Autoblog

BMW announces plans for new retro motorcycle

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, BMW, Motorcycle, Design/Style

BMW is set to honor its long and storied motorcycle history with a new model next year. Stephan Schaller, the president of BMW Motorrad, announced the new bike will bow with an air-cooled, horizontally-opposed two-cylinder boxer engine as a tribute to the R 32. That bike first debuted in 1923 and laid the groundwork for the next 90 years of BMW motorcycle manufacturing. Aside from the sketch you see above, BMW is keeping details about its new bike to itself. We're told information on the creation's model designation, price and launch date will all come soon.

Schaller made the announcement at this year's EICMA international motorcycle show in Milan, and we have to say we're fans of the sketch. With its shorty bars, round head lamp and truncated tail section, the bike looks to be everything we love about modern naked bikes with a proper dose of classic flair. Check out the brief presser below.

Continue reading BMW announces plans for new retro motorcycle

BMW announces plans for new retro motorcycle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW makes ABS standard on all motorcycles

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, BMW, Motorcycle

BMW's Motorrad division has made a number of changes to its 2013 model-year range, most of it having to do with paint colors. The preeminent development is that all of its bikes, worldwide, will come with ABS standard.

The move comes three years ahead the European Union's 2016 requirement that all motorcycles sold there come with ABS, and is an evolution of BMW Motorrad's Safety 360 initiative. That umbrella looks at rider safety from the perspectives of motorbike technology, rider equipment and gear, and rider training, all of which BMW Motorrad has its hands in. On top of ABS, BMW has developed other technology for motorcycles that's usually heard in conjunction with cars: electronic suspension adjustment, automatic stability control, dynamic traction control and adaptive headlights.

The 2013 models will be available in dealerships starting next month. Scroll down for a press release detailing all the changes.

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BMW makes ABS standard on all motorcycles originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept gets detailed [w/videos]

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, BMW, Motorcycle, Electric

BMW Motorrad Concept Vehicle BMW E-Scooter - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW Motorrad Concept Vehicle BMW E-Scooter is all-electric, but does its best to provide the range of a regular, internal-combustion-engine scooter. The point of this exercise was to create an electric mount that could take the place of a scooter commuter in terms of range, power and convenience. The E-Scooter has a daily range of 100 kilometers (62 miles), and it's battery can be fully charged in three hours from a household outlet.

Speaking of that battery, instead of a proper frame, the aluminum casing for the battery and liquid-cooled ancillary systems acts as the frame. BMW says the powerplant is strong enough for "safe and reliable overtaking" on highways and for "hill starts on steep slopes" with two on board.

Lacking a hub motor and planetary gearbox, a toothed belt runs from the electric motor to a belt pulley on the swinging fork pivot, where a drive pinion controls power to the rear wheel via a roller chain. Intense, yes, but what else would you expect of BMW? For all the info, check out the gallery of high-res photos below and the press release and videos after the jump.

Continue reading BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept gets detailed [w/videos]

BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept gets detailed [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M3, S 1000 RR lock horns in The Chase

Zach Bowman — Mon, 02 May 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Motorcycle

BMW M3 vs. BMW S 1000 RR - Click above to watch video after the jump

Common logic says that where two wheels are good, four wheels are better. That's especially true when the skies open up and the track turns wet. BMW Motorrad wanted to put that logic to the test, so the company recently lined up two of the meanest pieces of machinery in the German manufacturer's stable: the mighty BMW M3 and the sinister S 1000 RR. Thanks to some tinkering by Akrapovic Evolution, the 4.0-liter V8 engine in the M3 now kicks 442 horsepower to the rear wheels with a curb weight of 3,571 pounds.

The BMW S 1000 RR, meanwhile, was strung out to around 198 horsepower while weight was stripped down to a mind-boggling 434 pounds soaking wet. The two were made to square off on opposite ends of the same track. The first racer to catch the other won bragging rights for not just themselves, but the auto or moto faithful as well. How'd it go? We won't spoil it for you, but we will say it took the victor just 15 laps to reel in his adversary. Hit the jump to check it out for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Craig!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading BMW M3, S 1000 RR lock horns in The Chase

BMW M3, S 1000 RR lock horns in The Chase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Concept C scooter coming to America

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 May 2011 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: BMW, Motorcycle

BMW Motorrad Concept C - Click above for high-res image gallery

You may remember the Concept C from last year. It was BMW Motorrad's vision of what a large motor scooter could look like, and now it's headed into production.

Our friends at Hell for Leather report that a production version of the Concept C will be unveiled at major motorbike shows after the summer. And once it's in production, it'll likely get a different name, but after that it's headed for the United States.

Whether the LED headlights, LCD "dashboard" monitors and ABS disc brakes will make it onto the production version remains to be seen. The blue-treaded tires, though, almost definitely won't.

Gallery: BMW Motorrad Concept C

[Source: Hell for Leather]

BMW Concept C scooter coming to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 May 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: BMW Motorrad wishes the world happy holidays

Zach Bowman — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, BMW, Motorcycle, Humor

BMW Motorrad holiday greeting - Click above to watch video after the jump

The weather outside may have a rather large portion of the country's motorcyclists pining for spring, but that hasn't stopped the two-wheel obsessed crew over at BMW Motorrad from wishing the world a very merry Christmas in its own special way. Using a little electric guitar and some Stomp-esque percussion work by a team of helmeted riders, the Bavarian motorcycle maker has turned out a special holiday tune just for the occasion. You can check out the flick after the jump, but that's not all.

If you like what you see, you can even work up your own version of the video to send as an e-card to that certain someone special. Nothing says, "Honey, I want an R1200 GS Adventure under the tree this year," quite like a holiday greeting from a gaggle of leather-clad motorcycle heathens. You can even upload a photo of yourself into the card and craft your own personalized message. Head over to the BMW Motorrad site to get started.

[Source: BMW Motorrad]

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Video: BMW Motorrad wishes the world happy holidays originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW does the twist-and-go with Concept C scooter [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, BMW, Misc. Auto Shows, Motorcycle

BMW Motorrad Concept C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Say what you will about motor scooters, but twist-and-go is how an inordinate proportion of the world's population gets around town. Simply put, there is no simpler way of getting through crowded city streets, and let's face it: city streets are only getting more crowded. With that in mind, BMW - one of the few automakers that builds four-wheeled vehicles as well as two - has unveiled its vision for the next generation of large motor scooters, which it calls Concept C.

Drawing on decades of experience building full-size motorcycles, BMW Motorrad has delved into the scooter market with a fresh concept that brings familiar design cues from its existing lineup of off-road, touring and sport bikes to a commuter form. In short, BMW is "expanding its present motorcycle adventure world to include the big scooter." Their words, not ours.

Instead of reinventing the wheel as other companies have tried, the Concept C is powered by a conventional two-cylinder engine mated to a continuously-variable transmission, although consideration is being given to future electric powertrains. The front fork features dual disc brakes accompanied by a single disc in the back and supported by ABS. LED headlights illuminate the road ahead, while dual LCD monitors provide the instrumentation.

There's more to read in the press release after the jump, accompanied by video footage and the high-resolution image mega-gallery below.

Gallery: BMW Motorrad Concept C

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW does the twist-and-go with Concept C scooter [w/video]

BMW does the twist-and-go with Concept C scooter [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Special Editions All Around: BMW celebrates 30 years of the GS with new models

Devon Brozek — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, BMW, Motorcycle

All grown up, the R1200GS shows off its anniversary suite - Click above for high-res image gallery

What do you get for for someone who has it all? Dashing good looks, a successful career; someone who has traveled to the world's most remote locations and gathered a dedicated fan base along the way, and all of this against the odds of critics who scoffed when they were just getting their feet off the ground. If that someone is a something and more specifically, a motorcycle, BMW has the answer. The company will be honoring three decades of the world's best-selling line of motorcycles, the GS, with a limited run of 30th Anniversary Special Edition models.

Anniversary models will offer a distinct red saddle complete with a protruding GS insignia, clad with white bodywork as well as decals announcing "30 Years GS." The senior GS (1200, including adventure model) will also include a tinted windscreen, handguards and black wheels. But fear not if the largest of the GS line is just too portly for your stable, as the special editions will be available in F800GS and F650GS varieties as well. No official word on pricing, but history reveals only moderate price premiums for anniversary models from the Bavarian brand. If you suddenly find yourself with an uncontrollable desire to have and to hold one of these limited models, don't wait for congress to vote on it as a reliable source inside BMW tells us that each U.S. dealer is only guaranteed the chance to sell one of the limited models, which equates to roughly 150 of each size bike.

1980 was the year that marked the birth of the original R80 G/S, and so the marriage of adventure and motorcycle became official. It has been said that BMW essentially answered a question that had not been yet been asked. It has been a long journey for BMW and it's GS lineup, one filled with rough patches and dirt sections, possibly even brief moments of regret. But really, that is is the type of journey that embodies the whole GS concept, right? Here's to another 30 years, and what they may have in store for of one or our favorite choices when all that is known is the unknown.

Gallery: Anniversary BMW GS

[Source: BMW]

Special Editions All Around: BMW celebrates 30 years of the GS with new models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Motorrad intros Neck Brake System for motorcyclists

Alex Nunez — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Safety, BMW

We normally don't cover motorcycle news here on Autoblog, but a release from BMW Motorrad yesterday caught our attention and we thought we'd share it. Motorrad is BMW's motorcycle division, and yesterday it introduced its new neck Brace System, which is designed to help protect the spinal cord from injury in the event of an accident. It's usable with any helmet, and the way it works is quite simple.

The rider places the carbon fiber, Kevlar, and fiberglass brace around his or her neck and then secures it using a pair of fasteners mounted to its side. It's padded with soft-touch materials on its underside, so it'll be comfortable to the wearer, and the use of lightweight materials keeps it from becoming too cumbersome. Developed with the aid of a physician, the brace helps keep the rider's neck from moving too far forward, backward, or laterally, and also helps absorb energy coming down to the spine from the helmet if the impact is coming from above. According to BMW, at no time does this device inhibit the rider's normal range of movement. The system will cost £325 in the UK, and unfortunately, we don't have any info on when/if it will be available in the US, and what our pricing would be. We'd like to hear what you motorcycle riders out there think of this device in the comments.

[Source: BMW Motorrad]

Gallery: BMW Motorrad Neck Brace System

BMW Motorrad intros Neck Brake System for motorcyclists originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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