News, reviews and articles about BMW bikes on the ‘net

[Arne Rohde]

#18463

BMW is launching their R nineT Scrambler at EICMA, the Italian motorcycle show. Various online motorcycle sites have further details.

The new BMW R nineT Scrambler – a down-to-earth character beyond established conventions.

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/11/bmw-unveils-new-r-ninet-scrambler/http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/2015-eicma-bmw-r-ninet-scrambler.htmlhttps://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/11/17/bmw-r-ninet-scrambler-r9t-unveiled/There are also updates to the F700GS and F800GS, new paint for the S1000XR, and the launch of the new rider's gear collection. Details, together with the details of the Scrambler, are on the BMW press release site, dated November 17:  https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/startpage.html

[Arne Rohde]

#18464

BMW have posted a video on YouTube with introductions from EICMA to some of their new bikes and updates.

BMW Motorrad EICMA 2015 Highlights

View the video (almost 5 minutes long) at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KyMUB4MERQ

[Arne Rohde]

#18465

Wunderlich, a German company specializing in accessories for BMW bikes, has shown a 2WD R1200GS. The front wheel is driven by an electric motor, which can provide both forward and reverse action. Which could be handy when parking it, or getting it out of a tight spot.

Wunderlich Hybrid BMW R1200GS LC with Electric 2WD

"Wunderlich is grabbing headlines once again, this time with an intriguing concept: a two-wheel drive BMW R1200GS that uses a hybrid drivetrain with an electric front-end that was developed with Italy’s electric specialist Evolt."Read the story and see the photos at: http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/wunderlich-hybrid-bmw-r1200gs-lc-electric-2wd/Various other news outlets also carry the story.

[Arne Rohde]

#18466

UltimateMotorcycling has a review of the new R1200RS, written by Nic De Sena.

2016 BMW R 1200 RS Test | Interdisciplinary Motorcycle

The conclusion: "At the end of a ride, it’s clear that the R 1200 RS is truly an interdisciplinary motorcycle, excelling where a single purposed bike cannot; it can and will be there when you need to roll out hundreds miles in comfort or bare down through the canyons on a Sunday morning." (I'm not sure it's a good idea to 'bare down through the canyons', although it may get a few strange looks along the way.)Read the full story at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/12/02/2016-bmw-r-1200-rs-test-interdisciplinary-motorcycle/

[Arne Rohde]

#18467

New BMW Video Highlights Features of G 310 R Single

BMW have released a promotional video for the new G310R bike which was announced recently. The video is available from the Motorcycle Daily web site, together with some specifications.http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/12/new-bmw-video-highlights-features-of-g-310-r-single/

[Arne Rohde]

#18468

According to MotorcyclistOnline BMW is probably working on making carbon fibre frames for production bikes.

Carbon-Fiber Technology: A Carbon-Framed Future for BMW?

Is Carbon Fiber Motorcycling’s Next Aluminum?

Read the article at: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/carbon-fiber-technology-carbon-framed-future-for-bmw?image=0

[Arne Rohde]

#18469

Motorcyclist Online has an extensive comparative review of 3 different BMW roadsters – S1000R, R1200R, and R NineT.

BMW Roadster Review: R1200R vs S1000R vs RnineT

Three Engines, Three Roadsters, One Company

Read the full review, see the dyno charts, and view the photos at:http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/bmw-comparison-r1200r-vs-s1000r-vs-rninet-roadster-review

[Arne Rohde]

#18470

Motorcycle.com has a spec sheet shootout between the recently announced BMW G310R and its most obvious competition.

The BMW G310R Versus The World

How does BMW’s new little bike stack up to its competitors?

"Sharp looks and impressive numbers make the BMW G310R sound appealing on paper. But the proof will come once we get to throw a leg over one."Read the full article at: http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/the-bmw-g310r-versus-the-world

[Arne Rohde]

#18471

BMW has announced that it is bringing laser headlight technology to motorbikes. MotorcycleDaily.com has the full press release text as well as a small introductory comment as well as numerous more or less relevant reader comments at:http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2016/01/bmw-bringing-laser-headlight-technology-to-motorcycles/

BMW Bringing Laser Headlight Technology to Motorcycles

[Arne Rohde]

#18472

Ultimate Motorcycling has a Canadian test of the new R1200RS, written by Ron Lieback.

BMW R 1200 RS Test | Grassroots Sport Tourer

BMW R 1200 RS Test from Canada

The conclusion: "For the sport-touring folks who crave sport over touring, the R 1200 RS is much more. It captures the roots of pure sport-touring like the original ’76 R 100 RS without sacrificing comfort where comfort is needed most—at speed. The new R 1200 RS adheres to BMW Motorrad’s motto as “The Ultimate Riding Machine”—especially for the rider who longs for the sportier side of sport touring."Read the full test at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2016/01/12/2016-bmw-r1200rs-test-grassroots-sport-tourer/

[Arne Rohde]

#18473

Finally, a short NZ review of the S1000XR. Apparently there have been no bikes available for the press to test, but this seems to have changed. Paul Owen on the Stuff website has a review after a day ride from Orewa to Ohakune and back.

BMW turns speedster into tourer with the S1000 XR

"Add in brakes that can deploy huge reserves of stopping power, complete with the security of a corner-ready ABS system, and you have one of the best riding dynamic packages in the sport-touring motorcycle universe, one that possibly only has the uber-refined Multistrada for company.Not everyone wants to ride a V-twin though, and certainly even less wish to ride a Ducati V-twin. For those who are attracted to the high-performance, high-tech, sports-touring concept that the Multi represents, BMW have just made a fine inline four-cylinder alternative with the $31,990 S1000 XR."Read the review at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bikes/75881338/bmw-turns-speedster-into-tourer-with-the-s1000-xr

[Arne Rohde]

#18474

Visordown has a list of the top 10 BMW bikes sold in the UK for the first 6 months of 2015. So basically it's old data, but interesting nevertheless. I doubt if the NZ sales figures have the same 10 bikes in the list.

Top 10 best-selling BMWs

There are several things in the list which surprise me.The S1000XR was only on sale starting in June, so only for about 1 month of the sales figures. Yet it comes in at number 9.The only 800 twin in the list is the F800GT, and that's at number 10. What happened to F700GS, F800GS, F800R?The niche R nineT comes in at number 4.The R1200GS takes both top spots. One with the R1200GS and one with the R1200GSA.See the complete list at: http://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-top-10s/top-10-best-selling-bmws/30664.html

[Arne Rohde]

#18475

UltimateMotorcycling has a review of the K1600GTL after an 8-day ride through California and Oregon, with two accompanying K1200Rs. Although in reality it's more a review of the ride than of the BMW.

8 Days Aboard a BMW K 1600 GTL Exclusive | No Direction Home

"There was no road on which I could not keep up with the K12s; all this in the lap of luxury. I’ve said it before and reiterate—for heavy touring, at any speed, on any road, and under any conditions, the BMW K 1600 GTL Exclusive is without peer."Read the full story at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2016/01/26/8-days-aboard-a-bmw-k-1600-gtl-exclusive-no-direction-home/

[Arne Rohde]

#18476

Another episode in the series of articles in MotorcyclistOnline about their long-term test S1000XR. This time mainly about tyres, but also a very cheap fix for the vibrations that it seems all reviewers are complaining about (fit heavier bar ends), and the importance of having correct oil levels in the front forks.

Long-Term BMW Motorcycles S1000XR Gets New Michelin Pilot Road 4 Tires

Going in Circles! Odd behavior of the long-term BMW S1000XR after the 12K inspection turns out to be (mostly) my own fault!

Read the full article at: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/long-term-bmw-motorcycles-s1000xr-gets-new-michelin-pilot-road-4-tires

[Arne Rohde]

#18477

There's a video uploaded to YouTube showing some of the methods BMW use to test their rider equipment. Including helmets. The video is over 12 minutes long, without any commentary, but interesting nevertheless.

BMW Motorrad Rider Equipment Testing

View the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLbYee71riA

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