BMW to introduce F800S parallel twin sports motorcycle

For several decades in the post war era, big British parallel twins ruled the motorcycle sports kingdom with names like Norton, Triumph, BSA and Royal Enfield. The late sixties though brought a wave of Japanese, German and Italian innovation which saw the demise of the English motorcycle industry and the banishing of the parallel twin from all but commuter machinery. Now, BMW Motorrad is to introduce a new generation of twin-cylinder middleweight parallel twin cylinder machines. The F800 S is the first of a series of agile, high torque, street machines from the BMW marque, starting in 2006.

The BMW F 800 S is the ideal magnet to attract new riders to the BMW brand, a brand widely acclaimed around the world for its high technology machines.

With more than 60 kW on tap, the BMW F 800 S will boast plenty of useable mid-range torque for maximum enjoyment.

In the past two years, new BMW motorcycles have instantly caught the imagination of riders and critics alike.

BMW scooped the 2004 International Bike of the Year Award for the R 1200 GS, while the K 1200 S four-cylinder sports machine just rode away with both Bike of the Year Awards from Australia’s Two Wheels magazine. The all new F 800 S is expected to follow faithfully in the wheel tracks of these impressive machines.

Innovation is the key to BMW success, and the F 800 S continues the theme begun with the F 650 CS by adopting its low-maintenance and quiet-running belt-drive design. This light-weight drive system represents the optimum combination of weight, compact design, efficiency and service life for a machine of this size.

The F 800 S engine is also completely new. Developed in cooperation with Bombardier-Rotax GmbH, it is built in Austria, and shipped to the BMW Motorrad factory in Berlin for assembly into the F 800 S.

The first parallel twin engine in the history of BMW Motorrad features a four-valve design.

A high 12:1 compression and a combustion chamber similar to that of the new K 1200 S engine deliver low fuel consumption and low emissions, the envy of the competition.

A balanced crankshaft removes unwanted vibration but retains the entertaining characteristics of a powerful twin.

The compact engine unit with integrated six-speed gearbox has been designed for optimal power delivery and pure riding satisfaction.

The athletic F 800 S weighs in well under 190 kg dry (around 200 kg ready-to-ride).

Bearing all the hallmarks of the dynamic BMW brand, the F 800 S will deliver exceptional directional and cornering stability, and optimum handling, as a result of a precisely engineered suspension.

Further classic BMW qualities such as safety, compliance with the highest environmental standards, and ergonomic seating position for rider and pillion, define the new standard in this market segment.

As with all BMW motorcycles offered in Australia, a closed-loop three-way catalytic converter and state-of-the-art digital engine electronics are included. BMW Motorrad Australia will also give buyers the ability to specify life-saving Anti-Lock Brakes.

The new BMW F 800 S appears before press and public at the EICMA motor show in Milan, Italy on 15 November 2005. Pricing and specification for this exclusive machine will be announced closer to launch.