New Bmw Über-Tourer Twin
NEW BMW ÜBER-TOURER TWIN
ROUNDUP
HIKE UP YOUR lederhosen, Beemerphiles, BMW is readying a retro-style touring version of its popular Boxer-engined cruiser, the R 1200C. A pair of
lightly camouflaged prototypes of the fairingand saddlebag-equipped machine was recently spotted undergoing testing in Europe, along with a street-fighter version of the current R1150R roadster.
Now in its fifth year of production, the air/oil-cooled twincylinder boulevard bike has already spawned several spinoffs. This year, BMW is offering four models: the holdover Custom and Euro, plus the daytripper Montana and hot-rod Phoenix. These bikes are all fairly similar, varying mostly in choice of handlebar, cast versus wire-spoked wheels, paint and trim. The so-called R1200T, however, appears to be a real departure.
With its obvious competition being Harley-Davidson’s Elec-
tra Glide and Yamaha’s Royal Star Venture, the new machine combines a substantial quadheadlight (two centrally positioned projector beams appear to be taped over), framemounted half-fairing and upsized clamshell hard luggage. One prototype was also fitted with a combination topcase/ passenger backrest, while the other sported a variation on the R1200C’s flip-up setup. With all of these weighty additions, BMW will need to give its four-valve-per-cy linder, 1170cc opposed-Twin some additional oomph. Our last testbike made a wheezy 54 horsepower and 61 foot-pounds of torque at its rear wheel.
How much might this new two-up traveler cost? BMW spokespeople wouldn’t even discuss the bike, but if the base R 1200C retails for $14,590, expect at least a $1500 price hike, which would still be a grand less than the $16,990 the company asks for the base-level K1200LT flagship tourer.
As for the R1150R-derived streetfighter, BMW acknowledged the growing worldwide popularity of the category, but wouldn't confirm such a machine is actually scheduled for production-let alone how much it would cost. From the photos, the biggest differences between the current model and the prototype are the latter’s gauges-cloaking bikini fairing, restyled front fender and blacked-out cutaway Telelever A-arm. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a standard Roadster, right down to the gas-tank graphics.
Not so many years ago, goanywhere Twins, Triples and Fours dominated BMW's model line. Now, the company appears to be as driven as any other fullline bike-maker to fill every conceivable market niche.
Matthew Miles
