BMW Motorcycle Engines

All About BMW Motorcycle Engines

Dual-cylinder or twin-cylinder boxer, two- or four-cylinder in-line, air- or water-cooled, two-cylinder opposed-twin or otherwise, the engine in your BMW bike is designed, built, and tested to be the best -- the epitome of Bavarian German craftsmanship excellence, 800cc to whopping 1802.

Your model has many of the same parts as today's motorcycle engines, but better. They're highly durable and high-efficiency, and most importantly, they deliver superb performance in all kinds of weather, cold and wet to hot and dry. They don't need much maintenance, either -- only the kind that's quick and easy to take care of.

Of course, no engine lasts forever. Here's the shortlist of just a few that you might have to keep an eye on.

Cylinder heads: these seal the tops of engine cylinders, which make up the combustion chamber. They contain shafts and engine valves.
Cylinders: fuel combustion happens here; it's where your bike's power is generated. These are also called engine blocks.
Pistons: these move up and down (a reciprocating motion), driving the connecting rods.
Piston connecting rods: these link the pistons and the crankshaft. They move left to right, transferring rotational energy to the crankshaft.
Crankshafts: these move motorcycle chains and ultimately, wheels. Their movement has to be timed right, a job done by timing chains or, in older models, timing belts.
Engine valves: these are of two kinds: intake valves and exhaust valves. The former regulates the air and fuel in the engine, while the latter manages the fumes from combustion.
Spark plugs: these ignite the mixture of fuel and air in the engine, enabling your bike to run on its own power. No motorcycle would work without them.
Batteries: these have the relatively obvious role of powering the ignition system, headlights, taillights, and other electrical systems.
Cooling systems: these are basically heatsinks; they help keep engines from overheating. Radiators, for instance, are becoming more common in them.

If your BMW motorbike engine is starting to fail, you'll know it by the signs. They include:

Poor startups
Run-ons (when your engine keeps running after it's turned off, suggesting problems like a faulty carburetor, a defective solenoid, or gas that's the wrong octane)
Power loss
Worsening fuel efficiency
Foul exhaust odors (indicating a possible failing exhaust stroke)
Hissing, misfires, pops, spitting, and/or knocking noises (meaning a possible combustion problem)

See any, and you should do an engine inspection and replace any parts that the results call for changing. We've got what your ride needs; it's OEM, so genuine BMW -- top-quality, guaranteed to fit and work reliably -- plus backed by warranty; you can buy with confidence.