New BMW 1200 has 25% more power, 10% less weight

BMW has rolled out an all-new replacement for the R1100 S at the Milan EICMA Show – the new R1200 S is the most powerful production Boxer (horizontally-opposed twin) the world has ever seen, with 25% more power than its predecessor and 10% less weight. With this new sports bike, BMW fully expects to tempt riders away from Japanese and Italian ‘supersport’ machines that it believes are too closely modelled on factory race bikes, to actually work in everyday riding conditions. Despite the R1200 S’s undoubted track capabilities an overwhelming number of owners will only ever ride the S on the road. With its sporty but relaxed riding position, the new bike’s strength is its practicality and versatility over other machines of the sports genre. All the usual fea-tures so typical of the brand complete the wish list of many BMW fans, such as a fully controlled catalytic converter, the single-wire system for the on-board network, an electronic immobiliser, maintenance-free shaft drive with a single-sided swinging arm, and Telelever front wheel suspension.

When the R1100 S was launched in 1998 it was the most powerful Boxer in the history of BMW, with 98 hp and 97 Nm of torque. The air-cooled horizontal twin inspired the popular and spectacular International BoxerCup race series and became the BMW of choice for many motorcycle journalists, who appreciated its true sports capability, despite the fact that it was built uncompromisingly for the road.

It remained largely unchanged throughout its eight-year life cycle and, unlike all the other models in BMW’s Boxer line-up, never appeared in an 1150cc engine configuration. Proudly making its debut in 2006 and aimed primarily at the pure sports end of the market will be the new R1200 S.

This new sports Boxer shares little with its predecessor and will neatly fill the gap between BMW Motorrad’s four-cylinder K1200 S and single cylinder F800 S sports bikes. Developing a punchy 122 hp, engine power is up massively compared with the 98 hp R1100 S, and the torque figure – at 112 Nm – is equally impressive and higher than any other bike in its class. This of course allows for instant acceleration with fewer gear changes, which is vital for quick track and road riding.

This superior performance and sporting power is matched by a quest for less weight and with the exception of the specialist HP2 Enduro, the 190 kg R1200 S is the lightest and most agile of all BMW’s Boxer machines – 18 kg less than its predecessor. Fully fuelled and with all operating fluids, the R1200 S weighs just 213 kg.

The wide range of BMW options and accessories also reflect customers’ special requests. Interestingly, a special ABS system has been developed for this bike that weighs just 1.5 kg. It can be deactivated when using the bike on the racetrack. There is also a choice of an extra-width rear wheel as well as fully adjustable, high-per-form--ance Öhlins sports suspension.

The wide range of other factory fit options and accessories are also available for the R1200 S, which will be on in BMW Motorrad dealerships in Spring 2006. Prices are expected to be confirmed shortly.

The most important features of the new R1200 S at a glance:

Air-cooled flat-twin 1170cc power unit with balance shaft. Max output increased to 90 kW/122 hp at 8,250 rpm. Electronic BMS-K engine management with dual ignition, knock control, two oxygen sensors, and a fully controlled three-way catalytic converter. Light and stable, three-piece frame structure made of steel and alumini-um tubes. Extra-stiff Telelever with sensitive response and superior steering pre-cision. EVO Paralever with extra-light driveshaft. Dry weight 190 kg/430 lb, weight in road trim with full tank 213 kg/470 lb. Front fairing support made of extra-light pressure-cast magnesium. Tail light with 18 LEDs. Silencer with tailpipes positioned beneath one another directly under the rear fairing. Aerodynamically optimised, extra-slender body. Sports suspension with superior steering precision. High-performance brake system. New, extra-light ABS (optional). Wide range of accessories tailored to the sports rider.

Boxer engine with even more power

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