[AGL] BMW boxer twin

[Jon Ford]

Byron-- thanks for clearing that up! I did realize the sideways cylinders 
would offer some leg protection,but the rest of your explanation is news to 
me, not being much of a motorcycle buff and having only ridden American 
bikes-- Harleys and a stripped-down Indian.

Jon



>From: blacky at cbn.net.id

>Reply-To: survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 

>60s<austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

>To: "survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s" 

><austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>

>Subject: [AGL] BMW boxer twin

>Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 13:35:07 +0700 (WIT)

>

> >

> > Hans-- I was passed today by a fast, smooth-running BMW two-banger, its

> > two

> > huge cylinders sticking out from the right and left side of the bike, 

>just

> > in front of the rider. My question is--why would anyone design a bike 

>with

> > the cylinders sticking out like that when it seems like if you laid it

> > down

> > in a wreck or just hit some loose gravel and lost control you would be

> > likely to destroy the engine?

>

>Easy one. The design offers PERFECT BALANCE: you can stand a nickel on the

>engine and rev it up without the coin falling over. Beautifully smooth.

>

>It also offers good air cooling as the cylinders are out in the air stream.

>

>As for falling over cylinders never tear off: there's too much heavy metal

>down there. They can also protect legs (rather more valuable than

>motorcycle bits).

>

>It is difficult to ground the cylinders in a tight turn on high-adhesion

>pavement but it can be done. No big problem.

>

>I've always wanted a beemer twin but never owned one (40 other bikes -

>almost all Japanese sports models). The design first came out in the 1920s

>but is still elegant and stolid kraut engineering.

>

>Ask the expert if you want an opinion, nyaah.

>

>

>BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB


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