BMW reported its best ever sales results for the month of June (+12% over June 2019 - the only one of the major OEMs so far able to post real monthly growth since the pandemic struck) with a total of 20,021 BMW motorcycles sold worldwide in June.
Despite understandably weak sales March to May, BMW Motorrad sold 76,707 motorcycles worldwide in the first half of 2020 - a decrease of 'only' -17.7%.
This year the company has been celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first GS model, and the big news out of Munich in the past couple of months is of the new BMW M 1000 RR - the next in its sequence of 'M' marque migration from BMW's automotive operation to its motorcycle division.
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| BMW M 1000 RR |
Always associated with BMW's top-end sports styling and performance, the M RR is the first M model from BMW Motorrad based on the S 1000 RR, and with an engine output of 156 kW (212 HP), a DIN vehicle kerb weight of only 192 kg and a suspension and aerodynamics "designed for maximum race track performance, the new M RR meets the main expectations in the top segment of Superbikes".
The water-cooled in-line four with BMW ShiftCam technology for varying valve timing and valve lift that has been modified comprehensively achieves its peak output of 156 kW (212 HP) at 14,500 rpm, the maximum torque of 113 Nm at 11,000 rpm and top speed at 15,100 rpm. The M RR engine has extensive technical optimisations such as new 2-ring forged pistons from Mahle, adapted combustion chambers, compression increased to 13.5, longer and lighter titanium connecting rods from Pankl (formerly owned by KTM), slimmer and lighter rocker arms, fully machined intake ports with new duct geometry as well as optimisations on camshafts and the intake area and a lightweight titanium exhaust system.
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| Maintenance-free M Endurance chain - in 525 pitch initially available for the S 1000 RR/XR and S 1000 XR. |
The aerodynamics package includes carbon M winglets and a high windscreen with increased downforce making for later braking and earlier acceleration reduction in maximum speed. The chassis design is based on the aluminium RR bridge frame trimmed for racetrack use with modified geometry, optimised wheel load distribution and extended adjustability of the swinging arm pivot point.
It has an optimised upside-down fork as well as a revised central spring strut with blue spring and Full Floater Pro kinematics, as well as M brakes for the first time at BMW Motorrad and M carbon wheels as standard.
For those who want more than the new M RR in standard trim, the M competition package includes M GPS lap trigger software and activation code, an M milled parts package, M carbon package and 220 g lighter swinging arm (in silver), friction-optimised and maintenance-free and DLC-coated M Endurance chain and a passenger package that includes tail-hump cover.
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| Performance carbon fibre wheel sets for the BMW S 1000 RR |
In additional news, after a total of 18 successful BMW Motorrad Days events in succession at Garmisch-Partenkirchen near Munich (after the first event at Seefeld in Austria in 2001), BMW is relocating its (20th) flagship clan gathering to Berlin in 2021. Dates and details to be confirmed.
