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Books of interest to motorcycle travellers:

BMW Motorcycles

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Please note that reviews are generally supplied by the vendors. I have NOT read all the books! Someday, I hope. My comments will have (Grant, editor or recommended) appended.

The books pages are categorised into type - links are on the right for the various sections.


To search for books at Amazon.com (USA) or Amazon.co.uk (UK), Amazon.CA (Canada), Amazon.de (Deutschland), or Motorbooks.com, just click here and choose the appropriate search box below.

New Books Added

Haynes BMW Twins Motorcycles Owners Workshop Manual / 1970 -1996

Paperback (February 1998)

Amazon.com reviews
Reviewer: A reader from Oakland, CA, May 1, 2000

Good R-Bike Guide. Good basic guidance to repair and maintenance of a wide variety of R bikes. Even includes obscure R65-specific material.

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Haynes Maintenance and Repair Manual for BMW R850 & 1100 4-Valve Twins, 1993 -1997

by Matthew Coombs

Paperback - 248 pages (October 1998)

Covers the new 4-valve (oilhead) twins only.

Amazon.com Reviews
Reviewer: Jean-Francois Theoret from St-Philippe, Quebec canada, November 22, 2000

An absolute must have for boxer owners. This book is a must have for BMW boxer owner, even if you don't plan on doing a lot of maintenance on yourself. It goes into complete tear-down and rebuild (God forbid I would attempt such a thing on my own!) so you can look through what your local dealer will be doing to your machine and you don't: 1. look like a dork when they talk to you about some maintenance procedures 2. get embezzeled by one of those crook-type mechanics.

Don't get me wrong - there is some stuff even the most unexperienced mechanic can take care of in this book. It covers the steps of all recommended maintenance schedules and a lot of these steps anybody can do. But it goes into much more detail also.

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Clymer Bmw: R850 & R1100: 1993 - 1998

Out of Print

Paperback (September 1999). Only used copies are available.

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BMW R-Series 1970-1994

by Staff Clymer

Paperback - 759 pages 2nd edition (July 1994)

Amazon.com reviews
Reviewer: A reader from Cleveland, OH USA, February 5, 1999

"Detailed pictures and big easy-to-read print. I use this book like a bible. Plenty of pictures, more so than the Haynes manual, and the larger print makes it much more easier to read. Also, the various tables at the beginning or end of various chapters, particularly the Maintenance chapter, make this book a very useful reference manual regarding maintenance intervals, check lists of things to do, part sizes, liquid amounts, etc. Easy to understand, particularly for the inexperienced."

Reviewer: A reader from FRANCE, March 26, 1999

THE BIBLE FOR OLD BMW LOVERS. This book is fantastic even if you are inexperienced, plenty of pictures, diagrams and technical schemes, I recommend this book for all real Old BMW motorcycles lovers.

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Classic Motorcycles: BMW

Click for an enlarged view of the cover

by Hugo Wilson

Hardcover. September 1998, 48 pp., color ill.

One of several individual marque spin-offs from Hugo Wilson's excellent Ultimate Motorcycle Book and Encyclopedia of Motorcycles. Only fifteen models are covered.

Editorial Reviews - Chicago Tribune

"The book's open, attractive layouts featuring good-looking machines make it a good stocking (or saddlebag) stuffer for any easy riders on your holiday gift list."

Amazon.com reviews
Reviewer: A reader from APO, AE United States, April 13, 2001

A little pocket size encyclopedia on BMW motorcycles with pictures and descriptions of the significant models. It is written in the same format as Wilson's The Encyclopedia of the Motorcycle.

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BMW Twins: The Complete Story

by Mick Walker

Hardcover. October 1998, 192 pages

This history tells the full story of BMW's one-, three- and four-cylinder machines, but it is their horizontally-opposed twin-cylinder models that have dominated the company's history.

Leading motorcycle author Mick Walker covers the full history of the company, paying special attention to the latest four-valve 'Boxers' which are set to lead the company into the 21st Century. Includes coverage of all road and racing motorcycles used by the military and police.

Amazon.com reviews
Reviewer: A reader from Naperville, IL USA, September 29, 1999

More overview than useful restoration information. I am in the process of restoring several pre 1970 BMW twins. I was disappointed in the very general content of this book and found it to be mostly a cut and paste of readily available information from other repair manuals. There is very little useful infromation on the early twins (55-69). I would highly suggest Slabon's book, (55-69 BMW Twins Restoration) as an alternative.

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How to Restore Your BMW Motorcycle Twins 1950 -1969

by Roland Slabon

Paperback. 224 pages, November '94, over 220 B&W ill.

At last, an accurate, in-depth and fully illustrated guide that focuses on BMW twin restoration. Specs, data, and all the changes are shown so you can restore every detail to like-new condition. Contains current, historical and factory photographs to guide you through every step. Provides BMW history, plus technical tips, service guidelines, show prep, and proper component set-up. Covers all aspects of correct restoration of the R51/2 through R69US model range. Included are detailed chapters on authentic factory and aftermarket accessories and sidecars. It also includes specifications, special tools list, wiring diagrams and a listing of parts/restoration resources and reference material.

Amazon.com reviews
Reviewer: oelaineo@aol.com from Sturgis, MS USA

This isn't a how-to manual because it doesn't go into repair and restoration enough to get your hands greasy. What this book IS, is a wonderful guide of what accessory/part is appropriate for each year BMW motorcycle. The photos are extensive and very educational in leading you to a complete vintage BMW with accessories appropriate for the year of your bike. The author, Roland Slabon, is president of the Vintage BMW Owners, Ltd club world-wide and editor of the club newsletter.