The Empathy project presents a custom-made BMW R18 motorcycle that will travel around Slovenia to encourage empathy towards fellow human beings, and the sale of products from the collection of the same name will raise funds for charity. The funds will be allocated to occasional BMW Motorrad colleague Nina Markelj, who suffered severe injuries in a cycling accident.
With numerous initiatives, the BMW Group realizes its commitment to co-creating a (better) society. In Slovenia, the company joins the commitment this time with the Empathy project. The latter is represented by a custom motorcycle BMW R18, which will promote empathy towards fellow human beings by traveling around Slovenia, and by selling products from the collection of the same name, funds will be collected for charity. The funds will be allocated to an occasional employee of BMW Motorrad and a fan of the BMW brand Last year Nina Markelj, who suffered serious injuries in a cycling accident. Proceeds from the sale of products will go through a non-profit association Never Give Up intended for rehabilitation and adjustment of living conditions for the recipient of the donation.
The BMW R18 motorcycle is the first BMW motorcycle of its kind, converted in Slovenia. In cooperation with the company Dream machine and globally recognized companies Akrapovic the BMW R18 got a new look with some unique components. The two-piece fuel tank, enhanced with a carbon cover and side panels, is the work of Dreamachine, as is the carbon protection of the front part of the unit, the front and rear fenders with LED brake lights and Kellerman indicators. TTS brand wheel rims have been added, the seat, front mask with led headlight, side license plate holder and steering wheel are new, the rear view mirrors are different. The exhaust system is a unique work of Akrapovič, which provides an unmistakable deep sound of the two-cylinder with a soundscape. The specialty of the motorcycle is the finishing touch glowing Empathy lettering on the engine block, which gives the entire motorcycle a special stamp and an attractive appearance.
As part of the Empathy project, the transformation of the motorcycle is connected with building a new way of life for the recipient of the donation. Only Trpin, director of BMW Motorrad Slovenia, invested a lot of time and resources with the team to make the Empathy project a reality: "The idea of helping came as soon as we heard about the Lane Nine bike accident in May 2021. When we followed her story, how she rebuilds her life, an upgrade of our idea was born - that we too build something different out of something as magnificent as the BMW R18 motorcycle, just like Lana Nina builds her life." Newly built BMW Motorrad Slovenia connected the motorcycle to the Empathy project. With it, BMW Slovenia wants to encourage concern for fellow human beings in the most difficult moments.
BMW R18 Empathy will travel around Slovenia and encourage the purchase of products from the collection of the same name. Empathy branded products that can be purchased and donated to the charity include: Men's and Women's hoodie (€30), male and female T-shirt (10 €), cap (€15) and keychain (€5). The products are available to order through the Never Give Up association by e-mail matej@nevergiveup.si. In the future, the products will also be available at all authorized BMW Motorrad dealers, namely BMW Avtoval Grosuplje, BMW Selmar Celje and BMW Selmar Maribor.
