Boxer Battletwin

BOXER BATTLETWIN

ROUNDUP

BMW IS POISED TO GIVE sport-Twin enthusiasts reason to celebrate. With its aggressively styled half-fairing, low-set clip-on handlebars and twin oval mufflers tucked 916-like under the seat, the 1999 R1 100S is destined to be the raciest Boxer ever.

The air/oil-cooled, fuel-inject ed, eight-valve Twin is said to red line at 8500 rpm and produce 98 horsepower at the crankshaft. Chassis-wise, Telelever has been dutifully retained, but with revi sions to reduce weight. Plus, the front shock now offers a wider range of adjustment, and the lower A-arm is stiffer. The rear end has also been revamped, with the sin gle-sided Paralever no longer piv oting in the gearcase, but through separate supports, along the lines of the K1200RS. The effect is in creased chassis stiffness.

Look for the bike to debut this September in-where else?Munich.

Alan Cathcart