BMW R1200R Motorcycle

BMW, whether one's musing about its cars or bikes, has always had a quality reputation. The firm's motto, "The Ultimate Driving Machine," isn't associated with its all too meager motorcycle advertising, but should be. Upholding BMW's excellence tradition is the new R1200R, a "naked" (without bodywork) cruiser with flair and style. It's quick, economical and exhibits excellent quality control. At $13,025 list plus the usual questionable motorcycle dealer fees and charges it isn't cheap. You do, however, get what you pay for!

The four valve per cylinder, 109 HP R1200R slots into BMW's fuel-injected line-up just below the "fully dressed" 122 HP R1200S. The tester's boxer (horizontally opposed) air-cooled engine produces maximum horsepower at 7,500 RPM's and 85 foot-pounds of torque at 6,000. This means its emphasis is on mid-range pulling power and highway travel rather than high RPM "banzai" sprints. The tester was equipped with a well designed but tiny half-fairing; unlike many bikes air flow is directed around you rather than toward your body or helmet. This is significant, particularly if you've ever ridden a Japanese sport bike whose "mostly for looks" fairings don't properly redirect the slipstream. This detail, lost on the 80 percent of riders whose bikes have never been equipped with fairings, is important: it relates both to thoughtful design and riding comfort, something many of today's bikes ignore.

Riding this twin cylinder 1,170CC vehicle isn't the same as maneuvering a much heavier Harley or sitting astride an ultra-smooth Japanese or Italian cruiser. The seating position is upright: when you slam into a pothole, roll across frost heave or traverse a stomach-slamming hump where a surly road crew decided to go home early before finishing isn't a problem. You DO feel it, however, despite the 4.7 inches of "BMW Telelever" front suspension travel and 5.5 inches of "Paralever" rear compression and rebound. Forget the plush ride of a Honda Gold Wing, on the R1200R you're acutely aware of the highway's nuances. Though the standard suspension does a fine job, for $800 BMW offers Electronic Suspension Adjustment(ESA). Its numerous settings accommodate single riders, two-up travelers, adjustments for luggage and more. Though its advantages as noted above may seem obvious - it adds just a few pounds - keep in mind if you're less than svelte or, conversely, lightly built you've numerous extra settings that'll make your ride much more comfortable. Realize, too, ESA yields additional riding latitude. Though the R1200R isn't particularly made for Sunday corner-cutting or canyon-carving on Los Angeles' infamous Angeles Crest Highway tightening the ESA can transform one's riding experience. Beware: for sharper, more responsive turn-in and handing you'll pay in harshness. Remember, too, those humongous gray engine cylinders protruding from either side of the bike. Even with top-quality, w-i-d-e crash bars they could be the first parts to bite the ground. This bike isn't a dirt track racer or off-roader!

The seat is one of the R1200R's few weak points. Though ergonomically designed (not too wide and narrower towards the front) it desperately needs more padding. At 31.5 inches off the ground it's w-a-y too high. Swinging one's leg over when the bike's on its kickstand can be a chore. Balancing the bike at traffic lights, particularly if you're less than 5'7," isn't something to relish. As always with Bimmers, you have options. A "low" 30.3 inch seat can be ordered at no charge, as can a 32.7 inch perch. Neither, though, matches the desirable 26-27 inch seat heights common to much of the cruiser bike competition. Though even munchkins can learn to put up with Paul Bunyun seat heights and lack of padding one shouldn't need to do this. Remember the R1200R doesn't meet the definition of a sport bike, particularly when you consider its weighty 4.6 gallon fuel tank and gallon reserve.

Consider, too, the R1200R's 58.9 inch wheelbase and overall length of 84.4 inches. Though a Harley 1200 Sportster isn't much longer overall at 85.8 inches it's generally (though not always) true that shorter wheelbases and more compact length contributes to low-speed handling. Longer wheelbases and overall lengths lend themselves to cruising, though with today's technotricks no absolute assumptions can be made. Suffice to say a more important factor is the BMW's weight, which at 492 pounds is 70 less than its main HD and Italian rivals. The R1200R appears to be the lightest bike in its class!

Besides having no worries about the R1200R's weight and handling its mirrors are isolated from vibration. Near zero engine shake filters through to the handlebars, seat or footpegs. Strangely the bike is much, much smoother at 80 than 70. Though California's freeways usually flow closer to the former than the latter (the speed limit is 65 or 70) one always must be conscious of heavy fines, license points and/or driving school. At speeds above 80, not that this reporter would even THINK of flouting the law, he's been told the bike becomes butter-smooth. It's partially due to the extremely well built, low internal tolerance six-speed manual gearbox using ratios more suited to Germany's "no speed limit" autobahns than North America's congested freeways. The bike's first four gears are more than adequate around town. Fifth and sixth are strictly highway cogs.

In back, in an unobtrusive spot, is BMW's famously silent shaft drive. Though heavier than competitor's chain drives over the bike's life it'll require much less maintenance. They'll be no more messy chain lubes, though you'll need to change the rear axle oil at l-o-n-g intervals. Adjusting, tightening and boiling chains along with replacement hassles and expense will become distant memories! All bikes should be driveshaft equipped: their extra weight can be mitigated by more extensive use of aluminum. Expense also isn't an issue. As noted above you'll actually save cash and time!

Turning to tires, you'll find 3.50x17 radial mounted on a cast alloy double spoke wheel up front and a 5.50 out back. They're not as sticky as this tester wanted, being meant for l-o-n-g mileage. Wider rubber would also be appreciated.

All the above adds up to one superlative bike. Straight-line performance, measured with a Beltronics Vector FX2 Accelerometer, was recorded at 12.1 seconds @114 in the quarter-mile and just under four seconds 0-60. Be careful when you "pop the clutch:" though not wheelie-prone it's easy to find yourself looking at sky instead of road. Most motorcycles, including this Bimmer with its 12:1 engine compression ratio, requires high-test unleaded gas. Fuel economy was observed at 39 highway and 32 city, excellent figures ... especially when one considers overenthusiastic road testers!

BMW encourages owners to customize their bikes, though not nearly to the same degree as Harley or Honda. Still you can order Heated Hand Grips for $235 (a pleasure on cold days!) and an on-board trip computer which for $225 performs most of the same useless, mostly inaccurate functions it does for cars. A real advance is the $260 antilock brake system (ABS), one of the first on a bike. Though this tester didn't have the guts or equipment to put the R1200R through replicable ABS tests suffice to say the one time he needed it in heavy freeway traffic it worked perfectly ... and may have prevented a life-threatening skid.

Other notable options, besides various extra cost paint schemes, include a $260 tire pressure monitoring system and a $235 burglar alarm. Suggestion: forget the factory offering and purchase a LoJack (www.lojack.com) instead. More than 70,000 bikes were stolen in '05 and bike thefts have increased 135 percent in the past five years. LoJack's expensive but in states such as Massachusetts you may be eligible for a 20 percent insurance discount.

One final option note: saddlebag mounts are $135 and BMW sells a plethora of types. The prices will curl your hair but aftermarket selection is limited.

Though not perfect (sadly money saving European Delivery ala BMW autos isn't available) the R1200R's handling and ride, shaft drive, life-saving ABS and a resale value that rivals Harley Davidson make the R1200R one of the best bike values around. Note, too, the warranty is two years/unlimited miles, one of the industries' longest.

Like most German-built items the R1200R is over-engineered. When thinking about an inherently dangerous item such as a bike it's exactly what's needed to keep you safe! More information is available at www.bmwmotorcycles.com.
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