All eyes were on BMW Motorrad at the Milan EICMA international motorcycle exhibition in Italy this week, as the company unveiled a staggering five new models to a packed audience of journalists and trade guests.
This year's biggest two-wheel show was the first chance to see the latest evidence of the company's continued commitment to developing its leadership in the adventure sport and enduro segments.
After a year of development in some of the toughest world championship off-road races imaginable, the customer version of the 450cc sports enduro prototype was finally unveiled. Known as the G 450 X, the new, no-compromise dirt bike is targeted at competition enduro riders, as well as the sports off-road market.
A welcome surprise for many visitors to the show is the new F 800 GS, which neatly fills the gap between the single-cylinder G 650 Xchallenge and Xcountry models, and the big GS Boxer twins. Boasting 85 hp, long suspension travel and excellent fuel economy and comfort levels, expect the F 800 GS to attract a whole new generation of future globetrotters to BMW.
Equally well received at EICMA was the all-new F 650 GS. Don't be fooled by the familiar model designation though, because the new version of the bike that first appeared in the early 1990s is now powered by the same 798cc parallel-twin engine as the new F 800 GS.
It's hard to believe that it's three years since the R 1200 GS was first presented, signalling the start of a 'new generation' of BMW motorcycles that would sell well in excess of 100,000 in its first years of production. At EICMA, journalists were treated to updated and improved versions of both the best selling R 1200 GS and its 'Adventure' variant. Changes to the all-terrain big boxer machines include increased power and a unique new enduro Electronic Suspension Adjustment system option.
Before all the new models were unveiled with the help of five-times motocross world champion Joel Smets, BMW Motorrad's Executive Vice President, Development and Model Lines, Peter Mueller, spoke of another year of anticipated record sales, the continued expansion into new market segments and promised increased participation in future off-road motorsport and road racing events across the globe.
Visitors to the BMW Motorrad stand at the Fiere Milano were also treated to a visual display of the new 'Unstoppable' campaign, devised by international agency 180 Amsterdam. With strong messages of success on road, track and trail, as well as the five new models making their world premier, 2008 is looking like it could well be the Year of the Enduro.
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