They say once you experience German engineering, you never go back. And this is certainly true of BMW Motorrad’s legendary motorcycles. BMWs feature unique flat-twin boxer engines, unmistakable style, and renowned mechanics that must live up to Berlin-level performance standards.
Launched in 1923, BMW has long been lauded for its line of airhead engines (1969–1995). The well-known R nineT and R80 series of Beemers (among others) have become the basis for many masterful builds covered on these pages—and the newer R18 is heading down the same track.
This sounds terrifying. The 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmuller motorcycle that recently sold at a Bonhams auction proves that old-school motorcyclists were built of something more than we are today. We take transmissions for granted, but in 1894 this motorcycle was direct drive. The connecting rods for the Hildebrand’s pistons were connected directly to the rear…
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Here’s a custom motorcycle matchup we never expected: the wily custom bike builder, XTR Pepo, and the monstrous BMW R18. But the results are in, and they are jaw dropping. We have 911 MX Factory to thank for this. They’re a new outfit out of Madrid, Spain, with a mission to design and build one-off…
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BMW’s K-series is legendary, but its legend was not made on racetracks or crossing deserts. No, the large block-shaped engines, lovingly known as ‘Flying Bricks,’ are shrouded in lore developed through millions of touring miles. There are stories of Ks reaching hundreds of thousands of miles without a rebuild, or even running without oil. BMW…
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THESE ARE NOT BIKES for sensible people. Sensible people don’t want a vintage, rusting, non-running motorcycle in their garage. Alas, we are not sensible people. Mike Wolfe is one of us, a guy that simply falls in love with a bike because it’s old, or historic, or interesting, or cool. Certainly not sensible, but who…
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To describe Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires as busy is an understatement. The 78-square-mile city has a population of over three…
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You know the drill. Once we’ve processed the data and published our ranked list of the year’s best custom motorcycles, I throw…
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The numbers have been crunched, and the results are in. And as usual, our annual roundup of the most popular custom bikes…
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Dieter Rams said that good design “involves as little design as possible.” Colin Chapman said “simplify, then add lightness.” Both principles are…
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Despite its initial lukewarm reception, the BMW R18 has become a regular fixture on the custom scene. Numerous workshops have customized the…
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From the minute it hit the custom scene, the BMW K100 has been an underdog. With a brick-like motor, overly angled bodywork…
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We live in a world where you can stream entire discographies of music straight to your phone, yet vinyl sales are booming.…
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Calling Robert Sabel a purist would be missing the point. His Los Angeles-based shop, Roughchild Motorcycles, works exclusively on BMWs, without ever…
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