BMW Motorrad Boss Markus Flasch in the Spotlight

Poky, 1000PS: Markus, your background is in the automotive sector including stints at Rolls-Royce and BMW M. What insights are you bringing from that world into your role at BMW Motorrad?

Markus Flasch: The beauty of this job is that you can run a company within a large corporation with a lot of entrepreneurial freedom, yet backed by the stability of a global giant. You just have to be careful not to use a "big gun" to tackle small issues. We aim to maintain the agility and dynamism of a small team.

Poky: You've worked with luxury at Rolls-Royce. Are there parallels to Option 719 at BMW Motorrad, in terms of high-end features?

Flasch: No, that's something completely different. Rolls-Royce is pure luxury, while with motorcycles, it's always about the product the functionality, the technology on display.

Poky: Let's talk about the R 1300 GS. The launch was rocky. What lessons have you learned from it?

Flasch: "The key takeaway was that you shouldn't change things that work well if they don't offer additional customer benefits. We made too many changes without anyone asking for them, which overwhelmed the organization. Mistakes happened, and we've corrected them. Still, it's not ideal when you have to make an unplanned visit to the workshop with a new bike. What impressed me was that the community still fully supports us. Many complaints ended with 'still the best product, best brand'. This shows how strong our foundation is. But of course, we've learned from it."

Poky: In the past, service campaigns were handled quietly, but today customers expect transparency. Will BMW Motorrad be more proactive in providing information in the future?

Flasch: We have processes that are heavily aligned with the automotive industry that's the highest quality standard in the field. No other motorcycle manufacturer handles field issues as professionally. Depending on the issue, we decide whether to inform customers directly or implement measures during service. What's important is that no BMW Motorrad customer is left alone with a problem. If an engine needs to be replaced, it will be replaced no matter the cost.

Poky: Moving on to motorsport: Losing Toprak Razgatlıolu after this season must be painful. How does that impact you, and what's your strategic response?

Flasch: That's life. Toprak has his career, and we have our interests. The collaboration was extremely successful. But if someone gets their last chance to go to MotoGP, you can't blame them. I congratulated him and said, "Go for it!" We're not worried it's part of the game. Who knows when paths might cross again.

Poky: The M 1000 RR is very close to a superbike in its production form. How much does series development benefit from motorsport?

Flasch: Very much so. The teams in Munich working on the next Double-R are closely linked with motorsport. They sit in the same meetings, eat in the same cafeteria, and exchange data. World Superbike is perfect for us to showcase technology and demonstrate expertise much closer to the product than other racing series.

Poky: You previously mentioned that MotoGP wasn't currently on the table. But with the new regulations, things are changing. Is BMW still toying with the idea?

Flasch: We're keeping an eye on the situation. We're connected with teams and Dorna. Of course, everyone wants to see BMW in MotoGP, I understand that. But such a step has to be taken at the right time and the economic conditions have to be right. The global motorcycle market shrunk by eight percent in the first half of 2025. We've gained market share. In a shrinking market environment, timing for major investments is crucial. We haven't closed the door on the topic, but we're continuing to navigate by sight.

Poky: What experiences from automotive motorsport help you in the motorcycle sector?

Flasch: I've learned that brand strength and community are heavily reliant on motorsport success and credibility. That's why motorsport is deeply rooted at BMW. We've reunited M GmbH and motorsport because both are inseparably linked. It's the same with motorcycles: motorsport is no longer a footnote questioning budget availability; it's part of the brand.

Poky: Let's talk about the products. The new F 450 GS is the only true world premiere for 2026. In which segments do you see growth potential?

Flasch: We will further build on our strengths particularly in the adventure segment. The appeal of our GS models remains unbroken, and once someone joins the family, they usually stay. There's still room between 450 and 900 cc, and that's where we're focusing. There's also going to be something above, in the form of a sportier version of the 1300 GS. But in other segments too: We've announced the R 20 right at the top of the portfolio. And the six-cylinder remains a topic we want to emphasize more in the coming years.

Poky: Does that mean the R 20 Concept is moving forward?

Flasch: Yes, I've already ridden the bike. We're in the prototype phase, with the first module carriers running. The engine is fantastic two liters of displacement, responsiveness only a large boxer can provide, and a great sound. The community can look forward to an extremely powerful product.

Poky: And finally: With the F 450 GS, BMW is also targeting young riders. Can we expect more models on this platform?

Flasch: Short answer, yes. (laughs)