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 bling and new mittens

An hour and a half in my shed was all it took to bolt two boxes of goodies from R&G Racing on to my S1000RR. The casing covers (£190.00), cotton reels (£25.49 ), frame inserts(£21.00) and crash protectors (£67.99)are a doddle to bolt on and come with all the necessary allen bolts. The multi adjustable rearsets (£350.00) are equally as easy to fit (they must be if I can do it) and also come with clear instructions.

BMW Posts Record First-Half Figures

BMW Motorrad sold a record 60,580 motorcycles over the first six months of 2011, a new record for the German manufacturer. First half figures were 6.3% higher than the 57,015 units sold in the same period in 2010. BMW reports strong demand across all its models, with the Boxer engine R-series models leading the way.

BMW Introduces Dynamic Damping Control Suspension System

BMW has developed new suspension technology that automatically adjusts damping for different riding conditions. The Dynamic Damping Control is the next evolutionary step in BMW‘s suspension technology, following its Electronic Suspension Adjustment systems (ESA and ESA II). While ESA allowed the rider to adjust suspension settings with the push of a button, DDC automatically makes adjustments as you ride.

BMW Unveils E-Scooter Concept

As we expected BMW has revealed information about a new scooter model, releasing pictures of a new electric maxi-scooter concept. The BMW E-Scooter was developed with funding form Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.The E-Scooter was created with two goals in mind: to offer performance comparable to a 600cc combustion engine-powered maxi-scooter and to offer sufficient range for an urban commuter. BMW wanted the E-Scooter to provide enough power and speed for freeway passing and climbing steep slopes even with a pillion passenger.

BMW Scooter News Imminent?

BMW previously announced it will unveil two new scooter models at this fall’s EICMA Show in Milan, but the German manufacturer may have some news for us even sooner. BMW‘s global media site has a new section set up for scooter news. The section is empty at the moment, except for a subsection titled “Scooter Technology”.

40-Day Motorcycle Ride for Breast Cancer Groups

Charlotte, N.C., writer and motorcycle adventurer Tamela Rich is heading out on a cross-country ride to raise money for breast cancer causes. Along her tour, Rich will meet with breast cancer survivors and interview them for her upcoming book, “Live Full Throttle: What You Can Learn About Life From Women Who’ve Faced Cancer”. This will be Rich’s second tour across the country.

Winter weather but summer carries on.

Aye, it’s been a another good week in the world of Niall Mackenzie. My friends at Moto Direct sent me a new RST Pro Series suit to try out, I acquired some new rubber for my S10000RR and young Taylor Mac splashed home to 12th place on his Aprilia in the 125cc British Grand Prix. Being no fashion guru and pretty ancient now I’m satisfied the brightest suit I’ve ever climbed into looks the biz.

Don't become another crime statistic

On average approximately 50,000 motorcycles are stolen each year. They're taken from outside homes, from large urban environments across the countries major cites and highly organised gangs are at the heart of thefts preying on innocent motorcyclists. Experts of motorcycle security, Acumen advise on how to protect your bike: How to reduce the chance of theft Protection is like layers of an onion – the more the layers; the longer it takes.

Charley Boorman Tours Canada for New Series

Actor and adventure rider Charley Boorman is getting ready for another journey, this one taking him across the Great White North on a tour of Canada. Best known for his Long Way Round and Long Way Down documentaries with his friend and riding partner Ewan McGregor, Boorman is touring Canada for a new series called Extreme Frontiers: Canada for the U.K.’s Channel 5. BMW Motorrad Canada will provide Boorman with his ride, likely from its GS line.

Around the world on a Multistrada

Ever since Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode their BMW’s around the world it seems anyone with a ‘GS’ has an open ticket to ride around the world and then write about it. And fair enough, if I could afford the bike and the trip then I’d be gone as well. Obviously, BMW reaped the rewards when Ewan and Charlie showcased what their GS could really do, changing BMW’s image from solid but stuffy, to solid and cool overnight.