BMW launches 'classic' bike
Models pose next to BMW R nineT, right, during a launch event at the Platoon Kunsthalle in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, Wednesday. The classic R26 was also on display during the event celebrating the 90th anniversary of BMW Motorrad. / Courtesy of BMW Korea
By Kim Tae-jong
BMW Korea launched the R nineT motorbike, which was created to celebrate the 90th anniversary of its manufacturing motorcycles, in Seoul, Wednesday.
“The R nineT traces its roots back to the original BMW R32 in 1923, which BMW built using its technology developed for aircraft engines,” Shin Jin-uk, head of BMW Motorrad Korea, said during a launch event at Platoon Kunsthalle in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul.
The BMW R32 was the first motorcycle produced by BMW which was an aircraft engine manufacturer at that time.
Styling cues from old-school motorcycle manufacturing are merged with the very latest drive and chassis components on the nineT to produce a sensational motorcycle, Shin added.
Like the original, it is powered by a classic flat twin boxer engine, which BMW has used since the advent of the R32.
This classically-styled roadster employs the 1,170 cc air and oil-cooled boxer unit, which produces 110 horsepower with a maximum torque of 12.1 kilograms-meters.
The company also said another major attraction of the new model is to allow riders to customize it to their personal preferences.
The choice of modifications ranges from BMW Motorrad genuine accessories to custom-made add-on or accessory parts from specialist customizers, making it possible to create a truly unique machine.
Its removable pillion frame allows the nineT to carry a passenger or to be set up for just a solo rider.
According to BMW Korea, their sales goal is 200 of the bikes this year, which may easily be surpassed as the company has already received over 100 preorders.
“We’re in talks with BMW Group to get more R nineTs, which has been very popular since its launch in other markets last year,” an official from BMW Korea said.
Priced at 21.7 million won, it will be one of the flagship models in BMW Motorrad’s lineup, which it hopes will help the firm set a new sales record this year.
The company sold over 1,328 motorbikes last year, up about 20 percent from the previous year, topping the market of big motorbikes with an engine capacity over 500cc.
It was also the first time for a motorbike company to surpass the 1,300 mark in this segment.