Manufacturer of the Year: BMW USA

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#3208

Manufacturer of the Year: BMW It’s hard times in the motorcycle industry right now. The first three quarters of 2009 have been brutal – with uniform double-digit percentage losses across all motorcycle genres and an approximately 30-40% total drop in sales and production. So why does BMW win manufacturer of the year? First, the Bavarian firm has managed to staunch the blood-letting better than most. In fact, in its third-quarter report BMW could boast that while sales dropped 8.4% compared to the previous year, it actually gained market share thanks to the worse numbers from its competitors. BMW continues to push the envelope despite economic uncertainty and declining profits. The Germans hope to weather this storm and come out with a stronger presence across the industry.But enough with the numbers, we tapped BMW this year because the German brand has challenged our perception of it as a stodgy, conservative marque. First surprise for 2009 was the F800GS, a mid-displacement adventure bike that delivers both off-road and on the street. A hit across the industry, we’re not the only ones to lavish praise on the 800. Second shocker was the S1000RR, a bold challenge to the Japanese Inline Four superbike supremacy. BMW campaigned it in World Superbike, where it managed top-10 results and even beat Kawasaki in the manufacturers’ standings. Another change was a complete overhaul of the K series to 1300cc - the sport-touring K1300GT winning our 2009 ST comparison test. Add to the 2009 changes plenty of teasers for what’s to come from BMW. There was the C1-E scooter, an electric-powered take on its earlier C1 concept, as well as the three-wheeled leaning Simple and Clever concepts, which went on display at the BMW museum this fall. Most interesting of all, however, was the Concept 6, an Inline-Six-powered design that surprised everyone at this year’s INTERMOT Show. BMW hinted the new six-cylinder mill will power a future luxo-tourer. On top of it all, BMW also continues to race the G450X enduro and support the Husqvarna brand, which is churning out some of the more intriguing off-road designs in the market today. And that’s just the new stuff, as BMW’s uber bread and butter, the R1200GS, continues to hold strong. BMW celebrated the production of its 500,000 Boxer-powered GS earlier this year, and the model remains the adventure-touring standard upon which all contenders are measured. – Bart Madson It doesn't matter which editor rides the F800GS, every MototcycleUSA tester love the overall capabilities of the newest BMW GS model.Motorcycle of the Year: BMW F800GS It handily took home the Best Adventure Bike award, but our editors, from the sportiest to the dirtiest, all thought the 800GS could potentially win any of several categories. Such is the strength of BMW’s new mid-size Adventure motorcycle. Not only does the F800 attract new customers into Beemer dealerships, but plenty of long-time BMW riders are enticed to either downsize or upgrade. The big 1200GS is simply too much - too much money, weight, power and stature. Yet the 650 models, both Twin and Single configurations, just doesn’t cover the full spectrum. We’ve seen the F800GS take on transcontinental voyages, off-road races, urban commuting and even street racing and freestyle stunting. Try imagining that on any other bike. You would think we’d fight tooth and nails over this category, but it was the easiest choice for our editors to make. There wasn’t a single vote against the F800GS. It’s impressive, all-encompassing, fun, capable and affordable by BMW standards. It’s the 2009 Bike of the Year.

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