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 quite a few masterful builds covered on these pages.
We interviewed the team behind the development of the BMW R nineT a few years ago. They were adamant about one thing: the base bike should be easy to adapt to a wide range of styles. Now the German shop Hookie Co. are driving that point home, with their second plug and play kit for…
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This week we’re launching an occasional series of video reviews called ‘Fast Take.’ And we’re kicking off with riding impressions of the mighty BMW R18 cruiser. Inspired by the classic R5, the new R18 is the bike that BMW hopes will challenge Harley-Davidson and Indian. It also has the biggest and most powerful two-cylinder boxer…
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Whenever a concept motorcycle becomes a production motorcycle, there are tears over how far the final product has strayed from the original design. The BMW R18 is no exception—but ultimately it’s an unavoidable scenario. Concept bikes are there to turn heads, but production bikes need to consider practicality, mass appeal and homologation for different markets.…
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We’re heavy on Bavaria this week, with a blacked-out BMW R18 from Harley specialist MB Cycles and a flat track-inspired R100 from Cafemoto. And we take a closer look at Roland Sands’ retro-themed KTM and the slightly strange new ‘Lawrence’ from Brough Superior. Which bike would you prefer to put in your own garage? KTM…
Read more »Arjan van den Boom is one of Europe’s most successful customizers. The founder of Ironwood Motorcycles has well over 50 builds to…
Read more »Few new bike launches have been as controversial as the BMW R18. Seeing a German contender in the cruiser market has perplexed…
Read more »BMW Motorrad has a few quirky gems in the back catalog—like the early-90s R80R Mystic. As one of the last two-valve boxers…
Read more »BMW has wasted no time getting the new R18 into the hands of customizers. Five months ago, before the Bavarian cruiser was…
Read more »Nothing grows knowledge like experience. So the best way to figure out how to design a continent-crossing motorcycle, is to actually cross…
Read more »A new build from Spain’s Bolt Motor Co. is always a treat. The Valencia-based workshop has a history of high-end racecar preparation,…
Read more »A few months ago, we introduced you to Winterless Craft, one of the few custom workshops in the Republic of Korea. Owner…
Read more »The BMW K100 used to be one of those ‘awkward’ bikes that are difficult to customize, but that reputation is rapidly disappearing.…
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