1925: The R 37 opens the door to racing

The BMW boxer concept is now realised in high quality and with a robust and powerful technology which BMW has introduced to motorcycle production from aircraft manufacture. The BMW boxer soon advances to become an optimum basis model for professional racing, which always makes the greatest demands of material and technology. Of course, the R 32's standard output of 8 bhp is enhanced somewhat. Rudolf Schleicher, himself an active motorcycle racer and with BMW since 1923 as an engineer, takes charge of the project. He designs a steel cylinder with a new light alloy cylinder head whose valves are in a suspended position. The R 37 of 1925 achieves twice the power of its predecessor with 500 ccm and 16 bhp. It provides the basis for the BMW racing machines and makes the brand BMW not only in off-road racing and on the race tracks but also throughout the whole motorcycle world. The result: from 1924 to 1929, all German Championships in the 500 ccm category are won by BMW.