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