BMW Reviews | Rider Magazine https://ridermagazine.com Rider Magazine features the latest motorcycle reviews, news, and videos. This is Motorcycling at its Best. Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:23:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 BMW iFace: The World’s First Motorcycle Face and Eye Recognition Security System https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/08/bmw-iface-the-worlds-first-motorcycle-face-and-eye-recognition-security-system/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/04/08/bmw-iface-the-worlds-first-motorcycle-face-and-eye-recognition-security-system/#comments Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=72400 BMW Motorrad is taking riders into the future of motorcycle anti-theft devices with the introduction of BMW iFace, the world’s first face and eye recognition system for motorcycles. Set to initially be released on BMW R-series Boxer models, iFace uses the latest 3D and infrared technology and allows riders the choice to do a full […]

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BMW Motorrad is taking riders into the future of motorcycle anti-theft devices with the introduction of BMW iFace, the world’s first face and eye recognition system for motorcycles. Set to initially be released on BMW R-series Boxer models, iFace uses the latest 3D and infrared technology and allows riders the choice to do a full 3D scan without a helmet on or just an iris-cornea scan, even through visors, glasses, or contacts. For more information, read the press release from BMW Motorrad below.


BMW iFace BMW Motorrad

BMW Motorrad Boxer models are among the most popular and sought-after motorcycles in the world – unfortunately also among thieves. BMW Motorrad is now the first motorcycle manufacturer in the world to meet this challenge with BMW iFace, a face recognition system that makes the previous ignition key superfluous and perfectly complements the existing Keyless Go technology.

BMW iFace was developed in cooperation with Professor Dr. Dr. Gerhard Lesjöh, head of the world’s leading institute for ophthalmology at the University of Munich. The system offers facial recognition of the rider’s face and an iris-cornea comparison of the eyes for definite identification on the other.

Related: 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions

BMW iFace: 3D Scan and Infrared Scanning Technology

Face recognition uses the latest 3D technology integrated into the ultra-modern BMW Motorrad TFT display, which is not visible from the outside. This is carried out by means of stripe projection, a technology that has been used for many years, for example in reverse engineering. With the helmet removed, the face is scanned three-dimensionally and biometrically.

This three-dimensional image is compared with a data record stored in the system. If the calibration is positive, the ignition, steering lock, and other locking functions are released, and the rider can start the motorcycle. Since the 3D scan works with infrared scanning, this type of face recognition also works in the dark.

BMW iFace Iris Cornea Matching

BMW iFace operates as a dual system to achieve the highest-level of comfort and safety. The rider can be authenticated either using face recognition (without a helmet) or by iris-cornea scanning of the eyes. This type of authentication enables the system to identify the rider even with the helmet on, as only the iris and cornea are scanned and compared with the data stored in the system.

As with the 3D scan, infrared technology ensures functional reliability even in absolute darkness. In addition, a special polarization filter enables the scanning process even through heavily tinted and even mirrored visors, different types of glasses, and contact lenses. The rider enters the type of visor and visual aid he is currently using in the display prior to the scanning process using the corresponding menu functions.

Related: 2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 R | First Ride Review

Worldwide Networking Enables Identification of Thieves

In case of an attempted theft, BMW iFace communicates with the eCall electronic emergency service. Not only does the BMW Motorrad Call Centre receive a corresponding message about the attempted theft via a special code, but the scan data (face or eye scan) and the current geographical position data are transmitted in parallel to the international central database of the Federal Police authorities.

If corresponding data material is found there, the search for the person concerned can be initiated immediately. If no suitable data is available, the transmitted scan data will be stored in this database for possible use at a later date.

Related: BMW Motorrad Days Taking Place in Berlin, July 7-9

BMW iFace Field Trials

BMW iFace has been developed and tested in field trials over a period of more than three years.

“Our special thanks go not only to the Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation, but especially to Giovanni Häberle,” said Dr. Burkhard Hund, head of Theft Protection at BMW Motorrad. “Today a respected owner of a consulting firm for theft and burglary protection in the Stuttgart-Stammheim area, the Swabian was an invaluable help to us in developing this system thanks to his decades of expertise as a professional vehicle thief.”

BMW iFace will be presented at one of the autumn motorshows in 2023 and will initially be used on the BMW Motorrad Boxer models.

Ed. Note: This press release from BMW Motorrad came in on Saturday, April 1, and perhaps it was the festivities of Friday, March 31, or the fact that we were checking our email after logging into our phone with our fingerprint or ruminating on how Facebook chose to end their face recognition system at the end of 2021, but this new tech from BMW sounded pretty awesome and like something from Blade Runner (which was supposed to take place in the far-future of 2019, if you recall; we’re still waiting for our flying car…or maybe motorcycle). Anyway, whatever the reasons, we got suckered in hook, line, and sinker by this April Fools’ joke. It’s not often we see this kind of humor from the German motorcycle manufacturer, but for another good one that snared us, check out this post from 2017.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

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Custom BMW R 18 B ‘Heavy Duty’ Unveiled at Daytona Bike Week https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/15/custom-bmw-r-18-b-heavy-duty-unveiled-at-daytona-bike-week/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/15/custom-bmw-r-18-b-heavy-duty-unveiled-at-daytona-bike-week/#comments Wed, 15 Mar 2023 17:29:28 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71972 The custom BMW R 18 B ‘Heavy Duty,’ designed by Fred Kodlin and his son Len, was unveiled at this year’s Daytona Bike Week. The bike features modifications to the frame, the addition of an air suspension system, a custom paint job by tattoo artist Marcel Sinnwell, and adaptations to the body that serve both […]

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The custom BMW R 18 B ‘Heavy Duty,’ designed by Fred Kodlin and his son Len, was unveiled at this year’s Daytona Bike Week. The bike features modifications to the frame, the addition of an air suspension system, a custom paint job by tattoo artist Marcel Sinnwell, and adaptations to the body that serve both for function and, in the case of the winglets, strictly for the sake of form. For more information, read the press release from BMW Motorrad below.


BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty Daytona Bike Week

Anyone who talks about the U.S. customizing scene mentions Fred Kodlin almost in the same breath. For more than 40 years, he has dedicated himself to customizing motorbikes, from radically modified creations to sophisticated new designs. Since the 1990s, he has been incredibly successful with his custom bikes and was able to win various important Daytona shows regularly. He was the very first non-U.S. citizen to be inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame.

For the first time, Kodlin has now set about customizing a BMW together with his son Len: the BMW R 18 B. “The R 18 B Heavy Duty was a real father-son project,” said the boss of Kodlin Bikes in Borken, Germany, happily. “There was a lot of creative input from Len, which also goes to show that the next generation at Kodlin Bikes is already in the starting blocks.”

Related: Custom BMW R 18 ‘Iron Annie’ Built by BMW Partner in Switzerland

Massive BMW R 18 B Chassis Technology Adaptations

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

The biggest challenge in customizing this year’s crowd puller at the Daytona Bike Week in Florida was undoubtedly the frame. “We have completely remanufactured the upper tubes to lower the fly-line and thus the seat height of the R 18 B,” explained Fred Kodlin. “We also redid the steering head and the triple clamps so that the caster fits despite the changed steering angle and so that the bike rides well.”

The result was the R 18 B Heavy Duty, a bike in typical Kodlin style. Viewed from the side, the fly-line drops sharply to the rear from the chopped windshield taken from the Original BMW Motorrad Accessories range and finally runs harmoniously into the side cases made by Kodlin out of glass fibre-reinforced plastic and the low rear end. From the top, the R 18 B Heavy Duty is characterized by a strong waistline in the seat area and a flowing connection to the side cases.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

Finally, the technical chassis highlight is an air suspension system at the front and rear, supported by a compressor placed barely visibly behind the left side case. This allows the R 18 B Heavy Duty to be lowered and raised in a fraction of a second. This is both as useful as it is spectacular: To park, lower the chassis, and it rests on hidden support points letting the bike crouch just a few centimeters above the asphalt, waiting for the next ride.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty Daytona Bike Week Fred Kodlin

Related: BMW Motorrad Poland Unveils Seven BMW R 18 Customs

Extensive BMW R 18 Body Modifications

The Kodlin team also delved deeply into the subject of body construction for a good three months. A completely new sheet metal tank was created – longer than the original, flowing in shape and with indentations on the sides. The connection of the tank and rear frame was also modified for this purpose. The original mobile phone charging compartment, on the other hand, has been taken over from the R 18 B.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

A front spoiler, including a three-color underfloor lighting system – a popular feature, not only in Daytona – and a front fender are also made of sheet metal, the fender fitting snugly around the 21-inch front wheel. Finally, Kodlin created a corresponding counterpart for the rear wheel from two R 18 B rear fenders joined together, in which the rear and side indicator lights are integrated in a very discreet manner.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

The two side covers made of sheet metal, which form a smooth transition to the side cases, are completely custom-made. Speaking of side cases, R 18 B loudspeakers by Marshall and an amplifier are fitted inside. Kodlin’s attention to detail is also evident in the aluminum milled hinge panels of the cases in the style of the original R 18 B components.

The so-called winglets above the cylinders are another design element. They are also made of metal but do not fulfil any function in the actual sense. Rather, they underline the design of the R 18 B Heavy Duty and make it appear unmistakable, especially when viewed from the front. The customizing job is rounded off by a seat made by Kodlin and an instrument cover with covers made of Alcantara and imitation leather, as well as specially made handlebars and a self-created exhaust system.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

Related: 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions

Elaborate Paintwork by Tattoo Artist Marcel Sinnwell

Marcel Sinnwell has painted other Kodlin showbikes in the past, but these days, he only rarely picks up a spray gun for very special jobs. For example, when he paints yachts or an R 18 B Heavy Duty.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

For this project, the color gradients were completely airbrushed with translucent paint. The inspiration for this was the mixing of color pigments in the paint and especially the way form streaks in the milky basecoat when first stirred. The result goes along very well with Daytona Bike Week, where complex and colorful paint schemes are more than just good form.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

Additional design touches on the R 18 B Heavy Duty are provided by hand-painted pinstripes and an airbrushed pattern on the rear fender that combines Kodlin and “100 years of BMW Motorrad.” The brake calipers, gearshift, and foot brake levers and footrests, however, are BMW Motorrad standard components that have been color-matched.

BMW R 18 B: The Perfect Bike for Customizing

But Fred Kodlin by no means laid his hands on all the assemblies and parts. He said what was a particularly positive surprise for him was the bolts. “They are all made of stainless steel, with a nice Torx head,” he said. “That’s not the way it is on other bikes. The basic bike and especially the engine are very, very cleanly finished. All the electrical cables are already nicely hidden, so we didn’t have to do anything to the engine.”

Related: 2022 BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental | Video Review

For this reason, numerous R 18 B components were deliberately not replaced but at most modified. For example, the shortened hand levers and handlebar end weights. Likewise, the engine remained unchanged from a technical point of view. Only the cylinder head covers, belt cover, and intake snorkel were painted in metallic black.

BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty

Cruise control with distance control, reverse gear, and eCall have remained unchanged. These are absolutely unique features of the BMW R 18 B in the cruiser world, where these functions are not offered by any other manufacturer.

The post Custom BMW R 18 B ‘Heavy Duty’ Unveiled at Daytona Bike Week first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/15/custom-bmw-r-18-b-heavy-duty-unveiled-at-daytona-bike-week/feed/ 2 a:0:{} 1 Rider Magazine Staff The custom BMW R 18 B ‘Heavy Duty,’ designed by Fred Kodlin and his son Len, was unveiled at Daytona Bike Week and features modifications to the frame and body and a custom paint job by tattoo artist Marcel Sinnwell.
Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights 30-30.9 Inches  https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/13/best-motorcycles-for-smaller-riders-seat-heights-30-30-9-inches/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/13/best-motorcycles-for-smaller-riders-seat-heights-30-30-9-inches/#comments Mon, 13 Mar 2023 18:38:59 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71915 Walking into a dealership as a shorter rider, or as someone who just wants a smaller ride, can feel a little limiting. You stroll by impressive and imposing machines that you might admire but don’t want to fight with as your main bike. You might find one or two models off in the back that […]

The post Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights 30-30.9 Inches  first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
2022 Motorcycle of the Year Honda Navi
2022 Honda Navi. Photo by Drew Ruiz.

Walking into a dealership as a shorter rider, or as someone who just wants a smaller ride, can feel a little limiting. You stroll by impressive and imposing machines that you might admire but don’t want to fight with as your main bike. You might find one or two models off in the back that are a comfortable fit, but you’re disappointed that there aren’t any more options to choose from. Luckily, options for smaller motorcycles are growing, and we’ve compiled those options into two Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders list.  

In our first Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders post, we focused on bikes with seat heights under 30 inches. That seat height limit meant almost all the models on that list were cruisers, and while we certainly enjoy cruisin’, we like a little variety too. With this second Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders post, we’re excited to include some sportbikes, minimotos, and an ADV. And while the seat heights may be taller than on the first list, many of the models on this list weigh and cost less than the shorter-seated cruisers. 

This list consists of motorcycles with a seat height between 30.0 and 30.9 inches. When possible, we’ve included a link to our test ride review, so you can get a sense of how each bike performs in action. We’ve also included the 2022/23 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), claimed wet weight, and seat height. On models with options to lower the seat height or suspension, we’ve listed the standard and lowered seat heights. You can also click on a model’s name to go to the manufacturer’s webpage for a full list of specifications and details.   

The models in this list are arranged by seat height, with the first model having the shortest seat height and the last model having the tallest seat height in the list. 


Honda Grom 

Best Motorcycles Honda Grom

Honda Grom 

$3,499  

30.0-inch seat  

223 lb 

Read our 2022 Honda Grom First Ride Review 


Honda Navi 

Best Motorcycles Honda Navi

Honda Navi 

$1,807  

30.0-inch seat  

234 lb 

Read our 2022 Honda Navi First Ride Review 


Royal Enfield Meteor 350 

Best Motorcycles Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 

$4,899 

30.1-inch seat  

421 lb 

Read our 2021 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Road Test Review 


Triumph Speed Twin 900 

Best Motorcycles Triumph Speed Twin 900

Triumph Speed Twin 900 

$9,895 

30.1-inch seat  

476 lb

Read our 2019 Triumph Street Twin (former name) First Ride Review


BMW G 310 R 

Best Motorcycles BMW G 310 R

BMW G 310 R 

$4,995 

30.9-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.3 inches) 

362 lb  

Read our 2018 BMW G 310 R First Ride Review 


BMW F 900 R 

Best Motorcycles BMW F 900 R

BMW F 900 R 

$8,995 

32-inch seat (optional lower seat to 31.1 inches and lower suspension to 30.3 inches) 

465 lb  

Read our 2020 BMW F 900 R and F 900 XR Road Test Review 


BMW F 750 GS 

Best Motorcycles BMW F 750 GS

BMW F 750 GS 

$9,995 

32.1-inch seat (optional lower seat to 31.1 inches and lower suspension to 30.3 inches) 

493 lb  

Read our 2019 BMW F 850 GS and F 750 GS Road Test Review 


CFMOTO Papio

Best Small Motorcycles CFMOTO 650NK

CFMOTO Papio

$2,999

30.5-inch seat

251 lb

Read our 2022 CFMOTO Lineup First Ride Review


Ducati Monster Plus 

Best Motorcycles Ducati Monster Plus

Ducati Monster Plus 

$12,995 

32.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 31.5 inches and lower suspension to 30.5 inches) 

366 lb dry  

Read our 2021 Ducati Monster First Ride Review


Honda Monkey 

Best Motorcycles Honda Monkey

Honda Monkey 

$4,249 

30.5-inch seat 

231 lb 

Read our 2019 Honda Monkey First Ride Review 


Benelli TNT 135

Best Small Motorcycles Benelli TNT 135

Benelli TNT 135

$2,699

30.7-inch seat height

266 lb


CFMOTO 300SS

Best Small Motorcycles CFMOTO 300SS

CFMOTO 300SS

$4,499

30.7-inch seat

364 lb

Read our 2022 CFMOTO Lineup First Ride Review


CFMOTO 650NK

Best Small Motorcycles CFMOTO 650NK

CFMOTO 650NK

$6,499

30.7-inch seat

454 lb

Read our 2022 CFMOTO Lineup First Ride Review


Ducati Scrambler Icon 

Best Motorcycles Ducati Scrambler Icon

Ducati Scrambler Icon 

$10,995 

31.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.7 inches) 

408 lb 

Read our 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range First Look Review


Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle 

Best Motorcycles Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle 

$12,195 

31.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.7 inches) 

408 lb 

Read our 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range First Look Review


Ducati Scrambler Nightshift 

Best Motorcycles Ducati Scrambler Nightshift

Ducati Scrambler Nightshift 

$12,195 

31.3-inch seat (optional lower seat to 30.7 inches) 

421 lb 

Read our 2023 Ducati Scrambler Range First Look Review


Honda CBR300R 

Best Motorcycles Honda CBR300R

Honda CBR300R 

$4,899 

30.7-inch seat 

354 lb

Read our 2023 Honda Returning Models First Look Review 


Honda Super Cub C125 

Best Motorcycles Honda Super Cub

Honda Super Cub C125 

$3,849 

30.7-inch seat 

238 lb 

Read our 2019 Honda Super Cub 125 ABS First Ride Review 


Indian FTR 

Best Motorcycles Indian FTR

Indian FTR 

$13,499 

30.7-inch seat 

514 lb 

Read our 2022 Indian FTR S First Ride Review


Indian FTR Sport 

Best Motorcycles Indian FTR Sport

Indian FTR Sport 

$15,749 

30.7-inch seat 

522 lb 

Read our 2023 FTR Sport First Look Review 


Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 

Best Motorcycles Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 

$9,190 

30.7-inch seat 

492 lb 

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone First Ride Review 


Moto Guzzi V7 Special 

Best Motorcycles Moto Guzzi V7 Special

Moto Guzzi V7 Special 

$9,590 

30.7-inch seat 

492 lb 

Read our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Special First look Review


Moto Guzzi V7 Special Edition 

Best Motorcycles Moto Guzzi V7 Special Edition

Moto Guzzi V7 Special Edition 

$9,990 

30.7-inch seat 

480 lb

Read our New and Updated 2023 Moto Guzzi First Look Review 


Yamaha YZF-R3 

Best Motorcycles Yamaha YZF-R3

Yamaha YZF-R3 

$5,499 

30.7-inch seat 

375 lb 

Read our 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 First Ride Review 


Yamaha MT-03 

Best Motorcycles Yamaha MT-03

Yamaha MT-03 

$4,999 

30.7-inch seat 

373 lb 

Read our 2020 Yamaha MT-03 First Ride Review 


Kawasaki Ninja 400 

Best Motorcycles Kawasaki Ninja 400

Kawasaki Ninja 400 

$5,299 

30.9-inch seat 

362 lb 

Read our 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS First Ride Review 


Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT Edition 

Best Motorcycles Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT Edition

Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT Edition 

$5,499 

30.9-inch seat 

362 lb 

Read our 2023 Kawasaki Returning Models First Look Review


Kawasaki Z400 ABS 

Best Motorcycles Kawasaki Z400 ABS

Kawasaki Z400 ABS 

$5,399 

30.9-inch seat 

364 lb 

Read our 2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS First Ride Review 


Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 

Best Motorcycles Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber

Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber 

$10,490 

30.9-inch seat 

463 lb 

Read our 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber First Ride Review 


Suzuki SV650 

Best Motorcycles Suzuki SV650 ABS

Suzuki SV650 

$7,399 

30.9-inch seat 

432 lb 

Watch our 2017 Suzuki SV50 Video Review 

The post Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights 30-30.9 Inches  first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/13/best-motorcycles-for-smaller-riders-seat-heights-30-30-9-inches/feed/ 13 1 a:0:{} 1 Rider Magazine Staff Whether you're a shorter rider, a new rider, or an experienced rider who loves zipping around on small bikes, there are plenty of options out there for you. We've collected a list of the best motorcycles for smaller riders with seats between 30.0-30.9 inches and selling for less than $17,000.
Custom BMW R 18 ‘Iron Annie’ Built by BMW Partner in Switzerland https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/06/custom-bmw-r-18-iron-annie-built-by-bmw-partner-in-switzerland/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/06/custom-bmw-r-18-iron-annie-built-by-bmw-partner-in-switzerland/#respond Mon, 06 Mar 2023 18:09:07 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71673 BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Switzerland recently built a customized BMW R 18 First Edition commissioned by one of its customers to pay homage to the Ju 52 three-engine commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s christened “Iron Annie.” Everything from the dial on the speedometer and replica cooling fins to […]

The post Custom BMW R 18 ‘Iron Annie’ Built by BMW Partner in Switzerland first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Switzerland recently built a customized BMW R 18 First Edition commissioned by one of its customers to pay homage to the Ju 52 three-engine commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s christened “Iron Annie.” Everything from the dial on the speedometer and replica cooling fins to the custom color scheme and corrugated aluminum planking reflect the appearance of the well-known aircraft. For more information, read the press release below from BMW Motorrad.


BMW R 18 Iron Annie

Munich/Schmerikon — The old “Aunt Ju” Junkers Ju 52, the legendary three-engine commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s, is still familiar to many people. The Ju 52 with the aircraft registration D-AQUI in the Lufthansa color scheme grey-black from 1936 became particularly well-known worldwide. During its time in the U.S. from 1970 to 1984 under the American aircraft registration N52JU, it was christened “Iron Annie” for short by its then-owner Martin Caidin.

It was precisely this aircraft that inspired a customer of BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Schmerikon, Switzerland, to commission a very special customized version of the BMW R 18: the R 18 “Iron Annie.”

Years before, the customer, who is an architect, had an R nineT built at VTR Customs that was also inspired by aviation style elements from aircraft construction.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie

Related: BMW Motorrad Poland Unveils Seven BMW R 18 Customs

With the R 18 “Iron Annie,” the dial of the speedometer integrated into the tank is intended to be reminiscent of old cockpit instruments or access panels with quick-release fasteners, as found on many aircraft. And of course, it was imperative to borrow from the Ju 52’s characteristic corrugated aluminum planking. The seat was designed to be reminiscent of a riding saddle, and only the “Iron Annie” color scheme in grey and black was used for the paintwork.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie

A BMW R 18 First Edition served as the starting point for the customizing project. First the engine was removed and painted black. All chrome parts were painted black, and the fork stanchions also received a black coating in the form of a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coat.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie

The cockpit trim was pulled back as narrow and flat as possible to emphasize the streamlined shape. The 7-cm shorter fork and a height-adjustable Wilbers shock absorber emphasize the crouched stance of the motorcycle.

“To make the bike look smaller and give it a more filigree appearance between the wheels, we had large 18- and 21-inch wheels made by Kineo,” said Daniel Weidmann, owner and managing director of VTR Motorrad & VTR Customs.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie

Related: 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions

As a further technical treat, racing-style HC3 pumps from Magura were fitted in place of the standard R 18 brake and clutch fittings. The dial of the customized speedometer has a hand that was specially made by watchmaker Zeitzone Zurich.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie

“One of the big challenges with the R 18 Iron Annie was the replica cooling fins in the area of the rear silencers,” Weidmann said. “Shaping these parts into parallel and beautiful radii and at the same time still fastening them harmoniously took a number of attempts.” This consumed countless hours of work, as the fuel tank, the tail with the suggested tail fin of an airplane, the side panels, and the cockpit were artfully hand-formed from aluminum sheet. Reminiscences of traditional metal aircraft construction are also provided by the numerous lens-head rivets.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie

“What almost pained us a little when we saw all the handmade, bright aluminum sheets shimmering and shining was that they would have to be painted,” Weidmann said. “However, we are extremely satisfied with the result because the R 18 Iron Annie differs even more clearly from our well-known Spitfire, which is also designed in aviation style.” The R 18 Iron Annie will receive road approval and is sure to turn quite a few heads in its new home on Lake Geneva. It will remain a unique model, as was promised to the customer.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

BMW R 18 Iron Annie by VTR Customs specifications:

  • Base: BMW R 18 First Edition
  • Sheet metal parts: Fuel tank, rear, side panels, cockpit, mudguard, aluminum handmade by VTR Customs
  • Fork: shortened and DLC-coated stanchions
  • Suspension strut: Wilbers, height adjustable
  • Wheels: Kineo front 3.5 x 21″, rear 6 x18″
  • Tires: Avon Cobra, 120/70-21 and 200/55-18
  • Handlebar: ABM Vario Clip
  • Speedometer: Customized by Zeitzone Zürich
  • Brake / clutch pump: Magura HC3
  • Saddle: VTR Customs & Yves Knobel Saddlery
  • Exhaust system: Walzwerk
  • Number plate holder: Berham Customs
  • Side indicator and rear lights: Kellermann Atto
  • Headlight: HIGHSIDER
  • Paintwork: VTR Customs & Freuler AG, Benken
The post Custom BMW R 18 ‘Iron Annie’ Built by BMW Partner in Switzerland first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/06/custom-bmw-r-18-iron-annie-built-by-bmw-partner-in-switzerland/feed/ 0 a:0:{} 1 1 Rider Magazine Staff BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG and VTR Customs in Switzerland built a customized BMW R 18 First Edition commissioned by one of its customers to pay homage to the Ju 52 three-engine commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s christened "Iron Annie."
Custom BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/01/custom-bmw-ce-04-vagabund-moto-concept-e-sctooer/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/01/custom-bmw-ce-04-vagabund-moto-concept-e-sctooer/#respond Wed, 01 Mar 2023 23:29:09 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71636 A new collaboration between customizing specialist Vagabund Moto GmbH and BMW Motorrad has taken on the mission of turning the BMW CE 04 e-scooter into an eye-catching sporty and youthful machine that’s both fashionable and functional. The project features the BMW CE 04’s claimed 42 hp motor and 80 miles of range, but has a […]

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BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter

A new collaboration between customizing specialist Vagabund Moto GmbH and BMW Motorrad has taken on the mission of turning the BMW CE 04 e-scooter into an eye-catching sporty and youthful machine that’s both fashionable and functional. The project features the BMW CE 04’s claimed 42 hp motor and 80 miles of range, but has a unique design complete with a top case, smiley faces, and even a surfboard – certainly not something we’re used to seeing. Find out more by reading the press release below.


Munich/Graz/Salzburg – While the international customizing scene around BMW Motorrad primarily devotes its inspiring creativity, excellent craftsmanship, and continuous flow of new ideas to the BMW Motorrad Heritage models R 18 and R nineT, an exceptional project based on the BMW CE 04 has now taken shape in Austria. In collaboration with BMW Motorrad Austria in Salzburg, customizing specialist Vagabund Moto GmbH in Graz has created the BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept – a stylish and multifunctional e-scooter based on the BMW CE 04 for urban use.

Related: 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions

BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter
Ready for a commute through the city or a trip to the beach.

“Everyone defines the mobility of the future in their own individual way,” says Paul Brauchart, founder and managing director of Vagabund Moto GmbH. “With the BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept, we now present our own idea of a stylish and multifunctional urban e-scooter that shows just how mobility needs are as individual as each personality. We haven’t reinvented the wheel, but we have taken a new look at function. We call it drawing on the synergies between functionality and aesthetics in a way that is suitable for everyday use.”

Related: BMW Announces Updates to Select 2023 Models

Accordingly, this made-in-Austria custom e-scooter not only has a particularly attractive color scheme in white, dark green, beige, and black, it also features various functional elements created in a fresh, modern design style and focusing on a youthful target group. For example, a friendly smiley face not only provides a fascinating visual accentuation on the front wheel hub, it also appears on the glass of the indicator lights. What has remained, however, is the impressive technical concept of the BMW CE 04 with key data such as 31 kW (42 hp) maximum output, dynamic acceleration of 2.6 s from 0 to 50 km/h, a range of 130 km (according to WMTC) and a charging time of just 65 minutes from 0% to 80% – with an optional fast charger at maximum charging current.

BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter

“With this customizing project, it was very important to us to emphasize the enormous variability of the BMW CE 04. At the same time, it was to be a vehicle that appeals in particular to young, sporty people in an urban environment and still be suitable for every type of customer. The fresh, modern design of the CE 04 is particularly in keeping with its aspiration to a sporty lifestyle,” adds Oliver Balzer, head of BMW Motorrad Austria.

BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept e-Scooter
A playful smiley face appears on the indicator lights.

In keeping with the motto “Action meets Fashion,” the BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept was given a functional top case to supplement the standard storage space, along with a surfboard with a transport system integrated in the vehicle – whether for a trip to the sea or to the nearest lake. “The surfboard isn’t just a piece of sports equipment: It’s also a metaphor for a sustainable urban lifestyle. The BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept combines work, leisure and individual flair, demonstrating that there needs to be no contradiction between any of these areas,” concludes Oliver Balzer.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/03/01/custom-bmw-ce-04-vagabund-moto-concept-e-sctooer/feed/ 0 1 a:0:{} Rider Magazine Staff The custom BMW CE 04 Vagabund Moto Concept, made in a collaboration between BMW Motorrad and Vagabund Moto GmbH, features a unique design complete with a top case, smiley faces, and a surfboard.
A Century of Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:18:51 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=71254 Contributor Erik Slaven takes us on a ride through a century’s worth of history on supercharged and turbocharged motorcycles, the Wonder Twins of forced induction. –Ed. As a Kawasaki Z H2 owner, I can assure you that integrated superchargers are no gimmick. My Kawi is by far the fastest bike I’ve owned, and the sportier […]

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Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - 2015-Kawasaki-Ninja-H2-engine-supercharger
The impeller on the Kawasaki Ninja H2 spins up to 130,000 rpm, forcing air into the engine to produce more power. (Photo courtesy Kawasaki)

Contributor Erik Slaven takes us on a ride through a century’s worth of history on supercharged and turbocharged motorcycles, the Wonder Twins of forced induction. –Ed.


As a Kawasaki Z H2 owner, I can assure you that integrated superchargers are no gimmick. My Kawi is by far the fastest bike I’ve owned, and the sportier Ninja H2 is among the fastest street bikes ever produced. The BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale, and Suzuki Hayabusa show that naturally aspirated motorcycles are still ridiculously fast, but acceleration from the Z H2 feels faster because the engine doesn’t need to be revved out as much.

Kawasaki’s supercharger, which debuted on the H2 R at the 2014 Intermot show, is like an afterburner for the 998cc inline-Four. It helps the engine push out almost 200 hp and over 100 lb-ft of torque on the Z H2, while the Ninja H2 churns out as much as 228 hp and the experts-and-track-ready Ninja H2 R makes upwards of 300 hp.

Related: 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 First Look Review

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - 2015-Kawasaki-Ninja-H2-profile-right
2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 (photo courtesy Kawasaki)

Kawasaki reignited interest in superchargers, but the technology has been used on motorcycles for nearly a century. BMW was an early pioneer in the late 1920s, and other manufacturers followed suit prior to World War II. When motorcycle racing resumed in Europe in 1946, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) banned superchargers to reduce injuries and deaths, putting forced induction on the backburner until the late 1970s. Imagine going over 150mph with a supercharged engine on a prewar chassis and tires. Yikes.

The Golden Age of Supercharged Motorcycles

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - BMW WR 750
BMW WR 750 (photo by Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons)

Born from racing, supercharged European motorcycles were the genesis for the evolution of high-performance bikes. American brands like Harley-Davidson and Indian were winning races at home with naturally aspirated engines. BMW started producing motorcycles in 1923, and by the end of the decade, it had developed the WR 750. Powered by a supercharged 4-stroke OHV 750cc boxer Twin, the WR 750 earned BMW a land-speed record at over 134 mph with German racing champion Ernst Henne at the controls.

Related: Riding the Motorcycle Century

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - BMW Type 255 - Source Wikipedia
BMW Type 255 racing at the Isle of Man (photo by Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 DE, via Wikimedia Commons)

The WR 750 was impressive but couldn’t overcome English dominance at the time, so the BMW Type 255 Kompressor was the next step. In 1939, Georg Meier won the Senior Tourist Trophy race at the Isle of Man on the Type 255, marking the first time a non-English rider had won since 1907. Using a Swiss-made Zoller supercharger, BMW’s 500cc Boxer produced around 60 hp and averaged 89 mph at the race. Meier won the Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix in 1939 as well, becoming the first rider to exceed 100 mph on a lap. The Type 255 was a bona fide superbike for BMW and demonstrated the significant performance advantages of forced induction.

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - BMW Type 255 - Source Wikipedia
BMW Type 255 (photo courtesy Agljones, via Wikimedia Commons)

Pre-War Grand Prix

Motorcycle racing was all the rage in the 1930s, and superchargers were common for most European teams. The notable holdout was Norton, which held steady with tried-and-true naturally aspirated Singles. British manufacturer AJS developed a supercharged V-4 monster with a high top speed, but it proved unreliable and either overheated or simply broke down during races. It finally won a race in Belgium in 1946, just before the supercharger ban went into effect.

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - AJS V4 - Source Wikipedia
AJS V4 (photo courtesy Oldnoccer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Luxury British manufacturer Brough Superior developed some of the fastest supercharged bikes of the era. In 1937, Eric Fernihough set a record of 169.79 mph with a supercharged 1,000cc J.A.P. engine in his Brough Superior. Pure insanity at the time, and he was killed the following year chasing another record. 

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - Eric Fernihough on Brough Superior JAP100 - Source Brough Superior
Eric Fernihough on Brough Superior JAP100 (photo courtesy Brough Superior)

Today, naturally aspirated bikes can exceed 200 hp and still meet Euro 5 emissions standards, which is an incredible testament to how far design and technology have come. Forced induction might seem like overkill, but nothing exceeds like excess. So, what’s the difference between a supercharger and turbo, anyway?  

Supercharger

A supercharger is mechanical device that forces more air into the engine to produce more power for a given displacement. In a car, a supercharger is often driven by a belt that wraps around a pulley between the drive and compressor gears. In a modern motorcycle like the Kawasaki H2s, a system of gears connected to the flywheel drives the impeller, which is a metal fan used to compress the intake gas. The impeller must spin much faster than the engine to effectively compress the air. Kawasaki’s supercharger uses planetary gears to spin the impeller up to 130,000 rpm and develops up to 20.5 psi boost pressure.

Turbocharger

Whereas a supercharger is driven by the engine, a turbocharger is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. Wind powered, if you will. The exhaust spins an impeller in the turbo housing, which is connected to a second impeller in the compressor housing that forces additional air into the engine. It can take a moment for the exhaust to get the impeller spinning fast, which creates turbo lag. Superchargers, on the other hand, are always “there,” as the engine is continuously powering them. Turbochargers are relatively lag-free today, but it does persist to varying degrees.

The Golden Age of Turbocharged Motorcycles

1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - 1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC
1978 Kawasaki Z1R-TC (photo by Clement Salvadori)

Unlike the pre-war era fixation on superchargers, the next wave of two-wheeled forced induction was all about turbos, starting in the late 1970s. The Kawasaki Z1R-TC was the first production turbo motorcycle, kicking off what turned out to be a short-lived craze. It had a 1,000cc inline-Four that was a factory authorized conversion of the standard Z1R bikes. A Rajay turbocharger pushed the Z1R-TC to 130 hp (from 94 hp), which was quite a powerhouse in the late ’70s and extreme enough that buyers had to relinquish the factory warranty. It was a bold decision by Kawasaki at the time. Only 250 were built, as they were expensive and complex, but it got the Japanese industry scrambling.

Related: Kawasaki KZ1000 Z1-R TC (Turbocharged): 1978-1979

1982 Honda CX500T

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - 1982 Honda CX500T
1982 Honda CX500T (photo courtesy Honda)

Unlike the Z1R-TC, Honda’s first turbocharged bike was born in the factory, and many consider it the first proper factory turbo. I personally give that accomplishment to Kawasaki, but that’s a battle for another day. The water cooled CX500T had an angled, horizontal V-twin inspired by Moto Guzzi and an early fuel injection system, boosted to 80hp by the turbo. Unfortunately, the bike was plagued with turbo lag, so Honda upgraded to a 650cc variant the following year with the CX650. The increased displacement and modified (and lowered) boost brought the new bike to 100 hp, but turbo lag persisted and the price was just too high. These were short lived and disappeared at the end of 1983.

1982 Yamaha XJ650 Turbo

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - 1984 Yamaha XJ650 Turbo
1984 Yamaha XJ650 Turbo (photo courtesy Yamaha)

Yamaha released its own turbo soon after Honda, the 90-hp XJ650 Turbo. It was a heavier touring bike in lieu of something more performance oriented. It also wasn’t a ground-up design but rather based on the older XJ650 Seca with a mediocre chassis, drum brakes, and shaft drive, along with outdated Mikuni carburetors. A choppy throttle, bad turbo lag, and lackluster acceleration killed production after two years. Maintenance issues were also bad, as ambition seemed to exceed what was feasible at the time.

Related: Retrospective: Yamaha XJ650RJ Seca 650: 1982

1983 Suzuki XN85

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles 1983 Suzuki XN85
1983 Suzuki XN85 (photo by Clement Salvadori)

Suzuki’s first turbocharged motorcycle, the XN85 of 1983, was an impressive effort. Like Honda, it was fuel injected, but only oil cooled and pushed out 85 hp. Turbo lag was less than the others, and the chassis was built specifically for the increased power. Like all early turbos, it was complex and expensive to produce, leading to limited production numbers. It did, however, survive for five years, making it the most successful model.

Related: Retrospective: 1983 Suzuki XN85 Turbo

1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles 1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo
1984 Kawasaki GPz750 Turbo (photo courtesy Kawasaki)

Six year after the Z1R-TC, Kawasaki introduced the GPz750 Turbo, aka the ZX750-E Turbo. Unlike earlier Japanese efforts that were abandoned at this point, the GPz750 was the real deal. A proper sportbike design held the 738cc inline-Four, which produced 112 hp and was good for 10.71 seconds in the quarter mile. The existing GPz750 engine was heavily modified, and the turbocharged result was the first middleweight that outperformed early ’80s liter bikes. Kawasaki’s GPz1100 sportbike trailed behind the much smaller GPz750 by 3 hp, proving that turbos were serious contenders and not mere novelties. Style, performance, and reliability made this the first truly marketable turbocharged motorcycle and overshadowed all prior efforts. Alas, it was produced for only two years.

Related: Retrospective: 1984-1985 Kawasaki ZX750-E Turbo

Why Did Turbos Fizzle Out?

In less than 10 years, the turbo craze spread like wildfire among the Big Four Japanese manufacturers and burned itself out. The idea was simple and appealing – use forced induction to extract more power out of middleweight engines. But the reality overpromised and underdelivered. Turbochargers proved to be too complex and expensive, and the payoff wasn’t big enough to make them a viable alternative to larger naturally aspirated engines – at least not at the time.

Let’s Get Boosted!

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - Trask Turbo on Harley-Davidson Road Glide - Source Trask Performance
Trask Performance turbocharger installed on a Harley-Davidson Road Glide (photo courtesy Trask Performance)

After Japanese manufacturers abandoned turbos, adrenaline junkies continued bolting aftermarket ones to their natural breathers. One of the big names in the business is Trask Performance, which produces turbocharged kits for Harleys that can squeeze 300 hp out of big V-Twins. In my mind, such turbo kits make the most sense on 1,200cc Evo Sportsters that are relatively light and nimble, and the result can more than double the stock power and deliver 120 hp at the rear wheel.

Related: Evo Sportster | End of an Era

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - Trask turbo on Evo Sportster - Source Trask Performance
Trask Performance turbocharger installed on a Harley-Davidson Evo Sportster (photo courtesy Trask Performance)

Trask isn’t the only company with turbo kits, and versions are available that can be installed on a wide range of motorcycle types and models. Extreme Creations, RCC, Cobalt, and others offer turbochargers that deliver aircraft carrier catapult-caliber launches. You can also buy supercharger kits from companies like Rotrex, ProCharger, and TTS Performance. And if you’re curious, the answer is yes – installing any of them will void your factory warranty.

Turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa

We can’t review the history of forced induction on motorcycles and overlook a bona fide legend. In 1999, Suzuki introduced the GSX1300R Hayabusa, which won the short-lived top-speed wars of the late ’90s. In stock form, the first-gen 173-hp Hayabusa nearly broke the elusive 200 mph barrier. The second-gen ’Busa got bumped up to 1,340cc and 194 hp, but by then, the OEMs had agreed to impose an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph (300 kph) on its production motorcycles.

Related: 2022 Suzuki Hayabusa | Road Test Review

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - Bill Warner Turbo Suzuki Hayabusa
Bill Warner riding his record-setting turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa

But with some electronic sleight of hand – and a big ol’ turbo – the Hayabusa’s true potential could be unleashed. In 2011, Bill Warner set a motorcycle land-speed record of 311 mph on a streamlined and turbocharged ‘Busa. Add nitrous to the mix, and things just get insane. In 2018, a 1,000-hp ’Busa hit 258.54 mph within 1 mile from a standing start at a Straightliners top-speed event in Yorkshire, U.K.

Kawasaki Ninja H2

In 2014, we came full circle when Kawasaki introduced the Ninja H2, a factory supercharged sportbike. Over 75 years after superchargers disappeared from European racebikes, Kawasaki resurrected the concept with the most successful lineup of forced-induction motorcycles in modern history. The name comes from Kawasaki’s ’70s-era H2 models powered by 750cc 2-stroke Triples. The 1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV, the fastest bike of its day, was known as “the widow maker,” as the chassis and overall design weren’t suited for so much power.

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - 1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV
1972 Kawasaki H2 Mach IV (photo courtesy Kawasaki)

The 2014 Ninja H2 has a 998cc inline-Four with a centrifugal supercharger developed entirely in-house at Kawasaki. The manufacturer had intended to outsource the supercharger, but those plans ultimately called for a bulky intercooler, so Kawasaki brought it under its own roof. The result was an independent and compact unit that boosts a growing H2 portfolio with four bikes in the current lineup: Ninja H2, Ninja H2 R, Ninja H2 SX, and Z H2.

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2
2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 (photo courtesy Kawasaki)

The Ninja H2 and up-spec Ninja H2 Carbon produce a claimed 228 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque, while the track-only H2 R raises the bar considerably with 326 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. The H2 R is currently the fastest production motorcycle of all time, but it is not street legal. The standard Ninja H2 is heavier than many sportbikes (around 525 lb wet) and won’t handle a track as well as purpose-built machines, but the intensity of acceleration and still competent performance make it one the craziest rides you can buy. With a starting price of $31,500, it’s definitely spendy, but it’s a relative bargain compared to the $56,000 H2 R.

Supercharged and Turbocharged Motorcycles - Erik Slaven Kawasaki Z H2
Erik Slaven’s Kawasaki Z H2 (photo by the author)

The Ninja H2 SX and Z H2 represent the second-generation of H2 engines, tuned for more real-world conditions with 197 hp and 101 lb-ft of torque. The H2 SX is a sport-touring sportbike with a wet weight over 600 lb, but it still accelerates like a rabid cheetah without having to rev it out.

Related: 2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE | Road Test Review

Introduced for 2020, the Z H2 naked bike is the newest model in the H2 lineup, and it’s also the most affordable at $18,500, providing the magic of Kawasaki’s supercharger at a more reasonable price undercutting. It’s not a serious track performer, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a streetbike though and through, and it’s about as fun as it gets with an upright position offering all-day comfort. The up-spec Z H2 SE ($21,700) is equipped with Kawasaki’s Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) and upgraded Brembo calipers, but the core experience is there with the standard model.

Practical Insanity

It’s a bit strange calling a supercharged motorcycle practical, but the Z H2 proves that forced induction can be both affordable and reliable. It certainly qualifies as an everyday bike and is genuinely easy to live with, unlike some high-strung competitors. I don’t know what sorcery went into the supercharger’s design, but Kawasaki nailed it, and a distinctive chirp at deceleration reminds you that you’re riding something special. Supposedly it’s caused by the impeller breaking the sound barrier. We’d like to see a return to the ’80s-era concept of adding forced induction to a middleweight. How cool would it be to see a supercharged version of the Z650, Ninja ZX-6R, or the new Ninja ZX-4RR? Sometimes it’s good when history repeats itself.

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https://ridermagazine.com/2023/02/07/a-century-of-supercharged-and-turbocharged-motorcycles/feed/ 18 1 a:0:{} 1 Erik Slaven Contributor Erik Slaven takes us on a ride through a century's worth of history on supercharged and turbocharged motorcycles, the Wonder Twins of forced induction.
2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 R | First Ride Review https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/11/2023-bmw-s-1000-rr-and-m-1000-r-first-ride-review/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/11/2023-bmw-s-1000-rr-and-m-1000-r-first-ride-review/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2023 16:56:20 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=70789 A quick glance at the speedometer revealed it was displaying 175 mph before I hit the brakes hard for the upcoming right-hand turn – and that was in just the 5th of six gears. No, this was not – nor should it ever be – on a public road. It was at the end of […]

The post 2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 R | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
2023 BMW S 1000 RR
2023 BMW S 1000 RR in Light White (Photos by Markus Jahn and Jörg Künstle)

A quick glance at the speedometer revealed it was displaying 175 mph before I hit the brakes hard for the upcoming right-hand turn – and that was in just the 5th of six gears. No, this was not – nor should it ever be – on a public road. It was at the end of the long back straight at Spain’s 2.6-mile Almeria Circuit during the press intro of the 2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR. Following a complete redesign in 2019, BMW made some revisions to its flagship S 1000 RR sportbike for 2023, and the changes have made what was already a potent supersport machine even better.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

When BMW launched the S 1000 RR in 2009, the German manufacturer set a new benchmark in supersport performance. Until then, open-class supersport machines produced power in the mid-170s to 180-hp range, and very few had traction control or any other form of advanced electronic rider aids.

Then the S 1000 RR came along claiming 193 hp, and it was available with adjustable traction control, selectable ride modes, and track-ready ABS – all at a reasonable price. Electronics have evolved since then, and those on the S 1000 RR are among the most advanced available.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR
2023 BMW S 1000 RR in Style Passion in Racing Red.
2023 BMW S 1000 RR
2023 BMW S 1000 RR in Black Storm metallic.

The new S 1000 RR borrows some tech from the higher-spec M 1000 RR, BMW’s high-priced World Superbike homologation special ($32,495 for the M vs. $17,895 for the S). The S 1000 RR’s 999cc inline Four has been updated with a new cylinder head, which now has the same intake port shape as on the M 1000 RR, though the ports are cast into the head, unlike on the M, on which the ports are milled – a much costlier process.

Like before, the S 1000 RR engine uses BMW’s ShiftCam technology, which varies valve timing and valve lift to boost low to midrange torque without sacrificing power at high revs. A new airbox, also borrowed from the M, now uses computer-controlled, variable-length intake snorkels. The engine produces a claimed 205 hp at 13,000 rpm and 83 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 rpm, with the rev limiter kicking in at 14,600 rpm. The final drive ratio has been lowered by adding a tooth to the rear sprocket, to 46 teeth from 45.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

Cradling the engine is a new frame that has more flex – which improves handling when applied properly – engineered into its beams. The steering geometry has been altered for more stability: The steering head angle has been pushed out by half a degree (now 23.6 degrees), triple clamp offset has been reduced by 0.1 inch, trail has been stretched by 0.2 inch to 3.9 inches, and wheelbase is 0.7 inch longer at 57.4 inches. The rear wheel is also easier to remove thanks to wheel spacers that won’t fall out and chamfered brake pads and caliper anchor.

The standard suspension is manually adjustable for compression and rebound damping and preload at both ends, while the optional Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) semi-adaptive suspension is electronically adjustable, either through the different ride modes or independently through the instrument panel. DDC is part of the Premium Package ($2,340).

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

Wet weight is a svelte 434 lb, which is only 8.5 lb more than the M 1000 RR; if you add the optional M package ($4,495), weight drops to within a pound of the M. The M package not only drops weight by replacing the stock wheels with carbon-fiber wheels and adding a lighter battery, it also includes machined foot controls, a sport seat, an adjustable swingarm pivot and adjustable rear ride height, and Ride Pro ride modes, which adds three track-ready Race Pro modes to the standard ride modes. Our test bikes were equipped with DDC and with the M package.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

Visually, the biggest change to the S 1000 RR is the addition of MotoGP-inspired fairing winglets. These winglets generate up to nearly 38 pounds of downforce at speed, adding front-end grip and reducing the risk of wheelies. The tailpiece has also been redesigned to incorporate a more compact license-plate/turn-signal bracket that is easily removable for racetrack outings.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

Even without any of the options packages, the S 1000 RR showcases the latest in electronic rider aids. It comes with four standard ride modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic, and Race), lean-sensitive ABS and traction control, a quickshifter, and hill-start assist as standard. Aside from the aforementioned DDC suspension and Race Pro modes, our bikes were equipped with adjustable wheelie control, launch control, a pit-lane speed limiter, and new this year, slide control and brake-slide control (the former controls rear-wheelspin to allow the bike to slide out of corners on the gas, while the latter controls the rear brake and engine braking to allow the bike to slide into corners). The ABS also has a “slick” setting when fitting race tires to the bike.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

Some open-class supersport machines are incredibly fast on a racetrack but are mentally and physically demanding to ride hard, mostly because of their brutish power delivery. Five track sessions on the S 1000 RR revealed that, while it is as fast as they come, it has neutral handling and its advanced electronics make it forgiving and easy to ride – “easy” being a relative term. Make no mistake, this is a bike for experts; riders with less experience should look elsewhere before stepping up to a 205-hp open-class supersport machine, even on the racetrack.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

There are so many possible settings you can chose within the ride mode menus for traction- and wheelie-control intervention, throttle response, and slide- and brake-slide control that you’ll have to take your time during a track day or two to settle on a formula that works best for you – and it’ll be in there somewhere. I started the day in the Race Pro modes since our bikes were equipped with Bridgestone racing slicks. While each Pro mode has preset parameters for each of the bike’s control systems, you can also alter each individually within the TFT screen menus. I backed down traction control and ABS intervention as the sessions progressed, eventually settling on the lower settings. You can also turn off TC and ABS, but I can’t see any reason to do so if you have any sense of self-preservation. And you’d be missing out on the bike’s true potential, anyway.

Related: 2023 BMW S 1000 RR | First Look Review

The new slide control was really noticeable in the later sessions, after the race slicks began giving up some of their grip. With this feature set to minimum, which provides the least amount of slip angle, I’d open the throttle to the stop at just past the apex of the fast right-hand turn before the long back straight, and the rear would kick out just a bit and stay there until the bike straightened out. A higher setting would have allowed the rear to swing out more but at the cost of some speed and more tire wear. Ideally, no slip is ideal for quickest lap times; the slide control is really designed more to make you look fast.

The 2023 BMW S 1000 RR is at the pinnacle of supersport performance; trust the electronics, add some skill, and on a racetrack, you’ll look and feel like you’re a MotoGP star.

2023 BMW S 1000 RR

But maybe you don’t have MotoGP aspirations. Maybe you want something that boasts the performance of the S 1000 RR but comes in a more comfortable, street-oriented package. Well, BMW has you covered with the M 1000 R.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

2023 BMW M 1000 R
2023 BMW M 1000 R in Light White

Usually, manufacturers detune naked bikes that are based on their own sportbikes, like BMW did when it stripped the S 1000 RR of its fairing to produce the S 1000 R, the latter producing 40 fewer horsepower than its double-R stablemate. But for 2023, BMW launched the M 1000 R, an all-new, higher-spec variation of the S 1000 R.

Related: 2023 BMW M 1000 RR and M 1000 R | First Look Review

BMW has not, however, toned down the M 1000 R, offering this naked bike with the same 999cc engine in the same 205-hp state of tune as the S 1000 RR supersport machine. There are a few differences, though, which make it a tad fiercer than even the RR: 4th through 6th gears are shorter, and overall gearing is shorter too, with another tooth added to the rear sprocket compared to the RR, at 47 teeth.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

This added performance comes at a price, however, as the M 1000 R starts at $21,345, compared to $13,945 for the S 1000 R. But for that extra cash, the M comes with almost every available option you can get for the S 1000 R, as well as the S 1000 RR’s advanced racetrack electronics. Standard items include lightweight forged wheels (cast on the S), DDC semi-active suspension, Ride Pro ride modes, cruise control, track-ready traction control and Race ABS, wheelie control, dynamic brake control, a quickshifter, machined billet levers and foot controls, and many more standard items. Adding all of these to the S 1000 R would raise its price to a few hundred dollars more than the M’s starting price, and you’d still be down 40 hp.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

The M 1000 R is a better option than the S 1000 RR supersport if you prioritize street riding over track lapping, as it has a more upright (read: more comfortable) riding position. While the seating position is more upright than on the S 1000 RR, the handlebar is still relatively low, placing you in a mild forward tuck.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

The shorter gearing makes the M 1000 R pull even harder than the RR, a feeling further emphasized by the M’s more upright riding position. The shorter gearing does allow the engine to spin higher, which makes the bike buzzier at highway speeds, though the added vibes are not intrusive.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

Our ride wasn’t long enough to assess the M’s long-distance comfort, but I can say that pitching it about on a smooth, twisty road is more fun than a barrel of bonobos. Steering is neutral, if a tad twitchy, but that twitchiness disappears as soon as you take a deep breath and relax your grip on the wide handlebar. The chassis feels taut, and the suspension is firm even in the softest settings. The suspension is nonetheless compliant despite its firmness, and it’s not harsh, though you will find yourself zigzagging on broken pavement – an ADV bike this is not.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

A quick stint on the racetrack revealed that the M’s wider, taller handlebar makes it more fun to ride than the S 1000 RR because the added leverage makes it easier to throw into turns. Of course, since it lacks the streamlining of the RR’s fairing, you do have to fight the wind at speed – and it will go fast. A quick glance at the M’s speedometer at the end of Alemria’s long straight showed 160 mph and climbing, though this time the bike was in top gear.

2023 BMW M 1000 R

BMW Motorrad hasn’t been resting on its laurels since the introduction of the S 1000 RR, and the changes introduced for 2023 will assure it remains near the top of the performance ladder. That statement extends to the M 1000 R, which is as capable as the S 1000 RR since it is now essentially the same machine without the bodywork. Just a bit rowdier, which we don’t mind one bit.

2023 BMW M 1000 R
2023 BMW M 1000 R in Blackstorm Metallic

2023 BMW S 1000 RR / M 1000 R Specs

Base Price: $17,895 / $21,345

Price as Tested: $25,425 / $22,040

Website: BMWMotorcycles.com

Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles

Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Four, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. & ShiftCam variable valve timing

Displacement: 999cc

Bore x Stroke: 80.0 x 49.7mm

Horsepower: 205 hp @ 13,000 rpm (claimed, at the crank)

Torque: 83 lb-ft @ 11,000 rpm (claimed, at the crank)

Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch

Final Drive: O-ring chain

Wheelbase: 57.4 in. / 57.1 in.

Rake/Trail: 23.6 degrees/3.9 in. / 24 degrees/3.8 in.

Seat Height: 32.8 in. / 33.1 in.

Wet Weight: 434 lb / 439 lb

Fuel Capacity: 4.3 gals.

The post 2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 R | First Ride Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/11/2023-bmw-s-1000-rr-and-m-1000-r-first-ride-review/feed/ 4 a:0:{} 1 1 Costa Mouzouris Rider magazine tests the 2023 BMW S 1000 RR and M 1000 R, two high-tech sportbikes – one with a fairing and one without – powered by a 205-hp 999cc inline-Four.
Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights Under 30 Inches https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/06/best-small-motorcycles-with-seat-heights-under-30-inches/ https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/06/best-small-motorcycles-with-seat-heights-under-30-inches/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2023 22:35:04 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=70719 Choices for smaller, affordable motorcycles are growing, and that’s good news for riders looking for a fun bike that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re new to riding and want something easy to handle or an experienced rider looking for a lighter or shorter bike, you have more options now than ever when it comes […]

The post Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights Under 30 Inches first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
2021 Harley Davidson Sportster S Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Choices for smaller, affordable motorcycles are growing, and that’s good news for riders looking for a fun bike that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re new to riding and want something easy to handle or an experienced rider looking for a lighter or shorter bike, you have more options now than ever when it comes to finding the best motorcycles for smaller riders! 

Below is Rider’s 2022-2023 list of best motorcycles for smaller riders, an update of the popular post from 2019. This new list includes motorcycles with seat heights up to 30 inches with an MSRP of $17,000 or less. 

We’ve also curated lists of the best motorcycles with seat heights between 30.0 and 30.9 inches, as well as a list of bikes with seat heights between 31.0 and 31.9 inches. We’ll include links to those lists soon. 

When possible, we’ve included a link to our test ride reviews so you can get a sense of how each bike performs in action. We’ve also included the 2022-2023 model year’s U.S. base MSRP (as of publication), seat height, and claimed wet or dry weight. On models with options to lower the seat height or suspension, we’ve listed the standard and lowered seat heights. You can also click on a model’s name to go to the manufacturer’s webpage for a full list of specifications and details.  

The models in this list are arranged by seat height, with the first model having the shortest seat height and the last model having the tallest seat height in the list. 


Can-Am Ryker 

Can Am Ryker Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Can-Am Ryker 

$8,999 

23.6-inch seat height

594 lb dry 

Read our 2019 Can-Am Ryker First Ride Review


Indian Scout Bobber Sixty 

Indian Scout Bobber Sixty Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Indian Scout Bobber Sixty 

$10,749 

25.6-inch seat height 

548 lb 


Indian Scout Rogue Sixty 

Indian Scout Rogue Sixty Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Indian Scout Rogue Sixty 

$11,249 

25.6-inch seat height 

540 lb 

Read our 2022 Indian Scout Rogue First Ride Review 


Indian Scout Sixty 

Indian Scout Sixty Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Indian Scout Sixty 

$11,749 

25.6-inch seat height 

543 lb 

Read our 2016 Indian Scout Sixty Road Test Review 


Indian Scout Bobber 

Indian Scout Bobber Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Indian Scout Bobber 

$12,249 

25.6-inch seat height 

553 lb 

Read our 2018 Indian Scout Bobber First Ride Review 


Indian Scout 

Indian Scout Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Indian Scout 

$13,249 

25.6-inch seat height 

561 lb 

Read our 2019 Indian Scout Tour Test Review 


Indian Scout Bobber Twenty 

Indian Scout Bobber Twenty Best Small Motorcycles

Indian Scout Bobber Twenty 

$13,249 

25.6-inch seat height 

563 lb 


Harley-Davidson Iron 883 

Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Harley-Davidson Iron 883 

(2022 is the final year for this model) 

$11,249 

25.7-inch seat height 

564 lb 


Harley-Davidson Softail Standard 

Harley-Davidson Softail Standard Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Harley-Davidson Softail Standard 

$14,399 

25.8-inch seat height 

655 lb 


Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 

Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 

$16,599 

25.8-inch seat height 

631 lb 


Honda Shadow Phantom 

2023 Honda Shadow Phantom Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Shadow Phantom 

$7,999 

25.8-inch seat height 

549 lb 

Read our 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom 750 Road Test Review 


Honda Shadow Aero 

2023 Honda Shadow Aero Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Shadow Aero 

$7,799 

25.9-inch seat height 

560 lb 

Read our 2013 Honda Shadow Aero Review 


Indian Chief 

Indian Chief Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Indian Chief 

$14,999 

26-inch seat height 

670 lb 


Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight 

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight 

(2022 is the final year for this model) 

$12,299 

26.2-inch seat height 

556 lb 


Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic 

$8,999 

26.8-inch seat height 

620 lb 

Read our 2013 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic Review


Honda Fury 

Honda Fury Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Fury 

$11,449 

26.9-inch seat height 

663 lb 

Read our 2010 Honda VT13VX Fury Road Test Review 


Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom 

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom 

$9,499 

27-inch seat height 

611 lb 


Yamaha V Star 250 

Yamaha V Star 250 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Yamaha V Star 250 

$4,699 

27-inch seat height 

324 lb 

Read more about the V Star 250 in our 2008 Motorcycle Fuel Economy Comparison Review


Harley-Davidson Nightster 

Harley-Davidson Nightster Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Harley-Davidson Nightster 

$13,499 

27.1-inch seat height 

481 lb 

Read our 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster First Ride Review 


BMW R 18 

2023 BMW R 18 in Mineral Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

BMW R 18 

$14,995 

27.2-inch seat height 

761 lb 

Read our 2021 BMW R 18 First Edition Road Test Review


Honda Rebel 500 

2023 Honda Rebel 500 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Rebel 500 

$6,449 

27.2-inch seat height 

408 lb 

Read our 2020 Honda Rebel 500 ABS Road Test Review 


Honda Rebel 300

2023 Honda Rebel 300 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Rebel 300 

$4,749 

27.2-inch seat height 

364 lb 


Triumph Bonneville Bobber 

Triumph Bonneville Bobber Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Triumph Bonneville Bobber 

$13,495 

27.6-inch seat height (optional lower seat of 27.2 inches) 

553 lb 

Read our 2017 Triumph Bonneville Bobber First Ride Review 


Yamaha Bolt R-Spec 

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Yamaha Bolt R-Spec 

$8,899 

27.2-inch seat height 

542 lb 


 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT 

2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Rebel 1100T DCT 

$11,299 

27.5-inch seat height 

524 lb 

Read our 2023 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT First Look Review 


Honda Rebel 1100 

2023 Honda Rebel 1100 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Honda Rebel 1100 

$9,499 

27.5-inch seat height 

487 lb 

Read our 2021 Honda Rebel 1100 First Ride Review 


Suzuki Boulevard C50 

Suzuki Boulevard C50 Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Suzuki Boulevard C50 

$8,609 

27.6-inch seat height 

611 lb 


Suzuki Boulevard C50T 

Suzuki Boulevard C50T Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Suzuki Boulevard C50T 

$10,059 

27.6-inch seat height 

644 lb 

Read our 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Road Test Review 


Kawasaki Vulcan S 

Kawasaki Vulcan S Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Kawasaki Vulcan S 

$7,349 

27.8-inch seat height 

492 lb 

Read our 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S Road Test Review 


Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe

Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe 

$8,099 

27.8-inch seat height 

496 lb 

Read our 2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S Cafe Road Test Review 


Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 

2023 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster in Jet Black and Fusion White Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster 

$13,495 

27.8-inch seat height 

580 lb 

Read our 2018 Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster First Ride Review


Harley-Davidson Sportster S 

Harley-Davidson Sportster S Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders

Harley-Davidson Sportster S 

$16,399 

28.9-inch seat height 

502 lb 

Read our 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S First Ride Review 


Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

$7,269 (estimated)

29.1-inch seat height

531.3 lb

Read our 2023 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 First Ride Review


Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low

Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low

Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low

$14,995

29.9-30.7-inch seat height (dual-height seat)

425 lb dry

Read our 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Low Road Test Review

The post Best Motorcycles for Smaller Riders: Seat Heights Under 30 Inches first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2023/01/06/best-small-motorcycles-with-seat-heights-under-30-inches/feed/ 26 1 a:0:{} 1 Rider Magazine Staff Whether you're a shorter rider, a new rider, or an experienced rider who loves zipping around on small bikes, there are plenty of options out there for you. In this list, we've collected the best motorcycles for smaller riders with seats under 30 inches and selling for less than $17,000.
Retrospective: BMW /5 Series – 1970-1973 https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/22/retrospective-bmw-5-series-1970-1973/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/22/retrospective-bmw-5-series-1970-1973/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2022 21:24:51 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=70560 The year 1969 was a tumultuous time in the motorcycle industry, marked by the rise of the Japanese and the beginning of the end for the British. Amidst this backdrop of rapidly evolving consumer sentiment, BMW introduced its /5 (“slash five”) Series for the 1970 model year. In its three years of production, the /5 […]

The post Retrospective: BMW /5 Series – 1970-1973 first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
1972 BMW R 75/5 slash five toaster
1972 BMW R 75/5 “Toaster” owned by Arden White in Snohomish, Washington. (Photos by Arden White and Moshe K. Levy)

The year 1969 was a tumultuous time in the motorcycle industry, marked by the rise of the Japanese and the beginning of the end for the British. Amidst this backdrop of rapidly evolving consumer sentiment, BMW introduced its /5 (“slash five”) Series for the 1970 model year. In its three years of production, the /5 family of motorcycles reinvigorated the brand with its contemporary design and ushered in BMW’s fabled “Airhead” Type 247 Boxer Twin engine, variations of which would continue to propel the marque’s R-Series motorcycles for the next 25 years.

See more of Rider‘s Retrospective motorcycle stories here.

The /5 Series, built at BMW’s newest facility in Spandau, Berlin, was available in three variants. The R 50/5 (500cc) was the most affordable, the R 60/5 (600cc) was the midrange, and the R 75/5 (750cc) was the top of the line.

Compared to its predecessor, the BMW /2 Series, the /5 Series was a thoroughly modernized ground-up redesign. It boasted up-to-date 12-volt DC electrics complete with a 180-watt alternator, an electric starter, more powerful drum brakes, and a slew of other noteworthy upgrades. The frame was of tubular steel construction with a double downward cradle for the engine, similar to the benchmark Norton Featherbed. A rear subframe was bolted onto the mainframe and served as the upper mount for the twin rear shocks. Up front, the former /2’s Earles fork was replaced with a telescopic fork on the /5, signaling a functional change of focus from utilitarian sidecar duty to improved handling as a solo motorcycle.

BMW 247 Airhead flat-Twin R 75/5
The 247 Airhead’s flat-Twin configuration means easy access to most serviceable components.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

Of course, no discussion of the BMW /5 would be complete without an examination of the Type 247 “Airhead” flat-Twin engine. Special care was taken by the company to design a simple, reliable motor that addressed previous concerns about the /2 mill. To this end, the 247’s chain-driven camshaft runs below the crankshaft, allowing gravity assist of oil delivery to the camshaft and eliminating the periodic complete teardowns required to maintain the former /2 design’s “oil slingers.” Two valves in each hemispherical cylinder head are actuated by the camshaft through followers, pushrods, and rocker arms. A stroke of 70.6mm is constant within the /5 line, with bores of 67mm, 73.5mm, and 82mm determining the displacement of the R 50/5, R 60/5, and R 75/5 respectively.

The R 50/5 and R 60/5 models are equipped with 26mm Bing slide carburetors, while the R 75/5 features 32mm Bing CV units. On all models, the engine power is transmitted via a single-disc dry clutch to a stout 4-speed gearbox and then to the swingarm-mounted final drive via shaft.

1971 BMW R 60/5 slash five
The author’s wife on her first bike, a 1971 R 60/5 with standard 6.3-gal. tank. Now with almost 100,000 miles, it’s still going strong.

For late 1973 models, BMW lengthened the rear swingarm by approximately 2 inches, resulting in the so-called “Long Wheelbase” /5. The tell-tale signs of a Long Wheelbase model are the weld marks on the final-drive side of the swingarm where the extension was added by the factory. The extra room allowed a larger battery to be located behind the engine and gave riders some additional clearance between their shins and the carburetors. To this day, /5 enthusiasts viciously argue over whether the sharper handling merits of the original short-wheelbase models trump the high-speed stability of the long-wheelbase versions.

Either way, at barely over 460 lb, the R 75/5 was one of the lightest 750cc bikes of the era, and with a top speed of 109 mph, it was one of the fastest as well.

1970 BMW R 60/5 slash five
Fred Tausch’s 1970 R 60/5, circa 2004. Today it resides at Bob’s BMW Museum in Jessup, Maryland.

Complementing these functional upgrades to its new motorcycle line, the /5’s aesthetics were also a spicy departure from the more somber BMWs of yore. Although initially available only in the white, black, or silver colors for 1970-71, the 1972-73 models were available in seven hues, including Monza Blue and Granada Red. Further shocking traditionalists, 1972 saw the introduction of the 4-gallon “Toaster” gas tank, which featured prominent chrome accent panels on each side. Though excessive chrome on a BMW was heresy at the time, today the Toaster-tank /5 is considered valuable to collectors, as it was only produced for the 1972-73 model years.

Contrary to the initial worries from BMW traditionalists that the company had strayed too far from its function-over-form roots, the /5 motorcycle family has earned a sterling reputation for anvil-like reliability. Being classic European motorcycles, the /5s naturally have certain idiosyncrasies, but overall, the design and construction are robust. In a testament to their supreme quality, these motorcycles are still often used as daily runners 50-plus years after their initial production.

Experienced owners claim that with timely maintenance, these bikes are nearly indestructible. In fact, properly running /5s with well over 100,000 miles on them are commonplace at BMW rallies worldwide. I met an owner of one, the late Fred Tausch, at a rally in 2004. Tausch’s 1970 R 60/5 had more than 600,000 miles on its clock and was still running when its owner passed away. Details are sketchy, but supposedly the engine was only overhauled twice during this remarkable service run.

The classic BMW motorcycle community is an active one, with abundant technical support and a well-organized network of enthusiasts (aka “Airheads”) who gather regularly to celebrate their favorite machines. Parts are still plentiful, though they’re getting more expensive as time goes on.

Ultimately, the /5 Series represented an initially dramatic but ultimately triumphant gamble for BMW. These motorcycles were not the cautious evolutions of the existing /2 designs that the brand’s faithful fans had expected. The /5’s newfound emphasis on performance and style, combined with significant price increases over the /2 Series it replaced, could have easily spelled marketplace doom. Luckily, that was not the case, and the /5s became a mild hit.

To hear more from Moshe K. Levy, the author of this article, check out Rider Magazine Insider Podcast episode 44

The post Retrospective: BMW /5 Series – 1970-1973 first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/22/retrospective-bmw-5-series-1970-1973/feed/ 12 1 a:0:{} 1 Moshe K. Levy Rider contributor Moshe K. Levy discusses the BMW /5 ("slash five") series, which was introduced in 1970 and ushered in BMW’s fabled “Airhead” Type 247 Boxer Twin engine.
2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/15/2023-bmw-r-ninet-and-r-18-100-years-heritage-editions/ https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/15/2023-bmw-r-ninet-and-r-18-100-years-heritage-editions/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:00:00 +0000 https://ridermagazine.com/?p=70488 To celebrate 100 years of BMW Motorrad, BMW has announced two Heritage models: the R nineT 100 Years Edition and the R 18 100 Years Edition. Both models will be limited to 1,923 units worldwide to honor the year that BMW was founded. These special editions will also pay tribute to the boxer engine and […]

The post 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years and 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years
2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years and 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years, both featuring Classic Chrome and Avus Black paint

To celebrate 100 years of BMW Motorrad, BMW has announced two Heritage models: the R nineT 100 Years Edition and the R 18 100 Years Edition. Both models will be limited to 1,923 units worldwide to honor the year that BMW was founded. These special editions will also pay tribute to the boxer engine and the history of the paint-on-chrome process. We don’t yet know how many of these units will be available for American consumers, but we do know some are coming. 

Read the press release below for more information. 


2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years and R 18 100 Years Editions 

  • Special Heritage editions celebrate 100 Years of BMW Motorrad 
  • Each model to be limited to 1,923 units globally 
  • MSRP of $18,990 plus $895 Destination for the R 18 100 Years
  • MSRP of $19,995 plus $695 Destination for the R nineT 100 Years
  • Market Launch planned for Q1, 2023 
2023 BMW R 18 100 Years, BMW R 32, and 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years
The 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years, the BMW R 32, and the 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – BMW Motorrad USA proudly presents the 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Edition and the BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition to commemorate 100 years of BMW Motorrad. In keeping with the year in which BMW Motorrad was founded, each model will be limited to 1,923 units globally. 

Check out all of Rider’s BMW coverage here

In December 1922, BMW chief designer Max Friz put the first full-scale BMW motorcycle on the drawing board. At its heart was a 494cc, 8.5 hp, air-cooled 2-cylinder, 4-stroke boxer engine. The first BMW motorcycle, the R 32, was unveiled in September 1923 at the German Motor Show in Berlin. Production soon began in an area sectioned off, by a wooden fence, from the BMW aircraft engine works on the edge of the Munich’s Oberwiesenfeld airfield. Those humble beginnings of BMW motorcycle production launched an unprecedented success story that would span a century. 

BMW R 32 Production 1923
BMW Motorrad started producing the R 32, with a 494cc boxer engine, in 1923.

BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition 

The design of the R nineT is shaped by 100 years of motorcycle production and by BMW Motorrad’s unwavering passion for the boxer engine. The classic roadster design recipe begins with a compact tank and an upright seating position and extends to premium materials and stylish design elements.

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years
The 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years will be limited to 1,923 units worldwide and will have a price tag of $19,995.

The new R nineT 100 Years becomes an exclusive anniversary edition thanks to numerous special features. The heart is still the air/oil-cooled, 1,170cc, 109 hp 2-cylinder boxer engine. In the anniversary edition, the legendary engine is accompanied by chrome and Option 719 parts, including paint-on-chrome surfaces and exquisitely milled parts and wheels. 

Related: BMW Announces Updates to Select 2023 Models 

Paint finishes in combination with chrome surfaces also have an almost 100-year tradition in motorcycle production. Chrome surfaces, usually consisting of a copper, nickel, and final chrome layer, are known for their hardness and resulting high durability, very good protection against corrosion, but above all by their radiant, mirror-like shine.

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Dash
The Classic Chrome painting technique on the 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years honors the tradition of chrome in motorcycle production.

This made chrome a common stylistic device for designers from the late 1920s onwards. The BMW R 75/5 with its chrome-plated tank sides and side covers, for example, is legendary within BMW Motorrad enthusiast circles. With the new BMW R nineT 100 Years and R 18 100 Years and the Classic Chrome surface finish, BMW Motorrad is reviving this incomparably beautiful and sophisticated interplay of paint and chrome. 

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Rear
The rear seat cover on the BMW R nineT 100 Years is treated with the paint-on-chrome process and features white double-pinstriping.

Fifty years ago, the “paint-on-chrome” technology did not pose much of a problem for motorcycle manufacturers. At that time, the solvent-based paints combined well with chromium – significantly better than the solvent-free paints of today. Today, the 100 Year Edition models use only REACH compliant Chromium III.

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Badge
The 100 Years badge adorns the gas tank on the 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years edition.

The chrome plating process and the preparatory work are extremely complex: In preparation, the metal tank, for example, is first polished to a high gloss. The surface must be completely free of dust and scratches for further treatment. After this step, the part is immersed in various electroplating baths. Layers of copper, nickel, and ultimately chromium are applied. The finished chrome-plated part is then painted in several layers; a final coat of clear coat covers the entire tank. 

Related: BMW R nineT Pure | Road Test Review 

The metal tanks on both anniversary models feature this paint-on-chrome process, called Classic Chrome. On the R nineT, the tank finish combines black paint with chrome and white double-pinstriping, knee pads, and a 100 Years badge. Classic Chrome is also found on the seat’s rear cover. The front wheel fender is painted in black and features white double-pinstriping. A two-tone seat in black/oxblood red rounds off the design. 

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years in BMW Motorrad Berlin Production Plant
The 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years at the BMW Motorrad Berlin Production Plant

Numerous black components such as fork tubes, air intake snorkels, and some Option 719 components complement the look. The R nineT 100 Years includes Option 719 Classic wheels with black anodized rims, the Option 719 Billet Pack Shadow with milled cylinder head covers, front engine cover, seat holders, oil filler plug, and the Option 719 Billet Pack Shadow II, consisting of adjustable hand levers and foot pegs, passenger foot pegs as well as expansion tank covers and handlebar end mirrors. The 100 Years Edition also includes an adaptive turning headlight, heated grips, cruise control and Riding Modes Pro. An anti-theft alarm system can be fitted as a dealer installed accessory. 

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years
The 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition.

BMW R 18 100 Years Edition 

The unmistakable center piece of the R 18 100 Years is the 1,802cc, 91 hp boxer motor, the largest displacement engine ever installed in a BMW motorcycle. Both technically and visually, the BMW R 18 borrows from famous BMW models, such as the 1936 BMW R 5, and puts the focus back on the essentials of motorcycling: Purist and no-frills, with the boxer engine as the epicenter of the riding experience.

Related: BMW R 18 First Edition | Road Test Review

2023 BMW R 18 100 Years
The 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years will be limited to 1,923 units worldwide and will have a price tag of $18,990.

The big boxer is complemented by numerous special features and details. The paint finish of the R 18 100 Years, like that of the anniversary model of the R nineT, is in Classic Chrome and thus combines black paintwork and high-gloss chrome surfaces as well as white double-pinstriping and a 100 Years badge.

2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Badge
The 100 Years badge adorns the gas tank on the 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years edition.

The Classic Chrome finish is also found on the rear fender in combination with white double-pinstriping. The front fender and the side covers are painted in black, complemented by white double-pinstriping on the front fender. The Option 719 seat is upholstered in the two-tone combination black/oxblood red and features diamond embossing. 

Related Story: BMW Motorrad Poland Unveils Seven BMW R 18 Customs 

Black is a symbolic and traditional BMW Motorrad color and also adorns the engine, transmission housing, and rear axle drive. The exact designation of the color is Avus Black – a nod to the legendary 12.1-mile-long high-speed racetrack running through the Grunewald Forest, west of Berlin, where BMW Motorrad once celebrated great racing successes and where the AVUS monument with BMW Motorrad factory rider Ernst Henne still stands today. Berlin is also home to the BMW Motorrad production plant. The plant, located in Berlin-Spandau, is the lead plant for BMW Motorrad’s international motorcycle production. 

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years in BMW Motorrad Berlin Production Plant
The 2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years in the BMW Motorrad Berlin Production Plant

The R 18 100 Years Edition is complemented by numerous Chrome design parts. The durable galvanic surface coating can be found on: The handlebar fittings, gear shift and foot brake levers, handlebar clamps, handlebar weights, mirrors, brake master cylinders, brake calipers, engine cover, cylinder head covers, and intake manifold covers. 

2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Seat
The seat on the 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years is upholstered in two-tone black and oxblood red with diamond embossing.

Other features of the BMW R 18 100 Years also include a chromed Akrapovič rear muffler with perforated tailpipe trim in the shape of the BMW logo. Safety and comfort are ensured by ASC Automatic Stability Control, Headlight Pro, cruise control, and heated grips. 

Related Story: BMW R 18 Classic | Tour Test Review 

With the Heritage line R nineT and R 18 models, BMW Motorrad is paying tribute to its 100-year history and tradition, which is inextricably linked with the legendary boxer engine. Tradition and history can also be found at the BMW Motorrad production plant in Berlin – the birthplace of almost every BMW motorcycle for over 50 years.

2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Tank Classic Chrome

The iconic design and the unmistakable boxer engine illustrate that it’s about the roots of BMW Motorrad, about historically inspired shapes and details, about an authentic riding experience, and about reducing motorbikes to the essentials. In short: The Heritage line experience is all about a unique attitude to life, shaped by the legendary boxer engine. 

2023 BMW R 18 100 Years
The 2023 BMW R 18 100 Years Edition

BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition 

  • 1,170 cc air/oil-cooled 2-cylinder, 4-stroke boxer engine 
  • 109 hp @ 7,250 rpm and 85.5 lb-ft torque @ 6,000 rpm 
  • Constant mesh six-speed transmission with shaft drive 
  • ASC Automatic Stability Control 
  • BMW Motorrad ABS Pro 
  • DBC Dynamic Brake Control 
  • DTC Dynamic Traction Control 
  • MSR Dynamic Engine Brake Control 
  • Full LED lighting with Adaptive turning headlight 
  • Heated Grips 
  • Ride Modes Pro (adds DYNAMIC mode to existing ROAD and RAIN modes) 
  • USB port 

Special Edition Features 

  • Avus Black paint and Classic Chrome highlights 
  • 100 Years “1 of 1923” BMW Motorrad tank badge 
  • Classic Chrome/Avus Black 4.5-gal fuel tank with white double-pinstriping 
  • Avus Black front fender with white double-pinstriping 
  • Black inverted 45mm front fork, black frame, and air intake runners 
  • Black/oxblood red seat with solo seat back rest 
  • Classic Chrome/Avus Black rear seat cover with white double-pinstriping 
  • Option 719 Classic spoked wheels with black anodized rims 
  • Chrome plated exhaust manifold 
  • Option 719 Billet Pack Shadow 
  • Milled aluminum front engine cover, cylinder head covers, seat brackets, and oil filler plug 
  • Option 719 Billet Pack Shadow II 
  • Milled aluminum adjustable hand control levers and foot controls, foot pegs, expansion tank covers, and bar-end mirrors 

BMW R 18 100 Years Edition 

  • 1,802 cc air/oil-cooled, 2-cylinder, 4-stroke boxer engine 
  • 91 hp @ 4,750 rpm and 116 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm 
  • Constant-mesh 6-speed transmission with nickel-plated drive shaft 
  • ASC Automatic Stability Control 
  • MSR Dynamic Engine Brake Control 
  • DBC Dynamic Brake Control 
  • BMW Motorrad Integral ABS 
  • Full LED lighting 
  • Keyless Ride 
  • Heated Grips 
  • Cruise Control 
  • Reverse Assist 

Special Edition Features 

  • Avus Black paint and Classic Chrome highlights 
  • 100 Years “1 of 1923” BMW Motorrad tank badge 
  • Classic Chrome/Avus Black 4.2-gal fuel tank with white double-pinstriping 
  • Classic Chrome/Avus Black rear fender with white double-pinstriping 
  • Avus Black front fender with white double-pinstriping 
  • Black engine and front fork covers 
  • Option 719 black/oxblood red diamond-embossed solo seat 
  • Chrome Akrapovič rear muffler with perforated BMW logo tailpipe trim 
  • Design Option Chrome 
  • Chrome plated front engine cover, cylinder covers, exhaust manifold, handlebar fittings, gear shift and foot brake levers, handlebar clamps, handlebar weights, mirrors, brake master cylinders, brake calipers, and intake covers 

Optional Equipment 

BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition 

  • Anti-Theft Alarm – Dealer installed accessory 

BMW R 18 100 Years Edition 

  • Floorboards – Dealer installed accessory
  • Anti-Theft Alarm – Dealer installed accessory 
The post 2023 BMW R nineT and R 18 100 Years Heritage Editions first appeared on Rider Magazine.]]>
https://ridermagazine.com/2022/12/15/2023-bmw-r-ninet-and-r-18-100-years-heritage-editions/feed/ 2 1 a:0:{} 1 Rider Magazine Staff To celebrate 100 years of BMW Motorrad, BMW has announced two Heritage models for 2023: the R nineT 100 Years Edition and the R 18 100 Years Edition, both limited to 1,923 units worldwide and featuring Avus Black paint with the traditional Classic Chrome. {"id":"6bf13b30-a5fa-4521-898b-da589153de9b","recipients":37405,"external_id":"6419e57e-b14d-1217-4a38-637246344e4a"} 200 37405