BMW R1200R: Old-school styling, cutting-edge technology

By Bill Wood

BMW's new R1200R is what you'd call an odd mix.

On the one hand, the basic layout of the machine is as traditional as it gets—standard styling, upright seating, no bodywork, twin cylinders. Superficially at least, this could be a '70s-era slash-5, especially in the available black paint with white pinstriping.

But underneath all that is a level of technology that is, in some respects, beyond anything else you can buy. No, it doesn't come with a short-stroke engine that revs to 16 grand. But you do get BMW's unique Telelever front suspension and single-sided Paralever rear swingarm, plus available options like electronic suspension adjustment and BMW's third-generation ABS, along with two new innovations: traction control and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

In other words, it's a high-tech machine with an old-school soul. And as I found out over three days on the motorcycle, the combination is pretty close to irresistible.

BMW invited journalists to sample the new R in its native habitat—the back roads and autobahns of Germany—where it proved both competent and adaptable.

On the autobahn, the bike, with its 1,170cc, 109 (claimed) horsepower engine (up from 85 on the predecessor R1150R), easily kept up with traffic in a country where hanging in the passing lane can require triple digits in mph, and occasional sprints to the double ton on the kph scale. The only limiting factor is the lack of wind protection, which leaves you flapping in the breeze when the going gets hypersonic.

At a more normal American pace on two-lanes through the Alps, the new mo' delivered great drive out of corners at anything more than 4,000 rpm. And there's a grin-producing horsepower hit at 5,500 that is wonderfully out of character with previous Beemer twins.

When it comes time to stop, BMW's new, third-generation ABS is better in every respect. The semi-integrated system gives you a mix of front and rear brakes when you squeeze the hand lever, but only the rear brake when you push down with your right foot. There's no longer any power-assist, which made the previous generation feel pretty abrupt, and new, analog control valves reduce the pulsing effect.

The result is a brake that feels strong, solid and entirely normal, yet still keeps the wheels from locking up if you get overaggressive on slick surfaces.

But the best part of the new R is its handling, which got a thorough test on Alpine back roads. The wide bars make for a light steering touch when you enter a corner. And after that, the magic of the Telelever takes over.

Because it separates steering forces from the suspension system, BMW's innovative front end allows you to do all the wrong things mid-corner without paying a penalty. Go ahead, slow down, speed up, downshift, hit the brakes—none of that affects the bike's line.

And best of all, when you spot the corner exit, you can roll on the throttle right to the limit of rear-wheel traction without driving wide in the corner. The front wheel just sticks to the line you set.

Speaking of traction, we didn't get to try BMW's new Automatic Stability Control that cuts engine power when it senses the rear wheel spinning faster than the front. The system is still in development and won't be available when the first R1200Rs arrive at the end of the year.

A quick demonstration by test riders at BMW's Berlin plant purported to show the benefits of the traction-control system, which has become a mainstay in road racing. But we'll have to wait for a full test to see how it works in the real world.

Even without it, though, BMW's latest R adds up to a great combination: the adaptability of an old-style standard with the innovation of plenty of 21st-century technology.

2007 BMW R1200R
Engine	1,170cc air/oil-cooled opposed twin, 4 valves/cylinder
Bore x stroke	101mm x 73mm
Carburetion	Electronic fuel injection
Transmission	Six-speed, shaft final drive
Front suspension	BMW Telelever
Rear suspension	BMW Paralever
Front brakes	2 320mm discs, integrated ABS optional
Rear brake	1 265mm disc, integrated ABS optional
Tire sizes	120/70-17 front, 180/70-17 rear
Unladen weight, full tank	492 pounds
Seat height	31.5 inches
Fuel capacity	4.8 gallons
Alternator output	600 watts
Night Black non-metallic with optional white decal lines Granite Grey metallic   Crystal Grey metallic