-
Bayerische Motoren Werke is incorporated. The company produces aircraft engines.
-
The M2 B15 is developed. It’s BMW’s first flat-Twin – aka ‘Boxer’ – motorcycle. The motor is based on an earlier aircraft design.
-
Legendary BMW designer Max Friz sequesters himself in his house and draws the plans for an all-new motorcycle. The 486cc R 32 is shown at the Paris “Salon.” It is a big improvement over the M2 B15 and reaches a top speed of about 60 mph.
-
A racing version of the R 32 – the R 37 – is introduced. Also, the R 39 debuts and front brakes are added to the R 32.
-
BMW develops the R 47, which would go on to replace the R 32, R 37 and R 39.
-
BMW releases its biggest motorcycle to date – the 750cc R 62, with a top speed of 71 mph.
-
The R 4, with a 398cc single-cylinder overhead-valve engine, is released.
-
The R 5 is introduced, which is BMW’s first bike with rear-plunger suspension. Also, the 500cc R 7 is released, which can reach 87 mph.
-
Beginning with the R 61, BMW has introduced rear suspension on all production models. Six new models are introduced this year, including the R 23, R 51, R 66 and R 71. The R 71 is the last BMW bike to feature a side-valve engine.
-
BMW introduces the R 75, which was designed for war use. Weighing a whopping 925 pounds, the R 75 featured 750 cc engine, large gas tank, two seats and a sidecar. It could also be fitted with a machine gun.
-
With the war over, BMW is forbidden to manufacturer motorcycles and turns its attention to making bicycles. To add insult to injury, German patents are taken in war reparation, and the French company CMR (later known as Ratier) begins making a BMW clone.
-
BMW begins motorcycle manufacturing again with the R 24. The company’s first post-war bike, the R 24 is powered by a 250cc engine, the maximum allowed at the time.
-
BMW produces the 600cc R 67, outfitted with a sidecar
-
BMW begins production of the RS Series, which features a swinging arm rear suspension and Earles forks. Also, the R 25 is redesigned and released as the R 25/3.
-
Walter Zeller finished second in the 500cc World Championship, behind John Surtees; it is BMW’s best “solo” result in the modern era.
-
Motorcycle production falls from 23,531 in 1955 to just 5,429 in 1959 due to an economic decline.
-
Special United States export versions of the R 60 and R 69 are built, but no new models are released from 1961 through 1968.
-
The R80/7 is introduced and becomes a favorite of police forces.
-
The luxury-touring R100RT is introduced and features a full-touring fairing. The 473cc R 45 is also introduced
-
BMW introduces a road version of the R80G/S – the R80RT.
-
The K100 is introduced – the first of the water-cooled K series. It is the first production bike with electronic ignition and fuel injection and has a top speed of 132 mph. A racing version called the K100RS is also introduced.
-
BMW designs its first three-cylinder motorcycle – the K75. This bike shares much in common with the K100 but consumes less fuel and is has more nimble handling.
-
A four-valve version of the K100RS is introduced. ABS is now standard on all K series bikes.
-
The 1,000,000th BMW motorcycle is produced – a three-cylinder K75RT. BMW begins outfitting its motorcycles with three-way catalytic converters. BMW also re-releases its R100R.
-
The R1100RS sports tourer is introduced. The bike is powered by a fuel-injected, eight valve, twin-cylinder engine.
-
BMW’s first single is released in 30 years, the F650 Funduro, plus the first four-valve GS, the R1100GS.
-
This is the last year that the two-valve traditional Boxer is produced.
-
BMW introduces its first chopper/cruiser – the R1200C. It’s the choice of James Bond, but that’s not enough to make it very popular. It will be discontinued a few years later.
-
Not ready to rest on its laurels, the K1600GT and K1600GTL are introduced. Billed as the ideal machine to destroy miles and curvy roads — preferably at the same time — the K1600 series is the first BMW motorcycle powered by a six-cylinder engine.
