BMW motorcycles first appeared in the late 1800s. It was built for the German army as a racing bike with a sidecar and a 750cc engine. BMW stopped producing motorcycles after the war, but they resumed production in 1948 with the R24. The R24 was the first BMW motorcycle produced after WWII without rear suspension. The business released the R50, a motorbike featuring a 750cc engine, a sidecar, and adjustable shocks, in the same year. It was also the first model to include hydraulic front forks.
The BMW K75, a three-cylinder motorcycle, was the first of its kind. It was also the first motorcycle to have a swingarm in the OE form. It was also the first motorcycle to be equipped with ABS. BMW introduced a full-fairing sport bike based on the K100 engine in 1989. It had four valves per cylinder and produced 100 horsepower. The firm moved from an airhead to an oilhead boxer engine in 1993. BMW made the BMW K1 and the BMW R1100RS in 1996. BMW stopped producing the airhead 2-valve BMW motorcycle engine in 1993 and shifted to the new 4-valve oilhead design.
Many of BMW's facilities were destroyed during WWII. It wasn't long before the corporation had to start over. However, following the war, the business could reverse-engineer the pre-war R 23. The 1948 BMW R24 was a 250cc single-cylinder motorcycle that was a massive success in a country still reeling from World War II. In just two years, it sold about 30,000 units.
BMW continued to produce boxer-powered motorcycles with increased power and dependability. As a result, BMW motorcycle sales skyrocketed, and the business set land speed records. Rudolf Schleicher also created a new design, the BMW R 5, with a boxer engine producing 24bhp. Other advancements in the motorbike business were also highlighted. This is where BMW first made its name.
The BMW Historical Archive is a significant resource full of information about BMW's motorbike and vehicle history. It also includes biographies of prominent motor racing figures. This data can be searched using a keyword or a historical timeline. Because the site has an extensive database, you may have to wait for it to load.
BMW bikes were a big success, and the business is still innovating in the motorcycle industry. The BMW motorcycle firm is one of the world's most extensive and is dedicated to manufacturing high-quality motorcycles. Max Fritz joined the company in 1917. He envisioned creating a motorcycle "as powerful as possible and as attractive as its owner." BMW Motorrad's philosophy is founded on safety and dependability. The latest bikes from the brand have increased the performance and safety of their bikes.
BMW began producing bikes with all-in-one engines in the late 1970s. The original K100 was a naked motorcycle powered by a 987cc flat-four longitudinal engine. The engine was on the left, and the crankshaft was on the right. Because of how it was built, the resulting engine was dubbed the Flying Brick. This engine is still manufactured and is utilized in the K1200LT motorcycles.
Friz created the first BMW motorbike in 1922. At the time, the flat-twin Boxer engine was a breakthrough design. BMW had to stop making aircraft engines during WWII, so they concentrated on developing motorcycles. Max Fritz invented a flat-twin or "boxer" engine around this time. This engine was popular due to its simple design, dependability, and safe operation.
BMW motorbikes were well-known for their high performance. From 1924 through 1929, they won every 500cc bike championship in Germany. In the same year, Ernst Henne broke the world speed record with a BMW motorcycle, reaching 216 kph. The BMW bike's popularity, however, was not restricted to competition. It was also widely used as a luxury touring bike. So, if you're looking for a vintage BMW motorcycle, you've come to the perfect place.