In a somewhat shock announcement, BMW Motorrad issued a press release today stating that legendary design chief David Robb has been replaced by former understudy Edgar Heinrich as Head of Design at the BMW Group’s BMW Motorrad Design Studio. We say “somewhat shock announcement”, as there had been rumors of Robb’s departure from BMW right after the EICMA show in November; but considering Robb’s considerable influence on the company’s rapid growth and success, it was difficult to believe.
" he openly wondered why the automobile division’s products...exuded performance and excitement, while the motorcycles were geared more toward dependability and little else
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Robb's most popular achievement...
Robb's most popular achievement with sportbike riders during his tenure is undoubtedly the S 1000 RR, which has gone on to become BMW's biggest seller in the U.S. in 2011.
Although there are other people at BMW who had a hand in the company’s swift change in reputation from a manufacturer of staid sport-touring bikes for the “pipe and slippers set” to a maker of motorcycles with cutting edge technology, design, and performance, Robb’s role in this transformation cannot be understated. When the American took over BMW’s as head of BMW Motorrad Design Studio in 1993, he openly wondered why the automobile division’s products obviously exuded performance and excitement, while the motorcycle section’s wares were geared more toward dependability and little else. It didn’t take long for Robb’s influence to be felt, with the 1997 K1200RS displaying a very un-BMW-like attitude; its styling was very sporty, and it was the first BMW to exceed the company’s reportedly self-imposed 100-horsepower ceiling—and it did so by some 20-odd horsepower. The bike wasn’t a sales success, and it caused some definite consternation among the BMW faithful; but it was popular enough that BMW management saw fit to continue Robb’s design vision for the company’s lineup.
Robb has done stints at Audi...
Robb has done stints at Audi and Chrysler before ending up at BMW and working his way up the ranks to become head of BMW Motorrad Design Studio in 1993.
Robb’s most popular achievement with the sportbike set is obviously the S 1000 RR. While some questioned the asymmetric headlight design, the rest of the bike was well-received—although its giant-killer performance surely played the largest role in its success. The S 1000 RR has been a watershed for BMW in the U.S., as the bike quickly became the firm’s best-selling model in this country, as well as topping the literbike sales charts for 2011.
The licensed stunt plane pilot and graduate of Pasadena, California’s Art Center College of Design has done stints with Audi and Chrysler (he also had offers from Porsche, Ferrari, Fiat, and a few other European OEMs) before moving to BMW’s automotive division and then taking over the motorcycle design section. The prevailing rumor as to the reason for his sudden departure was a “major disagreement with a colleague at BMW” according to sources, and it’s not difficult to think that Robb’s design talents won’t be in demand somewhere in the motorcycle or automotive world.