Vines BMW Bikes News: Haslam on the podium at Phillip Island! 
2011 Superbike World Championship, race report from Phillip Island, Australia.



An exciting opening round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship in Australia saw BMW Motorrad Motorsport new recruit Leon Haslam make a great start to the new season by scoring his first podium finish for the team in his very first race on the S 1000 RR Superbike.

Following a night of rain and a wet warm-up session, the sun came out and dried the track for the start of race one. It was Leon Haslam who made the most of his front row qualifying position by getting a good start from fourth on the grid. Eventual race winner Carlos Checa soon stormed into the lead, closely followed by Max Biaggi, leaving the television cameras to concentrate on the battle for third between Haslam and fellow British rider Eugene Laverty.

A race-long duel then followed between the two riders, who traded places several times, but it was Haslam who came out on top on his RR, finishing on the podium in his first ever race for BMW Motorrad Motorsport and in doing so, equalling the team’s best result to date.

Troy Corser was the next BMW rider home – just inside the top10 – and BMW Motorrad Italia’s Ayrton Badovini earned his first WSBK points of the year by finishing in 14th position. His team-mate James Toseland recovered to finish in 17th after being forced off the track on lap four.

Race two was spectacular, even if it didn’t yield the desired podium for any of the BMW riders. It was Leon Haslam who got the perfect start, leading the race into turn one, before double race winner Checa forced his way past. Troy Corser was close behind on the second RR, thanks to some brave overtaking on lap two. Before long, a six-way battle developed for second place, with Corser and Haslam fighting challenges from current WSBK champion Biaggi, current Supersport World Champion Eugene Laverty, former 250cc World Champion Melandri and Michel Fabrizio.

Visibly pushing hard, Corser hit a false neutral while challenging Biaggi for third place and ran off the main part of the track, costing him dearly. He rejoined the race, but had lost too much ground on the leaders and eventually finished in 19th place after struggling with grip. Haslam, meanwhile, finished in fifth place, after Jonathan Rea squeezed past him on the final lap. BMW Motorrad Italia’s Ayrton Badovini was forced to retire from race two, but James Toseland finished in 14th place, scoring his first WSBK points on the RR.

Leon Haslam: “As a team we have made huge steps forward from two weeks ago. We still have some issues that need looking at in more detail to ensure we can become regular podium finishers, but on the whole we can be happy with the two races. The first race was great; we encountered some issues in race two but still managed to finish in the top five so we are definitely happy. A huge credit to the team for their efforts this weekend but we now have to sit down and detail how we plan to make that next step forward.”

Troy Corser: “We started the race well, I felt good on the bike but sadly I found a false neutral going into Honda corner and I left the track. I rejoined down the field and then really struggled for grip. As the race progressed the tyre became really worn and I was losing traction everywhere, I simply couldn’t do the times I wanted. We have identified some points that need addressing before Donington Park, but for sure I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Please visit www.bmwmotorrad.com/hospitality or contact reservation@bmw.com to find out more details about BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s special VIP hospitality package, which is being offered at all European WSBK race weekends.

Berhard Gobmeier – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Today has been a very rewarding end of what was a tough weekend. Leon did incredibly well and took a well-deserved podium finish for our team. Troy really had to fight with the bike today. We now have to analyze the data on his side. I am proud of the entire team – both the guys here at the track, but also the people in Stephanskirchen and Munich. We all fly back home happily and satisfied tonight. But we are hungry for more, these results shall not be a one-off. We will not have a rest. In four weeks we will race in Donington, and preparations for the first European races already have begun.”

Results

Race one: 1. Checa (ESP – Ducati), 2. Biaggi (ITA – Aprilia), 3. Haslam (GBR – BMW Motorrad Motorsport), 9. Troy Corser (AUS – BMW Motorrad Motorsport), 14. Ayrton Badovini (ITA – BMW Motorrad Italia), 17. James Toseland (GBR – BMW Motorrad Italia)

Race two: 1. Checa (ESP – Ducati), 2. Biaggi (ITA – Aprilia), 3. Melandri (ITA – Yamaha), 5. Haslam (GBR – BMW Motorrad Motorsport), 14. James Toseland (GBR – BMW Motorrad Italia), 19 Troy Corser (AUS – BMW Motorrad Motorsport), 14. DNF – Ayrton Badovini (ITA – BMW Motorrad Italia)

Points: 1. Checa – 50, 2. Biaggi – 40, 3. Melandri – 27, 3. Haslam – 27, 14. Corser – 6, 16. Toseland – 2, 16. Badovini – 2

Vines BMW Bikes News: Haslam on the front row!


2011 Superbike World Championship, round one Superpole qualifying report, Phillip Island, Australia.



The first Superbike World Championship Superpole qualifying of 2011 took place at Phillip Island circuit in Australia today and BMW Motorrad Motorsport new recruit Leon Haslam rewarded his team by qualifying his S 1000 RR on the front row for tomorrow’s two 22-lap races. His team-mate Troy Corser will start behind him on the second row. Pole position went to Spaniard Carlos Checa, who has been consistently fastest throughout testing and qualifying at Phillip Island.

A revised Superpole format means that only the 16 fastest qualifiers are allowed out on track for the first 14-minute session. The slowest four are then eliminated, leaving the fastest 12 to contest a 12-minute Superpole 2 session. Again, the slowest four riders are eliminated after this session, leaving just eight riders to battle for positions on the front two rows of the grid during Superpole 3.

Lack of dry testing showed for the BMW Motorrad Italia team, with James Toseland finishing SP1 in 15th position, meaning that he will start from row four tomorrow – one row in front of his team-mate Ayrton Badovini, who failed to ‘make the cut’ and will start tomorrow’s two races from the fifth row of the grid.

Last year’s race one winner Haslam and seven-times Phillip Island winner Corser both made it through Superpole 1 safely on their RRs, and both also improved their lap times in SP2, with Haslam (1:31.616) and Corser (1:32.005) comfortably quick enough to go through to SP3, in fourth and seventh place respectively.

The all-important SP3 saw both RR riders ‘in the mix’ for the final shootout for the front two rows. Haslam’s first flying lap was a superb 1:31.429 – good enough for provisional pole in the early stages, and certainly fast enough for a front row grid position, in front of Corser, who was seventh fastest in the final session.

Leon Haslam: “This is a great result. If someone had offered me a front row start two weeks ago I would have been over the moon, so for sure we are all really happy. The team has pulled together and worked hard to overcome the issues we have had so far this weekend and the end result has come at the right time. We have made good progress, but I still have a few areas I want to work on tomorrow before the races. Still, as a team we are confident that we have the pace to do well in the races tomorrow.”

Troy Corser: “We struggled at the start of the weekend with set-up but since then we have all worked really hard to make clear steps forward. Leon and I were having the same issues but collectively we found a solution and we both showed clear signs of improvement. In the last session I didn’t have a new qualifying tyre to go out on so I had to settle for a used one, but I cannot complain. Our race pace looks pretty good on paper but a lot depends on the temperature around here. On the whole I think we can all look forward to tomorrow.”

Rainer Baumel – Head of Race Operations – BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “The entire team has worked very hard over the course of the last few days. Today we can be satisfied, but at the same time we know that we are still a long way from where we want to be. We made some alterations to the chassis after yesterday’s sessions, which helped us a lot by improving the level of grip. Both Leon and Troy made it on to the front two rows so we are happy.”

Make sure you visit www.bmw-motorrad.com tomorrow to get the results and reactions from each race. Please visit www.bmwmotorrad.com/hospitality or contact reservation@bmw.com to find out more details about BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s special VIP hospitality package, which is being offered at all European WSBK race weekends.

Welcome return of the Superbike World Championship

Vines BMW News.
New Model Price Announcements.



K 1600 GT:
There will be four models available in the UK from launch with Recommended Retail Prices as
follows:

K 1600 GT £14,965.00
K 1200 GT SE £15,765.00
K1600 GTL £16,515.00
K 1600 GTL E  £17,315.00

Both the SE and GTL E models will feature Adaptive Headlights, DTC and Tyre Pressure
Monitor and at a premium of £800.00 over the already well equipped standard model.


R 1200 R: 
There will be two models available the R. The 1200 R MU (model update) and the R 1200 R Classic
with Recommended Retails Prices as follows:

R 1200 R £8,915.00
R 1200 R Classic £9,615.00



G 650 GS: 
The G 650 GS is a key model and has been strategically priced to encourage new and younger
entrants to the brand. One model will be available with Recommended Retail Price as follows:

G 650 GS £4,920.00

Note: Published prices do not include 'on-the-road' charges please contact your local Vines Motorrad showroom for exact costs.

JOIN US AT OUR SEASON LAUNCH EVENT TO VIEW THE NEW K 1600 GT, K 1600 GTL, R 1200 R, R 1200R CLASSIC AND G 650 GS.

Vines BMW Bikes News
Taio Cruz at 2011 Brit Awards.

BMW K 1300 S takes RiDER Power by storm



The BMW K 1300 S has taken the top honours in RiDE magazine’s annual RiDER POWER Survey – the biggest customer poll of its kind in the motorcycle industry. This is the fourth time in a row a BMW has won the highly prized accolade.

The dynamic sports tourer was praised for its 175bhp in-line four cylinder engine, wide range of electronic and comfort options and powerful brakes. The K 1300 S also topped the Best Sports Tourer and Best Brakes categories.

Colin Overland, editor of RiDE magazine, said: “Every year thousands of motorcyclists take part in the longest established, most trusted survey of biking in Britain. Owners develop a unique insight into a bike’s strengths and weaknesses by living with it day in, day out. So when we ask them about its comfort, its reliability, the dealer back-up they get and their overall satisfaction, they’re telling us something that no short-term road test can. Anything that comes in the top 10 is not just a great bike to ride, it’s a great bike to live with.”

In addition to the K 1300 S’ three awards, the S 1000 RR was voted Best Big Sportsbike, the F 800 S took Best Middleweight Streetbike and the R 1200 RT – three-time RiDER Power Winner – won Best Tourer.

BMW Motorrad was also winner of the prestigious overall Best Brand award, which combines every vote for the reliability, dealer support and overall satisfaction categories.

BMW Motorrad’s excellent dealer network and exemplary customer service were also recognised by the survey’s voters, with eight BMW dealers voted into the best three of their region, including three taking the top spot.

Adrian Roderick, General Manager of BMW Motorrad UK, said,: “RiDER Power is the biggest independent survey in the country and one of the best ways to learn more about how your customers feel about your products. It’s a great honour that BMW Motorrad motorcycles, dealerships and the brand itself have been praised so highly by our customers. Our sales, service and aftersales staff work very hard to deliver the best possible customer experience – and there’s no greater reward than recognition from your customers.”

Full details from the RiDER Power survey are available in the March issue of RiDE magazine, on sale now.

News from Vines BMW Bikes.
BMW S 1000 RR Voted International Bike Of The Year.


Culminates Year of Superlative Accolades and Sales.






Culminating a year of superlative accolades and sales, the BMW S 1000 RR was named International Bike of the Year (IBOTY) for 2010 at the European Motor Show in Brussells, Belgium on January 14. The 26th edition of the prestigious annual competition awarded top honors to BMW Motorrad’s first superbike, marking yet another significant achievement in its short history in the marketplace.  It also marked the third time BMW Motorrad has won the IBOTY award (the last time was in 2004 with the BMW R 1200 GS).

The IBOTY, in existence since 1985, is awarded by a jury of international motorcycle journalists.  For 2010, 14 journalists representing leading motorcycle magazines from all over the world were asked to choose their three favorite motorcycles.  A first choice pick received five points, the second received three points and the third earned one point with the award going to the motorcycle with the most points.  The BMW s 1000 RR literally lapped its rivals in the voting process, beating the competition by 57 points.

The jury of the IBOTY described the BMW S 1000 RR as “A bike that combines a technological breakthrough with remarkable performance and everyday usability. This bike performs as well on the racetrack as it does on the open road. With the new S 1000 RR, BMW has written a new chapter in the history of production bikes:  this is the very first bike to so convincingly integrate electronics that improve riding pleasure and safety in equal measures.”

The IBOTY award caps a tremendous year for BMW Motorrad’s S 1000 RR that has included accolades from motorcycle magazines worldwide, as well as race wins and even championships secured in many race series across the globe.  It has also been an extraordinary sales success story, with 10,209 units delivered to customers worldwide in its first full year of marketing.  In the U.S., the S 1000 RR was BMW’s bestselling model for 2010.

Historically, the S 1000 RR is BMW’s fourth most popular model, behind the two R 1200 GS variants and the R 1200 RT touring machine.  Interestingly, despite its status as the most powerful production 1000 cc sport bike in the world, more than 90% of RR customers opt for the innovative Race ABS and the dynamic traction control (DTC) system, demonstrating that performance and safety are high on the list of priorities for sport bike riders.

In addition to earning the IBOTY award and “best bike of the year” honors from international motorcycle media in Belgium, Australia, Germany, Greece Israel, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Scandanavia, Slovenia, Spain, and Great Britain, the BMW S 1000 RR earned numerous awards from the U.S. media, including Robb Report’s “Best Sportbike,” Cycle World’s “Best Superbike for 2010,” and Motorcyclist’s coveted “Motorcycle of the Year” Award.