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06 May

BMW Motorrad

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240px-bmw_logoBMW Motorrad is a brand used by German company BMW for its motorcycles, which have been manufactured since 1923. BMW Motorrad is a business unit within Corporate and Brand Development division of BMW. BMW Motorrad revenues for 2007 were €1,228 million. Its general director is Hendrik von Kuenheim.

Current production

All BMW Motorrad’s motorcycle production takes place at its plant in Berlin, Germany, although some engines are manufactured in Austria, China and Taiwan.

BMW Motorrad achieved sales of 101,685 motorcycles in 2008, with the most popular model being the R1200GS. In 2008, the company introduced the DOHC Boxer HP2 Sport. In 2008, BMW entered the serious off-road competition motorcycle market with the release of the BMW G450X motorcycle.

Current production includes a variety of shaft, chain and belt driven models from 450 cc to 1300 cc with models designed for off-road, dual-purpose, sport and touring activities. Motorcycles are produced in product families each with a different letter prefix. Current families are:

  • F series – parallel-twin engines of 800 cc capacity, featuring either chain or belt drive. Models are F650GS, F800GS, F800R, F800S and F800ST.
  • G series – single-cylinder engines of 450–650 cc capacity featuring chain drive. Models are G450X, G650GS (in some markets), G650 Xmoto, G650 Xchallenge and G650 Xcountry. The 450 cc engines are manufactured by Kymco in Taiwan. The 650 cc engines are manufactured by Loncin in China.
  • R series – twin-cylinder boxer engines of 1200 cc capacity featuring shaft drive. Models are R1200GS, R1200R, R1200RT and R1200S
  • K series – four-cylinder engines of 1200–1300 cc capacity featuring shaft drive. Models are K1200LT, K1300GT, K1200R Sport, K1300R and K1300S

Racing

BMW motorcycles have won many prestigious races around the world and have held many records. One of BMW’s most significant titles is being the first non-British manufacturer to win the Isle of Man TT race, which BMW accomplished in the 1939 Isle of Man TT.

BMW Motorrad also enters motorcycles into the Dakar Rally, an annual car, truck and motorcycle race usually from Europe to Africa featuring works riders such as Simon Pavey and motorcycling celebrity Charley Boorman. BMW motorcycles have won the Dakar Rally six times.

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