Crossroads BMW Motorcycles

F 800 GS Named Motorcycle of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:35:00 +0000

BMW dealers have more marketing amo now that Rider magazine has named the F 800 GS its 2009 Motorcycle of the Year. The award announcement appears in the July 2009 issue, currently on newsstands.

Here is an excerpt of what the editors of Rider had to say about the BMW F 800 GS (courtesy of a BMW press release):

“BMW has been thinking way out of the box ... and there is perhaps no better evidence than its unstoppable new F 800 GS adventure tourer. It’s taller and longer than the R 1200 GS Boxer twin, and not much lighter, but is far narrower with its upright parallel twin, and like the 1200 offers a tremendous amount of satisfying performance.

“Chain final drive, 9 inches of suspension travel, a 21- and 19-inch front/rear spoked wheel combination and plenty of twin-cylinder torque give it much better off-road ability than its Boxer brethren, yet the F 800 GS has enough on-road legs that you can haul down the highway from fill-up to fill-up in satisfactory comfort without stopping ... and starting at $10,520 the F 800 GS is priced $4,000 less than the 1200.

“With a complete range of available adventure accessories (including great expandable locking hard bags, GPS and a low-seat option), as long as it suits your inseam and you don’t mind a little business now and then, it’s hard to find a more capable machine for a 'round-the-world adventure or just a run to the next town, on- or off-road.”

Source: Dealernews.com

Garmin announces BMW Motorrad Navigator IV

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Garmin has announced, in conjunction with the car marque, it is to offer the next in the BMW Motorrad Navigator line, the Navigator IV.

Based on Garmin's zumo 660, the device is described as a "motorcycle-friendly GPS navigator".

Exclusive BMW-specific features include a customised mount, preloaded BMW dealer database, unique audio and Bluetooth handling capabilities, "and more".

A 4.3-inch device, it offers a "glove-friendly" touchscreen, hook-up with Bluetooth-enabled helmets, waterproofing and can "withstand" vibration and UV rays, boasting a bright screen.

Garmin says the BMW Motorrad Navigator IV is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2009 in Europe and North America, no pricing revealed.

Source: pocket-lint.com

A carbon-neutral motorcycle adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:52:00 +0000

Two enterprising Swiss citizens are riding home along the Silk Route from Beijing to Istanbul, to generate awareness of climate change, promote sustainable motor travel and raise funds to benefit SCCF, a new international foundation focused on finding solutions to combat global warming.

Using BMW F 650 GS bikes, Mark Dembitz and Clarisse Von Wunschheim will journey across eight countries in 80 days, covering almost 17,000 kilometres. Their route will see them leave Beijing on 4 May and journey back to Europe via Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, before ending in Istanbul, Turkey on 25 July.

With a career in carbon finance and a keen interest in the environment, Mark is planning to make their 'Going Global' journey carbon-neutral, as well as use the opportunity to show others in cities and towns along the route how to help fight climate change.

"We will be keeping an accurate log of daily time and distance travelled as well as fuel usage, and the quantity and quality of petrol," he said. "Based on this data, we will be able to approximate the quantity of carbon dioxide we emit along the ride. We will then secure credits (one credit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide) to offset our carbon emissions.

"We also plan on holding forums on climate change at schools and universities along the way, talking to children and students about global warming, motivating them to join us in being aware of their impact on the environment and in making small changes to their lives that will contribute towards a better and cleaner world for everyone."

After researching motorcycle options in some depth, Mark and Clarisse both decided that the BMW F 650 GS was the perfect bike for the trip. Also, because they had no option but to buy the bikes in China, where the choice of officially available large-capacity motorcycles is quite limited, they opted for the 650 over the R 1200 GS, mainly for the relative engine simplicity, bike weight and price tag - imported bikes in China cost on average 2.5 times more than in Europe!

"The F 650 GS is a tried and tested model that has proven to be reliable in the most difficult of conditions," said Clarisse. "This bike has been essentially unchanged for a significant amount of time, so most of the 'bugs' that newer models are known to encounter have been worked out, leading to a much lower risk of breaking down. That said, should we encounter any problems, the single-cylinder engine ensures the bike is relatively easy to repair - an essential given that we will not have a team of mechanics and other experts following us."

Mark and Clarisse have spent a lot of time preparing for this journey. As well as completing a physical training programme, they are also following a basic motorcycle mechanics course at a BMW-accredited garage in Beijing. And because they are hoping to avoid the most extreme trails and tracks en route to Istanbul, they have left their bikes completely standard, apart from adding hand protection and higher windshields.

Due to prior commitments, the couple are allowing just 80 days to complete their carbon-neutral motorcycle adventure from China to Turkey. They have set a fundraising goal of $133,440, or $8 (US dollars) per kilometre ridden along the 16,680-kilometre route. Eight is a number considered to be lucky and auspicious in Chinese culture, and is incorporated into multiple aspects of the ride to bring good fortune.

In making this journey, Mark and Clarisse have been inspired to depart China in a way that expresses their passion for culture, travel and adventure, while benefiting the area of the world that they have called home for the past three years. Committed to an environmentally sound future, they hope to educate and empower local communities to make positive changes for a healthier planet.

For more information, please visit thewww.gglobal.org website, which will be frequently updated with live from-the-road stories, photos and a calendar of lectures and conferences. Watch this space for a full, in-depth interview with Mark and Clarisse prior to their departure.

Source: WorldOfBMW

Simon Pavey's Dakar bike

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Dakar veteran Simon Pavey explains the details of his customised BMW Xchallenge rally bike.

What started life as a standard production motorcycle has been modified to cope with one of the world's most grueling endurance rallies. Watch the video for an insight into what makes Dakar bikes unique.

Simon Pavey was at the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show all weekend displaying the Walker Ecosse truck and bike.

UNSTOPPABLE IV

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:45:00 +0000

The ultimate BMW GS history lesson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:32:00 +0000

BMW GS: Adventure Motorcycle is probably the only book you’ll ever need if you’re into your Boxer twins – or, for that matter, even if you’re just a fan of engineering and motorcycling history.

The new 192-page hardback, out this month, is a comprehensive stroll through the varied and rich pageant of GS models, from the 1980 Boxer twins through to the 2008 model R1200GS.

There are sections covering the single-cylinder GS range, and a comprehensive competition history from 1925.

With 420 colour pictures (and 100 black and white), this hefty coffee table tome has the ability to inspire adventure in even the laziest armchair Charley (or Ewan).

You can buy it from most good bookshops and online atwww.bookdepository.co.uk

Source: MCN

BMW UK loads R1200 RT with accessories and cuts the price to make special limited edition

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:00:00 +0000

A cynic might just call it price-cutting without price cuts. But BMW UK has released details on a new special edition of its R1200 RTmega tourer. Essentially, the firm has bolted on a slew of the good stuff from its accessories range, and cut £450 from the total price. Details are in the press release below, but it looks like a pretty solid set of gizmos.

A £12,500 bike is never going to be the budget choice of course, but if you've got your granny's inheritance mouldering in a 0.1 per cent savings account, what the hell? Get it out and splurge it on this behemoth then go touring in the Highlands all summer.

BMW Motorrad is pleased to announce the availability of a Limited Edition version of just 200 models all in sapphire black metallic colour. A matching black top box, ASC (Automatic Stability Control) and Tyre Pressure Control all come as part of the Limited Edition package as an enhancement to the current SE model specification.
The R 1200 RT LE is now available in BMW Motorrad Dealerships priced at£12,495, which represents a £450 saving compared to specifying the £12,125 SE model with the three extra factory options detailed above.
The legendary R 1200 RT, renowned for being dynamically agile with a highly stable chassis, boasts outstanding power and comfort as well as exceptional fuel economy and range.
UK Specification of the R 1200 RT LE includes factory options

• ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment)
• Cruise Control
• ASC (Automatic Stability Control)
• Tyre Pressure Control
• Colour Coded Top Box
• On Board Computer
• Seat Heating
• Heated Grips
• Additional Power Socket
• White Indicator Lenses
• Chrome Exhaust

For more information on the R 1200 RT LE please contact your local BMW Motorrad dealership by visiting www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk or calling the customer service line on: 0800 777 15

Source: Super Bike Magazine

BMW Wins 2009 "Motorcycle of the Year" Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Photos and text courtesy BMW Motorrad.

BMW Motorcycles Dominate Readers' Choice at Motorrad Magazine "Motorcycle of the Year 2009" Awards

March 7, 2009 - 2009 has started very well for BMW. BMW motorcycles once again achieved excellent results in the reader's choice segment at the MOTORRAD magazine "Motorcycle of the Year 2009" Awards.

The MOTORRAD readers' vote of three first place awards, one second place and one third place award confirmed that BMW Motorrad continues to meet the expectations of motorcyclists with its current models.

The BMW R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure managed to maintain their leading position in their market segment in the traditional MOTORRAD readers' awards, taking first place in Category "Enduros/ Supermotos".

As in the previous year BMW Motorrad also took first place in Category "Allrounders" and "Naked Bikes". Here readers were most taken with the active ride BMW models K 1300 S and R 1200 R.

In "Tourer" category, the BMW R 1200 RT took second place and K 1300 GT took third place, underlining the importance of BMW motorcycles when it comes to speed, comfort and safety.

The awards ceremony was held at 2.00 p.m. on 5 March 2009 as part of the "Motorräder Dortmund" motorcycle show in Dortmund's Westfalenhalle.

This was the eleventh time that the "Motorcycle of the Year" Awards were held, regarded as the most important motorcycle and scooter readers' prize in Europe.

There were 200 candidates in all in a total of eight categories. Around half a million readers have cast their vote in this awards scheme since its inception in 1999.

Source: BMW press release.

Big book for big touring bikes by Clymer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:33:00 +0000

BMW K1200RS, GT & LT, 1998-2008 Clymer Manual

Clymer has released an updated manual covering the BMW K1200LT from 1999-2008. This large format "Black & Gold" series book runs to a massive 656 pages, covering all aspects of maintenance on this technically advanced super-touring motorcycle, including colour wiring diagrams supported by hundreds of photos and illustrations.

BMW has equipped the K1200RS with state-of-the-art technology, such as Telelever front suspension, ABS brakes, extendable electro-hydraulic main stand and electric reverse, all of which are explored in detail by Clymer. Well-established as the manuals of choice for professionals, all information, photographs and illustrations are obtained from the complete disassembly and assembly of the machine covered.

Clymer include handy thumb-tabs that put the chapter required right at the fingertips, with notes, cautions and warnings throughout each chapter to pinpoint critical information, providing clear facts for the home mechanic as well as the experienced technician. Numbered instructions guide the reader through every repair procedure, step by step, with exploded views to help identify and examine parts in detail. Troubleshooting and electrical service procedures are combined with detailed colour wiring diagrams for easy use.

In addition to the K1200 LT, K1200RS (1998-2005) and K1200GT (2003-2005) models are covered in this manual, which sells for 34.99 (ref. M501-2, ISBN 978-1-59969-234-0).

Contact Motohaus Powersports on 01256 704909 www.motohaus.com

Source: inter-bike.co.uk

http://www.crossroadsbmw.com

The time is right for the Roadster

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:17:00 +0000

With the arrival of the new BMW F 800 R later this year, the F Series is now complete. From the fantastic F 800 S and ST sports twins and the F 800 GS and F 650 GS travel enduros, right through to the latest addition - the F 800 R naked roaster - there is now something for everyone in this phenomenally successful F Series that has brought many new riders to BMW Motorrad.

Although the new F 800 R won't be appearing in BMW dealer showrooms until May, it has of course been in the making for several years. The reason it looks 'just right' is the result of hundreds of painstaking hours spent with pen and pencil at the drawing board, and with computer aided design software in the studio, before being shaped and reshaped as a clay model prototype.

Cast your mind back more than three years to January 2006, when Chris Pfeiffer made his competitive debut for BMW Motorrad, riding a 'modified' F 800 machine in the famous Stuntwars competition in Florida, comprehensively beating all challengers to win the coveted title. The bike looked fantastic, right from the start, but it was no coincidence, as the bike was already in the advanced planning stages. As BMW Motorrad's Vice President of Motorcycle Design, David Robb explains, getting the series production model to look as good as it now does is the result of a journey that started some time ago.

"Even when designing the F 800 S and ST models, we knew what else would be coming, so we had to taking into consideration how the bike would look with its 'clothes off'. There are many stages of the design journey that take place before the first prototype even sees the light of day. As such, we made sure that certain components on the S and ST were 'clean', such as the frame tubes and the wiring. We knew that when the GS version was introduced, it would be a completely different vehicle, with another frame and longer wheel travel, but the F 800 R had to work visually, in a different way."

So, by the time Pfeiffer had appeared on the scene on his stunt bike, the design process for the F 800 R was pretty much wrapped up, but David concedes that the association was a good one to have.

"There's a real fascination and excitement with what Chris is doing on the F 800 and when he performs - and because of what he can do on the bike - you can see parts you didn't even know existed! When adapting his bike for stunt use, Chris basically got the parts from us and then went beyond that in a functional way to make them work, such as 'beefing up' certain components for extra strength to deal with some of the more extreme tricks he does."

The first stages of what would eventually become the F 800 R roadster actually began in 2004, thanks to a competition within the design team to present initial sketch proposals. From the six sketches that made the shortlist, two were selected to go forward to the next stage. Interestingly, both had come from the same designer - Sebastian Wilm - who gave one to his boss Edgar Heinrich to develop. At the end of this phase, it was Edgar's interpretation of Sebastian's early design sketch that was selected - making the development of this roadster a true team effort.

At the same time - and following Pfeiffer's increasingly high-profile outings on his stunt bike - motorcycle magazine editors around the world had begun to take interest and had their own designers coming up with unique 'artist's impressions' of how a naked F 800 might look if BMW ever planned to launch one - much to David and the design team's amusement.

"It's a lot of fun for us to see what the media think a possible bike might look like, but when you see their 'Photoshopped' efforts in print, they never really work. For us, the F 800 R was always going to complete our family of roadsters. First of all, it had to be completely different from the R 1200 R boxer, which is more for the traditionalist. The signals we got were that boxer fans like heritage, tradition and reputation, so there wasn't any chance that the F 800 R could be tied down to that kind of heritage, as there's a real spontaneous quality about it. We wanted the F 800 R to be pure and unencumbered, and although we knew it would have essentially the same frame and engine as the S and ST versions, we wanted to work out the best way to expose these parts and make them exciting."

"The similarity to the K 1300 R was certainly intentional," says David. "The K 1300 R is an intentionally scary machine. It was designed to 'stretch the envelope' in more ways than one, but despite that, it retains BMW character all the way through it. With the F 800 R, we wanted it to be exciting and interesting for non-traditionalists, but still appropriate. Design is always a balancing act and we wanted the R to be 'edgy' without going too far. It's not a 'friendly and cute' bike, and it does have some edge to it. However, it's got to be appealing for a long time."

Often for the talented guys and girls working in automotive design, the end results can be too much of a compromise, due to the fact that it is almost always necessary to work to a targeted price point, as well as being forced to use many shared components because of the economies of scale that arise from 'commonality. However, with the F 800 R, Robb's department has achieved the considerable feat of designing a striking machine that works on many levels. Unusually for a naked bike, it looks great in photographs from all angles - either swiftly moving through the city or parked up by the side of the road - and even works visually with the addition of a pillion and luggage system.

Without a doubt, the 800 R adds an urban edge to the F Series, so will appeal to those who value form as much as function, yet at the same time it displays many of BMW Motorrad's excellent ergonomic solutions, making long trips a distinct possibility for those who work in the city but like to escape to the country whenever possible.

Furthermore, thanks to David's colleagues in the engineering and research departments, the F 800 R also manages to deliver an exhilarating, sporty ride with extremely low levels of fuel consumption, while offering exemplary levels of safety - but that's another story!

Confederate Motor Company, Premier Luxury Motorcycle Manufacturer, Goes Public And Completes Financing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:53:00 +0000

Birmingham, AL- Confederate Motors, Inc. (the "Company"), formerly known as French Peak Resources Inc. (OTCBB: CFED), announced that on February 12, 2009, the Company completed a stockfor-stock merger with Confederate Motor Company, Inc. According to company founder and chief executive officer Matt Chambers, the combined company will operate under the name Confederate Motors, Inc. and will assume and execute Confederate's hand-crafted motorcycle business as its sole business. The Company also announced the closing of a private placement financing to accredited investors which closed concurrently with the merger. After completing the merger and the private placement and a 3.167420814-for-1 reverse stock split which was effective on January 20, 2009, the Company has 11,050,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

"The successful completion of this transaction is a major milestone for Confederate," Chambers said.

"This transaction enables us to broaden our investor base, create a liquid market for our stock, and financially support the accelerated growth of our business as we strive to become the global leader in the premium motorcycle space. We are extremely excited about Confederate's prospects for growth even in this challenging market environment."

About Confederate Motors, Inc.
Founded in 1991 in Baton Rouge, Confederate Motors designs and handcrafts limited series built uncompromised motorcycles for the motoring connoisseur and aficionado. The creative team at Confederate has adopted a minimalist, holistic, avant guard design imperative. Our goal is to be on the cutting edge of an exciting, innovative and relevant American design initiative. Confederate Motors is located in Birmingham, Ala. For additional information on Confederate Motors, and our F 131 Hellcat, B 120 Wraith or C 120 Fighter motorcycles, please visit www.confederate.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although the forward- looking statements in this release reflect the good faith judgment of management, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risks set forth in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 12, 2009, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. We assume no obligation to update any forward- looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release.

G 450 X as cool as ice!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Never let the cold or ice get in the way of a good motorcycle race - at least that's what they say in Québec, Canada, where racer Francis Martin will be competing with a BMW G 450 X on an oval track ice race this weekend (Feb 21-22).

Francis Martin is actually one of the riders for BMW Motorrad Canada's HP2 Sport Thunder Team - but he is pretty fast on the ice too, so a special bike has been prepared for him to compete in a special support race at the forthcoming Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt, which is Canada's most popular motorsport winter event.

Held in the Québec town of Valcourt, about one-and-a-half hours away from Montréal, the event attracts top drivers from Canada, USA, Europe and Asia. The Grand Prix Ski-Doo de Valcourt consists of snowmobile racing, 'Snocross' racing and motorcycle ice racing, which was added to the programme in 2003.

Although there's no shortage of snow in the area this year, the organisers actually use artificial snow because it is white, clean and improves the quality of the show. The Snocross course is like a motocross track and spectators will see top drivers reach speeds up to 170 km/h and jump up to seven metres high. The oval course, where the snowmobile and motorcycle ice racing events will take place, is covered by ice that is nearly 40 centimetres thick. It is about 26 metres wide, with a three metre run-off areas around the outside for the safety of competitors.

For the last six years the motorcycle ice-racing event has been dominated by just two riders - four times champion Dominic Beaulac and double winner Andrew Ranger. Hoping to put an end to their supremacy is 35-year-old Francis Martin, who has been practising on the G 450 X in preparation for his title challenge.

"I'm really looking forward to racing the BMW G 450 X in this race," said Francis, who is also a former double Canadian Superbike Champion. "For those who don't live in cold climates, this is hard to imagine, but on ice you get more traction than anything because we use special screws in the tyres which are just incredible - you can lean the bike over just about as far as you want!"

At Valcourt, the race will take place on a flat oval, but there are other events in the calendar that take place on tracks that are more like road circuits, with left and right turns. In order to prepare the BMW for this kind of racing only a few modifications are necessary, such as softening up the suspension, increasing the power output, fixing front and rear guards and of course the ice screw tyres. The rest is down to rider skill and bravery, as Francis explains.

"There are plenty of opportunities for practising your craft, because tracks are opened on frozen lakes all across Canada and the north of the USA. On an ice surface, you have all the grip you want until there's snow on the track and then it gets a bit interesting! The ice screw tyres give us the traction we need and also allow for good braking. The race will be a sprint of around 15 to 20 laps and there is always the threat of being hit by another

bike, but that's why we have guards on our machines for protection."

For more information about this exciting event, please visit thehttp://www.grandprixvalcourt.com website, which is available in French and English language versions.

Source: World of BMW

http://www.crossroadsbmw.com

Pictures of BMW S1000RR in full race livery released

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:36:00 +0000

BMW Motorrad have published their first official images in race livery of the fantastic S1000RR, one of the major points of interest in this year’s SBK world championship.

After decades of absence the German manufacturer is once again present in a global bike racing series and it has chosen for its return the FIM Superbike World Championship, where they will be up against Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, reigning champions Ducati and Aprilia who are back again after a break of seven seasons.

This great adventure began not so long ago but now we are about to take part in our very first World Superbike Championship race and it is an exciting moment for us all” declared Berthold Hauser, Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “I firmly believe we have two great riders - Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus - and a very committed and enthusiastic team. Troy is the most experienced rider in WSBK and brings a lot of knowledge and information to the team.”

Although Ruben is not as experienced as Troy, he has so much enthusiasm for this project and I feel that he and Troy are a perfect combination. I am very pleased with the amount of progress we have all made in the past few months and now, like the whole team, I am really looking forward to this great challenge”.

Source: www.bikerholic.com

www.crossroadsbmw.com

A Middleweight Motorcycle Review of the 2009 BMW F650GS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:48:00 +0000

All-new, the middleweight class BMW F650GS seems destined to show up in a movie some day- whether it be a villain riding after the intrepid hero, or the other way around, the BMW F650GS just seems to have that presence- of something dramatic, fun, and action-packed. The BMW F650GS has so much versatility that it can be difficult to know where to begin to sing of this motorcycle's praises. As a trainer motorcycle, the BMW F650GS leaves room for the rider to grow, while making that same rider reluctant to let go. Whether they long for the adventure of the open road, an unmarked fire road, or no road at all, the BMW F650GS has the versatility to get them there. The attraction doesn't stop there, however. With clean, fluid lines, the BMW F650GS seems at once ready to pounce, and completely at ease, attaining a level of refinement not often seen in a middleweight class motorcycle.

At the heart of the 2009 BMW F650GS is a 71 horsepower, water cooled two-cylinder engine. Advanced electronics such as a digital engine management system and electronic intake pipe injection ensure that the power is available for the reported 115 Mph top speed. Dual overhead camshafts and dry sump lubrication, chain final drive, and a multi-disc oil bath clutch with a six-speed transmission ensure the BMW F650GS' reliability, and regular unleaded fuel fillips mean that you won't be spending as much at the pump as you would with some of the higher-end BMW motorcycles.

The 2009 BMW F650GS features a tubular steel space frame in which the engine (like on other BMW motorcycles,) is a load-bearing member to help reduce overall weight. A telescopic fork gives the front suspension 7.1 inches of travel while a continuously variable spring-preload rear suspension gives its rider 6.7 inches of travel at the end of the BMW F650GS' cast aluminum dual side swingarm. Braking for the BMW F650GS is handled by single discs both front and back, with the front end receiving a dual-piston floating caliper with a 300mm disc, and a 265mm disc out back with a single piston floating caliper. One of the available systems on this BMW, as with others, is the BMW Motorrad ABS system which can be switched on and off, helpful for differentiating between on-road riding and off-road.

With an MSRP of just $8,995, the 2009 BMW F650GS presents a tempting entry into the world of high-end motorcycling, and with many options to choose from, chances are that the 2009 BMW F650GS could be the ultimate first motorcycle. Optional extras include: Lowered suspension, heated grips, ABS, tire pressure monitor, on-board computer, clear turn signals, alarm system, center stand, and a plethora of available parts and apparel from the BMW catalog. All the rider has to do is decide whether to spring for them all at once, or collect them one at a time.

Source: Associated Content - William Sydney Reviewer

www.crossroadsbmw.com

G 450 X for Unstoppable Gold Medallist

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:39:00 +0000

To be the best in the world at any sport requires outstanding natural talent, years of training and incredible levels of fitness and stamina to be able to go further, faster or higher than anyone else. Germany's 'first lady' of mountain biking Sabine Spitz achieved a lifelong dream in Beijing's Laoshan Park on August 23 last year when she won the gold medal in the women's cross-country cycling event at the 2008 summer Olympics.

Since achieving the sport's highest accolade, the 37-year-old rider from Murg-Niederhof (Black Forest) has showed no signs at all of slowing down - in fact, she has even traded in her trusty mountain bike for a new BMW G 450 X for a year, courtesy of her local BMW car and motorcycle dealership in Bad Säckingen.

Although trading in her mountain bike for BMW's acclaimed sport enduro is only a temporary measure, Sabine Spitz believes that it will help her to supplement her regular mountain bike training sessions as well as assist in improving her overall riding skills. Using a 'powered-two wheeler' for her training is also the continuation of a long-lasting passion for motorcycles because Sabine and her husband and manager Ralf Schäuble have both been passionate motorcycle riders for many years - preferably on enduros.

Like many other sports stars, the German Champion, European Champion, runner-up Word Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist believes that she will benefit significantly from the full body workout that enduro riding offers.

"There are many downhill riders who use enduro bikes as part of their training regimes," explains Sabine. "As anyone who rides knows, it is extremely good training and it helps to balance out the practice routine. If you need to work out regularly it is vital to have versatile activities, and other endurance sports - such as off-road motorcycle riding - provide new impulses for your body."

Sabine Spitz' ambitions are supported by the Autohaus Gottstein car and bike dealership (Bad Säckingen) that made a BMW G 450 X available to her. This is the series production version of the factory sport enduro with which BMW Motorrad Motorsport will participate in the 2009 Enduro World Championship series, with David Knight, Juha Salminen, Marko Tarkkala and Simo Kirssi.

Source: WorldofBMW

http://www.crossroadsbmw.com

An Adventure Touring Motorcycle Look at the 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:59:00 +0000

So, what kind of motorcycle do you choose if you're planning on traversing the roughest terrain on the planet? What do you ride if Mother Nature throws mud, rocks, debris, and only occasional paving your way as you cross continents? For years, the answer has been resoundingly in favor of riding one of BMW's adventure motorcycles 2009 sees the top of the line BMW R1200GS Adventure receive optional ABS brakes, and bountiful fuel tank, incredible range, and 5% horsepower boost over the previous model. The BMW R1200GS Adventure is available in only two colors, magma red or magnesium metallic matt, but chances are if you really ride the BMW R1200GS the way it was intended to be ridden, it's going to sport the multiple shades of dirt, dust, and mud that you find on your way toward a destination- any destination.

The 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure is powered by a highly reliable air/ oil cooled flat twin "Boxer" style engine that puts out an even 105 horsepower and 85 lb/ft of torque from 1170 cubic centimeters of displacement. This helps give the BMW R1200GS Adventure its incredible range, simply by not overpowering a bike that doesn't need to be a rocket. That isn't to say, however, that the BMW R1200GS Adventure isn't quick- there's over 125 MPH on tap should you wish it when the terrain allows. All this is shifted with a constant mesh 6-speed gearbox and turns the wheel via a shaft drive. You'll never have to think about a broken chain again. The fuel tank holds 8.7 gallons, and you've got a one gallon reserve, so if you can't find a gas station in range, you're not trying hard enough.

The 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure weighs in at 564 lbs, and carries a 476 lb payload of rider and luggage. The price tag, however, weighs a little more. At $16,750, your trip across the continent of your choice isn't going to be cheap. Adding on the optional extras such as chrome exhaust, Enduro ESA (BMW's electronic suspension adjustment,) Heated hand grips, tire pressure monitor, Fog light, On board computer, alarm, disconnectable ABS system, and saddle bag mounts will add you up to a little over $21K. Add a BMW GPS system to your 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure and $22K suddenly passes you by like that speed limit sign you passed three miles back. The 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure just might be the bike you need to carry yourself through the greatest adventure you'll ever know.

Source: Associated Content

http://www.crossroadsbmw.com/

BMW S1000RR road bike revealed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:57:00 +0000

BMW has finally released pictures of the finishedS1000RR superbike along with some tantalising technical details including 175bhp, 183kg dry weight, ABS, traction control and a high-tech camshaft.

Information and pictures have been released as a result of the bike passing FIM race homolgation yesterday allowing it to race in World Superbikes.

The package of this completely newly developed motorcycle with its 999cc in-line 4-cylinder engine is very compact and light. The dry weight of the motorcycle is 183 kg.

The engine has a very compact cylinder head and is narrow in shape. The valves are activated by means of very small, light cam followers, virtually at Formula 1 level in terms of their dimensions.

This construction ensures very high engine speeds and allows maximum freedom in engine design in terms of torque and output.

For the supersports bike BMW S 1000 RR, a completely newly developed sports ABS featuring four different modes as well as the dynamic traction control system DTC will be available.

The functional principle of the traction control system has been borrowed directly from racing.

The new S 1000 RR will be available in the four finishes Mineral Silver metallic, Acid Green metallic, Thunder Grey metallic and – based on the BMW Motorrad racing colours - Alpine White/Lupine Blue/Magma Red.

The serial production machine BMW S 1000 RR will be presented to the public in the early summer of 2009 but can already be ordered in dealerships.

For more details visit the S1000RR launch centre.

Source: www.motorcyclenews.com