New Head of Design for BMW Motorrad. Edgar Heinrich takes over the BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio.

Munich. Edgar Heinrich (53) will be taking over the BMW Group's BMW Motorrad Design Studio as of July 1st 2012. He succeeds David Robb. After completing his university degree in design, Edgar Heinrich started his career as a motorcycle designer with BMW back in 1986. Within the BMW Group’s BMW Motorrad Design Studio he was Head of Vehicle Design Motorcycles under the overall direction of David Robb from 2007 to 2009.

In July 2009 his career took him to India. As Vice President Product Design with the Indian vehicle manufacturer Bajaj Auto LTD he currently heads up the styling and model studio, responsible for brand definition and brand strategies for two-wheel and four-wheel design.

During his time with BMW Motorrad, Edgar Heinrich was responsible for such vehicles as the first 4-valve boxer models R 1100 RS and RT, the K 1200 S and R, the HP Megamoto and the victorious Paris-Dakar racing machines. The successful R 1150 GS and R 1200 GS were also created on his drawing board.

Under his direction, the motorcycle design team created the S 1000 RR, the F 800 / 650 series, the G 450 X and also the BMW Custom Concept study. Heinrich was even involved at the start of the design development of the 6‑cylinder touring bikes and the new maxi-scooters.

Motorcycles take up a large part of his leisure time, too. His passions include modifying sports bikes, restoring and collecting vintage models and in particular riding motorcycles himself - both on and off the road.

As Edgar Heinrich himself says: "I am very pleased to be returning to BMW Motorrad and having the great opportunity to be involved in shaping the two-wheel future of the BMW Group with an outstanding team."

"Edgar Heinrich is an excellent motorcycle designer and passionate motorcyclist who has already made key contributions to BMW Motorrad design in the course of his many years of experience. I very much look forward to collaborating with him to take BMW Motorrad design to ongoing success in the future," said Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design.

David Robb (56), the previous head of the BMW Group Motorcycle Design Studio, has left the company. He was in charge of BMW Motorrad design for 18 years. Under his leadership, the design team elaborated the development of the BMW Motorrad product portfolio from three to a current total of six model lines, as well as creating the extensive product range of BMW Motorrad rider equipment and motorcycle accessories.

The first motorcycle designed under David Robb's direction was the BMW K 1200 RS. This was followed by such models as the first BMW cruiser R 1200 C, the innovative K series with transversely mounted 4-cylinder engine, the F series with 2-cylinder parallel twin and the most successful BMW motorcycle of all time, the travel enduro R 1200 GS. The design concept of the latter is regarded to this day as the benchmark in the category of big enduro bikes. Recently there were additional highlights such as the BMW motorcycles with in-line 6-cylinder engine, the K 1600 GT/GTL, and the BMW superbike S 1000 RR. The first BMW maxi-scooters C 600 Sport and C 650 GT only recently saw their world premiere in autumn 2011.

Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design: "I would like to thank David Robb for his many years of successful work and wish him all the very best for the future."

LAUNCHING INTO THE 2012 SEASON

Spring is just around the corner and coming along for the new riding season are some sensational new BMW models. Saturday 4 February will be a day to remember at Vines BMW Motorrad dealerships as we unveil the astonishing new S 1000 RR, revved and ready for you to take a test ride. You can also take a closer look at the retro-styled R 1200 GS Rallye, or savour the ultimate in sports touring with the K 1300 S HP. To whet your appetite for these stunning bikes, just turn to the centrefold for full specifications and outstanding images.

Vines will be celebrating the new season launch in style, with food and beverages and a guest appearance from Leon Haslam at each of our dealerships.

Come along to Vines Caterham from 10.00am until 11.30am, or Guildford from 12.30 pm until 2.00pm for a chance to meet the legend himself who’ll be signing fan memorabilia and chatting to BMW bike enthusiasts. This really is the perfect way to mark what promises to be an incredible year for riding, so call your nearest Vines dealership today to book a test ride at the event, or just turn up on the 4 February to admire the models in our showroom.

Vines BMW Bikes
Vines Motorrad have branches in Guildford and Caterham, Surrey. Keep up with news, offers and events by following us on Twitter @VinesBMWBikes and on Facebook.

www.vinesbmwbikes.co.uk

Labels: K 1300 S HP, R 1200 GS Rallye, S 1000 RR, Vines BMW Bikes, Vines Caterham, Vines Guildford, Vines Motorrad

The BMW K 1600 GT is voted "International Bike Of The Year 2011”. 

The BMW K 1600 GT gets the top vote of the international motorcycle press jury at the Brussels Motor Show.

Munich. The BMW K 1600 GT has won the vote for the “International Bike Of The Year 2011 (IBOTY)" award. This was announced at a press conference given by the Belgian motorcycle magazine Motor Wereld at the Brussels Motor Show. The award for the K 1600 GT comes from an international jury representing 25 motorcycle magazines.

The K 1600 GT convinced the motorcycle journalists with its unique combination of comfort, performance and use of innovative technologies. The powerful in-line 6-cylinder engine was said to offer power, refinement and lots of fun. The bike's sophisticated technology - in addition to ABS, traction control and navigation system, an adaptive headlight and electronically controlled suspension with various modes increase active riding safety - makes the K 1600 GT an incomparable touring motorcycle. On the road, the outstanding qualities of the K 1600 GT are its agile chassis and unusually light handling. All this gives the rider a unique riding experience, according to the jury, impressing the most demanding touring and sports motorcyclists.


The K 1600 GTL was rated separately and also convinced the jury, finishing fourth, while the S 1000 RR followed it in fifth place alongside the Kawasaki ZX-10R. With three models in the top five places, the BMW Motorrad put in a highly impressive showing overall.
BMW Motorrad also won the highest rating in 2010 with the S 1000 RR.

The following magazines took part in the IBOTY 2011: Australian Motorcycle News (Australia), Auto By (Japan), Autocar India (India), Bike (Scandinavia), Bike (UK), Cycle World (USA), Der Reitwagen (Austria), Inmoto (Italy), KicXstart (Netherlands), Kiwi Rider (New Zealand), La Moto (Spain), Maximoto (France), Moto Kultur Asia (Malaysia and Singapore), Moto (Greece), Moto Journal (Canada), Moto & Loisirs (Belgium), Moto Mag (Israel), Motoraj (Czech Republic), Motoron (Turkey), MotoSi (Slovenia), MotorWereld (Belgium), PS Magazin (Germany), Revista Moto (Mexico), SuperBike (South Africa), Swiat Motocykli (Poland).

The results of the IBOTY 2011

1. BMW K 1600 GT (41 points)
2. Ducati Diavel (32 points)
3. Aprilia Tuono V4 APRC (22 points)
4. BMW K 1600 GTL (18 points)
5. BMW S 1000 RR and Kawasaki ZX 10R (16 points each)

Labels: BMW Motorbikes, International Bike Of The Year 2011, Vines BMW Bikes

Ace Café Overland & Adventure Travel Bike Day – 19 February.

Showcased early in the year, come rain or shine, Ace Cafe London's popular annual Overland & Adventure Bike Day is a unique opportunity for you to explore what's on offer in terms of adventure holidays, the bikes, the kit, information about shipping your motorcycle to specific destinations, as well as meeting some of motorcycling's amazing adventurers, whose journeys and gripping roller coaster rides have been such an inspiration to so many.

Vines Caterham staff will be doing a ride out on Sunday, 19 February to this event and would like to invite our customers to ride along with us. We will be meeting at the dealership for coffee at 09h30 and plan to depart at 10h15.

If you are interested in riding with us, please register here>>>

Vines BMW Bikes

Vines Motorrad have branches in Guildford and Caterham, Surrey. Keep up with news, offers and events by following us on Twitter @VinesBMWBikes and on Facebook.

www.vinesbmwbikes.co.uk

Labels: Bike Events, Motorbike Days, Motorrad, Overland and Adventure Bike Day, Vines BMW Bikes, Vines Caterham