Product Description

BMW began its life in aero-engineering as anyone who has ever ridden one of their bikes knows. Combining technical innovation, engineering excellence to produce exceptional road handling, BMW are today recognised as one of the best motorcycle manufacturers in the world, and this book is a testament to that fact, and to their most popular machines. From the first IR32 produced in 1923, designed by Max Friz, this book follows the most popular machines up to date. From the 1930 s to post-war success, where BMW had no drawings, blueprints, plans, and only a ruined, bombed factory in 1948, yet next year had produced 92,000 of the 250cc R 24, this book tracks the F&G Series, F series, R series, K series. Always at the forefront of improvement, BMW were first to introduce ABS systems on bikes( the R11ooRS), electronic adjusted windshields,( K100LT) hydraulic dampened telescopic forks, Telelever suspension systems to deliver superior traction during hard-brake situations, and a host of other improvements now recognised as standard and taken up by other manufacturers. Full of stunning colour photographs, technical details, construction, up to the latest revamped opposed twin cylinder boxer engines, these are the bikes that made history, and gave the most demanding riders a taste for flight, and is certain to prove popular with any motorcyclist!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #117459 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Review
All connoisseurs of beautiful design and objects, be they motorcycle enthusiasts or not, will appreciate The Art of BMW: 85 Years of Motorcycling Excellence, just out from Motorbooks. There over 100 of them in the stunning volume, as lovingly photographed as any assemblage of supermodels by Henry Von Wartenberg. Though the book covers the whole of the marque's illustrious history - all 85 years - author Peter Gantriis focuses on BMW's incredibly gorgeous pre-World War II models, many from the incomparable Peter Nettesheim Collection, such as the awesome R32 from 1925. These are bikes of almost sculptural beauty - but don't take our word for it, see for yourself in the gallery. --Luxist dot com;...written by Peter Gantris, with superb photos by Henry Von Wartenburg with a foreward written by Fred Jakobs of BMW Archive fame, I found this book imposssible to define....Covering a little over thirty different models between 1923 and the present day, this book contains some superb and detailed photos of the all the models discussed along with some factory history and some background on each model depicted and could be a useful addition to the collection of anyone with an interest in BMW or the older machines but it's usefulness as a reference book is limited by the restriceted content...it is a high quality production full of glossy photos --Boxerman, December 2008;The colour plates of early BMW's from the 1920's onwards, here, are just breathtaking. Real time capsual stuff. if you are a fan of Bavarian motorcycles, this is a stunning archive of models, some of which must have been hermatically sealed since manufacture such is their condition. Spanning 85 Years, the collection goes right up to 2007 and the R1200S --Classic Bike Guide, December 2008;...Covering a little over thirty different models between 1923 and the present day, this book contains some superb and detailed photographs of all the models discussed along with some factory history and some background on the models depicted and could be a useful adittion to the collection of anyone interested in BMW or older machines...really good photographs to drool over --BMW Rider, UK, November 2008;Practicality stops most men opting for the thrill of throbbing power beneath their lgs but they can dream - and The Art of BMW: 85 Years of Motorcycling Excellence will help them do so. This book is a hymn to the joy of the open road on a BMW motor cycle. lavishly illustrated, showing early BMW's that emerged form aero-engineering throguh to today's four-cyclinder models, it carries a history of each marque and is written by avid motorcycle enthusiast Peter Gantriiss --Savile Row, Style Magazine, December 2008;...Covering a little over thirty different models between 1923 and the present day, this book contains some superb and deta --BMW Rider, UK, November 2008;Key models beautifully photographed --Classic Bike, December, 2008..The Art of BMW: 85 Years of Motoring Excellence is a rather sexy book that charts the history of BMW's two-wheeled machines, form the very first motorbike to wear the BMW badge, the IR32, to the latest range of sports bikes. It boasts 250 photos, technical drawings and specifications and data about every singel model. If you're a fan of all things two-wheels then this is a must-have. --BMW Car magazine, december 2009

This book is a must have for any gear head, motorcycle fan, or fan of beautiful engineering. The art in this book is simply incredible, and even the most die hard fan will find out something they did not know. I originally purchased this book intending it to be a gift, but have enjoyed it so much that I refuse to give this one away! Ordering more to give as gifts to friends and family! I cannot recommend this item highly enough --Road Bike magazine, Janaury, 2009

If an avid motorcycle fan is on your present list here's a book that will really make his or her day...a sumptuous birthday feast for bMW and motorcycle fans alike. BMW began its life in aero engineering, and its motorcycles are among the world's very best. fifty per cent of all the motorcycles BMW manufactured are still running today. With superb full-page studio photographs, along with detailed descriptions of each bkes features, a concise history of this legendary marque is beautifully captured. From the first BMW bike, the R32, throguh the models that catapulted the company out of the ruins of World War II, to the latest twin bikes with the revamped opposed twin-cylinder 'boxer' engines that brought BMW it's firts fame, to the radical new twin-and-four cylinder motorcycles that fill out today's line up, these are the bikes that make BMW great. BMW have always been at the forfront of innovation and technology, earning an enviable reputation for doing things differently. Each change represented a solution to a problem, amny of the fetures adopted by other manufacturers were initiated by BMW - for example, anti-lock brakes. The book also features the motorcycles of the Peter Nettesheim collection of wonderfully restored motorcycles that exemplify BMW's design and engineering prowess. --Bolton news, march 2009

Customer Reviews

Strange selection of models
The pictures in this book are OK and the book is not expensive, but the choice of the models that are included can only be defined as "peculiar". Why is the R80G/S not to be found in the book? The K100RS, for example, one of the BMW design icons of the 80-ies (talking about art), is also missing! The same goes for the K1200RS, and the current K1200GT! Looking at the title, I expected something else...

Sheer Class
A feast for the eyes and the mind! Very classy book full of top photography and telling the story from the 1925 R32 through to the R1200GS of 2007. Its staying on my coffee table for the foreseeable future.