The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles, 3rd Edition
Every Model Since 1923
3rd Edition
Published on 30. October 2025
Book
Hardback
344 pages
978-0-7603-9751-0 (ISBN)
Description
In this stunningly illustrated volume, get a detailed year-by-year overview of every production machine ever built by Germany's top motorcycle manufacturer.
BMW launched its motorcycle dynasty in 1923 with the R32. From that first model to today's stunning M 1000 RR superbike, this book covers over 100 years of motorcycling excellence. Ian Falloon's detailed text is accompanied by historic photos from BMW's archive as well as contemporary images. Technical specs are provided for each model, and BMW's long racing history is discussed throughout. This revised and updated 3rd edition adds all models from 2021 to 2025, making it the most complete reference to BMW's models available.
This comprehensive source discusses all BMW bike families including:
Side-valve machines from the pre-WWII era
Early overhead-valve performance bikes
Modern Airheads and Oilheads
Four-cylinder and six-cylinder touring bikes
Single-cylinder models
The latest parallel twins, and inline-four-cylinder sport bikes
In addition to BMW's modern lineup, you'll find all the classic models that cemented the company's reputation-pre-World War II machines like the R5; the R12 that carried the Wehrmacht as it battled its way across Europe; the Earles-fork R69S; the R90S cafe racer; the K1 "flying brick"; the uber-successful GS (Gelaende Sport) series that launched a dual-sport revolution, and today's world-class S 1000 RR superbike and retro-inspired R nine T.
The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles is the most up to date and thorough guide to Germany's greatest motorcycle company.
BMW launched its motorcycle dynasty in 1923 with the R32. From that first model to today's stunning M 1000 RR superbike, this book covers over 100 years of motorcycling excellence. Ian Falloon's detailed text is accompanied by historic photos from BMW's archive as well as contemporary images. Technical specs are provided for each model, and BMW's long racing history is discussed throughout. This revised and updated 3rd edition adds all models from 2021 to 2025, making it the most complete reference to BMW's models available.
This comprehensive source discusses all BMW bike families including:
Side-valve machines from the pre-WWII era
Early overhead-valve performance bikes
Modern Airheads and Oilheads
Four-cylinder and six-cylinder touring bikes
Single-cylinder models
The latest parallel twins, and inline-four-cylinder sport bikes
In addition to BMW's modern lineup, you'll find all the classic models that cemented the company's reputation-pre-World War II machines like the R5; the R12 that carried the Wehrmacht as it battled its way across Europe; the Earles-fork R69S; the R90S cafe racer; the K1 "flying brick"; the uber-successful GS (Gelaende Sport) series that launched a dual-sport revolution, and today's world-class S 1000 RR superbike and retro-inspired R nine T.
The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles is the most up to date and thorough guide to Germany's greatest motorcycle company.
More details
Series
Edition
Third Edition, Revised Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
535
Dimensions
Height: 314 mm
Width: 259 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
2384 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7603-9751-0 (9780760397510)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2025
3rd Edition
Motorbooks
€58.99
Available for download
Person
Ian Falloon was born in New Zealand and studied engineering and music at Victoria University, Wellington. He is one of the world's leading motorcycle historians and a regular contributor to motorcycle magazines worldwide including Classic Bike, Cycle World, Two Wheels, Motorcycle Sport, and Australian Motorcycle News. Ian has authored more than fifty books to date, from his first title, The Ducati Story, through histories of BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, and Moto Guzzi. His Motorbooks titles include The Complete Book of BMW Motorcycles, The Complete Book of Ducati, The Complete Book of Moto Guzzi, The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles, and The Art of Ducati. With an interest and passion spanning decades, Ian also collects and restores older motorcycles, including Ducati, MV Agusta, BMW, Laverda, and Moto Guzzi. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is supported in his projects by his family.