BMW's motorcycle history began in 1921 when the company commenced manufacturing engines for other companies. BMW's own motorcycles—sold under the BMW Motorrad brand—began in 1923 with the BMW R 32, which was powered by a flat-twin engine. Production of motorcycles with flat-twin engines continues to this day, however BMW has also produced many models with other types of engines.
The BMW GS series of one purpose off-road/on-road BMW motorcycles have been produced from 1980, when the R80G/S was launched, to the present day. The GS refers to either Gelände/Straße or Gelände Sport. GS motorcycles can be distinguished from other BMW models by their longer travel suspension, an upright riding position, and larger front wheels – typically 19 to 21 inch. In May 2009, the 500,000th GS was produced, an R1200GS model.
A sport touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle that combines the performance of a sport bike with the long-distance capabilities and comfort of a touring motorcycle.
The BMW R1200RT is a touring or sport touring motorcycle that was manufactured from 2005 to 2019 by BMW Motorrad to replace the R1150RT model. It features a 1,170 cc (71 cu in) flat-twin engine with a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive.
A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although almost any motorcycle can be used for this purpose, manufacturers have developed specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders. Touring motorcycles commonly have large displacement fairings and windshields that offer a high degree of weather and wind protection, large-capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, engines with a great deal of low-end horsepower, and a more relaxed, upright seating position than sport bikes.
The BMW R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure are motorcycles manufactured in Berlin, Germany by BMW Motorrad, part of the BMW group. It is one of the BMW GS family of dual sport motorcycles. Both motorcycles have a 1,170 cc (71 cu in), two-cylinder boxer engine with four valves per cylinder. The Adventure has a large-capacity fuel tank and long travel suspension. As of 2012, BMW's R1200GS bikes are their top-selling models.
The BMW R1150GS and R1150GS Adventure are motorcycles that were manufactured by BMW Motorrad from 1999 through 2004. There was a limited run of 2005-06 model year R1150GSA models as well. The R1150GS models are part of the BMW GS family of dual-sport or adventure motorcycles that have been produced from 1981 to the present date. The bikes have a 1,130 cc horizontally opposed flat-twin engine and shaft drive.
The BMW R1100GS is a dual-sport motorcycle that was launched in 1993, and manufactured from 1994 to 1999 by BMW Motorrad in Berlin, Germany. The bike has a 1,085 cc (66.2 cu in) flat-twin (boxer) engine, first seen in the R1100RS which was launched the year before in 1992, and was the first member of the GS family to use an air- and oil-cooled engine rather than the earlier air-cooled airhead engines which had been used on BMW motorcycles since the R32 in 1923.
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle brand of BMW, part of its Corporate and Brand Development division. It has produced motorcycles since 1923, and achieved record sales for the fifth year in succession in 2015. With a total of 136,963 vehicles sold in 2015, BMW registered a growth of 10.9% in sales in comparison with 2014. In May 2011, the 2,000,000th motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad was an R1200GS.
The Triumph Tiger Trail was a motorcycle model manufactured by Triumph Motorcycles at the Meriden factory. The Tiger Trail was made from 1981 to 1982 in both 750 cc (TR7T) and 650 cc (TR65T) capacities, and under 180 examples were built. Emission regulations precluded export to the USA but otherwise the model was available to all Triumph's other markets particularly in many British Commonwealth nations and western Europe.
The BMW F800R is a naked motorcycle introduced by BMW Motorrad in 2009. The F-series also includes the F800S (discontinued), the dual-sport F800GS & F650GS, and the sport touring F800ST, which was replaced by the F800GT in 2013.
The BMW K1600GT, K1600GTL, and K1600B are motorcycles manufactured by BMW Motorrad. The former two were announced in July 2010, unveiled at the Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne in October 2010; they went on sale in March 2011. The latter was announced in October 2016. The K1600GTL is a full dress luxury tourer, which replaced the K1200LT. It was intended to compete with the Honda Gold Wing. The K1600GT was more of a sport tourer similar to the then-existing K1300GT and previous K1200GT models. The K1600B is a bagger designed primarily for the North American market.
The BMW R1200ST is a sport touring motorcycle, which was introduced in 2005 by BMW Motorrad to replace the R1150RS model. The R1200ST features the same 1,170 cc (71 cu in) flat-twin engine, a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive as the R1200RT.
The BMW R1100RS is a sport-touring motorcycle that was manufactured by BMW Motorrad between 1993 and 2001, and was the first BMW motorcycle to use the R259 "Oilhead" boxer engine.
The BMW R1100RT is a BMW touring motorcycle with a horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder boxer engine. It was built from 1996 to 2001 in the BMW Berlin plant in Spandau, together with several sister models of similar design, including the R1100R, R1100GS and R1100RS, with almost identical engines but different engine tunes, trim levels and chassis details.
The BMW R1100S is a sports motorcycle that was manufactured by BMW Motorrad between 1998 and 2005. Introduced some 25 years after the R90S, the company's first sports bike, the R1100S was the first BMW bike having clip-on handlebars, rearset footrests and a removable cowl to cover the pillion seat. Producing nearly 100 hp, it has been described as a "sporty sports-tourer".
The BMW R nineT is a standard motorcycle made by BMW Motorrad since 2014. It is a retro styled roadster marketed by BMW to custom builders and enthusiasts as a "blank canvas for customizing".
The BMW G 310 R is an entry-level standard motorcycle developed jointly by BMW and TVS Motor Company of India. It is BMW's first, modern, low-end, sub-500 cc, beginner motorcycle sold under the BMW Motorrad brand. It debuted in November 2015 with global sales beginning in 2018.
The BMW R1200RS is a sport-touring motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad. The Sports Tourer is largely based on the liquid-cooled roadster R1200R. The bike was presented in September 2014 at the Intermot. The road-oriented allrounder is equipped with a boxer engine and assembled at the BMW plant in Berlin. Production began on 9 February 2015 and was launched on 12 May 2015 at a base price of EUR 13,500. The internal factory code is K54.
The BMW S1000XR is a sport touring motorcycle produced by BMW Motorrad since 2015. The all-rounder motorcycle was presented on 4 November 2014 at the EICMA, Milan, Italy.
