The History of BMW Motorcycles

German automaker BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) has produced motorcycles since 1923. Since then, BMW has been responsible for a number of innovations that figured in the development of the modern motorcycle. Today, BMW produces motorcycles under its BMW Motorrad brand.

Origins

BMW produced a number of products prior to its motorcycle manufacturing, most notably aircraft engines. In 1921, BMW began producing a boxer engine and sold it to several German motorcycle makers. When the engine proved a success, BMW launched a program to design and develop its own motorcycles starting with the R32 in 1923. Among the innovations pioneered with the R32 was the placement of the cylinder heads, which were positioned pointing outward where the passing air would more effectively cool the engine during operation. The R32 also featured a shaft drive that was like the solid drive shaft in a modern car rather than a chain or belt drive system.

World War II

During World War II, motorcycles provided the German military with a series of strategic and operational advantages. Motorcycles could carry a small number of troops and equipment swiftly between locations. The German government enlisted other manufacturing companies to produce motorcycles in conjunction with BMW. The shaft drive and air-cooled cylinder heads were particularly effective in motorcycles that operated under the harsh conditions of the war's African arena.
As a means of combating the German motorcycle advantage, American and other allied industries attempted to copy the BMW design elements to produce equally effective military motorcycles.

Post War

Germany's defeat in World War II was especially harsh on BMW. Many of its manufacturing facilities had been destroyed and the availability of raw materials for new production was poor. For a time, BMW was forbidden to produce motorcycles because of their combat applications.
When motorcycle production did resume, it was forced to start over since no record of manufacturing methods or motorcycle designs survived. Old models were analyzed and copied as closely as possible. Gradually BMW emerged from financial ruin as recreational motorcycle popularity grew in the United States. By the end of the 1950s, large numbers of motorcycles were being exported to the United States annually.

Models

BMW continued to produce some wartime models, including the R35 and R75. New models arrived in 1955, with the designations R50, R60 and R69. By the late 1960s, BMW was producing specialty models for the American market, known as the R50US, R60US and R69US. These models were intended to be driven without a sidecar, and featured telescopic front forks. Major redesigns of BMW motorcycles followed in 1970, and models known as the R 50/5, R 60/5 and R 75/5 went on sale in the United States. As demand for sportier motorcycles increased, BMW continued to tune and refine its engines for more power. Another new model line in 1974 brought the R60/6, R75/6 and the R90/6 models. New model lines began to appear regularly every few years, with the design of the motorcycles remaining true to the form of the original BMWs.

Later Innovations

BMW introduced its K100 model in 1983, featuring a radically new water-cooled engine. The "K" series, and eventually the "F" series, joined the "R" models in the BMW line, but the new engine never fully replaced the boxer. In 2006, BMW launched its "G" series of off-road models. Off-road and racing versions of many models have been produced or built upon BMW frameworks by aftermarket tuners.

Resources

• BMW Motorrad USA