At the time of its introduction, the cruiser configuration represented more than half the US motorcycle market.
The R1200C was BMW's attempt to tap into this market, and was a significant departure from their previous endeavors. The R1200C was designed by BMW head designer David Robb, featuring a cruiser riding posture. From its inception, the R1200C featured a passenger seat that could fold up to become a driver backrest with three different angles, adjustable while riding.
When BMW ended production of the R1200C lineup, Dr. Herbert Diess, then President BMW Motorrad, cited a prime reason for discontinuing the bike as the apparent unsuitability of the 1,170 cc (71 cu in), 61 hp (45 kW) engine to then current market tastes and the unavailability of a suitable engine for further development, but did not rule out BMW pursuing a reinterpretation of the cruiser idea at a later date. The final model of the R1200C to be produced was the commemorative Montauk model, of which 350 units were built.
Art House Touring
BMW R 1200 C
What can you say about BMW's first serious attempt at a cruiser? Firstly you have to hand it to there L.A design studio and the cool dudes who came up with the radical styling and secondly you have to congratulate the German engineers for transforming art work sketches into a real living breathing and going motorcycle.
Powered by the largest Boxer engine ever, the 1170 cc, 61 bhp chrome machine, will embarrass many sportsters out there. The first thing that hits you is the sheer amount of aluminium and steel, and the way it's been used. The front Telelever is a piece of sublime design, giving both brilliant aesthetics, surefooted (if a touch light) handling combined with outstanding braking and no dive. I have had, over the years, admirers look, stair and even crane at the machinery that I been lucky enough to test, but nothing has ever provoked the awe in which this bike was received by the public in and around London. I suppose for this we must thank another great BMW division, yes you know the one, the marketing boys and there lavish advertising, not to forget Mr Bond I presume, who cannot have done the street cred too much harm. No when the Beemer Boys (owe and it was so nearly the Bentley boys too) decide make an entrance you had better be on the Mars probe if you want to avoid it.
Why then after all this thought and brilliance does the actual riding experience leave me somewhat underawed? A little like the climax of a movie when the bad guy doesn't GET IT! Yes, the bike is quick, very responsive and quite comfortable, particularly with the back rest up. But at the same time the exhaust note is so feable, that upon hearing it, one of my friends likened it to a locust with a cork stuck up its bum (how he knew what that sounded like I never did find out), but I think that you get the message. As for cruising, HA! I have never riden a bike less comfortable on the open highway. Unlike with most cruisers where the rider sits low and protected by the front body work, on the beemer you sit high and are very unprotected by the small light and even smaller instrument binnacle. Talking of which, I don't know who designed the indicator switches and what size fingers they have, but my medium sized gloved hands had serious problems both activating and deactivating the fiddly buttons. Oh, and guys (n' gals) if you're going to make chrome etc the name of the game, don't go and make the starter a naff grey plastic button.
To BMW's credit, I hear that a sports exhaust is coming and a small screen is already available. Apart from that, what you see is what you get. A cool looking, bad sounding cruiser that will impress your friends no end and no doubt run for ever. That's if the horizontally opposed twin doesn't rock you out of your seat at the traffic lights and the circulation through your hands doesn't pack in after a long journey courtesy of the vibration. But all in all- it's a true Guggenheim mobile with need for a touch more substance.
Price £9500
Engine 1170cc
Weight 285kg
Torque 72.3ft-lb @ 3000rpm
NB. I have just been flicking through BMW's new clothing range and as well as some of the best helmets in the shape of their new System 4, BMW have designed some outstanding (if not cheap) clothing which I highly recommend you take a trip to your local dealer to view.
theautochannel.com
Die BMW R1200C ist ein Cruiser Motorrad von BMW Motorrad gefertigt. Präsentiert von der größten Boxer-Motor überhaupt wird die 1170 ccm, 61 PS Chrom Maschine, viele sportsters da draußen in Verlegenheit bringen.
Il R1200C BMW è una moto cruiser prodotto da BMW Motorrad. Equipaggiata con il motore più grande pugile mai, i 1170 cc, 61 CV cromo macchina, ha messo in imbarazzo Sportster molti là fuori.
El R1200C BMW es una moto crucero fabricado por BMW Motorrad. Impulsado por el motor más grande boxeador nunca, la cc 1170, de 61 años de la máquina de cromo CV, se avergüence Sportster muchos por ahí.
BMW R1200C является дорожных мотоциклов производства BMW Motorrad. Работает на крупнейших оппозитный двигатель когда-либо, 1170 куб.см, 61 л.с. хром машине, смутить многих sportsters там.
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