| BMW is set to enter the World Superbike | | | | Back in 1992, BMW developed a boxer twin |
| Championship in 2009. | | | | superbike to take on the all-conquering Ducatis in |
| While the BMW 325is parts maker has long been | | | | WSB. Called the R1, the BMW prototype utilized |
| involved in "car" motorsport, and has also | | | | an all-new 1000cc, DOHC, water-cooled boxer |
| competed on "biking" events like the Paris Dakar | | | | twin, with around 160bhp. It doesn't anymore fit |
| rally, its recent entry in the Le Mans 24 hour race | | | | today's standards, but back then, it was enough |
| was the first time in 5 decades BMW ran its own | | | | to compete. |
| works road racing team. | | | | In the bike's later development, BWM decided the |
| For many years, BMW has run the Boxer Cup | | | | design wouldn't be competitive enough to assure |
| championship for R1100S machines and the | | | | the success required to make the investment |
| PowerCup for the K1200R. It has also provided | | | | worthwhile, and backed out from the idea of |
| significant sponsorship to the MotoGP | | | | racing. |
| championship. | | | | Now the firm is back. Its latest project, utilizing a |
| The boosted motorsport activities have been | | | | four-cylinder engine, guarantees to be truly |
| echoed in its production model range. The K1200S, | | | | competitive. Inside the factory is the new |
| K1200R and the new R1200S all show a new, | | | | Codenamed 190/190, which targets 190bhp at the |
| sportier face to a vehicle maker whose products | | | | crankshaft and a 190kg wet weight in road-going |
| were once considered the two wheeled equivalent | | | | trim. If it bangs that, race versions should have |
| to a comfortable pair of slippers. | | | | no problem in meeting the 210bhp needed to be |
| BMW isn't just on road racing. In fact, its 450cc | | | | competitive in WSB, and trimming down to the |
| enduro prototype marked at a greater | | | | 162kg minimum weight limit for the series. |
| involvement in off-road competition. Furthermore, | | | | BMW isn't officially commenting on the project, |
| BMW signed just last week a deal to completely | | | | but an insider told the reporters that there would |
| acquire the Husqvarna brand from previous | | | | be an announcement about its race plans before |
| owner Claudio Castiglioni. Results are a | | | | the year ends. The insider also hinted that there |
| ready-made (and to race) range of off-road | | | | would be a huge surprise at one of this year's |
| machines and the bikes with retained Husqvarna | | | | major bike shows, insinuating a prototype of the |
| branding instead of BMW badges. | | | | new machine could loom. |
| Reports say the decision to enter WSB might | | | | BMW will be racing in 2009. Nevertheless, showing |
| come after a behind the scenes brainstorming | | | | a prototype will allow it the luxury of testing |
| with the concept of a MotoGP bike "but the | | | | relatively publicly for a year, on the tracks used |
| production-based championship is arguably a more | | | | by the WSB series, without having to try to hide |
| fitting slot" for BMW's image. Racing in WSB will | | | | the bike. Moreover, production versions of the |
| give a marketing spur to its more road-based | | | | 190/190 could go on sale before its race debut. |
| bikes. | | | | |