BMW uses a three segment nomenclature for motorcycles. The first segment indicates the engine type, the second indicates the approximate engine displacement in cubic centimeters (with one notable exception – the F 650 GS, which has an engine displacement of 798cc), while the third indicates the class of motorcycle (e.g., sport, sport touring, dual-sport, etc.). The three segments are separated by blanks.
A similar 3 segment nomenclature is used for BMW automobiles. However, there is significantly less consistency across the range with respect to the second segment (engine displacement/100).
Engine type
- R – air cooled, horizontally opposed (“boxer”) 2 cylinder, water cooled after 2014
- K – water cooled, inline 3, 4 or 6 cylinder
- F – water cooled, vertical 1 cylinder (through 2006), vertical 2 cylinder (after 2006)
- G – water cooled, vertical 1 cylinder
- S – water cooled, inline 4 cylinder superbike
Engine displacement in cc
- Current models: 1600, 1300, 1200, 1000, 900, 800, 650 and 450. Previous models included 850, 1100, and 1150.
- Older model BMWs divide the approximate engine displacement by ten for the model number. For example, K75 = approx 750cc.
Styling suffix designations:
- C – Cruiser
- CS – Classic Sport
- G/S – Gelände/Strasse Off-road/Street
- GS – Gelände Sport Off-road Sport (Enduro)
- GT – Gran Turismo or Grand Touring
- LS – Luxury Sport
- LT – Luxus Tourer (Luxury Tourer)
- R – Road or Roadster – typically naked
- RR – Superbike/Racing
- RS – Originally stood for Rennsport, but since 1976 has stood for Reisesport
- RT – Reise Tourer (Travel Tourer)
- S – Sport
- ST – Strasse (Street) or Sport Tourer
- T – Touring
Additionally, a bike may have the following modifiers in its name:
- A – ABS
- L – luxury
- P – police
- C – custom
- PD – Paris Dakar
Examples: K 1200 S, R 1200 RT, F 650 GS, R 1150 RSL, K 1200 LT, K 1200 LT-C, R 1200 RT-P, R 1200 RSA, S 1000 RR
Prior to the introduction of the K 100 series and the R 1100 series motorcycles, the letter prefix was always the same, and the numbers were either based on displacement, as mentioned above, or were just model numbers.
FAQs
Lastly comes the letter or letters following the numbers—the part of the name that explains the purpose of the bike: A (for Adventure, sometimes spelled out), S (sometimes Sport or Strasse, the German word for street), G (from the German word Gelande, which means terrain), GT (sport touring), RR (road racing), RT (road ...
What does F stand for in BMW bikes? ›
F – water-cooled, vertical 1-cylinder (through 2006), vertical 2-cylinder (after 2006) G – water-cooled, vertical 1-cylinder. S – water-cooled, inline 4-cylinder superbike.
What is the oldest BMW motorcycle? ›
At the Berlin Motor Show in September 1923, the starting signal was given for the construction of BMW motorcycles: The R 32 is the first BMW motorcycle, developed by Max Friz. The world-renowned boxer engine will be the manufacturers main characteristic.
What do the letters in BMW models mean? ›
What do the Letters Mean Within BMW Models? The letter at the end of each vehicle's name represents the type of fuel used. An “i” signals a gas model, “d” for diesel vehicles, and “e” for plug-in hybrids. BMW's electric i Models have an “i” before the numbers in the vehicle name.
How to identify a BMW model? ›
Although your vehicles model number is clearly badged on the rear of your BMW, they are further categorised internally into E / F and G model codes. This three digit combination will usually allow specialists or dealers to identify the body style, model and approx age.
What does GS stand for in BMW motorcycles? ›
The GS originally stood for Gelände/Sport, but was later renamed to Gelände/Straße (German: terrain/street). GS motorcycles can be distinguished from other BMW models by their longer travel suspension, an upright riding position, and larger front wheels – typically 19 to 21 inch.
What is the E and F in BMW models? ›
In BMW "E" and "F" chassis codes the "E" stands for Entwicklung, the German word for Development. E and F codes are assigned by BMW at the beginning of model development. The "F' code came after "E" code.
What does the F stand for BMW? ›
Historically, each BMW has carried an E project number – standing for Entwicklung, or development. The numbers have then risen progressively up to triple digits, at which point F numbers have taken over.
What is the nickname for BMW motorcycle? ›
Over the years, riders and motorsports fans coined the nickname “beemer” for BMW motorbikes, by analogy to “beezer.” “Beemer” is a lot snappier and generally easier to say than BMW, especially as it cuts out the difficult long W sound at the end.
What is BMW's slogan? ›
Become a BMW expert: Where does the BMW logo come from? Why is the BMW slogan “Sheer driving pleasure”?
Motorrad is the German word for motorcycle.
Which BMW engines are made in China? ›
PRODUCTION PARTNER LONCIN, CHINA.
Loncin also has its own research and development center. The engines for the BMW F 800 and F 900 models are currently manufactured by Loncin. The BMW C 400 X and C 400 GT midsize scooters also roll off the production line here.
What BMW bikes do police use? ›
The models are the BMW F 850 GS-P and the BMW R 1250 RT-P in police version as well as other civilian models. With the delivery of these BMW models, the officers are provided with state-of-the-art motorcycles for police use, in terms of safety, driving dynamics, handling, volume and fuel consumption.
Did BMW make a 4-cylinder motorcycle? ›
1983 – The K 100 with the first water-cooled, inline four-cylinder engine was built by BMW. 1997 – The BMW R 1200 C was BMW's introduction to the cruiser market. 2011 – The BMW K Series added two six-cylinder engine models.
What does 328i mean? ›
What does BMW 328i stand for? Traditionally, it meant 3-series, 2.8 liter engine, “i” for “fuel injected.” In recent years, BMW has moved away from literal naming like that - the 335i is not a 3.5 liter engine, but rather a 3.0 liter engine with a turbocharger.
What does 330i mean in BMW? ›
the “30” in “330i”) indicates the engine power, which used to correspond to engine displacement. Nowadays, the number denotes the horsepower output of the car, with a larger number denoting a higher horsepower. The final letter in the model name indicates the type of engine in the car.
What does 340i stand for? ›
Small “x” on the end denotes all wheel drive. “ i” preceding the series number now designates gas/electric hybrid. Some current US examples: 340i - Again it's the smaller sedan three series. The engine in this car is a 3.0L twin-turbo 6-cylinder, not a 4.0L.
What does A and M stand for BMW? ›
A mode, if illuminated, is supposed to detect external pollutants and automatically close off external air. M mode, if illuminated, shuts off all outside air and is full recirculation mode until a sensor supposedly detects moisture that can cause fogging and turn A mode back on again.
