The S is one brick in our attack – a move towards more performance.’ ‘So for us, significant growth is only possible if we move into new areas. ‘The world bike market is developing only at a moderate rate, and in Germany the market has declined over the last five years,’ he said. The reasoning behind the 1200S´s arrival had become clear at the previous evening´s technical presentation, with the words of BMW board member Ernst Baumann. It is one of the most technically innovative, too, with its non-telescopic front suspension system, based on the design developed by British engineer Norman Hossack in the 1980s. Its sleek shape, 165bhp power output and dry weight of 227kg also confirm that the K1200S is not just the fastest ever BMW, it is also by a long way the most sporty and aggressive. Not that there had been any doubt beforehand that this bike is something special. But the high-speed chase had been worthwhile as well as fun, because it had highlighted the speed and stability of the K1200S. By the time we had retraced our route, the riders behind us had all gone ahead. Occasionally we slowed for a village, before immediately regaining the pace once again on the exit.įinally, after about 20 minutes, we reached a junction, and both realised that in the rush we had missed a turning some way back. I screamed the bike through its six-speed gearbox on the straights, and tipped it hard into the many tight bends behind a similarly angled bike whose rider´s knee occasionally brushed the ground. Then I wound back the throttle, and held on tight as the four-cylinder engine punched the bike forward.įor the next few miles it was a memorable ride. With my left thumb, I pressed a round button on the BMW´s handlebar to activate the electronic suspension adjustment, then jabbed it twice more to change the front and rear shock setting from Comfort to Sports mode, firming up the damping. If I was going to keep up and follow him, I couldn´t afford to delay. This rider was quick and neat, and looked as though he knew where he was going. The guy on the blue-and-white K1200S flashed past me while I was cruising along in relaxed fashion on an identical bike, enjoying the view of the spectacular Alpine scenery near the German-Austrian border. Four cylinders, electronic suspension adjustment, 180mph performance – this is the new territory for BMW.Ĭan they cut it in the white-hot sportbike sector of the market? Time will tell, but Roland Brown reckons they´ve got a very strong chance indeed. The BMW K1200S is perhaps the most significant new model from the German factory in the last 20 years. Additional Insurance Additional Insurance.Campervan Insurance Campervan Insurance.Classic Car Quick Links Classic Car Quick Links.

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