It is funny. There are some brands that I feel I know everything about, and some that I actually only know a little. Whereas I know a lot about most of the really big players in the automotive industry, and I happy to admit that I don’t have anywhere near the same amount of knowledge about bike producers as I do about those who make cars. I am, of course, aware of some of the big names in the business – you know, Harley, Honda, Kawasaki – the big boys who produce well respected bikes by the thousands. Harley, for example, has pretty much become biking legend, and it is hard not to know about them, or at least have some sort of awareness of the brand. When asked to identify some more brands, however, I wouldn’t know any! Which is why I was quite surprised the other day when I found out that Used BMW make bikes and I hadn’t even realised!
In fact, BMW don’t just make one or two bikes, but they have a whole range if different models, all with individual sets of advantages and differing engine sizes and power levels. This just makes me feel worse about not being aware of them, since they are clearly quite an important player, at least in the UK market. I suppose since I have never seen a new or used BMW Bikes dealership on my travels around the country I had no real reason to assume that they made them, but even this excuse sounds a little unconvincing and half hearted to me.
So, a quick swot up, so if anyone asks I can pretend that I am the foremost expert on the subject. What bike models to BMW make?
Well, if we are just doing a skim revision of the models, there are five main model types that BMW produce. There is the Enduro, which was probably made most famous by the fact that it was the sort of bike that Ewan Macgregor and Charlie Boorman drove on their around the world trip. As you can guess from the name and this piece of trivia, this bike is all about endurance and practicality. This tenacity, which BMW boasts makes them Unstoppable, means that the Enduro can be driven both and off road through the most challenging terrain.
Then there is the Sport – not quite as famous, but very popular amongst sports bikers. This isn’t a normal everyday Motorbike, but one designed for racing and track. You can drive it normally if you want, but I would imagine all that effort they have put into the balance and acceleration would kind of be wasted.
For day to day drivers Used BMW produce both the Tour and the Urban. The urban is happiest in the city, in its natural environment, whilst the Tour bike works on any sort of road. Whether you are zooming along the motorway or winding through the city, these bikes will have the transport you need. If you do need more, however, then the High Performance bikes are there for you – posher, more exciting and as good at performance as their name suggests.
