Driving report: BMW R 1200 C
The desert is shaking
In the barren landscape of the US state of Arizona BMW presented the cruiser R 1200 C a few days ago. MOTORRAD is already back with the first driving impressions.
Tucson, a few hundred miles from the Mexican border. Dry heat, dust. Only cacti seem to really feel comfortable here. Ami-Land, Cruiser-Land, Harley-Land. In the lion’s den, so to speak, the Bavarian motorcycle manufacturers proudly presented their youngest boxer offspring, because, unlike their Japanese colleagues, they did not simply copy the American model. No, they interpreted the cruiser theme completely independently: the R 1200 C is unmistakable – like all BMWs. It just looks good – like very few BMWs. And it is uncompromising – like no BMW before.
The enormous increase in sales since the new four-valve boxer was launched on the market have finally given the people of Munich tea courage not to just put egg-laying woolly pigs on their bikes, but a real specialty motorcycle with all its advantages and disadvantages. Hats off to you, no matter what you think of cruisers.
In keeping with the standard, plastic was avoided as far as possible, instead lacquered, matt or high-gloss chrome-plated metal pleases the eye of the beholder. The surface of some aluminum parts, such as the longitudinal arm of the Telelever or the fork bridge, which is elaborately welded from pressed sheet metal parts, is brushed. Handlebar grips, bench and the passenger seat cushion that can be converted into a backrest are covered in fine leather. The sparkling chrome spoked wheels are at a respectable distance of 1650 millimeters from one another – at least almost 20 centimeters more than on the Boxer RS - and, according to the manufacturer, put a total weight of 256 kliograms on the road.
In between hangs the well-known oven-valve boxer, which, however, has not been spared some serious interventions in order to adapt it to the low-speed driving style typical of cruisers: two millimeters more bore and two and a half millimeters more stroke raise the displacement from originally 1085 to 1170 cm³ – a thoroughly flawless undertaking, which should lead to more bangs from the speed basement. For the same purpose, however, his airways were severely constricted: suction tubes reduced from 50 to 35 millimeters, smaller valve diameters, lower valve lifts and shorter valve opening times. Neutered in this way, according to the manufacturer’s paper, the performance zenith is already reached at 5500 rpm with 61 hp. The maximum torque of 98 Nm from just under 1.2 liters of displacement is at best Harley level, but at least over 90 Nm should be applied to the crankshaft between 2500 and 4000 rpm.
From there, a new five-speed transmission with a modified gear set from the new K 1200 RS transfers the drive torque. A new housing had become necessary anyway, as the swing arm is not located in the gearbox, as is the case with the other Boxer models, but – as with the old Boxer – in the frame. The Paralever swing arm has also been dispensed with, instead a simple single-sided swing arm takes up the rear wheel.
Thanks to the automatic cold start boost, the boxer takes up its work without a choke, and the handlebars begin to swing slightly with the crankshaft revolutions when idling. At the same time, a rich and sonorous sound pounds out of the two rear silencers, which is somewhat reminiscent of the sound of a sporty single cylinder due to the even firing intervals of a boxer engine. The desert is shaking. For the first time in the history of BMW motorcycles, sound engineering was carried out – with success, even if the C in Europe with ECE-compliant bags will bubble much quieter. Tea system installed on the machine in motion complied with the US standard, which allows volume to be increased by around three decibels. Of course, the quieter ECE system shouldn’t cost the engine power.
A significantly larger centrifugal mass on the crank drive ensures that the engine runs smoothly even at the lowest speeds, so the boxer accelerates smoothly and – equipped with a regulated catalytic converter as standard – in an environmentally friendly manner. The strong acoustic performance is followed by a less spectacular acceleration. Since the first four gears have a relatively short gear ratio and the first four pairs of gears – especially the fourth – begin to sing at higher speeds, it is advisable to engage fifth gear at 60 km / h. Due to the lack of a tachometer that cannot be precisely determined, there should be almost 2000 rpm. The engine is then already attached to the gas.
Accompanied by the exhaust sound, you get that cruiser feeling on the dead straight American highways. Glide calmly and confidently and enjoy, not heat up and speed – if only because of the Highway Patrol – that’s the motto here. And you can do this more calmly and, above all, longer on the C than on any other cruiser, because the seating position is more moderate, the footrests are not too far forward, the upper body remains upright and the handlebars can be reached without twisting. There are also three ways to park your feet: on the driver footpegs, on the pillion footpegs (recommended for longer, fast stages) and on the cylinders (for comfortable rolling). The crash bars, which are available ace special accessories, even have their own footrest. In Arizona, for example, 800 kilometers can be covered in one day without any worries – on a cruiser, mind you.
The ideal travel speed is between 60 and 120 km / h, above which wind forces and vibrations start to get on your nerves. Nevertheless the info for the cruiser in a hurry: Sitting 170 and lying 180 km / h the speedometer needle showed after a long run. The chassis always remained stable, because here, too, the Munich-based company was not inspired by the models from Milwaukee (the only and unfortunate exception is and remains the power output of the engine).
Despite the long wheelbase and the relatively flat steering head, it is surprising how easily the new BMW can be thrown from one lean angle to the other and how precisely it follows the targeted line – almost sporty, at least faster and much more energy-saving than with any other motorcycle of their species. The lean angle is okay. The braking system is identical to that in the other boxer models, and it also sets new standards among cruisers in terms of both dosage and effectiveness. For a surcharge of almost 2000 marks, the C is adorned with the tried and tested ABS.
While the front section, guided by Telelever, also works flawlessly, the rear suspension strut is the only downside of the chassis. The design-related short spring travel of only 100 millimeters required a very hard and therefore uncomfortable spring. Nonetheless, the shock absorber strikes from time to time on very bad asphalt or – with the rear lifted by the spring base – deflects to the end stop. Only a more progressively wound spring could remedy this, the rebound stage is already dampened quite tightly anyway. At least the hard spring in connection with the extremely long swing arm effectively suppresses the elevator effect of the cardan drive when the load changes – even without a Paralever. Only the front section rebounds when the gas is opened.
S.The R 1200 C costs a whopping 23,400 marks, and those who still order special equipment or buy a wide range of special accessories (see box) should bring a few more brown ones with them. Nevertheless, fans will flock to the BMW dealerships on September 6 for the premiere of the R 1200 C. A sure sign of this: BMW received blind orders for the first time. The quake will continue – also in Germany.
BMW clothes – "Dustie" & Co.
The real cruiser fan shows up on September 6th only in underwear and socks at the BMW dealer and can be dressed in proper style for his future cruiser life. Whether T-shirt, sweat shirt or shirt, belt or suspenders, boots or ankle boots, storm lighter, sunglasses or tie pin, luggage roll or backpack, thick or thin gloves, there is simply everything in the "BMW Cruiser World of Experience" . Of course, a jet helmet painted in the vehicle color should not be missing. In addition to the leather suits "Endeavor" for women (strongly tailored and figure-hugging) and "Canyon" for men (at least according to the press release, nothing is emphasized here) BMW offers a driver’s suit with a jeans look whose fabric reinforced with Kevlar fibers has the same abrasion values as the other BMW driver’s suits. The undisputed highlights of the collection, however, are the cruiser pocket watch with a dial in the style of the speedometer (waterproof to 30 meters) and the "Dusty" (in German "Staubie") à la John Wayne. For longer rides than in the next saloon can be attached to the Rob leather case and a tank bag, and if other people are to be transported in addition to prisoners, the wider pillion seat cushion is recommended – also covered with fine leather. Heated grips, ABS, a small windshield, crash bars with footrest and a lower, wider, nastier handlebar complete the range for the R 1200 C..
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