Description:

The story begins with a refined, subtle valve lubrication for the Yamaha XT single. 25 years later Erich Wunderlich is one of the best known BMW tuner. A visit to the Eifel.


! What works at the Nurburgring is, to use in the rest of the world well, “The truism of the region seems to be the company’s maxim of Eric being Wunderlich -. Small, delicate, but extremely effective, with a corresponding portion of understatement that runs through the range of products 47-year-old BMW specialists, which has now grown to an impressive 1500 catalog pages. lever, foot pegs, wind shield, benches Erich takes Wunderlich a particularly where it is he felt bad way for the unity of man and machine Wunderlich. says his environment, it is very methodical to the point, has deficits of motorcycles in production configuration experience yourself thoroughly investigated and then by using popometer and sensitivity to the solution.

Which can then, for example as the “Vario Lever” look like: a hand lever, which can adjust almost every need. The tinkering of small but important matters has been a tradition at Wunderlich. 1986, it began. In the center of the time: the popular and very widespread XT-generation of Yamaha. The stability of the robust single cylinder engine, so strange idea could, by means of a valve direct lubrication increase properly. The scene was gobsmacked the first credit for the young company was harvested.

Meanwhile, Yamaha’s XT series has reached long ago by Globetrotter throne. But BMW’s GS series is now on almost all tracks in the world, but especially the dusty, at home. According consistently Wunderlich its portfolio has adapted to the successful brand from Munich. For Wunderlich itself marked the R 100 GS the turning point. For him it was almost like a catalyst and source of his creativity. The name that had worked wonders on the XT-drivers, was also heard in the increasingly demanding clientele BMW. With the success of this division grew, the tasks and challenges the white-blue bikes Wunderlich special note to miss. Which in turn impact on business with the Yamaha had parts: 2004 Yamaha dropped from the program, Wunderlich was now 100 percent BMW specialist. His numerous refinements of BMW bikes carry exotic pet names like Piranha (S 1000 RR), Tarantula (R 1200 RT) or Jararacca (R 1200 GS). A tribute to its origin. Eric is the son of German emigrants Brazil. The South African way of life is, it characterizes their friends, to him today: It shows, among other things the fact that ideas every second bubble out of him, he can look forward to thieving on successful experiments, but also accepts painless own mistakes.

His style of leadership to say, long-term employees, had been affected by this cross-cultural mix. CEO Alexander de la Motte, in the company of Finance and Controlling in charge and therefore very fact-driven, its head again and again attest a high degree of visionary accuracy. “Many a product I would not have dared to bring to the market, but looking back I have to admit that his instinct was right. ” Finally, adding added with a grin: “Vision for calculation, emotion against reason, this is almost our daily bread.” Wunderlich even while the cooperative dialog with its employees – especially Peter Hoppe, the wound is on the side of founding and now manages the administration of medium-sized company.

Wunderlich, the dialogue itself is an important pillar of the company: “The quality of products can I secure a lasting only about human qualities.” Before Eric came at the age of five years to Germany, he was the grandfather in the Far Brazil still inculcate the Zweiradbazillus. On a Vespa sacked the foundation was laid: Here is the throttle as the brakes and the top reaches of the first course. Meanwhile, highly connected Wunderlich naturally strong. In the future, again with Yamaha, “Old love does not rust – at least not with me,” he laughs, and his gaze wanders an old XT. He probably already has at hand a new idea …

The halls of Wunderlich.
From the garage from wrenches Ahrweiler internationally successful BMW tuner. 2010, the company celebrated its 25th in the Eifel anniversary.

1985 Company founded: first shipment of parts for Yamaha SR and XT models.
1986 Development of lubrication for valve single-cylinder Yamaha.
Hiring the first employee in 1988.
1991 Presentation of the first Wunderlich BMW R 100 GS.
2004 setting of the Yamaha program. BMW supplies will run by 42 employees at the site Sinzig.