BMW Motorcycles: A Legacy of Excellence

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BMW, in addition to being one of the world's most respected car manufacturers, also has an illustrious history of creating some of the most visually stunning, commercially popular, and enjoyable-to-ride motorcycles ever made. Interested in purchasing a BMW motorcycle?

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BMW produced its first motorcycle in 1923. The BMW R32 was a beautiful bike that established BMW as a major and influential player in the motorcycle world. The R32 also introduced the boxer-twin, shaft-drive powertrain layout that the company has continued to use even to the present day.

After the tumult of World War II, BMW had to start from scratch. In 1948, the R24 became the first post-war BMW motorcycle in Western Germany. This classic bike retains a particularly timeless, iconic look. It also proved immediately popular. After one year, BMW had sold 9,200 of the bikes, and by the next year, that number nearly doubled.

In the 1950s, many of BMW's German competitors had fizzled out, but BMW motorcycles stood proud. In 1960, the company produced one of its most classic models: the R27. It was a truly stunning bike with a sleek design. The R27 would be the last shaft-driven, single cylinder motorcycle the company would ever produce.

During the 1970s, BMW revamped its product line, perhaps most notably with the muscular R75/5, which integrated the influence of American motorcycles like the Harley Davidson seamlessly with the trademark German innovation and craftsmanship of BMW. In the 1980s, the brand continued to look daringly to the future with models such as the sporty K100, which featured a 1,000 cc, in-line four-cylinder, water-cooled engine, while honoring their legendary past with the beautifully retro R1200 C cruiser.

In the 1990s, BMW leaned fearlessly toward the new millennium, unveiling several new lines, such as the R Series, F Series and K Series. The latter has proven especially popular, and it was given a brave redesign in 2004. BMW also introduced its first off-road motorcycles with the G Series in October, 2006 to rave reviews.

Much has changed in the world of BMW motorcycles over the past century, but some things have remained the same: BMW continues to produce motorcycles of daring innovation as well as unyielding quality.