BMW motorcycle culture has flourished and developed over the last 88 years. Owners almost always become lifelong enthusiasts and develop a special relationship with their bikes and the BMW brand.

As BMW Motorrad has expanded into new market segments, it has been able to offer a comprehensive range of dynamic models to suit all tastes and riding styles. In doing so, it has opened up the doors for many new customers, many of whom are only discovering the brand for the first time. A good example of this is the launch of the class-leading S 1000 RR superbike. The popular model has led to a new breed of sports riders who have been venturing inside BMW Motorrad dealerships for the first time and been discovering how the brand’s class-leading technology has transferred successfully to both the track and the road in the RR.

BMW riders have always enjoyed personalizing their motorcycles, giving them a distinctive look or a touch of practicality to suit a particular rider’s needs. There are, however, a much smaller but equally enthusiastic group of riders who are focused on the world of Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes and even Quads – and some of these have been captured in a new book entitled ‘BMW Custom Motorcycles: Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads ’.

Their ‘secret’ world has now been brought to light by New Zealander author and BMW aficionado Uli Cloesen in his 123-page high-quality color hardback book, which covers the full range of possibilities for those who enjoy practicing this interesting motorcycle art form. From stylized home-built R 25/3 singles to stunning production-built quads from Grueter & Gut in Switzerland, the book is packed full of memorable BMW ‘specials’.

The book also includes BMW choppers inspired from the American ‘Easy Rider’ culture to the more modernist European ‘Harrier’ produced in Sweden by renowned bike builder Stellan Egland. There is also the Spanish D 1200 R of Carlos Beltram and Pablo Gonzalez de Chaves, as well as minimalist Bobbers created from R 75/5 machines. Amalgams of pre and post WW11 machines are also looked at with technical notes from their builders included.

In 1997 BMW Motorrad entered the important Cruiser market with the R 1200 C, a unique Cruiser with a distinctive BMW look and feel. It opened the marque up to a large group of riders who in turn took to further modification. These models are covered, as is the Lo Rider concept that was shown at EICMA in 2008. This bike was put out there to gauge public reaction, which was amazingly positive. Perhaps we may see it – or a version of it – in the future as BMW Motorrad further expands its model portfolio?

The new book is a look at a side of BMW motorcycles that in the past has been neglected. With beautiful photographs from around the world BMW Custom Motorcycles for the first time fills this gap. For custom owners and builders it will inspire further creation and for others it is simply a glimpse into an unknown world.

BMW Custom Motorcycles: Choppers, Cruisers, Bobbers, Trikes & Quads is published by Veloce and is available at good bookstores and all the usual online retail outlets.