The terms "BMW motorcycle" and "Beemer motorcycle" are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction between the two.
BMW Motorcycle: "BMW motorcycle" is the official term used to refer to motorcycles manufactured by BMW Motorrad, the motorcycle division of BMW. When people say "BMW motorcycle," they are specifically referring to motorcycles produced by BMW Motorrad.
Beemer Motorcycle: The term "Beemer motorcycle" is an informal slang term that originated within the motorcycle enthusiast community. It is often used to refer to BMW motorcycles, particularly the larger touring and sport-touring models. However, technically speaking, "Beemer" or "Bimmer" (more commonly used for BMW cars) refers to BMW automobiles, not motorcycles.
The distinction arises from the fact that "Beemer" or "Bimmer" was originally coined to differentiate between BMW motorcycles (with an "M") and BMW automobiles (with a "B"). Over time, "Beemer" has become a more commonly used term for BMW motorcycles, although it is still considered informal slang.
It's worth noting that not all motorcycle enthusiasts use the term "Beemer" to refer to BMW motorcycles, and some purists reserve "Beemer" strictly for BMW cars. Nevertheless, in everyday conversations and discussions within the motorcycle community, you may encounter the term "Beemer" being used as a colloquial shorthand for a BMW motorcycle.