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Nicely done. Too bad BMW didn't use it for their "TV" commercial instead of the one they did use...
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0SGLWzFZ-U4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Here's an older one.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tfRpcPcK7rM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Yes it is worth watching, but I did not see any flying bricks. Did I miss something?This is a pretty cool video, I thought it was worth sharing.
Mark E
Yes it is worth watching, but I did not see any flying bricks. Did I miss something?
Yes it is worth watching, but I did not see any flying bricks. Did I miss something?
You probably missed checking the sales figures.
The large amount of the 90 seconds devoted to the R80G/S demonstrates accurately that BMW is a GS company and a boxer twin company.
Omission of much in the way of R90S would reflect its not-so-stellar success in the crotch rocket market, although it's making a comeback with a bike NOT named K, i.e. S1000RR.
It's good to recall that 1984 saw BMW calling the boxers "last editions" and that R80G/S sales were not so hot either. Introduction of the fairly flawed Ks convinced BMWs customers they were not ready to give up boxers as BMW thought they should, and the rest is history and the R100GS saved the division.
The 30s were a period of huge development for BMW's bikes.
The German government was providing support. Winning races was part of the propaganda effort.
In addition, motorcycles were a critical element in the German deployment of light infantry forces.
True, but even before the German government got into it, and during the depths of the Great Depression, BMW was spending a lot of their own money on the effort.
Beginning in 1929, BMW was going out after, and capturing, land speed records. Between 1929 and 1937, BMW owned the land speed record 5 times, getting up to 173 mph.
Also, each year from 1930 to 1934, the R11 and R16 models got significant upgrades. If you're interested in owning one of these bikes, it's very difficult to get one that is all of one year, because BMW was making so many changes along the way.
And then, there's the fabulous art deco R7 that BMW was working on during 1934 -- a bike they developed to a preproduction prototype level and then dropped. Although it looks similar to the R16 and R17 models that surrounded it, it actually had new tooling for just about everything. The drivetrain was hung from a backbone frame, and it presaged the first ever oil damped telescopic forks that appeared on the R12/R17 bikes.
When the R12/R17 were introduced in 1935, they were really only intended to be one or two year models, because BMW was already developing the R5, a completely clean sheet design. It was introduced in 1936, but it had already been seen in BMW's racing program. BMW continued to update that model each year and then produced the R51 with a rear suspension in 1938.
So, the early to mid thirties were very active times at BMW, which mostly predates the government's involvement.
And while motorcycles were bought in big numbers for the Wehrmacht, from BMW they mostly bought the outdated R12, in preference over the newer R71 (which was built on the plan of the R51). They continued to buy the R12 into 1941; then bought a relatively small number of R71s, as a stopgap until the R75WH, a purpose built sidecar machine with a dual range transmission and a lockable differential for two wheel drive, finally became available late in 1941.
the dare devil ...he's always on that motorcycle reving the engine....
Saw this one the other night.... peel your eyes and tell me if you see what I see....
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kZuyQ10Ga9I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You probably missed checking the sales figures.
The large amount of the 90 seconds devoted to the R80G/S demonstrates accurately that BMW is a GS company and a boxer twin company.
Omission of much in the way of R90S would reflect its not-so-stellar success in the crotch rocket market, although it's making a comeback with a bike NOT named K, i.e. S1000RR.
It's good to recall that 1984 saw BMW calling the boxers "last editions" and that R80G/S sales were not so hot either. Introduction of the fairly flawed Ks convinced BMWs customers they were not ready to give up boxers as BMW thought they should, and the rest is history and the R100GS saved the division.
Actually, it was 60 years (1923 - 1983).Considering that BMW had been producing twins for about 75 years or so,
Turn to history and you will see the flying brick has held up well over the years. Much better than the air cooled R60, the entry level bike just a few years before. If you compare the basic K75 to a entry level boxer like a R65, you can see, the K bike was a lot of bike for the money. If you take in to account the fact it was a radically new concept of machine for BMW, you have to admit, they did a damn good job.
Actually, it was 60 years (1923 - 1983).
You're right about an apples to oranges comparison! An R60 had 40 HP; the K75 had 75 HP. Even the R65 only had 50 HP. The K75 was also significantly more expensive than either of the Boxers.
OTOH, I think you're right that the Ks, and especially the K motors, have stood the test of time very well.