Book Review

BMW Motorcycles - The Evolution of Excellence
By Kevin Ash

Kevin Ash, the English born author of BMW Motorcycles - The Evolution of Excellence, is a popular, well-respected international writer who has a clear, focused writing style that is extremely enjoyable to read.

His book is 173 pages of text and photos chronologically arranged into six sections with 96 wonderful black and white photos and 55 color photos, most from the BMW archives. These really make this a special book for BMW fans interested in a company significantly affected by two world wars that has survived and produced over 1.8 million motorcycles since 1923.

Ash begins the story with Max Fritz building high altitude aircraft engines for Daimler in 1906 and starting his own aero engine company, BMW, in 1917. Early development and racing is beautifully illustrated with these marvelous factory photographs. My favorite is a 1934 picture of Ernst Henne In Hungary, un-streamlined, going 152.81 mph on a 745cc Kompressor Twin.



One hundred and thirty three pages are dedicated to models starting with the R32 in 1922 to the 900 series of the '70s. The remaining pages deal with the transition BMW needed to make to avoid the fate of so many motorcycle companies in the '60s and '70s The last chapter is from 1993 to the present followed by an interview with David Robb, chief of BMW's Research and Innovation Center. The last four pages are a historical timeline from 1917 to present with milestone photos.

Very well-crafted text enhanced with fantastic photos make this book a highly recommended read.

BMW Motorcycles - The Evolution of Excellence is available from Whitehorse Press for $29.95 plus shipping. You can order the book on-line at: www.whitehorsepress.com or by phone, 800 531-1133.
Reviewed by Joe Grayden

© 2007 AMCA