BMW donates bikes to two vocational colleges

Markus Glaeser, head of BMW Motorrad Thailand, presented a BMW K 1200 S to Chitralada School (Vocational Programme) and Kanchanapisek Technical College. 

Glaeser said BMW Motorrad Thailand was proud to be able to support both schools in developing the practical skills of the students. 

“The BMW K 1200 S and its technology will not only enhance students’ technological knowledge, but will also provide an opportunity for the students to disassemble and reassemble the motorcycles to fully understand how every piece of equipment is put together to achieve maximum riding performance. This will be very helpful for the students to understand the geometry and technology of the BMW motorcycle from the ground up,” he said. 

In 2014, the Chitralada School (Vocational Programme) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BMW Group Thailand to launch Mechatronics training for its vocational students starting in 2016. 

This partnership will help to foster the automotive skill potential of the vocational students and provide international-standard knowledge, as well as increase their competitiveness ahead of the Asean Economic Community.

In 2012, Kanchanapisek Technical College initiated the BMW Service Apprentice Program, which is recognised as part of the German-Thai Dual Excellence Education (GTDEE) programme. 

The curriculum was created in partnership with the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the BMW dealers’ network. 

Apprentices receive training in mechanical fundamentals at the college, while BMW theory and practical training are taught at the BMW Training Centre, and on-the-job training and support is provided by BMW certified technicians at authorised BMW dealerships. 

Since its inception, the partnership has developed young technicians and enabled them to become skilled workers in the automotive industry, while also reinforcing Thailand’s potential as a global automotive production hub.

The company’s presentation of the BMW K 1200 S motorcycles is expected to enhance the students’ learning experience. 

The motorcycle features a 4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line engine with 1,157 cc capacity, a compression ratio of 13.0:1, and electronic injection delivering 124.5kW (167 hp) at 10,250 rpm. Maximum torque stands at 129 Nm at 8,250 rpm. 

Its four-valve-per-cylinder head uses Formula 1 architecture, with a narrow valve angle – 10 degrees for the intake valves and 11 degrees for the exhaust valves, from vertical – to ensure a flat, efficient combustion chamber. This fast-burning chamber can then support a high compression ratio - 13.0:1, that maximises power and helps reduce emissions and improve overall thermal efficiency.

It is equipped with “Duolever” front-wheel suspension, with ‘perfect’ kinematics. The primary advantage of the Duolever design is the consistent geometry allows optimum stability while retaining agility. 

In addition, the spring and damping rates can be kept firm without sacrificing comfort, thus combining comfort and stability, agility, high-load absorption and small-bump compliance, all at once.