May 9th, 2008 James
Thrill seekers rejoice! The BMW HP2 Sport has arrived at U.S. BMW Motorrad retailers. The same high-performance sport bike that Richard Cooper and Brian Parriott rode to fifth and sixth place finishes in last month’s Daytona 200 is now available in limited supplies for serious motorcycle enthusiasts. The high-performance (HP) two (2)-cylinder Boxer — customized to meet the requirements of the ambitious sport rider — has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $25,375 (excluding taxes, license, options, and handling charge).
The sportiest, most powerful and lightest Boxer ever manufactured, the HP2 Sport features numerous exclusive details, previously restricted to racing, that were never before seen in series production vehicles. Technology such as the self-supporting and aerodynamically optimized fairings made completely of carbon fiber, the quick shifter, a dashboard similar to that used in the MotoGP, the forged aluminum wheels and brakes with radially bolted calipers make the HP2 unmistakably athletic on both country roads or the racing circuit.
The most striking difference between the BMW HP2 Sport from the earlier endurance racing Boxer is the brand new cylinder heads: each of the double overhead camshafts (DOHC) uses a drag lever to actuate the valves that are larger than those on the BMW R 1200 S. Further modifications, such as the flow-optimized intake and outlet, new forged pistons and adapted connecting rod, help the engine to achieve the necessary higher output compared to the basic engine. A new stainless steel exhaust system is placed below the engine for the first time, keeping the lower area of the motorcycle extremely slim for greater freedom of movement for a “hanging off” riding position. Although designed for racing prowess, the BMW HP2 Sport does not forego the safety benefits of ABS. A sophisticated anti-blocking system, specially adapted to the HP2 Sport, is available as an option and is configured so that it can be deactivated for the racetrack.
Following the BMW Motorrad Motorsport design, the HP2 Sport features white lacquering on the windshield, rear, mudguard and side cover. The engine spoiler carries the two-tone “HP2″ lettering; and the lattice frame and wheels are lacquered in the BMW Motorrad color of Motorsport Blue.
For enthusiasts who delight in racing technology, the HP2 is a dream come true! Stop by your nearest BMW Motorrad retailer and order one today!
Posted in BMW News | 2 Comments »
May 9th, 2008 James
Special Allowances on All Models Available to Members of US Armed Forces
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - May 9, 2008… In appreciation of the commitment and sacrifice of the men and women serving in the US armed forces, BMW Motorrad USA is pleased to announce a special motorcycle purchase program for all active members of the US armed forces. The program — which runs through December 31, 2008 — is designed to help military personnel purchase the BMW motorcycle of their choice for personal use.
To be eligible for the program, purchasers must be active members of the US Armed Forces. Active members include active duty (including activated Reservists) of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Coast Guard, and those who have recently finished active service (within 6 months) with a current military identification card. A copy of Department of Defense form 214 may be necessary for retired service members and those who have recently been discharged from active service.
The following allowances are available on all models within every BMW model series:
K-Series $500
R-Series $400
G-Series $250
F-Series $250
For details regarding eligibility and purchase terms click here.
Posted in BMW News, Promotions | 1 Comment »
April 29th, 2008 James
Bakersfield, CA police officers are now patrolling the bikeway along the Kern River with greater ease and safety, thanks to two new BMW G 650 Xchallenge motorcycles recently delivered to the department by Valley Cycle and Motorsports in Bakersfield.
According to Frank Stevens, Authority Program Manager for BMW Motorrad USA, the Bakersfield Police Department is the first law enforcement agency to purchase the G 650 Xchallenge for patrol purposes.
“We have sold the F 650 GS-P — also an agile, multi-terrain motor — to law enforcement agencies for many years,” commented Mr. Stevens, “but the G 650 Xchallenge offers greater off-road capabilities with longer suspension travel and higher ground clearance for more aggressive off-road riding.”
“Officers will be patrolling the entire Kern River bottom on motorcycles equipped with patrol lights, anti-lock brakes and radios,” said Bill Abshier, owner and general manager of Valley Cycle and Motorcycles. “We hope to be successful adding R 1200 RT-P models to the Bakersfield Police Department’s street bike fleet in the near future.”
The BMW G 650 Xchallenge - a runner-up in the “Best Dirtbike” category for Motorcyclist magazine’s 2007 Motorcycle of the Year Award – is BMW’s most modern and aggressive dual sport bike, distinguished by its outstanding off-road riding performance and its air damping system.
BMW police motorcycles are currently used by more than 400 agencies throughout the United States, including the State of Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Idaho to name a few.
Posted in BMW News | 1 Comment »
April 18th, 2008 James
The photos of the S 1000 RR were released during a speech by Hendrik von Kuenheim, who has just become the General Director of BMW Motorrad after having served as the President of BMW Spain.
Mr. von Kuenheim officially confirmed the rumors: BMW will race in World Superbike. Here’s an excerpt from his speech:
“As you may expect of BMW Motorrad, the design of our BMW Supersports will be absolutely unique and very different. While it will of course reflect the usual design language in the segment, it will at the same time offer a strong and powerful message from the BMW brand.
Now let me briefly give you the status of our entry into the Superbike World Championship: Today I can confirm that our preparations are proceeding according to plan in every respect: In compliance with the rules of the Series, the new motorcycle will be available to customers in 2009 and we will build 1,000 production models by the end of next year.
We are implementing our racing activities in close cooperation with our partner Alpha-Racing, a specialist very experienced in motorsport. Located near Munich, Alpha-Racing have already started work in a special production hall specifically for this purpose.
The process of building up the team is proceeding at full swing and we have already filled the key positions. The team is a combination of specialists from BMW and members of the Alpha-Technik racing crew, as well as further specialists from professional Superbike racing.
Choosing the development and test riders for our racing machine, we are currently operating in a revolving system to gain as much experience as possible. The selection of test riders ranges from experienced riders still active today all the way to young “top guns”.
In the upcoming weeks and months we will systematically start production of the racing machine in its individual power and performance stages, testing the new model as we go along.”
“We naturally realize that the established teams have many years of experience. But we wish to take up this challenge in particular and have put together a highly motivated team precisely for this purpose, a team which will prove the performance of our new motorcycle in professional racing.
Naturally, we will have to go through a certain process of learning – which is precisely why we have set ourselves realistic targets for the time being: In our first year in the Superbike World Championship we seek to bring home several places in the Top 10 and to consistently close the gap to the top teams.
In year 2 we plan to catch up with the top teams and to win our first places on the podium. And our medium-term objective, obviously, is to win the World Championship!”
“You have been speculating a lot on the designation of our new model. So let us put an end to this speculation today. BMW Motorrad’s first Supersports will be the “S 1000 RR”.
In choosing the name and designation of BMW’s new Supersports, we’re consistently following our nomenclature at BMW Motorrad. In this name, the “S“ stands for Supersports, marking a new class of motorcycles from BMW. The “1000” designates the size of the engine, and the “RR” naturally stands for the model itself.”
“Dear Motorcycle Friends, many motorcycle magazines have published photos of a racing prototype which we have tested on several racing tracks. Today we would like to show you this racing prototype, offering you an initial impression of the package and the technology. But when you see the motorcycle in a minute, please note that neither the design nor the impression of quality are the same as on the production model following at a later point.”
This thing is going to be fast.
Posted in BMW News | 1 Comment »
April 3rd, 2008 James
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - April 2, 2008…Motorcycle enthusiasts who appreciate the very latest in performance and technology can now find it on the new BMW HP2 Megamoto, now available at BMW Motorrad retailers. The ABS system is available as a factory-installed option through U.S. BMW Motorrad retailers at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,000.00; and, like the HP2 Sport, the system can be completely turned off. The street version of the mighty HP2 Enduro, the Megamoto is armed with tons of power in the form of a 113 hp Boxer motor that spits out 85 lb/ft of torque. Every extra detail has been stripped away to create a supermoto machine offering thrilling, out-of-this-world excitement in every gear. With a dry weight of just 393 lbs, low center of gravity, inverted Marzocchi forks, Ohlins rear shock, and plenty of wheel travel in both front and rear suspensions, the HP2 Megamoto delivers sharp, supremely responsive handling. An Akrpovic exhaust adds efficiency, while Brembo brakes assure maximum stopping power. Motorcycle enthusiasts also appreciate that a tachometer and a new headlight, as well as the significantly lower seat, give the Megamoto an even higher standard of everyday riding qualities. The BMW HP2 Megamoto has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $20,520 (excluding destination charge).
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March 26th, 2008 James
If you haven’t yet discovered the joys of riding with a GPS, it’s time to do exactly that. And the new BMW Zumo Motorcycle Navigator is one of the most advanced systems available. More importantly, it’s designed specifically for BMW motorcycle use. Compact, rugged, and supremely easy to use, the Zumo makes it easy to operate and program your ride, no matter where you’re headed.
Its screen is sensitive and easy to use, even while wearing gloves. Its controls are all on the left of the unit, perfect for motorcyclists. The BMW Zumo Motorcycle Navigator is also water and fuel resistant, shock and vibration proof, and includes Bluetooth wireless technology for phone communication. Add a high brightness, sunlight-readable, UV-display that’s always visible, BMW dealer database, and pre-installed mapping software of all of North America, and you’ll never be fumbling with maps, hi-liters, or asking whiskery gas station attendants for directions again.
But remember: the BMW Zumo Motorcycle Navigator is only available at your local BMW motorcycles dealership. Check it out today and never lose your way again.
Posted in BMW News, Rider Gear | No Comments »
March 26th, 2008 James
The 2008 BMW Motorrad GS line includes three new models with the new from the dirt up F 800 GS and the upgraded R 1200 GS and GS Adventure. All models will be at the IMS shows this winter, beginning with the San Mateo show. You can see the R 1200 GS and GS Adventure in dealerships early spring and the F 800 GS in the Fall. But you can read about them all now.
2008 F 800 GS
In 1980, BMW Motorrad invented the adventure motorcycle category with the advent of the trailblazing R 80 GS, which won the grueling Paris-Dakar year after year. And now, over twenty-five years later, BMW Motorrad has created yet another revolutionary dual-purpose motorcycle that provides unprecedented levels of desert-devouring, roost-throwing performance: the amazing 2008 F 800 GS.
Fulfilling a need for a pure off-road oriented motorcycle that still has all the power, handling and reliability required for long-distance adventure touring as well as on-street handling, the F 800 GS is perfectly positioned as a middleweight dual-purpose enduro. Featuring an asymmetrical double headlight, its look is sleek, trim and 100% aggressive. With a compact 85-horsepower parallel twin engine, lightweight steel trellis frame and double-sided swingarm, not to mention a chain drive and longer front and rear suspension travel, there has never been a BMW dual-purpose machine offering such a unique blend of power, comfort and off-road muscle.
Torque is generous at 61 lb/ft, and with a six-speed gear box, switchable ABS, 42-degree turning radius, 400-watt alternator, wide foot rests and 4.2-gallon gas tank located under the seat for a low center of gravity, the F 800 GS has all the technology of a touring bike, while still possessing the optimum power-to-weight characteristics of a high-performance enduro. With a dry weight of just 392 lbs, the F 800 GS is lightweight and agile enough for precise handling, making it ideal for screaming around on the twisties or tearing through the dirt.
In the never-ending quest to exceed our own exacting standards, BMW Motorrad has once again reached an entire new level of engineering excellence with the F 800 GS, an adventure-hungry motorcycle that is destined to be a classic.
2008 R 1200 GS
Since its debut in 2004, the R 1200 GS has earned award after award, including Cycle World’s Best Open Class Street Bike and the International Journalist’s Panel “Best Bike in the World.” And for 2008, this go-anywhere motorcycle that’s equally at home in the dirt or on the street, gets several enhancements. The result of this dynamic upgrade is a dual-purpose motorcycle that offers everything the serious motorcyclist demands. And more.
The 2008 R 1200 GS is marked by a bold, rugged appearance. Stainless steel knee covers drape each side of the gas tank area, while technical surfaces like the slide tubes and cylinder head covers have been redesigned to include sporty new features. A new aluminum handlebar which can be mounted in two positions offers increased ergonomics, making its seated (or standing while off-road) position even more comfortable. Increased seat foam thickness also increases rideability.
But eye-catching style is only the beginning of the enhancements. Additional grunt is also part of the package, as the 2008 R 1200 GS offers 5% more power, topping out at a substantial 105 bhp with a maximum engine speed of 8,000 RPM, which creates an even wider range of power. Revised transmission ratios also mean quicker acceleration, better low-speed traction and increased revs.
In addition to being a stunningly agile street bike, the R 1200 GS is also a supremely capable adventure tourer, and to make reaching those faraway places even more doable, for the first time ever, BMW Motorrad is offering an off-road version of its famous ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) technology. Optional Enduro ESA is designed to meet the unique needs of adventure touring, and offers several options for whatever riding condition occurs: solo rider, rider with luggage and passenger. Three damper settings, Sport, Normal and Comfort give the rider the option of customizing both front and rear suspensions to his or her specifications. There is also an off-road mode that adjusts the front and rear preload and increases ground clearance for when rougher situations arise.
Featuring more power, rugged styling and advanced technology, the 2008 R 1200 GS sets the standard for the entire adventure bike category and will be a force to be reckoned with both on the road and off.
2008 R 1200 GS Adventure
When it comes to continent-crossing ability, the kind of epic riding that takes you to faraway places that others can only imagine, nothing comes close to reaching the ability of the rugged, totally unstoppable R 1200 GS Adventure. And for 2008, the R 1200 GS Adventure offers a number of significant new features that make it even more adept at riding to the ends of the earth.
In addition to new design elements including two-part, two-color hand protectors, the new 2008 R 1200 GS Adventure benefits from an additional 5% increase in power, raising its engine output to 105 bhp. A taller windshield, adjustable seat, extra wide foot pegs and optional ABS make long days in the saddle both comfortable and enjoyable. Add a generous 8.7-gallon fuel tank and covering immense areas of territory becomes easier and more worry-free than ever before.
The most significant new technological development found on the R 1200 GS Adventure is optional Enduro ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment). This feature gives the rider the ability to customize the motorcycle to his or her exact preferences. No matter what type of condition should ariseand where this bike travels to, just about anything can occurEnduro ESA lets the rider adjust both front and rear suspension to accommodate it. Settings include Sport, Normal and Comfort, and there is even an off-road mode that adjusts the front and rear preload and increases ground clearance for those inevitable sections of bumpy terrain that occur while touring through the vast unknown.
For those ambitious riders whose passion involves getting off the beaten path and discovering wild, untamed places miles away from the typical, the 2008 R 1200 GS Adventure, with its numerous enhancements, globe-conquering ability and increased power, is the only real choice.
Posted in BMW News, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
March 5th, 2008 James
The BMW Roundel, one of the world’s most recognised and revered commercial symbols, celebrates its 90th anniversary this month.
In July 1917 Franz Josef Popp registered the name Bayerische Motoren Werke, thus distancing the new company from the Rapp Motorenwerke. This was a necessary move if the new company was to find new clients and prosper. The name was registered but as yet there was no new logo…
It was on 5 October 1917 that the BMW trademark was registered with the Imperial Trade Mark Roll under No. 221388. It featured the circular design of the Rapp logo but with the letters BMW at the top of the outer ring. The inner featured quadrants in the Bavarian Free State colours of blue and white - but in the opposed order - as it was illegal to use national symbols in a commercial trademark.
The design was not in any way connected with aircraft engines or propellers. The idea that the blue and white had anything to do with spinning propellers comes from a 1929 advertisement, which featured aircraft with the image of the Roundel in the rotating propellers. This advertisement came at the beginning of the Great Depression, which coincided with BMW acquiring the license to build Pratt & Whitney radial aircraft engines. The advertising department used the Roundel and BMW heritage in an attempt to increase sales of the new radial motors.
The idea of the spinning propellers was given greater credence in an article by Wilhelm Farrenkopf in a BMW journal of 1942. This also featured an image of an aircraft with a spinning Roundel. These were powerful images and the legend of the spinning propeller was born.
The logo was registered on 5 October but it was in limited use prior to this date. On 1 October 1917 Franz Josef Popp was given a certificate confirming his appointment as General Manager and it was adorned with the now familiar BMW Roundel.
The basic structure of the Roundel has remained the same over 90 years but there have been subtle changes. In the original design the lettering and outline was in gold, but by the time the first BMW motorcycle - the R 32 - was released in 1923 it had changed slightly. The letters were still in gold but the font was bolder and letters closer together. This was the _style_ that was submitted to the German Register of Trade Marks in 1933, and the international register of trademarks in 1934. This did not however stop various versions being used.
One of the early BMW advertisements using the logo was in 1918 with the ‘Falling Roundels’, this was a positioning advertisement that was designed to establish the brand and give an indication to its current and future products.
Subsequent advertisements, posters and even cars and motorcycles also featured many _style_s of Roundel. The proportions changed, the shade of blue used, and the lettering could be in gold, white or silver with serif or sans-serif fonts in different sizes. There appears to be no reason for this variance except for product designers and marketing and communication staff using personal choice depending on application.
Through the 1950s there was a more concerted effort to standardise the Roundel. The use of white lettering was now standard and when used on cars and motorcycles it was silver. By the 1960s the serif font was replaced by sans-serif, and this was used on all motorcycles by 1966.
There was a subsequent change to a slightly bolder font and this has remained as the standard Roundel. There was flirtation with a ‘Motorsport Roundel’ in the early 1970s and ’80s which had the standard logo surrounded by the BMW Motorsport colours. In 1997 BMW moved to having the Roundel depicted in 3-D when used in the printed form. This gives the Roundel a new bolder and dynamic look.
The BMW Roundel is now ranked in the top ten of the world’s most recognised commercial logos and is an iconic symbol in its own right. The original design, in its simplicity and symbolism has stood the test of time.
Source: http://www.bmwmotorrad.co.za/bikes/news/default.asp?Id=812&tier=search
Posted in BMW News | No Comments »
February 29th, 2008 James
Low Suspension Option Available On 2008 BMW R 1200 GS, R 1200 R and R 1200 RT Models
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 29, 2008… Motorcyclists asking for lower seat height… your prayers have been answered. BMW Motorrad is pleased to announce that a new Low Suspension option will be available, beginning in March, on 2008 BMW R 1200 GS, R 1200 R and R 1200 RT models.
The Low Suspension option, which includes the Low Seat option on these models, lowers the seat height to 31.1 inches on the R 1200 GS and to 29.5 inches on the R 1200 R and the R 1200 RT. The Low Suspension option is available as a factory-ordered option at BMW Motorrad retailers for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $175.
Posted in BMW News | 1 Comment »
February 8th, 2008 James
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 8, 2008… The BMW HP2 Sport, arriving soon at US BMW Motorrad retailers, will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $25,375 (excluding taxes, license, options, and handling charge) and a destination charge of $495. The high-performance (HP) two (2)-cylinder Boxer is the third motorcycle in the HP model range customized to meet the requirements of the ambitious sport rider.
The sportiest, most powerful and lightest Boxer ever manufactured, the HP2 Sport follows in the footsteps of the HP2 Enduro and the HP2 Megamoto. It features numerous exclusive details, previously restricted to racing, that were never before seen in series production BMWs. Technology such as the self-supporting and aerodynamically optimized fairings made completely of CFK, the gear shift assistant, a dashboard similar to that used in the MotoGP, the forged aluminum wheels and brakes with radially mounted calipers make the HP2 unmistakably athletic on both country roads and race tracks.
The most striking difference between the BMW HP2 Sport from the endurance racing Boxer is the brand new cylinder heads: each of the double overhead camshafts (DOHC) uses a drag lever to actuate the valves that are larger than those on the BMW R 1200 S. Further modifications, such as the flow-optimized intake and outlet, new forged pistons and adapted connecting rod, help the engine to achieve the necessary higher output compared to the basic engine. A new stainless steel exhaust system is placed below the engine for the first time, keeping the lower area of the motorcycle extremely slim for greater freedom of movement for a “hanging off” riding position. Although designed for racing prowess, the BMW HP2 Sport does not forego the safety benefits of ABS. A sophisticated antilock brake system, specially adapted to the HP2 Sport, is available as an option and is configured so that it can be deactivated for the racetrack.
Following the BMW Motorrad Motorsport design, the carbon-fiber bodywork of the HP2 Sport is partially painted in Alpine White, while the engine spoiler carries the two-tone “HP2″ lettering and the lattice frame and wheels are painted in the BMW Motorrad color of Motorsport Blue.
For enthusiasts who delight in racing technology, the HP2 is a dream come true!
Posted in BMW News | 1 Comment »
