Boxer's future shaky

[Arbee]

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Poor old Bayerische Motoren Werk is right now in its biggest struggle both internally and externally. The Boxer engine is perhaps an even more characteristic trademark than Harley's V45. After a long and exclusive conversation with Markus Biebricher at the BMW-Motorrad factory we know that BMW have several options to replace the air-cooled Boxer engine. But inside the 100.000 motorcycles a year firm, the opinion is divided. To make the current 1200cc Boxer engine compliant with future emission and noise regulations it will have to be dropped from the line-up for a completely new design. If BMW are to continue with its traditional Boxer design there are several problems. The major problem is that a liquid cooled DOHC version of the Boxer engine would simply be too wide! You wouldn't be able to corner such a motorcycle without ploughing up the tarmac with the cylinder heads. 'It would be too wide and would not corner properly', Markus said. BMW also stated in our phone interview that without the Boxer engine BMW are afraid it will loose some of its uniqueness and be left with engines that are more similar to other manufacturers.


As we all know BMW have their in-line four, parallell twin and single cylinder engines in addition to the Boxer. So one of the alternatives to replace the Boxer line-up would be to use parallell twin engines rather than the Boxer. But then again, that would change dramatically how a BMW GS would look like for instance. Can you imagine a BMW R1200GS without the two cylinder heads sticking out on each side? No, neither can we and this is a big dilemma for the BMW engineers at the moment. The Boxer engine is the jewel in the crown and center of attention for BMW. Biebricher said that 1 or 2 years is not enough for BMW to find a solution and that there are not even drawings of such a replacement for the R-series.

At the same time, BMW is a company in growth and a huge changing process is taking place right now. BMW are sharpening its image with more and more sporty models. But the company is still finding its way in a market bound to change dramatically. Harley-Davidson, Buell, Moto Guzzi and Ducati are in the same situation. Who will find the best solutions?

BMW will participate in the Le Mans endurance race again with a race prepped R1200S. BMW told us that this bike could make the basis for a new HP2 model. BMW are also at the very end of development on the current 1200cc Boxer engine and openly admits that there are not much more to get from the engine. This might be an argument against such a HP2 model. The R1200S is powerful enough, but perhaps it can be lightened?

[Greybeard]

Don't you find it as difficult to believe as I do that BMW didn't see this coming years ago?

[priapismic]

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BMW told us that this bike could make the basis for a new HP2 model.

Source? Who is "us"?

[Arbee]

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BMW told us that this bike could make the basis for a new HP2 model.

Source? Who is "us"?

Raptorial
Name: Tor G Sagen
Title: Editor R&R and freelance motorcycle journalist
Email: tor.sagen_raptorsandrockets.com

[Buckster]

With their inline twin being so new and unproven to be a staple in their line-up, I can't see them putting the boxer to rest quite yet.
If they do....
Wow...I really like the Triumph Tiger Triple...
I've always like the Honda 919...
That new Kawasaki Concourse really seems nice...
Gee...Ural still sells a boxer!!

[Oilhead]

Didn't we go through in the mid 80s with the intro of the brick inlines? They even made the final edition boxers.....

[Boxer]

Whew!!
You had me worried.

[boxermania]

Arbee.....interesting rethoric by our German friends. Actually the conversion to water cooled is very much doable....Porsche did it sucesfully on their 911 (boxer) engines and managed to maintain the momentum of the model.

Regarding the excusses, one can always shift the crank and jugs slightly higher in the block to accomodate the water jacket, of course that will also alter the CG, which in the case of the boxer is much lower than that of a vertical four or twin!!!

My take is that they want to get away from entry level bikes and push the high end, in effect killing half of the current Boxer riders. Have you seen how well the new model has sold against the old R1150....it appears that the older model is better looking than the new one with the exception of the 10 to 15 hp to be had on a lighter package.

I find the Teutonic logic fascinating, they don't follow the market, they decide what the public needs to ride....he, he, he, it reminds me of the GM of lore.

My 2 cents........

[Gordium7]

There are always solutions.

They could always make em look like a Moto Guzzi... get lots more head clearance that way.

The local H-D dealership has started carrying M.Guzzi.... they are very pretty bikes. I think there was some sort of national deal between H-D & Aprilla. Aprilla is involved since they are the owners of M.G now.

[R4R&R]

I thought I read the same info about th R1150 motors. Very similar writeup. Very similar workding. I'll believe it when I see it.

[MartinW]

Look, the boxer engine has been around for over 50 years and is a BMW icon. The police here use them and it has a cult following in the GS form. I really can't see them dropping it.

Watch out for the R1500 series...........................

[boxermania]

MartinW,

I think the R1500 series would definitely require balance shafts......that's why BMW didn't go bigger on the engine size for the R1200.

[zooomart]

There are other catalytic converter technologies besides the current high cost metals that will likely be employed, as in future BMW cars. The 1200 already has a balancer, so 1250 to 1300cc and 135HP would be "enough" for me!!!

[OU812]

I may keep mine FOREVER.

[riceburner]

Easy - go back to side valves.


Or bring back the fore-aft boxer layout.

[iowabeakster]

4 cyl Boxers...it would bring BMW up to date with with a '75 Honda.

[towerworker]

I am probably one of the least intelligent on this forum considering the design of the boxer engine and the potential of a liquid cooled replacement but I have to question the statement made concerning trouble meeting noise regulations on our boxer engine. It has to be one of the quietest engines of any bike on the street. (at least here in my part of Va which seems to be Harley haven)

I know the Gold Wings are extremely quiet but I consider that a Caddy with a kick stand.

Wayne

[Biff's R]

The US is not gonna ban the aircooled motorcycle engine. What kind of PR do you think our congressmen and senators would get when they tried this? They are in the business of getting re elected, and they would not want to piss off Harley Davidson, and their customers. Which leds to my belief that if HD is ok with emissons, and sound then BMW should be fine.

[oiasghar]

BMW built a liquid cooled boxer twin over a decade ago and with all things desmodromic valve actuation; The Desmo R1 Boxer. There was a lengthy article in one of the motorcycle publications not too long ago. They had put the tranny under the engine to get the jugs high enough for clearance. The thing had vertical intakes pipes and exhaust coming out under the jugs. Thank god unlike Ducati (I am on my 4th) the valves were chain driven. They did not disclose the actual head/valve design but it was pretty interesting. I think there is hope for the boxer. But I am happy that I just picked up a mint condition, low mileage R1150R

Found a link to it http://steliosh.net/moto/bmwr1.html and another one http://www.boxer-motor.com/index.php?op ... &Itemid=55

[OU812]

It has to be one of the quietest engines of any bike on the street. (at least here in my part of Va which seems to be Harley haven)

I know the Gold Wings are extremely quiet but I consider that a Caddy with a kick stand.

Wayne

Could not agree with you more. The only way to make these bike obnoxious, is run them with a Y pipe and no can. Then all your low end goes out the door.