 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Motorcycle brand |
| Current owner | BMW AG |
| Markets | Global |
| Website | bmw-motorrad.com |
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle business unit of the German company BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division.[1] The current General Director of the unit is Hendrik von Kuenheim.[2][3] BMW Motorrad has produced motorcycles since 1923, and revenues for 2008 were€1,230 million.[4]
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[edit]History
The company began as an aircraft engine manufacturer in the early 20th century and through World War I. BMW manufactured its first motorcycle in 1923, the R32, which featured flat-twin boxerengine. BMW Motorrad still uses the flat-twin boxer configuration, but now manufactures motorcycles with a variety of engine configurations.
[edit]Current production
All BMW Motorrad's motorcycle production takes place at its plant in Berlin, Germany,[5] although some engines are manufactured in Austria, China, and Taiwan.
BMW Motorrad produced 87,306 motorcycles in 2009,[6] compared with 104,220 in 2008.[4] The most popular model is the R1200GS and its sibling Adventure, which sold 24,467 units – accounting for 28% of BMW's annual production.[6] Current production includes a variety of shaft, chain, and belt driven models, with engines from 450 cc to 1,300 cc; and models designed for off-road, dual-purpose, sport, and touring activities.
In 2008, BMW introduced the DOHC Boxer HP2 Sport,[7] and entered the serious off-road competition motorcycle market with the release of the BMW G450X motorcycle.[8]
BMW Motorrad motorcycles are categorized into product families, and each family is assigned a different letter prefix. Current families are,
- F series – parallel-twin engines of 800 cc capacity, featuring either chain or belt drive. Models areF650GS, F800GS, F800R, F800S and F800ST.
- G series – single-cylinder engines of 450–650 cc capacity featuring chain drive. Models are G450X, G650GS (available in some markets), G650 Xmoto, G650 Xchallenge and G650 Xcountry. The 450 cc engines are manufactured by Kymco in Taiwan.[9] The 650 cc engines are manufactured by Loncin Holdings, Ltd in China.[10][11]
- R series – twin-cylinder boxer engines of 1,200 cc capacity featuring shaft drive. Models are R1200GS, R1200R, R1200RT and R1200S
- K series – four-cylinder engines of 1,200–1,300 cc capacity featuring shaft drive. Models are K1200LT, K1300GT, K1300R and K1300S.
- S1000RR – sport bike with transverse-mounted, 999 cc inline-four engine
[edit]Racing
| 2009 name | Team Alpha BMW |
|---|---|
| Base | Rosenheim, Germany |
| Team principal/s | Berti Hauser |
| Race riders | 111 Rubén Xaus 11 Troy Corser |
| Motorcycle | BMW S1000RR |
| Tyres | Pirelli |
| Riders' Championships | 0 |
BMW Motorrad motorcycles have won many prestigious races around the world and have held many track records. One of their most significant honors is being the first non-British manufacturer to win the Isle of Man TT race, which they accomplished at the1939 Isle of Man TT.
BMW Motorrad also regularly enters its motorcycles in the Dakar Rally, an annual car, truck, and motorcycle race that runs from Europe to Africa and has featured riders such as Simon Pavey and motorcycling celebrity Charley Boorman. BMW Motorrad motorcycles have won the Dakar Rally six times.[12][13]
In 2007, BMW Motorrad announced its entry to the 2009 Superbike World Championship season, where it is racing the BMW S1000RR. The 2009 season factory team is known as Team Alpha BMW and includes Spanish rider Ruben Xaus and Australian rider Troy Corser.[14]
[edit]References
- ^ "BMW Group Creates Two New Divisions". BMW Group. 27 September 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- ^ "The Future of BMW Motorrad – Hendrik von Kuenheim talks to the media" (PDF). BMW. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- ^ Oliemuller, Roy (21 May 2008), Hendrik von Kuenheim elected president of the IMMA (press relase), BMW Group, retrieved 2010-01-09
- ^ a b "Annual Report 2008" (PDF). BMW Group. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
- ^ "Berlin Plant". Manufacturing Facilities. BMW Group. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
- ^ a b "BMW Motorcycle Sales for 2009 and Prospects for 2010". webBikeWorld.com. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
- ^ "BMW MOTORRAD ACHIEVES RECORD SALES YET AGAIN IN 2007". Biker Voodoo.
- ^ Ziegler, Jessie. "BMW G450X - New thinking from a new player in the dirt bike market". Motorcyclist. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ "KYMCO Ships 450cc Enduro Bike Engines to BMW". China Economic News Service (CENS). 3 July 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "BMW's radical 3-wheeler on its way". Visordown. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ Brisette, Pete (15 December 2008). "2009 BMW G650GS Review". Motorcycle.com.
- ^ "History of Dakar - RETROSPECTIVE 1979-2007" (PDF). Dakar. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ "Dakar Rally Winners (Bike Category)". MotorSports Etc.. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ Insidebikes World Superbike News
[edit]External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: BMW motorcycles |
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