COSMIC BLUE MET BMW Other Motorcycles, page #25

Moto blog

The BMW-Powered Recumbent Motorcycle

As a lover of two wheels, I like to pedal my bicycle to stay in shape when I’m not riding a motorcycle. And in the bicycle world, much like the motorcycle world, there’s a subset of riders who often get snarky looks from the rest of us. Few are more polarizing than those riding recumbent bicycles — you know, the ones where you’re practically laying down while pedaling.

BMW Quitting WSBK After 2013 Season

BMW announced it will withdraw its factory support from the World Superbike Championship at the end of the 2013 season. According to BMW, the company will concentrate on its production models including the addition of new small-displacement models and reaching developing markets. BMW Motorrad will also shift resources to other motorsports activities such as supporting customer racing efforts in both international and domestic competitions.

Two-Time WSBK Champion James Toseland Gunning For Motorcycle Land Speed Record

In case you’ve been wondering what 2004 and 2007 World Superbike champion James Toseland has been up to these days, here’s your answer. Besides recording an album with his band Crash and pursuing a music career, Toseland is attempting to use two wheels to put his name in the record books one more time. Only this time, as he tries to break the 400 mph mark and set a new motorcycle land speed record.

WSBK 2013: Moscow Race Report

Marco Melandri captured his third win of the season, the Ducati 1199 Panigale scored its first podium while Sylvain Guintoli regained the championship lead despite dislocating his collarbone days before the race. But the big news at Moscow Raceway of course was the tragic death of Andrea Antonelli in the World Supersport race. The opening-lap crash in severely wet conditions naturally led to the cancellation of the rest of the events as the World Superbike community mourns the loss of the 25-year-old Antonelli.

2014 BMW HP2 Roadster Spotted

Spy photographers have snapped a picture of a new retro-styled BMW roadster. Dubbed the BMW HP2 Roadster by Italian site Insella.it which published the grainy photograph, the new boxer-engined streetbike is expected to be officially unveiled at November’s EICMA show in Milan. The spy photo reveals the HP2 Roadster uses BMW’s air-cooled R-series boxer engine and not the new water-cooled engine introduced on the 2013 R1200GS.

Dainese to Develop Airbag-Equipped Riding Gear for BMW; Technology Coming to BMW Motorcycles in 2015

BMW announced a new joint project with Dainese that would develop a new line of rider equipment using the Italian company’s integrated airbag technology. The two companies will also be working on integrating the technology to BMW’s motorcycles. The new line will make use of Dainese’s D-Air technology developed by MotoGP racers such as Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

2013 BMW F800GS and F700GS Side Stand Switch Recall Expands to US

Last month, we wrote about a recall in Canada for the BMW F700GS and F800GS because of a problem with the side stand ignition cut-off switch. As we expected, a similar recall has now been announced for the U.S. market.

BMW Announces 2014 Model Updates and New K1600GT Sport

BMW announced a new variant to its six-cylinder K-series and other small updates to returning 2014 models. The 2014 models were first revealed last weekend’s BMW Motorrad Days celebration but we now have full details on the updates. The new 2014 BMW K1600GT Sport is based on the existing K1600GT but adds a special Sakhir Orange/Black Storm Metallic paint job, black gloss-coated wheels, a shorter windscreen and a sportier seat design.

BMW Motorrad Days 2013 Draws 40,000 Visitors

More than 40,000 Beemerphiles made their way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, for BMW Motorrad Days on July 5-7. The 13th annual event at the Bavarian resort town saw visitors from more than 40 countries join together to celebrate BMW motorcycles. This year’s event was particularly notable for the 90th anniversary of motorcycles bearing the Bavarian Motor Works brand.

2011-2013 BMW F800GS and F700GS Recalled in Canada

Transport Canada announced a recall for the 2011-2013 BMW F800GS and the 2013 F700GS because of a problem with the kickstand ignition cut-off switch. The switch is designed to turn off the engine when the stand is down and the motorcycle is shifted into gear; this prevents the motorcycle from being ridden with the kickstand deployed. On certain BMW F800GS and F700GS models however, the cut-off switch can loosen and become damaged.