Menus
- Discovery
- Contact
- In the city
- Departmental
- National
- Highway
- Night road
- Braking
- Comfort
- Duo
- Tires
- Consumption
- Convenient
- Conclusion
An essay by Damien Bertrand
A new sports car with a flat engine
twin is always an event awaited by lovers
Bavarian twin cylinders. With this new oppus, BMW radicalizes the now
old 1100 and retains nothing of it, except perhaps
the concept of exhausts under the saddle, with superimposed outlets.
This one has a je ne sais quoi of Italian … the sound
will it be the same?
Discovery
The angular dominates the design of the R 1200 S. Engine and single-sided crankcase
are painted black, further emphasizing the line of the fairing.
The tubular trellis frame contributes to weight reduction
shapes. The front turn signals are integrated into the mirrors
For the pilot of 1.80m and more, the 1200 is not very
high. It is also narrow and, even at
the stop, seems light. And that’s true,
with 13 kg less – 190 kilos dry – and 20 hp more, the R
1200 S changes register. Right away we realize that
sport is the primary vocation of the machine, the transport of a
passenger seeming to become an eventuality: the saddle of
this one is raised, sparsely padded and sports cynically
a strap for its maintenance.
The handlebars offer bracelets with a more marked inclination
than on the R 1100 S.
The commodos are faithful to the ergonomics of the brand,
as for the counter … the information provided is strangely
hierarchical: the rev counter is small, the tachometer
off-center and the graduations too fine, while at
the opposite, the liquid crystal display
only indicates additional information, of course
numerous: mileage, engine temperature graph,
clock, 2 partial trip, indication of the gear engaged …
overall makes everything moderately readable at first glance.
But above all this assembly takes place in the fork crown without
more integration and alongside electrical wire sheaths
: the finish to say the least reduced surprises … the setting
of the headlights is certainly thus easier.
Ohlins sport suspensions (optional) are firm but not uncomfortable.
They will prove to be perfect while riding, filtering effectively
all the defects of the pavement and providing a
exemplary road.
Contact
The flat snorts with a noise of 2 cv supercharged..
it causes sport! Another lost tradition, the reversal couple
is almost absent.
The first pass silently, the growling amplifies and
the motorcycle takes off. Immediately, the engine inertia appears
low. The new block, well integrated into the aesthetic,
is lively and takes turns with ease. The steering, much lighter
that on its predecessor, gives the impression of piloting a
lower displacement.
In the city
The R 1200 S is extremely easy to take in urban areas.
Its particularly flexible engine and balance
of its cycle part make the exercise easy. We wind in
3 ° from 40 km / h.
The mirrors give a wide and sharp viewing angle. The Ray
turning point is on the other hand a little tight and the hands may be
pinches during stationary maneuvers.
Departmental
This is the ideal playground for the R 1200 S.
3,500 laps we change the music, the twin rumbles and propels you with
force on the chosen trajectory.
A series of turns allows you to immediately appreciate
the precision of the trajectories offered by this machine. The
ground clearance is good and we allow ourselves to improvise
successfully where an R 1100 S required more anticipation.
If we arrive a little quickly, just take a little more angle
without even thinking about it, intuitively using the footrests…
and at the same time you flatter your ego! Third
and 4th report invite to sport. The available couple works wonders
and the exhaust even gives you a few gentle blasts
when downshifting. The box is very precise, locks
with each report, no false dead point. The very
vigorous propels from one curve to another. Efficiency
is fantastic.
National
At 3,500 revolutions, in 6 °, the odometer indicates 110 km / h. The bubble protects
moderately shoulders. The large curl swallow with
delight and optimal serenity.
Highway
Wind protection is quickly compromised … it is
not a GT, we told you.
At 4,500 laps the flat purrs at 140 km / h. But if you wish
then know the full potential of the machine on expressways,
so turn the handle and … release the hurricane…
because then you feel sucked in by the landscape! Come
on the outskirts of the red zone at 8,800 laps, you will then drive,
in Germany, at around 260 km / h. The twin cylinders
flat BMW have made good progress…!
Night road
The lighting is good, the beam wide and allows you to drive
safely in low beam.
Braking
Another point of excellence: ABS braking (disengageable)
allows you to test the expression "to have the impression
to hit a wall ”: both powerful and progressive.
Rear brake seats the bike properly when cornering.
Comfort
For the pilot, nothing to say … keeping in mind that he
it is indeed a sportswoman; Hardly worse if you imagine GT.
The suspensions adjustable in any direction, and even without the optional
ESA, give full satisfaction.
Duo
For the passenger, he must say goodbye to handles and
rubber-wrapped footrest.
A strap allows it to hang on … it’s a lesser
wrong. But to make long journeys of more than 100 km, comfort does not
will not be that of the old R 1100 S, although its position is
good, which is all the more regrettable.
Tires
Chaussee de Metzeler Z6, the R 1200 S puts confidence in everything
type of piloting.
Consumption
6 liters per 100 and a 17-liter tank (including 4 reserve)
does not give access to large spaces without going through the
gas station box.
The passage in reserve is signaled by a witness
light and a mileage count before the breakdown.
Convenient
No space under the saddle, no handle, no hook, the
U must be hung via a commercially available bracket…
blame it on sporting orientation, again.
Revision: Every 10,000 kms
Conclusion
The R 1200 S is a very efficient sports car.
real. The whole part cycle / engine is impressive
quality. The new flat twin has a character
jubilant. The handling is intuitive. On the other hand, the passenger is not
more at the party. The biggest flaw is the finish
of the fork crown: on this point, the hunt for kilos is a
little abusive.
Strong points
- motor (character, relaunch, draw)
- cycle part
- maneuverability
- braking
- gearbox
Weak points
- fork crown finish
- duo
Competitors:
The technical sheet | The
tests on the Motorcycle Tests forum
Thanks to the BMW dealership in Chesnay (78150) «Reference
»For the provision of this motorcycle.
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