Paul Yaffe’s BMW R 18 One Eight “C” is built on the BMW R 18 Transcontinental luxury touring cruiser.
Paul Yaffe of Bagger Nation has recently revealed his latest creation: the BMW R 18 One Eight “C” built on a BMW R 18 Transcontinental. This custom incorporates hot-rod appeal while remaining as authentically BMW as possible and joins Yaffe’s extensive list of customized bikes.
Yaffe is well-known to the custom motorcycle world. His bikes show up across the globe at various bike shows, rallies, and events, and he’s been awarded recognitions such as three “World’s Most Beautiful Motorcycle” awards from the Oakland Roadster Show and two “Builder of Year” and three “Trendsetter of the Year” awards from Easyriders Magazine. He was also inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in 2015.
To get accustomed with the BMW R 18 Transcontinental, Yaffe rode more than 6,000 miles on one before getting started with the project. The BMW R 18 Transcontinental was introduced for 2022 as a luxury touring version of the company’s R 18 cruiser platform. It features the same 1,802cc “Big Boxer” opposed Twin as other R 18 iterations. The Transcontinental comes with a handlebar-mounted fairing, a passenger seat, locking hard saddlebags, and a top trunk with integrated passenger backrest – everything needed for racking up miles on cross-country trips.
Yaffe’s goal with this custom was to create a big-wheel bagger that retained as many original BMW parts as possible. The eye-catching 26 x 5.5-inch front wheel was commissioned and cut from solid aluminum, and the 180mm front tire is handmade. To accommodate the large front wheel, the frame was stretched and raked.
The R 18’s batwing-style fairing was cut into several pieces and restructured, and the steel front fender was made from scratch. The bike also features a chin spoiler that conceals the radiator and closes the gap between the fairing and the fuel tank. Also included is a set of Yaffe Monkey Bars.
In keeping with Yaffe’s goal to keep as many BMW components on the bike as possible, his team retained the saddlebag lids, latches, and speakers but included a new set of “skins” that create a stretched look. The team also extended the original rear fender by crafting a second R 18 fender.
Yaffe kept the original R 18 taillights and fitted them into handmade filler panels. He also included a spot for a license plate in the fender and stretched the side covers to cover more area and flow toward the saddlebags.
The R 18 One Eight “C” features air suspension with a Yaffe-designed air tank and distribution system. A frame under the saddlebags accommodates components of the air suspension. The team’s goal with the side pipes was to “preserve the distinct BMW feel” of the build. They kept the classic Boxer head pipes, removed the catalytic converters from the head pipes, and installed a perforated high-flow baffle system. They also included a three-step muffler system and a wide-open megaphone for a classic hot-rod sound.
The focus on the bike’s cosmetics was centered on elegance and simplicity. “We went to work perfecting all the fabricated body panels and smoothing everything to a glass-like finish,” said the Bagger Nation team. Painter Hector Martinez applied the gloss black paint for a timeless look, and Guys Upholstery created the oxblood red saddle and the dash console. Martinez matched the front calipers’ color to the saddle.
The BMW R 18 One Eight “C” will debut at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, Italy, the weekend of January 19-21, 2024.
Triple ASBK champion Josh Waters will race-on with McMartin Racing in the 2024 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) for a second full season with the Ducati-equipped team.
Waters first won the title as a rookie in 2009, before he repeated in 2012 and 2017 – all onboard Suzuki machinery – and is now targeting a record fourth crown.
“It’s a great feeling to be continuing with McMartin Racing for another season,” 36-year-old Waters commented. “We had some great pace last year in what was really our learning year together, so with that, to come so close to an Australian title was a bitter pill to swallow.
“There is no hiding how gutted we were to come so close to the championship, but it just gives us something much bigger to work on as we head into our second season together. There is a wealth of knowledge within the McMartin Racing team and our results throughout the year certainly reflected the strong partnership we have.”
After Waters finished runner-up to fellow three-time champion Troy Herfoss last season, McMartin Racing owner Craig McMartin is determined to go one better. The team previously won the 2021 ASBK championship with Wayne Maxwell.
“We are very fortunate to have Josh continue with McMartin Racing in 2024,” McMartin said. “Last years’ season was one of the most competitive we have seen in recent years and to have the championship come down to the final race of the year was certainly one for the history books. We are looking forward to working with Josh for our second season together.”
Backcountry Discovery Routes has released news on an upcoming film about its new Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-North). The film is scheduled to premiere on Feb. 17 at the Sofia Performing Arts Center in Sacramento, California, before a three-month tour.
The adventure motorcycling non-profit Backcountry Discover Routes works to responsibly create adventure and dual-sport motorcycling routes. The company’s recent Economic Impact Study white paper shows that BDR has brought in $60 million to BDR-related areas and small communities during 2023.
Upon the film’s premiere, the company will release free GPS tracks, a digital map, FAQs, and travel resources on the BDR website, and a waterproof map of the route can be purchased on the online store.
For more information on the film and the CABDR-North route, read the press release below, and find the film’s trailer at the bottom.
The adventure motorcycling non-profit Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) has just released the trailer for their upcoming Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-North) Expedition documentary film. The feature-length film premieres on Feb. 17 at the Sofia Performing Arts Center (Sutter Theatre) in Sacramento, California, kicking off a three-month tour with over 80 film screenings planned at motorcycle dealerships and clubs across the country.
The CABDR-North represents the organization’s 13th route for adventure and dual-sport motorcycle travel, with free GPS tracks, travel resources, and BDR Motorcycle Map scheduled to accompany the film’s debut.
Motorcycle dealerships and clubs interested in hosting an CABDR-North film screening can reserve their tour date on the BDR website.
Riders looking to help BDR continue on its mission of creating and preserving ADV riding opportunities should consider joining the BDR Annual Supporter Program featuring exclusive BDR swag and industry discounts from over 40 adventure brands.
About the Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route & Film
The Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route expedition film features members of the BDR team and special guests from both BMW Motorrad USA and Zero Motorcycles as they take a first run on the all-new route, immersing themselves in Northern California’s captivating blend of landscapes, terrain, and history.
Starting in Mammoth Lakes, California, atop Minaret Vista, the 940-mile route traverses the Great Sierra Nevada Range’s conifer forests, mountain meadows, and gentle slopes, concluding in the high desert of the Modoc Plateau just north of Alturas, California, at the Oregon border. Riders enjoy blissful forested two-tracks, tackle rugged canyon, and mountain roads and ascend peaks to fire lookouts with unparalleled, 360-degree views.
Highlights of the route include quaint towns nestled in the High Sierra’s folds, with their historic inns dating back to the 1880s. Beyond the thrill of the twisty roads and scenic vistas, riders can delve into California history, discover relics of mining towns, and witness geological wonders.
The route caters to riders of varying skill levels and offers optional challenging sections, plus three expert segments.
“California.… The mere utterance of the word evokes a vision and emotion expressed in countless song and prose dedicated to a place called ‘California,’” said Ron West, Northern California BDR Route architect and BDR board member. “The birthplace of Disneyland is also nothing short of a Magic Kingdom for the adventure rider. This route, born of countless scouting trips over the last five years, captures the essence of a remote and beautiful Northern California, one that may be difficult for the casual tourist to comprehend. But we found it! Just as adventurers before you from California’s earliest days seeking gold or a new beginning, so can you find your adventure by simply downloading and following the tracks laid before you. Eureka!”
Route Release & Film Tour
The Official Film Premiere of the CABDR-North documentary will be on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. PST at the Sofia Performing Arts Center (Sutter Theatre) in Sacramento, California, featuring representatives from BDR, BMW Motorrad USA, Zero Motorcycles, and select industry partners and journalists.
Free GPS tracks, digital map, FAQs, and travel resources will be released on February 17th at 12 noon PST on the BDR website. The waterproof CABDR-North motorcycle map will be available for purchase at the BDR Online Store.
For those in Southern California, BDR is hosting a film screening and a mini-ADV Expo event on March 16 in the Los Angeles Arts District, at Bike Shed, a 30,000 square foot moto-venue, with a bar and restaurant, multi-brand retail space, barbershop, tattoo studio, and gallery space. During the day, the event is open to the public for free from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring representatives from major ADV brands and BDR industry partners, as well as OEM demo rides. The film screening will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the gallery space with admission tickets sold on the BDR website.
Every year, nearly 100 motorcycle dealerships and clubs across the country host screenings of the BDR organization’s newest film. Check the Film Tour page for a schedule of upcoming CABDR-North premieres and join your fellow adventure enthusiasts for an exciting evening of adventure motorcycle film entertainment.
Dealerships and/or clubs interested in hosting a film screening can get more information and reserve their screening date on the BDR Dealership Page.
Route Sponsors
BDR partnerships with major industry brands made this project possible.
BMW Motorrad USA is presenting their third BDR route, with the Lead Motorcycle Instructor from the BMW U.S. Rider Academy (in Greer, South Carolina) joining the CABDR-North filming expedition.
“Now, with first-hand experience of riding a BMW GS on a BDR, I have insights that will help us better prepare students who are training for a BDR ride,” said Richie Few, led motorcycle instructor at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy. “If you dream about taking your motorcycle off the beaten path or riding a BDR, join us in South Carolina and take a class at the BMW U.S. Rider Academy. Together, we can help make that dream a reality.”
Zero Motorcycles underscored their commitment to advancing the possibilities of electric adventure riding in the backcountry by providing two DSR/X motorcycles, their pioneering electric ADV model, to be tested on the route.
“For me, the Northern California BDR expedition is rooted deep,” said Trevor Doniak, chief prototype and test rider for Zero Motorcycles. “From participating in the development of the DSR/X at Zero in Santa Cruz to my personal upbringing in Northern California, this was an experience of a lifetime. The NorCal BDR will not disappoint! I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 4 years old and love every aspect of riding. The Northern California BDR fulfilled me 10X from a motorcycle rider’s perspective.”
Edelweiss Bike Travel, Austria-based premier world-wide motorcycle tour company, has been a BDR industry supporter for many years.
Outback Motortek, producer of quality protection and multifunctional luggage systems (used by BDR recently in their Ducati DesertX build) has deep roots in metal fabrication going as far back as the early 80’s.
Northern California Backcountry Discovery Route Industry Partners
Special thanks to BDR community members and partners including:
Touratech-USA, KLIM Technical Riding Gear, Mosko Moto, Motoz Tires, SENA, Alpinestars, Colorado Motorcycle Adventures, Gaia GPS, Rev’It!, Austin Moto Adventures, Cyclops Adventure Sports, Moto Camp Nerd, West 38 Moto, Rever, Wolfman Luggage/Threadworks, Black Dog Cycle Works, Doubletake Mirror, ADVMoto Magazine, Upshift Online, and BMW MOA.
If getting thrown into oncoming traffic or pinned under your motorcycle doesn’t sound super awesome, learn from the “Motor School” and embrace the “high side.” (Photos by Kevin Wing)
In my career, my police motor slammed the pavement exactly five times when deploying the kickstand and dismounting the bike. And yes, it was on par with that dream we’ve all had where you show up at school with no pants and all the kids laugh at you. Exceedingly embarrassing for sure, but thankfully I’m still alive and riding because every single time I dropped my bike, I was following the Golden Rule: “Always and forever mount and dismount your motor from the high side.”
That’s right, folks. It turns out there’s a correct side of the motorcycle to get on and off from, and it isn’t the side most of you use. Sounds ridiculous, right?
Now, I know you’ve successfully accomplished the task of resting your motorcycle on its kickstand thousands of times. Heck, you’re almost psychic when it comes to surface appraisal and road camber when you boot that stand out. In fact, you’re probably cursing me in your head, arguing that which side you mount or dismount from ultimately depends on where you park your bike or which hand is holding your Milk Duds. But in motor school, I learned the best way to get on and off a motorcycle: from the “high side.”
Motor officers use the high side every time they get on and off because it works.
Perhaps it’s obvious, but in case I lost you, allow me to explain. For the most part, kickstands are deployed from the left side of the motorcycle. If you put your motorcycle on its kickstand, the bike will settle, or lean, to the left. Therefore, if you were to stand directly behind the bike, the “high” side is the right side of the bike, or the side where your throttle and front brake lever are located. Since the bike is leaned over on the stand, the seat is higher on the right side. Make sense?
Keep in mind that all vehicles in the United States travel on the right side of the road, with opposing traffic on the left. Now, let’s imagine you are riding along and need to get that super tight blue sweatshirt that you love to show off out of your saddlebag. You pull to the side of the road, kick your stand down, and start getting off the bike. But on this particularly cruel day, your bike begins to roll off its kickstand, resulting in the bike falling to the left – or “low” side – and toward traffic.
Adding chaos to the scenario, it turns out your right leg is the one with a wonky ACL and two meniscus surgeries, so you decided to plant your left foot on the ground and started your dismount on the left (low) side of your bike as it began to fall. Regrettably, your bike starts falling directly onto your one good leg, potentially knocking you into oncoming traffic as it wraps you up and takes you down with it. Not great.
The high side is the right side to avoid going down with the ship if your bike falls over.
Now let’s put on our mirrored rainbow glasses and imagine you dismounted from the “high” side as your motorcycle started to fall off the kickstand. Not only will you look fabulous, but your right leg will remain planted so your left leg can gracefully swing over the seat like a gazelle’s, safely clearing you from the bike as it ponders what parts and pieces to destroy as it slams to the pavement. Embarrassing and costly? Absolutely, but pretty low risk to you physically.
The good news is this technique pays dividends not just when parked on the road but also in parking lots, your driveway, or anywhere else you throw that kickstand down. I can’t promise that your buddies won’t find some other reason to make fun of you, but like I’ve said a thousand times, you bring that crap on yourself.
So, from now on, follow my little parking ritual: Shut off the bike, put it in 1st gear, deploy the kickstand, turn the handlebar full‑lock left, gently ease the bike over onto the kickstand, and step off the high side of the bike. If you need a little assistance with your dismount, grab the front brake and use the handlebar for leverage. And while the process is simple enough, give it a few dry runs in the garage first. Practice makes perfect, though I can’t promise you won’t get weird looks from your friends.
Bonus Motor School Tips
As the late, great Billy Mays used to say, “But wait, there’s more!” Here are a couple more tips to help you out there on the street.
Curb appeal: If you find yourself in a situation where you need to ride your big heavy bike off a curb, accelerate off rather than tiptoe and duck walk the front wheel off the drop where the lower fairing, oil pan, or pipes could get smashed. I’m not suggesting you channel your inner Daniel J. Canary, the man who invented the wheelie, but ride off like you would accelerate from a typical stop: in a straight line with smooth, assertive throttle (as shown in the photo below).
And yes, I know firsthand what a great tip this is because I once watched a fellow motor officer gingerly roll his new BMW R 1250 RT‑P off a tall curb at a DUI checkpoint. After hearing a gut‑wrenching pile‑driver concussion, I watched as hot oil spewed out onto the pavement. Oof.
It’s not if but when you’ll be faced with navigating a tall curb. Heed my advice and avoid immeasurable personal (and costly) anguish.
Brake time: If your bike has been sitting unridden for a while, be sure to work your brake levers and pump up the calipers before you take off. When I first heard this suggestion from an old motor cop, I laughed out loud. But then he walked me over to my bike, gently pushed on my front brake calipers with his boot, and asked me to grab the front brake lever. With a cocky gleam in my eye, I pulled the lever, only to have it bottom out at the throttle grip – the brakes didn’t work at all. Turns out the fluid in your brake calipers can be forced back into the master cylinder if bumped or pushed hard enough, causing the brakes to need some pumping up before they work again.
2023 was, statistically speaking, Garrett Gerloff’s (Bonovo Action BMW) worst season in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, finishing outside of the top 11 for the first time in his career and without a podium to his name – and yet, those numbers and the feeling at the end of the year couldn’t have been more diametrically opposed.
Because as much as statistics can tell one story, they can tell another: that of a rider who ended the year as the standout BMW rider, with multiple top-5 finishes in the final third of the season and with a pole position to his name (the first for an American rider in 12 years). In a relatively unremarkable year for BMW, Gerloff, the most inexperienced rider of their 2023 quartet in terms of BMW machinery, was in fact quietly impressive.
Flashforward to 2024, and after a long break back home in Texas – “I needed it after all the racing last year” – Gerloff is eager to carry that momentum into the new season.
“I was really happy with all the progress we made, especially the last half of the year”, said Gerloff at the BMW launch event in Berlin. “To finally get close to the podium and to get a pole position was amazing. I have high hopes for this year. I really think that with the same team, with the same awesome guys that I’ve been working with, we can make another step forward. With Toprak being here, and the other guys, Michael and Scott, we have a really strong rider line-up, and a lot of data to pool from to improve these M 1000 RRs a lot”.
THE NEXT STEP FORWARD: “Toprak is obviously a guy that people listen to”
After a year spent gradually getting to grips with the M 1000 RR throughout last year – following five years on a Yamaha R1, split between Motoamerica and WorldSBK – Gerloff is now in a more comfortable position to speak about the strengths of the package and where resources can be pooled into going in forward.
“We’re not struggling for power, that’s one thing this bike does really well. The front end also feels really good to me. I feel like just a little bit of electronic stuff. Engine braking could be a bit more consistent and a bit smoother. Maybe a bit on the TC [traction control] side, but not a lot. That’s what I’m saying. We’re not missing a lot, but if you’re missing two tenths a lap, that’s two seconds at the end of the race; it’s all about those last ‘nths’ of a degree. We’re a lot closer than we were at the beginning of last year”.
It’s one area where Gerloff believes the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) can have a positive influence on the entire project: “I think he can bring a lot of direction. He’s obviously a guy that people listen to. For the engineers, if we can all be on the same page as riders, I feel like it can steer the ship of the project”.
Should everything line up properly, Gerloff’s target is clear: the one glaring omission from his 2023 results: “I want a damn podium, bad! I got close last year but no cigar. A podium would be super nice. That pole position also tasted super good, so a few more of those wouldn’t be bad, but it’s going to be tough, not gonna lie”.
GALINSKI’S GOAL: “We hope for a big battle with Scott”
Bonovo Action BMW Team Principal Michael Galinski, after the satisfactory end to the season, is also setting a high bar for Gerloff in the new year: “Garrett is really good. He came from up from being down and he got really good results. I hope he can start in the same way he finished last year. We hope for a big battle with Scott and we expect him to be in the top five”.
How high can Gerloff climb in 2024? Follow the full season thanks to WorldSBK VideoPass!
The first person to talk up the possibility of a move to BMW in the early months of 2023, Kenan Sofuoglu’s confidence in the project has far from waned in the months that followed. If anything, seeing all the pieces fall into place may have only emboldened the 5-time WorldSSP Champion that little bit more.
With just five days remaining until Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) takes to the track for his first test of 2024 – the first time that he’ll square up the M 1000 RR to the rest of the grid, including perennial rivals Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) – the manager and mentor to the Turkish star has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far. A long road lays ahead, but the anticipation is palpable.
“When I see in this place how excited everybody is, how they can’t wait to start the season, I think that’s what we need”, said Sofuoglu at the BMW launch event in Berlin, last Wednesday. “I believe that we needed this, especially from Toprak’s side. We had four great seasons with Yamaha, but Toprak needed a new challenge”.
Everyone involved in the project – BMW management and Razgatlioglu himself – has spoken highly of the 27-year-old’s first contact with the bike back in December. Unsurprisingly, for Sofuoglu: “Toprak is a young and fresh boy. Whatever bike he sits on, I believe he will adapt to it. The BMW is a very different bike, and many people have some ideas about BMW. We have a different idea about BMW”.
“We believe we will be even stronger on this bike. We believe we will give a hard time to Bautista with this bike, he’s been very strong these last two seasons. I think BMW is the one that can beat Ducati; maybe not immediately, but in the end, I believe we can be Champions with BMW”.
TARGETING THE TOP: podiums from Day 1, the Championship over two years
Sofuoglu – a multiple World Champion with two different manufacturers in the WorldSSP class – is well aware of some of the difficulties that Toprak may find in the early stages on the M 1000 RR, and how those speed bumps can affect a title challenge. Even when stating short-term targets, Sofuoglu is clear that the long-term goal is over two years.
“From the first day we did a two-year contract because of that. The first year can be difficult, we expect this. This doesn’t mean we will be off the podium; I believe Toprak will be always fighting for the podium, at least. It’s like with the Yamaha, we were on the podium every race.
“Winning is a little bit difficult. We know why. Bautista is very strong. When we were on the Yamaha, it was very difficult to beat Bautista for the win. But personally, I believe in Toprak more than everyone. For that reason, I believe Toprak will surprise everyone. He’ll start with a podium… It can also be a win”.
How will Toprak Razgatlioglu debut on the M 1000 RR? Follow all of pre-season and the first round of the 2024 season with WorldSBK VideoPass!
Is third time the charm? After landing on BMW machinery back in late 2021 and following two seasons of mixed progress, Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) will certainly be hoping that saying rings true, as we approach the start of the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.
The 31-year-old moves to the Bonovo Action BMW squad this season after two years under the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team banner. Different faces, same machinery, with BMW providing factory support to all four riders contracted for the 2024 season. But that one small change could make a world of difference.
“The team is great”, Redding is quick to point out, minutes after the official launch of both BMW teams in Berlin. “Very welcoming, very family orientated. It feels old-school style, and that’s something that I really cherish, I enjoy having that around me. I’ll be more relaxed, more happy”.
TWO STEPS FORWARD: “We need to try and make up for the last years”
That positive first encounter is already helping Redding to put a frustrating 2023 season behind him. From an uneven first year on the M 1000 RR which nonetheless saw the English rider finish on the podium at three separate racetracks, to just two top-five finishes in all last year – an uncharacteristic drop in results which Redding himself wants to amend for.
“It’s pretty bad. There’s only been like two years in my career that I didn’t get a podium. It upset me a lot last year, to not achieve that goal, but it happens. We were working, we were developing the bike, we were doing the best we could. I think this year we need to try and double up on it, to make up for the last years. With a few of the rule changes and the development we’ve done here, there is potential”.
Redding is confident that those regulation tweaks, including new rider weight-limit rules and a reduction of the fuel tank size (from 24 litres to 21), could help to push results in the right direction. But he is equally clear on some of the improvements that also need to be applied on the M 1000 RR package.
“It’s just many little things, there’s not like one big thing. Okay, we miss rear edge grip, we know it’s clear, it’s something we’re always working on. If we can improve that, it’s already a good step. But then it’s finetuning: electronics, position, suspension… There’s a lot of things that we just need to get perfect, and then we can be more competitive”.
TARGETS: Redding and Galinski agree on top-5 potential
With these small adjustments and the extra involvement from BMW in the months preceding the 2024 season, Redding is optimistic regarding their targets for the new season: “I would like to be top five, top six in the championship, and I’d like to be on the podium more regularly. If I get a race win, I’ll be ecstatic, but we need a couple of podiums, that’s the goal”.
Team Principal Michael Galinski, also speaking at the event, agrees on this goal for the 12-time WorldSBK race winner: “I hope that with the more familiar team that we have, he can show his potential, what everybody knows he has. We want to go with him in the top five. I know the championship is very strong now, with some new riders. Top five is what we can do with him, and he’s dreaming of a lot of podiums”.
Following all the best action from pre-season in 2024 thanks to WorldSBK VideoPass!
As anticipation grows around BMW for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) consolidating one of the most talented rider line-ups in the series, the question remains on many onlookers’ minds: how much (and how) can BMW improve in 2024?
The manufacturer finished fourth out of five in the 2023 standings and without a podium to their name, and progress since the factory team’s arrival in 2019 has often been relatively short-lived; and yet, many members of the paddock have spoken highly about the ceiling of the M 1000 RR, double Champion Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) amongst them.
WorldSBK.com spoke with BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers and Technical Director Christian Gonschor at the recent BMW launch event in Berlin to get an idea of where the project is leading to next, and what Toprak Razgatlioglu’s arrival has already contributed to their direction for 2024.
BONGERS: “Toprak denied all these question marks”
Speaking first, Bongers lauded the rider line-up – “the strongest we’ve ever had” – before sharing his insight into where improvements will be coming from in the first stages of 2024.
“The bike has a couple of technical updates. We have reworked the aerodynamics of the bike from 2023 to 2024. Then, in terms of the chassis, we will hit the road with a revised swingarm. Engine-wise, we’ll have a small update, an evolution rather than an evolution, but every little bit helps and in this very competitive Championship, you need that. And actually, on the electronic side, this is a constant process of updating in every area, as well as adapting to riders and new riders.
Intriguingly, Razgatlioglu’s first steps on the bike back in December seemed to dismiss some of the most common criticisms that had been shared about the M 1000 RR, according to Bongers: “After all the question marks in the press, or world the outside of BMW, where people would say: ‘is that the right choice for Toprak? They have their own electronics, the bike doesn’t seem to turn very well, braking’… When Toprak came back with his first comments, he basically denied all these question marks. The bike stops, the bike turns, the bike brakes, the bike accelerates.
“That gave me a positive feeling, but again, we have tests in front of us with the competitors and it will be our first real reference to see where we’re at. We still have to work and as he said himself before, he needs some more time because we didn’t have very efficient test time in December”.
GONSCHOR: “The test team will help”
Speaking for the first time with WorldSBK.com since his appointment as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Technical Director in July of 2023, Christian Gonschor has been hard at work since then with the expansion of the project for this 2024 season. This being his first pre-season in the role, there has been no shortage of work for the BMW engineers and technicians.
“We will definitely work on every item”, confirms Gonschor. “We are always working on the engine, we are working on the chassis, on the electronic side and also slightly on the aerodynamics. To get where we want to be, you have to get the maximum out of every quarter of the bike, it’s a complex thing. You cannot say one thing is good and the other thing is bad, everything interacts.
“For example, let’s say the electronics, very important these days for every kind of racing. There we can individualise a lot each rider’s base. We can concentrate on electronics, but this an ongoing, day-by-day development. The engine, the chassis, the swingarm… It’s a long-term story. We’re always looking for more rear grip, it’s obvious we’re working on the rear end, like everybody. Electronic work is daily work you need to do. It’s good to have a lot of people in Munich working on this.
BMW will field four riders on race weekends, but one of the big stories coming into the new season is the creation of a two-rider test team to guide the development of the M 1000 RR, with Sylvain Guintoli – 2014 WorldSBK Champion and former Suzuki test rider in MotoGP™ – and Bradley Smith on permanent testing duties. For Gonschor, this could be a key to unlocking the full potential of the package.
“The agenda for the test team is quite simple. We want to concentrate on the development and verification of new solutions, and the race teams should concentrate on the race weekends. There are limited tests for the riders so they need to focus on their own individual solution. The test team can do the work from January to December for all four riders”.
As for his own first impressions on Toprak, Gonschor’s optimism matches that of Bongers: “Every rider brings new data, new skills, new questions. With his unique riding style, with the front end of the bike, we can learn a lot about corner entry, which we were already quite good at.
“I think everybody saw some pictures of the test and they looked quite similar to what he was doing in the past. So, you can imagine that a smile was on his face”.
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“My level of excitement? Of course, it’s a 10!”. It’s little surprise that Shaun Muir, Team Principal of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, is looking forward to the season ahead. The signing of Toprak Razgatlioglu, together with the increased development efforts coming from BMW, would point towards the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship being the most successful one so far for the team that took over the works BMW project in late 2018.
Yet, the increased attention and increased potential do not seem to have brought along with them any additional pressure to perform. If anything, the experiences of the past few seasons – the highs, the disappointments, the arrivals, and departures – may just fuel the motivation for the upcoming year.
“Surprisingly, the pressure isn’t higher than ever”, confirms Muir, speaking at the BMW launch event in Berlin. “We felt pressure for quite a long time, when we signed Scott [Redding] into the team, and previously with Tom [Sykes]. I think everybody realizes now that the project’s gained so much momentum, with four riders on equal machinery, a fantastic test support behind us, it’s our time to start delivering and there’s absolutely no excuses”.
EXPECTATIONS: “We feel that Toprak can be on the podium very quickly”
Higher support should, on paper, equate to a higher ceiling – but by how much? With a WorldSBK Champion and two-time runner-up now in the garage, the expectation is to find an immediate step.
“Toprak brings a certain amount of quality to the team that we’ve been lacking in the past”, his team principal admits. “If you were to ask the question to Toprak, he’d be expecting to be on the podium very quicky, and I think we echo that. As a group, as a team, the whole project from the test team right through to our ROKiT BMW team, we feel that Toprak can be on the podium very quickly.
“And I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again now: if you are close to the podium, you’re close to the win. Where will that leave us in Championship terms? I’m not sure. But I think the first three races in the Championship this year will define our season”.
FOURTH YEAR WITH VDM: “Mikey knows he has to deliver”
The other side of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team garage will feature the longest-running BMW rider out of the four-strong field. Michael van der Mark faces his fourth season as a factory BMW rider, and with the last two injury-riddled campaigns now firmly behind him, the focus is on getting him back to his best.
“When you look back at it, Mikey has missed probably 2.5 seasons with the injuries he’s sustained”, says Muir. “I think it’s a massive boost for him to remain in our team. We know he’s worked with Toprak in the past. The expectation from Mikey is that he wants to be following Toprak over the line, I think he seriously believes he can be right there.
“I think he fully deserves his place in the team. Of course, it’s contract year for him, so he really knows he has to deliver. Hopefully he has a good pre-season, he can put those injuries behind him. I see no reason why Michael can’t be right up there in the top six of the Championship”.
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When Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) landed in BMW in the winter of 2020, it didn’t take long for the Dutchman to leave his mark. A first win in eight years for the manufacturer arrived in September of 2021, and van der Mark finished the season 6th overall in the standings, the best result for a BMW rider since 2013.
That encouraging start should have led to greater things in the following years. Alas, a pre-season injury in 2022, followed by two more lengthy spells on the sidelines spread across the following 18 months, derailed the momentum the pairing had and perhaps even played a part in the overall weakening of the project, with BMW’s most experienced rider unable to be fully involved in the development of the new M 1000 RR.
Returning to full fitness in the final third of 2023, and with some impressive pace in the final two rounds of the season, the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship could signal the return of Michael van der Mark at his best. Speaking at the BMW launch in Berlin, the 31-year-old has certainly not lost his confidence.
“I’m fully fit again, I’m ready to race”, confirms van der Mark. “I think we all have one goal in BMW, and that’s to win. So, I’m trying really hard, and BMW is pushing really hard. I have a lot of confidence in the project. Signing Toprak, changing a lot of things inside… I have a lot of confidence we’ll get there”.
The signing of Toprak Razgatlioglu – reuniting the Pata Yamaha duo from back in 2020 – has also helped to reinvigorate many people inside BMW, no less than the riders themselves. Van der Mark was able to witness first-hand what the Turkish rider could bring to the table in his first season with the R1, four years ago.
“Honestly, I think Toprak is the rider with the most talent in the whole field. His style is different from everyone else. He’s really strong on the brakes, so that’s something we can learn a lot from. And he’s a fast rider, you can always learn from a fast rider. I think everyone’s really motivated that he wanted to join this project”.
Does the extra attention, and the extra investment from BMW’s side – including the creation of a test team with former teammate Sylvain Guintoli and ex-MotoGP™ rider Bradley Smith – bring with it extra pressure? Not according to van der Mark.
“I don’t feel pressure. I love to see that they’re putting a lot of effort in, more and more. It gives me more confidence. The confidence from seeing them pushing that hard, I think it will make me faster as well”.
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