BMW motorcycle naming history

[gjm 3258]

BMW started producing engines for motorcycles in 1921, when they manufactured engines for other manufacturers. 1922 saw the design of the first BMW motorcycle which featured an opposed 2-cylinder engine, and in 1923 the 'R32' debuted.

 

Initial project naming conventions referenced the number of cylinders and model series. This was changed so the only entry in front of the project number was to denote an engine (‘M’ = Motor), transmission (‘G’ = Getriebe), a frame for motorcycles (‘R’ = Rahmen), or a chassis for cars (‘F’ = Fahrgestell).

 

The frame for the new bike was given the project number ‘R 32’ when it was entered into the project list, the engine was christened ‘M2B33’ (later shortened to ‘M33’), and the transmission was the ‘G 34’. The internal project number for the frame construction carried through to sales and the motorcycle was unveiled with the official sales designation ‘BMW R 32’. Early motorcycles were issued with their name according to this system, a product of the design organization; the ‘R’ stands for ‘Rad’, a shortening of Motorrad (motorcycle) and not 'Rad' which translates into English as 'wheel'.

 

The mid-1920s saw a change to this naming convention. Until then, each motorcycle had its own specific frame construction, but the designers started using the same frame for several models, with variations in the engine fitted. This development meant sales designations for the models had to be changed and while the ‘R’ was retained, it was now followed by a two-digit number identifying the engine. Initially single-cylinder machines received a single-digit sales designation, while two-cylinder units had two-digits. With the acquisition of the Eisenach vehicle factory in 1928, the decision was made to separate numbering systems for aero engine, motorcycle and car development.

 

The National Socialist authorities oversaw an intensification of rearmament in Germany from 1933 and in order to simplify the expansion of the Luftwaffe, the Reich Air Ministry applied fixed numbering systems to its various engine manufacturers. BMW was assigned the range between 100 and 199, and saw an opportunity to introduce a new internal naming system for their products. The numbers 100 to 199 had already been assigned to aero engines, so motorcycles were given the range from 200 to 299, and cars got 300 to 399. Existing motorcycle models were integrated into the new system by prefixing their old designation - for example, in the ‘R 32’ became the ‘232’.

 

Sales designations for motorcycles were retained, although modifications were made to the existing system. From the mid-1930s the nomenclature for the models reflected, as a rule, the engine displacement. For example, the 500cc boxer unit was named the BMW ‘R 5’ and its successor the BMW ‘R 51’.

 

The end of WWII saw further developments of BMWs pre-war models and the first post-war motorcycle produced in 1948 was an only slightly modified version of the pre-war, single-cylinder, BMW R 23, and was sold as the ‘R 24’.

 

Over subsequent decades, motorcycles powered by two-cylinder boxer engines retained the now-familiar 'R' designation followed by a number denoting the engine displacement. Variations of the base model were identified by additional letters in the model name with ‘G/S’ standing for Gelände/Strasse (offroad/on-road); ‘and ‘RT’ for Reisetourer (tourer).

[Herbmiester 923]

I have 2 G/S. an R and an F

 

[Zadkiel 41]

Thanks for that info, interesting stuff.

I'm looking for a 1994/95/96 R100R if anyone knows of one.

[gjm 3258]

I'm planning a pre-ABS R1100Gs if I can find one at the right price. 

I'll be sure to let you know if I find something for you.