BMW Motorrad
BMW Motorrad is the motorcycle arm of the Bavarian company BMW.
BMW first produced motorcycles back in 1923 with the R32, which featured a flat-twin boxer engine.
The R32 had a 486cc engine with 8.5hp giving it a top speed of around 59mph. Unusually for the time, the engine featured a re-circulating wet sump oil system with a drip feed to roller bearings.
This system was used by BMW until 1969 at which time they began to use the high-pressure oil system based on shell bearings and tight clearances that is still in use today.
The R32 was to be the basis for all future boxer engined BMW motorcycles. BMWs are often characterised with the cylinder heads projecting out on each side for cooling, mirroring the earlier British ABC designs, while most manufacturers align the cylinders with the frame and front and rear wheels.
The R32 also incorporated another BMW characteristic for their motorcycles, shaft drive. It wasn’t until 1994, with the introduction of the F650, that BMW used the more common chain or belt drive system
BMW almost never produced motorcycles, at the end of World War II the plant was destroyed in bombing raids and as part of Germany’s surrender, they were forbidden from manufacturing motorcycles.
Eventually the ban was lifted but BMW had to produce motorcycles from scratch as all plans were in East Germany, but they were based in West Germany.
During 1948 and 1952 there were two BMW motorcycle companies on either side of the iron curtain and it wasn’t until the wall came down that the East German plant was renamed EMW and the logo changed from blue to red.
BMW continued to go from strength-to-strength and, in 2007, they announced the purchase of Husqvarna from MV Agusta.
BMW Motorrad continue to be at the forefront of motorcycle technology and recently introduced the much praised S 1000RR superbike.
BMW MotorradFabrizio will join Ayrton Badovini in an all-Italian team in the 2012World Superbike Championship 
Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport surprised Troy with a special green “crocodile”-livery on his RR
Two time World Superbike champion Troy Corser has announced his retirement from racing
Ayrton was just two tenths off the time needed to access the third Superpole round
As expected, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport experienced a challenging Saturday at Portimão
Ayrton Badovini had a good result on the first day of practice
Leon Haslam (GBR) and Troy Corser (AUS), finished the first Qualifying Practice in 13th and 15th respectively
The 2011 World Superbike Championship will put on its final performance of the season next Sunday in Portugal
Rainer Bäumel (45), Head of Race Operations, will leave the factory team at the end of the 2011 season
Buildbase BMW Motorrad wrap up 2011 season with Superstock 1000 title and third in BSB-EVO
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