- Hardcover: 168 pages
- Publisher: Motorbooks International (12 Jun 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 076031098X
- ISBN-13: 978-0760310984
- Product Dimensions: 26.2 x 25.4 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,369,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
At first sight and after a quick flip through the pages, my first assumption was that this book was little more than a coffee-table book, but after spending some time with it I find that it is far more than that and I found it to be both an enjoyable and informative read. Whist it may not be a comprehensive history of the BMW factory, it does make good attempts to give the reader a fair grounding of both then company's history and its motivation in launching a new brand of motorcycle to the world along with a basic history of the introduction of many models, up to and including the G series machines. It also gives a good insight into many of the trials and tribulations that the factory has suffered over the years. This 192 page softback book is written by Americans so you do have to accept that some of the references relate to US issues that may or may not be relevent to you and I, and of course you have to accept that American's don't know how to spell...and that the talk of the factory producing machines in various colours only relates to the uS market and isn't relevant to the rest of the world. My feeling is that this is a book both for the coffee-table and for those wishing to learn something abouth the BMW marque. I actually counted 180 glossy colour photographs to drool over and it does make a book that a BMW enthusiast should have on the shelf. Unusually, I'd rate this book as one well worth having on the shelf for both reference and the joy of looking through it now and again. --BMW Rider magazine, February, 2010
...an excellent book ....Cycle World, January, 2010...Few motorcycle manufacturers have a heritage as rich as that of bMW, and a new book by Darwin Holstrom and Brian J nelson celebrates it admirably. The updated and revised edition, published by Motorbooks, traces how bikes grew from a sideline to become a major part of the manufacturer's business and how tha machines evolved from 'stodgy touring bikes' to 'cutting-edge machines', blending tradition with modern styling. How right the authors are! And how skilfully they bring the marque to light, with fine photography, and nicely observed detail. good reading for almost any motorcycle fan. --London Evening Standard, march, 2010
Fans of BMW motorcycles will love the newly-revised paperback version of BMW Motorcycles, a book all about, yes, BMW motorcycles, published by Motorbooks. The book chronicles the history of BMW two-wheelers and highlights the company's numerous innovations such as the first motorbike ABS systems, electronic ignition, and telescopic forks. Author Darwin Holstrom looks at the personal forces that created BMW's motorbike line and explores how the bikes grew from a sideline to a major part of the company's business, and how the bikes have evolved over the years. |The book is filled with stunning colour photos and enough facts and figures to keep even the most die-hard fan happy. --BMW Car magazine, March, 2010 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
...an excellent book ....Cycle World, January, 2010...Few motorcycle manufacturers have a heritage as rich as that of bMW, and a new book by Darwin Holstrom and Brian J nelson celebrates it admirably. The updated and revised edition, published by Motorbooks, traces how bikes grew from a sideline to become a major part of the manufacturer's business and how tha machines evolved from 'stodgy touring bikes' to 'cutting-edge machines', blending tradition with modern styling. How right the authors are! And how skilfully they bring the marque to light, with fine photography, and nicely observed detail. good reading for almost any motorcycle fan. --London Evening Standard, march, 2010
Fans of BMW motorcycles will love the newly-revised paperback version of BMW Motorcycles, a book all about, yes, BMW motorcycles, published by Motorbooks. The book chronicles the history of BMW two-wheelers and highlights the company's numerous innovations such as the first motorbike ABS systems, electronic ignition, and telescopic forks. Author Darwin Holstrom looks at the personal forces that created BMW's motorbike line and explores how the bikes grew from a sideline to a major part of the company's business, and how the bikes have evolved over the years. |The book is filled with stunning colour photos and enough facts and figures to keep even the most die-hard fan happy. --BMW Car magazine, March, 2010 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
The entire history of the BMW motorcycle production, from the original R32 of 1932, through the war years and into the 21st century, is covered in this in-depth look. Particular attention is given to the groundbreaking motorcycles BMW produced in the 1970s. Those include the R90S and the R100RS -- the first mass-produced motorcycle to come equipped with a full, frame-mounted fairing -- and the innovative and popular motorcycles BMW offers today, including the exotic R1200C cruiser and the K1200LT luxury, touring bike. Both of which proved so popular they sent Honda back to the drawing board with its mighty Gold Wing.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
In 1914, Europe exploded war, ostensibly the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria and Hungary. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
In 1914, Europe exploded war, ostensibly the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria and Hungary. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lots of pretty pics, but lacking in-depth information. This was clearly written by Americans, for the US market, but still relevant for the UK and a good addition to your collection. Nice one to leave out for a browse or as a conversation starter, but not good for data / techno nerds (like me?)
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In my youth when I first started riding motorcyles some 30+ years ago BMW's were somewhat fuddy duddy. Usually black, always shaft driven and somewhat sluggish in performance. They were the marque of the older, more refined rider.
Then in 1975 came the R90S which stood in stark contrast to the "rice burners" of the time: it just oozed style, its paint work was beautifully appointed with understated performance. It also had a VDO quart clock in the bikini fairing. Not a head to head match for the "rice burners" of the day, a gentlemen's express. Younger guys took note and I still recall my first ride on one.
Then in 1977 came the R100RS with it's wind tunnel developed full fairing and serious purpose. More people sat up that Beemers were evolving and they were eaking out more performance from the "air head" Boxer Twin.
And then in 1980 came the R80G/S which in its GS form has become a world leader in its class. I have had four in various forms. What a bike.
I have been in the fortunate position of having owned twelve Beemers in one form or another in the last tweleve years so to be able to read how it all started and where it is going to has been great. This book might well not be "the definitive" work but it a great reference and sets out the history of the BMW motorcycle marque and is essential reading to anybody who owns a BMW or considers themselves interested in motorcycles in general on Beemers specifically.
Then in 1975 came the R90S which stood in stark contrast to the "rice burners" of the time: it just oozed style, its paint work was beautifully appointed with understated performance. It also had a VDO quart clock in the bikini fairing. Not a head to head match for the "rice burners" of the day, a gentlemen's express. Younger guys took note and I still recall my first ride on one.
Then in 1977 came the R100RS with it's wind tunnel developed full fairing and serious purpose. More people sat up that Beemers were evolving and they were eaking out more performance from the "air head" Boxer Twin.
And then in 1980 came the R80G/S which in its GS form has become a world leader in its class. I have had four in various forms. What a bike.
I have been in the fortunate position of having owned twelve Beemers in one form or another in the last tweleve years so to be able to read how it all started and where it is going to has been great. This book might well not be "the definitive" work but it a great reference and sets out the history of the BMW motorcycle marque and is essential reading to anybody who owns a BMW or considers themselves interested in motorcycles in general on Beemers specifically.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It doesn't say so on the cover but this is pretty much a history of, or story of BMW motorcycles. The difference is that it is told in a more relaxed manner than most. Still broadly covering the model ranges through the years.
Although paperback, the quality of paper and print is excellent along with decent photographs of the machines. It doesn't tend to go into technical specifications and is more of a story or narrative and as such is worth having alongside other books which, while all essentially providing historical context, do it in a different way. The photos are shot differently too. Again, in more relaxed fashion.
As a general and enjoyable relaxed narrative I'd say 5 stars, but as some may find the lack of specification detail a dissapointment 4 stars is probably a fair appraisal.
Although paperback, the quality of paper and print is excellent along with decent photographs of the machines. It doesn't tend to go into technical specifications and is more of a story or narrative and as such is worth having alongside other books which, while all essentially providing historical context, do it in a different way. The photos are shot differently too. Again, in more relaxed fashion.
As a general and enjoyable relaxed narrative I'd say 5 stars, but as some may find the lack of specification detail a dissapointment 4 stars is probably a fair appraisal.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Reference > Transport > Automotive > Motorcycles > History
- Books > Reference > Transport > Automotive > Motorcycles > Pictorial
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
