BMW Motorrad embraces life in the fast lane

There’s never been a more exciting time to be involved with BMW Motorrad. With each passing year the interest in the brand grows as it embraces new market segments and launches even more exciting and dynamic new models. The current BMW motorcycle line-up reflects the fact that motorcycling is increasingly becoming a leisure pursuit, with the focus on lifestyle choice and sporting interests, rather than basic transport needs.

A packed out press conference at this week’s Intermot international motorcycle show in Cologne saw BMW unveil its new K 1300 S to journalists from all over the world. At just 228 kg (dry) and with a massive 175 hp, it will be the most powerful and fastest BMW motorcycle the world has ever seen, not to mention the lightest 1300cc bike in its segment by far. This machine was accompanied by the new 173 hp K 1300 R – the most powerful naked bike BMW has ever built – and the 160 hp K 1300 GT, which will surely redefine the Gran Turismo genre.

Furthermore, BMW Motorrad also revealed its new S 1000 RR motorcycle in race trim and race paint scheme. It’s hard to believe that a year has already passed since BMW first announced details of its superbike programme and the fact that it would be participating in the 2009 Superbike World Championship. A significant testing and development programme in 2008, coupled with the high-profile signings of Rueben Xaus and Troy Corser has proved just how serious BMW Motorrad’s sporting ambitions are.

Australian rider Troy Corser is a proven world championship winner, with superlative machine development skills, while Spaniard Rueben Xaus is an exciting world-class racer with a huge fan base, thanks in no small part to his ‘win it or bin it’ race philosophy. The signing of both riders has created tremendous interest from the racing community, many of whom will be directing their attention towards the BMW Motorrad brand for the first time in order to find out more information about the superbike programme and the anticipated series production S 1000 RR.

In order to cater for the huge superbike and supersports community, BMW Motorrad has created the www.S1000RR.com microsite, which will link to the motorsport section of the international BMW website (www.bmw-motorrad.com) and provide enthusiasts with a wealth of information about this exciting new chapter in the brand’s history. Over the coming months, expect to see exclusive pictures, films and interviews with key project leaders and riders.

Please bookmark this site, because as the 2009 Superbike World Championship approaches, it will be the first place to read about pre-season testing and reaction, as well as news about the eagerly awaited series production S 1000 RR, which is rumoured to be lighter and more powerful than its Japanese rivals. Fans of four-cylinder BMW motorcycles will be delighted to know that this machine can be ordered from next March and if rumours of its power to weight ratio are to be believed, it will be well worth waiting for.