Super Beemer

SUPER BEEMER

ROUNDUP

BMW CHOSE THE RECENT Cologne Motorcycle Show to unveil its longawaited K1200RS sportbike. And while the bike certainly looks sporty in its fire-enginered or yellow-with-checkeredflag paint schemes, the specifications sheet suggests something else entirely.

Consider the numbers: Claimed weight “in road trim” is 628 pounds. Factoring out 33 pounds for 5.5 gallons of gas equates to a dry weight of 595 pounds, substantially more than comparable Openclass sportbikes. The K1200RS’s 61.2-inch wheelbase is similarly oversized, and its conservative rake and trail figures of 27.3 degrees and 4.9 inches are equally out of character for a sportbike.

What we have here, then, is a sort of sporty sport-tourer.

And what would you expeet from BMW? But here’s something you would never expect: The K1200RS’s longitudinal four-cylinder engine pumps out a claimed 130 horsepower. For BMW, that’s a step in the right direction.

Since 1989, when BMW introduced the 100-horsepower Kl, management has honored its “gentlemen’s agreement” with the German government that the company would not produce motorcycles that made more than 100 horse-

power. Ditto France.

But that, friends, has nothing to do with the U.S., where too much horsepower is just enough.

To achieve that performance increase, BMW engineers gave the venerable 16valve, 997cc engine an overhaul, with a 5mmlonger stroke, higher (11.5:1) compression ratio and lightened internals. As a result, displacement has been increased to 1171 cc, horsepower to 130 bhp at 8750 rpm and torque to 86 foot-pounds at 6750 rpm

Feeding the revised engine is a new ram-intake system that admits air via ducts in the fairing nose, then channels it through a large, 7-liter airbox to the quartet of fuel-injection manifolds. Burned gases are evacuated by a 4-into-2into-1 exhaust system with twin catalytic converters, while engine temperatures are held in check by two radiators and a thermostat-controlled oil cooler. Each radiator features its own fan, and heated air is ducted away from the rider.

The K12 is equipped with the third-generation of Bosch’s Motronic engine-management system, which boasts a couple of new features: An automatic electronic choke eliminates the familiar choke lever on the left handlebar end, and a mobile diagnostic computer (coyly nicknamed “Mobi Die”) can be plugged into the bike’s electrical system to check the status of its electronics. Other updates on the Kmotor include a new six-speed transmission that is said to be smoother shifting and more precise than the old five-speed gearbox, and a more powerful 720-watt alternator.

A < Unlike previous K-bikes, the RS’s engine is rubber-mounted in an all-new, cast-aluminum frame. This not only isolates the rider from the notoriously buzzy K-motor, it also allows BMW’s excellent Telelever front suspension to be used on a K-bike for the first time. Both the Telelever and the rear Paralever suspensions bolt to the frame, rather than to the engine as on the horizontally opposed Boxer Twins. The attractive, 17-inch wheels each boast five pairs of spokes, and measure 3.5 inches wide in front and 5.0 inches wide in the rear, with 120/70 and 170/60 tires, respectively. Brakes are by Brembo; ABS is standard.

Befitting its sporttouring role, the K12’s wind-tunneldeveloped, twinheadlamp fairing features a two-position-adjustable windscreen, and its handlebar, seat, footpegs and shift lever are all adjustable. Saddlebags and a luggage rack will be available as options.

As for the availability of the bike itself, it won’t reach the U.S. until later this spring. The price has yet to be announced.

The other big news on the BMW stand was the 48-horsepower F650ST Single. Based on the Aprilia-built F650 “Funduro” launched in 1993, the ST is better equipped for street riding with a sportier fairing and engine spoiler, lowered suspension and seat, a different handlebar, and a smaller, 18-inch (as opposed to 19-inch) front wheel shod with street rubber. Both 650s will be offered in the U.S. beginning this year.

The only other new BMW on display was a special Highline edition of the Kl 100LT that comes equipped with colormatched luggage, chrome fork legs and engine cases, crash guards, heated handgrips and an AM/FM radio. It will sell for $16,890. -Brian Catterson