Compatibility and Names Test: Where Did BMW Names Come From? Part 2
Have you ever thought of where do the names of BMW motorcycles come from? The history of the names of air-engines, motorcycles and car is full of straight lines and incredible curves and angles…
After the purchase of a manufacturing plant in Eisenach in 1928 it was decided to create separate numeration systems for air-engines, bikes and cars. The National Socialist authorities oversaw an intensification of rearmament in Germany from 1933. In order to simplify the expansion of the Luftwaffe, the Reich Air Ministry apportioned fixed numbering systems to its various engine manufacturers. BMW was given the index span from 100 to 199.
The new instructions were taken as a reason for a new inner system of designation. The digits from 100 to 199 were already fixed with air-engines, so the digits from 200 to 299 were used for motorcycles, and for cars – from 300 to 399. The names of the existing models were accurately included into the new system – they were changes and added. For instance, R32 became 232. Despite the fact that the chanes affected the entire system, the traditional names were excluded from the change lists. From the middle of the 30s there appeared a tendency to add the capacity of the engine in the name of the model. For example, a 500-ccm engine got the name BMW R5 and the next model – BMW R51.
After WWII BMW continued the development of its previous inventions. The first after-was motorcycle was only slightly different from its before-was ancestor (1-cylinder BMW R23). Motorcycles with boxer engines maintained their previous names R (which was followed by the digit that stood for the capacity of the engine) for the decades to come. The modifications of a basic model were different by additional abbreviations: for instance, G/S stood for Gelande/Stra?e (SUV/Crossover), GS – Gelandesport (Sport SUV), RT – Reisetourer (made for travelling).
After the manufacturing of straight-engine motorcycles was launched, the models of the new series got a new name – with the letter K. The naming principle remained the same: the letter K was accompanied by a digit which depicted the capacity of the engine. BMW used the same principle for 1-cylinder cars which were sold from 1993. In 2006 the new generation of 1-cylinder light motorcycles got the letter G.
In search of a new concept of mobility the company has started to work in the opposite direction. The name BMW C1 (a covered motorcycle by BMW) contains the letter C which stands for “City”, because a city is the major field where the models can be used. In 2005 BMW came up with a new SUV-motorcycle, and for the first time the company derived from the typical name system. It was named BMW HP (High Perfomance) 2 (2 cylinders) Enduro. The series Megamoto and HP2 Sport were also included in the new system. And what’s for the time-tested codes of the models R, RS, S, CS, C, CL, GS, RT, RS, GT and LT?
For the first time the R was taken into consideration in connection with the model R100 (which came in 1991); in this case R stands for Roadster. S – Sport; for the first time the letter appeared in the names R50 S and R69 S, and later in 1973 – R90 S. The later models R1100 S, R1200 S, K1200 S also have this letter in their names.
In the 60s there were CS cars (which stood for Coupe Sport). This name was used in motorcycling history in 1980 after the rebirth of R100 S, but in fact in was fixed with Classic Sport. It was again mentioned in 2001 when the audience was showed F 650 CS, a motorcycle with a rotary engine, but this time it meant City Scarver.
The abbreviation RS was used in the models made for professional multistep races. In the case with R51 RS which was released in 1939 it stood for Rennsport plus the abbreviation SS – Supersport. From 1976 RS meant Reisesport (sporty for travelling) and it was accompanied by the following abbreviations: RT (Reise-Tourer – for travelling), LT (Luxus-Tourer – luxury travelling), C (cruiser motorcycle), CL (Cruiser und Luxus – luxury-class cruiser), GT (Grand Tourisme – clear what it means, isn’t it?).
The widely knows GS appeared only in 1980. GS stands for Gelande/Stra?e (SUV/Crossover). And, of course, ST which was used in 1982 for the street version of GS; ST stands for Stra?e/strada (street) and this abbreviation can be found in the latest model R 1220 ST.
Compatibility and Names Test: Where Did BMW Names Come From? Part 1
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