Tag Archives: BMW Motorcycles

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition Review | Road Test

October 24, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

The BMW R nineT (“ninety”) was introduced in 2013 to celebrate BMW Motorrad’s 90th anniversary. That’s the same year the “water boxer” R 1200 GS debuted, marking a shift from air/oil cooling to air/liquid cooling. The same engine in various states of tune made its way to other R-series models, but as the first model in BMW’s new Heritage line, the R nineT retained the air/oil-cooled version of the boxer.

Designed as a modular platform that would not only allow multiple model variants but also customization by owners, the R nineT’s chassis consisted of BMW’s Paralever single-sided swingarm with shaft drive and a conventional inverted telescopic fork instead of the Telelever setup used on other R-series models. The R nineT was stylish in a classic sense, with gloss black paint that honored BMW’s long history of building black bikes, brushed aluminum tank sides and tail cowl, and spoked wheels.

The first BMW R nineT was followed by a succession of cool retro-inspired models: the stripped-down Pure, the cafe-styled Racer, the high-piped Scrambler, and the ’80s throwback Urban G/S. Each one was a sweet piece of German eye candy, fun to ogle and fun to ride, though the stretched-out riding position of the Racer brought to mind a medieval torture rack (Ja, you vill tell us vhat ve vant to know!).

Rider received an R nineT Pure test bike in 2017, and its simplicity appealed to me. I threw a bag on the tank and another on the passenger seat, bungee-corded a tent on top, and hit the road for a couple of days. As I wrote in my review, “From the first time I started it until the last mile I rode it, the R nineT Pure reminded me of why I fell in love with motorcycling. It’s not about what brand you ride or a bike’s horsepower or specs. It’s about the freedom to get away, to be out in the world.”

In 2019, BMW unveiled the R nineT /5, with its tank and front fender finished in Lupine Blue with white double pinstripes, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the “slash five” series. Two years later, to celebrate 40 years of the GS line, BMW revealed a stunning yellow-and-black version of the Urban G/S that was inspired by the R 100 GS.

GEAR UP

It’s fitting, then, that for its centennial this year, BMW Motorrad created a 100 Years Edition of the R nineT, along with a similar commemorative edition of the R 18 cruiser. Production of both models is limited to 1,923 units worldwide to honor the year BMW started manufacturing motorcycles.

As with other R nineT models, the 100 Years Edition is powered by the classic air/oil-cooled 1,170cc opposed flat-Twin with a longitudinal crankshaft, a 6-speed transmission with a hydraulically actuated single-plate dry clutch, and shaft final drive. Claimed output for the engine is 109 hp and 85.5 lb-ft of torque – enough to push the 487-lb motorcycle down the road with gusto.

To appropriately honor such a signficant milestone, the R nineT 100 Years Edition is dripping with factory-custom details. Since BMW Motorrad’s earliest days, code number 719 has represented special customer requests that were fulfilled at the factory using top craftsmanship. Today, Option 719 parts are upgrades over stock items and are made of high-end materials or created using small-batch processes. The 100 Years Edition features the Option 719 Shadow and Shadow II Billet packs, a set of black anodized parts with milled surfaces, including the cylinder head covers, front engine cover, oil filler plug, seat holders, hand levers, rider and passenger footpegs, bar-end mirrors, and hydraulic reservoir covers.

There was no doubt that a motorcycle commemorating BMW Motorrad’s 100th anniversary would be painted black with white double pinstripes, and the front fender, tank, and rear seat cover are finished in a special Avus Black. BMW motorcycles are not known for lots of chrome, but one of the company’s most iconic models – the R 75/5 with the “Toaster” tank – had chrome-plated tank panels and side covers.

The R nineT’s tank and rear seat cover feature Classic Chrome, a “paint on chrome” process that uses Chromium III, which is REACH compliant (an EU health standard). The parts are polished to a high gloss, immersed in a series of electoplating baths (copper, nickel, and chromium), painted in multiple layers, and finished in a clear coat. The result is a stunning mirror finish that fades into the black paint that surrounds it. The exhaust manifolds are also chrome plated, while the twin silencers have a brushed aluminum finish.

Continuing the black aesthetic are Option 719 Classic spoked tubeless wheels with black anodized rims that pair well with the black on the tank knee pads, tubular steel frame, swingarm, fork tubes, and air intake snorkels. There’s a splash of color, albeit a dark one, on the two-tone black/oxblood red seat.

All those details add up to a head-turner of a motorcycle whose beauty is more than the sum of its parts. Frankly, the R nineT 100 Years Edition made me a little nervous. I was afraid of scratching it or, heaven forbid, tipping it over. But this motorcycle isn’t a showpiece – it’s meant to be ridden, and I’m happy to report that I got my jollies scraping down the peg feelers and narrowing the chicken strips without incident.

Those familiar – or in some cases obsessed – with the R-series air/oil-cooled boxer Twin already know its sound and feel are unmistakable: the raspy burble upon start-up, the deep bass chug-a-lug at idle, the crankshaft twist when revving it at a stop, the steady lope at cruising speeds, and the authoritative bark under acceleration. The one-two, one-two cadence of the boxer, with both pistons pushing outward and pulling inward simultaneously, each 360 degrees from the other on the suck-squeeze-bang-blow cycle, is like a heartbeat: lup-dup, lup-dup, lup-dup. No wonder rolling on the throttle feels so invigorating!

As a roadster, the R nineT has an agreeable seating position, with a modest reach to a wide, upright handlebar, a reasonable amount of bend in the knee, and a flat saddle. The thinly padded seat will encourage most riders to take a break well before the 4.5-gallon tank’s low-fuel light comes on. In standard trim, the 100 Years lacks a passenger seat, though it does have passenger footpegs, and a pillion seat is available as an accessory.

With a wet weight well below 500 lb and roughly 100 hp reaching the rear wheel, the R nineT scoots along briskly when asked to do so. Its compact dimensions, taut suspension, and strong brakes are perfect for a sporting pace, allowing it to bend into corners eagerly and rewarding the rider with a satisfying rush upon exit.

Despite its classic styling, the R nineT 100 Years Edition is thoroughly modern. It doesn’t have BMW’s latest air/liquid-cooled 1,254cc boxer with ShiftCam variable-valve technology because the radiator and attendant plumbing would detract from the styling, but it’s equipped with Ride Modes Pro (Dynamic, Road, and Rain), ABS Pro, Automatic Stability Control, Dynamic Brake Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Dynamic Engine Brake Control, and LED lighting with an Adaptive turning headlight. As with most contemporary motorcycles, these electronic aids operate behind the scenes and don’t interfere with the riding experience.

Instrumentation is appropriately subdued, with a pair of round analog gauges – speedometer on the left, tachometer on the right – with white type on a black background. Inset at the bottom of each gauge is a digital display for various settings and information. The bike is also equipped with cruise control, heated grips, and a USB charging port.

Atop the R nineT 100 Years Edition’s tank is a chrome badge engraved with “1 of 1,923” and the “100 Years BMW Motorrad / Make Life a Ride” logo. The badge marks this as a special bike, not just because it’s built in limited numbers and adorned with custom parts and finishes but also because of what it stands for. It represents a century of hard work and innovation, highs and lows, successes and failures. It connects the past to the present, and it is a symbol of BMW’s values, capabilities, and ambitions. And for that, it’s worthy of respect and admiration.

2023 BMW R nineT 100 Years Edition Specs

Base Price: $19,995
Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles
Website: BMWMotorcycles.com

ENGINE

Type: Air/oil‑cooled, longitudinal opposed flat‑Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,170cc
Bore x Stroke: 101.0 x 73.0mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Valve Insp. Interval: 6,000 miles
Fuel Delivery: Fully sequential EFI, 50mm throttle bodies x 2
Lubrication System: Wet sump, 4.2 qt. cap.
Transmission: 6‑speed, hydraulically actuated dry clutch
Final Drive: Shaft

CHASSIS

Frame: Tubular‑steel bridge frame w/ engine as stressed member, Paralever single‑sided cast-aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 58.5 in.
Rake/Trail: 26.8 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 31.7 in.
Suspension, Front: 43mm inverted fork, fully adj., 4.7 in. travel
Rear: Single shock, adj. for spring preload (remote) & rebound damping, 4.7 in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm floating discs w/ radial‑mount opposed 4‑piston calipers & ABS
Rear: Single 265mm disc w/ floating 2‑piston caliper & ABS
Wheels, Front: Spoked, 3.50 x 17 in.
Rear: Spoked, 5.50 x 17 in.
Tires, Front: Tubeless, 120/70‑ZR17
Rear: Tubeless, 180/55‑ZR17
Wet Weight: 487 lb
Load Capacity: 461 lb
GVWR: 948 lb

PERFORMANCE

Horsepower: 109 @ 7,250 rpm (factory claim, at the crank)
Torque: 85.5 lb‑ft @ 6,000 rpm (factory claim, at the crank)
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal.
Fuel Consumption: 38 mpg
Estimated Range: 171 miles

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Inaugural BMW Motorrad Days Americas at Barber Vintage Festival a Success

October 24, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas — The BMW Motorrad Days Americas area dominated the Henderson Auctions Fan Zone at this year’s Barber Vintage Festival. It featured motorcycle displays, a beer garden, a stage with live music, food trucks, vendors, and more. Be-yond the Fan Zone is the racetrack, which hosted AHRMA racing and BMW parade laps.

America should designate a national park dedicated to motorcycles, and I nominate the Barber Vintage Motorsports Park. Set on 880 acres in the lush, rolling hills east of Birmingham, Alabama, it’s a motorcycle dreamland. A 16‑turn, 2.4‑mile racetrack designed with input from John Surtees and Dan Gurney winds through the campus. There are no grandstands, just well‑manicured grassy hillsides where spectators can spread out chairs, blankets, and umbrellas.

The crown jewel, of course, is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest collection of motorcycles: more than 1,800 of them representing 200 manufacturers from 22 countries.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum — With more than 1,000 motorcycles on display, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is overwhelming.

More than 1,000 motorcycles are on display at any given time, and they are spread out over five floors in a spacious, well‑lit cathedral of speed and engineering. The top floor of the museum houses the Barber Advanced Design Center, an industrial design lab.

Barber has hosted rounds of AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike racing since 2003. I attended the Superbike races in 2004, where I watched the dominant Mat Mladin battle it out against Jake Zemke and Miguel Duhamel. It also hosts American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) racing.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Fred Jakobs — During a museum tour, BMW archivist Fred Jakobs took a deep dive into historical models like this 1938 R 51.

Barber hosts two annual motorcycling events: Barber Small Bore, which celebrates the wild and wacky world of minibikes, and Barber Vintage Festival, which brings together vintage bike fans for a three‑day festival packed with AHRMA races, demo rides, bike shows, seminars, museum tours, vendor areas, and a huge swap meet.

This past October, the 18th annual Barber Vintage Festival hosted the inaugural BMW Motorrad Days Americas – a spin‑off of the event that takes place every summer in Germany – to celebrate the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

BMW invited members of the motorcycle media and friends of the brand to be part of the event, which gave me the opportunity for a long-overdue visit to the festival and museum. I’ve been told that you can’t do justice to the museum in less than a full day, and truer words have never been spoken. The scale, depth, and breadth of the collection is mind‑boggling.

On Friday, our chummy group of motojournalists saddled up on a fleet of BMW R 18 Roctanes to ride from our hotel to Barber. We were joined by Peter Nettesheim and his daughter, Kate. Nettesheim’s New York home showcases the world’s largest collection of BMW motorcycles. He owns at least one of every BMW model built between 1923 and 1970, including the oldest known example of the first motorcycle BMW built, the 1923 R 32, as well as various newer models and an extensive collection of BMW paraphernalia.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas 1923 BMW R 32 — The 1923 R 32 was BMW’s first production motorcycle.

Upon arriving at Barber, I hopped on one of the shuttles that carries visitors along the park’s ring road surrounding the racetrack and ferries them to the museum, the Fan Zone, the swap meet, the Proving Grounds, the paddock, and the spectating areas. Motorcycles were parked on nearly every available patch of grass, and the age range and diversity of bikes were impressive. The blue smoke and ring‑a‑ding sounds of 2‑strokes filled the air, and old‑school minibikes piloted by hipsters and overgrown boys zipped around everywhere. Harleys, Hondas, and Hodakas of various vintages and conditions sat proudly on makeshift kickstand pads, some with “For Sale” signs tucked into the handlebars. Name any motorcycle brand, and it was represented somewhere by someone.

My first stop was the sprawling Proving Grounds, which was the staging area for demo rides offered by BMW, CFMOTO, Indian, KTM, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Yamaha, and electric bike maker Ryvid. BMW had an enormous fleet of bikes on hand and was offering both on‑road and off‑road demos. Next to BMW’s demo area, our very own Quinn Redeker gave hourly police‑style riding demonstrations on a BMW R 1250 RT‑P, and his humor and skills weaving through tight cone patterns kept folks thoroughly entertained.

Near the Proving Grounds was the Isle of Triumph, an immersive fan experience located inside the racetrack with live music, a bike show, art installations, and vendors selling food, drinks, and merch.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Quinn Redeker — BMW Authority Sales Ambassador and Rider columnist Quinn Redeker gave a demonstration of police‑style riding.

Next, I made my way over to the Henderson Auctions Fan Zone, which overlooks the racetrack and had a bouncy‑house kids zone, American Motor Drome Company’s Wall of Death, the Urias Family Globe of Death, and a vendor area, where I visited our friends at Royal Enfield, SW‑Motech, and Wunderlich America.

Taking up most of the real estate in the Fan Zone was the BMW Motorrad Days Americas area, which included displays of current and historical models, a beer garden, a stage with live music, a merchandise store, and partner displays, including Edelweiss Bike Travel, RawHyde Adventures, and the BMW Performance Center.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Shawn Thomas BMW R 1300 GS — GS Ambassador Shawn Thomas during the world‑first public unveiling of the 2024 R 1300 GS.

On the stage at noon, GS Brand Ambassador Shawn “Rock On” Thomas and BMW Motorrad VP Region Americas Trudy Hardy gave a few introductory remarks before pulling a cover off the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS – the bike’s first public showing since being announced on Sept. 28 (see page 7 for details). After Stefan Reiff, BMW Motorrad’s VP of Customer, Brand and Sales, gave an overview of the new GS, Thomas rolled it off the stage, and I captured a short video of him starting up the bike, which is available on the Rider YouTube channel. The R 1300 GS was on display the rest of the weekend, giving folks a chance to check out the bike up close.

At dinner on Friday night, I had the privilege of sitting with Udo Giestl, who worked as an engineer for Butler & Smith, the former U.S. importer for BMW motorcycles. He built the R 90 S racebikes that Reg Pridmore, Gary Fisher, and Steve McLaughlin campaigned in the inaugural 1976 season of AMA Superbike racing. McLaughlin and Pridmore finished 1‑2 in the Daytona 200 that year, and Pridmore won the championship.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Udo Giestl Fred Jakobs Steve McLaughlin — From left, Udo Giestl, Fred Jakobs, and Steve McLaughlin with Pridmore’s R 90 S.

On Saturday, Giestl’s son, Eric, led the BMW parade laps on a restored version of Pridmore’s R 90 S racebike, and he was flanked by Peter and Kate Nettesheim on two vintage BMWs from Peter’s collection.

That same day, Revival Cycles hosted a BMW‑only ride‑in bike show, which included well‑maintained bikes of new and old vintages as well as various customs, like an R 75/5 chopper with a raked‑out springer front end. I joined several other journalists for an in‑depth tour of the BMWs in the Barber Museum given by BMW archivist Fred Jakobs, who had traveled from Germany to attend the event.

18th annual Barber Vintage Festival BMW Motorrad Days Americas Eric Giestl Reg Pridmore — The BMW parade laps were led by Eric Giestl on Reg Pridmore’s 1976 AMA Superbike championship‑winning R 90 S, Peter Nettesheim on a 1966 R 60/2, and Kate Nettesheim on a 1958 R 50.

It was a full, fun weekend with more to do than there was time to do it. No word yet whether BMW Motorrad Days Americas will become an annual event, but no matter what, put the Barber Vintage Festival on your calendar (Oct. 11‑13, 2024), and make sure you allow plenty of time to explore the museum.

For more information, visit the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum website.

The post Inaugural BMW Motorrad Days Americas at Barber Vintage Festival a Success appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

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2023 BMW R 1250 RT Review | Road Test

October 23, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

I love riding and testing motorcycles. However, to do the latter, I have to make a 900-mile roundtrip from my home in southern Utah across the Mojave Desert to L.A. to swap test bikes. The most direct route is on Interstate 15, which is dull for long stretches, and weather can be a challenge. In January, there’s usually snow on the ground where I live; in July, temperatures soar well above 100 degrees in the desert. Another consideration is the type of bike. Doing the trip on a naked sportbike makes for a long, achy day. But I recently returned from Southern California on a 2023 BMW R 1250 RT, and the ride home gave me a good taste of the sport-tourer’s capabilities. It’s a bike I would gladly – and comfortably – ride 500 miles a day in any season.

Where Sport Meets Touring

Sport-touring bikes must serve two masters – they must deliver sport performance but they must also be comfortable enough to ride for long periods of time. The RT does both in spades.

The bike is powered by a liquid‑cooled 1,254cc boxer Twin with throttle‑by‑wire, a 6‑speed gearbox, and a slip/assist clutch. The engine makes a claimed 136 hp at 7,750 rpm and 105 lb‑ft of torque at 6,250. Adding ShiftCam, which varies valve timing and intake valve lift, to the mix meant that the R 1250 RT gave me the power I needed whenever I needed it.

With the frequent pace changes while navigating L.A. freeways, I could easily adapt to the flow of traffic without constant gear changes. There were several occasions when I accelerated quickly, got up to a comfortable speed, and was zipping along before realizing I was still in 4th or 5th gear without any complaint from the engine. Whenever I needed to overtake on a two‑lane, a quick twist of the throttle in 4th brought immediate response, turning 60 mph into 80‑plus before I knew it and leaving the other vehicle fading in my mirrors with plenty of passing time to spare.

And all this was in Road mode. The R 1250 RT, which has a base price of $19,695, comes standard with three ride modes – Road, Rain, and Eco – as well as Hill Start Control, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), and full integral ABS Pro. Our test bike was equipped with the optional Premium, Comfort, and Dynamic packages, for an as‑tested price of $26,570. Among the equipment included in these packages is Ride Modes Pro, which adds Dynamic mode along with engine drag torque control (reduces slip at the rear wheel), Hill Start Control Pro (automatically engages the hill‑holding function), and Dynamic Brake Control (activates in the event of emergency braking).

In Dynamic mode, DTC kicks in later than the other ride modes, and throttle response is more direct. Road mode was sufficient for most riding, but Dynamic mode added to the enjoyment of riding through twisty sections of road like I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge and, closer to home, Utah State Route 14 through Cedar Canyon.

GEAR UP

Helmet: SMK Titan Carbon
Jacket: BMW Motorrad 100 Years Roadcrafted Denim
Gloves: Joe Rocket Super Moto
Pants: Joe Rocket Anthem Jeans
Boots: Joe Rocket Sonic X

When it came time to reign in that power, twin 4-piston calipers and 310mm discs up front and a 2-piston caliper and 277mm disc in the back provided immediate response. The Telelever architecture of the front suspension, combined with the linked cornering ABS, means that when you need to shed speed fast, the bike remains composed and doesn’t suffer from excessive front end dive. Rather, it feels like the whole bike lowers, which is especially handy when cornering.

Our bike was equipped with Gear Shift Assist Pro, but from 1st to 3rd gear, I found the quickshifter a bit clunky. I experimented with a variety of rpms but could never quite find the sweet spot. However, it was seamless from 4th to 6th.

The R 1250 RT has a 10.25-inch color TFT panel offering anything you’d need – and then some – including connectivity and integrated navigation. When I was going through the owner’s manual before picking up the bike, I thought I’d have difficulty figuring out all the functions and settings, between the menu rocker button, Multi-Controller wheel (which goes up and down and side to side), and various menu hierarchies. However, once I was on the bike, it was surprisingly intuitive. I usually kept it on Pure Ride view, which fills most of the screen with the tach but also shows the gear indicator and speed in a nice big font (for us old guys), and in the top right corner, you can use the rocker button to switch through info functions such as tripmeter, range, odometer, and fuel gauge. A push of the Multi-Controller wheel allows for a customizable split‑screen view.

All lighting is LED, the turnsignals are self‑canceling, and the standard headlight adjusts for optimal lighting on straight stretches based on ride height sensors. Our bike was outfitted with the Adaptive Headlight feature, which also optimizes lighting in corners.

The BMW R 1250 RT Party of Two

For all that sport performance, the R 1250 RT is also a touring bike, and since my favorite person to tour with is my wife, I took her out for a spin to get her impressions.

When she climbed aboard, the optional Dynamic Electronic Chassis and Suspension Adjustment automatically adjusted the rear shock’s preload. It will also account for the added weight of gear in the saddlebags. The semi-active suspension has two modes – Road and Dynamic – for general-purpose or sporty riding, and in both modes, the system adjusts damping in real time to keep the chassis stable under acceleration, braking, and other conditions.

With a curb weight of 615 lb, the RT is not a light bike, and the whole package gets heavier when you add a rider, passenger, and gear, so Hill Start Control Pro came in handy when stopped on inclines. I’m pretty used to my heavy cruiser, so I didn’t have any problems pushing the BMW around, but a reverse feature would be useful.

Whether slaloming through the Virgin River Gorge or overtaking cars on the freeway, the RT runs so smooth – a quality my wife appreciated – that you can quickly find yourself going…well, too quickly. Cruise control is a good way to self-impose a speed limit. In addition to the standard Dynamic Cruise Control, which holds a set speed on descents, our bike had the optional Adaptive Cruise Control that uses a radar sensor to detect vehicles in front and adjust speed accordingly. It can be set to three distance ranges – short, medium, or long – that determine the distance behind other vehicles before the bike decelerates. The system has two settings – Comfortable or Dynamic – that affect deceleration and subsequent acceleration when the path is clear again.

The electric windscreen is another feature my wife and I appreciated. She said it provided a good bit of protection for her. I’m just shy of 6-feet, and if I sat very upright, the wind caught the top of my helmet. In a more relaxed riding position, it was quiet enough that I could clearly hear the music from the bike’s dual speakers while wearing my full-face helmet, even at 85 mph, although I needed to have the volume turned up all the way. However, with the windscreen down, I might as well not have been playing music at all. Connecting a headset would be the ideal solution.

The seat is something else that got high marks from both of us. She appreciated the width and cushiness, and I appreciated the ride duration it provided. When returning the bike, I rode for almost three hours before stopping – an easy feat for the bike’s 6.6-gallon fuel tank – and I felt just fine. The only thing my wife didn’t like was the lack of something behind her. Most of her riding has been on my cruiser with a backrest. BMW has an accessory top case that would provide some reassuring support.

You’ve Come a Long Way

In 1978, BMW Motorrad introduced its first Reise‑Tourer, or “travel tourer,” the R 100 RT. It was powered by the 980cc /7 “Airhead” boxer Twin, had a full fairing adapted from the R 100 RS, and had Krauser-made saddlebags that looked like black suitcases.

In the 45 years since, the RT has come a long way. Engine displacement has grown by 274cc, power has increased from 70 hp to 136, liquid cooling has been adopted, and innovations such as the Telelever, Paralever, and ShiftCam have been added along with a full suite of electronic rider aids.

The RT has always been a solid, comfortable, reliable touring machine, but over the years it has evolved into a sophisticated, exciting sport-tourer. Solo or two‑up, with a light or heavy load, the R 1250 RT is a highly capable and thoroughly enjoyable motorcycle. When the time came, it wasn’t easy to part with.

2023 BMW R 1250 RT Specs

Base Price: $19,695
Price as Tested: $26,570 (Premium, Comfort, and Dynamic packages)
Website: BMWMotorcycles.com
Warranty: 3 yr., 36,000 miles
Engine Type: Air/liquid-cooled, longitudinal opposed flat-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. & ShiftCam variable valve timing
Displacement: 1,254cc
Bore x Stroke: 101.6 x 76.2mm
Horsepower: 136 hp @ 7,750 rpm (factory claim, at the crank)
Torque: 105 lb-ft @ 6,250 rpm (factory claim, at the crank)
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated slip/assist wet clutch
Final Drive: Shaft
Wheelbase: 58.5 in.
Rake/Trail: 25.9 degrees/4.6 in.
Seat Height: 31.7 in.
Wet Weight: 615 lb
Fuel Capacity: 6.6 gal.
Fuel Consumption: 44.8 mpg
Estimated Range: 296 miles

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

The post 2023 BMW R 1250 RT Review | Road Test appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

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BMW Motorrad Unveils 2024 BMW R 1300 GS at Barber Vintage Festival | Videos

October 6, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

2024 BMW R 1300 GS unveiling Barber Vintage Festival

Rider EIC Greg Drevenstedt is at the Barber Vintage Festival at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, and BMW Motorrad has just unveiled the new BMW R 1300 GS, a thorough overhaul of BMW’s top-selling model with a larger, more powerful 1300cc engine, a new chassis, 26 lb less weight, fresh styling, and new technology. Check out the two videos below for the unveiling and to hear the R 1300 GS fire up and rev.

Related

Find out more about the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS at the BMW Motorrad website.

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2024 BMW R 1300 GS Review | First Look

September 28, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

BMW Motorrad has announced a thorough overhaul for its top-selling model for 2024, now called the BMW R 1300 GS thanks to an increase in displacement from 1,254cc to 1,300cc. The GS’s signature opposed “boxer” Twin now makes a claimed 145 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque, up from 136 hp and 105 lb-ft on the R 1250 GS. With a claimed curb weight of 523 lb, the new R 1300 GS is 26 lb lighter than its predecessor.

The increased displacement results from a larger bore (106.5mm, up from 102.5) and a shorter stroke (73mm, down from 76). Not only did peak torque increase, BMW says there is a significant increase in torque throughout the rev range, with 96 lb-ft or more available between 3,600 and 7,800 rpm. The engine is also said to run more smoothly, and repositioning it within the frame reduces vibration. Returning is the BMW ShiftCam system that varies the valve timing and valve stroke on the intake side, but the camshaft drive arrangement has been revised. A new 2-into-1 stainless steel exhaust is lighter and optimized to work with ShiftCam. Of the 26 lb shaved off the GS, 8.6 lb came from the engine and another 5.7 lb from the rest of the powertrain.

As part of the redesign, the 6-speed gearbox was moved under the engine, which reduces the overall length of the powertrain and better centralizes mass. The transmission now uses a sensor signal transmitter and a torsion magnet for the optional Shift Assistant Pro quickshifter, which BMW says provides a more direct feel. The driveshaft now has larger universal joints that reduce rotational mass, and the rear axle now has a longer axle stub for easier mounting and dismounting of the rear wheel.

Four ride modes are standard: Road, Rain, Eco, and Enduro. The optional Riding Modes Pro adds Dynamic, Dynamic Pro, and Enduro Pro, and the “Pro” modes are customizable. The R 1300 GS can be further customized to show only preferred ride modes. Also standard is Engine Drag Torque Control (MSR), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Assist (DBC), and Hill Start Control (HSC).

The entire chassis of the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS has been revised. Replacing the former tubular-steel bridge main frame is a new steel sheet metal main frame, which BMW says allows for more compact packaging as well as increased stiffness. And replacing the former tubular-steel subframe is a die-cast aluminum unit that is said to be lighter, stiffer, narrower, and more tightly bonded to the main frame for added stability.

Suspension consists of the front Evo Telelever and rear Evo Paralever. The new Evo Telelever incorporates a novel flex element whereby the upper fork bridge is “pivotally and rotatably connected via a radial swivel bearing to a sturdy steering shaft tube, which in turn is guided in the main frame via a cylindrical roller bearing at the top and a deep groove ball bearing at the bottom.” BMW says the new design offers significantly greater rigidity as well as improved stability. The new Evo Paralever has a stiffer connection to the shock, a longer single-sided swingarm for increased traction, a quick-release axle, and a swingarm bearing that is now off-axis to that of the rotation of the cardan shaft joint.

The optional Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) has been updated as well. The system not only adjusts front and rear damping in real time based on settings and conditions, but it also now adjusts spring rate, automatically adjusts for different loads, and integrates with different ride modes.

Similar to the Adaptive Ride Height available on the Harley-Davidson Pan America and the recently announced Active Preload Reduction available on Triumph Tiger 1200 models, a new option on the R 1300 GS is adaptive vehicle height control, which reduces seat height from 33.5 inches to 32.3 inches during slow travel and when stopped. Also available is optional sports suspension, which adds 0.8 inch of suspension travel front and rear and a firm setup designed for off-road riding.

Standard equipment on the R 1300 GS includes Full Integral ABS Pro, which has Pro settings that turn ABS off at the rear wheel. Optional Dynamic Brake Control prevents unintentional throttle application during braking and reduces drive torque to get the most out of the rear brake for optimal stability and shorter stopping distances.

Replacing the GS’s signature asymmetrical headlight is a new centralized LED headlight surrounded by an X-shaped matrix of four LED running lights, and the optional Headlight Pro adds cornering function. LED front turnsignals are now integrated into the handguards.

The R 1300 GS also comes standard with a 6.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, the Multi-Controller wheel on the left handlebar, tire-pressure monitoring, heated grips, USB and 12V outlets, Keyless Ride, and Dynamic Cruise Control. The new optional Riding Assistant adds radar sensors to enable Active Cruise Control (ACC), Front Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Change Warning (SWW).

Three wheel options are available, all in 19×3.0-inch front and 17×4.5-inch rear sizes. Standard and Triple Black models come with cast-aluminum wheels. Trophy and Option 719 Tramuntana model variants are fitted with newly developed cross-spoke wheels featuring aluminum rings for dedicated off-road use. A third option is new Enduro forged wheels, which are intended for off-road use and are 3.9 lb lighter than the more robust cross-spoke wheels.

In terms of styling, the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS has a more aerodynamic look, with a sharper beak, a flatter tank, and a slimmer tailsection.

In addition to the standard model, several variants will be available. The R 1300 GS Triple Black variant returns with blacked-out bodywork and components, comfort seats, comfort passenger footpegs, and a centerstand. It also features an electric windscreen, wind deflectors, and special cockpit trim.

The R 1300 GS Trophy has a Racing Blue Metallic colorway with red and white detailing and a White Metallic Matte subframe. A high rider’s seat and Sport passenger seat offer the look and ergonomics of a rally seat (34.2-inch seat height), and the seat cover continues onto the fuel tank. The Trophy also comes with radiator guards and cross-spoke wheels with black rims or optional gold rims.

The new R 1300 GS Option 719 Tramuntana features cross-spoke wheels with gold rims, a gold anodized handlebar, and gold trim on the bodywork. The chassis and components are black, the fuel tank center cover is Luxor Black/Grey, and the cylinder head covers are Avus Black Metallic Matte. The side trim sections, the top of the front fender, the aluminum tank, and intake silencer are finished in Aurelius Green Metallic. Special optional equipment includes a top case carrier in Avus Black Metallic, a gray-colored handguard extension, cross-spoke wheels with black rims, and titanium-colored anodized sport brakes.

Pricing for the 2024 BMW R 1300 GS starts at $18,895. Find out more at the BMW Motorrad website.

2024 BMW R 1300 GS Specifications

Base Price: $18,895
Website: BMWMotorcycles.com
Warranty: 3 yrs., 36,000 miles
Engine Type: Air/liquid-cooled, longitudinal opposed-Twin, DOHC w/ VVT, 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,300cc
Bore x Stroke: 106.5 x 73.0mm
Horsepower: 145 @ 7,750 rpm (factory claim)
Torque: 110 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (factory claim)
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated slip/assist wet clutch
Final Drive: Shaft
Wheelbase: 59.8 in.
Rake/Trail: 26.2 degrees/4.4 in.
Seat Height: 33.5 in.
Wet Weight: 523 lb
Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gal.

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2023 Motorcycle of the Year Countdown

September 8, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

2023 Rider Magazine Motorcycle of the Year

Starting Friday, Sept. 8, and resuming Monday, Sept. 11, we’ll be announcing two MOTY finalists per day, with the big reveal of Rider‘s 2023 Motorcycle of the Year winner on Friday, Sept. 15. So bookmark this page and keep checking back. –Ed.

If Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year, now in its 34th year, were a person, it would have graduated from college or completed military service, launched a career, got married, bought a house, and started a family. It would have a couple motorcycles in the garage, perhaps a cruiser or sport-tourer for the open road and a dual-sport or adventure bike for exploring the backcountry.

In other words, it would be like the rest of us: a dedicated motorcycle enthusiast.

Rider has been bringing you “Motorcycling at Its Best” for almost 50 years. We’ve tested nearly every street-legal motorcycle on the market, with an emphasis on real-world bikes that are within reach for most of us. For every $100,000 Arch 1s we review, we test dozens if not hundreds of motorcycles you’ll find in dealerships and garages across America, from sea to shining sea.

Related: 2022 Motorcycle of the Year

2022 Motorcycle of the Year Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ — Rider’s 2022 Motorcycle of the Year: The 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ (Photo by Kevin Wing)

Unlike car dealers, most motorcycle dealers don’t offer test rides. Demo rides are great, but they are few and far between and often involve parade-pace conga lines that don’t allow riders to experience a motorcycle’s true capabilities. We know you count on us to provide honest, in-depth reviews to help you make informed purchase decisions – or to just keep you up to date on the latest and greatest bikes on the market.

Every year, we ride as many new or significantly updated motorcycles as we can and evaluate them within the context of their intended use. Then we put our collective heads together and identify those that best fulfill their intended purpose and advance the state of motorcycle design, performance, and function.

For 2023, there were more than 80 eligible contenders. We narrowed them down to 10 finalists and one winner. Starting Friday, Sept 8, and resuming Monday, Sept. 11, we’ll be updating this post with two finalists per day, with the big reveal of this year’s 2023 Motorcycle of the Year winner on Friday, Sept. 15. So bookmark this page and keep checking back.

Without further ado…

2023 Motorcycle of the Year Finalists:

1. BMW R 18 Roctane

2024 BMW R 18 Roctane — BMW R 18 Roctane (Photo by Jörg Künstle, Markus Jahn)

The fifth member of the R 18 family is a unique alternative to the ubiquitous American V-Twin. It’s powered by the BMW 1,802cc “Big Boxer” Twin and features blacked-out styling, a midrise handlebar, a 21-inch front wheel, and hard saddlebags. The Roctane has admirable curb appeal, good comfort and handling, and high-tech features including Rock, Roll, and Rain ride modes.

2. CFMOTO Ibex 800 T

2023 CFMOTO Ibex 800 T — CFMOTO Ibex 800 T (Photo by Aaron Crane)

CFMOTO has been on the gas lately, expanding its motorcycle lineup from seven to 10 models, including two versions of the Ibex 800 adventure-tourer powered by a 790cc parallel-Twin adapted from the KTM 790 Adventure. The top-of-the-line Ibex 800 T is comfortable, capable, and packed with useful features yet retails for an accessible $10,499.

Check back Monday, Sept. 11, for the next two finalists!

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2024 BMW F 900 GS / GS Adventure and F 800 GS Review | First Look

September 7, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

2024 BMW F 800 GS F 900 GS F 900 GS Adventure

BMW Motorrad has announced three updated midrange adventure-touring motorcycles: the 2024 BMW F 900 GS, F 900 GS Adventure and F 800 GS. BMW says these bikes provide “purist riding fun thanks to even more sophisticated off-road, touring, and adventure capabilities,” adding that the F 800 GS is ideal for entry-level riders, the F 900 GS features many “far-reaching innovations,” and the F 900 GS Adventure is well-suited for extended adventure trips and long, demanding tours.

All three bikes feature the parallel-Twin introduced in 2018 for the F 850 GS, but it has been bumped up from 853cc to 895cc and features a 270/450 degree firing interval. In the F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure, the engine makes a claimed 105 hp, and in the F 800 GS, it makes a claimed 87 hp. BMW says the new engines are also characterized by a much fuller torque curve, increased pulling power and faster acceleration.

The updated GS models offer Rain and Road ride modes as standard – along with Dynamic Traction Control DTC, cornering-optimized ABS Pro, and the dynamic brake light – and the optional “Pro” ride modes comes with additional ride modes, ride mode pre-selection, engine drag torque control, and Dynamic Brake Control.

All three models also offer an adjustable gearshift lever as standard, and the F 900 GS features a new foot brake lever in a higher position than its F 850 GS predecessor. The bikes have full LED lighting, with a new headlight on the F 900 GS offering a larger low beam opening angle for better illumination directly in front of the motorcycle. All of the bikes also have a 6.5-inch TFT display as standard, which replaces the previous analog display on the F 800 GS, and the BMW F 900 GS includes a 12mm holder for mounting action cams or other devices.

The F 900 GS has been completely redesigned. One of the key points is the redesigned plastic fuel tank, which is slimmer and more ergonomically favorable at the cost of only a little over a tenth of a gallon capacity (3.8 gallons total). This new tank shaved almost 10 lb off the weight, with an addition 9-lb reduction from a completely redesigned rear section and a rear silencer by Akrapovič. New close-fitting tank side panels, together with a new radiator trim give the new F 900 GS a sleek, sporty, and off-road-oriented look.

The luggage carrier of the F 900 GS was also adapted in the process, allowing the customer to attach soft bags, rucksacks, or an aluminum case system from the original BMW Motorrad accessories range using various attachment options.

The increased off-road qualities of the new F 900 GS are expressed by the ergonomic triangle, which has been optimized for off-road use. Footpegs that are 0.8 inch lower, in combination with a 0.6-inch higher handlebar position and the new design of the fuel tank, provide clear advantages when riding standing up on rough terrain.

Additionally, the F 900 GS and F 900 GS Adventure feature a new fully adjustable 43mm inverted telescopic Showa fork with 9 inches of travel, and the F 900 GS Adventure has an aluminum engine guard.

Specific colors and pricing for the U.S. models has not been released. For more information, visit the BMW Motorrad website.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

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BMW R 1250 GS Exhaust from Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde | Gear Review

August 4, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde BMW R 1250 GS Exhaust

Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde’s (J&H) novel exhaust system allows the rider to pick from three different sound modes on the fly. An illuminated, handlebar-mounted switch actuates a servo motor, which actuates a valve in the interior of the exhaust system to instantly adjust sound output to your preference.

In Dr. Jekill Mode, the valve is closed, diverting the exhaust gases around the valve and through perforations on side chambers of the exhaust, where they pass through patented single-strand fiber dampening material before being routed out. This is the quietest mode, most closely resembling the stock sound but with a much deeper tone.

A quick push of the button opens the valve halfway for Dynamic Mode, which adds a distinctive low-frequency bark. A final push of the button unleashes Mr. Hyde Mode, in which the valve opens fully and the rider is treated to the engine’s full guttural roar as exhaust gases pass through relatively unrestricted.

My BMW R 1250 GS exhaust system is governed by an ECU that plugs directly into the wiring harness, reading CANbus signals from the bike and allowing the exhaust valve to power on and off with the engine.

Installation of the J&H exhaust is straightforward. The small servo motor is mounted to the frame above the header connection, and its waterproof control wires are routed along the inside face of the muffler, where an integrated clamp holds them securely. The wiring harness is plug and play. (J&H has a helpful installation video on YouTube.)

Once installed, the J&H is a handsome pipe. Its flawlessly finished Nomad Black body leads to a glossy hexagonal carbon fiber end cap, punctuated by a gorgeous machined-aluminum accent plate on the rear. The inlet cover is finished in matching glossy carbon fiber as well. The appearance is sleek, serious, and decidedly upmarket, drawing loads of attention from fellow GS riders.

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories Reviews here.

Out on the road, the BMW’s personality can be instantly transformed from mild to wild depending on my mood, and I love exercising that expression! Experienced readers are wise enough to know the difference between an annoyingly loud exhaust and an improved exhaust tone that fits with the character of each motorcycle. This J&H pipe unleashed my bikes inner growl, adding a healthy dollop of welcome character to the machine.

But in this case, it’s not about volume. Using an AudioControl DMRTA calibrated decibel meter, placing the measurement device about 20 inches from the exhaust at a 45-degree angle per the SAE J2825 standard, I measured all three modes at idle: Dr. Jekill came in at 85.9 dB, Dynamic measured 88.1 dB, and Mr. Hyde rang up 93.1 dB. For reference, SAE J2825 recommends a 92 dBA limit at idle for motorcycles.

Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhausts are the best of both worlds, allowing you to be naughty or nice without ever being obnoxious. They’re made in the Netherlands and are fully compliant with European emission laws. Testing is currently in progress for the U.S. market, and the company hopes to have CARB and EPA approval by the end of 2023.

MSRP for the BMW R 1250 GS Exhaust from Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde is $1,695 for black and $1,640 for silver. Each pipe is covered by a four-year, unlimited-mile warranty.

Shop for Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust

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BMW Announces Dates for 2024 U.S. GS Trophy Team Qualifiers

August 3, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

BMW GS endurance riders who want to test their skills against other GS riders will have the chance to prove their mettle, and maybe even the chance to represent the U.S. team in Namibia in the 2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy, during the U.S. GS Trophy Team qualifiers taking place at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina.

Celebrating togetherness through competition, the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy features off-road enthusiasts from 22 national teams competing in various tests, including GPS navigation exercises, off-road rides, and technical tests. At the qualifiers, three male finalists will be announced to represent the U.S. at the final event in Namibia and two female finalists will be announced to represent the U.S. at the Women’s International GS Qualifier Event.

Read the press release below for dates and details, and visit the BMW Motorrad website to register for the two-day GS Trophy Prep Course and the GS Trophy Team qualifiers.

BMW Motorrad USA and the BMW U.S. Rider Academy are proud to announce the dates for the 2024 U.S. GS Trophy Team qualifiers. The 2024 BMW International GS Trophy will take place in late summer 2024 in Namibia.

The U.S. Men’s and Women’s Team qualifiers will take place on October 12 – 14 at the BMW Performance Center in Greer, SC.

The schedule:

Thu. Oct 12 – Arrivals, check-in and orientation.
Fri. Oct. 13 – Qualifiers
Sat. Oct. 14 – Qualifiers and U.S. Team announcements
Sun. Oct. 15 – Departures

The fee of $449 will include the U.S. International GS Qualifier entry fee, competition jersey, personalized parking stall, and all meals, snacks and water beginning with dinner Thursday evening and concluding with dinner on Saturday evening.

On Saturday, evening, the three male finalists, who will represent the U.S. at the final event in Namibia in 2024, will be announced. The two female finalists who will represent the U.S. at the female International GS Qualifier Event will also be announced. More details about the Women’s International GS Qualifier date and location will be announced soon.

For those interested, camping will be available at surrounding locations.

Participation in the U.S. GS Trophy Qualifiers is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are BMW motorcycle owners and who can participate on a BMW GS model in good condition.

Eligible models in the GS Trophy qualifiers include:

G 310 GS
G 650 GS / G 650 GS Sertao
F 650 GS
F 700 GS / F 750 GS
F 800 GS / F 850 GS / F 850 GSA
R 1100 GS / R 1150 GS
R 1200 GS / R 1200 GSA
R 1250 GS / R 1250 GSA
HP2 Enduro

As part of the final stage of the GS Trophy Qualifier competition, riders will be required to ride a BMW Motorrad-provided R 1250 GS. During this final stage – the provided R 1250 GS will be set up as follows:

Enduro Pro Mode
Enduro ABS ON
Traction Control OFF
Tire Pressure 30 psi (front and rear)
Seat adjustment or replacement with BMW OEM alternatives only.
Control adjustments not requiring the use of tools are allowed.

Riders who do not meet the above criteria can still participate in the event but are not able to be selected for the U.S. GS Trophy Team.

In keeping with the spirit of the event, the following are encouraged to participate in the U.S. International GS Trophy Qualifiers, but are ineligible to advance to the final event:

Members of previous International GS Trophy teams
BMW Employees
Owners of a BMW dealership
Professional Instructors of any level – including those who have or currently host, market, and/or participate as an instructor in off-road training courses, either for BMW Motorrad and BMW official partners, or any other entity.
Holders of AMA/FIM professional competition licenses.
Certified BMW IIA/ITA Academy Graduates and Brand Experts

Two Day GS Trophy Prep Course

On September 20-21, the BMW U.S. Rider Academy will host a class geared at helping hopeful International GS Trophy competitors prepare for the U.S. Qualifiers.

Participants will experience individual and team International GS Trophy-style challenges as well as have the opportunity to hone their adventure rider skills. Solid, off-road riding experience is required for this pre-course. The fee for the course is $1,800 and includes use of BMW U.S. Rider Academy motorcycles.

2024 U.S. GS Trophy Team Qualifiers Volunteers

Volunteers play a very important role in the U.S. International GS Trophy Qualifiers and will get to see the best adventure riders up close as they give it their all for a coveted seat on the U.S. Team. Volunteers will receive a special jersey and all meals, snacks and water beginning with dinner Thursday evening and concluding with dinner on Saturday evening.

2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Namibia

In 2024, the International GS Trophy returns to where it all began in 2008 – Africa.

BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2024 Namibia

There will be 15 regional qualifying events and one international qualifying round, giving skilled endurance riders the opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. In order secure a place on one of the 22 national teams, participants are required to perform GPS navigation exercises, off-road rides and technical tests. The women’s teams from the regional competitions will win a trip to the international female qualifying round, where a total of six women’s teams will be selected, along with 16 men’s teams.

The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is an event that celebrates the spirit of the legendary BMW Motorrad GS models. It encompasses everything that a BMW GS stands for: riding fun, adventure and personal challenges.

The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2024 Namibia is the ninth edition of the event. Previous editions were held in Southeastern Europe (Albania) in 2022, Oceania (New Zealand) in 2020, Central Asia (Mongolia) in 2018, Southeast Asia (Thailand) in 2016, North America (Canada) in 2014, South America (Chile, Argentina) in 2012, South Africa (South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique) in 2010 and North Africa (Tunisia) in 2008. The current event will involve 22 teams from all over the world with a total of 60 riders. Others involved include; the GS Trophy marshals, media representatives, doctors, sponsors and a photo and film crew.

The BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy is a team competition in which an international contingent of off-road enthusiasts compete against each other in various special tests. Not all of these involve just motorcycling: skills and teamwork are essential, too. Since competitors are together for a lot of the time, also spending the night in bivouacs, this is an adventure that promotes a sense of togetherness, too. People, cultures and motorcyclists from all over the world come together, and it is not uncommon for friendships to be made for life.

Event Information and Links

U.S. GS Trophy Qualifiers Information and registration page

U.S. GS Trophy Competition Rules and Terms of Entry

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Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Hi, My Name is Quinn

July 31, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

This is the first article in a new riding skills series called Motor School with Quinn Redeker, which will be published monthly in Rider magazine starting with the September 2023 issue. –Ed.

Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Hi, My Name is Quinn — Quinn Redeker with his BMW R 1250 RT-P police bike. He is the North American brand ambassador for BMW Motorrad Authority Sales as well as a riding skills instructor. (Photos by Kevin Wing)

Welcome to the first day of school! If you’re like me, you probably dreaded going to school, but I plan to make this column something you’ll look forward to. The only subject on the agenda is riding motorcycles, so how bad can it be?

In the months ahead, I will bring you stories and concepts that will improve your mental and physical state while riding a motorcycle. I’m confident we can move the needle in a positive direction no matter how long you’ve been riding. Before we get into the nitty gritty, I want to share some of my background so you know where I’m coming from.

My motorcycle riding and competition background started on a Honda XR80 when I was 9. I won’t bore you with the long and winding road that led me from then to now, but suffice it to say, I’ve had quite a bit of seat time, from motocross to desert racing, street to track, trials to dirt track. I grew up riding every day in the mountains near Granada Hills, California, and racing on weekends. As a result, I’ve not only burned a lot of gas but can also describe, with exceedingly painful detail, the view from the bay door of a rescue helicopter headed to the ER.

In 2009, I became a police motor officer at the dangerously young age of 39 years. That move led me into the world of police motor competitions, an arena of motorcycling that takes big, heavy bikes and twists them into tight 1st-gear patterns while under the watchful eyes of judges and the countdown of a stopwatch. I loved it, and I placed on the podium in my first competition. From that point forward, I was hooked. I trained during the workweek, competed on weekends, and shoved my head deep into the rabbit hole, becoming a certified police motor instructor in the process.

Thanks to the support of the Ventura Police Department, where I was employed, I participated in well over 100 police competitions around the country, taking top honors in all but a few. What are police competitions like, you ask? Well, imagine your motorcycle is extremely angry at you for no good reason at all, and no matter how hard you wrestle with the controls and how much you sweet-talk it, you get tossed around in 1st gear, with the bike twisting itself into tighter and tighter circles until hard parts scrape, and if you don’t get it right, you get spit off and your ride comes to an end, maybe with some embarrassment and bodily injury for good measure. Woohoo!

In the following series of photos, Quinn demonstrates what it looks like when everything falls into place: full lock, full lean, careful clutch and throttle, and extreme counterbalancing.

These days, I’m the North American brand ambassador for BMW Motorrad Authority Sales, having recently transitioned out of nearly 20 years in law enforcement. Now I travel around the country participating in police competitions, working with police agencies on bike setup and training questions, and facilitating test rides for agencies looking at BMW as a potential enforcement platform. It’s a great gig, and the R 1250 RT-P is tough as nails. Zero complaints there.

I’m also a certified instructor with Total Control Training and teach the Advanced Riding Clinic, Advanced Motor School, and Adventure Bike Clinic. I own PoliceMotorTraining.com, where I provide in-person training and Zoom instruction to motor officers and civilians alike. And I’ve been a guest instructor for countless advanced rider programs throughout the years and volunteered in the training of hundreds of instructors responsible for providing basic rider training throughout the state of California.

Outside of law enforcement training, I’ve absorbed lessons from many well-known books, schools, and racers, including those written or taught by Lee Parks, Gary Semics, Keith Code, Gary LaPlante, Dougie Lampkin, Danny Walker, and others.

This brings me to an important point: The road never ends. There is no magical skill level you will reach that provides rainbows of pure joy, ensures safe passage, or helps those riding pants fit any better. Conversely, more training can have the negative effect of making us suffer over all the things we come to realize we don’t know. Yes, I advocate rider training, but I believe that the benefit of exposure to new things is as much about the journey as it is the resultant riding ability we might acquire. The joy is in the process, not the trophy.

With that in mind, I believe we benefit by cutting ourselves some slack and recognizing that all this stuff is optional. Should we put in maximum effort? Absolutely. But you shouldn’t come home from your “Killer Street Skillz” class so dejected that you feel the need to either quit riding altogether or dedicate 19 months of intensive one-on-one training in the Arizona desert with Russian strongman Alexander Klyushev.

In fact, right now I want you to look in the mirror and say it with me: “I am okay, and people like me.” Perfect.

Of course, I want to help you become a better, safer rider. But I also want to impact the way you think about your riding. Drawing on my racing, training, instruction, and law enforcement experience, I will give you tips, suggestions, and examples of things that you can apply immediately after you set this magazine down. Some are practical, some are tactical. For example, some of the trials-riding drills I’ve learned might help with your coordination. As a police motor instructor, I might have some on-bike risk assessment insights you haven’t thought about. And if we can get you thinking about new ideas, that’s a win for both of us.

With a vast rider and instructor network to pull from, we can kick some far-reaching concepts around the room and see what sticks. Here’s the thing: It’s not about me, it’s about us. Think of this as an opportunity to share insights, experiences, and ideas to further our ability and enjoy the journey. How does that sound? I’ll make you a deal: If you read next month’s story and can’t stand it, I’ll buy your coffee next time we meet up to ride.

I welcome feedback, suggestions, and questions. Submit them here.

Quinn Redeker’s Qualifications:

Competed in 100+ police motorcycle competitions throughout the U.S., taking top honors in most
POST (Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified Police Motor Instructor
POST certified EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operation Course) Instructor
POST certified Firearms Instructor, Range Master
SWAT sniper (10 years), Ventura Police Department
Lead investigator on numerous fatal traffic collision investigations
BMW Motorrad Authority Sales Brand Ambassador
Total Control Advanced Motor School Instructor
Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic Instructor
Total Control Adventure Bike Clinic Instructor

The post Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Hi, My Name is Quinn appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

MotorCycle News

Tag Archives: BMW Motorcycles

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BMW Motorrad Unveils 2024 BMW R 1300 GS at Barber Vintage Festival | Videos

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2023 Motorcycle of the Year Countdown

2023 Motorcycle of the Year Finalists:

1. BMW R 18 Roctane

2. CFMOTO Ibex 800 T

2024 BMW F 900 GS / GS Adventure and F 800 GS Review | First Look

BMW R 1250 GS Exhaust from Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde | Gear Review

BMW Announces Dates for 2024 U.S. GS Trophy Team Qualifiers

Two Day GS Trophy Prep Course

2024 U.S. GS Trophy Team Qualifiers Volunteers

2024 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Namibia

Event Information and Links

Motor School with Quinn Redeker: Hi, My Name is Quinn

Quinn Redeker’s Qualifications:

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