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