BMW Motorcycles [Hardcover]

Darwin Holmstrom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2002

The entire history of the BMW motorcycle production, from the original R32 of 1932, through the war years and into the 21st century, is covered in this in-depth look. Particular attention is given to the groundbreaking motorcycles BMW produced in the 1970s. Those include the R90S and the R100RS -- the first mass-produced motorcycle to come equipped with a full, frame-mounted fairing -- and the innovative and popular motorcycles BMW offers today, including the exotic R1200C cruiser and the K1200LT luxury, touring bike. Both of which proved so popular they sent Honda back to the drawing board with its mighty Gold Wing.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This is an expanded and updated edition of a popular Motorbooks title. BMW Motorcycles chronicles the history of this famous brand, a brand known for engineering excellence, a brand known for making beautiful bikes that are a joy to ride, maintain, and keep for years and years. Filled with brilliant photography by Brian J. Nelson and writing from motorcycle expert that goes beyond mere facts and figures and paints a picture of one of the world's great motorcycle manufacturers and its enduring success and commitment to quality. The new edition will include 12 entirely new pages full of photography and descriptions of the latest BMW motorcycle models.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

When the time comes to sell your house, quit your job, and leave it all behind to pursue your dream of traveling around the world on two wheels, the bike you’ll most likely select is a BMW. In BMW Motorcycles, author Darwin Holmstrom brings the story of these legendary machines to life, describing the societal and personal forces that created BMW’s two-wheeled line. Holmstrom explores how motorcycles grew from a sideline to a major part of BMW’s business, how World War II nearly destroyed the company, and how BMW motorcycles evolved from stodgy touring bikes to cutting-edge machines that seamlessly blend tradition with modern styling and technology. Filled with Brian J. Nelson’s stunning photography, this insightful book offers a fresh perspective on some of the finest motorcycles ever built. BMW Motorcycles is a must-have for all Beemerphiles.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; First edition (July 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076031098X
• ISBN-13: 978-0760310984
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #916,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book made me switch from Harley to BMW, December 3, 2004

By 

Spike the Biker "Spike" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BMW Motorcycles (Hardcover)

I bought this book after reading David Edward's "Cycle World" editorial column in which he called it "an excellent book." He was right--the writing is gripping. I read it from cover to cover twice. There's not as much nuts and bolts stuff in here as in some other BMW books, but that stuff bores me anyway. I really don't care what the valve timing was on a 1963 R50/2. What I do care about is the history of the bikes and of the company. I care about what it is like to ride these bikes. I care about the people who created them. That's what's in here. It makes those other books read like parts lists. And the photography is top notch.

I liked this book so much that this fall I traded my Harley Softail in on a R1200GS. I've been riding Harleys since 1978, so that's saying something.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Blew me away!, November 26, 2003

By 

Darryl Holmgren "Tex" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BMW Motorcycles (Hardcover)

I expected another boring book about BMWs, but instead of the mind-numbing parts lists that pass for books on the subject, this one was actually a blast to read. I even laughed out loud. The history was there, and I learned a lot I didn't know, especially about the bikes that were exported to North America, but what struck me was how entertaining the book was. I bought it because of the great photography and wasn't even expecting to read it, but once I started, I couldn't put it down. This is by far the best BMW book ever published.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best BMW bike book available, so far?, February 2, 2003

By 

A reader from (Grand Junction, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: BMW Motorcycles (Hardcover)

Having on my shelf just about every BMW motorcycle book available on Amazon[.com] (and I did not pay the high prices currently showing for some titles, even though I bought them via Amazon[.com] vendors!), I must say, as far as quality of photographs, this is the best!

Text is also very good. Some books on BMWs that are/were available are very slight - at least one of the ones I bought via Amazon is a remainder from England - a "packaged" book; part of a series on various makes of bike, with little text and photos used in several titles.

Having owned a BMW (R100RT) when I lived in London, England, and now a R1100RT, I can attest to their being fine machines -bikes that deserve such a worthy book on them.

I agree with the author's review that many other books on BMWs focus on the early history and concern earlier types and do not contain much on the later models. I think the author is arguably not stating the obvious reason here. This is maybe because they were written before the current "oilhead" twins were produced so understandably could not cover them, or if revised then the books were merely slightly updated after these newer types arrived on the scene so include only a chapter or so on them?

This book being recently published is (obviously)as a result more timely on its coverage.

As a rider of Triumphs some years ago, I'm saving up to buy the similar volume covering that historical make as well - not seen it but I'm sure it will make a fine companion to this title.

A great book at a reasonable price, considering the wealth of color photos, for any motorcycle fan and especially for BMW riders.