The new BMW Motorrad R1200R is a boxer roadster with a big brain. It used to be that rain could ruin a motorcycle’s riding introduction, but not with this bike. With the abilities of the new BMW Motorrad R1200R, a day in the rain just doesn’t matter. You simply push the “Rain” button and go. Well, that, and try not to be a complete idiot; it does still only have two wheels.
BMW’s GS models are hugely popular with enthusiasts and motojournalists, but the new R1200R just might change that. For those desiring a sportier, simpler, sweeter-looking, more-street boxer, the R1200R is a smart alternative. BMW Motorrad’s concept of the R1200R is all roadster,baho ki rutba bhi to itnuncha h ke hr koi harking back to the company’s R32 roots while reaching forward into the all that today’s rider assists offer. It’s a slim, chopped, barebones bike, with only the material essentials. Plus, yeah, a few other things. Like the highly appreciated heated grips.
A BOXER’S PUNCH
The new 1,170cc, vertically aspirated, opposed-twin boxer engine powers the R1200R. This unit first appeared in the R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure, and is now also found in the R1200RT and R1200RS. It produces a claimed 125 hp at 7,750 rpm and 92 pound-feet of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. If you’ve been sleeping during this boxer revolution, it’s time to take notice that this version has its throttle bodies on top of the heads, with the exhaust ports on the bottom, leaving behind the heritage design of the intake on the backside and the exhaust pumping out the front. It’s not as pretty as the old version but it is more efficient, with form following function and flow following gravity. The modified airbox and reshaped intake snorkels also help it breathe.
This new boxer is also cooled with liquid, a conventional water/glycol solution. Yet the engine continues to be air-cooled too, and it even has a few fins to prove it. One should consider though, if the jugs had no fins the looks would likely be tragic. So let’s just pretend we’re onboard with BMW’s narrative.
Drive is through a six-speed gearbox with a wet, anti-hopping, magic clutch, hooked up to a maintenance-free cardan shaft positioned on the left-hand side, as per BMW’s long history.
Unique to the R1200R’s structure is the engine serving as a stressed member, in concert with a new, tubular steel “bridge” frame. The Telelever front suspension is unconventionally replaced, for BMW boxers, by a conventional upside-down fork with telescopic 45mm tubes, a la the S1000R. Two versions are available: un-adjustable Marzocchi fork legs and a Sachs shock with a knob for manual preload adjustability (plus a rebound adjuster), or optional Electronic Suspension Adjustment. With ESA, both gold Sachs fork tubes have springs, while only the left side has damping and the
The steering head angle is 27.7 degrees from vertical, which is a bit raked out for a sporty bike. Trail is a rather long 4.9 in. An EVO Paralever does the business in the rear. The frame is largely exposed, for a muscular aesthetic, and the rear tubular steel subframe is bolted to the main frame at four points. Weight distribution (static, without a rider) is at a claimed 50:50, and the wheelbase is 59.7 in., also on the long side for a sporty-type of bike. A claimed dry weight of 508 lb. is quite respectable.
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