BMW announced it set a new company all-time sales record for a single month, delivering 14,587 motorcycles to customers in April 2013. That represents an 11.5% increase from the 13,088 motorcycles sold in April 2012.

The record month helped push BMW‘s overall sales over the first four months to 39,319 motorcycles and scooters, a 5.0% increase from the 13,088 units sold in the same period of 2012.

“Five per cent growth as compared to the first four months of the previous year is certainly satisfying as far as we are concerned,” says Heiner Faust, vice president of sales and marketing for BMW Motorrad. “It was April in particular that got us off to such a good start in 2013, having been the best month for sales in the entire history of BMW Motorrad.”

More impressively, the sales growth comes in spite of declining sales for the overall motorcycle industry, especially in Europe. Continue Reading »

BMW has announced a new Adventure version of the F800GS, providing a more off-road-oriented version of the middleweight dual-sport. BMW has offered an Adventure version of the R1200GS for a while now but this is the first time BMW has done the same for one of its smaller GS models.

Like the base F800GS, the Adventure version is powered by a liquid-cooled 798cc four-valve parallel-twin engine. BMW claims  a maximum output of 84.5 hp at 7500rpm with 61.2 ft-lb. of torque at 5750rpm, identical to the base model’s claimed figures.

The tubular steel frame is also identical but the rear subframe has been modified to support the 6.34-gallon under-seat fuel tank which is 2.11 gallons larger than the base F800GS’ tank. According to BMW, the larger fuel tank should increase the F800GS’ range by 75 miles.

Other changes include GS Adventure styling, a new bench seat, a larger windscreen, hand protectors, wider footrests, an adjustable, reinforced rear brake lever, engine bars and a pannier rack which also provides protection for the fuel tank. Continue Reading »

With the new 2013 BMW R1200GS now launching worldwide, it really should be no surprise BMW is working on more models using the GS’s new liquid-cooled boxer engine.

A contributor to French site MotoMag happened upon a crew of test riders on heavily camouflaged test mules of what appears to be the 2014 BMW R1200RT. The swirly camo pattern does little to hide the new “precision cooling” liquid-cooled engine, easily identified by the pipes exiting from the bottom of the cylinders.

The fairing appears to be new, with a different nose and front air intake ducts. The headlights have also been updated to resemble the K1600GT‘s headlight. It’s appears the 2014 R1200RT may inherit the K16′s Xenon adaptive headlight with dynamic leveling. Continue Reading »

Earlier this week, we wrote about reports in the Italian media of a delay on deliveries of the 2013 BMW R1200GS because of an issue with the suspension. Transport Canada has now issued a recall notice on BMW‘s new GS – the third to come from the Canadian government agency – that would explain the delay.

According to Transport Canada, the threaded plugs securing the fork tubes to the upper triple clamp may come loose over time on some units. This may cause a fork tube to detach, posing a serious crash hazard. According to MotorradOnline.de, the issue was discovered during BMW’s internal testing, after a GS was put through 60,000 km on the test bench.

The solution seems simple enough. BMW will crimp-lock the fork tubes’ threaded plugs, creating a more secure connection. Continue Reading »

BMW has reportedly delayed delivers of the revamped R1200GS in Italy to correct a problem with its Telelever front suspension.

According to Motociclismo.it, BMW discovered a problem where the Telelever meets the steering plate. BMW reportedly has a fix, but it requires some special tooling.

The delay affected some early deliveries to customers and also prevented many Italian dealers from offering demo rides this past weekend when the 2013 BMW R1200GS was to start appearing in showrooms. Continue Reading »

The 2013 BMW R1200GS hasn’t arrived in showrooms yet and it’s already been subjected to its second recall in Canada. Fortunately, this means the problems should be corrected before BMW‘s updated adventure-tourer gets delivered to customers.

Earlier this month, Transport Canada announced a recall for the new R1200GS for a potential transmission oil leak. The Canadian department of transportation has now announced a second recall for the GS’ Automatic Stability Control (i.e. traction control system.) This affects only those models with ASC installed as well as an optional plug-in that unlocks the “Enduro Pro” ride mode.

The “Enduro Pro” mode is specifically calibrated for off-road use and adjusts both ABS and traction control to allow for rear wheel slide. According to Transport Canada, the ASC system may not reactivate following off-road use while in the “Enduro Pro” ride mode. The ASC’s warning light would also not illuminate, which may lead the rider into thinking the traction control system is on and working when in fact it is disengaged. Continue Reading »

BMW Motorrad has announced U.S. pricing for the new 2013 R1200GS, with the German company’s updated flagship adventure tourer starting at $15,800. Recently reviewed by our EiC Kevin Duke, the 2013 BMW R1200GS is nearly completely re-designed, with the most notable new feature being a new 1170cc boxer engine with small radiators providing what BMW calls “Precision Cooling“.

Available at American dealerships in March, the 2013 BMW R1200GS will be available in several sometimes confusing packages. The base GS is priced at $15,800 and comes with disengageable ABS, aluminum engine guard, center stand, power accessory socket, white turn signal lenses, LED rear light, on-board computer, height-adjustable seat, longitudinally-adjustable passenger seat, adjustable windshield and removable pillion foot rests. Continue Reading »

Transport Canada has announced a recall for the 2013 BMW R1200GS due to a potential risk of leaking transmission oil. As yet, no recall has been announced for the U.S. market by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but we expect one shortly.

According to Transport Canada, transmission oil pressure on certain BMW R1200GS units may get too high, resulting in a leak in the output shaft sealing ring. An oil leak directly in front of the rear tire could result in a loss of traction and stability, potentially leading to a crash. Continue Reading »

BMW reported a record year for motorcycle sales, supplying 106,358 motorcycles and scooters in 2012. This represents a 2.0% increase from the 104,286 units sold in 2011. Helping BMW reach its new sales record was a strong December which saw sales of 6,069 units worldwide, a 43.4% increase from the 4,232 units sold in December 2011. The record year includes 12,057 motorcycles sold in the U.S., a 14.0% gain from 2011.

“Never before in the history of BMW Motorrad have we been able to sell as many vehicles,” says Stephen Schaller, president of BMW Motorrad. “We have achieved this magnificent retail success in the context of a very difficult motorcycle market, especially in Europe. I would like to thank all our customers most sincerely for having placed their trust in us. The new all-time sales high demonstrates that our motorcycles and maxi scooters have been received extremely well.” Continue Reading »

BMW Motorrad announced the winners of its “Ride of Your Life” contest, giving five people the chance to travel on a worldwide tour on the new R1200GS.

The five winners are Stephanie Rowe, a 25-year-old enduro racer who works in the motorcycle accessories industry in the U.K., Herbert Unger, a 50-year-old German metal worker, Alessio Cigolini, an Italian who loves riding through Tuscany, Salvador Echevarría, a 41-year-old businessman from Spain, and Stephane Gautronneau, a 39-year-old fashion photographer from France.

The five winners were selected for their sense of adventure, ability to work as part of a team and physical fitness by a panel of celebrities including actors Adrian Brody, Rick Yune and Charley Boorman and Paris-Dakar winner Jutta Kleinschmidt. Continue Reading »