5 Of The Best-Sounding BMW Motorcycles Ever Built

BMW is one of the most recognizable names in the auto industry, with a significant presence in the automobile sector. In its early days, BMW even built airplane engines for Germany's air force. Still, its motorcycles have had the longest lifespan. In 2023, BMW Motorrad celebrated 100 years since the introduction of its first motorcycle, the R 32. With a 494cc, four-stroke, two-cylinder boxer engine that produced 8.5 hp, the R 32 could hit 59 mph (95 km/h), an astonishing figure for the time.

Crucially, the R 32 established the boxer engine as the brand's most recognizable feature, which still adorns most BMW Motorrad models to this day. The configurations refinement, low center of gravity, and unique sound signature truly set BMW's boxers apart. The growly, pulsating exhaust note has resonated with enthusiasts since the brand's early days and deserves a celebration.

Still, BMW Motorrad probably would not have been as successful if it had only made boxer engines. In fact, the company has produced some excellent motorcycles with three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines, which have entirely different sound signatures. Of course, to make this list more vibrant, we'll also include some of those configurations. Let's dig into some of the best-sounding Beemer bikes in history!

Do you want a BMW motorcycle that doesn't have a boxer engine but sounds great nonetheless? The K 75 could fit that bill. A sporty naked model, the K 75 was launched in 1985 with a 740cc liquid-cooled three-cylinder engine. It produced a solid 75 hp at relatively high 8,500 rpm and 50 lb-ft of torque at 6,750 rpm, enough for a top speed of 131 mph. The bike was also equipped with a five-speed manual and a shaft drive, and weighed 500 lbs.

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All these things combined gave the K 75 a much greater agility than the boxer range and an engine noise that suits its character. The slightly off-beat triple hum at medium revs is unique and characterful, although it sounds completely different from a boxer. Wind it up and the triple sings with a raspy, metallic whistle that gives you the goosebumps. Let go of the accelerator, and it sounds almost like a descending turbine, a tribute to BMW's early aircraft days. An aftermarket exhaust will further enhance the sound, extracting more of that three-cylinder goodness. Still, with the stock exhaust, the K 75 sounds civilized enough for street use, even if you are generous with the throttle.

Thanks to its unique riding experience, the K 75 is one of the most underrated BMW motorcycles ever made. It's relatively quick, sounds great, and comes in many different flavors. Soon after BMW Motorrad launched the first model, the sporty K 75 S and touring K 75 T variants also emerged, alongside the popular K 75 C with its fixed cockpit fairing.

Looking for a traditional BMW air-cooled boxer experience, but in a fast, modern package? The R 12 nineT retro roadster is the best option in the brand's modern range. It has all the hallmarks of BMW's greatest café racer motorcycles, including a cool, retro-inspired design, growly boxer twin, and performance to match its image.

Launched in 2024, the R 12 nineT brought the same 1,170cc air/oil-cooled engine as its predecessor. It produces 109 hp at just 7,000 rpm and 84.8 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm, and is mounted on a brand-new, lightweight tubular bridge steel spaceframe chassis. The R 12 nineT is still relatively heavy at 485 lbs, but most of its weight is low in the chassis.

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Riding this motorcycle is all about the experience. The air/oil-cooled boxer is even louder than before, mainly because BMW removed the exhaust valve. Crucially, it retained the traditional BMW boxer sonic signature. It has that rhythmic, boom-boom-boom idle, delivered with mechanical precision and gruffness that suits its retro credentials.

Give it some throttle, and it starts to sound throaty and growly, with a deep, satisfying tone. At higher rpm, the note gets raspier and more eager, but without losing the bassy character. Meanwhile, the speedometer needle climbs forcefully upward; The R 12 nineT reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.6 seconds and has a claimed top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).

Torque. A lot of it. That's pretty much what the air/oil-cooled, 1,802cc two-cylinder boxer in the R 18 is all about. It makes just 80.3 hp at lowly 4,500 rpm, but it's the 109.2 lb-ft torque figure, available at 2,900 rpm, that steals all the headlines. Twist the throttle just a bit, and BMW's Harley Davidson fighter surges forward like a locomotive.

Unfortunately, it also weighs 788 pounds (wet), making it one of the most difficult BMW motorcycles to ride. You'll need all the muscle to handle this behemoth — and then some. Luckily, there is a sportier — and torquier version — the R 18 Roctane. It's even heavier at 825 pounds but has a better chassis and an uprated engine that produces 91 hp at 4,750 rpm and 116 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm.

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If you can handle the R 18, though, it will repay with a unique, boxer-defined riding experience. The engine's massive pistons (107.1mm bore and 100mm stroke) clearly define every detonation inside the cylinder at idle. It sounds raw. Muscular. Mechanical. You'll feel it in your chest — not just your ears.

Give it some throttle, and the tone becomes denser and smoother. Still, it doesn't lose the unique boxer growl but adds even more harmonics to the aural experience. It still has that satisfying symmetrical burble, albeit with more urgency as the revs climb higher. The best part — the torquey boxer never sounds artificial. Its warm, precise, and mechanical noise evokes BMW Motorrad heritage almost perfectly.

No other motorcycle represents BMW's heritage better than the R 57 Kompressor. An early example of the brand's engineering brilliance, this bike looks and feels way newer than its age would suggest. Just look at it! The clean, perfectly executed tubular frame and masterfully built engine scream quality and craftsmanship.

All that pales in comparison to the air-cooled 500cc two-cylinder boxer powerplant. Designed to win races, the unit was also equipped with a supercharger, which gave it a remarkable 70 hp and a top speed of 129 mph (208 km/h). On those skinny tires and antique brakes, that's just bonkers.

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Even those insane numbers (for 1928) can't prepare you for the frankly terrifying sound coming from the supercharged boxer twin. Thunder nestled between two wheels is a good analogy. It frankly sounds almost like an early aircraft engine — in a good way, of course. Gritty and menacing at low rpm, with a brutish roar at high rpm, the R 57 Kompressor barks like no other motorcycle. The engine is also louder than its size would suggest; at 131 decibels, it's noisier than an indoor concert.

Unfortunately, the R 57 Kompressor is a very rare machine, which only a handful of people can hear at special events, like Goodwood. There is a tamer, non-supercharged version, the R 57, but it doesn't sound nearly as good. It also produces just 18 hp and has a top speed of 71 mph (115 km/h). Still, this only adds to the charisma of this mad bike.

Today's high-performance BMW machines aren't powered by boxer engines. Bummer, we know, but the M 1000 RR hyperbike is still one of the coolest BMW motorcycles ever made, with performance that's hard to fathom. Under its aggressive body panels, this motorcycle hides a 999cc inline-four beast that produces an astonishing 218 hp at 14,500 rpm. 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): 3.1 seconds. Top speed: 195 mph (314 km/h). Cool!

But do you know what's even cooler? The winglets that produce 66 pounds of downforce at 186 mph to keep you planted at speed. The Slide Control feature allows you to adjust the rear end's angle in the corners, while the Brake Slide Assist enables the same functionality during cornering. Yes, you won't get these features on the slightly more civilized S 1000 RR, but with 210 hp on tap and Race Pro Modes, the more street-oriented bike remains an enticing option for enthusiasts.

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Regardless of which one you choose, you'll enjoy a truly mesmerizing noise. The high-revving four-cylinder screamer produces a crisp, mechanical noise at medium revs that gets your heart pumping more blood. As the revolutions go up, it turns into an ecstatic, high-pitched scream. The M 1000 RR and S 1000 RR sound almost like a Moto GP bike in the best way imaginable. Yup, they lack the traditional boxer signature, but that will be the last thing on your mind when hitting the astronomical red line.