Technical Features and Design.
In technical terms the K 1200 R is derived from the K 1200 S
high-performance machine. The drivetrain, running gear, the brakes
and the on-board network have all been carried over from the K 1200
S, modified only in a few features. The new body and equipment, as
well as the truly exceptional,
extroverted design, however, make the K 1200 R a brand-new and
quite different motorcycle. Weighing just 237 kilos or 523 lb (DIN
unladen weight with a full tank of petrol, without ABS), the K 1200
R keeps its pledge of offering superior handling and light
manoeuvrability especially at low speeds on country roads and in
town.
Drivetrain.
Slender and compact, the straight-four power unit displaces
1,157 cc, exactly as in the K 1200 S. The engine in the K
1200 R delivers slightly less peak power at 120 kW (163 bhp) at the
same speed of 10,250 rpm, with maximum torque of 127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
at 8,250
rpm.
In mechanical terms the engine of the K 1200 R is identical to
that of the K 1200 S, with the same configuration of the camshafts
and the same valve timing. The flow of intake air, on the other
hand, has been modified for the new machine, the K 1200 R featuring
just one snorkel leading to the airbox on the right-hand side. This
modified flow of intake air is the reason for the slightly lower
level of maximum power and torque. The silencer and exhaust
manifold systems both come from the K 1200 S.
The transmission has also been carried over unchanged from the K
1200 S.
At 2.91:1 (instead of 2.82:1 on the K 1200 S), the final drive
ratio on the drivetrain is adjusted to the lower top speed of this
“naked” motorcycle with its higher drag
coefficient.
Suspension and running gear.
The suspension and running gear only had to be modified slightly
for the new model: The Duolever is slightly steeper (0.4°),
changing the steering head angle to 61°, with camber 11 mm or
0.43´´ shorter at 101 millimetres or
3.98´´. This change in suspension geometry is achieved
by a minor modification in machining the bearing points for the
joints in the Duolever.
The positive effect of this modified suspension geometry is even
sharper handling particularly at low speeds. Any theoretical
repercussions on directional stability at high speeds versus the K
1200 S are barely noticeable
in practice and are irrelevant, anyway, on a motorcycle without a
fairing and, accordingly, with slightly lower top
speed.
In Australia, the K 1200 R comes as standard with the same
sports wheels as fitted to the K 1200 S, measuring
3.5´´ x 17 at the front and 6.0´´ x 17 at
the rear, where the rear tyre is sized at 190/50-ZR17.
As a special order option, customers can specify the wheel
design offered with the R 1200 ST which runs a 3.5´´ x
17 at the front and 5.5´´ x 17 at the rear, with
a180/55-ZR17 tyre.
Also optional is BMW Motorrad’s Electronic Suspension
Adjustment (ESA) available at $1,250.
Introduced for the first time on the K 1200 S, this world-first
achievement enables the rider to set spring tension and damping
from the handlebar with utmost convenience merely at the touch of a
button – an operation performed even while riding.
ESA varies inbound damping on the front wheel and both inbound
and rebound damping on the rear wheel. The rider also has the
option to adjust the rear-wheel spring base electro hydraulically
while the motorcycle is at a standstill as a function of load
conditions.
An exact description of ESA with all its technical features is
to be found in the press release on the K 1200 S. Spring travel on
the K 1200 R is the same
as on the K 1200 S sports machine, measuring 115 millimetres or
4.52´´ up front and 135 millimetres or
5.31´´ at the rear.
Brakes – high-performance EVO brake system and Integral
ABS as an option.
The K 1200 R comes with BMW’s EVO brake system
also featured in all other K-Series and Boxer models. In its
configuration and dimensions, the brake system with disc brake
diameter of 320 millimetres or 12.60´´ at the front and
265 millimetres or 10.43´´ at the rear is the same as
on the K 1200 S.
The brake hoses, in turn, are steel-clad for extra safety and
reliability.
BMW’s EVO brake system – with EVO standing for
evolution – is one of the safest and most effective brake
systems in the world.
The EVO brake system is available with BMW Integral ABS
anti-lock brakes in the sporting, partly integrated version, priced
as a $1,750 option.
“Partly integrated” means that both brakes (front and
rear wheel) are activated by the handbrake, while the footbrake
acts only on the rear wheel.
Even when applying the brakes all-out, the rider of the K 1200 R
runs little risk of taking a fall or tumbling forward thanks to the
motorcycle’s low centre of gravity and the special suspension
geometry interacting with the kinematic configuration of the
Duolever. In other words, the rider benefits
under virtually all conditions from maximum tyre friction when
applying the brakes all-out with ABS control, enjoying optimum
safety even in an extreme situation.
Controls and
instruments.
The handlebar and handlebar bridge on the K 1200 R are both
new.
Compared with the K 1200 S, the handlebar is both wider and
higher.
As befits a motorcycle of this type, the rider’s seating
position is more upright and moved further to the front. Oval
rear-view mirrors fastened to the handlebar appropriately reflect
the concept of reducing all features to the essential.
In terms of both its technical features and looks, the
instrument cluster with its speedometer and rev counter is based on
the same concept as the instrument cluster of the R 1200 GS, while
the instrument faces are new. As on the K 1200 S, the displays in
the info-flat screen provide ongoing information on coolant
temperature, the fuel level, the time, as well as the gear
currently in mesh. On machines equipped with ESA as an option, the
info-flat screen provides additional information on the current
set-up of the suspension.
Total mileage, trip mileage, and the range remaining on the fuel
in the tank are all available on demand.
Electrics and electronics.
Boasting a wide range of innovations, the on-board network in
CAN-bus technology (Controller Area Network) has been carried over
directly from the K 1200 S sports motorcycle without any
modifications. Inter alia, the big advantages of this technology
are the far wider range of functions compared with a conventional
on-board network coming with far simpler and more straightforward
cable connections, the absence of any conventional melt-down fuses,
as well as full-scale diagnostic management and examination
options. The fully integrated electronic immobiliser comes as
standard,
consistently exchanging coded and constantly changing data between
the key to the motorcycle (by means of a transponder) and the
on-board electronic system. In technical terms this is the best and
safest immobiliser currently available, ensuring that only the
authorised rider really gets to experience this unique machine with
all its sheer riding pleasure.
Design and
body.
In its design, the K 1200 R is both athletic and extroverted.
The underlying philosophy in creating this machine was to reduce
all features to the essential and achieve high emotional value.
Such minimalist design places the focus on the visible technical
features and components of both the drivetrain and the suspension,
highlighting BMW’s claim to leadership in technology and
innovation. With its muscular and, indeed, masculine look, the K
1200 R clearly bears testimony even at a standstill to the
performance and dynamics of what is currently the most powerful
naked bike in the world.
It is no surprise that this design evokes contradictory
discussions and opinions, especially as it would not have been
appropriate, given the demanding standards of BMW Motorrad, to give
a motorcycle of this calibre anything but classically beautiful and
really attractive looks.
While the heritage of the K 1200 R with its close ties to the K
1200 S is obvious – both motorcycles, for example, sharing
the same exciting contour lines on the fuel tank and seat –
the K 1200 R goes much further in its styling features: The
machine’s contours and shapes are even more distinctive and,
indeed, organic, making the K 1200 R truly striking, unmistakable
and, in fact, quite unique. This design language is continued in
the side covers at the front of the fuel tank, taking up and
extending the consistent line to the front end with the oil cooler
fairing beneath the striking double headlight.
The small windshield above the headlight, despite its compact
dimensions, significantly reduces wind pressure at high speeds.
The reflectors in the dual headlight system (2 x H7) come in
free form surface technology and are housed beneath extra-clear,
impact- and scratch-resistant, lightweight polycarbonate covers.
Finished in matt chrome, the headlight housing made of a special
synthetic material accentuates the straight-forward technical
character of the motorcycle through its colour alone.
The Duolever comes with plastic covers at the side copying the
basic design of the wheel bearings. At the same time these covers
serve to guide the flow of cool air to the radiator with its
minimalist fairing.The K 1200 R comes in a range of
powerful-looking colours full of character and style. Dark Graphite
metallic, for example, forms a strong contrast to the drivetrain
and running gear finished in silver, highlighting the technical and
aesthetic qualities of the new machine. White Aluminium metallic,
on the other hand, comes together with the drivetrain and running
gear in black and therefore turns around the contrasts to be
admired on the K 1200 R, giving greater emphasis to the contours of
the motorcycle and its muscular shape. With this combination of
colours, the wheels come in Slate Grey metallic matt. A
particularly striking colour scheme is Sun Yellow non-metallic
together with the drivetrain and running gear in black and the
wheels in Slate Grey metallic matt.
The seats come in black on all models and with all paintwork
options.
Fuel tank and seat.
The fuel tank of the K 1200 R is made of an extra-light,
impact-resistant synthetic material and offers a capacity of 19
litres or almost 4.2 Imp gals (including 4 litres reserve). The
overall package of the K 1200 R, just like the package on BMW
Motorrad’s other machines, serves to keep the tank
particularly slender beneath and in front of the rider, thus
ensuring optimum
knee contact. Production of the tank in a rotational process
ensures maximum freedom in the exterior design of the tank and
allows the distinctive
contours on the tank fairing so characteristic of this special
machine.
Similar in its basic design at the front, the seat is even more
slender than on the K 1200 S in the interest of an even more
forward-oriented, active riding position. The rider’s
absolute geometric seat height is 820 millimetres or
32.3´´ (with step arch length of 1,810 mm or
71.3´´). The low-level seat available as a no-cost
option measures 790 millimetres or 31.1´´ in
height, with 1,750 mm or 68.9´´ step arch length.
Clearly, the lower seat may also be retrofitted as special
equipment.
For further information contact:
Alexander Corne
PR & Corporate Communications Manager
BMW Group Australia
Phone: 03 9264 4238
Fax: 03 9562 2799
Mobile: 0439 568 819
Email: alexander.corne@bmw.com.au
Web: www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au