In 1929, BMW surprised the motorcycle world with two 750 cc models in a completely new frame: the BMW R 11 and the BMW R 16. The soldered tubular frame that had been commonly used up to that point was replaced by a torsion-resistant pressed steel design. The new BMW R 16 sports model was powered by the engine of the predecessor BMW R 63. Five series were created during the course of the five-year production run and numerous improvements in details were designed into the motorcycles. In 1933, BMW achieved its biggest international sporting success with motorcycles of Type 16: victory in the 15th International Six Day Race in Wales.