to bring together a youth-oriented lifestyle element and sustainable mobility, the scooters take significant design cues from the MINI lineup of cars while using a lithium-ion battery pack to deliver guilt-free mobility. Making the MINI E Scooter Concept almost excessively hip is its smartphone integration, where the owner’s iPod or similar device acts as the actual key for the scooter, clicking into a central docking station between the handlebars.

Exclusive interview with the Pope

The Pope, graciously took ten minutes out of his hectic Third World Tour of an aggressively atheist county to speak to us of his recently publicised passion for motorcycles So, Jo, you like your bikes? ‘Ja, Very much. I haff liked motorcycles since a very early age during my time in ze Hitler Youth organisation, in fact.

Could This Innovative New Light Save Your Life?

Everyone knows brake lights are to alert drivers behind you, but what about when you roll off the throttle, and tailgating drivers fail to notice your decreasing rate of speed? Would you like them to know you’re decelerating, rather than potentially becoming another statistic? Nikkos Designs of Fort Myers, Fla.

South West Motorcycle Show 2010, August 28th & 29th

Need something to do on August Bank Holiday weekend, then read below: "Although the South West Motorcycle Show has been running at the Westpoint Arena for the last sixteen years, 2010 is the first year that the show hosts the all-new Vertical Trix European Stunt Championship. The show contains all the usual attractions that have been delivered to motorcyclists from over the south-west and further afield since 1994 – including all the appropriate trade stands, and with strong support from local dealers – plus attractions such a a dyno on site, restaurant, bar, bike displays, live music and of course the live action arena. Although the action in the show arena has previously been stunt displays, rather than a full-on competition.

Need more from your S1000RR?

BMW has launched an HP Race Power Kit for the S1000 RR costing £2,850 including VAT.For trackday riders and racers, the kit - a new ECU and an Akrapovic exhaust system - increases peak power and torque, while optimising the bike’s engine, braking and power management systems, claim BMW, for short circuit riding and racing.Ayrton Badovini’s 2010 FIM Superstock 1000 championship-winning bike uses the HP Race Power Kit. It can also be found on the Jentin Racing-BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR being raced by Richard Cooper in the British National Superstock championship.• Maximum engine output increased by 4bhp and 6lb.ft to 197bhp (147kW) and 88.5 lb.ft (120 Nm) with power and torque significantly bolstered throughout the key 5000 to 9000 rpm midrange• Once installed, the power mapping for the four engine management riding modes (‘Rain’, ‘Sport’, ‘Race’ and ‘Slick’) is identical and the S 1000 RR delivers the full 197bhp across all four modes• The different modes instead alter the electronic rider aids with the Race ABS reducing input and the Dynamic Traction Control allowing full power at greater lean angles as the modes move from ‘Rain’ through to ‘Slick’• Engine braking on overrun is reduced giving more balanced corner entry• Pit-lane limiter activated when the start button is held down in first gear (actual speed maintained may vary with the bike’s gearing)• Akrapovic titanium and carbon-fibre full exhaust system saves 6.8kg over stock and includes a baffle which allows the exhaust to meet noise regulations in place at some circuits

Adjust the S1000RR chain in style

Some fancy new chain adjusting components from LighTech. The press release says: "LighTech srl, have really gone to town on BMW's S1000RR, with a programme of over 50 products planned this year. Lightechs chain adjuster sets for the S1000RR have just been released.

Calling all BMW S1000RR owners ...

BMW has announced the HP Race Cover Kit for the company's highly-acclaimed S1000RR superbike. The kit aimed at trackday goers, replaces parts removed by owners prior to taking their bike out on track. Covers for the numberplate hanger, mirrors and indicators – all of which have been designed to facilitate simple and easy removal - neatly fill any gaps left by the removed parts.

Get £50 off a BMW Off-Road Skills course

BMW Off Road Skills is offering a £50 discount on any Level 1-3 course booked between Monday 19 July and Friday 23 July to help promote National Motorcycle Week.The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA)-supported National Motorcycle Week runs from 18 to 24 July and includes Ride to Work Day on 21 July. It was created to inspire and inform potential new riders and encourage them to take their first step onto two wheels – and to involve enthusiastic fellow bikers in the process.But it’s also about encouraging those who already ride to explore the varied and exciting world of powered two wheelers. And with that in mind, BMW Off Road Skills announces this offer to help enable riders of all experience levels to discover the world of off-road motorcycling.BMW Off Road Skills is based in the stunning Brecon Beacons.