BMW is a German multinational corporation known as the luxury automotive manufacturer in the world. The company manufactures aircraft engines, luxury four-wheelers, and highly featured motorcycles under the brand name BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce. The motorcycle segment of the company is known as BMW Motorrad. Hence all of their motorcycles are manufactured under the concern of BMW Motorrad.

BMW – Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

The company BMW officially formed in 1916 by the name of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke by Karl Rapp (Karl Friedrich Rapp). Later it renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) which is translated in English as Bavarian Motor Works.

The former Bayerische Flugzeugwerke was the concern of Karl Rapp Motorenwerke which founded in 1913. Karl Rapp was the operational head and General Consul Julius Auspitzer was the sole shareholder of that newly formed company.

To manufacture particular types of internal combustion engines for aircraft and motor vehicles Karl Rapp formed that separate concern named Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. Hence the company was assigned to deliver specific featured motor and aircraft engines to the German Military. It was sub-contracted by Austro-Hungarian automaker Austro-Daimler.

BMW During The First World War

At the beginning of the First World War, the company placed to be one of the important Bavarian companies. It’s due to manufacturing motor and engines for military use and thus gained a certain reputation. But their engine design, development, and efforts couldn’t gain any success for a certain period.

However, the manufacturing and delivery of the engine contract continued but Karl Rapp pushed to resign from the company. Afterward, the entire company renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) in April 1917. However, on March 7, 2016, the date is counted as the official establishment date of the company BMW.

Later, the company continued its successful production of motor and aircraft engines under the new management and technical team. It continued production from 1917 to 1918. At that time it expanded its production and infrastructure through the support of ministry and government officials. Resulting, the company reformed as a public limited company.

BMW AG – Reformation After The First World War

After World War I in 1918, BMW was forced to cease its aircraft engine production under the peace treaties terms of the Treaty of Versailles. At that time the company sustained manufacturing household and railway equipment. It also manufactured few industrial engines which also used in different branded motorcycles.

At that time Max Wiedmann the son-in-law of Karl Rapp was holding the 80% share of the company. The part he obtained in 1914 from his father-in-law. On 13 August 1918, BMW AG registered as a company following Max Wiedmann’s capitulation. The registered company attained all the manufacturing assets, order book, and workforce from BMW GmbH.

On May 20, 1922, Camillo Castiglioni one of the shareholders of the newly formed BMW AG purchased the rights to the name BMW. It didn’t include the rights on the BMW manufacturing facilities situated in Munich. Thereby, those facilities continued their production tying with another company named Süddeutsche Bremse AG.

Meanwhile, Camillo Castiglioni also had the investment in another aircraft manufacturer Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. That company facility was used to consider as the part of BMW in the 1917-1918 production period. Castiglioni reopened that unused facility to manufacture engines for buses, trucks, farm equipment, and pumps, under the brand name BMW.

Thus BMW lived again in automobile manufacturing from the new location. Henceforward, BMW achieved significant successes in aircraft manufacturing during the Second World War. In the meantime, they also started manufacturing their own branded motorcycle and four-wheelers.

BMW Motorrad – BMW Motorcycles

The manufacturing of BMW motorcycles began in 1921 when BMW used to manufacture motorcycle engines for other brands. But BMW’s own motorcycle produced in 1923 under the brand name BMW Motorrad. It’s a separate concern of BMW that produces highly featured motorcycles till the date.

BMW’s own motorcycle product line started with the BMW R32 model in 1923. Whereas the BMW entity in motorcycle manufacturing initiated in 1919 when BMW designed and manufactured the M2B15 engine for Victoria Werke AG Company of Nuremberg.

This flat-twin engine was developed for portable industrial usage which is also known as boxer-twin engine. But it got a better placement in Victoria Motorcycles. The same engine also was used in the Helios motorcycle built by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. Whereas that company merged with BMW AG in 1922.

Whatever, after restructuring, BMW AG started developing their own motorcycle design disqualifying newly owned Helios motorcycles design. Accordingly, they redesigned the legendary flat-twin engine to use it in their new motorcycles. Thereby the first BMW badged motorcycle BMW R32 born with M2B33 flat-twin engine.

BMW still uses the flat-twin boxer configuration engine in their R-Series motorcycles. Therefore, the company also manufactures motorcycles with a variety of engine configurations in different motorcycle series.

Accordingly, BMW Motorrad continuing its motorcycle production under the C, F, G, R, K, and S series of motorcycles. Each series of motorcycles are featured and dedicated to its category and purposes. Nevertheless, under each series BMW producing highly featured and luxurious motorcycles & scooters for the world market.

Currently, BMW Motorrad operating their business in the world spread market. They are tied with multiple manufacturing companies and motorcycle brands around the world. Therefore, their motorcycles are marketed in the world market with reputation and significance.