BMW R-Series Motorcycles in Santa Fe, page #30

Moto blog

Michelin Unveils New Tire for Dual Sport Motorcycles

More than half of the new BMW R 1200 GSs that roll off the assembly line in 2013 will be fitted with Michelin’s new big trail tire, the Anakee III. BMW and Michelin worked together to co-develop the dual-sport tire, which is designed to deliver all the safety and off road capability big trail motorcycle users demand. The Anakee III will also be available as a replacement option for other leading dual sport bikes, like the Suzuki V-Strom, Kawasaki KLR, Triumph Tiger and Yamaha Super Tenere.

2012 US Motorcycle Sales Results – Industry Reports 2.6% Increase

The Motorcycle Industry Council reported a 2.6% increase in motorcycle sales in the U.S. market for 2012. According to the industry group’s figures, American consumers purchased 452,386 motorcycles in 2012 compared to 440,899 motorcycles in 2011.

BMW Sells Husqvarna to Pierer Industrie AG

The BMW Group has announced the sale of 110-year old Husqvarna Motorcycles to Austrian-based Pierer Industrie AG. “The BMW Group signed a purchase agreement with Pierer Industrie AG (Austria) for the acquisition of Husqvarna Motorcycles. The acquisition will proceed subject to approval by anti-trust authorities.

Kymco to Supply BMW with i3 Electric Car Range Extender and New 400cc Scooter Engine

The automotive world has been buzzing of late about BMW‘s upcoming i3 electric car having an optional range extending gas-powered motorcycle engine. As our sister site Autoguide.com reports, the i3 will be available with an optional two-cylinder BMW motorcycle engine to power a generator which can recharge the electric motor and extend the vehicle’s range to 250 miles compared to a range of 60-90 miles relying just on the battery. It turns out that two-cylinder motorcycle engine will actually be provided to BMW by Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco.

British Moto-Journalist Kevin Ash Dies at 2013 BMW R1200GS Press Launch

(Updated with a message written by Kevin Ash’s oldest daughter, posted on the header of his blog AshOnBikes.) Respected British motorcycle journalist Kevin Ash has died following an accident at a BMW press launch in South Africa for the R1200GS. Ash was a long-time columnist at the U.K.’s MCN as well as the founder of British magazine Fast Bikes. Ash was also a popular freelancer, most notably as the regular motorcycle correspondent for the British newspaper the Daily Telegraph.

BMW Reports Record Sales in 2012

BMW reported a record year for motorcycle sales, supplying 106,358 motorcycles and scooters in 2012. This represents a 2.0% increase from the 104,286 units sold in 2011. Helping BMW reach its new sales record was a strong December which saw sales of 6,069 units worldwide, a 43.4% increase from the 4,232 units sold in December 2011.

NHTSA Proposes Minimum Sound Standards for Electric Vehicles

For years now, the motorcycle industry has had to design its motorcycles and their exhaust systems to stay below government-mandated sound levels, particularly with off-road motorcycles. The burgeoning electric vehicle industry may bring about the opposite now, with governments proposing minimum sound levels for the mostly silent-running electric cars and motorcycles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a which operates under the auspices of the U.S.

BMW Reports 14% Sales Increase in US in 2012

BMW reported sales of 12,057 motorcycles in the U.S. in 2012, representing a 14.0% increase on the 10,572 units sold in 2011. Leading the way was the S1000RR, with BMW selling 1,934 of the sportbikes this year.

2012-2013 BMW S1000RR Side Stand Recall Expands to US

Earlier this month, we reported a recall issued by Transport Canada for the 2012 and 2013 BMW S1000RR because of a problem with their side stands. That recall has now expanded to the U.S., affecting 2,385 units. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the side stand attachment bolts on the affect BMW S1000RR units can loosen because of a manufacturing fault.

BMW Announces Winners of “Ride of Your Life” Tour Contest

BMW Motorrad announced the winners of its “Ride of Your Life” contest, giving five people the chance to travel on a worldwide tour on the new R1200GS. The five winners are Stephanie Rowe, a 25-year-old enduro racer who works in the motorcycle accessories industry in the U.K., Herbert Unger, a 50-year-old German metal worker, Alessio Cigolini, an Italian who loves riding through Tuscany, Salvador Echevarría, a 41-year-old businessman from Spain, and Stephane Gautronneau, a 39-year-old fashion photographer from France. The five winners were selected for their sense of adventure, ability to work as part of a team and physical fitness by a panel of celebrities including actors Adrian Brody, Rick Yune and Charley Boorman and Paris-Dakar winner Jutta Kleinschmidt.