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bigjames · 01-31-2003, 10:05 AM

but will they build a GP bike, nooooooooooooo.

Not within their motircycle customer base!

Still say there needs to be a full dresser two up racing class! That would be a real hoot to watch.

rsheidler · 01-31-2003, 10:13 AM

I have seen interviews with several top BMW execs (both Motorcycle and Aotomobile divisions) which indicate that they are, in fact, considering it. They indicated that if they were to do so, it would not be primarily for marketing motorcycles, but was for marketing cars. BMW car owners, especially in Europe, are very much performance oriented, and like to be on the cutting edge of technology, much different from the Bike customers who are much more traditional.

The other reason cited was to motivate and reward their engineering and technical staff. I believe that Honda used to do that (maybe still do) -- rotate promising engineers through the race departments as 1) a reward, and 2) part of training.

Cheers

Bob

TatdNPrcd · 01-31-2003, 10:19 AM

The sparks coming off the floorboards alone would be worth the admission price!

captainwhoopass · 01-31-2003, 11:05 AM

How about riders backing Goldwings and K1200LTs into corners? I've actually seen it done once (honestly!) with a Yamaha Venture.

Mashuri · 01-31-2003, 12:07 PM

BMW needs to let the M division loose on their motorcycles. I'd love to see what kind of race bike they could develop.

santambrogio · 01-31-2003, 02:14 PM

Is it time for the R990 //M? BMW did try and give up on the R1 Superbike (not the Yamaha) a few years ago.

The F1 highly 18,000 rpm electronic motors do seem to do well in MotoGP, see the Aprilia R3.

Crudely put: listen to a F1 race and compare to the sounds of a MotoGP race, two very different types of power delivery.

santambrogio · 01-31-2003, 02:21 PM

Meant to write:

" the 18,000 rpm highly electronic motors of F1 do *NOT* seem to do well in MotoGP, see the Aprilia RS Qube."

Mashuri · 01-31-2003, 03:09 PM

Doesn't matter. BMW's M division has proven it can make phenomenal motors for many applications. They're design prowess is phenomenal. I say let them have a crack at the bikes.

rsheidler · 01-31-2003, 03:18 PM

I'd reserve judgement on that until we see how Colin does this season. It has gotten down pretty close to Honda times already.

The Aprilia's issues to date have been with fine tuning the electronic power-management software, and the fact the the bike is still overweight.

rsheidler · 01-31-2003, 03:20 PM

I think that if Aprilia are at all successful (and early test results suggest that is possible), the chance of BMW jumping in is greater.

01-31-2003, 10:05 AM	#1
bigjames Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 408	Re: BMW in 2003 MotoGP! Sort of... but will they build a GP bike, nooooooooooooo. Not within their motircycle customer base! Still say there needs to be a full dresser two up racing class! That would be a real hoot to watch.

01-31-2003, 10:13 AM	#2
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: BMW in 2003 MotoGP! Sort of... I have seen interviews with several top BMW execs (both Motorcycle and Aotomobile divisions) which indicate that they are, in fact, considering it. They indicated that if they were to do so, it would not be primarily for marketing motorcycles, but was for marketing cars. BMW car owners, especially in Europe, are very much performance oriented, and like to be on the cutting edge of technology, much different from the Bike customers who are much more traditional. The other reason cited was to motivate and reward their engineering and technical staff. I believe that Honda used to do that (maybe still do) -- rotate promising engineers through the race departments as 1) a reward, and 2) part of training. Cheers Bob

01-31-2003, 10:19 AM	#3
TatdNPrcd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 416	Re: BMW in 2003 MotoGP! Sort of... The sparks coming off the floorboards alone would be worth the admission price! __________________ Cages are for Hamsters! http://www.ridetowork.org http://www.ironbutt.com

01-31-2003, 11:05 AM	#4
captainwhoopass Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,671	Re: BMW in 2003 MotoGP! Sort of... How about riders backing Goldwings and K1200LTs into corners? I've actually seen it done once (honestly!) with a Yamaha Venture. __________________ <blockquote> \"I knew it. I\'m surrounded by a$$holes.\" [b][i]Lord Helmet, Spaceballs

01-31-2003, 12:07 PM	#5
Mashuri Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 57	//M BMW needs to let the M division loose on their motorcycles. I'd love to see what kind of race bike they could develop.

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01-31-2003, 02:14 PM	#6
santambrogio Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	BMW //M Bike? Is it time for the R990 //M? BMW did try and give up on the R1 Superbike (not the Yamaha) a few years ago. The F1 highly 18,000 rpm electronic motors do seem to do well in MotoGP, see the Aprilia R3. Crudely put: listen to a F1 race and compare to the sounds of a MotoGP race, two very different types of power delivery.

01-31-2003, 02:21 PM	#7
santambrogio Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 13	Re: BMW //M Bike? Meant to write: " the 18,000 rpm highly electronic motors of F1 do NOT seem to do well in MotoGP, see the Aprilia RS Qube."

01-31-2003, 03:09 PM	#8
Mashuri Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 57	Re: BMW in 2003 MotoGP! Sort of... Doesn't matter. BMW's M division has proven it can make phenomenal motors for many applications. They're design prowess is phenomenal. I say let them have a crack at the bikes.

01-31-2003, 03:18 PM	#9
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: BMW //M Bike? I'd reserve judgement on that until we see how Colin does this season. It has gotten down pretty close to Honda times already. The Aprilia's issues to date have been with fine tuning the electronic power-management software, and the fact the the bike is still overweight.

01-31-2003, 03:20 PM	#10
rsheidler Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,459	Re: BMW in 2003 MotoGP! Sort of... I think that if Aprilia are at all successful (and early test results suggest that is possible), the chance of BMW jumping in is greater.