The S1000RR - BMW Motorcycles in Good Stead For 2010

With major motorcycle markets such as the US suffering significant declines in sales in 2009, manufacturers will be looking to the post recession era with an eagerness to push boundaries while all parts of the industry, from accessories to bike insurance, will want to appeal to new potential customers. BMW will arguably be in a fantastic position to make the most of any positive trends in the industry, especially after acknowledging the manufacturer's comparably good performance (dropping only 22 percent, when the entire market fell by 41 percent) in the US over the last year.

The hotly anticipated S1000RR looks set to push boundaries and to really adopt the position of market front runner. Since its launch in 2008, 1,000 production models were made in the following year with the bike being taken to impressive success in the Superbike World Championship by Troy Corser in the Czech Republic and Ruben Xaus in Italy respectively.

2010, however, sees the first of the S1000RR to hit the dealerships - a development in the company that even the project leader, Stefan Zeit, hadn't anticipated when he suggested a BMW sport bike when he first took up the job and was subsequently assured that BMW would never produce one. The fact that the model looks to be the most powerful 1000cc bike on the market has got more than a few heads turned - and a few deposits already laid down too.

So what else does the S1000RR have to offer? Aside from being incredibly powerful, the model also boasts the best power-to-weight ratio available at 183 kg (400 lb) dry and 204 kg (450 lb) wet. There are also many electronic perks such as a ride-by-wire throttle and variable-length intake tracts - as well as optional extras including ABS and traction control. The model has also been noted for its digitally selected sport modes, rain, sport (up to 190 break horsepower), race and slick (for taking onto the track).

Adjustable suspension and ride height also makes each bike easily changeable for each individual rider - and its simplicity is commendable. The model has already entered into the market in high regard, and it seems unlikely that this bike will not remain at the top for some time.

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BMW Motorcycles - Sleek And Sexy

When most people hear the company name BMW, they usually associate it immediately with the high end automobiles that the company is well known for. Often they picture sleek sports cars and luxury sedans that epitomize an ideal blend between safety and high speed performance.

What most people don't know, however, is that BMW had it's beginnings in 1923 not with cars, but with motorcycle production. To this day, BMW constantly comes out with new models of motorcycles employing cutting edge technology. Their racing teams see constant action in the international racing circuits, and win quite a number of these races with regularity.

As a matter of fact, some BMW racing teams like to show off the specs of their machines by beating modified motorcycles from other groups, but they do so using only stock motorcycles that can be bought straight off the showroom floor by regular people. This impressive fact stands out and is something to bear in mind if you're considering buying a motorcycle.

BMW has enjoyed such a high level of popularity that almost every country in the world has exclusive BMW motorcycle clubs for racers, owners, and enthusiasts. These clubs promote the popularity of BMW motorcycles by holding races, rallies, showroom events, and regular meetings among it's members.

Aside from the high levels of speed and overall performance of it's cars and motorcycles, however, BMW machines are also well known for one other thing. Sheer durability. BMWs are some of the toughest vehicles around, and their motorcycles also bear this same stamp of durability. Despite looking like racing bikes, which in the mind of most people means that a bike is delicate and can only function at top specs on a race track, BMW bikes have actually seen action in quite a number of off-road and all-weather competitions.

The only drawback perhaps to the BMW is it's price tag, which tends to be higher than the average motorcycle. However, most BMW owners feel that the price is a worthwhile trade off for all the perks of the bike. As a matter of fact, it's price and quality have made owning a BMW a status symbol.

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2012 BMW K1600GTL Review

In the day prior to riding the K1600 super tourer in South Africa, I had several opportunities to ask BMW engineers questions about how it compares with Honda’s Gold Wing, a veritable icon of the luxury-touring class.

“No, this isn’t like a Gold Wing,” they’d say. In fact, the GL1800 BMW last had for comparative purposes was several years old, and they couldn’t recall the last time anyone had ridden it.

But how could BMW not benchmark the segment’s class leader?

Both the GTL and the GL have luxurious accommodations, six-cylinder engines twisting power through a driveshaft, considerable luggage space and excellent wind protection from encompassing fairings.

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