Who Owns BMW Motorrad?

BMW Motorrad falls under BMW Group's company-wide commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, aligned with the Paris Agreement. BMW Group targets an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions per vehicle produced by 2030 against a 2019 baseline, covering Scope 1 and 2 manufacturing emissions across all divisions including Motorrad's Berlin plant.

BMW Group has increased use of secondary materials across its manufacturing operations, including recycled metals in motorcycle components, as part of a broader circular economy push. BMW Motorrad's electrification push, through the C evolution and CE 04 scooters, gives the division a lower-emissions option for urban riders, though the large-displacement touring and adventure models that make up most of its sales remain gasoline-powered.

BMW Group is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative and requires suppliers to meet environmental and labor standards under its supplier code of conduct, which applies to Motorrad's component suppliers in Germany and Asia.

Red Dot Design Award: BMW Motorrad has received multiple Red Dot Design Awards for motorcycle design, including recognition for the R 1250 GS adventure series and the CE 04 electric scooter.

MOTORRAD Magazine Readers' Choice 2024: BMW Motorrad won five categories and finished on the podium nine times total in MOTORRAD magazine's 2024 readers' choice "Motorcycle of the Year" awards, including victories in Sports Bikes, Crossover, Power Naked, Adventure Touring, and Tourers/Sport Tourers.

EICMA and Intermot Recognition: BMW Motorrad models have received "Best of Show" recognition at major international motorcycle exhibitions, including EICMA in Milan and Intermot in Cologne.

R 1300 GS Starter Relay Recall (2024): BMW Motorrad issued a worldwide safety recall affecting approximately 25,000 units of the R 1300 GS produced between July 2023 and March 2024. The recall addressed a manufacturing defect in the starter relay housing that could allow moisture infiltration, leading to electrical short circuits, overheating, and in rare cases fire risk. This was the third corrective action on the same issue, after service bulletins in November 2023 and February 2024 failed to resolve it. BMW reported no confirmed injuries linked to the defect and completed the recall through free component replacement.

ABS Modulator Recall (2022 to 2023): BMW recalled roughly 12,000 R 1250 RT and K 1600 GTL motorcycles built in 2021 and 2022 over potential ABS modulator valve failures that could reduce braking performance. BMW offered free repairs and extended warranty coverage to affected owners.

Chain Tensioner Recall (2021): Approximately 8,500 R 1250 GS Adventure units from 2020 and 2021 production were recalled for chain tensioner failures that could cause chain derailment. BMW replaced the tensioner component and revised inspection procedures for subsequent production.

Emissions Certification Inquiry (2024): European regulators reviewed emissions certification for certain 2022 and 2023 model year motorcycles. BMW cooperated with the inquiry and updated engine management software to confirm Euro 5 compliance.