So far as ADV riding goes, you can’t get a lot better than the proven reliability and simple ruggedness of the BMW G650GS. But, momentum is still your enemy and dropping the 423lbs bike at speed is going to break stuff. It’d also be nice to be able to carry a few things without those things being stolen. Enter Touratech, which has thrown its entire catalog at this Sertao in an effort to make it round-the-world capable. :continue:
Continental now offers its very capable TKC 80 dual sport tires in sportsbike sizes: 120/17-17 and 180/55-17. To promote that, the German tire making commissioned bat shit crazy German custom builder Wunderlich to build this dual sport S1000RR. In addition to mounting the tires, ditching the fairings and bolting on an accessories catalog’s worth of anodization, the Germans display a typical inability to let a good joke be — various decals warn of inevitable death to any rider, including a “life insurance mandatory” sticker covering the tachometer.
After 19 years, the last decade as Vice President of Design for Motorrad, David Robb is leaving BMW. He is being replaced by Edgar Heinrich, another long time BMW designer. No reason has been given for Robb’s departure, but the Boston native certainly has earned his keep, and with personal hobbies that include high performance aerobatic flying, he is certainly not likely to end up wasting away at some golf course.
Pictured here is David Robb (left) working on the C650 GT with Ola Stenegard (right). :continue:
Expressing the connection between man and machine that fuels passion for motorcycles is something creative people constantly struggle with. It’s a feeling that’s at once overwhelming, but extremely nebulous. Italian videographer Giorgio Oppici’s approach? Pure machine porn. If you don’t want a vintage BMW after this you don’t have a heart. :continue:
The clearest image yet of BMW’s next generation boxer, the so-called 2013 BMW R1250GS have been posted up on Facebook, and it’s definitely different, even if those differences aren’t immediately noticeable. While we were hoping to see the liquid-cooled bike on showroom floors in 2012, we’re guessing BMW is taking extra precautions to ensure the company’s flagship model is absolutely perfect. So what are we seeing? Evolution, not revolution. But, after riding an R1200GS all over eastern Canadian logging roads and trails, I completely understand why BMW isn’t looking to throw away their golden egg just because of silly emissions regulations. Coolest detail, besides a liquid-cooled boxer twin? The reversed “C” headlamp. Total win.
The BMW F800R’s never been a terribly good motorcycle, but it has been in ugly one. Now, it can’t even claim that distinction. For 2012, the parallel-twin commuter is going all not-so-bad with body-colored radiator cowls and mudguards. Plus a red shock spring to highlight its “sporty character.” :continue:
These are probably the two most significant bikes being unveiled at EICMA, but also two of the least appealing here in the colonies. The BMW C 600 Sport and C 650 GT may look like slick, yet conventional maxi scoots, but that basic big scooter prinicipal has been utterly refined to a ridiculous degree by BMW’s lab-coated Germans. :continue:
This BMW F800GS rider is a super hero. Riding along a dirt road in what looks like Africa, he witnesses a calf fall into a drainage ditch. It looks like it might drown. Suddenly, the rider grabs a tow strap and dismounts. Is he really going to attempt a rescue?! Then, he jumps into the ditch. :continue:
The 2012 BMW S1000RR is the same as the old BMW S1000RR, just with a tweaked engine and chassis, improving performance slightly. Peak power and torque numbers remain unchanged, but the curves grow fatter. Much more importantly, the steering angle gets steeper and the wheelbase shrinks, that should help cure the current model’s so-so handling. Oh, and heated grips are now optional, finally making this a real BMW. :continue:
Like stills from a bad heist movie where the protagonist must flee through the streets of an ancient Eurasian city without putting his front wheel on the ground (maybe the coke is in there?), these photos of Chris Pfeiffer wheelying through Azerbaijan’s capital juxtapose modern motorcycling with ancient streets.
Photos: Denis Klero
