NEW BMW MOTORCYCLE MODELS AND FEATURES FOR 2001

With more than 74,000 new bikes sold globally in 2000, BMW Motorcycles
celebrated record sales for the eighth consecutive year and enjoyed the highest
sales of its 77-year history. With several exciting key models being launched
during 2001, Europe's leading manufacturer of large capacity motorcycles looks
set to reap the rewards of outstanding design and innovation well into the 21st
century.

Integral ABS - setting new standards in brake technology and safety:

BMW's revolutionary Integral ABS comes with an all-new, electro hydraulic brake
servo and an integral braking system, where the hand and foot brake levers act
simultaneously on front and rear wheel brakes. All electronic control
elements, as well as the electro hydraulic units, are accommodated in one
compact housing (the pressure modulator). Twelve years and more than 250,000
customers after the introduction of the first anti-lock brake system, the new
BMW Integral ABS is fitted as standard on the K 1200 RS, K 1200 LT and R 1150
RT and is an option on the R1100 S and R 1150 R.

The introduction of the ABS system coincides with the debut of the EVO
(evolution) front wheel brake that features two larger discs of 320 mm diameter
and increases brake forces by 15 to 20 per cent. This means that manual
pressures required by
the rider are about 50 per cent lower. Sintered metal brake pad linings offer
approximately 50 per cent greater durability and better stability.

BMW's Motorcycle Manager David Taylor commented: "2001 promises to be a truly
exciting year for the motorcycle division with the launch of several key models
to our expanding range, as well as significant technological improvements in
active riding safety with the introduction of the Integral ABS system. We
expect this success to continue as more and more riders discover the advantages
of a BMW in the real world of biking."

The new R 1150 RT:

After more than five years of production, the R 1100 RT is being replaced by
the new R 1150 RT, which comes with a larger and more powerful engine,
six-speed gearbox and BMW's revolutionary Integral ABS.

The R 1150 RT now has an 1130 cc engine, an increase of 45 cc over its
predecessor. Maximum power is up from 90 to 95 bhp at 7,250 rpm, maximum
torque has increased from 95 Nm (70 lb-ft) to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm
and more than 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) is consistently available between 3,000 and
6,500 rpm, providing significantly more low down power.

New features:

The R 1150 RT has a six-speed gearbox designed especially for comfortable
touring. The sixth gear is "longer" and acts as an overdrive, reducing engine
speed and, accordingly, fuel consumption.

The R 1150 RT now has lighter, cast aluminium wheels to reduce unsprung weight
and the front wheel features the newly developed EVO brake. BMW's Integral ABS
system is fitted as standard. The new headlight system and upper fairing
section characterise the new face of the R 1150 RT. Like the K 1200 RS, the R
1150 RT also features two fog lamps integrated at the sides. The upper part of
the fairing has been totally redesigned to match the new headlight system, yet
retains the excellent wind and weather protection that the R 1100 RT offered.

The rider's seat comes with even better thigh support, enhanced comfort with
four different settings and, as before, shorter riders also have a lower seat
option. As befits a genuine tourer, the R 1150 RT comes equipped with two
system cases and an integrated luggage rack as standard.

The R 1150 RT will be available in a choice of four colours: aquamint metallic;
titanium silver metallic; dark blue metallic and red metallic. Optional extras
include heated grips, a radio preparation kit with new loudspeakers, a radio
cassette player, multi-tone horn, topcase, tankbag, cylinder protection bars
and an alarm system.

The new K 1200 RS:

BMW has thoroughly updated the K 1200 RS sports tourer originally introduced in
1997, with the objectives of improving wind and weather protection and comfort
for the rider and passenger.

New features:

The new K 1200 RS has BMW's new EVO brake on the front wheel and is fitted with
the new, revolutionary Integral ABS as standard - in this case the partly
integrated version reflecting the sporting character of this model. This means
that the handbrake lever acts simultaneously on the front and rear wheel
brakes, but the footbrake lever only activates the rear brake.

Without making any concessions in terms of its sporting performance, the
touring comfort of the K 1200 RS has been improved significantly and both the
windscreen and the upper section of the fairing have been totally redesigned.
As before, there is a choice of two positions, but windscreen height has now
been increased by 60mm in the lower position and by 45mm in the higher
position. The result is even better weather protection, particularly around
the upper body.

The upper section of the fairing has been modified as a result of extensive
wind tunnel testing and the K1200 RS now sports a more slender, dynamic look,
with re-positioned direction indicators and water radiators. There are also
larger rear-view mirrors, and re-designed instrument and inner cockpit covers,
both finished in the colour of the motorcycle.

In addition, the comfort handlebar (that provides a more upright seating
position) previously available as an option is now fitted as standard and both
the rider and passenger footrests have been lowered by 30 and 20 mm
respectively. As before, the rider's foot pegs may be adjusted vertically and
horizontally, and the rider's seat is also adjustable.

The K 1200 RS comes in a choice of three new colours: night black non-metallic;
pacific blue metallic and twin tone frost blue metallic/marrakech red
non-metallic. The wide range of optional extras includes a comfort seat,
luggage rack, heated grips, alarm, tank bags and cruise control.

The BMW R 1150 R:

The new BMW R 1150 R follows in the successful footsteps of the R 1100 R, a
machine that accounted for 53,000 units in six years, together with the smaller
R 850 R. The new 1150cc model promises to be even more dynamic, agile and
appealing.

The flat-twin, 4-valve engine enjoys a 5 bhp power increase and now develops 85
bhp. The torque curve shows that the new engine is "beefier" through the
entire speed range, with more than 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) of torque consistently
available between 3,000 and 6,500 rpm, significantly improving acceleration in
this important area. The increase is attributable to the engine's higher
capacity and the digital engine management that is now masterminded by MA 2.4
Motronic. However, 50 per cent of the power increase has been made possible by
a new exhaust and silencer system manufactured from chrome-plated stainless
steel.

Another notable feature of the R 1150 R is the upgraded six-speed gearbox. The
standard top gear is "shorter" and more dynamic (compared with the five-speed
unit of the previous model) but a "longer" sixth gear is available as an
option. The latter is intended for more comfortable touring and for use as a
kind of "overdrive" to aid fuel economy.

The BMW Telelever front wheel suspension can now be geared to the rider's
individual style, or to compensate for varying payloads. The newly developed
EVO front brake boosts stopping power by no less than 20 per cent and allows
ABS as an option. Additionally, the R 1150 R features a two-piece front
mudguard, cast aluminum wheels with five double spokes, a 20.4 litre capacity
fuel tank giving an improved range of approximately 225 miles, two-piece saddle
with a rider height of 800 mm/31.5 inches and wider handlebars.

As you would expect from BMW, a full range of dedicated luggage and accessories
is available for the R1150 R, which comes in a choice of three colours: Atlanta
blue metallic; red metallic and night black.

ends.....

For more information about the 2001 BMW motorcycle range or the World of BMW,
contact Andy Dukes on 0800 013 1282. Alternatively, e-mail
andydukes@worldofbmw.com

Note to Editors: There are many more photographs in downloadable format
illustrating the new model range. Please use the search format to access.