Presentation of the BMW R 1200 CL

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Presentation of the BMW R 1200 CL

Bigger, better, …

A boxer in king-size format: For those who think bigger is better, BMW offers the R 1200 CL, a motorhome that is as luxuriously equipped as it is luxuriously shaped.

Those in a hurry take the plane in America. What makes space on earth for uninhibited time-wasters like cruisers. Or does the gentlest form of motorcycling just have to compensate for the stress that normal Americans otherwise suffer? It doesn’t matter: the hip flask market has grown by more than a third since 1997, and it already holds 30 percent of the total volume worldwide.

BMW participated in this with over 27,000 R 1200 C sold, but has recognized, especially in recent years, that the trend is towards fully equipped and packed luxury cruisers. Therefore the C ?? quasi as a technical starting point? dragged again into the development and designer rooms, because what Harley succeeded with the E-Glide, that should also bring resourceful Bavarians to the wheels.

The Munich-based company presented the final result of their American research last week. Not in the vastness of the prairie, but in the corridors of the in-house technology company. That makes perfect sense, because the new R 1200 CL is by no means a brainlessly inflated hybrid, but rather a touring bike that is primarily aerodynamically and technically well-prepared for the intended use. The rear frame of the C has been massively changed to include integrated cases and a removable top case ?? with a total volume of over 100 liters ?? as well as pillion and luggage. The spring travel increased by 20 to 120 millimeters, the central shock absorber has travel-dependent damping, as in the Enduro R 1150 GS Adventure, and the spring base can be adjusted hydraulically.

The engine, on the other hand, with its 61 hp and 98 Newton meters of torque, comes unchanged from the Bavarian original cruiser, which of course continues to be produced. Head of development Braunsperger counters questions about the power-to-weight ratio with a reference to “the” competitor, whose V-Twins have a little more horsepower, but also have to carry significantly more weight. After all, through a “shorter” rear wheel ratio and the six-speed transmission, which is known from the street models and improved in terms of noise and shiftability, ratios were achieved that are supposed to guarantee rapid propulsion in the first three gears. Sixth gear acts as a mild form of overdrive.

In between, the cruiser life plays, tamed by the fully integrated BMW brake system on request, in which the hand and foot lever always activate the brakes on both wheels, on top of that, servo-assisted and with ABS. The three brake discs rotate in newly designed wheels, and the front one in particular attracts attention: 3.5 by 16 inches are truly lush. So lush that the Telelever wishbone, which has been modified for the purpose of a flatter steering angle, now has an ultra-wide fork, so lavish that in the upcoming test the greatest attention is paid to the handling of this huge-tire steamer.

Lively buyer interest on this side of the pond cannot be ruled out, which was also the case with the cruiser and tourer K 1200 LT, to the great surprise of their makers. So why not with the bike that was positioned “for relaxed and enjoyable tours”, says Sales Manager Muller, exactly between the cruiser and the super tourer. And in the specifications, each page begins with luxury.

The unconditional search for luxury also dictated the shape of the handlebar-mounted touring fairing and the eye-catching side tank fairings. As MOTORRAD was allowed to see in the wind tunnel, they direct the airstream past even tall people. Without eddies, without turbulence? a sophisticated joint effort by technicians and aerodynamicists, who also announce in unison that, together with the lavishly wired RT and LT, this CL is the quietest BMW motorcycle. The characteristic windshield with the view notch ?? internally called M-Design ?? comes in two heights.

D.oh what do such beneficial achievements count on the sales front compared to the four-in-one face devised by Dave Robb? The head of BMW Motorrad design comes from the USA and he knows: “Lots of headlights, that’s important.” Two of them donate the dipped headlights, and the whole Christmas tree lights up when they are faded in. Two extremely commode armchairs go well with this, whereby the BMW experience with tourers is clearly visible in comparison to the competition. For example, with the deep cuts in the front area of ​​the driver’s seat. Even the very little ones have every chance of reaching safe ground from a height of 745 millimeters. In monetary terms, those interested in CL should also have a solid foundation: the luxury cruiser will go on sale in autumn. From 15100 euros. Bigger, better …. Exactly.

Technical data – BMW R 1200 CL

BMW R 1200 CL data engine: air / oil-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine, crankshaft lengthways, one high, chain-driven camshaft, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, bumpers, rocker arms, wet sump lubrication, electronic intake manifold injection, Ø 35 mm, engine management, regulated catalytic converter, E-starter, three-phase alternator 700 W, battery 12 V / 19 Ah. Bore x stroke 101 x 73 mm, displacement 1170 cm³, compression ratio 10: 1.Nominal output (DIN) 45 kW (61 PS) at 5000 / minMax. Torque 98 Nm (10 kpm) at 3000 rpm Power transmission: primary drive via gears, hydraulically operated single-disc dry clutch, five-speed gearbox, cardan shaft, secondary ratio 2.62 Chassis: load-bearing motor / gearbox unit, bolted rear frame, longitudinal link-guided telescopic fork, standpipe diameter 35 mm, Single-joint single-sided swing arm made of tubular steel, central spring strut directly hinged, adjustable spring base, travel-dependent damping, double disc brake at the front, four-piston calipers, floating brake discs, Ø 305 mm, rear disc brake, double-piston caliper floating brake disc, Ø 285 mm. Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 16; 4.00 x 15 tires 150 / 80-16; 170 / 80-15 Chassis data: wheelbase 1641 mm, steering head angle 56.5 degrees, caster 184 mm, spring travel f / r 144/120 mm. Dimensions and weights L / W * 2415/1075 mmSeat height * 745 mmEmpty weight * 308 kg Permissible total weight * 530 kgTank capacity / Reserve * 17.5 litersWarranty two years with unlimited mileageColors pearl silver, blue or metallic brownPrice including VAT. 15,100 marks

Luxury items

As is to be expected in this price segment, the R 1200 CL shines with a dignified paintwork quality and premium finish. Regardless of whether the chrome on the rear-view mirror / indicator units, the surface of the die-cast aluminum luggage rack ?? everything picobello. Also included in the basic price are the integrated case and the removable top case, for the former you can order removable inner bags ?? This would open the chapter of extras, which are subject to a surcharge, from crash bars for cylinders and suitcases, running boards for the backseat, drinks can holders for everyone and passenger backrests to the technical and audiophile area: the right-hand case has space for a radio with an integrated CD changer operate from the handlebar. Even there, the considerable battery of switches and buttons can be enlarged, even if the cruise control and the heated grips, which are actually obligatory for BMW touring bikes, are ordered. In this case to be supplemented by heated seats and the particularly soft soft-touch surface. BMW integral ABS is clear anyway, with a cruiser there are also chrome fittings for hand levers, headlights and so on ?? And finally, the anti-theft alarm system is recommended for the whole jewelry box.

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