What is a hexhead

[Lawman]

What is a hexhead?

What is an oilhead?

What is ESA?

[steveknapp]

Hexhead, the new generation of BMW boxer. Note the "hex" shaped heads.

 

Oilhead, the previous generation of BMW boxer. Used oil for cooling.

 

ESA Electronic Suspension Adjustment.

[Lawman]

OK thanks

 

So does the new generation R1200RT hexhead cool differently than the R1150RT oilheads or do they just have different shaped heads?

What new BMW models are still oilheads?

What new BMW models are hexheads?

[Lawman]

oh yeah and where does the term "boxer" come from??

thx.....

[David]

So does the new generation R1200RT hexhead cool differently than the R1150RT oilheads or do they just have different shaped heads?

 

The principle is the same, though apparently there's a different oil pump.

 

What new BMW models are still oilheads?

 

The easiest way to think of it is this: all two-cylinders since '94 are oilheads EXCEPT the 1200GS, 1200GSHP, 1200RT, and 1200ST. Those four models are hexheads. Oilheads are found in three "sizes": 1100, 1150, and 1200, and some of them are still made.

[Ken H.]

So does the new generation R1200RT hexhead cool differently than the R1150RT oilheads or do they just have different shaped heads?

Quite a number of changes where made from the "oilhead" to the "hexhead". Among them: Addition of a rotating counter-shaft in the engine for anti-vibration, new fuel delivery system, different throttle bodies with stepper motor controlled idle and sync, slight displacement and horsepower increase (depending on model), new engine management computer, new transmission design, CAN-BUS electronics on the rest of the bike, new swing-arm and final drive design. Probably more that I can't think of at the moment.

[steveknapp]

oh yeah and where does the term "boxer" come from??

 

Pistons point left/right and move in/out like a boxers fists.

[James Clark]

oh yeah and where does the term "boxer" come from??

 

Pistons point left/right and move in/out like a boxers fists.

 

That must explain why german boxing champions are so rare.

 

Wouldn't it be more effective to throw all of your punches in the same general direction - at your opponent - and alternating between right and left?

[artig]

Wouldn't it be more effective to throw all of your punches in the same general direction - at your opponent - and alternating between right and left?

 

Ah, but they are boxer twins, throwing piston punches at each other's heads.

[Kbasa]

The easiest way to think of it is this: all two-cylinders since '94 are oilheads EXCEPT the 1200GS, 1200GSHP, 1200RT, and 1200ST. Those four models are hexheads. Oilheads are found in three "sizes": 1100, 1150, and 1200, and some of them are still made.

 

Don't forget the 850s. There was an R850R for a couple/few years.

[David]

Oops. Forgot that one.

[RFW]

oh yeah and where does the term "boxer" come from??

 

Pistons point left/right and move in/out like a boxers fists.

 

Actually, I believe the term "boxer" was first used on opposed 4 cylinder motors such as VW and Porsche. The 4 cylinders laying flat looked (if you stretch the imagination) like a box. Even earlier, the Auto Union opposed (flat) 16 cylinder race motors of the 1930s, were called boxers as I recall (not personally, of course!).

 

Later, this was applied to opposed 6 cylinder motors like the 9xx Porsche series and so on. Because the BMW twins are also opposed layouts, they began to also be called "boxers" even though with only 2 cylinders, that is stretching it a bit.

 

Bob.

[Wooster]

lawman,

 

Unintentionally (or intentionally ?) your question list leads to the recognition that hexheads continue to use motor oil as part of the engine cooling system; thus, it could be argued they too are oilheads.

Contrarily, there are sufficient differences between hexheads (R1200GS, R1200RT & R1200ST) and oilheads to warrant a new name. Note, this was not the case when R1150RT replaced R1100RT; here, the differences weren't extensive and not readily perceived by the general public.

So, with regards to traditional opposed twin beemers, we have airheads, oilheads & hexheads: differences and commonalities among them all.

 

Wooster, hexhead wannabe

 

BTW, we all know "the flying brick" (three and four cylinder water cooled beemers) but what's the new K1200S & K1200R called ?

[BobFV1]

BTW, we all know "the flying brick" (three and four cylinder water cooled beemers) but what's the new K1200S & K1200R called ?

 

Really fast K-Bikes...