Range of sub-500cc BMWs due

BMW WILL introduce a range of sub-500cc bikes over the next three years, the firm is set to announce today.

The range will include naked and possibly adventure bikes of 250cc or less, according to Lee Nicholls, BMW Motorrad's UK head of marketing.

The machines will be built in India, in partnership with TVS Motor Company. They will be aimed primarily at developing markets in Asia but also sold in the UK, Nicholls said.

BMW's current lowest-capacity offering is the G650GS entry-level adventure bike.

The new range could make tempting offerings to the growing number of UK riders restricted to 47bhp, competing with the likes of KTM's smaller Duke series.

Nicholls was speaking before the press unveiling in Munich of BMW's new 1200cc naked bike for 2013, the NineT, named to mark the firm's 90th anniversary.

The plans are expected to be officially announced later today.