Bahn Burner
Bahn Burner
BMW’s new K1300RS supersport-tourer
What does the future hold for BMW’s K1200RS? Spy shots show a more touring-oriented version of the current “Flying Brick,” further enhanced with additional displacement. Question is, will fresh bodywork and added wallop be enough to bring down sport-touring’s current top dogs, the Honda ST1300 and Yamaha FJR1300? Or for that matter, a saddlebag-equipped Kawasaki ZZ-R1200?
Largely unchanged for five years, the current K1200RS is big, heavy and 150mph fast. Stretching 61.3 inches between axles and tipping the scales at 613 pounds dry, it’s no slalom champ. But its fuel-injected, dohc, 16-valve inline-Four makes 110 horsepower and 78 footpounds of torque at the rear wheel. That’s zip enough to keep pace with the ST and FJR in a straight line, but some 20 mph down on the burly ZZ-R.
Which explains why BMW engineers broke out the boring bar, and bumped the rubber-isolated laydown-Four’s displacement from 1171 cc to a reported 1300cc. That should give the RS the extra grunt it needs to accelerate on par with the FJR, though it may not match the ZZ-R and its 132 rear-wheel ponies.
Modifications made to the body are subtle,
but equally significant. The adjustable windscreen, for instance, is taller and has a pronounced lip. The resculpted fairing is wider and offers greater hand protection. The cockpit is revised, too. No word on changes to the aluminum frame and Telelever/Paralever suspension. What about weight? Will the new bike be lighter than the old one? Hard to say. Given the Paul Bunyan-like build of the test rider in this photo, we aren’t holding our breath.
So, how much? Retailing for nearly
$17K, the current RS costs thousands more than its competition. Hard luggage and the necessary mounting hardware will set you back another $840, whereas bags are standard on the Honda and Yamaha.
At least the BMW comes with such niceties as cruise control, Integral ABS, heated handgrips, a single-sided swingarm and adjustable ergonomics. Expect the new bike to be similarly configured, with the possible bonus of a built-in navigation system. -Matthew Miles
