-
Motorsport expertise with direct customer benefits:
From model year 2027, the third generation of the M Motorsport frame
brings insights from international racing to the BMW M 1000 RR as
standard – for more precise handling, clearer feedback and improved
tyre contact. -
Around 1.3 kg lighter than the previous
version.Precisely tuned rigidity and flexibility
thanks to wall thicknesses reduced by up to
30 per cent. -
End-to-end digital development chain from
simulation and testing through to reproducible series production. -
Combined expertise across three locations:
Development and testing in Munich, light-alloy casting in Landshut,
and production and final quality inspection in Berlin.
Munich. BMW Motorrad is introducing the third
generation of the
M Motorsport frame in the BMW M 1000 RR. It
combines insights from racing with digital development methods and
highly specialised manufacturing processes.
Customers benefit from technologies developed and tested under the
extreme demands of racing: the new aluminium frame is lighter and
offers a precisely tuned balance of stiffness and flexibility. This
enables more precise handling, clearer feedback and more consistent
tyre contact – particularly during sporty riding and on the racetrack.
From model year 2027, the new M Motorsport frame will be fitted as
standard in the BMW M 1000 RR.
The frame is a key performance component for the BMW Motorrad factory
teams, customer racing worldwide and the series-production M 1000 RR.
Findings gained in competition feed directly into the design of the
series-production component: braking, steering and drive forces are
transmitted with precision, while the frame provides targeted support
for tyre contact at lean. For customers, this transfer of motorsport
technology means greater precision when turning in, more transparent
motorcycle responses and greater confidence in demanding riding
situations. At the same time, the production-based technology provides
a high-performance platform for the BMW M 1000 RR across different
racing series and circuit conditions.
“The new M Motorsport frame combines consistent lightweight
construction with precisely tuned stiffness and flex characteristics.
This provides the basis for precise chassis performance and maximum
grip. From digital design and testing through to series production,
the expertise of our Munich, Landshut and Berlin locations is
seamlessly integrated. Our factory teams benefit from this just as
much as BMW Motorrad customer racing teams worldwide,” says Sven
Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Less weight. More precise feedback. Greater confidence.
Compared with the previous version, the third generation of the
M
Motorsport frame is around 1.3 kg lighter. The lower weight enhances
agility and facilitates rapid changes of direction. Wall thicknesses
reduced by up to 30 per cent also enable targeted tuning of the
stiffness and flex characteristics. At lean, the frame can flex
laterally to a defined degree, supplementing the suspension in
absorbing inputs from the road surface. Riders benefit from more
consistent tyre contact, improved feedback and more even wear
characteristics. Longitudinally, the chassis retains a high level of
stiffness to ensure the precise transmission of braking and drive
forces and predictable motorcycle response even under high loads.
Digital development. Series-ready production.
Combining lightweight construction, defined flex characteristics and
reproducible component quality requires a closely integrated process
chain. To achieve this, BMW Motorrad brings together chassis
development, simulation and testing in Munich, light-alloy casting
expertise in Landshut, and motorsport expertise at the Berlin
motorcycle plant. The frame is welded, coated and machined in Berlin.
This transforms digital development data into a series-ready
high-performance component.
At BMW Motorrad Development in Munich, the geometry, wall thicknesses
and stiffness distribution are designed digitally and then validated
in simulations, on test rigs and in riding tests. The approved
production data form the basis for manufacturing the four cast
components – steering head, left and right side sections, and rear
section – at BMW Group Plant Landshut.
Light-alloy casting from Landshut.
BMW Group Plant Landshut specialises in lightweight construction and
component production within the production network. Four complex,
thin-walled aluminium castings for the
M Motorsport frame are
produced there using the low-pressure casting process. The process
enables controlled mould filling and consistent component quality for
demanding geometries.
Thin-walled components. Digitally validated.
In low-pressure casting, molten aluminium is fed into the mould in a
controlled manner. This reduces turbulence and air inclusions.
Temporary quartz sand cores create the cavities specified by the
design. Even before the tooling is manufactured, a core-shooting
simulation digitally maps the flow behaviour, packing density and
curing of the sand-air mixture. This allows the shooting nozzles and
vents to be designed precisely and process reliability to be assured
at an early stage.
In the cold-box process, the intricate sand cores are produced, cured
and positioned precisely in the casting mould. After casting, the
cores are removed, followed by machining and comprehensive quality inspection.
X-ray inspection, wall-thickness measurements and coordinate
measurements ensure the internal quality and dimensional accuracy of
the components before they are delivered to BMW Group Plant Berlin for
further production.
Precision finishing in Berlin.
BMW Group Plant Berlin is the lead plant for BMW Motorrad’s
international production network. There, the four cast components are
positioned with precision and joined to form the frame using TIG
welding. Subsequent cathodic dip coating provides uniform corrosion
protection – including in enclosed cavities.
During final milling, functional surfaces and mounting points are
machined to their final dimensions. A further coordinate measurement
confirms the dimensional accuracy of the complete frame before it is
approved for assembly in the BMW M 1000 RR.
FAQ on the new M Motorsport frame for the BMW M 1000 RR.
1. What makes the new M Motorsport frame special?
The third generation combines consistent lightweight construction
with precisely tuned stiffness and flex characteristics. It transfers
insights from international racing, together with digital development
and highly specialised manufacturing processes, to series production.
2. When will the new frame be introduced?
The new M Motorsport frame will be fitted as standard in the BMW M
1000 RR from model year 2027.
3. How much weight has been saved compared with the previous version?
The third generation is around 1.3 kg lighter than the previous version.
4. What dynamic riding benefit does the tuned flexibility provide?
At lean, the frame can flex laterally to a defined degree and
supplement the suspension in absorbing inputs from the road surface.
This supports tyre contact, feedback and even wear characteristics.
Longitudinally, the chassis retains a high level of stiffness for the
precise transmission of braking and drive forces.
5. How is the high component quality assured?
Simulations, test-rig testing and riding tests accompany the
development process. In production, core-shooting simulation, X-ray
inspection, wall-thickness measurements and coordinate measurements,
among other measures, ensure process reliability, internal quality and
dimensional accuracy.
6. What roles do the Munich, Landshut and Berlin locations perform?
Chassis development, digital design, simulation and testing take
place in Munich. BMW Group Plant Landshut produces the four
thin-walled aluminium castings using the low-pressure casting process.
BMW Group Plant Berlin contributes its many years of motorsport
expertise: the components are welded, coated, finish-machined and
measured there before being approved for assembly.
7. Who benefits from the new frame technology?
The new frame technology provides a high-performance technical
platform for BMW Motorrad factory teams and customer racing teams
worldwide. At the same time, customers of the series-production BMW M
1000 RR benefit from development derived from motorsport.
Source: www.press.bmwgroup.com
