History of BMW motorcycles

BMW began building motorcycle engines and then motorcycles after World War I. Its motorcycle division is now known as BMW Motorrad. Their first successful motorcycle, after the failed Helios and Flink, was the "R32" in 1923. This had a "Boxer" twin engine, in which an ICCE cylinder protrudes into the air-flow from each side of the machine. Apart from their singles (basically to the same pattern), all their motorcycles had used this distinctive layout until the early 1980s. Many BMWs are still produced to this pattern, which is designated the R Series.

1921-1945

BMW began as an aircraft engine manufacturer before World War I. With the Armistice, the Treaty of Versailles banned any German air force and thus need for aero engines, so the company turned first to making air brakes, agricultural machinery, toolboxes and office furniture. Dissatisfied with that, it eventually turned to manufacturing motorcycles. After the M2B15 engine and the two stroke "Flink", 1923 saw the arrival of a complete motorcycle under the BMW name, the R32.

The circular blue and white BMW logo or roundel is often alleged to portray the movement of an airplane propeller, an interpretation that BMW adopted for convenience in 1929, which was actually twelve years after the roundel was created.^[1] In fact, the emblem evolved from the circular Rapp Motorenwerke company logo, from which the BMW company grew. The Rapp logo was combined with the blue and white colors of the flag of Bavaria to produce the BMW roundel so familiar today.

Max Friz, BMW's chief designer, turned to motorcycle and car engines. Within four weeks, he had copied the opposing flat twin cylinder engine known today as the "boxer" engine. This product was the second product that Friz copied that firmly placed BMW AG in a profitable position. Though the Boxer engine was used in BMW motorcycles, it was also used in many other models, including Zundapp, Wooler, Douglas Dragonfly, the Brough Superior Golden Dream, Ratier, Universal, IMZ-Ural, Dnepr, Gnome et Rhône, Chang Jiang, Marusho, and the Honda Gold Wing.

The first boxer engine was the fore-and-aft M2B15, based on a British Douglas design. It was manufactured by BMW in 1921–1922 but mostly used by other motorcycle manufacturers, notably Victoria of Nuremberg. The M2B15 proved to be moderately successful and BMW used it in its own Helios motorcycle. BMW also developed and manufactured a small 2-stroke motorcycle called the Flink for a short time.

In 1923 BMW's first "across the frame" version of the boxer engine was designed. Friz designed the 1923 R32 with a 486 cc engine with 8.5 hp (6.3 kW) and a top speed of 95–100 km/h (60 mph).^[2] The engine and gearbox formed a bolt-up single unit. At a time when many motorcycle manufacturers used a total-loss oiling systems, the new BMW engine featured a recirculating wet sump oiling system. However, it was not a "high-pressure oil" system based on shell bearings and tight clearances, but a drip feed to roller bearings. This system was used by BMW until 1969.

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 aligned the cylinders with the frame, one cylinder facing towards the front wheel and the other towards the back wheel. For example, Harley Davidson introduced the Model W, a flat twin oriented fore and aft design, in 1919 and built them until 1923.

The R32 also incorporated shaft drive. BMW continued to use shaft drives in all of its motorcycles until the introduction of the F650 in 1994. The F650 series, and later the F800 series when introduced in 2006, featured either a chain drive or a belt drive system, both of which were a radical departure from BMW tradition.

In 1937, Ernst Henne rode a supercharged 500 cc overhead camshaft BMW 173.88 mph (279.83 km/h), setting a world record that stood for 14 years due to the intervention of World War II. Henne died at the age of 101 in 2005.

During World War II, the BMW motorcycle copies of the Zündapp KS750 performed exceptionally well in the harsh environment of the North African deserts. At the beginning of the war, the German army needed as many vehicles as it could get of all types. Although motorcycles of every style performed acceptably well in Europe, in the desert the protruding cylinders of the flat-twin engine and shaft drive performed better than vertical and V-twin engines, which overheated in the hot air, and chain-drives, which were damaged by desert sand.

Also during World War II, the U.S. Army asked Harley-Davidson, Indian, Delco, and Crossley^{[citation needed]} to produce a motorcycle similar to the side-valve BMW R71. Harley copied the BMW engine and transmission — simply converting metric measurements to inches — and produced the shaft-drive 750 cc 1942 Harley-Davidson XA.^[3]

Harley-Davidson's BMW copy, the XA.

1945-1960

The end of World War II found BMW in ruins. Its plant outside of Munich was destroyed by Allied bombing. The Eisenach facility was not. It was not dismantled by the Soviets as reparations and sent it back to the Soviet Union where it was reassembled in Irbit to make IMZ-Ural motorcycles as is commonly alleged. The IMZ plant was supplied to the Soviets by BMW under licence prior to the commencement of the Great Patriotic War. After the war the terms of Germany's surrender forbade BMW from manufacturing motorcycles. Most of BMW's brightest engineers were taken to the US and the Soviet Union to continue their work on jet engines which BMW produced during the war.

BMW_R35_350_cc_1948



When the ban on the production of motorcycles was lifted in Allied controlled Western Germany, BMW had to start from scratch. There were no plans, blueprints, or schematic drawings because they were all in Eisenach. Company engineers had to use surviving pre-war motorcycles to copy the bikes. The first post-war BMW motorcycle in Western Germany, a 250 cc R 24, was produced in 1948. The R 24 was based on the pre-war R 23, and was the only postwar West German BMW with no rear suspension. In 1949, BMW produced 9,200 units and by 1950 production surpassed 17,000 units.

The first postwar BMW, a 1948 BMW R24 - in need of restoration.

The situation was very different in Soviet-controlled Eastern Germany where BMW's sole motorcycle plant in Eisenach was producing R35 and a handful of R75 motorcycles for reparations. This resulted in one BMW motorcycle plant existing in Eisenach between 1945 and 1948 and two motorcycle companies existing between 1948 and 1952. One was a BMW in Munich in Western Germany (later the German Federal Republic) and the other in Soviet controlled Eisenach, Eastern Germany (later the German Democratic Republic), both using the BMW name. Eventually in 1952. after the Soviets ceded control of the plant to the East German Government, and following a trademark lawsuit, this plant was renamed EMW (Eisenacher Motoren Werke). Instead of BMW's blue-and-white roundel, EMW used a very similar red-and-white roundel as its logo.^[4] No motorcycles made in East Germany after World War II were manufactured under the authority of BMW in Munich as there was no need for an Occupying Power to gain such authority. After the collapse of the Iron Curtain many EMWs have made their way to the USA. Sometimes it is found that owners of these EMW motorcycles have replaced EMW roundels with BMW roundels in an effort to pass them off as BMWs. It is possible to find find restored R35 motorcycles today parts of which are EMW and parts of which are BMW as many parts are interchangeable, making authentic identification quite difficult because all BMW R35 motorcycles were produced in Eisenach until 1952 when they became EMW.

As the 1950s progressed, motorcycle sales plummeted. In 1957, three of BMW's major German competitors went out of business. In 1954, BMW produced 30,000 motorcycles. By 1957, that number was less than 5,500. However, by the late 50's, BMW exported 85% of its boxer twin powered motorcycles to the United States. At that time, Butler & Smith, Inc. was the exclusive U.S. importer of BMW.

On June 8, 1959, John Penton rode a BMW R 69 from New York to Los Angeles in 53 hours and 11 minutes, setting a record. The previous record of 77 hours and 53 minutes was set by Earl Robinson on a 45 cubic inch (740 cc) Harley-Davidson.

1952 500 cc BMW R51/3

1960-1982

Although U.S. sales of BMW motorcycles were strong, BMW was in financial trouble. Through the combination of selling off its aircraft engine division and obtaining financing with the help of Herbert Quandt, BMW was able to survive. The turnaround was thanks in part to the increasing success of BMW's automotive division. Since the beginnings of its motorcycle manufacturing, BMW periodically introduced single-cylinder models. In 1967, BMW offered the last of these, the R 27. Most of BMW's offerings were still designed to be used with sidecars. By this time sidecars were no longer a consideration of most riders; people were interested in sportier motorcycles. The R 50/2, R 60/2, and R69S marked the end of sidecar-capable BMWs। Of this era, the R 69 S remains the most desirable example of the dubbed "/2" ("slash-two") series because of significantly greater engine power than other models, amongst other features unique to this design.

1967 BMW R60/2 with 6.5 US gallon (26 liter) tank and large dual saddle

In 1970 BMW introduced an entirely revamped product line of 500 cc, 600 cc and 750 cc displacement models, the R 50/5, R 60/5 and R 75/5 respectively. The engines were a complete redesign from the older models, producing more power and including electric starting (although the kick-starting feature was still included). 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 substantial improvements to the electrical system and frame geometry. These models were the R 60/6, R 75/6 and the R 90/6. In 1975 the kick starter was finally eliminated and a supersport model, the BMW R 90 S, was introduced. The R 90 S immediately earned the well deserved title of the best supersport machine available. Today these rare models command high prices in the collector marketplace. Many aficionados of BMW motorcycles view the /5 through /7 lineup as the epitome of classic BMW engineering, though all Airhead models produced through 1995 were roughly similar in terms of owner-friendly maintenance and repair. In addition to "/" or "slash" models, other Airhead models such as the G/S (later, GS) and ST also have dedicated followings within BMW circles while others favor certain earlier models like /5 "toasters." Each has its merits which owners will freely debate with enthusiasm. Later BMW model types such as K-bikes (1983 on) and oilheads (1993 on) included technical innovations that made them more complicated though many owners still elect to service them personally.

1964 BMW R27.

In 1977 the product line moved on to the "/7" models. The R 80/7 was added to the line. The R 90 (898 cc) models, "/6" and R 90 S models had their displacement increased to 1,000 cc; replaced by the R 100/7 and the R 100 S, respectively. These were the first liter size (1,000 cc) machines produced by BMW. 1977 was a banner year with the introduction of the first BMW production motorcycle featuring a full fairing, the R 100 RS. This sleek model, designed through wind-tunnel testing, produced 70 hp (51 kW) and had a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).^[5] In 1978, the R 100 RT was introduced into the lineup for the 1979 model year, as the first "full-dress" tourer, designed to compete in this market with the forthcoming Honda Goldwing.

In 1979 the R 60 was replaced with the 650 cc R 65, an entry-level motorcycle with 48 hp (36 kW) that had its very own frame design. Due to its smaller size and better geometrics, front and rear 18-inch (460 mm) wheels and a very light flywheel, was an incredibly well-handling bike that could easily keep up and even run away from its larger brothers when in proper hands on sinuous roads. BMW added a variant in 1982: the R 65 LS, a "sportier" model with a one-fourth fairing, double front disc brakes, stiffer suspension and different carburettors that added 5 hp (4 kW). Not available in the US, was a tuned-down (short stroke) version, the 450 cc R 45 that shared everything with the R 65, but was intended to beat displacement-related licensing taxes in Europe.

1994 BMW R 100 RT

1983-२००३

In early 1983, BMW introduced a 1000 cc, in-line four-cylinder, water-cooled engine to the European market, the K 100. It was assumed that this new engine would not only be the basis for a new models, but would replace the aging boxer flat twin engine. However, demand for the boxer did not wane with the introduction of this new engine and associated models. And the demand of the new engine models was much less than BMW anticipated. Therefore, BMW continued to produce boxer models.

In 1985 BMW produced a 750 cc, three-cylinder version of the new four-cylinder water cooled engine. The 750 cc was counterbalanced, and therefore smoother. The R100RT, boxer powered sport touring bike with a monolever rear suspension was reintroduced in 1987. BMW introduced rear suspension on the K bikes, a double-joined, single-sided swingarm.

1986 BMW K 100 RS

In 1986, BMW introduced the world's first electrically adjustable windshield on the K 100 LT. First thought to be an oddity, it has proven to be an important addition to touring motorcycles, is used on numerous BMW models, and has been copied for use on motorcycles by Honda, Moto Guzzi, Kawasaki, and Yamaha, and even on some high-end scooters.

In 1988 BMW introduced ABS on its motorcycles — a first in the motorcycle industry. ABS became standard on all BMW K models. In 1993 ABS was first introduced on BMW's boxer line on the R 1100 RS. It has since spread across nearly all of BMW's shaft-driven motorcycles and even some of its Rotax powered motorcycles.

BMW R1200C cruiser

In 1989, BMW introduced its version of a full-fairing sport bike, the K1. It was based upon the K 100 engine, with four valves per cylinder. Output was near 100 hp (75 kW).

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

During this period, BMW introduced a number of motorcycles including:

1993 BMW K 1100 RS with aftermarket Hagon rear shock

• R Series (airheads) - R 65 GS, R 80 GS, R 100 GS,
• R Series (oilheads) - R 850 R/GS/C, R 1100 R/RS/RT/GS/S, R 1150 R/RS/RT/GS/S, R 1200 C
• F Series - F 650 Funduro, F 650 ST Strada, F 650 GS, F 650 GS Dakar, F 650 CS Scarver
• K Series - K1, K 100, K 100 RS, K 100 RT, K 75, K 75 C, K 75 S, K 75 RT, K 1100 RS, K 1100 LT, K 1200 RS, K 1200 LT, K 1200 GT.

Notably, the BMW R 1200 C, produced from 1997 to 2004, was BMW Motorcycles first entry into the Cruiser market।

2004-present

K series

On 25 September 2004, BMW globally launched a radically redesigned K Series motorcycle, the K 1200 S, containing an all new in-line four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine featuring 123 kW (165 hp).^[6] The K 1200 S was primarily designed as a Super Sport motorcycle, albeit larger and heavier than the closest Japanese competitors. Shortly after the launch of the K 1200 S, problems were discovered with the new power plant leading to a recall until the beginning of 2005 when corrective changes were put in place. Recently, a K 1200 S set a land speed record for production bikes in its class at the Bonneville Salt Flats, exceeding 174 mph (280 km/h).

In the years after the launch of K 1200 S, BMW has also launched the K 1200 R naked roadster, and the K 1200 GT sport tourer, which started to appear in dealer showrooms in spring (March-June) 2006. All three new K-Series motorcycles are based on the new in-line four-cylinder engine, with slightly varying degrees of power. In 2007, BMW added the K 1200 R Sport,^[7] a semi-faired sport touring version of the K 1200 R.

In October 2008, BMW launched three new 1300 cc K-series models: the K1300R, K1300S and K1300GT.^[8] The K1300 models feature increased in engine capacity of 136 cc, an increase in power to 175 hp (130 kW) and a new exhaust system.

R series

In 2004, bikes with the opposed-twin cylinder "boxer" engine were also revamped. The new boxer displacement is just under 1200 cc, and is affectionately referred to a "hexhead" because of the shape of the cylinder cover. The motor itself is more powerful, and all of the motorcycles that use it are lighter.

The first motorcycle to be launched with this updated engine was the R 1200 GS dual-purpose motorcycle. The R 1200 RT tourer and R 1200 ST sports tourer followed shortly behind. BMW then introduced the 175 kg 105 kW (141 hp) HP2 Enduro, and the 223 kg 100 hp (75 kW) R 1200 GS Adventure, each specifically targeting the off-road and adventure-touring motorcycle segment, respectively. In 2007 the HP2 Enduro was joined by the road-biased HP2 Megamoto fitted with smaller alloy wheels and street tyres.

In 2006, BMW launched the R 1200 S, which is rated at 90 kW (121 hp) at 8,250 rpm. April 2007, BMW announced its return to competitive road racing, entering a factory team with a "Sport Boxer" version of the R 1200 S to four 24-hour endurance races.^[9] A street version of the R 1200 S Sport Boxer is expected in 2008, rated at 144 hp (107 kW), and weighing 195 kg fully fuelled.

Two BMW R 1200 GS

F series

BMW has also paid attention to the F Series in 2006. It lowered the price on the existing F 650 GS and F 650 GS Dakar, and eliminated the F 650 CS to make room in the lineup for the all-new F 800 Series. The new motorcycles are powered by a parallel twin engine, built by Rotax. They feature either a belt drive system, similar to the belt drive found on the now defunct F 650 CS, or chain drive. Initially, BMW launched two models of the new F 800 Series, the F 800 S sport bike and the F 800 ST sport tourer; these were followed by F650GS and F 800 GS dual-purpose motorcycles, both of which use the 798 cc engine despite the different names

F 800 S

G series

In October 2006 BMW announced the G series of offroad style motorcycles co-developed with Aprilia, part of the Piaggio group. These are equipped with an uprated single cylinder water cooled 652 cc fuel injected engine producing 53 hp (40 kW), similar to the one fitted to the single-cylinder F 650 GS, and are equipped with chain drive. There are three models in the series, all produced for BMW by Aprilia in their North Italian Scorzè Plant, each focused on a slightly different market:

• G 650 Xchallenge hard enduro featuring 21" front and 18" rear spoked wheels
• G 650 Xcountry scrambler / adventure sports featuring 19" front and 17" rear spoked wheels
• G 650 Xmoto street moto / supermoto featuring 17" cast alloy wheels

G650 Xchallenge enduro

R series

The R series are built around a two piston, horizontally opposed flat-twin boxer engine. As the engine is mounted with a longitudinal crankshaft, the cylinder heads protrude well beyond the sides of the frame, making the R series motorcycles visually distinctive.

Four different BMW "heads".