Today the name BMW stands for top-rank automobiles, but the history of the Bavarian Motor Works, as far as land vehicles are concerned, began first with motorcycles. Because of this, BMW celebrated a special anniversary in 1998 for 75 years of BMW motorcycles.
In 1923, when there was already a nearly incomprehensible variety of motorized two-wheel vehicles, BMW presented its first motorcycle in Paris, the R32. An unusual success story followed. This distinguished motorcycle with a 2-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine and articulated shaft drive proved to be brilliantly reliable and superior to the majority of its competitors.
Racing played a strong role in the development of BMW motorcycles from the very start, and the victories which BMW achieved on the race tracks of the world can scarcely be counted. Riders like Ernst Henne or Schorsch Meier slowly became legends.
Accustomed to success, BMW remained true to the horizontally opposed engine for exactly 60 years. Until 1983 there was a totally new generation of motorcycles added to the famous boxer-engine R Series. The new K Series models featured modern, performance-oriented technology and 3- and 4-cylinder in-line engines. Today, both R and K Series BMW bikes offer industry-leading motorcycle technology, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), electronic engine management and innovative front and rear suspension systems.
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