BMW’s Highest-Performance Bikes Mark an Epic Milestone the Most Fitting Way ImaginableGear PatrolSteve MazzucchiUpdatedThu, September 10, 2026 at 7:15 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleThe '100 Jahre Nürburgring' models celebrate the legendary, moto-verboten loop turning, you guessed it, 100.When it comes to the most famous and celebrated racetracks in the world, the one in the tiny hamlet of Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, sits at or near the top.What you might not know is that Nürburgring began hosting races way back in 1927, four decades before Scottish racer Jackie Stewart famously nicknamed it "the Green Hell" (after winning the 1968 German Grand Prix in a torrent of rain and fog).Three '100 Jahre Nürburgring' bikes, from left to right: M1000R, M1000RR and M1000XR. - Credit: BMWWith the centennial milestone on the horizon, BMW has unveiled a host of special editions of some of its highest-performance vehicles: six M cars and three M motos.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs an NYC resident who spends a lot more time on bikes than in cars, the latter trio is of particular interest, so let's take a closer look.The green lean is arguably most noticeable on the M1000XR, as the hue emanates outward from the tank. - Credit: BMWAs stated, the three '100 Jahre Nürburgring' anniversary motos are the M class bikes: the M1000R, M1000RR and M1000XR.Limited to 100 units per model (300 total), each comes with the M Track Package as standard.The M1000RR's green details are understated at the rear of the bike. - Credit: BMWUp front the green is harder to miss, as the color coats the fairing. - Credit: BMWMore to the point, the bikes are finished in an exclusively developed historical Nürburgring Green paint, naturally.The bikes also feature anniversary decals, carbon wheels, a black rear swingarm and rear frame, and a seat finished in Alcantara-look material with embroidered '100' detailing.AdvertisementAdvertisementAll this fuss makes particular sense for BMW, given its deep connection to the track, which is located less than 330 miles from the brand's headquarters in Munich.No matter the colors around it, the 200-plus horsepower of M's 999cc inline four cannot be denied. - Credit: BMW"The Nürburgring is much more than just a racetrack for us – it is a second home for BMW M," says Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M."All our production vehicles are put through their paces on the Nordschleife. With the Edition 100 Jahre Nürburgring, we celebrate our long-standing and successful relationship with the Nürburgring."As part of the M track package, all three bikes get premium Akrapovič exhaust systems. So there's that. - Credit: BMWThe irony, of course, is that motorcycles are banned from public laps at Nürburgring.But as my much more motoring-tuned colleague Gray Van Dyke just pointed out, perhaps this is a consolation prize.AdvertisementAdvertisementLearn MoreAbout the Author:Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men's Health, Men's Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone's bike seat is at the proper height.Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.