BMW - RoadRUNNER

2021 Indian Chieftain Elite vs. 2022 BMW R 18 B

The Battle of the PushrodsBaggers are big business. New bikes are coming from some interesting quarters in the industry, including the typically cruiser-averse BMW with the new R 18 B. Indian, conversely, has been making touring motorcycles practically since the dawn of time—and certainly since they were restarted by

Nov/Dec '21

Review: 2022 BMW R 18 B and R 18 Transcontinental

BMW made a bold gambit in 2020 when it introduced the R 18—a retro machine that embraced the brand’s illustrious heritage. The bike cradles a daring incarnation of the legendary Boxer engine (boring it out to an incredible 1800cc) with a design mandate unabashedly targeting the American landscape.

Mar/Apr '21

Review: BMW R 1250 RS vs. Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

The sport-touring class of motorcycles was once robust, with manufacturers offering a variety of touring bikes that were faster and more agile than yachts like the Gold Wing and Road Glide. But then the adventure-bike segment flourished when long-haul riders learned to appreciate the sporting chops and comfort of ADVs,

Jul/Aug '20

Review: 2020 BMW F 900 R/XR

Not-So-Identical TwinsSince the introduction of its first motorbike, the R32 in 1923, BMW has been known for designing and manufacturing quality machines. With the extremely popular GS being its core business, in November the brand unveiled a pair of new middleweight street machines, the F 900 R and the F

Sep/Oct '19

2019 BMW R 1250 GS / GSA: One of the Best Gets Even Better

The versatile R-series boxer GS models are important to BMW, as the bikes are the top-selling models, with sales of both the GS and GSA (GS Adventure) comprising 27% of all BMW motorcycles sold in the U.S. In this competitive adventure-touring segment, it’s vital to constantly improve and

Mar/Apr '19

2019 BMW F 750 GS & F 850 GS : On- or Off-Road, Adventure is the Word!

BMW’s approach to updating its middle-class machine is an interesting one—they’ve introduced two models very close in displacement, yet quite different in terms of temperament. The all-new F 750 GS and F 850 GS bikes possess the essential rugged good looks and dual-purpose functionality of the established

Nov/Dec '17

2018 BMW K 1600 B: A Fresh Perspective

Since its earliest days, BMW motorcycles have fostered a reputation as touring mounts, the machines synonymous with world travel and adventure. There is really only one category in which the German marque hasn’t had a presence: the realm of heavy cruiser in the great American landscape. That’s about

Sep/Oct '17

2017 BMW R nineT Pure and Racer: Sibling Rivalry

The Racer has a half-fairing with a small windshield, clip-on handlebar, and a solo saddle. It is intended to recall the superbike era of the 1970s and ‘80s, which featured models such as the R90S, and its engine is reminiscent of the powerplants used in the BMW Motorrad Boxer Cup.

Jan/Feb '16

2016 BMW R 1200 RS: Sport-Touring With Grunt

“We’ll take it slow,” they said. “Keep it at a reasonable speed,” they warned. I guess words have a different meaning depending on when and where they’re spoken. Their definition suits me just fine. This thing is a blast to ride.In the December issue we featured a

Nov/Dec '15

2016 BMW S 1000 XR: A Hint of Adventure With a Dash of Sport

BMW’s S 1000 XR is the fourth model in its lineup of inline, four-cylinder motorcycles. They call the XR an “adventure sport.” It’s not really “adventure,” but there is quite a bit of “sport.” Nevertheless, it’s a great combination for the twisties.I tested the S 1000

Nov/Dec '14

Comparison: 2014 BMW C 650 GT vs. 2014 KYMCO MYROAD 700i vs. 2013 Suzuki Burgman 650 ABS

With their short-stroke suspension, 3/4 scale wheels, and middleweight engines, has the scooter market caught up with the motorcycle market? Or has the right machine for the job finally become the right size for the task at hand? Let’s find out.They’re inexpensive compared to most touring

Sep/Oct '14

Comparison: 2014 BMW F 800 GS vs. 2014 Triumph Tiger 800 XC: Variations on a Theme

The spicy flavor of this British-born, massaged sportbike machine delivers tons of passion from each twist of the wrist, but the BMW’s practical and concise demeanor also delivers in predictable and repeatable ways. Many ask the same question, “Which one?” But only your own taste buds know what you

Jul/Aug '14

Comparison: BMW R 1200 GS vs Triumph 1200 Explorer XC vs Yamaha Ténéré

Just as the number of sport touring riders in the last decade or so has risen, a similar growth spurt is currently happening in the dual-sport market. Gone are the days of overnighting a CB400 to the local woodlands or piling the camping kit on your dirt bike. Currently in

Jan/Feb '14

2014 BMW F 800 GS: Adventure Rockin’ the Red Rocks

BMW’s mid-size F 800 GS Adventure offers real, functional improvements over the regular F 800 GS, and that makes it even better suited to a long-distance adventure-touring role.Foremost among the changes, the Adventure’s fuel capacity has been boosted by 50 percent to 6.3 gallons, bringing range

Nov/Dec '13

Comparison: 2013 BMW R 1200 GS vs 2013 KTM 1190 Adventure R: Battle of the Giants

With the allure of traveling around the world on two wheels ever increasing, the adventure-type motorcycles seem to be at their limits. “How much better can they get?” one might ask. Well, since they can already get to almost any place on earth, now they can do it fast, too.

Sep/Oct '13

2013 BMW F 800 GT: The Right Piece of the Puzzle

BMW thins the herd and replaces a first-model sport tourer with a longer and leaner next-generation machine. Gone are the F 800 S and ST; welcome to the higher horsepower F 800 GT, an everyday bike with touring capabilities.Like picking through a puzzle box, so many of the pieces

May/Jun '13

2012 BMW C600 Sport & C650GT: Two Ways to Scoot

Last season we attended a press event in Spain to give us a first impression of BMW’s two new maxi-scooters—the C 650 GT and the C 600 Sport (July/August ‘12 issue). We finally got an opportunity to test these scooters in the U.S., and our second

Nov/Dec '12

Long-term Evaluation – 2012 BMW R 1200 RT: Jack of All Rides

I don’t want to like this bike. BMW touring bikes, after all, typically appeal to people of a certain age, and liking the 2012 R 1200 RT is tantamount to admitting that I’m not as young as I used to be. That’s the stereotype at least, and

Jul/Aug '12

2013 BMW C 600 Sport and BMW C 650 GT: Versatile Meets Fun

With a design philosophy to create a machine that has the functionality of a scooter and the riding pleasure of a motorcycle, BMW introduced their two new “Maxi-Scooters” recently in Madrid, Spain.Centered on the same frame architecture and sharing a common power plant, the C 600 Sport and the

May/Jun '12

2012 BMW G 650 GS Sertão: A New Adventure Bike Joins the Fray!

Named after an arid savanna region in northeastern Brazil, the Sertão is designed for the growing adventure motorcycle market and essentially replaces the Dakar version of the F 650 GS, which was discontinued in 2008. (BMW changed its model designations beginning with the introduction of the F 800 series; single-cylinder

Mar/Apr '12

2012 BMW K 1600 GTL vs. 2012 Honda Gold Wing GL1800

The near simultaneous 2012 introductions of BMW’s new K 1600 GTL and Honda’s redesigned Gold Wing GL1800 beg for a comparison. Both are flagship models for their respective brands, propelled by six-cylinder engines and designed for long-distance touring. We chose the K 1600 GTL rather than the GT

Jul/Aug '11

2012 BMW K 1600 GT and GTL

Pieter de Waal, the vice president of BMW Motorrad USA, told us how the sporty new K 1600 GT and GTL models started out as a clean-sheet approach, with a five-year gestation. Although both the GTL and GT share most major components, they maintain separate personalities. The GTL offers more

Jul/Aug '10

2010 BMW R 1200 GS & GS Adventure

BMW Motorrad celebrated the 30th anniversary of its popular GS series by introducing the most powerful R 1200 GS and GS Adventure ever. Taking its name from a combination of the German Gelände and Strasse, GS translates to "terrain" and "road," respectively - and for three decades, GS models have

Jul/Aug '09

2009 BMW F 800 GS

The moral of the age-old tale is: Sometimes you have to taste a lot of porridge before you find the bowl that's "just right."Though I admire its go-anywhere capability, I've always found BMW's R 1200 GS Adventure rather intimidating where the pavement ends. Its considerable size, power and mass

Sept/Oct '08

2008 BMW R 1200 GS & R 1200 GS Adventure

What is it that makes a motorcycle great? Is it all-around ability, or sharply focused functionality in a specific area? For the R 1200 GS series, a hot item for BMW aficionados with over 75,000 of them already sold worldwide, it may be both.While sales are a good