The coming of BMW bikes

The event was dubbed as "The Coming," and was aptly named for it showcased a truly orgasmic feast of two-wheeled Teuton treats. More important, the event marked the official entry of BMW motorcycles in the country.

BMW Philippines president Mark Gilbert announced to the assorted crowd of motorcycle enthusiasts, affluent guests, potential customers and members of the media the launch of BMW Motorrad Philippines (Motorrad means motorcycles in German) in ceremonies at The Fort last April 23. On display during the launch were several intoxicating pieces of BMW machinery that were definitely stars on their own and therefore needed no stupid dancing-girl routines to highlight their beauty – even if the girls were intoxicating pieces of works, too.

The first and to date only premium brand of motorcycles to be sold by its manufacturer in the country, BMW bikes are sure to have the same impeccable engineering, benchmark-setting standards and upscale image its four-wheeled brethren are known for. In his speech, Gilbert said the BMW Group has been extremely successful in this premium brand strategy in all the markets BMW bikes are sold.

He cited an 8.1-percent increase in last year’s sales compared with the previous year’s, or over a 100,000 units sold as against the 95,327 sales figures of 2001. He added this meant that 2002 marked the 10th consecutive year BMW Motorrad has continuously increased its sales, thereby resulting in nearly a threefold rise in volume since 1992. Gilbert said BMW has become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe within this period.

Gilbert said that since it was established two years ago, BMW Philippines Corp. intended to develop the local market by increasing its number of car models available, expanding its dealer network, improving its services and adding other business units like the Motorrad and the Mini, all when the company deemed it as the appropriate time to do so. He said the time to introduce BMW motorcycles to the country has come.

And BMW Motorrad’s launch was apparently no half-hearted effort. The company unveiled its complete product line of motorcycles.

The lineup starts with the "entry-level" F single-cylinder models: The F 650 GS, which sells at P490,000; the F 650 CS, selling P10,000 more; and the identically priced F 650 GS Dakar, which appears to be ready to tackle any desert rally or the potholes of EDSA even if it were parked by a curbside. All F650 models share the same 37-horsepower engine.

Moving up the range are the R twin-cylinder, flat-engine (called as Boxer engines) models, cheapest of which is the R1150R that sells for P660,000; the R1150R Rockster which is a sporty bike with one bitchin’ paintjob and sells for P695,000; and the R1150GS, the big bro of its 650 siblings that’s priced at P730,000 and has a healthy 85-horsepower engine that it shares with the R 1150 and Rockster. Another GS variant is the R1150GS Adventure, a 63-horsepower, P760,000, ready-to-rumble bike.

The rest of the R models are the R1150RT, a 95-horsepower, 200-kph, P840,000 luxo-scorcher, the R1200C which is a badass cruiser for the executive who has at least P815,000 in loose change; and the R1200CL, a cruiser/touring bike that should be extremely happy out on the open road – yours for P920,000.

Finally, there are the K four-cylinder inline engine models. The K1200 RS is BMW’s take on the superbike genre, with a whopping 130 horses available at one’s right hand. BMW refers to this bike’s acceleration as propulsion and calls the whole thing as the shortest connection between high-tech and passion. Call it what you want, but if you want to call it "my bike," first shell out P860,000 in cash.

The other K model is the K1200LT, which is more luxury sedan that motorcycle, what with its CD player, available satellite navigation system and all the luggage compartment one can possibly have on two wheels. The fact that it has two wheels instead of four is quite frankly baffling, but if you have P1.1 million to buy it, you may know the answer to the mystery.

All BMW bikes are assured of comprehensive after-sales service that’s available through BMW dealerships, Gilbert said. Assorted BMW biking apparel and riding gear necessary for safety and the all-important pogi points can also be bought at dealer showrooms, particularly at Autohaus BMW (formerly Prestige Cars, Libis). The bikes look good. You definitely should as well.