There is one recently released LEGO Technic set that’s definitely worth talking about. While LEGO has plenty of experience with making licensed racecars and heavy equipment based on real vehicles, the #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is the first licensed motorbike in the LEGO Technic line. So let’s talk about this. 🙂
Although the #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is the first licensed LEGO Technic motorcycle, LEGO has been releasing generic LEGO Technic motorbikes that are not based on any specific real-world models, but are still quite authentic looking. The #8420 LEGO Technic Street Bike from 2005, the #8291 LEGO Technic Dirt Bike from 2008, the #8051 LEGO Technic Motorbike from 2010, the #42007 LEGO Technic Moto Cross Bike from 2013, and the #42036 LEGO Technic Street Motorcycle from 2015, are five sets that are about the same size and piece-count as the BMW bike.
The #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is the product of close collaboration between the LEGO Technic and BMW Motorrad design teams. BMW even delivered the real motorcycle to the LEGO Technic studio, so designers could use it as a reference. While the previous LEGO Technic bikes included full suspension, front steering and other technical details to be as realistic as possible, the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure also features an adjustable windshield, detailed dashboard and exhaust, the so-called flyline–moving handlebars, stabilizing telelever front wheel suspension and rear suspension, visible shaft drive, and BMW’s Motorrad 2-cylinder boxer engine with moving pistons (which are set in motion as soon as the motorcycle is moved). Even the black spoke wheels with studded all-terrain tires resemble those of the model’s real counterpart. It is worth checking out the official LEGO Technic website to learn more about the collaboration between the two companies and how both the bike (and the alternate model) was developed. It’s very interesting, and I think it will make you appreciate the set even more.
Here is the official description of the set: Explore the high-tech innovation of the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure with this authentic LEGO Technic replica, featuring a blue and black color scheme, black spoke wheels with all-terrain tires, windshield and a detailed dashboard and exhaust. Functions include handlebar steering, front and rear suspension, two-cylinder boxer engine with moving pistons, visible shaft drive, opening top case and luggage panniers, and a kickstand. This 2-in-1 model has been designed to provide an immersive and rewarding building experience. It was developed in partnership with BMW and rebuilds into a unique concept model, created in collaboration with BMW designers. A free interactive, 3D digital LEGO Building Instructions app is available online, for both models. 603 pieces. Price: $59.99 – BUY HERE
As soon as you open the box for this set, you know you are dealing with a higher than normal quality LEGO Technic model. While most LEGO Technic sets with alternate models only include instructions for the primary design (and you have to get the instructions for the alternate model online), here you get a second instruction book with lots of concept art, development details, and of course the building steps, for the alternate model as well. (Or, if you prefer, you can also use the LEGO Technic Building Instructions app to build either of the models.) In the video review below, LEGO Technic expert, Sariel, will show you the #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure in more detail.
The alternate model for the #42063 LEGO Technic set is very interesting as well. BMW designers were given the parts of the main model to work out ideas, and LEGO’s own designers also played around with different concepts. Ultimately, it was decided to focus on what transportation might look like in the future, and a futuristic hoverbike was born. Both LEGO and BMW were pleased with the design, and BMW even made a life-size replica of the alternate model.
It is clear that LEGO and BMW designers immensely enjoyed the process of creating this set. The #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is not just a toy, but the result of the passion and collaboration of two of the top companies in the world. Both LEGO designers and BMW designers share that they found the experience invaluable and enlightening.
As LEGO fans, we weren’t part of the creative process, however we can sort of recreate the feeling by learning more about the real bike, the collaboration between LEGO and BMW, and the design and creative process. And of course, we can also build the set, which is a quite challenging and rewarding experience in itself. LEGO recommends this set for ages 10-16, but I would say it is more like 14+, because of the sometimes difficult building steps, and because a younger child may not appreciate all the intricate details.
LEGO Technic is great for recreating technical details and functions of machinery, but it also has a skeletal look, which may not appeal to everyone. LEGO usually remedy this by adding specialized LEGO Technic panels on larger models. Unfortunately, because motorcycles are skeletal already, the main model in the #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure set does look a bit too gappy from certain angles (particularly from the side), however from other angles it looks excellent. So there are some plusses and minuses to take into consideration if you are thinking about adding this set to your collection.
I believe that the #42063 LEGO Technic set will be most appreciated by those familiar with the original bike and would like a LEGO replica, and those who collect LEGO Technic motorcycles. The set pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved with LEGO Technic on this scale, and it will always be remembered and referenced as the first licensed LEGO Technic motorcycle, built in the year of the 40th anniversary of LEGO Technic.
What do you think? How do you like the #42063 LEGO Technic BMW R 1200 GS Adventure set? And how do you think it compares to previous LEGO Technic motorcycles? Do you have it already? Feel free to share your thoughts and own review in the comment section below! And you can also check out the set, along with other recent released under the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
I like the old motorcycle with the ginormous old wheels…
http://brickset.com/sets/857-1/Motorbike-with-Sidecar
(I think the new motorcycle wheels are smaller…)
Hm… yeah, those look like big wheels! 😀
There was a good list on various Lego wheels here…
I wonder which ones would look best on a mobile space base… (Then, I already have 10 of those old ginormous Technic wheels, so I wouldn’t have to buy any new wheels…)
http://wheels.sariel.pl/
That’s a great resource for wheels. Although I would also love to see a picture of all the wheels next to each other. Sometimes it’s hard to judge how big (or small) they are even with dimensions.
The story of how the BMW bike was developed is very interesting. Still, I like Lego’s own bikes better. My favorite is the red and light-blue one from a couple of years ago.
Yeah, it’s tough recreating a bike at this scale, because bikes are kind of skinny already. I also like some of LEGO’s own bikes better.
That alternate model looks weird. Is it a hoverbike? I prefer Technic sets with four wheels as they are more playable. The bikes are okay for display, but there is not much more you can do with them.
Yeah, it’s a hover bike thingy. As you can see in the video, they were going for a futuristic bike. I do like the real version better than the Technic one, but the process of creating it is interesting. I agree that Technic vehicles that have some play-functions are more useful, but many Technic fans are collectors. 🙂
It seems quite rare with Technic builds that are pure fantasy (at least sci-fi fantasy) except for certain awkward periods in the company’s history…
Although they constructed a robot/ van in 1987 to jump on the Transformers bandwagon…
http://brickset.com/sets/8852-1/Robot
Oh! What an interesting set! You keep mentioning stuff I have never seen before. LEGO has an amazingly rich history. 🙂