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For anyone like me who’s interested in BMW history, especially all things motorrad, the BMW Group Archives are a comprehensive & interesting research facility.

Covering every aspect of the BMW business from inception until about 1977, these archives contain product images, sales & marketing information, production figures and other company information including accounts, BMW Plant data and sporting events.

The search facility is extremely easy to use (requires registration) and presents the researcher with thousands of thumbnail images of the required information.

These can be expanded in watermarked form for ease of viewing and full sized reproductions may be obtained via the online ordering system, without watermarks, for the payment of the appropriate fee.

The BMW Group Archives may be found here.

At Intermot 2008 BMW Motorrad have launched new versions of the four cylinder ‘K’ range.

The new range consists of: K1300R, K1300S & K1300GT.

An extensive gallery of official photographs may be found here.

Full BMW Press Release may be found here.

Launched today at Intermot 2008 is the new System 6 motorcycle helmet from BMW Motorrad.

As with previous BMW helmets it has the lifting chin guard but is now claimed to be lighter, more comfortable and with better ventilation.

For the first time BMW have adopted the integral retractable tinted visor as used by the helmet’s manufacturer, Schuberth, on their own brand helmets.

The System 6 comes in a variety of plain, matt & multi-coloured finishes and will have a Pinlock style double glazed clear visor offered as standard.

More images may be found here.

Details of BMW Motorrad Rider Equipment 2009 may be found here.

BMW says:

System 6 helmet
Following on from BMW’s best-selling System 5 helmet, the System 6 improves on the helmet’s already impressive aeroacoustic and aerodynamic credentials. The System 6 provides a highly attractive modern design with a number of advancements including superior size and weight.

* The helmet will be available in two shell sizes weighing 1570g (small shell) and 1670g (large shell) – a significant drop in weight from the System 5 helmet.
* The helmet is constructed from an outer glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) with an impact absorbing inner shell EPS (expanded polystyrene). The interior is made of Alcantara® and DuPont Coolmax® and is all removable and washable.
* The chinstrap contains an integrated neckband which prevents the helmet from twisting. This ensures that in the event of an accident the helmet remains in the best possible position to provide maximum protection. Very few helmets on the market incorporate this feature.
* An anti-fog double glazed visor comes as standard with the System 6. An in-helmet drop-down sun visor is also included, easily operated by means of a slide control on the side of the helmet.
* The aerodynamics of the System 6 are extremely efficient, making it one of the quietest flip-front helmets on the market.
* The System 6 helmet is also compatible with the BMW Bluetooth Communications System.