mika
Still Wondering
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cycleworld.com: WebRide – 2008 Husqvarna Supermotos
motorcycledaily.com: 2009 Husaberg 450 Enduro – Breaking New Ground
autoweek.com: V-Rod Revolution engine
From Bikes in the Fast Lane
Museum for East German built motorcycles
Motorcycle camping without a tent.
aprilianews.com: 2009 RXV?
thekneeslider.com: Side angle motorcycle helmet. – Another attempt to give sight to motorcycle blind spots.
webbikewold.com has the scoop on January – June Japanese motorcycle production
autobloggreen.com: A step further – Regional government supplies electric bikes to show feasability
autobloggreen.com: Alpina introduces D3 twing turbo diesel coupe, 43.6 mpg(US)
Tis the season to buy motorcycles Fa La La La La La La La La!
Strong up turn in the sale of motorrads but the segment continues behind last year on a YTD basis.
BMW Group sales up 2.2% in July
08/07/2008
All automobile brands report gains on previous year
BMW Motorcycles sales volume up by 19.7%
Munich. The BMW Group increased its sales volume in July of this year. In total, 125,812 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand cars were delivered to customers. This represents an increase of 2.2% compared to the same month last year (123,089 units). For the period to the end of July, sales rose by 4.4% to reach 890,699 units (January - July 2007: 853,142 units).
Sales of the BMW brand grow 2.2% in July
Sales of BMW brand cars rose to 106,483 units (July 2007: 104,168 units / +2.2%) for the month under review. For the period to the end of July, 744,061 BMW vehicles were sold (January - July 2007: 726,355 units / +2.4%).
Once again the BMW 1 Series recorded the fastest growth rate in July, thanks mainly to the new BMW 1 Series Coup?® and Convertible models. Sales for the month jumped by 40.3% to 20,654 units (July 2007: 14,724 units).
Further growth drivers were the BMW 3 Series Touring with 8,303 units sold (+9.3% / July 2007: 7,597 units) and the BMW 5 Series Touring with 4,088 units sold (+4.4% / July 2007: 3,917 units). The BMW 6 Series Coup?® also recorded growth of 13.8% with a sales volume of 727 units (July 2007: 639 units).
The two Sports Activity models, the BMW X5 and the BMW X6, also enjoyed increasing popularity with customers. The BMW X5, which has been available since spring 2007, recorded 9,316 deliveries in July (July 2007: 8,994 / +3.6%). 2,615 units of the first Sports Activity Coup?®, the new BMW X6, were sold. Since its market launch in April of this year the BMW Group has already delivered nearly 8,700 BMW X6 to customers around the world.
The new generation of the BMW 7 Series was presented at the end of June. From mid-November 2008 the BMW brand's new flagship will be available to customers in Europe, equipped with numerous technical innovations and, thanks to EfficientDynamics, new engines with even lower consumption and better performance. Offering average fuel consumption of just 7.2 litres per 100 kilometres (39.2 mpg imp), the new 730d will be the most economical car in its class. As to be expected towards the end of their product cycle, sales of current models are in decline. In July 2008 2,942 (July 2007: 3,327 / -11.6%)
BMW 7 Series cars were handed over to customers.
Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Sales and Marketing: "We have increased our worldwide sales in July despite difficult business conditions. We intend to maintain our growth plan albeit we will continue to react to the world market situation on a month by month basis."
MINI brand reports 2.1% increase in July
The ongoing popularity of the MINI and the variety of models now available resulted in the July sales volume rising by 2.1% to 19,227 units (July 2007: 18,838 units). 146,041 vehicles were delivered during the period to the end of July (January - July 2007: 126,410 units / +15.5%).
70% of customers opted in July for a MINI Cooper or the top model, MINI Cooper S. For the diesel version, the Cooper D, and the MINI One, the percentages were 17% and 13% respectively. Compared with other small cars, the equipment provided and the product mix remains at an exceptionally high level. In a comparison of the three model versions, the classic MINI was first with 12,987 units (July 2007: 14,896 units/ -12.8%) or 68% of sales in July. It was followed in second place with 3,718 units - or 19% of sales - by the MINI Clubman, which has been available since November 2007. With 2,488 units sold (July 2007: 3,635 units), the MINI Convertible was the choice of 13% of customers.
Strong growth for the Rolls-Royce brand
In July Rolls-Royce Motor Cars handed over 102 Phantom (July 2007: 83 / +22.9%) to customers. The figure for the seven-month period was 597 (January - July 2007: 377 / +58.4%).
BMW Motorcycles grow by 19.7% in July
The BMW Motorcycles segment was able to increase sales in July despite difficult market conditions. BMW Motorrad sold 10,679 units during the month (July 2007: 8,921 units / +19.7%). The sales volume for the seven-month period was therefore 66,612 units (-2.3% / January - July 2007: 68,151 units).
BMW Group sales in/up to and including July 2008 at a glance
July
2008 Comparison with previous year January to July 2008 Comparison with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles 125,812 +2.2% 890,699 +4.4%
BMW 106,483 +2.2% 744,061 +2.4%
MINI 19,227 +2.1% 146,041 +15.5%
Rolls-Royce 102 +22.9% 597 +58.4%
BMW Motorcycles 10,679 +19.7% 66,612 -2.3%
The Mexican PressClub is starting to tout the release of the G 450 X and F 800 GS models but no talk of prices.
With the two new models of BMW Motorrad, any road will be… "unstoppable"
07.08.2008
Mexico D.F. August 6, 2008 .- BMW Motorrad enter the Mexican market two new models of motorcycles that provide greater adventure for all those globetrotter and enthusiasts who enjoy freedom, adventure, speed and open spaces. One of them is a sport of pure endurance race that has no precedent, the BMW G 450 X. The other, an incredible double purpose that combines qualities router with excellent properties off road, we refer to the BMW F 800 GS.
"Whenever we launch new models to market, they are looking for innovative and mark the tone in the market. In the case of the BMW G 450 X, is the motorcycle off road smallest engine capacity of which is the most powerful BMW of all time, has distinguished himself as the new brand more prominently in the 2008 World Enduro "Said Michel Goudet, Director of BMW Motorrad Mexico.
"For its part, the BMW F 800 GS becomes more dynamic, compared with the endurance of larger engine capacity, allowing enjoy excellent all-terrain and well placed to make long journeys" he added.
BMW G 450 X:
Over the last 80 years BMW Motorrad has made history again and again in competitions off road; now presents the brand new BMW G 450 X, a motorcycle developed exclusively for the most demanding test of endurance in the world, which opens door to both amateur and professional skills and offer enough potential to bring the fascination with the motorcycle also to the younger generation. In a nutshell: a machine that already exits list of factory for immediate use in competitions.
The appearance of the BMW G 450 X allows immediately recognize their membership of BMW Motorrad. The dynamic lines allow the new bike is presented as a typical member of the world endurance BMW, the most notable is the "peak duck 'own family as the characteristic that identifies all GS models.
Regarding the engine, we have the most modern injection petrol and three-way catalytic converter, is accredited by the Euro III and now meets the requirements on emissions of gases that are more restrictive in the future also for sporting competitions. That BMW Motorrad gives a further step towards ensuring in future social acceptance of endurance.
The unique characteristics of the new patented techniques BMW G 450 X set the pace and help propel the technology race in this segment. Technically there is no precursor. Its development is in a completely new basa, whose priorities in the specifications for developers were saving weight and configuration perfect and focused on the needs of competition off road. As to the engine and chassis were implemented high-tech solutions that continue the tradition of outdoor sports of the house, giving the brand a profile characteristic fascinating and also outside the asphalt.
The development of the BMW G 450 X lived in the centre of the design that is shaping driving force. Starting with the shaft of direction and even the rear seat, all the motorcycle is closer than average, which allows the driver to have a maximum freedom of movement. Especially when driving stand, as would free space where the tank, the bike is clearly closer, with the advantage that means for the pilot.
Outside the asphalt, the G 450 X accentuates the advantages of its unique design features. The efficient concentration of masses around the centre of gravity and the elimination of the influence of transmission, thanks to support special tilt, the lowest wear chain and pinion derivative thereof, extreme manageability (reminiscent of a motorbike motocross category 250) along with a huge running stability, the minimum weight, powerful engine and excellent suspension, offered to pilots ambitious endurance sports advantages based on the design They can be seen in skills, offering also a pleasure driving without limits.
The colors of the G 450 X follow those of the G 650 X challenge. The basic color is "racing white", with typical details blue BMW. This would emphasizes its membership in the G family of models and the new line of BMW sport endurance.
BMW F 800 GS:
The BMW F 800 GS is the worthy successor to the single-cylinder F 650 GS. Combine their good qualities route with excellent properties off road. In this way, is able to combine both worlds so hitherto unknown, so it offers a maximum degree of freedom to travel. It is characterized by an extraordinary performance in the SUV and is suitable for all types of roads and long journeys as a motorcycle is robust.
These properties are due specifically to the whole suspension and damping that are completely new and allow to overcome the highest standards of motorists who prefer to travel on a motorcycle endurance. The traditional transmission has been replaced by a chain of light material and a double arm aluminum profiling, which offers obvious advantages in tracks countryside.
The BMW F 800 GS is distinguished by sharing an extraordinary stability and excellent maneuverability, has a two-cylinder engine in parallel with four-valve technology that turns out to be particularly respectful of the environment as well as shining on his excellent finishes his stability running driving at low speeds and power of its engine.
The new motorcycle has a fuel tank of 16 litres, which is located under the seat. This is very advantageous because it not only gives the bike autonomy exceptional because of the low gasoline consumption, but also because it is not necessary to move the seat to fill the tank because the mouth of the deposit is located on the right side, under escort.
worldofbmw.com: Pfeiffer victorious in European championships
bmwmotorrad.co.za: A readers take on the classic rally – Paris Dakar Adventure Rally
Now a few words from a man I know so many of you love and respect.
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Chris Bangle says great cars are Art
Wonderings
What would you put on your ‘Wish BMW was showing one of these!’ bike show list?
In the past there have been threads calling for a new or renewed production of the R1200C cruiser or a new variant. BMW has done research on just that. Pieter De Waal told the Gillette seminar he spoke at that indeed BMW has been listening to the current owners when they have asked for one. In turn they talked with dealers and did market research (the value of talking with potential customers not just your current customers) to find out why they didn’t buy BMW’s cruiser model. The clear response from these people was it lacked a V-twin engine. It is as simple as that for them. Cruiser = V-twin engine. They don’t have one up their sleeves and don’t see one a niche in their product line that will generate enough sales to support development of such an engine. So we won’t be seeing one of these.
Retro bike! They have been listening to us on that point and the people they have researched seem to like the idea also. BMW would like to hear from us about what we want. So there is hope. The down side is as they look at other manufacturers of retro bikes virtually all have been a failure. Ducati’s retro bikes were sited as a prime example of BMW concerns. The bikes were generally well received by the press and by potential buyers when questioned. These positives have not converted into sales and as a profitable line of bikes they have been a dud. Define what it should be, show that it has the potential to generate sales beyond cannibalizing the existing customer base and we could see one.
In the interim BMW has clearly committed to the parts part of the Mobile Tradition and will be expanding it in the future. Want a retro bike right now? Build it yourself. Not the answer we were hoping for but a step.
Your question Mr. Phelps, and for your forum posting team is; what is the definition of a retro bike in today’s market? Is it just looks? If so, what does it look like? Or is it something more? Perhaps it is in how it does things as much or more as how it looks doing it.
In any case if you or any members of your forum posting team are captured the Forum Liaison will disavow any knowledge of you or your mission and send you to the dog house.
This wondering will self-destruct, so hurry up and finish reading the thread.
Bike Candy
THE END
