BMW, LEGO link in model kit project, proceed to build full-scale concept bike

BMW MOTORRAD has found an unlikely partner in LEGO in building a new “motorcycle,” and the result is nothing short of playful.

The initial phase of the collaboration has led to the LEGO Technic BMW R1200 GS Adventure, a model kit consisting of 603 parts. When assembled, the pieces form a detailed replica of BMW’s iconic go-anywhere bike, right down to its Telelever front suspension, universal shaft drive and two-cylinder boxer engine that has actual moving parts.

“BMW Motorrad approached the LEGO Group with the idea of a collaboration because the two companies have much in common; they both successfully combine innovation and tradition in their brands and products, providing unforgettable experiences for young and old alike all over the world,” said Heiner Faust, BMW Motorrad sales and marketing, in a news release.

The company added that BMW’s and LEGO’s design teams have also created an alternative model — common in LEGO Technic 2-in-1 kits — in which the parts of the R1200 GS Adventure can also be used to build the Hover Ride Design Concept.

But the project did not stop there. The tie-up spilled over to the BMW Junior Company — a training unit of the BMW Group — whose personnel turned the LEGO Hover Ride into a full-size replica. BMW’s junior team and the LEGO people used production parts of the real R1200 GS Adventure, such as the front-wheel rim that was modified into a propeller, or deleted components which they believed deviated from the futuristic vibe they were aiming for. What came out of the process was a no-wheel motorcycle that is notches above awesome and goes beyond mere cool.