Have Bags, Will Rip!

HAVE BAGS, WILL RIP!

BOTH BMW AND M0TO Guzzi recently released information on upcoming sport-tourers. The Munich marque's K1200GT is as rich as one would expect a grand touring bike from BMW to be. Taken from the new K1200, the transverse, dohc 1156cc inline-Four is detuned to produce 150 horsepower, while the twin-beam aluminum chassis retains the supple-rid ing Duolever/Paralever front and rear suspension, with optional push-button elec tronic adjustment. Power and handling from the shaft-drive machine should be more than adequate to make it one of

the hottest performing GTs on the market. A nay system and cruise control will be among the available options. No word yet on price or availability. From Italy, meanwhile, comes the Moto Guzzi Norge 1200. While this won't be quite as much of a road-burner as the Beemer, it is a signifi cant machine nonetheless, first Guzzi that uses the latest evo lution of the traditional air-cooled 90-degree V 1 Twin with its

displacement increased to 1200cc. Claimed output is 89 horsepower at 7500 rpm, with gobs of torque that peaks at a substantial 70 foot-pounds. The chas sis is derived from that of the Breva 1100, includ ing the 45mm Marzocchi fork and the single-sided swingarm holding a CARC floating crown-and-pinion shaft-drive unit. The bike is finished to a very high I~1eve1 and features a number of luxu rious ameni ties, includ ingGPS g navigation Dry weight has been kept to a fairly rational 542 pounds. The Norge-expected in September at an MSRP of $15,490-is the first Guzzi in a very long time worthy of being called a Gran Turismo.

Bruno de Prato