Yeah, but it's a BMW

[Proto2000]

Got this in a trade for a Voodoo Canzo I had listed on CL for some time. Not really a full suspension collector but have a few in there. Was really surprised at how the suspension is active, drop the front end and it does not bounce back, rear is not as good but is better than most I have tried this with so happy about that. Really good spec for a car makers bike and I think this was manufactured in the BMW motorcycle factory's so a true BMW. I'm leaning towards a 1997 and why I put it here, the Magura Louise brakes and hubs give it the nod. All the rest of the components are XTR M95x so helps with date. So I think that most were produced with V-brakes, this one stood out with the disc option, only reason I accepted the trade. Any info beyond this i will ask for help with. I do drive a BMW so was swayed...

 

[Oldtat]

By God that is an ugly bike. Like it's been ridden into a tree. Interesting though.

 

[Proto2000]

LOL, I have the same thought about that but the fork does get more slack as the travel progresses. It's a 97 or so frame design so slack isn't in then.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I love it so fugly it's cool

Front suspension is similar to the Hossack front end fitted to BMW in the 80/90s @Markybeau

Thinking Outside the Box: Hossack Engineering | The Vintagent

Norman Hossack's radical front fork design reduced weight and made for more accurate steering, and was copied by BMW, Honda, and Britten.

thevintagent.com

 

[mk one]

A few on here, sought after by some and command high prices.

They fold in half and were designed to fit into the boot of a 3 Series

 

[27motorhead]

Bonkers bike that kinda hurts my eyes, but I also love it for the crazy engineering.

If they did this in carbon it would have been an ugly sweepy/curvy mess of a bike

A very agriculturally styled BMW!

 

[vtwinvince]

Oh dear, as an old school Bimmer fanatic I find this quite disturbing.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Car manufacturers' engineers continued with the URT design long after riders had said it was no good.
My Amp Research Forks were very similar. Great on paper. Useless on the trail.

This is a fantastic piece of design history, great looks and in great condition.

 

[pete_mcc]

The only way to ride a BMW bike on the road

 

[Corduroyboy]

Exactly what is the point of the ceramic-coated rims on that BMW?