Ever wondered where those sleek BMW motorcycles come from? Right here before you stands BMW Werk 03.10 Berlin Motorrad a legendary motorcycle factory. This isn’t just any factory. It’s a place steeped in history and innovation a testament to German engineering.
Believe it or not this site’s story began long before BMW. In 1928 Siemens & Halske built an aircraft engine factory here. They produced powerful engines like the Sh-14a for the Bucker 133c Jungmeister biplane. Then in 1936 it became Brandenburgische Motorenwerke GmbH Bramo. BMW acquired Bramo in 1939. Until the end of World War II the plant churned out aircraft engines including the nine-cylinder radial units for the iconic Junkers Ju 52.
After the war the Allies dismantled the factory. But by May 1945 some 100 employees were back producing everyday items. Following currency reform they started making tools for BMW in Munich. In 1949 the Berlin plant began producing motorcycle parts. Gradually motorcycle production shifted from Munich to Berlin’s Spree River. By 1958 BMW car components were also made here.
The move to Berlin in the mid-1960s was a smart move. BMW needed more space for its expanding car production. Berlin offered a skilled workforce and an ideal location. In 1969 the Berlin plant began producing the all-new BMW /5 series motorcycles. This launched a new era for BMW motorcycles a completely modular design from suspension to engine. Three new models were introduced the R 50/5 R 60/5 and the sporty R 75/5.
The 1970s saw explosive growth. Motorcycle popularity surged. Production soared from 12287 units in 1970 to over 68956 by 1973. The 500000th BMW motorcycle was also celebrated then. The legendary R 90 S a powerful machine with an 898cc engine debuted in 1973. By 1975 the 100000th Berlin-built BMW rolled off the line.
The plant expanded significantly. A new assembly hall was built. The investment of 200 million DM aimed to produce 60000 motorcycles annually. New models like the R 100 RS and R 100 RT were introduced extending the lineup. In 1979 the plant even began producing brake discs for BMW cars showcasing the synergy within the BMW group.
BMW Werk 03.10 Berlin Motorrad also embraced innovation. In 1980 a special motorcycle for King Hussein of Jordan marked the 250000th unit made in Berlin. That same year the R 80 G/S a pioneering enduro motorcycle was born. The groundbreaking K series with water-cooled engines and fuel injection arrived in the 1980s. The K1 in 1988 marked another milestone featuring four valves per cylinder and the world’s first ABS anti-lock brakes on a production motorcycle.
The millionth BMW motorcycle rolled off the line in 1992. By 1995 over 50000 motorcycles were sold annually. The plant continued its impressive run constantly investing in expansion and modernization. New technologies like the Telelever suspension system were introduced. The plant also prioritized environmental protection becoming the first motorcycle plant to meet international labor and environmental standards.
BMW Werk 03.10 Berlin Motorrad is more than a factory. It’s a living piece of history a place where innovation and tradition meet to create legendary machines. It’s a place where the roar of engines echoes through time a testament to the enduring spirit of Berlin and BMW.