For more than three decades , Edgar Heinrich has played a decisive role in shaping the design and product range of BMW motorcycles . Since 2012 he has been responsible for BMW motorbikes as Head of Design . In his own workshop , he works on 14 predominantly classic , modified motorcycles . With his outstanding motorbike expertise and experience as a motorcyclist , he is a luminary - not bad for someone who says that after leaving school he “ was only able to make some drawings ”. We visited him in BMW ’ s design department in the north of Munich , which will soon bring some surprises ...
EARLY ARTISTIC TALENT “ In primary school I scribbled over my notebooks , and at grammar school I was scolded by my teachers for “ nonsense ”. I was fascinated by the sheer power of technical and mechanoid machines , so I liked to draw cranes , trucks and caterpillars , plus “ rally tanks ” with chains underneath and the body of Formula 1 cars . I was popular with my classmates because of my deliberately weird anatomy drawings , for example smoker ’ s legs , cuts through smoker ’ s lungs and other details .
THEN CAME THE MOTORCYCLES I bought a Suzuki T250 from my older brother when I was 17 . After I was allowed to ride with him and his buddies more often , I really fell in love with motorcycles . “ When I was old enough , I bought a Honda CB400 , but a Suzuki SP370 Enduro made a big change for me ; I was really fascinated by the versatility while off-road riding with the wide handlebars , which allowed great control . Unfortunately , I sold the bike again , but last summer I got myself another one to restore . In the beginning I had several Suzukis , but they weren ’ t that reliable , plus they were a bit lame . Then I came across Honda , they
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